chapter 117
Chapter 117. I am (1)
The world of dreams and hopes was shattered.
Anise opened her mouth, and Tarragon blinked rapidly.
‘Did I hear you wrong? Otherwise, there’s no way my father would say not to participate in the tournament.’
Leganon, Panir, and Miles seemed to already know, so they stayed silent.
It must have been shocking to Keter, who trained Anise and Tarragon, but he was leisurely eating grapes.
“Oh, why, Father?”
Even Anis, who doesn’t stutter, stutters and asks.
“I knew that this tournament was a ploy to lure our Sephira. That it would put us in danger. However, I thought that the experience gained by participating in the competition would be more valuable. No matter how much they wanted to bring us down, I didn’t think they would commit such a cruel thing in front of the kingdom’s people and nobles from all over the country. It was a foolish decision.”
A banquet hall full of silence. Basil took a breath and continued.
“They are sincere. The purpose is not just to bring down our Sephira from their position in the prestigious family. I am trying to put an end to it completely, so that it cannot be revived.”
Sephira is vulnerable to information warfare. There is no relationship with guilds that handle various information, and there is no political connection. No matter how conscious you are, gathering this information is impossible.
That would have been if Paneer hadn’t stepped forward.
Panir, a former Judge of the Realm, has connections with Consciousness. It wasn’t Sephira’s connection, it was only Panir’s connection.
Paneer actively used that connection to find out the whole story of the Southern Sword Tournament.
The terrible story of trying to trample Sephira. A plan to do cruel things to the knights of Sephira in front of hundreds of thousands of kingdom citizens and nobles.
Basil and Panir were furious. Sephira has yielded everything up until now and has endured. There was no enmity with other nobles at all.
But does it make sense to come up with such a terrible plan? No matter how much he coveted power and was ambitious, he went too far.
If Basil had continued to insist on defense and branded Paneer a traitor and cast him out, this was information he would never have been able to find out.
No matter how much it was, Anis, who could not accept Basil’s words to drop out of the competition, bit her lip and asked.
“Father, if that is all, I will never give up.”
Basil shook his head and said.
“It is safe to say that more than half of the knights participating in the tournament are aiming for our Sephira. And that’s not all. I found out information that the monarch of the south is observing this tournament.”
The southern sword tournament is held in the direct jurisdiction of the southern lord, Eslow, but he has never appeared in person at the tournament.
“If you are horribly trampled in front of him, he will not sympathize with you, but will consider you incompetent. Furthermore, the influence will reach Sephira as well. Your defeat is Sephira’s defeat. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Sephira’s fortunes will change in this tournament.”
Eslow is neutral, not interested in the downfall of Sephira. However, there is a good chance that this thought will change through this competition.
Hearing that the Lord of the South was coming, Anise and Tarragon were obviously nervous. But the will was not broken.
“Father, though… … .”
Tarragon was about to speak out, but Basil interrupted him.
“Sir Darkin and Sir Brooks said they would not participate. No one, including me, will point the finger at you if you give up.”
“… … !”
Anis and Tarragon’s eyes trembled when they heard that Brooks, vice-captain of the Sacred Knights, and Darkin, commander of the 2nd squad of the Galactic Knights, had already given up.
Anise said, biting her lower lip.
“But Father, if we do not attend, the world will call Sephirah a coward. Wouldn’t that be even worse?”
“Not falling into the traps your opponent has dug is not a coward, but a wise move. To call the opponents who wasted manpower and time a coward is to praise us.”
“The world will not think so. Even if I die, I will fight bravely. I will show Sephira’s will. I will prove that our Sephira will never back down!”
Anis, who had never refuted Basil’s opinion, rebelled aloud for the first time. It was not an impulsive, repulsive statement. It was a cry of conviction and spirit.
Basil was proud of Anis, who stood out from his shadow and confidently expressed his opinion, but strictly distinguished between public and private affairs.
“If that’s the case, you guys don’t have to.”
Basil’s gaze turns to Keter.
The gazes of Anise and Tarragon also turned to Kether.
“Keter will fight in the name of Sephira.”
“What do you mean, father? Keter cannot participate in the contest. you know The application for the contest has already ended a long time ago. We are told that it is impossible to attend on our behalf.”
“Looks like you didn’t tell me.”
Keter shrugged.
“It’s not fun if you tell me in advance.”
“Are all three conditions met?”
After hearing the report from Luke, Basil understands, of course, that Keter is satisfied. But what I asked was what Anis and Tarragon were telling me to listen to.
Kether, knowing his intentions, also joined in.
“I got a letter of recommendation for Southern Sword from the 7th Southern Sword, and here is the diamond class identification tag.”
An oval-shaped piece of metal comes out of the pocket. A dog tag used by mercenaries. The diamond-plated dog tag had Keter’s name on it.
“As for receiving the support of the Senate nobility, Elder Panir decided to take care of it.”
Catering Keter’s gaze, Panir cleared his throat.
“Ahem, I was trying to inform you of the progress.”
“If you say you couldn’t find it, you can say it here.”
“Saved. However, he said that he would invite you to the family after the tournament, so please accept it.”
“I can’t go. Then, the three conditions have been fulfilled.”
There are three conditions for independent participation.
To be sponsored by Senate nobles who do not participate in the tournament.
Get a letter of recommendation from the southern sword.
Diamond class or higher, 3-star knight or higher.
Keter really did it all. In just a short period of time, less than a month.
“… … .”
Anise and Tarragon were speechless. I didn’t even think to say, ‘Why is Keter participating?’
I know because I’ve been watching you.
Keter’s power, and madness… … .
I’m strong when I’m an ally, but when I run into an enemy… More terrifying than any enemy.
