I Am The Madman Of This Family

Chapter 35: This is All For Sefira (1)

Gant, who came in place of Reganon, led Keter to a vast, dense garden.

Seeing no clear destination, Keter muttered under his breath, “At this rate, we’ll end up in the empire.”

“If you wish to live as a noble of a prestigious family, you should grow your patience,” Gant replied.

Gant stopped in front of a pond, more precisely, behind a large statue built next to it.

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to lecture me in a cliché spot like this.”

“I won’t say the thought hasn’t crossed my mind.”

Gant removed his helmet and pressed the heel of the statue. Then, a hidden secret door quietly emerged from the ground.

“Are you living underground like some kind of evil organization?”

“This is the archive where all of Sefira’s history is stored, so please show some respect.”

“To the history? Or to the elder?”

“To both.”

“That’s going to be tough for me since I lack empathy.”

Gant did not stop walking as he frowned. The archive they arrived at was surprisingly large, especially compared to the narrow staircase they had descended. On top of that, it was as bright as day even though it was underground. They didn’t use candles or torches, but there was a self-illuminating stone embedded in the ceiling.

“Wow, that’s a sun stone, right?”

It was different from a light stone, which emitted light through magic. Like its name, the sun stone emitted light like the sun; according to some re

“All humans aren’t the same.”

“They aren’t that different either.”

“I answered too much to one question. It seems like you’re not going to take my offer and just the money.”

“Was it that obvious?”

“Child, I don’t know why you asked me that question, but one thing is for certain: you are clearly mistaken, about both me and Sefira. Unfortunately, you haven’t realized that.”

As soon as Reganon rang the bell on his chair, the door opened and Gant, who cleaned up his nosebleed, rushed in and grabbed Keter’s shoulder.

“Get up, Keter.”

“You’re being short with me, Gant.”

“Don’t be mistaken. You’re not a noble yet.”

“Which means you need to be even more careful. This time, it won’t just end with a bloody nose like before.”

“What did you say?” Gant hissed in anger, having taken a hit.

At that moment, Reganon quietly said, “Keter, the only reason I tolerated your arrogance was because you are Besil’s son. But that patience has just run out.”

“You sure take your time telling me to get lost.”

Keter stood up, shrugging off Gant’s hand that was still gripping his shoulder. Gant scowled, but all he did was glare as he was mindful of Reganon’s presence.

Just before leaving, Keter turned to Reganon and asked, “Has there ever been an elder in Sefira’s history who betrayed the family?”

“...No.”

“There will be one soon.”

Reganon responded to Keter’s remark with silence. Keter, seemingly not expecting an answer, left the office without another word.

But Gant wasn’t one to just stand by and watch.

He quickly approached Reganon and whispered softly, “Just give me the order. Even if I get exiled from the family, I swear…”

“Sir Gant, if you really think for me, you should be doing it, even without the order.”

“... Yes, my lord.”

“Stop. It was just a figure of speech. I didn’t mean for you to actually do it,” Reganon told Gant, as if calming him down. “You are a knight—a proud knight of Sefira. Don’t lose your dignity over a mere reckless child.”

“I will take that to heart, my lord.”

“Make sure that boy returns safely.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Gant gave a short, firm salute and left the office. A short while later, he returned to report on Keter.

“I’ve sent him on his way,” he said to Reganon.

“There were no issues?”

“No, my lord. I didn’t even want to speak to the boy, so I stayed quiet. He didn’t say anything either.”

“Just wait a moment. I’m on the last page.”

Reganon savored the final page of the poetry book he was reading. The book was worn with use, its edges frayed and tattered. It was clear he had read it not just once or twice, but at least hundreds of times.

“‘Growth comes with pain. If it is painful, that is evidence of growth.’ It’s a good verse, isn’t it?”

“Yes, my lord. It is extremely wise.”

“Gant, I am in extreme pain right now.”

Reganon lowered the book, revealing his face. His eyes held a dark determination. It was not the gaze of a man weary of life, nor of one mourning the death of his daughter. It was the look of someone who had forsaken his life and humanity for a single purpose.

Gant, a seasoned veteran knight, gulped nervously. Reganon was an ordinary—no, a frail old man. Yet the eerie aura emanating from him chilled even Gant, who had been on the verge of death countless times.

Laying the book aside, Reganon said, “There will be no changes to the plan.”

His voice was clear and firm.

“Does that mean…”

“Instead of Katherine, we’ll send Keter first.”