I’m the Madman of This Family

Episode 363. If It’s Tangled, Just Cut It (1)

After setting the mood so well, now you’re saying it’s impossible? Just as Puga, blinking his big eyes, was about to get angry upon realizing the reality—Keter clicked his tongue and spoke.

“No matter how good the conditions you offer, no matter how much you plead pitifully, Sephira cannot help you. Are you afraid of the Empire? No. What we fear isn’t the Empire—it’s you.”

“…?!”

“Why are you surprised? People don’t trust strangers even among themselves. And you? You’re a snake-headed guy with flaming fur. A guy five times bigger than normal. Is it just your appearance that’s different? Your strength is at the level of a 7-Star Prime. What exactly are we supposed to trust to let you live on the same land as us?”

“But Inara…”

“If it’s just Inara, it’s fine. Because I know her. I know she’s capable enough to handle a bit of mischief. But I don’t know you. Keep you around until I do? That’s just annoying and dangerous.”

Keter had experienced something similar in his past life. But at least there was a familial bond there. Here, with these different races, there’s not even that.

“Still…”

Puga opened his mouth to argue, to persuade, but Keter wasn’t finished.

“Let’s say we’re stupid and kind enough to keep you around and protect you from the Empire. Even if we safely end the war and peace comes, that’s when the real war begins. You know it too, right? Humans fight over skin color, gender, and generations. They fight over not being from the same country, not being from the same village. Even the Elves and Dwarves, who are the most similar to humans, are discriminated against for being different races. Of course, the people of Sephira aren’t that brutally discriminatory. But you’ve seen it, haven’t you? Sephira has become a multinational family now.”

The southern region of the Lilian Kingdom is entirely occupied by Sephira. There’s no way Sephira could have taken such a vast land alone.

No matter how decisive Keter’s role was, behind it was the foundational support of families or powers from other nations.

Baen, Adeus, Belferio, and finally, even the Empire. Sephira is essentially supported and aided by every nation.

The different races may not know the details, but they have eyes, ears, and noses. They know that Sephira is home to a truly diverse group of people. That’s why they optimistically thought they, as different races, would also be accepted.

And Keter shattered that optimism.

“Obviously, you haven’t been observing our daily lives. Do you know how much we argue? Our cultures, habits, even sleeping times are different. Even in the midst of a war where everything could disappear in an instant, we’re like this. We’re only tolerating each other because of the war. And now, different races want to join in? Just imagining it is horrifying.”

“…Listening to you, it seems we were mistaken.”

Puga immediately agreed with Keter’s words. The other races also understood Keter’s point.

In other words, Sephira is currently in no position to accept different races. Not because of the Empire, but because of human nature.

If it were because of the Empire, the different races would have rebelled. They would have suspected Keter of hiding another reason.

But when he clearly explained it was because of ‘humans,’ they couldn’t help but understand.

Inara also slumped her shoulders and spoke.

“I’m sorry, Keter. I thought once the Empire was dealt with, we could stay with Sephira.”

“If you understand, that’s enough.”

“We’ll leave right away.”

“Where to?”

“Does it matter?”

Inara’s voice was filled with despair. But Keter replied in an unchanged tone.

“It does matter. If you settle on the empty lands of Sephira, it’ll be a big problem.”

At Keter’s words, the fur and tails of the different races bristled. A thick sense of hostility filled the air.

They hate humans. Because humans have hunted different races the most. Because humans lead the discrimination.

Until now, they had restrained themselves because of their subordinate position, but now that they’ve been advised to leave, the relationship between superior and subordinate has disappeared.

But Keter remained relaxed, even turning to ask Maknun.

“Maknun, where would it be troublesome for us if they settled?”

“About 10 ri northwest from here, past a mountain, there’s a forest. It’s along a winding river. There’s plenty of edible plants, fruits, and animals, so Sephira’s soldiers often go there for gathering and hunting.”

“Really? That would be troublesome. If someone occupies that place, where would we gather and hunt?”

“Exactly. It’s also a place where rare herbs grow and has many scenic spots, so it’s not a place we can give up.”

“From what I remember, we even built a road to make it easier to access, didn’t we?”

“It’s not paved with bricks, but the soil has been smoothed. It’s a place managed by Sephira.”

“That’s troublesome.”

Keter scratched the back of his head and turned to Inara.

“Did you hear that? Absolutely! Absolutely do not create a second Ruquer 10 ri northwest. We’re already in the middle of a war, and we’re short on manpower to manage surrendered prisoners. We can’t afford to worry about you too.”

Maknun also chimed in.

“That’s right. And even if a carriage happens to pass by that area, please ignore it. We’ll be carrying various daily necessities and construction materials. If they’re looted by vicious bandits, it’ll be a big problem.”

“Wait, Maknun. What if the Empire makes an issue out of this?”

“What can we do about it? The fog of Ruquer is a barrier even semi-divine beings can’t penetrate. Unless the Empire steps in to do something, asking us to do something about it is just heartless.”

“That’s right, isn’t it? If the Empire had a conscience, they wouldn’t hold us responsible.”

Swoosh.

Keter looked around at Inara and the different races. Their expressions were utterly dumbfounded, so Keter couldn’t help but laugh.

“Because we didn’t want to coexist with them. They arbitrarily occupied Sephira’s land without permission.”

Maknun also shook his head and sighed.

“They appeared so suddenly that Sephira didn’t even have time to respond.”

And so, the residence of the different races, including the Seven Evil Tribes, was decided.

