Chapter 248: You Shall Not Pass (3)

The Path of Glory wasn’t created to mistreat families far from the capital. It was created so the royal family could distinguish who was on their side.

Sefira had never been chosen before, so it wasn’t recorded in historical texts. However, the other noble families knew that if they simply waited comfortably, the royal family would send a carriage for them.

For example, the kingdom’s strongest family, the Browning family, received three luxurious carriages a day before the Path of Glory began. The crown prince’s carriage, the second prince’s carriage, the third prince’s carriage... The head of the Browning family only needed to choose the carriage of the prince he supported and ride it.

Other families also chosen by the princes had the same opportunity to make a choice, though the timing varied. Some families received a carriage on the day of the summon, others, two days later. There were even cases where the carriage barely arrived on the last day.

If the carriage arrived that late, how would they reach the royal palace in time? It was simple. By using magic. They were breaking the rules by riding a mount anyway, so why would they bother honoring a rule about not using teleportation?

The royal family could break the law however they pleased. The carriages themselves had teleportation magic infused into them. Thus, instead of traveling by road, they teleported instantly to the capital within one second, no matter where they were in the kingdom. This was the absurd secret hidden within the Path of Glory.

Then what happened to families who weren’t chosen by any prince? Such cases didn’t exist. No matter how insignificant the family, a prince would at least send a carriage sooner or later. The only difference was timing.

Of course, the carriage of the highest-ranking prince, the crown prince, wouldn’t be sent. Neither would the second prince send his. Instead, the lesser third or fourth princes would send one, more out of courtesy than anything.

Despite being a noble family, Sefira hadn’t received a carriage from the first or second prince. During the previous Path of Glory, the third prince had sent one.

However, things would have been different this time. With Keter present, even if not the crown prince, at least the second prince should have sent a carriage. But because Keter had completed the Path of Glory on his own, the first and second princes could only be taken bewildered.

In the history of the Path of Glory, there had never been a family that completed it while abiding by all the rules. Not because it was impossible, but because doing so would offend the royal family. Yet Sefira could become an exception again. They could just claim they weren’t aware of the rule about carriages being sent.

News that Sefira had arrived reached the princes. Because they arrived in such a bizarre way, it would have been impossible for the report not to reach them.

“What Keter showed wasn’t magic. Then is it authority? That would make sense if a Prime has finally appeared in Sefira,” Crown Prince Rukan said.

The biggest reason the first and second princes mistreated Sefira, despite them being a noble family, was the absence of a Prime. A noble family without even a Grandmaster, only Masters.

The two princes found it very suspicious that such a family could even bear the title of noble, but because it was Queen Lillian’s will, they hadn’t dared to lay a hand on Sefira.

However, the crown prince finally came to understand after witnessing the existence of Keter, and the same went for the second prince. They repeatedly thought of the name of Sefira, especially Keter, over and over again.

“Keter, Keter... Did you raise Sefira, or did Sefira create you?”

It was already too late to send a carriage to show goodwill. However, the princes now at least wished to learn more about Keter and observe him. So they let it slide. Even after receiving a report that Keter was blocking Her Majesty’s Bridge, they ordered others to leave him be.

“There’s no law saying one cannot stand and block Her Majesty’s Bridge.”

“I’m curious about how the other family heads will react. Will they be able to pass if Keter stands blocking the path?

Hahaha.

”

“I’m also curious why Keter blocked the bridge in the first place. I’m certainly gonna ask when we meet him later.”

Thus, having unintentionally received the princes’ protection, Keter became the gatekeeper of Her Majesty’s Bridge. Not a single person had defeated him and passed. Durian, head of the Reizel family, was the first to have his path blocked by Keter. He felt an impenetrable wall from Keter.

“

Argh

... How can such strength come from such a small person...!”

Durian ordered his knights not to intervene, and insisted he would defeat Keter alone. The result was a crushing defeat. Durian couldn’t believe the outcome.

“Even if your total amount of aura surpasses mine, you shouldn’t be able to use aura or mana within the divine zone of the royal palace. So how is it that your physical strength surpasses mine with a body like yours?”

Just as Durian said, the entire royal palace was considered a divine zone, sealing all abilities. Aura, mana, and even special abilities couldn’t be used. Even a six-star Grandmaster was no exception. Within the palace, whether one was six-star or two-star, everyone became weak humans. Therefore, physique and muscle was supreme there.

