I'm the Crazy One in the Family-Chapter 119: I’m Here (3)

Wow, I’m feeling a little hurt. Really, I am. You still don’t trust me? Even when I say I'm giving it away for free, your first instinct is to doubt me. How capable. Truly worthy of a prestigious family. At this rate, if I don't explain, you really might refuse to take it.

With the thought, Keter said, “It’s because I need something. Seriously.”

“Ah, so you do need something after all. Stop dragging it out and just say it.”

Panir sounded like he had already anticipated this.

Seriously, he does not know how to speak nicely.

“Sefira needs the patriarch and the elders. I know you're all working tirelessly. It’s just that pouring effort into a bottomless pit makes it hard to notice. But you are all getting old, and it worries me. You could collapse at any moment. I mean, just look at you now.”

Huh? Why are they looking at me like that? I’m complimenting you all. I’m not done yet.

“Lord Reganon, you look like a strong gust of wind could blow you away. Lord Panir, you were sweating after just a short spar. Father, those eye bags are going to go down all the way to your knees soon. How could I not be concerned?”

Myle looked at Keter as if asking how he fit into all this.

“For Myle, it’s just a gift. You wouldn’t be happy if you were the only one left out, right?”

Incantation was even harder to learn than magic, not just in terms of the talent necessary but patience as well. Compared to it, magic was actually easier to grasp.

I feel like that was a reasonable enough explanation, yet they still looked dissatisfied. They’re staring at the elixirs so hard that they are going to eat it with their eyes.

Fine, I wasn’t going to say this, but...

“I’m grateful, too. I know. If I had been born into any other noble family, none of what I’ve done would have been possible. They would have foamed at the mouth, trying to restrain me at every step. But Father kept his promise and trusted me. Especially with teaching Anis and Taragon—I thought for sure there would be a lot of resistance.”

“There is no hierarchy when it comes to learning,” Reganon chimed in.

His attitude toward Keter felt far more comfortable than before.

“And most importantly, I’m not so wretched that I would take the money that you have gathered like squirrels hoarding acorns.”

“Hahaha, squirrels, you say. You certainly have a way with words.”

Elder Reganon laughs at everything I say. Has his sense of humor broken since then?

“I don’t particularly like being treated like a poor beggar,” Panir complained.

“Fine, if you all are so against taking it for free, pay for it. I’ll just take two hundred fifty thousand gold.”

As soon as Keter mentioned money, Panir was the first to snatch up one of the Rejuvenation Pills, followed by Besil and Reganon. Finally, Myle took his Mind-Soothing Pill.

Honestly... why is it so hard to give something away for free? There are no tricks. It’s just gratitude. I’m not cheap, so I don’t just show my gratitude with words. Isn’t it natural to show appreciation with actions?

Besides, a Rejuvenation Pill only cost fifty thousand gold in Liqueur compared to five hundred thousand gold here. Elixirs that only worked on the elderly weren’t popular there because most people died before they even got old.

“You’re not going to pressure us later to repay this favor, are you?”

Panir was still doubtful. But he was like this with everyone, not just Keter, so he decided to let it go.

“I wouldn’t be so petty. But at the very least, I would like to hear a thank you, even if it’s just out of courtesy.”

“...Thank you. I’ll take it gratefully.”

Honestly, I can’t hate him even if I want to. He’s so earnest in showing his gratitude.

Reganon and Besil also offered their thanks, and finally, so did Myle.

I didn’t give it to them to hear that, but it does feel nice to hear that.

“Do you have anything else to say?” Besil asked.

Keter shook his head.

There’s nothing more to say. No news is good news, after all.

Keter thought Sefira was running smoothly. Sure, he laid the foundation, but in the end, it was thanks to Besil’s trust and the family’s support that he could act. Sefira’s unique atmosphere, where no one grew complacent or arrogant even when things seemed to be going well, also played a part.

“No, nothing else.”

“'I have a few questions,” asked Besil. “How far do you plan to go in the Sword of the South Tournament?”

Is that even a question?

“First place, of course. I’ll be the Sword of the South—no, the Bow of the South.”