*

While the different races living in Sephira’s underground tunnels were packing their belongings, Maknun went to Mail and explained the whole situation.

Mail, as the new Vice-Lord, had the authority of the Lord in Hisop’s absence, so he found Keter’s decision puzzling. Thus, he went to Keter directly to ask.

“Keter, I immediately understood that we can’t coexist with the different races right now. But why are we giving them Sephira’s land? Even if we pretend not to know, isn’t this something that could give the Empire an excuse?”

“Because expelling them would lead to even greater trouble.”

“Do you mean they’ll retaliate?”

“They’re not the type to go that far, but even if they don’t intend to, they’ll cause harm to Sephira. Because we’ll become a family that rejected the different races.”

“…Ah!”

Mail finally realized.

“I’ve heard there are still Beastmen resisting the Empire. Even the Seven Evil Tribes, thought to be extinct, were alive in Ruquer… They’ll hate us.”

In Sephira, there was no reason to accept them, so we expelled them.

But in the eyes of the Beastmen, it won’t look that way. They’ll see Sephira as another Empire and retaliate. Even if the Seven Evil Tribes expelled from Sephira don’t step forward.

“It’s natural that the Empire and the Emperor are powerful enough to dominate this continent. But the Beastmen can’t be ignored either. They’re a race born with inherent privileges. If Sephira becomes the axis of evil in this long fight, even if not now, it’ll definitely become a troublesome past later.”

“On the other hand, the Empire may dislike us, but they won’t threaten us.”

“For now, that’s true. Who knows what will happen later, but that’s something for future us to handle.”

“Haha, I shouldn’t live too long. Just thinking about it gives me a headache.”

“Anyway, please explain it well to Hisop.”

“Hisop will fully understand your intentions.”

Mail patted Keter’s shoulder. Keter also responded with a smile.

As Mail left, Maknun, who was beside him, poked Keter’s side.

“It’s not just about retaliation, is it? Why didn’t you mention that?”

“Maknun, ignorance is bliss.”

“Wasn’t it you who said knowledge is power?”

“Living life, I’ve realized it’s different for everyone. For me, knowing is good. For Sephira, ignorance is bliss.”

“It’s so annoying. Knowing too much.”

“That’s why ignoring it is the best. It’s also the hardest thing in the world.”

Keter looked up at the sky through the window. The sunset was almost gone. The sky was already waiting for the night with the moon rising.

Just by that action, Maknun understood Keter’s intentions.

“Are you going to Ruquer right away? The alliance with Crown Prince Rukan will be finalized. They’ll probably launch a surprise attack tonight or early tomorrow. Since it’s come to this, why don’t you come along, Brother?”

“Maknun, a weapon is scarier when it’s not seen. If I’m not visible on the battlefield, Rukan will be more nervous and fearful.”

“Sometimes the direct approach is more effective. The southern region has been pacified, and we’ve finalized alliances with the Second Prince and the national documents. All that’s left is the final assault. It’d be a shame if you missed this festival.”

“You’re strangely persistent. Are you hiding something from me?”

“No, it’s just…”

Maknun opened his mouth, then closed it, raised his hand, then lowered it, and finally let out a deep sigh.

“I’m both regretful and anxious. You know, I don’t usually trust instincts. But this time, my instinct is telling me. Going to Ruquer now is dangerous. The regret is because I want to fight alongside you like before.”

“You brat.”

Thump thump.

Keter ruffled Maknun’s hair until it was a mess.

“You’ve still got a long way to go before becoming an adult.”

“I am an adult!”

“Not yet. And… isn’t it time to come out now?”

As Keter spoke to the air, Maknun was startled.

“Who’s hiding? That’s impossible.”

Spatial mages are particularly sensitive to stealth. Unless it’s a race like the Smallfolk, whose presence is faint, they can always detect it. But no matter how much Maknun looked around, he couldn’t sense any stealth.

Keter grabbed Maknun’s face and moved it to the side.

There were several potted plants there. The plants tended by the butler, Jacques. Maknun had seen them often.

‘Is it the Smallfolk?’

The pots aren’t big enough for a person to hide in.

But if it’s the Smallfolk, it makes sense. They wouldn’t be detected by a spatial mage’s senses, and their size would allow them to hide in a pot.

“You’re going to keep pretending, huh?”

Keter walked directly to the pot. Maknun expected a Smallfolk to come out, but—

Pluck.

What Keter grabbed wasn’t a Smallfolk, but a leaf from the pot.

“Kyaah!”

Then, a coquettish woman’s voice echoed, and what seemed to be a pot was engulfed in blue flames, revealing Inara.

Her face was red as she covered her eyes with her hands.

“You, it’s been so long since I’ve been touched, I’m sensitive. If you’re going to do it, be gentle.”

Inara acted like an abandoned cat, but Keter wasn’t having it.

“Your business.”

When Keter asked bluntly, Inara pouted and stood up.

“You’re planning to go to Ruquer, aren’t you?”

“You heard, so you know.”

“Don’t go.”

“Why?”

The girl who always blushed just looking at Keter now wore a serious expression and shook her head.

“We didn’t leave Ruquer just because it became free to enter. Ruquer… has become a place worse than hell.”

Inara, with her seven tails, was born with inherent authority. As a member of the Fox Tribe, her power grows with each tail, and with seven tails, she’s close to an 8-Star in strength.

If she describes Ruquer as worse than hell, it’s clear that even a Prime couldn’t guarantee their life there.

But Keter shrugged and said.

“What’s the big deal?”

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