In that regard, Durian’s size was twice as big as Keter’s. The saying that he could lift Keter with just his pinky wasn’t an exaggeration. Yet, Durian wasn’t even able to put up a fight and lost in pure strength, and Keter kindly pointed out the reason.

“After facing you head-on, it seems your muscles are no better than a water mattress.”

“W-water mattress?”

Although it was an insult Durian had never heard before, its meaning wasn’t difficult to grasp, so his face turned red for a different reason.

“My lord, we will take on Keter. In the meantime, you should go around the bridge.”

Durian’s knights made an obvious suggestion. No matter how much Keter stood in the way, Her Majesty’s Bridge couldn’t be blocked by just one person. It was wide enough for twelve grown men to walk side by side. Thus, the knights’ plan was perfect. That was, if they didn‘t consider the pride of a noble.

“You want me, who is called the Wolf of the North, to go around the side while you stall for time?”

Durian threw off his bearskin coat, then removed the armor he wore beneath. It was so heavy that the knights receiving it staggered under its weight.

Cracking and loosening his fists, Durian took in a deep breath and approached Keter again.

“I won’t go so easy this time.”

“Do as your subordinates say and go around. I won’t stop you if you do,” Keter replied.

“How dare you!”

With his pride greatly wounded, Durian lost his composure and charged at Keter.

***

“It is said that Sefira has already arrived at the royal palace. All thanks to that Keter you like so much,” Enoch, head of the Aegis family of the east, said.

The armored giant shrugged in return. “I never said I liked him. I only said he is someone who will become significant and thus must be observed.”

The carriage they were riding in was far larger than the others. It was custom-built for Minerva, known as the Eastern Shield.

“

Haha

, right, right. Then seeing you waiting for Keter to visit, and regretting that you couldn’t attend Sefira’s party must have been a misunderstanding,

hm?

”

“I never waited, and I don’t like parties.”

“Minerva, do you think your face becomes invisible just because you’re inside heavy armor? Your father can see everything. Even your blushing face.”

“You’re making baseless assumptions. You know well that Brynhild cannot be seen through.”

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“One doesn’t always need to see the eyes. Just as you hold Keter in high regard, there are things that can be seen beyond what is visible.”

“The fact that he became the Bow of the South alone is enough to prove his strength.”

“That is impressive. You also discovered that Sefira suddenly changed only after Keter appeared.”

“It’s information anyone could find with just a little interest.” Minerva shrugged.

“See? You

are

interested in Keter.

Haha

. But as your father, I’m both happy and worried. Of all people, you chose to like a man like Keter. Without doubt, you’ll end up hurt. Love, you see, no matter how thick the armor—”

Then Minerva cut him off, as if she didn’t wish to hear more,

“We’ve arrived at the palace. Prepare to get off.”

At that, Enoch chuckled and swallowed his remaining words.

A bow and a shield make a good combination. But for Keter, I have a feeling a shield won’t be necessary.

Though Enoch had never met Keter in person, his years of experience told him Keter was an unprecedented archer. A being beyond the common sense of archers.

Enoch and Minerva stepped down from the pegasus carriage symbolizing the second prince, Rakan. The carriage stopped right in front of Her Majesty’s Bridge. One could ride a carriage up to the palace entrance, but everyone was required to cross on foot from Her Majesty’s Bridge onward without exception.

As Enoch stepped down from the carriage, he sensed something strange.

“

Hm?

”

It was because nobles were lined up in front of the bridge.

Why are they lined up instead of crossing the bridge?

Enoch couldn’t see what was happening because he was of average height. However, Minerva, whose massive frame exceeded two meters, could see things well. She could see Keter engaging in a contest of strength at the entrance of Her Majesty’s Bridge.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

Enoch moved forward to see what was going on, and then the scene became perfectly clear.

“Agggghhhh!”

“Ngghhhhhh!”

Keter was facing both the family heads of the Cavendish family of the west and the Mirakin of the east at the same time. Though both of them used both arms and hands to push Keter back, Keter didn’t shed even a single drop of sweat.

In return, he said, “I’m telling you, if you lack strength, just bring Sefira’s passage permit.”

When Keter inhaled and straightened his chest, the two family heads were sent flying.

Next was Durian.

“I’ll challenge again!”

It was already his twelfth attempt.

Due to such a situation, there were already six families stuck waiting in front of the bridge, unable to get past Keter. With the newly arrived Aegis family, that made seven.

Watching this, Enoch let out a hollow laugh, “

Haha... Hahaha...