“Confidence is good. But first place isn’t always an advantage. All eyes will be on you. Can both you and Sefira handle that kind of attention?”

Besil and Reganon seemed to share the same concern, as they both stared at Keter with serious expressions.

Keter understood what they were worried about—they thought he might be showing too much at once, and that maybe aiming for second place would be better.

“Haven’t we already decided to stop acting passively? If we’re going to strike, we should hit hard. What’s the point of holding back?”

“Hahaha! Now that’s the kind of talk I like to hear! Yes, if you’re going to hit, do it properly!”

Panir enthusiastically agreed.

At times like this, we really see eye to eye. I used to think politics were entirely Father’s domain, but since we’re talking about it, I might as well finish what I started.

“I’ll crush anyone who picks a fight, so don’t worry. We need to show them that Sefira doesn’t just have gentlemen—we have madmen too.” freewёbnoνel-com

Besil let out a hearty laugh.

“Haha, I worry, but at the same time, I feel reassured.”

“Besil, I agree with Keter’s resolve, but surely you don’t intend to place all of our family’s fate on this boy, who hasn’t even had his coming-of-age ceremony yet?” Panir asked.

Besil shook his head.

“No. I simply trust and support Keter’s dedication to the family. As a parent and the patriarch, if I can’t believe in him, who else would devote themselves to Sefira?”

“Hmph, I just thought you seemed particularly soft when it comes to Keter.”

“I cherish all my children equally. But Keter... he’s got a lot of nerves. That’s why he catches my eye and worries me more.”

“That sounds like you. Tsk.”

“Keter, since we’re on the topic of your coming-of-age ceremony, do you know your birthday?”

Keter shrugged.

No matter how good my memory is, I don’t remember the moment I was born.

“If it’s okay with you, let’s make it the first of January. It will mark a new beginning for both Sefira and you.”

“That sounds good.”

Keter would object if it were an odd, insignificant date, but the first of January was easy to remember.

“The tournament is just over a month away. We plan to leave early to secure our place, so make sure you’re ready as well, Keter.”

Keter nodded lightly.

Well, I’m always ready.

* * *

After the family meeting, a period of quiet set in. Even after finishing their training with Keter, Anis and Taragon, who were set to participate in the tournament, continued their own training in their respective ways.

Keter, on the other hand, spent his days in complete leisure. He would start the morning with a hearty breakfast, then nap under the warm sunlight. In the afternoon, he played with Slurpie that he brought from Liqueur, and in the evening, he taught Katherine Magic Archery, which used magic to shoot arrows.

Katherine absorbed the art of Magic Archery, which relied on an embodiment system of magic, like a sponge. She displayed a remarkable talent for magic as she was very intelligent and open-minded.

Nine days passed. At dawn, a group bustled about, preparing for departure. The Fifth Division of the Order of the Galaxy lined up in the garden along with horses and carriages.

Soon after, five people gathered in front of the carriage: Keter and Katherine in light attire, along with Myle, Anis, and Taragon in full armor.

“Keter, why is Dame Katherine coming along?” asked Myle, who had been designated as the leader of this journey.

Keter, casually putting his arm around Katherine, replied, “We can't have people thinking Sefira is just full of grim-faced men, now can we?”

“Huh? That’s my role? But you said you would teach me more Magic Archery!”

Katherine looked at him in surprise.

Keter let go of her shoulder and opened the carriage door.

“That too. But if something is impressive and beautiful, don’t you think it should be shown off, not hidden away?”

He climbed into the carriage first, showing that he wasn’t looking for a response.

Katherine glanced at Myle with a slightly awkward expression. Regardless of Keter’s reasoning, she had been interested in watching the Sword of the South Tournament for personal reasons as well.

“If a capable knight like Dame Katherine is accompanying us, I welcome it wholeheartedly.”

Myle wasn’t just flattering her. Everyone in Sefira knew of Katherine’s skill, and Myle, in particular, held a deep respect for her. It was her meticulous attention to detail, even in seemingly minor matters, that made her an invaluable asset in administrative tasks.

Katherine bowed her head with a bright smile.

“Hehe, thank you, my lord!”

