Chapter 317: My Father Is Everywhere (6)

The elite troops led by Duke Kundeline crossed the mountain range in the blink of an eye and entered Sefira’s territory. No matter how lax the watchout had become, a border was still a border. There was a fortress, and thirty sentries were standing guard with eyes wide open.

Since this was not a prearranged visit, lighting signal fires or beating war drums to warn of an enemy incursion would have been the proper response. Yet for some reason, there were no signal fires or thunderous drums.

“This can’t even be called a sentry,” muttered one member of the Black Serpent Unit as he looked down at the arrow lodged in his shoulder.

It wasn’t a fatal wound, but he could no longer move his arm. If he did, the muscles and nerves bunched in his shoulder would be torn apart.

“No matter how much the captain forbade killing... to be taken down by an arrow of all things.”

The Black Serpent Unit was Kundeline’s shadows. They were all Master-class warriors individually, and seven of them had moved together to neutralize Sefira’s fortress. Yet, in the process, three had been wounded. That alone was a blow to their pride.

“I thought bows were the weapons of the weak.”

The Black Serpent Unit had wondered why Kundeline held Sefira, the Masters of Archery, in such high regard. But after fighting Sefira’s knights firsthand, their thoughts changed immediately. Kundeline’s judgment had been correct—archery was far more threatening than they had imagined.

“I’d like to face them properly someday.”

Kundeline’s true goal was to demonstrate overwhelming force to Sefira by Adeusian standards. But there could be no killing in the process. True, absolute strength was proven not by killing the opponent, but by sparing them. And so, Kundeline’s three thousand troops continued advancing, disabling Sefira’s fortresses as they went.

When they finally reached a point where the main estate came into view, they encountered forces waiting for them. The force consisted of around three hundred people, which was less than half of Kundeline’s troops. They were mercenaries employed by Sefira.

“How dare you block our path? Do you know who we are?!” shouted the Desert Freak Troopers at the mercenaries blocking their path.

From among the mercenaries, one man stepped forward. It was Burgundy, deputy director of the Sefira Regional Mercenary Headquarters.

“Who are you? Invading barbarians who crossed the border, that’s who.”

“So you know who we are and still dare to block us? I’ll commend your courage, but the price will be death!”

Just as the Desert Freak Troopers commander was about to give the order to charge, Kundeline stopped him.

“Wait. Brave man, how did you know we were coming?”

Though Kundeline was far removed from the front, his voice boomed like thunder, impossible to miss even at a distance. Merely sensing Kundeline’s presence made Burgundy’s knees tremble. He was certain that one careless word would reduce him to minced flesh.

“We didn’t know. We were simply heading into the mountains to hunt, and happened to see you.”

“By chance, you say... That makes little sense. Then why block our path? You could have pretended not to see us and passed by. You’re not even Sefirans, are you?”

“We are mercenaries, employed by Sefira. Protecting our employer is a mercenary’s absolute rule. That’s why we are standing in your way.”

“Hahahaha! You think you can stop us with a force of that size? At best, you’d last a minute. Are you serious?”

“Just by standing here and talking, we’ve already lasted a minute. And Sefira is not so easy to deal with. Thanks to the time we bought, they must have noticed you by now. Reinforcements will come soon.”

“Even if reinforcements arrive, not a single one of you will survive.”

“And what of it? Death is the fate of mercenaries.”

When Burgundy showed no sign of retreat and instead raised his sword, a strange light flickered in Kundeline’s eyes.

“Please allow me to take that brave man’s life myself, Your Grace!” said the commander of the Desert Freak Troopers.

Burgundy was desperate, believing that the Adeus Kingdom had launched an invasion. And it was only natural—who would believe that Kundeline would bring three thousand elite troops merely to visit his son?

Kundeline didn’t want to bother explaining. After all, dying in battle was considered the highest virtue in Adeus, more than anything. Even if he spared the other mercenaries, he genuinely wished to grant Burgundy an honorable death. However, that would be unfortunate. Sefira was already a small family lacking in people of talent, and killing Burgundy would surely anger Keter.

“Mercenaries, there is a misunderstanding. I have come to Sefira not as an invader, but as a father. Had I come as an invader, I would not have bothered speaking with you.”

“Men of Adeus are famous for not lying. I know that well. Still, I cannot step aside.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“If there are no witnesses, there are no criminals. The same applies to you. Everyone who witnessed your lie might already be dead. And we trust Sefira more than we trust you.”

“Indeed... admirable.”

Kundeline slowly applauded, then stood and stepped down from his carriage. Though he had merely stood up, the pressure multiplied a thousandfold. Even from a great distance, mercenaries began clutching their chests and collapsing. Even Burgundy, who had reached the realm of a top-tier Master, felt his legs tremble.

“Truly a man among men. In honor of your youth and spirit, I shall personally take your life.”

Crunch.

Kundeline merely clenched his fist lightly, yet it sounded as though the world itself were being crushed. Burgundy gripped his sword so tightly that blood seeped from his palm. He knew he stood no chance. He wouldn’t even be able to block a single punch. He would vanish without leaving a corpse. That was how big the difference in their skill level was.

Still, I’ll be able to stab him at least once.

Though he blocked Kundeline’s path as a mercenary, as a swordsman, Burgundy was determined not to die in vain.

Rip.

Space split apart, and Daat leaped out. He glanced back and forth between the mercenaries and Kundeline, then smacked his forehead.

“Looks like I napped for a bit too long.”

“What the...?!”

Facing the bewildered Burgundy and the mercenaries, Daat spread his arms wide.

“You did great. Go rest now.”

As he brought his arms together, the space containing Burgundy and the other two hundred ninety-nine mercenaries vanished completely.

