Chapter 219

Chapter 220. Allies Close, Enemies Closer (4)

Mario is a rational person. He doesn’t let emotions interfere with his work.

That’s why when Keter asked him to step aside, he complied without hesitation.

“There won’t be a second time.”

However, he didn’t forget to leave a warning that he wouldn’t entertain such antics again.

Mario is also a 7-Star Prime. Time is as valuable as gold to him. He’s not someone who can come and go without any gain over trivial whims.

Regardless, Keter sat back down and spoke to Hans.

“If life were expressed in ‘floors,’ you know.”

Keter’s words started without context.

But Hans listened quietly.

“Some are born starting from the underground, while others start from the 5th floor. I was born at the very bottom of the underground. Maybe that’s why?”

Swoosh.

Keter pointed at Hans with his finger.

“When I see people like you, I get so annoyed that my fist moves first.”

“……?”

“People who were born on the 5th floor but think they climbed there by their own strength.”

“……!”

“People who were born strong but insist they were born in the underground just because a few things don’t go their way.”

“You speak as if you know everything about me.”

“People like you have something in common. Do you know what it is? They don’t reveal their names. But you know my name, so you can call me. It’s probably not just me; you’ve been like this your whole life. You’ve always been in the position of waiting. Even if you go to someone, they already know about you. You have the status and power to warrant that.”

“So, what are you getting at?”

“What do you mean, what? Start over. Introduce yourself properly.”

Ivan couldn’t understand Keter at all. He refused a cooperative conversation with Mario and insisted on talking to him again, just to ‘lecture’ him?

“Hans. No last name.”

“Not a fake name, your real name.”

“You’re quick to dismiss others’ words as lies.”

“Then I’ll call you Hans forever. Even if you later say it’s not true, it won’t matter.”

“…Ivan. I abandoned my last name.”

“Good. Now, what should we say next?”

Ivan wasn’t even angry anymore. Curiosity took over. What exactly was Keter trying to achieve by doing this to him?

“Why did you request a meeting with our Syndicate?”

“Well done. You can do it when you want to. I sought you out because I need your help.”

“I don’t understand why someone who can mobilize the Special Operations Unit would seek us out.”

“I know the Special Ops are more capable than you. But they have the ‘Empire’ label attached, right? That’s why it’s a no-go.”

“The Empire’s label is a problem… So it’s not about an individual, but a family matter? A party?”

While investigating Keter, Ivan also looked into the House of Sephira. Naturally, he knew what Sephira was up to now.

And if something happened to Sephira, it would naturally be related to the party.

“I heard Princess Iris is coming to the party.”

“…Hmm!”

Ivan understood. What kind of advice and help Keter needed. And why he sought the Syndicate instead of the Special Ops.

“You need a way to counter Princess Iris’s charm.”

“How about it? Is it possible?”

“…….”

Ivan remained silent. Of course, he knew about Princess Iris. The power of her charm is so strong that even the Syndicate is buzzing with ‘rumors’ about it.

In other words, there’s no concrete data. That’s why he couldn’t definitively say ‘it’s possible.’

“Impossible? Then there’s no choice. I’ll have to rely on the Special Ops, even if it’s a hassle.”

“…I can’t say for sure that we can handle it. There’s no precise information about the princess’s charm in this world.”

“Tell me what methods you have. I’ll judge.”

“Before that, why should our Syndicate help you? You’re just a bastard of Sephira.”

“You called me a regressor, right? Don’t want to collaborate with a regressor?”

“Are you admitting you’re a regressor now?”

“Yes, I’m a regressor. If I say so, am I a regressor?”

“…….”

Ivan, who had been startled, composed himself.

Keter was right. If a beggar on the street said, ‘I’m actually the king of this country!’ who would believe it?

Credibility and evidence are needed.

“If you really are a regressor, and if you can prove it… our Syndicate will spare no support for you and the House of Sephira.”

Ivan spoke sincerely, but Keter wagged his finger side to side.

“Ivan, would you do it? If you were a regressor, could you say you knew about that statement now?”

“…If it were me, I’d refuse. No, I wouldn’t say it from the start.”

“Whether I’m a regressor or not doesn’t matter. If it did, the Syndicate wouldn’t have met me. But the reason you’re in front of me now is simple. I’m worth meeting.”

“What value does the weakest bastard of Sephira in this kingdom have?”

“You know it all, but you’re making me say it. Who raised the fallen Sephira? How did I mobilize the Special Ops? It’s all because I’m exceptional.”

“It’s true you’re more outstanding than others. But that’s only in the south. Nationally, do you think there’s no one stronger or more accomplished than you?”

“There might be. But in the end, they’re all beneath me.”

This wasn’t a guess, but a certainty.

‘Is this the confidence of someone who rose from the bottom? Or does he have something else to believe in?’

Even Ivan, who was thirsty for a regressor, didn’t assume Keter was a regressor this time.

Even if he were a regressor, knowing future information and realizing it are two different things.

Keter truly exuded confidence. He had an undeniable aura of believing he was the best.

“Hoo……”

Ivan sighed deeply and clasped his hands.

His mind was complicated, but the conclusion was ultimately to help Keter and form a cooperative relationship. And it wasn’t because he thought Keter was a regressor.

Because he was someone who came out of the forbidden zone, Ruquer.

Because he was someone who had joined hands with the Special Ops.

Because he had a high probability of becoming a 7-Star Prime, a realm called the ‘Chosen One.’