”

Minerva, on the other hand, remained silent.

“I heard rumors that he was crazy, but I didn’t think he would go this far. Minerva, if you want to take back your evaluation that Keter will become someone significant, now’s your chance.”

“Something is strange.”

“What is?”

“Keter is blocking the bridge, but why are the princes leaving him be?”

“There is no need for humans like us to guess at their thoughts. They surely have their reasons.”

The royal family wasn’t considered humans. They were called children of gods, divine beings. That was why they could remain free from the laws of the Kingdom of Lillian. Minerva disliked how Enoch spoke of the princes as divine beings to be revered, but she did not bother to show it outwardly.

Just then, Durian, who had been challenging Keter, stepped back. He tried pushing not just with his arms but with his whole body, yet he still couldn’t push Keter away.

The other family heads only exchanged glances. Among them, Durian possessed the greatest physical strength. If even he couldn’t overpower Keter, then the other heads had no chance. But then, all eyes turned to a single person, Minerva.

“The Eastern Shield has arrived.”

“Keter won’t be able to help it against her.”

“Finally, the path will open.”

As the nobles sighed in relief, a well-informed family head clicked his tongue and said, “The Eastern Shield and Bow of the South already know each other. He’ll probably just let her through.”

“That would be surprising if that’s true. Did Keter foresee this far ahead and make ties with the Eastern Shield in advance?”

“Is he just a lunatic, or a meticulous strategist...? I truly can’t tell.”

Minerva found herself forced to stand before Keter because Enoch had pushed her forward from behind.

The moment Keter saw Minerva, he greeted her, “Well, who’s this?”

“Keter, it’s been a while. Congratulations on becoming the Bow of the South.”

“No, really, who were you again? I remember you’re the Eastern Shield, but I can’t recall the name.”

“... Minerva.”

Enoch could only see Minerva’s back, yet he could tell...

For Minerva to be that angry... She must be quite upset that Keter didn’t remember her name.

Unaware of that fact, Keter casually tapped Minerva’s waist armor with his knuckles and said, “

Ah

, that’s what it was.

Oh

, right, remember how I said I would drop by the Aegis family after the tournament? Since we’ve met here now, I don’t need to go anymore, right?”

“Sir Keter... I heard one cannot cross this place without a passage permit.”

“That’s right. But the Aegis family is an exception. You and I, we’re, you know, on those kinds of terms. You can go ahead.”

For the first time, Keter stepped aside, openly showing that the Aegis and Sefira families were close.

However, Minerva didn’t even look at the path that was now open, and only stared straight at Keter.

“No. I will prove myself through strength like everyone else.”

The disappointed nobles’ faces brightened instantly.

Keter, you acted arrogantly, and now things aren’t going the way you planned, huh?

No matter how strong Keter is for his size, he could never defeat the Eastern Shield.

Minerva’s physique neared three meters. She radiated an overwhelming pressure, as if she could stop a chariot with her bare hands. In contrast, Keter looked as small as a toy.

The family heads expected Keter not to accept a contest of strength. After all, it would look far better to pretend to be merciful and step aside, rather than lose disgracefully. However, Keter casually knocked on Minerva’s armor again with his fist, as if it were nothing.

Then he answered, “Alright, but if you lose, even you can’t pass. Got it?”

Keter showed no intention of backing down from the contest with Minerva.

All the family heads present sneered, thinking Keter was bluffing and that he had gone mad. Moreover, it wasn’t only the family heads who had been watching. No one there knew that the first and second princes were also watching this scene together.

Seeing Minerva and Keter facing off, Rakan said to Rukan, “Shall we make a bet?”

“You’re not proposing a childish bet over who’s going to win, are you?”

“You can choose first if you’re not confident.”

“

Hah

. A bet without stakes is boring. I refuse.”

“Then let’s bet a right of concession, just like old times. That should be fun, no?”

“A right of concession,

huh

...

Hehe

.”

Back when the two brothers were still close, they argued every day over things they wanted. So, they made a rule. Whenever one willingly conceded something, they would earn a single-use right of concession that could be used later. If used, the other would have to concede, no matter what the request was.

“You said I could choose first, right?” Rukan accepted.

“Yes. I already know whom you’ll choose.”

“And I already know whom you will choose.”

“Shall we say it at the same time? One, two, three—”

Boom!

The two brothers spoke at the same time, but their voices were drowned out by the sound of Keter and Minerva colliding. However, what was certain was that both brothers were smiling, as they had said different names.