Chapter 32

Episode 32. Are You My Son? (2)

Basil’s eyes narrowed.

What does a business card signify?

Simply put, it was proof that the user was a “Mage.”

“You managed to learn magic, something so difficult to master, in Ruquer.”

Though he spoke calmly, Basil was inwardly distressed.

If one possesses mana, it is impossible to contain aura. Mana and aura are like water and fire—they cannot coexist. In other words, even if he wanted to teach Keter the Sephira’s aura cultivation method, it would be impossible.

“Not knowing how to use magic is like losing half of your life. Magic is just so convenient.”

Keter’s words weren’t empty.

In terms of power, aura overwhelms mana, but magic, even without being used for attack or defense, offers unparalleled convenience in daily life.

For example, “long-distance communication” is a prime example.

To communicate with someone far away, you either have to go there yourself or send a messenger. No matter what method you use, it greatly depends on the environment.

However, a mage can communicate instantly with someone regardless of distance, as long as certain conditions are met. There are countless other examples of the benefits of magic.

Basil let out a bitter smile.

“As you know, our kingdom is a country where magic is legally prohibited. I won’t tell you not to use it. Just be careful not to use it in front of others.”

“Other Upper Nobles seem to use magic just fine, though?”

“That’s because their magic is at a hobby level. Your magic doesn’t seem to be like that.”

“Well, I understand for now.”

“Good. And you said you’re a Solver?”

“If the price is right, I’ll solve anything. I already took two requests just yesterday.”

“You took requests? From whom?”

“Anis was the first, and Taragon was the second. Both were very satisfied.”

Basil was baffled.

Anis and Taragon had made requests to Keter? It was impossible they had made requests before meeting Keter, so they must have done so after meeting him.

What aspect of Keter had his sons seen that made them make requests?

The sons Basil knew would never make requests to someone like Keter.

Keter resolved the confusion.

“And now, I think I can take a third request from you, Father.”

“I have nothing to ask of you.”

“No need to worry about that. I’ll find something for you.”

“Hmm?”

Basil quickly understood.

‘He’s forcing his way in. Saying he’ll help.’

That made sense. What it meant for Keter to take requests.

Basil, having adjusted his sitting posture, clasped his hands together.

“So, Keter, you came to the House of Sephira not as my son but as a Solver from Ruquer?”

Keter shrugged his shoulders and leaned back.

“Do the two have to be separate? I am both Sephira’s son and Ruquer’s Solver. Both are me.”

“Then, as Ruquer’s Solver, let me ask you this. Does the House of Sephira seem so weak that it needs to ask for help from just one person?”

The fact that Sephira is being ostracized by the nobles is something any noble would know.

But commoners wouldn’t know, and even if they did, they wouldn’t care enough for rumors to spread. At most, only the citizens of this region would know.

Basil had said this thinking Keter didn’t know about the family’s crisis. Who are you to dare help or not help a prestigious family? Know your place, he was saying.

Keter replied nonchalantly.

“It’s not weak, but it is in crisis.”

It wasn’t a question. The confident tone made Basil’s eyes gleam.

It was true, but the House of Sephira hadn’t declined enough for it to be outwardly apparent. How could Keter, who just joined the family yesterday, be so sure?

Basil opened his mouth to ask but closed it again.

‘I clearly called him here to interrogate him. Yet, I’m already being swept up in this kid’s atmosphere.’

It wasn’t just because Keter was his son that he was being lenient.

‘He’s quite the talker. He creates a strangely comfortable atmosphere and leads the conversation skillfully.’

Basil realized that Keter’s survival in Ruquer wasn’t just due to his strength.

Keter, with his resilience and Akra’s embrace.

The corner of Basil’s mouth twitched upward.

It was both sad and joyful.

‘He really is my son.’

He survived in the worst environment and grew stronger. Without anyone’s help, or even if there was help, it was also thanks to Keter’s charm.

The world might dismiss this as luck, but Basil thought differently. Luck is also a trait of the strong.

