Chapter 85

Chapter 85. Bring the Salt (1)

Ruquer is a city of survival of the fittest, akin to the wilderness.

Yet, a market has formed, and a certain order has been established. It means the control is functioning.

The one who has placed a leash around the necks of hundreds of thousands of Ruquerians, all Aura users who do not value their lives, is Grand Duke Alkione.

He spoke with a benevolent smile.

“It’s been 12 years. Back then, you were just a kid getting used to Ruquer.”

Alkione’s voice was incredibly soothing and warm. However, the content of his words was anything but comforting.

“How was the outside world? Was it the world you dreamed of?”

Keter’s lips curled up, and his body trembled slightly. It was because he felt awe and fear towards the Grand Duke.

“Even while staying in Ruquer, you seem to know everything, Grand Duke.”

“If I could leave like you, it wouldn’t be such a big deal.”

“So, the legend that no one can leave Ruquer is false.”

The Grand Duke gestured for Keter to come closer.

“Sit down. This will be a long talk.”

“Gladly.”

Sitting across from the Grand Duke, Keter felt more tense than ever.

He had never been this nervous even in front of a Lord.

That’s what the Grand Duke was like.

He looked like the old man next door, but what lay beneath his skin was not human bones and flesh. Of course, he took on a perfectly human form and spoke with a human voice.

‘Would the Queen feel the same way?’

Then, is the Grand Duke a ‘god’ like the Queen?

Keter’s answer was, ‘I don’t know.’

Because the Grand Duke is aging.

The Grand Duke he saw 12 years ago had far fewer wrinkles and a straighter back.

But now, the Grand Duke’s face looks like tree bark, his hair has turned white, his back is bent, and his stature has shrunk.

A perfect human.

A human who has faced time head-on.

That’s why it was even more terrifying. More human than anyone, yet not feeling human at all.

“Let me start by saying you’ve done well. You handled the troublesome Red Comet nicely.”

“To you, Grand Duke, it must be a trivial creature.”

“But not to you, right? Haha.”

“You haven’t hidden it, but are you enjoying this as a game? In a human body.”

“Keter. Have you heard of Causality?”

“It’s the first time I’ve heard of it.”

“Even I don’t fully understand Causality. It’s probably a concept no one in this world can comprehend. But to this old man, Causality is simply luck.”

“Good luck or bad luck. That kind of luck?”

“Exactly. Causality is luck. But not everyone has the same Causality. The more insignificant the existence, the less they are affected by Causality. Conversely, the more outstanding one is, the more they are affected by Causality. So, what do you think moves this Causality?”

“Murder, perhaps.”

“That’s an uncharacteristically flat answer from you.”

“It’s because it’s you, Grand Duke, that I can give such a flat answer.”

“Haha, you’re right. I’m starting to regret earning your respect a bit.”

The Grand Duke smiled gently and looked away.

Keter was startled.

‘When did I sweat this much?’

His whole body was damp. It wasn’t sweat from heat.

The tension had excited his body, and the excited body was constantly secreting sweat to cool down.

So much sweat had been secreted that a small puddle had formed at his feet.

‘When I saw the Grand Duke as a child, it was nothing.’

Back then, the Grand Duke was scary, but the object of fear was different. It was the Grand Duke’s ‘status’ that was scary, not the Grand Duke himself.

But now, with 50 years of reincarnation experience, I could clearly recognize that the Grand Duke was a transcendent being.

‘On top of that, his human side that cares for me is even more chilling.’

If the Grand Duke had continued the conversation without a break, I would have suffered from dehydration and exhaustion due to excessive tension.

But the Grand Duke deliberately interrupted the flow of conversation, making me aware that I was overly tense.

How human is that?

Feeling the goosebumps rising at the human side shown by a non-human being, Keter spoke while rubbing his arms.

“So, what is the factor that moves this Causality?”

Keter doesn’t listen to others. It’s because their words are neither interesting nor informative.

But the Grand Duke’s words are different. Each word is a treasure trove of information, filled with elements that stimulate interest.

“Influence.”

The Grand Duke kindly provided the answer directly.

Influence. Keter pondered over the word.

“The more influence one exerts, the less Causality they have, and the less Causality, the more unfortunate they become.”

“For now, just know that.”

It seems more complex factors are at play, but if the Grand Duke says so, then it must be so.

“To summarize, it’s like this. It’s more of a loss for you to directly handle the Red Comet and lose Causality than to not intervene.”

“If you understand this far, you should also understand why the world works this way. For example… if Queen Lilian truly wishes for the downfall of House Sephira, why doesn’t she intervene directly?”

“……!”

The suppressed goosebumps rise again.

Regardless of Keter’s reaction, the Grand Duke continued with a calm smile.

“I’ll make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

* * *

The Grand Duke, who casually introduced the world’s law of Causality, interlocked his fingers and continued.

“I will protect Sephira from Lilian.”

The moment Keter heard those words, his hot head rapidly cooled.

It wasn’t because he was tempted by the offer.

Something felt off. But he couldn’t immediately figure out what it was. Normally, he would have realized it right away, but now his mind felt stifled, as if trapped in a narrow space.

