SWNOVELXO Chapter 316
Chapter 317. The Whole World is Dad (6)
The elite troops led by Duke Kundelain quickly crossed the mountain range and entered the territory of Sephira.
Even if the border had become lax, a border is still a border. There was clearly a fortress, and 30 guards were on high alert.
Since this wasn’t an agreed-upon visit, it would have been proper to light a beacon or sound a drum to signal an enemy attack.
But for some reason, there was no beacon, no loud drumming.
“These guards are no ordinary soldiers.”
One of the Black Kill Squad members muttered as he looked at the arrow embedded in his shoulder. It wasn’t a fatal wound, but he could no longer move his arm. If he tried, the muscles and nerves in his shoulder would tear apart.
“Even though His Excellency forbade killing, to think I’d be taken down by an arrow…”
The Black Kill Squad, the shadow of Kundelain, consisted of individuals who were master-level fighters. Seven of them had stepped forward to neutralize Sephira’s fortress.
Yet, in the process of subduing the fortress, three of them had been injured. This was a blow to their pride.
“I thought bows were weapons for the weak.”
The Black Kill Squad had questioned why Kundelain held Sephira’s archery in such high regard.
But after fighting Sephira’s knights directly, their minds changed. Kundelain’s judgment wasn’t wrong—archery was far more threatening than they had imagined.
“I’d like to face them properly next time.”
Kundelain’s true goal was to show Sephira the overwhelming might of the Adeus Kingdom.
However, there could be no killing in the process. True overwhelming strength is revealed not in killing the opponent, but in sparing them.
Thus, Kundelain’s 3,000 troops neutralized Sephira’s fortress and continued to advance.
When they finally reached the street where the main building was visible, they encountered a force waiting for them. A force of no more than 300—mercenaries hired by Sephira.
The commander of the Ghost Cavalry shouted at the mercenaries blocking their path.
“Do you know who we are, blocking our way?!”
A mercenary stepped forward from the group. It was Burgundy, the deputy commander of Sephira’s mercenary branch.
“Who? Just some barbarians who’ve crossed the border.”
“You know who we are and still block our way? I’ll give you credit for guts. But the price is death!”
Just as the Ghost Cavalry commander was about to order a charge, Duke Kundelain stopped him.
“Wait. Brave man, how did you know we were coming?”
Kundelain was far behind the front lines, but his voice was like thunder, impossible not to hear even from a distance.
Burgundy felt a chill just from Kundelain’s presence. He was certain that any careless words would turn him into mincemeat.
“We didn’t know. We were just heading to the mountains for a hunt and happened to see you.”
“A coincidence, you say…? Then I don’t understand. Why block our path? You could have pretended not to see us. You’re not even from Sephira.”
“We’re mercenaries hired by Sephira. Protecting our employer is the mercenary’s creed. That’s why we’re blocking you.”
“Hahaha! You think you can stop us with that number? You might last a minute at best. Are you serious?!”
“Just by having this conversation, we’ve already lasted a minute. Also, Sephira isn’t so easy. Thanks to the time we’ve bought, they’ll have noticed you by now and will send reinforcements.”
“Even if reinforcements come, none of you will survive.”
“What does that matter? Death is a mercenary’s fate.”
As Burgundy raised his sword without backing down, Kundelain’s eyes gleamed with interest.
The Ghost Cavalry commander said to Kundelain, “Your Excellency, I’d like to personally take the life of this brave man. Please grant me permission!”
Burgundy was desperate, believing that the Adeus Kingdom had invaded.
In fact, it was natural to think so. Kundelain bringing 3,000 elite troops to see his son? That didn’t make sense.
Kundelain couldn’t be bothered to explain, and in the Adeus Kingdom, dying in battle was the highest virtue.
Even if he spared the other mercenaries, he honestly wanted to give Burgundy an honorable death.
But that would be a shame. Sephira, a small family, already lacked talent. If Burgundy died, Keter would surely be furious.
“Mercenaries, there’s a misunderstanding. I’ve come to Sephira not as an invader, but as a father. If I were an invader, I wouldn’t be having this conversation with you.”
“Men of the Adeus Kingdom are famous for not lying. I know that well. But even so, I can’t let you pass.”
“Oh? Why not?”
“If there are no witnesses, there are no criminals. The same goes for you. Everyone who witnessed your lies might already be dead. Also, we trust Sephira more than we trust you.”
“Indeed… Impressive.”
Clap, clap.
Kundelain slowly clapped, then stood up and stepped out of the carriage. Just standing up, his presence amplified a thousandfold.
Even from a distance, the mercenaries clutched their chests and began to collapse.
Even Burgundy, who had reached the level of a top-tier master, trembled.
“Truly a manly man. I’ll take your life myself, in honor of your youth and courage.”
Crack.
Kundelain simply clenched his fist, and the sound of the world crumpling echoed.
Burgundy gripped his sword so tightly that blood seeped from his palm.
He knew he was no match. He wouldn’t even be able to block a single punch, and he’d disappear without even leaving a corpse. That was the level of difference.
‘But I’ll at least land one strike.’
As a mercenary, he blocked the path, but as a swordsman, he vowed not to die without a fight.
Swoosh.
The space split, and Daat emerged. Daat glanced between the mercenaries and Kundelain, then smacked his forehead.
“Seems I overslept.”
“What is this…?”
Daat spread his arms toward the bewildered Burgundy and the mercenaries.
“You’ve worked hard. Go and rest now.”