These three reasons alone were enough for the Syndicate not to slight Keter. The fact that he was of the noble House of Sephira’s bloodline was irrelevant.

“There’s only one means with a relatively high possibility of countering Princess Iris’s charm.”

Ivan felt the ‘means’ that came to his mind was too coincidental.

The power of charm isn’t something you can block by defending or enduring. Moreover, the princess has already ‘charmed’ a Grandmaster and a Great Sorcerer.

Therefore, offsetting it with the same power, ‘charm,’ was the most plausible means.

‘Could it be, using Orpheus’ Mask in this way?’

Orpheus’ Mask, which holds the power of charm. An artifact prepared as a trap to catch regressors.

The fact that it was given to Keter, who was suspected of being a ‘regressor,’ was so coincidental that Ivan came up with an absurd hypothesis.

‘Keter is already a regressor who knows about Orpheus’ Mask and really needed it. But he noticed it was a trap and led me to give it to him without suspicion in this convoluted way.’

Pfft.

Ivan stifled a laugh.

‘This is insane even by my standards.’

At the most critical moment close to the truth, Ivan, who had never bent his stubbornness no matter what anyone said, broke it himself.

* * *

Keter received ‘Orpheus’ Mask’ from Ivan. It changed from ownership to a loan, but Keter only needed it for this party and had no intention of keeping it permanently.

With his business done, all that was left was to part ways.

But Keter didn’t just take Orpheus’ Mask and leave. He had learned that ‘potential threats should not be left far away.’

“Why are you looking for a regressor?”

“…….”

Before answering, Ivan took a sip of apple tea. Though it was a clone and he couldn’t taste it, the act of drinking soothed his mind and body.

“Do you believe in the existence of regressors?”

“Whether I believe or not doesn’t matter. I’m just curious why you’re looking for one.”

Why look for a regressor? Only Messiah, the founder of the Syndicate, knows.

And the reason Ivan is looking is simply because he wants to cure his cursed body. He judged it wasn’t a secret worth hiding.

“Because I want to cure my body.”

“Huh? Interesting. If someone like you couldn’t cure it, that means neither medicine nor the miracles of priests worked. What can a regressor do about it?”

“I don’t know. I only know that a regressor is the only one who can cure my body.”

“Regardless of the situation, have you tried every means?”

“The best physician in the world, Krates. The saintess of the Mother Church, specialized in healing, also said it’s impossible. That should be answer enough.”

“What about Franken?”

“…If you’re talking about Chimera Magician Franken, I couldn’t try. He entered Ruquer.”

“You could’ve looked for Franken’s disciples.”

“I’ve never heard of Franken having disciples.”

Sneer.

Keter’s lips curled up. Ivan felt uneasy, wondering why Keter was smiling again.

“Why are you laughing?”

“It’s right here.”

“What is?”

“Franken’s disciple.”

Keter pointed at himself with his thumb. Ivan’s brow furrowed.

“I’ve heard you’re from Ruquer. But that’s not enough to say you’re Franken’s disciple.”

“Whatever. Do you know Lyze?”

“Eslow’s kin, right? I also know he fell into a vegetative state due to Extreme Mana Stagnation.”

“Haven’t you heard the rumors? He’s recovered.”

“That’s impossible. Extreme Mana Stagnation was only treated by High Elves or ancient divine sorcerers in the distant past, but they’ve all disappeared in modern times. It’s incurable.”

“That’s why I’m here, right here. The doctor who cured that incurable disease.”

Poke poke.

Keter poked his chest as he spoke. Ivan, of course, didn’t believe it.

“That’s as absurd as you claiming to be a regressor.”

“Have you been living deceived? Go to Eslow’s Palace and check for yourself. Ah, if you’re not close with Eslow, that might be tough.”

“…Did Lyze really overcome Extreme Mana Stagnation?”

“I performed the surgery. Using Master Franken’s body modification techniques.”

“Body modification!”

Hans jumped up. Ivan, who was controlling him, also widened his eyes.

-If it can’t be cured, modify it.

The only hope, aside from a regressor, was Franken’s body modification techniques.

The excited Hans sat back down and coughed awkwardly.

“Ahem, is that… all true?”

“It’s getting tiring to keep talking.”

It wasn’t strange for Ivan to ask again. The moment Franken entered Ruquer, even the Syndicate couldn’t do anything.

It’s not that the Syndicate’s abilities are lacking. Ruquer is a place even divine beings like the King and Queen can’t handle, so how could the Syndicate be any different?

But suddenly, Keter appeared, claiming to be Franken’s disciple. Not only that, he said he learned body modification techniques directly and proved he wasn’t a novice by curing Lyze’s Extreme Mana Stagnation.

Of course, Ivan didn’t fully believe it. He would verify the facts.

‘If Keter is really Franken’s disciple and truly cured Extreme Mana Stagnation with body modification, then maybe I…’

It’s not certain. But it’s undoubtedly the only hope.

Looking for a regressor is a wait with no end in sight. Moreover, Ivan only has about 7 years left. If there’s something he can try, he wants to do anything.

But he couldn’t just entrust his body to Keter like that. It’s literally a matter of life and death.

“So, are you saying you’ll… cure me?”

“Not cure, modify. And don’t get it wrong.”

Swoosh.

Keter leaned in. Then, inside the eyes of the clone Hans, he made a coin shape with his fingers toward Ivan’s main body.

“How much did you come to find out?”