I'm the Crazy One in the Family
Chapter 140: I Never Stop (2)

Chapter 140: I Never Stop (2)

“This... this is...!” shouted the worker, eyes widening in shock. “This is a recommendation letter from Lord Gyro Shubil, the seventh Sword of the South?!”

The letter Keter had presented was not from Zerphi Luban, the current Sword of the South, but from the previous one, Gyro Shubil. He was so famous that there was no one who didn’t know about him.

“You’re saying you brought a recommendation letter from Lord Gyro, who vanished without a trace one day?”

“Then that young man must be Lord Gyro’s successor!”

“That explains everything!”

If Keter was indeed Gyro’s student or son, it made sense how he had received sponsorship from a high noble and how he managed to obtain a recommendation from him.

As murmurs swept through the crowd, the worker shouted, “Everyone, please don’t jump to conclusions! We haven’t verified the authenticity of this recommendation letter yet. I’ll compare the seal and signature right now.”

Every Sword of the South signed in their own blood, which was how authenticity was verified. The worker took the letter and disappeared into the back.

While the verification was underway, Minerva leaned over and whispered to Keter, “Is that truly a letter from Gyro Shubil?”

“If you want to ask questions, stop being so formal. Otherwise, I won’t answer.”

“... Where is Lord Gyro? How did you get that letter? Please, tell me.”

“You know him?”

Keter’s tone made it clear he wouldn't share anything unless he cooperated.

“He’s the one who opened up my future. I must know where he is, and whether he’s safe.”

“He’s alive. Probably.”

“Probably? Please, if you know where he is, tell me. I beg you.”

“Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.”

“I...”

Minerva was about to raise his voice when the worker interrupted.

“Wow!!!! It’s genuine! This letter is an authentic recommendation from Lord Gyro Shubil!”

The crowd, which had been holding its breath, erupted in excitement.

“Wooooaaahhh!”

“He’s the heir to the duelist Gyro! Mr. Heir, where is Lord Gyro now?”

“Alongside the Sword Dragon, the Spear Dragon, and the Red Wolf, we have another top contender for the title!”

“Wait a minute, why doesn’t he have a sword?”

“Fool! He’s a five-star Master. A Master doesn’t need a clunky sword!”

“Ohhh!”

The crowd began weaving their own stories, adding color and weight as they went.

Meanwhile, Keter calmly retrieved his recognition tag from the table and said, “We’re done here. Let’s go.”

As he turned to leave, several noble attendants who had been watching from the sidelines cried out in desperation.

“P-please wait, Lord Keter! Just one word about the missing Lord Gyro...!”

“Our Duster family would be honored to invite you, Lord Keter! Please visit us!”

But no one had the courage to block Keter and Minerva’s path. Who would dare stand in the way of such figures? It would be like stepping in front of a charging chariot.

Leaving behind the crowd’s cheers and excitement, the two of them walked swiftly out of the arena. Minerva had expected Keter to speak first, but when he remained completely silent and headed straight toward the palace, he had no choice but to speak up.

“Keter. Participating in the Sword of the South Tournament is truly something to be praised. I respect you. But just as important to me is the matter of Lord Gyro’s whereabouts. Can’t you tell me?”

Minerva’s persistence caused Keter to stop in his tracks.

“If Gyro doesn’t want to be found, why are you so intent on helping him? If he’s alive, you’ll meet eventually. If you’re fated, you’ll run into each other whether you want to or not.”

“I see. I won’t ask again. But just one request. If you do meet Lord Gyro, please tell him about me. Tell him I asked him to visit Aegis.

“I’ll do that if you do something for me. Let me try on that armor.”

“...!”

“Not now. I’ll visit your house eventually. You were the ones who asked me to visit, weren’t you?”

“That’s true. The patriarch wishes to see you himself.”

“Perfect. When I come, let me wear your armor. In exchange, I’ll pass on your message to Gyro.”

“Can’t I ask for anything else?”

“Nothing other than that.”

Keter made a firm gesture that left no room for negotiation. Minerva, despite his massive frame, briefly pressed a hand to his forehead, then nodded.

“Understood. If you come to Aegis, I’ll let you wear my armor, but just for a moment. I’m not giving it to you.”

“Stingy.”

“Lord Panir was right about you. You really do pull things off. And you are a rare breed.”

“If you're done talking, then off you go. You seem busy.”

Keter waved dismissively.

Minerva glanced around and said, “Are you sure you don’t need an escort back to the palace? You’re surrounded. The only reason no one dares approach us is because I’m with you.”

“It’s always funny getting concern from others. Go on, you’re just getting in the way of my fun.”

“Keter. Do you plan on winning this tournament?”

“Of course.”

“Then next time, we’ll meet not as allies, but as the Sword of the East and the Bow of the South. I look forward to that day.”

Minerva saluted with a fist over his chest, then turned and walked away without looking back.