Though his personality is a bit, no, quite different from a noble’s, any father would be proud to see his son grow up so well.

“Oh, chocolate.”

Before Basil could be moved, Keter popped a piece of chocolate from the table into his mouth.

Basil, suddenly feeling tired, followed suit and put a piece of chocolate in his mouth. Before he could savor the sweet and bitter taste, Keter spoke.

“Actually, I’ve already completed one of your requests. Ultima was being manipulated by the nobles. So, I took care of it.”

Yum, Keter grabbed another piece of chocolate.

Basil’s brow rose.

“I already knew Ultima was being manipulated by the nobles.”

“It’s pitiful. Knowing he’s an enemy yet keeping him close.”

“That’s politics for you.”

“I don’t know much about politics, but I do know this. Politics and violence go hand in hand. And—”

Keter, holding the chocolate box, dumped the remaining chocolates into his mouth.

“The biggest problem with Sephira is that they don’t know how to use violence at all. But here, there’s one talent.”

Keter pointed at himself with his thumb.

“I’ll be the family’s madman.”

It was a mind-boggling statement. Basil thought that if he pressed further, the conversation wouldn’t progress.

“There’s a mountain of things I want to ask you, but first, as the head of Sephira, not as your father, I’ll ask you this.”

There’s a limit to how much he could indulge Keter.

Why did you sell Sephira’s Bow without permission and take a 10% commission? And how does beating up Ultima and driving him away help Sephira? There was no need to beat around the bush.

‘One question should suffice.’

Basil stood up and walked to the window.

The family seemed peaceful. The weather was clear, and it didn’t look like a typhoon was coming.

But Basil knew.

This was just the precursor.

The calm before the storm. Comforting himself that everything would be fine and deceiving his family—but the storm would come eventually. Currently, he was just delaying its arrival.

Then Keter appeared.

At first, he had called him out of pity for his hidden son who would be swept up in the storm, but Keter refused protection.

The child constantly tries to do something on his own. Was that really an action that would help the House of Sephira?

‘I don’t know.’

Saying he didn’t know was already being overly generous to Keter. Others would think Keter was a god of calamity.

But after talking directly with Keter, he felt something.

Keter doesn’t resent Sephira. He doesn’t seem to love it either, but it’s clear he’s trying to do something for Sephira.

Basil didn’t ignore Keter.

Given that he subdued Anis in combat, he’s at least at the level of a 1-star Knight, and considering he subdued Amaranth, his mental strength is also excellent.

There’s just one thing bothering him.

Whether Keter thinks of him as a father or just one of the many nobles.

Basil wanted to resolve that doubt, so after a long silence, he asked.

“Keter, are you my son?”

* * *

This is the second time meeting my father.

Honestly, seeing him again feels somewhat pleasant.

In my past life, I only saw him for a little over a minute. And even then, all I heard was a single word telling me to leave.

Now, though my father looks tired, he’s still a strong man. Both internally and externally.

However, he’s gradually wearing down. Like a boulder with a hole drilled through it by repeated drops of water.

After exchanging a few words, it seems my father doesn’t dislike me. At least for now.

“Keter, are you my son?”

My father, having set the mood, asks me. My answer has been prepared for a long time.

“Seeing how you act, yes.”

My father, who was looking out the window, turns around and stares at me quietly. There’s almost no change in his expression, but he seems unsure of what I mean.

I made a coin shape with my fingers.

“You often give me allowance.”

“I know you took 20,000 gold as a mediation fee from Ultima. Do I need to say it? That’s clearly Sephira’s property.”

“That was business. Family should be even more meticulous with money to avoid hurt feelings.”

“…So, if I just give you allowance, you’ll remain my son?”

“You should also praise me a lot.”

“Praise… huh.”

“The most important thing—”

Keter extends one finger.

“No matter the situation, you have to trust me.”

Actually, this is the most important.

No matter how much I have the heart to nurture the House of Sephira, it only has meaning if it’s accepted.

My father returns to his seat and loosens his collar.

“There’s only one thing I can do for you now.”

