Chapter 207: Bad News and Worse News (1)

The battlefield was filled with all kinds of noises, but to those in the throes of frenzy, none of it registered. Even if it did, they ignored it. Yet Keter’s voice pierced through everything.

“...?!”

Those fleeing, fighting, and struggling to survive all looked up at him.

An announcement of importance? Now, of all times? Is that something to say in a field overflowing with corpses, blood, rage, and killing intent?

And yet, it worked. Even the Infinite Bank’s colossi stopped. Of course, granting Keter the floor was the branch manager’s courtesy. He, too, wanted to hear what Keter had to say.

“Liqueur is now under the Liqueur Mercenary Guild.”

Keter wasted no time on preamble. He went straight to the point.

“And we, the Mercenary Guild, nominate Joyray, a councilman of the Mercenary Association, as the new Godfather of Liqueur.”

“...?!”

“...!”

Everyone knew Keter was mad. Though he may spout nonsense from time to time, he never lied. And so, what he was saying right now was only the truth. The problem was that Joyray himself was hearing this for the first time.

“When did I ever...”

He started to object, but Dork cut him off swiftly.

“Master, let’s just see how this plays out.”

Joyray might have brushed them aside if it was anyone else, but not his only student. Because of that, he hesitated for a moment, but that brief silence was enough. Since Joyray hadn’t denied it, everyone took it as confirmation.

Keter is telling the truth!

Everyone assumed that Joyray really was aiming for the Godfather’s seat, with Solver Keter and the Mercenary Guild supporting him.

However, this was ridiculous. The guild was strong and one of the major factions in Liqueur, but they weren’t particularly powerful than the rest. They may be able to face the factions one at a time, but not two at once.

If the Mercenary Guild was aspiring to control Liqueur and become the new Godfather, that meant they were going to subdue all four other factions alone. However, that was near impossible, no matter how many mercenaries there were, or that Joyray was a councilman of the Mercenary Association.

Doubt and suspicion flared until Keter doused it with cold water.

“Open your eyes. If your heads aren’t just for decoration, you should see who’s standing here. You think this is all a coincidence?”

The four major factions of Liqueur, who normally would never unite, joined forces to attack the Infinite Bank because all their enemies had coincidentally gathered in one place. This was the best opportunity to kill Keter, Stella, and the Infinite Bank in one shot. But what if it wasn’t chance?

“No... don’t tell me. It was all a trap!”

“You mean this wasn’t a coincidence?!”

Though everyone from Liqueur had gathered here by sheer chance, Keter’s suggestion planted doubt, and they fell right into it.

“We were the ones that fell into a trap!”

Keter’s words ignited their imagination, and they fell for it without resistance. How could they not? Thinking that way made their defeat easier to accept. It was far more comforting to believe that they had fallen into a trap laid by their enemy than to accept they had simply lost to overwhelming strength.

Not giving them any time to reflect, Keter pressed on.

“Your choice is simple: resist our alliance, or join it.”

The Mercenary Guild, the Infinite Bank, and even Stella, the Godfather’s daughter, were on one side. To them, this could only mean that even the White Lotus Society implicitly supported Joyray’s position as the new Godfather.

Keter glanced at Stella. Bringing her in was a gamble with no risk: if she denied it, nothing lost; if she agreed, everything gained. And Stella chose to play along. She stayed silent but supportive.

It doesn’t seem like it’s for my sake, but because she simply doesn’t care.

The Infinite Bank’s branch manager also seemed indifferent; after all, he had already allied with the guild.

Clap!

Keter clapped for silence, nocked the Milky Way to his bowstring, and declared, “I’ll give you three seconds. After that, I shoot the nearest person.”

“...!”

That was his offer of mercy. However, there was no way the Liqueurians would run...

Thud thud thud!

Of course they would run. They scattered without hesitation. Even the crippled crawled away to escape. They didn’t fear death, but a senseless one, without even the chance for vengeance, was another matter.

Of course, they were furious at Keter’s arrogance. They longed to drive a sword into his smug face. If there was even a one-in-a-thousand chance, they would not have fled. But right now, the Infinite Bank’s colossi were blocking the way. Behind them stood Keter and Joyray, and Stella hadn’t even stepped in. Not even a tenth of a percent chance remained; though they didn't fear death itself, they had no desire for a meaningless death.

So the four factions withdrew like the receding tide. This time, they were all in unison.

“Ten seconds, up.”

True to his word, Keter unleashed the Milky Way at the closest Liqueurian. Its power was but a tenth of the first, but the man was half-dead already, and it didn’t matter. He died immediately and didn’t have to linger in agony, so in that sense, Keter had given him an enviable death by Liqueur standards.

* * *

Keter, Joyray, Dork, Stella, and the Infinite Bank’s branch manager came back up to Liqueur’s surface.

“I got tricked by the swindler duo,” said Joyray, his arms folded.

Joyray looked at Keter, demanding an explanation, but Keter only smirked.

“You’re acting like you didn’t enjoy it.”

“Are you being serious?”

“You’re not the kind of man to force yourself into something you don’t want to do, Captain.”

“Don’t make it sound like your impulsive words were some carefully laid plan.”

“So you’re not going to do it then? You’re going to turn down the Godfather position?”

“...”

Keter was right. Joyray wasn’t the type to force himself to do something against his will. He also certainly had the ambition to become Godfather. Still, too many things weighed on his mind.