Kundeline grinned at the sight of Daat appearing out of nowhere and making the mercenaries disappear.

“Impressive teleportation.”

“You flatter me, Your Grace.”

After greeting him in the style of Adeus, Daat extended a hand toward Sefira.

“We have long awaited your visit, Your Grace. My name is Daat, and I am Keter’s strategist. I will guide you to Sefira.”

Daat acted like he had known Kundeline would come. Seeing his composure, Kundeline nodded.

Remarkable. Were we being tested to see whether we bore hostility or not? He certainly deserves to call himself a strategist.

Kundeline wondered what would have happened if he and his troops came with hostility and killed Sefira’s soldiers and even the mercenaries. Suppressing his curiosity with difficulty, Kundeline boarded the carriage once more.

As Daat led the way at the front, he reminded himself of one thing.

Liqueur Survival Manual, Chapter Seven: Even if you didn’t know, act as though you knew everything.

Thus, with the audacity learned under Keter, Daat successfully deceived Kundeline, a Transcendental.

* * *

Kundeline entered Sefira. Because Burgundy, who had returned ahead of them, had already reported the situation to Sefira, Hissop went out to receive him.

The fact that Kundeline had brought three thousand elite troops was unexpected, but Hissop had expected for a while that Kundeline would eventually come. After all, Kundeline’s representative had dropped a bombshell not long ago, claiming that Kundeline was Keter’s biological father. As such, Hissop went out to meet him, but there was no way Hissop could treat him politely.

“You came without so much as a word of notice.”

Kundeline stepped down from his carriage and casually swept his gaze across the surroundings.

“So the reason Crown Prince Rukan’s royal army was driven back wasn’t due to Keter alone.”

Having grasped Sefira’s overall strength with just a glance, Kundeline broke into a grin.

“State your business. What brings you here?” Hissop asked.

“A father has come to see his son. Is any further reason required, Deputy Patriarch Hissop?”

“Do you truly believe Keter is your son?”

Hissop was dumbfounded. No matter how he looked at it, Kundeline and Keter shared not a single resemblance.

“He may not look like me, but he’s the spitting image of his mother. That’s hardly unusual, is it?”

Whoosh!

Kundeline suddenly threw something. He had tossed it lightly, yet its speed was beyond imagination.

Smack!

Pekda, one of Sefira’s Seven Stars of the North who was standing guard beside Hissop, caught it, his hand trembling violently.

“Hm...!”

Frowning, Pekda looked down at what he was holding.

“What is it?”

“It appears to be a magic tool for testing blood.”

As Hissop examined the item, Kundeline spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear. “I didn’t come here merely to persuade you with words. That device already contains my blood. All that’s needed is Keter’s.”

“...!”

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Kundeline’s confident declaration threw everyone present into shock. A blood test using a magic tool would take at most one minute to produce results. Would someone like Kundeline really travel all this way just to deceive them for a single minute?

Hissop’s expression darkened.

It shouldn’t be possible... but if Keter truly were of Kundeline’s bloodline... then what about Keter’s eyes?

Keter’s eyes were unmistakably proof that he was a descendant of Sefira.

There is no way Kundeline would not know that. For him to be this certain is deeply unsettling.

Worse still, even if it turned out to be false, there would still be trouble. Kundeline might not accept the result calmly and leave. If he truly only wanted to confirm paternity, there was no reason for him to bring three thousand soldiers with him. No one could guarantee that there was no ulterior motive.

“For now, please rest and recover from your journey. I don’t even know where Keter is at the moment; it may take some time to find him.”

Even if Sefira wanted to fight, they were at a disadvantage right now. To gain a strategic advantage, Hissop attempted to disarm Kundeline’s forces first. It was, in truth, a flawless plan...

“Did you look for me?”

...if Keter hadn’t appeared right there on the spot. Hissop rubbed his brow and couldn’t help letting out a sigh.

“I didn’t call for you or look for you, so why are you here...”

“With troops of this scale showing up, how could I not come? I was curious what kind of people they were.”

Annoyingly enough, that made sense. Hissop steadied himself.

“Keter, this shouldn’t be the case, but do you happen to know the Duke Kundeline over there?”

“Hm. Personally, or officially?”

“...?!”

At Keter’s counterquestion, Hissop’s eyes widened. Seeing that reaction, Keter snorted with a laugh.

“Neither. Never met him before today.”

“Then why is Duke Kundeline calling you his son?”

“Huh?”

Keter glanced toward Kundeline. At that moment, their eyes met.

“Of course n...” Keter stopped.

Come to think of it, Kron of the Syndicate had also called him his son the moment they met. They had never done a proper blood test, but based on circumstances and instinct, Keter had felt that Kron really was his father. Having two biological fathers was already confusing enough, and yet another man was claiming to be his father now. That man was Kundeline, standing right in front of him.

...Ah. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

From the moment their eyes met, a sharp jolt ran through Keter. Their appearances were completely different, yet on a purely instinctive level, something clicked.

Why does this guy also feel like my dad?

Not two, but three fathers. There was no bigger mess than this.

At Keter’s prolonged silence, Hissop grew anxious and placed a hand on Keter’s shoulder.

“Keter. Why did you stop mid-sentence? State that it isn’t true.”

“Uh... well, you see...”

As Keter dragged on, Hissop’s gaze began to tremble. Just as an uncomfortable truth seemed about to be revealed, Kundeline and Keter both suddenly looked up at the sky. A moment later, everyone else followed their gaze. A shadow fell over the ground, and half a moment later, an overwhelming pressure descended.

“W-what is that?!”

“It’s a warship! A warship—it’s floating in the air!”

Five massive warships suddenly appeared high in the distant sky, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.