“You cannot protect Sephira. If even one Lord steps forward, Sephira is finished, and if Sephira shows signs of revival, Lilian will intervene even at the cost of her Causality. By then, you will be powerless. You can only watch. Watch as Sephira crumbles under her touch. No matter what you’ve prepared, it will be useless.”

The Grand Duke’s words were filled with certainty, as if he had seen the ‘future,’ and to Keter, they felt persuasive.

“Are you asking for my soul?”

“I’m not a devil, Keter. As you can see, I’m just an old man. I don’t have much life left.”

“If you wished, you could live longer. Even if you’re not a god or a devil.”

Among the elixirs, there are those that halt aging or restore the body to its prime.

Of course, they are very hard to obtain, but this is Ruquer, where nothing is impossible, and the Grand Duke is the ruler of Ruquer. If he wished, a single word would suffice. No, it’s more likely he already possesses it.

But the Grand Duke shook his head.

“Causality is not that simple. I will simply die when my time comes, like everyone else. Then what will happen to Ruquer?”

“It will manage somehow.”

“Ruquer needs a Grand Duke. I want to pass that role to you.”

“So, protecting Sephira ultimately means that. Become the Grand Duke of Ruquer and protect Sephira.”

“That’s not it. I swear. You becoming the Grand Duke and protecting Sephira are unrelated. This is a deal. I will save Sephira, and you will succeed me as the next Grand Duke.”

“In front of you, Grand Duke, I can’t help but ask a cliché question. Why me?”

“You already know the answer to that, don’t you? You’re different from others. Special. Isn’t that so?”

The Grand Duke stared at Keter with eyes that seemed to know everything.

Keter met his gaze without flinching. When it comes to being special, I am the most special in this world. Because I have reincarnated.

But the Grand Duke probably isn’t referring to the specialness of reincarnation. He knows a lot about me, but not that much.

Thinking so, Keter felt a sense of relief. The more he talked with the Grand Duke, the more something felt unblocked, and his mind started working faster.

“You’re not being like yourself, Grand Duke.”

A hint of leisure returned to Keter’s tone.

“What do you mean?”

“You know I left Ruquer, and you know about my activities in Sephira. Why are you making me guess the answer? What’s so special about me? If it’s swordsmanship, Sword Demon Walt is superior, and if it’s knowledge, Maknun next to me is better.”

“…Do you think you’re nitpicking over trivial things?”

“Mistakes may seem trivial at first glance, but catching that triviality can be decisive.”

“Haha, hahaha.”

The Grand Duke laughed silently, leaning back.

Keter focused on the Grand Duke without looking away.

“I’ll admit it. I know you’re special, but I don’t know why. But does that change anything? No matter how hard you try, you can’t avoid Sephira’s downfall. The Causality of downfall that has been building up for a long time can’t be changed in an instant.”

“I don’t plan to change it in an instant. I’ll build it up too. That thing called Causality.”

“It’s not something that can be solved by you, who just realized Causality, recklessly stirring things up.”

“Hah.”

“Why are you suddenly laughing?”

“I thought you weren’t human, Grand Duke, but I must have been mistaken.”

Twitch.

The Grand Duke’s brow slightly furrowed.

Keter continued with a more relaxed expression.

“When I said I would build up Causality, I sensed impatience in your words.”

“I assure you, it’s a misunderstanding.”

“I believe in myself. Even if it’s a misunderstanding, it’s my choice, and I must bear it.”

“You don’t know what House Sephira will go through, that’s why you’re saying this. Once you know, you won’t be able to speak so easily.”

“If you tell me, I’ll take it into account.”

“All I can tell you is that it’s destruction.”

Is the Grand Duke’s ability to see the future?

Keter thought not.

‘If he has information, it’s possible to infer the future to some extent. The content is shocking, but upon careful thought, the information the Grand Duke provided isn’t exactly knowing the future.’

Of course, just having that information is incredibly impressive…

‘But it’s within the realm of humanity. That is.’

As the illusion of the Grand Duke slightly shattered, the excessive tension eased a bit.

Above all, isn’t the Grand Duke also mistaken? Thinking that I’m doing this to save Sephira.

I’m only nurturing Sephira for my own sake.

“Your offer, Grand Duke, was truly an offer I couldn’t refuse. Protecting Sephira from the Queen, and even the position of the ruler of Ruquer as your successor… Essentially, I see no loss for myself.”

“Do you understand?”

“Yes. I realize that protecting Sephira from the Queen is by no means easy. I can’t handle even a Lord right now, and even if the Lords don’t intervene, reviving Sephira, which everyone has turned their backs on, will require immense effort and numerous successes. On the other hand, with your help, Grand Duke, I won’t have to struggle. In return, what you desire is neither my soul nor my loyalty. You simply recognize my specialness and wish to pass on the position of Grand Duke to me.”

“Hoho, I’m glad. You fully understand my intentions.”

“However, that’s why I must refuse.”

“…What?”

The Grand Duke’s benevolent face twisted, but Keter smiled brightly and said.

“Such a favorable deal couldn’t possibly exist in this world, could it?”