Basil spoke as if admonishing the two discouraged people.
“I know you guys have grown up. You have overcome Keter’s harsh training. I also learned the skill of heavenly power, and my aura has greatly increased. It’s a miraculous growth. I am proud of you guys.”
“father… … .”
“Three months later, there is a 3-star knight promotion test. It is a test for the two of you. Prepare for the promotion test starting today. Forget the Southern Sword Tournament.”
Promotion to 3 star knight.
Anise and tarragon were what he wanted. Obviously it is. However, neither of them showed any signs of backing down.
The air got heavy. Basil, too, had no intention of giving up his two sons’ persuasion. An ominous aura took over the space.
“Are you not going to listen to this father!”
If persuasion doesn’t work, they shout at them to make them submit, even by using coercion.
Basil doesn’t usually speak loudly, but Anise and Tarragon know that once they get angry, no one can stop them. My shoulders shrank at the sound of the scream.
“Listen to me. Your level cannot represent Sephira. This is the reality. Please act in moderation.”
At Basil’s stern scolding, Anise’s clenched fist trembled, and Tarragon bit his lower lip until it bled.
At that time, Miles, who had been watching, stepped out.
“Brothers. I also agree with my father’s will. I’m not ignoring your hardships. I am not ignoring you as weak. It is to dissuade you from making reckless choices. Don’t you know that there is a difference between courage and bravery? anise. Wise you will know what I mean. tarragon. Aren’t you a good kid who listens to his older brother?”
The quiet consolation and deep reading were enough to shake the hearts of Anise and Tarragon.
Miles held Anise’s shoulder as she bowed her head.
“Raise your head. You are the proud archer of Sephira. never a coward It just shows the wisdom of not falling for the conspiracies of others.”
“older brother… … .”
Anise slowly raises her head.
Seeing this, Miles flinched. Anise’s eyes were filled with determination and miasma.
“Brother, please leave.”
“you… … .”
Anise pushed Mile’s hand away and stiffly raised her head, looking straight into Basil’s eyes.
“Whatever you say, I will go.”
It’s not a trembling voice.
Again, there is power in every word.
Basil’s momentum also grew. Like a wild beast growling, he fired with a quiet yet heavy voice.
“I told you not to go.”
Anis broke through Basil’s oppressive force, took a step forward and said.
“It is not regrettable about the time spent on the ball. I don’t even want to prove my strength. I want to show those who ignore the sephirah. I want to show those who ignore archery!”
Anis desperately raised her voice.
“It is not an arrow that is shot by a bow. it’s my belief These are the words of the invited head of household. What I want to show them is not Sephira’s arrow. It is Sephira’s belief… … !”
“… … .”
Basil glared at Anise quietly.
At that time, Tarragon, who belatedly overcame the pressure, shouted.
“I don’t have a noble will like older brother Anis. It’s just ugly and dirty desire. I want to show the power of archery to those who disrespect and ignore Sephira. I will prove with my life that Sephira will not give up no matter how much she is stabbed, cut, or trampled on!”
In front of their father, two sons are crying out for trust in them. What father would be able to ignore this.
The momentum that had been pressing on Anise and Tarragon had disappeared. Basil opened his mouth after closing his eyes for a long time.
“Are you prepared? I am determined to endure everything.”
“yes!”
Anise and Tarragon answered vigorously at the same time.
There is not an inch of worry. It was a firm will.
Basil slowly sat down in his chair.
“I was well aware of the determination and beliefs of the two people. As a father and head of household, I will not stop you guys any longer.”
“That means… … !”
It was then that Anise and Tarragon’s complexion was about to brighten.
Paneer said out of nowhere.
“Everything in the world cannot be solved with words alone.”
“… … ?’”
Are you trying to give advice? For such a thing, the atmosphere felt in his voice was strange.
Swoop.
Paneer rose from his seat.
“I am determined, I am confident… . What can’t people do with words? I don’t believe in words. I believe in action.”
“Great uncle. That word… … .”
“Prove it. Are the two of you really worthy of the Southern Sword Tournament? I will show you with my actions whether it is okay to entrust the name of Sephira to you two.”
Paneer threw two of the three bows hanging on the wall to Anise and Tarragon.
This is not a private dispute. A ‘public’ dispute over the fate of the family. It was not an area that could be solved by arm wrestling.
The householder did not stop the paneer. It meant that it was an agreed upon action.
Keter also put the grapes in her mouth with a look of interest.
When Anis and Tarragon looked at each other with their bows in their hands, Panir exclaimed.
“What are you doing? Did you not understand the words, or was it because you were afraid? come. I will test you guys. You can attack both at the same time.”
no arrows It meant that if you didn’t know how to use Aura Arrow, you wouldn’t be eligible to participate in the tournament.
“If that’s not the case, are you ignoring me because I’m old?”
Zuuu!
Three large and thick aura arrows were simultaneously created in Panir’s right hand.
A former vice-captain of the Galactic Knights before becoming a Judge of the Kingdom, he is a genius and hard worker who reached the level of a 5-Star Master early at the age of 30.
Although he gave up on becoming a grandmaster, as seen in his arm wrestling with Keter, he never stopped training even after taking on the position of elder.
If Basil’s momentum felt heavy, Paneer’s momentum made Anis retreat like a typhoon.
Tarragon gestured to go first, but Anise silently interrupted and took a step forward.
“I would like to ask you, Elder Panir.”
Basil’s eyes widened.
Anis didn’t just talk. As Panir said, he proved it with action. As soon as he finished speaking, he fired an arrow to announce the start of the battle.
And the Aura Arrow created by Anise was flawless and flawless.