He glanced over at Stella, who met his gaze with a playful smile.

“As I said from the beginning, the White Lotus Society no longer meddles in Liqueur. So it doesn’t matter to me who becomes the Godfather.”

“You think the others in Liqueur will see it that way?”

“That’s their misconception. I don’t see much reason to correct it.”

“Should I be thankful for that, or... Hm...”

He would have been fine if it had been something they had agreed on beforehand, but Keter’s sudden declaration left Joyray with a pounding headache.

“Do you really think we can win, Keter? Even with Infinite Bank’s cooperation. These money-grubbers hardly seem like they’ll go out of their way to help.”

The branch manager of Infinite Bank was right there in earshot, but Joyray didn’t mince his words.

“I don’t expect much from them either, but the others won’t think that way.”

If thousands of mercenaries, with Infinite Bank’s colossi at the front, charged at the four factions...

Keter and Joyray knew the bank wouldn’t throw itself wholeheartedly into the fight, but the other factions, unaware of this, would be too distracted by the appearance of the colossi.

“And besides... I’m here.”

Keter’s confidence was almost arrogant. Joyray found it ridiculous.

“Didn’t you say you were leaving?”

“As long as you keep quiet, nobody else will know.”

“The branch manager and Stella heard you.”

“They’re not the type to run their mouths.”

Keter winked, and Joyray groaned, waving him off.

“So in the end, I’m the one left to handle everything, and you’re just buying time.”

“You’ll have to put in some effort, but don’t worry. I have a plan.”

“Freshly made plans aren’t exactly reliable.”

“We’re not the only ones who want Liqueur restored. Draw them in, especially the beastfolk—they’ll side with you first.”

At the mention of the beastfolk, Keter remembered the Flying Wolf Tribe that was staying in Hacose village.

Dork quickly caught on to what Keter was talking about.

“The Flying Wolf Tribe you sent has adjusted well, Big Brother. They had connections in the beastfolk union, which made it smooth.”

“As Dork said, Captain, we already have ties, so use them. Once the beastfolk join, the smaller factions will follow.”

“Even if that works, it’ll be hard to control them.”

“They’ll rebel if you try to use them as fodder, sure. But if you bring them in as mercenaries, it could be a solid arrangement.”

“Beastfolk as mercenaries?”

“What’s the problem?”

“...Fair enough.”

“So, do you still think we don’t stand a chance?”

“Hmm...”

Joyray rubbed his chin in thought, then raised a finger and said, “If you stay in Liqueur for just one week to help me...”

Keter pushed the finger back down and shook his head.

“Give it up.”

“Says the bastard who landed me in this mess.”

“A man with authority like yours, whining?”

“...That arrow earlier, the one that caused the massive explosion... What the hell are you really, Keter? You’re the same Keter I’ve known for so long, but also not.”

“Mystery is part of a man’s charm.”

“You’re brushing me off.”

Joyray grumbled, but didn’t pry further.

“Captain. Let’s part ways here. I’ve done what I needed to. The Mercenary Guild is in your hands now.”

“You’re not even going to the guild, even as branch manager?”

“It’ll help more if I don’t.”

“...Maybe so.”

For some reason, Joyray accepted that. Still, he lingered, reluctant to part. Perhaps it was because there were so many regrets.

“When will you return?”

“I won’t return out of longing, but... I don’t think this is the last time we’ll see each other. I can feel it.”

“I see.”

Keter would not return to Liqueur of his own will, but they would meet again. Joyray believed that too.

“Alright then. See you next time, you damned brat.”

“Take care, Captain.”

“Daat. You’re leaving for the outside world before me. If you ever disgrace the name of Flying Thunder Sword, I won’t forgive you.”

“Haha, of course not, Master.”

With that farewell, Joyray departed. The branch manager had left earlier, leaving only Stella.

“Keter.”

Her moist, tender tone made Keter hold out his hand.

“As thanks for staying quiet, I’ll hear one thing from you.”

“I’ll wait for you, always.”

“Okay. That’s it. Dork, Six, let’s go.”

True to his word, Keter only let her say one thing before leaving.

Left alone, Stella quietly finished the words she hadn’t spoken aloud, “If not in this life, then in the next...”

* * *

Keter returned to his office and drew in a deep breath.

“

Ha

... even this familiar rotten smell, I won’t be able to enjoy it much longer.”

“How are you feeling? Are you alright?”

The question carried many layers of meaning. Keter stroked the back of the chair he always liked to sit in and answered, “I’m not alright. But that’s life, isn’t it.”

“Then I have some good news. Would you like to hear it?”

“Of course. No one lifts my spirits like you do, Dork. So, what’s the news?”

“Remember how you told me to clean out the office last time? I managed to scrape together a tidy sum. Guess what I did with it?”

“If it’s you, my clever Dork, I’m sure you put it to very good use.”

“Heh heh...”

Dork’s lips curled into a wide grin.

“When you visited last time, you said next time we would go to the outside world together. Do you know the very first thing that crossed my mind? I wondered: what’s easy to get here in Liqueur but sells for a high price out there? What’s something I could carry as much of as possible?”

“You rascal, don’t tell me...”

“Yes. Before Liqueur’s market collapsed, I even emptied out my own savings.”

Clink.

He pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the elevator leading down to the tower’s basement.

“Allow me to take you to the treasure vault, Big Brother.”