The carriage was large enough to seat eight, leaving ample room for the five passengers. They boarded in order of age, and Didos closed the door before addressing them through the window.

“I am Didos, captain of the Fifth Division of the Order of the Galaxy, and I am in charge of the escort for this journey. Our destination is Lord Eslow’s fief, the territory where the Sword of the South Tournament is held. We are aiming to arrive by two o’clock, without any stops for rest or layovers. Lord Myle, if there are no issues, shall we proceed?”

Though he had already checked once, Myle surveyed the group again. Everyone looked excited—a mix of nervousness and anticipation—except for Keter, who lounged back and yawned lazily.

Myle then turned his attention outside, inspecting the knights through the window. There were two coachmen, four advance guards, three rear guards, and Didos himself—ten in total.

No one had come to see them off. The departure schedule had been kept strictly confidential to avoid interference from nobles who might try to sabotage their journey.

“Let’s go.”

At Myle’s command, Didos signaled the start. The snap of a whip echoed, and the carriage began rolling forward.

Katherine practiced the embodiment magic she learned from Keter, Anis meditated, and Taragon checked his equipment. Myle opened a thick book—a historical and geographical account of Eslow’s fief. Since he had already started reading it before, he picked it up from the middle.

Meanwhile, Keter leaned against the window, gazing outside. Myle glanced at him and smiled.

This must be Keter’s first time visiting a major city. At moments like this, he really does feel like a younger brother.

In reality, Keter was simply dozing off in the breeze. But as the leader of the group, Myle felt an even greater sense of responsibility within him.

* * *

From a high window, Besil and Suvide watched as the carriage gradually disappeared into the distance.

“Are you worried?”

At Suvide’s question, Besil smiled faintly.

“I always am. No matter how much I prepare myself each day, the fear that something might happen to my children is something I can never truly suppress.”

“There will be challenges, of course, but I believe they will overcome them. Lord Myle is wise and quick-witted; he will lead the group well. And Sir Didos, with his wealth of experience, will undoubtedly protect them from any harm.”

“Hmm.”

Besil nodded in agreement, then looked up at the sky.

Keter had declared that he would become the Sword of the South. Besil could not simply stand by. As he had told Panir, he had no intention of placing the family's fate entirely on Keter's shoulders.

“Suvide, have you ever heard of Sefira’s guardian?”

“... Yes, my lord.”

“Is it real? Is the legend of a protector who watches over Sefira from the shadows true?”

“It is all true.”

Besil had never seen the guardian before, but Suvide had. It had been long ago, but the memory of the encounter remained vividly imprinted in his mind.

“Are they in the sanctuary?” Basil asked.

The Sanctuary of Sefira was where the Sacred Tree, planted by the first patriarch, stood. It was also near the tombs of Sefira’s past patriarchs.

“His name is Endymion. But even if you go to the sanctuary, I cannot guarantee that you will meet him.”

“There is something I am curious about—something that only he might be able to answer.”

Besil had long harbored a sense of unease. It was about Zodiac Archery, the secret archery technique passed down through Sefira.

“There is a flaw in Zodiac Archery. Something is missing. I have tried to unravel its secrets, but I have come to realize that it is beyond human comprehension.”

Even in its incomplete state, Zodiac Archery was an extraordinary technique. But Besil wanted more. He had developed a desire and an ambition. He had found a reason to grow stronger. He had to take risks and evolve to survive in this ever-changing era.

“I must uncover the secret of Zodiac Archery.”

In his past life, Keter had seen through the flaws of Zodiac Archery. Instead of perfecting it, created his own unique archery, Limitless Archery.

But that was only possible because it was Keter. As the patriarch of Sefira, Besil could not easily give up on Zodiac Archery. He had no reason to, as it was the very foundation of Sefira itself.

Sensing Besil’s resolve, Suvide retrieved his coat and said, “I shall escort you to the sanctuary.”

And so, Besil set out to uncover the secrets of Zodiac Archery.

Tiny cracks began to form in the chains of causality that had bound Sefira in the deep abyss of downfall.

Foll𝑜w current novℯls on fre𝒆web(n)ovel.co(m)