I think so too.

Probably just giving me allowance.

But my father said something completely different from my expectations.

“Sephira’s finances are precarious. I can’t praise you without reason. Instead, I can trust you. Therefore—”

My father points at the tattoo on my left arm, Amaranth.

“Amaranth. You must have heard about it from Vulkanus. That thing is a devil. It gives you power, but demands a fitting price. The user is bound to be unhappy. It was no different for me.”

My father’s gaze shifts slightly. Following his gaze, I see a portrait.

It was a portrait of a beautiful woman. A modest woman wearing a wreath made of willow branches, smiling.

My father looked at the portrait and spoke.

“My wife. I killed her. With that Amaranth in your hand.”

Basil still looked sorrowful, as if the emotions hadn’t faded. My father placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I still think Amaranth is a dangerous weapon. But, I trust you and will entrust Amaranth to you.”

I silently looked into my father’s eyes.

I couldn’t understand.

Trust requires a basis. Just like you need collateral to borrow money, trust also needs collateral.

“What exactly are you trusting?”

So I asked. Basil.

Just as I always answered immediately, my father answered immediately too.

“Because you’re family.”

“……”

This, I got hit hard.

It’s been a while since I couldn’t understand something. Trusting because we’re family? That’s careless and defenseless.

Do you think I don’t know what family is?

There are many families in Ruquer.

The family life they show?

They live together, but in the end, one side always betrays the other in times of crisis.

Fathers sell their sons as soldiers, mothers sell their daughters as prostitutes. Children stab their parents to take their wealth.

That’s family in Ruquer. Bound by blood, but in the end, the one who lets their guard down first gets eaten.

My father trusting me means he’s willing to be eaten by me.

‘As if that would ever happen.’

There’s no such thing as unwarranted kindness. If there is, it’s just a ploy to emotionally manipulate me.

It’s what the Grand Duke of Ruquer does. If I hadn’t been burned badly before, I might have been swayed.

Anyway—

Even if it’s a lie for now, saying he trusts me isn’t bad for me.

Basil went to his desk and brought over a stack of documents. He quickly skimmed through a few and handed me three.

–<Investigation of Unidentified Dungeon in Langnil Plains> Assigned Knight: Wing

Mission Difficulty: C

–<Bandit Subjugation in Canton Mountain Range>

Assigned Knight: Canto

Mission Difficulty: C

–<Search for Missing Vacationer>

Assigned Knight: Catherine

Mission Difficulty: F

Basil gestured with his chin.

“I won’t restrict your actions. But if you truly care for our family, take on these missions. Your siblings also take on tasks, so it’s not unreasonable.”

Yeah, this makes sense. Easy to understand, right?

If you want to live in a prestigious family, earn your keep. How easy is that to understand?

A quick glance showed they were all boring and uninspiring missions. But one caught my eye.

–<Search for Missing Vacationer>

Assigned Knight: Catherine

Mission Difficulty: F

The mission with the lowest difficulty among the three.

It was a mission to find a missing vacationer.

The content was extremely mundane. A knight had gone missing while returning from vacation in a nearby village, and the mission was to find and bring them back.

The fact that the knight assigned to this mission was Catherine piqued my interest.

‘In my past life, Catherine died during a mission.’

And now, here’s a mission sheet with Catherine’s name on it. What this means is clear.

On the surface, it looks like a very easy mission, but there’s a scheme and conspiracy behind it. A conspiracy to kill a knight of the House of Sephira.

The mission difficulty is F, the lowest level, but in reality, it’s a very dangerous mission.

Adults say you should avoid danger to survive, but I don’t think so.

Danger is fun.

Fun things make money.

I’m interested in this mission because I’m curious about the identity of those who killed Catherine, but that’s not all.

I like danger. In Ruquer, I sought out danger and grew by devouring it.

Basil probably hopes I’ll choose the slightly more difficult C-rank missions. Not knowing the circumstances, he’ll be disappointed when I choose the F-rank mission.

But so what?

Not my problem.