* * *

As Keter leisurely made his way back to the palace after parting with Minerva...

Clatter! Clatter! Clatter

A group hidden among the crowd suddenly emerged and surrounded him from all directions.

Normally, the expected response would be to stop walking, but Keter didn’t. He just kept moving forward. The soldiers surrounding him were the ones who were confused instead.

“Lord Keter, stop! We have something to say!”

As Keter continued walking, the soldiers backed away while maintaining the circle.

“Start by telling me which family you’re from.”

“We’ll tell you, just please stop for a moment!”

“If not, I’ll just keep going.”

“Galahind! We come under orders from Marquis Galahind, Lord Keter!”

“Galahind.”

Keter finally stopped. The soldier who had spoken was a centurion, and he smiled smugly.

So he understands the situation after hearing Lord Galahind’s name.

But Keter was thinking something entirely different.

Galahind. One of the families backing Ultima.

Along with Galahind were Delmore, Eiwen, and Bristan: these four houses were manipulating Ultima to pressure Sefira.

Fifty soldiers to surround me, without even sending knights? They would never dream of this in Liqueur.

This was trouble. If the enemy saw him as weak, then they would keep sending expendable foot soldiers like these. Even if they did send knights, they would come in singles and duos.

Just come all at once. Don’t waste my time.

Keter didn’t mind facing strong opponents or even a horde alone, but dealing with a handful of mid-level grunts was just tedious.

“Lord Keter, please come with us. Marquis Galahind awaits.”

“And what does he want with me?”

“He wishes to speak with you.”

“What, does that bastard have no legs?”

“...Pardon?”

The centurion blinked, unsure if he had heard correctly.

Did Lord Keter just refer to Marquis Galahind as “that bastard”?

“Or is he such a fat pig he’s stuck in bed under his own weight?”

“Wh-what outrageous words are you saying, Lord Keter?!”

“If he’s got two working legs, tell him to come speak to me himself.”

“Lord Keter! You are not yet a proper noble! Can you not show respect to Marquis Galahind, a high noble?”

“I don’t have that sort of thing.”

Even though they were surrounded, Keter was still on a main road. Naturally, curious people had gathered around, and now everyone was listening in on their exchange.

Drawing his sword, the centurion boldly shouted, “Lord Keter! Even if you are a member of Sefira, you are not yet nobility. You insulted Marquis Galahind, and I could arrest you here and now. Is that what you want?”

Trying to intimidate him, the centurion raised his voice. Keter simply sighed.

“The underlings take after the master. I can already tell what kind of person Galahind is just from you guys.”

“Lord Keter, your bluff won’t work on me. Even if you are a Diamond-class mercenary, you can’t take us all unarmed.”

The centurion had heard about Keter from the arena. He was registered as a Diamond-class mercenary. If he had been Amantir-class or higher, they might have hesitated even with fifty men, but Diamond-class? And unarmed? That seemed manageable.

Keter couldn’t even be bothered to figure out where this guy’s confidence came from.

“Hey kids, deliver this message clearly to that marquis of yours and anyone else who sees me as a joke.”

Whoosh...

A shimmer of aura radiated from Keter’s body, expanding the space around him. The sheer pressure made soldiers instinctively step back. Keter spread his arms, and on each side, Aura Arrows began to form.

Pzzzz!

One, two, five, seven, nine, twelve... The number kept rising.

The soldiers’ emotions changed by the second, from confusion to shock, and finally to terror. In just three seconds, wings made of Aura Arrows had formed on either side of Keter. Twenty-two arrows per wing—forty-four in total—were glowing in a brilliant blue light. Enveloped in wings of light, Keter looked like an angel—one descended to deliver divine punishment upon ignorant mortals.

Keter moved his index finger, controlling the Aura Arrows.

“Huh?!”

“Agh...

The forty-four arrows fanned out, aiming at the soldiers who had surrounded him.

None dared fight back, but they couldn’t run either. As if frozen in place, their legs trembled under the overwhelming sense of dread.

Controlling the Aura Arrows effortlessly with one finger, Keter said, “Go and deliver the message: I never stop.”

He took a step toward the centurion.

“You don’t stop either.”

Vooong!!!

The forty-four arrows moved with him. The soldiers, crushed by Keter’s sheer presence, could do nothing but shake in place.

Then...

“Rah!!”

With a shout, Keter unleashed the arrows at the soldiers.

“Ahhh!”

“Shriek!”

Of course, the Aura Arrows didn’t pierce them. He merely scared them and made the arrows disappear.

Keter did not kill indiscriminately; he only killed those who were worth killing. To him, death was a mercy—and an escape—for his enemies.

Thanks to that conviction, the soldiers lived. They fled in a panic like dogs with their tails on fire. More than a few had wet themselves. The centurion, who had been the loudest in front of Keter, not only soiled himself, but even fainted.

Keter stepped right over the unconscious man and continued on his way back to Eslow’s palace, where his companions awaited him.