I Am The Madman Of This Family

Ultima, who had been struck by Keter, felt disappointment more than pain.

As expected, family matters more to you than I do.

Ultima believed that he far surpassed Hissop when it came to time spent together and capability. Moreover, while Sefira would still have someone to replace Hissop even if he died, Ultima Trading Company would fail right away without Ultima.

If I had the choice of who to make my enemy, naturally, it wouldn’t be Godfather. It would be you.

Ultima had come to Keter with even this situation in mind. Just as a murderous glint was about to appear in his eyes…

“I told you not to stall.”

Keter had struck Ultima not because he said he would kill Hissop, but because he stalled.

“Does that mean… it’s fine to kill Hissop?”

“Did Godfather order it?”

“Yes…” Keter had asked because he thought the only person Ultima feared was the Godfather, so he nodded when Ultima answered. But Keter still couldn’t understand.

“Why would Godfather want Hissop dead?”

“He didn’t give a reason. You know how he is.”

“He doesn’t have a grudge against Hissop, he wants to get at me. But that’s what doesn’t make sense. Why all of a sudden?”

In his previous life, Keter had never engaged with the Godfather like this. They might have helped each other, but they had never stood as enemies.

With disappearing in Liqueur as well... There's definitely something going on.

Even after bringing up every memory and forcing connections, nothing fit the puzzle.

“Some powerful people make others miserable just for fun or boredom, but Godfather isn’t that type.”

“Keter, this is how I see it. Ultimately, you must have gotten out of Liqueur with Godfather’s help. You never paid that price, and now he’s demanding payment.”

“Even if you’re right, there’s no reason for him to have you do it.”

When thought about it simply, it could be an attempt to force submission by creating a sense of danger, but Keter was convinced that wasn’t it.

If he were that kind of person, he would’ve done it long ago. Doing it now means he has something else in mind.

The easiest solution would be to go and ask him directly, but that wasn’t feasible.

He would be somewhere in Liqueur.

Keter could go to Liqueur, both physically and magically. However, he had been warned never to return there when he escaped before.

If I go back to Liqueur, I won’t be able to get out easily this time.

And that might be exactly what the Godfather wanted. A trap to lure him back into Liqueur.

“Either way, it’s annoying.”

For the first time since regressing, Keter felt troubled. Having the Godfather as an enemy was more troublesome than killing the queen.

Even if I fight him, it has to be after killing the queen. Did he see even that future?

This time, even Keter couldn’t come up with an immediate solution. The Godfather wasn’t an opponent he could easily antagonize.

But I can’t kill Ultima either.

Killing Ultima wouldn’t end anything. Ultima was nothing more than a messenger to begin with. Would the Godfather even bat an eye if he died?

As Keter agonized, Ultima suddenly smiled and said, “Keter, I thought you might be crazy enough to recklessly antagonize Godfather. But seeing you ponder like this, it seems it was all an act.”

“Shut up. I’m thinking about how to screw him over.”

Ultima stayed silent in confusion.

“When did he say Hissop had to be killed by?”

“He said six months.”

Ultima had deliberately cut the time in half. That way, he could secure time to prepare as well.

At the mention of six months, Keter was dumbfounded. “Six months? How generous of him. This is basically an open challenge to test me.”

Ultima thought the same. It wasn’t even an order to kill the crown prince, and giving a whole year to kill Hissop would have been far too long. Keter considered the worst-case scenario.

It feels like he suspects me of being a regressor, like the Syndicate.

There was no certainty, but it was the most plausible assumption. The difference was that he was far more coercive and actively trying to test Keter than the Syndicate.

Keter rubbed his chin.

That’s a bit of a shame.

In truth, it wasn’t that there was no solution. It was just that there was some regret.

This kind of human life has been pretty fun.

Others might not understand, but to Keter, his life up to now had been one where he tried his best to live as normally as possible. After all, if he truly put his mind to using the knowledge from his previous life, he could have become a Prime easily. Beyond that, by using information from his past life, he wouldn’t have needed to spend time solving various problems. The reason he hadn’t done so was simple.

There’s no satisfaction in that.

Things were only fun when there was a sense of fulfillment. However, feeling fulfilled was only possible when one had the leeway to do so.

It’s not that I can’t do it… It’s just annoying.

In the current situation, the easiest solution was to submit to the Godfather. In that case, he would certainly let things slide, at least for now. In that time, Keter could appease the south and secure Sefira’s complete independence. But if that were the plan, he would have relied on the Godfather’s power to revive Sefira from the very beginning.

“Hmm, I don’t like that.”

“Keter, stop contemplating by yourself. Tell me your plan too. You’re not thinking of fighting Godfather, are you?”

“I am.”

Ultima was shocked.

“Don’t panic. I may be a bit crazy, but I’m not an idiot. I’m fighting because there’s a chance to win.”

“Thinking there’s a chance at all sounds idiotic to me.”

“You can think whatever you want. So, what will you do, Ultima? Will you take my side, or live your whole life as Godfather’s lackey?”

“Godfather promised me freedom. Once this matter is over… Keter, think again. We only have to kill Hissop. I know he’s your family, but he’s just a half-brother, isn’t he?”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that he can’t be killed because I cherish him. If Hissop is killed as you say, do you think Godfather will leave you alone? Sure, I guess he wouldn’t interfere with you anymore.”

Keter suddenly took the Godfather’s side, so Ultima couldn’t tell what he was talking about.

“But the same thing that’s happening to me will happen to you. He said he wouldn’t interfere, not that he would go easy on you. If you create a situation where you submit willingly, what will you do then?”

Ultima was shocked at Keter’s explanation.

“Ultima, my friend. Do you still not know him? What’s hidden behind that smiling face? From the moment you got entangled with him, you should’ve given up on the idea of living a normal life.”

Ultima was at a loss for words.

“You look like you’re wondering what to do, but I, of course, have no intention of giving up Ultima Trading Company either. As you said, Ultima Trading Company is playing a major pillar role in Sefira’s revival right now.”

“Do you really intend to fight Godfather?”

“No comment.”

Ultima became confused again.

“I’ve shown you everything I can. Now go back and live as you normally do. That’s the best advice I can give you.”

Ignorance was bliss. Unaware of Keter’s hidden intent, Ultima fell silent for a moment, then turned around.

“Keter. Remember that I hate living a life where I’m pushed around just as much as I hate dying.”

Keter lazily waved his hand in response. With that, Ultima left, and the moment Keter pulled out the communicator to contact Daat…

“An earthquake…?”

Along with a sensation as if the entire world were shaking, everything was dyed in light. The light was so blinding that nothing else could be seen. However, it lasted only a brief moment, less than the time it took to blink. When the strange phenomenon ended, Ultima, who had left just now, suddenly appeared before Keter and repeated the same words.

“Sorry to interrupt you while you are having fun.”

***

“Keter?”

Ultima called out to him, but Keter didn’t answer. What the hell was this now?