As he closed his arms, the space containing Burgundy and the 299 mercenaries vanished.
Kundelain smiled wryly at Daat, who had suddenly appeared and made the mercenaries disappear.
“Impressive spatial movement.”
“You flatter me, Your Excellency.”
Daat, greeting in the Adeus Kingdom style, reached out toward Sephira.
“We’ve been eagerly awaiting your visit, Your Excellency. My name is Daat, and I am Keter’s strategist. Allow me to guide you to Sephira.”
Daat spoke as if he had known Kundelain would come. Kundelain nodded at Daat’s composure.
‘Impressive. Did they test us? To see if we had hostile intentions? He’s worthy of introducing himself as a strategist.’
If they had killed Sephira’s soldiers and even slaughtered the mercenaries out of hostility, what would have happened? Kundelain barely suppressed his curiosity and boarded the carriage again.
Daat, leading the way, muttered to himself.
‘Ruquer’s Survival Rule Chapter 7. Act as if you knew everything, even if you didn’t.’
Daat, using the audacity he learned under Keter, had deceived the transcendent being, Kundelain.
*
Duke Kundelain entered Sephira. Burgundy, who had returned earlier, reported the situation to Sephira, so Hisop went out to greet him.
It was unexpected for Kundelain to bring 3,000 elite troops, but they had anticipated his arrival someday. After all, Kundelain’s representative had once dropped the bombshell that Keter’s biological father was Kundelain.
So, while they went out to greet him, no good words came from Hisop’s mouth.
“You’ve come without notice.”
Kundelain stepped out of the carriage and glanced around.
“Defeating Crown Prince Rukan’s Kingdom Army wasn’t just thanks to Keter.”
Kundelain smiled faintly, having already assessed Sephira’s strength just by looking around.
“Please state your business for coming.”
“A father has come to see his son. Do you need any more reason, Hisop, Branch House Lord?”
“Do you truly believe Keter is your son?”
Hisop was baffled. No matter how he looked at it, there was no resemblance between Kundelain and Keter.
“He may not look like me, but he’s the spitting image of his mother. Isn’t that common?”
Whoosh!
Kundelain suddenly threw something. It was a light toss, but the speed was beyond imagination.
Thud!
Pekda, one of Sephira’s Seven Stars, who was guarding Hisop, trembled as he caught it.
“Hmm…!”
Pekda frowned as he looked at what he had caught.
“What is this?”
“It appears to be a magical tool for blood testing.”
As Hisop examined the object, Kundelain declared loudly for all to hear.
“I didn’t come here just to persuade you with words. That tool contains my blood. All you need is Keter’s blood.”
“…!”
Kundelain’s confident voice left everyone in shock.
A blood test using a magical tool would take no more than a minute. Would a man of Kundelain’s stature travel this far just to deceive them for a minute?
Hisop’s expression grew complicated.
‘It’s unlikely, but if Keter really is Kundelain’s bloodline… what about Keter’s eyes?’
Keter’s eyes were clearly Sephira’s, confirming his lineage.
‘Even if Kundelain doesn’t know that, his confidence is confusing.’
Moreover, if it’s revealed to be a lie, would Kundelain simply admit it and leave?
If he only wanted to confirm paternity, why bring 3,000 troops? No one could guarantee there weren’t ulterior motives.
“First, let’s ease your fatigue. I don’t know where Keter is, so it’ll take some time to find him.”
Even if they fought, they were at a disadvantage here. To secure a strategically advantageous position, Hisop attempted to disarm Kundelain’s troops.
It was, indeed, a perfect plan.
“Found me?”
If Keter hadn’t appeared right in front of them.
Hisop rubbed his temples, unable to hold back a sigh.
“We didn’t call or look for you, so why are you here…?”
“With such a large force coming, how could I not? I was curious about who they were.”
Listening, Hisop realized Keter had a point and composed himself.
“Keter. It’s unlikely, but do you know Duke Kundelain over there?”
“Hmm, privately or officially?”
“…?!”
Keter’s counter-question made Hisop’s eyes twitch. Keter chuckled at his reaction.
“I don’t know him either way. I’m seeing him for the first time today.”
“Then why does Duke Kundelain call you his son?”
“Huh?”
Keter glanced at Kundelain. Their eyes met.
“Of course not—”
Keter stopped mid-denial.
Come to think of it, Kron from the Syndicate had also called him his son.
Though he hadn’t done a proper blood test, based on the circumstances and his feelings, Keter had felt that Kron was his father.
That alone was confusing enough. Having two fathers in the world? And not just stepfathers, but biological ones!
And now, another man was claiming to be his father. It was Kundelain, right in front of him.
‘Ah, I’m getting a feeling.’
The moment Keter locked eyes with Kundelain, a shiver ran through him. Though their appearances were completely different, he felt it intuitively.
‘Why does it feel like he’s my dad too?’
Not just two, but three fathers.
This was beyond a mess.
As Keter remained silent, Hisop grew anxious and placed a hand on Keter’s shoulder.
“Keter. Why did you stop talking? Say ‘no’ properly.”
“Sigh… Well, you see…”
As Keter’s words trailed off, Hisop’s pupils trembled. Just as an uncomfortable truth was about to be revealed—suddenly, both Kundelain and Keter looked up at the sky, and the others followed suit.
A shadow fell over the ground, and a moment later, an overwhelming pressure descended.
“What, what is that?!”
“A ship! A ship is floating in the sky!”
Five massive ships suddenly appeared in the distant sky, capturing everyone’s attention.