MTLNOVEL Chapter 291
Chapter 292. Failure is Treason, Success is Revolution (6)
Ultima, who had been struck by Keter, felt more disappointment than pain.
‘As expected, family is more important than me.’
Ultima, who had spent time together and shared abilities, thought he was overwhelmingly superior to Hisop.
Even if Sephira had someone to replace Hisop if he died, the Ultima Merchant would collapse without Ultima.
‘If I had the choice of who to make an enemy, it would naturally be you, not the Grand Duke.’
Ultima had come to Keter with this situation in mind. Just as his eyes were filling with venom, Keter spoke.
“I told you not to hesitate.”
“…?!”
Keter had struck Ultima not because he intended to kill Hisop, but because he had hesitated.
“Does that mean… it’s okay to kill Hisop?”
“Did the Grand Duke order it?”
“…Yes.”
Keter, who thought the only person Ultima feared was the Grand Duke, nodded.
But Keter couldn’t understand.
“Why would the Grand Duke want to kill Hisop?”
“He didn’t give a reason. Don’t you know the Grand Duke’s style?”
“It’s not that he has a grudge against Hisop, but he wants to mess with me. But that’s the question. Why suddenly?”
Keter had never been entangled with the Grand Duke like this in his past life. They had helped each other, but they had never been enemies like this.
‘Disappearing in Ruquer was one thing, but there’s something else going on.’
Even if he forced himself to recall all his memories, he couldn’t find anything conclusive.
“People with power often make others miserable for fun or out of boredom, but the Grand Duke isn’t that type.”
“Keter. I think this way. You also left Ruquer with the Grand Duke’s help. You didn’t pay the price, and now he’s asking you to pay it.”
“Even if what you say is true, there’s no reason to make you do it.”
If he thought about it simply, it might be an attempt to force submission by creating a sense of crisis, but Keter was certain that wasn’t the case.
‘If he were that kind of person, he would have done it long ago. Doing it now means there’s something else going on.’
The easiest way would be to go and ask directly, but that wasn’t feasible either.
‘He must be somewhere in Ruquer.’
He could go to Ruquer. Physically or magically.
But hadn’t he been warned when he left Ruquer before not to return?
‘If I go back to Ruquer this time, I won’t be able to leave easily.’
And that might be what the Grand Duke wants. A trap to lure him back to Ruquer.
“This is annoying either way.”
For the first time since his regression, Keter felt troubled. Turning the Grand Duke into an enemy was more troublesome than killing the Queen.
‘Even if we fight, it would have to be after killing the Queen. Did he foresee that future?’
This time, Keter couldn’t think of a solution immediately. The Grand Duke wasn’t an easy opponent to recklessly antagonize.
‘But I can’t kill Ultima either.’
Killing Ultima wouldn’t end things. Ultima is just a messenger. Killing him wouldn’t make the Grand Duke bat an eye.
As Keter agonized, Ultima suddenly laughed and spoke.
“Keter. I thought you might be crazy enough to recklessly antagonize the Grand Duke. But seeing you struggle, it was all an act after all.”
“Shut up. I’m thinking about how to deal with the Grand Duke right now.”
“…?”
“How long did he give you to kill Hisop?”
“…He gave me six months.”
Ultima deliberately halved the time. That way, he could buy himself time to prepare.
Hearing six months, Keter was dumbfounded.
“Six months? That’s quite generous. This is clearly a test.”
Ultima felt the same. It wasn’t like he was being asked to kill the Crown Prince, but a year to kill Hisop was too long.
Keter thought of the worst-case scenario.
‘It seems like he suspects I’m a regressor, just like the Syndicate.’
He wasn’t sure, but it was the most plausible assumption.
However, unlike the Syndicate, the Grand Duke was much more forceful and proactive in testing him.
Keter stroked his chin.
‘It’s a bit disappointing.’
There was a solution, but it was disappointing.
‘This human-like life was quite fun.’
Others might not understand, but for Keter, his life so far had been an effort to live as ‘normally’ as possible.
If he had decided to use his past life’s knowledge, he could have become Prime at any time.
Besides that, using his past life’s knowledge would have solved many problems without needing to spend time on them.
But the reason he didn’t…
‘That’s not rewarding.’
Reward brings enjoyment.
But feeling rewarded is only possible when there’s leisure.
‘It’s not like I can’t do it… but it’s annoying.’
The easiest solution in this situation is to bow to the Grand Duke. Then the Grand Duke would surely let it slide. For now.
With that time, he could conquer the Southern Region and secure Sephira’s complete independence.
But if that were the case, he would have used the Grand Duke’s power to revive Sephira from the start.
“Hmm, I don’t like that.”
“Keter. Don’t just agonize alone, tell me your plan. You’re not thinking of fighting the Grand Duke, are you?”
“I am thinking of fighting.”
“…!”
“Don’t be scared, man. Even if I’m a bit crazy, I’m not an idiot. I’m fighting because I have a chance.”
“Thinking you have a chance itself makes you an idiot.”
“Think what you want. So, what about you, Ultima? Will you side with me, or live as the Grand Duke’s lackey for life?”
“The Grand Duke promised me freedom. Once this is over… Keter. Think again. You only need to kill Hisop. I know he’s your family, but he’s just a half-brother.”
“Don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I won’t kill Hisop because I care about him. If I kill Hisop as you say, do you think the Grand Duke will leave you alone? Yes. That’s right. He won’t interfere with you anymore.”
“…?”
Suddenly, Keter was siding with the Grand Duke. Ultima was confused.
“But the same thing will happen to you. He said he wouldn’t interfere, but he didn’t say he’d spare you. If you voluntarily submit, what will you do then?”
“…!”
“Ultima, my friend. Don’t you know the Grand Duke yet? What’s behind that smiling face. From the moment you got involved with the Grand Duke, you should have given up on living a normal life.”
“….”
“You look like you’re wondering what to do, but of course, I have no intention of giving up the Ultima Merchant. As you said, the Ultima Merchant is currently playing a key role in Sephira’s revival.”
“…Are you really thinking of fighting the Grand Duke?”
“No comment.”
“…?”
“I’ve shown you everything. Now go back and live as usual. That’s the best advice I can give you.”
Ignorance is bliss. At Keter’s hidden meaning, Ultima fell silent for a moment before turning away.
“Keter. Know that I also hate a life of being controlled as much as death.”
Swish.
Instead of answering, Keter waved his hand dismissively.
As Ultima left and Keter took out his communicator to contact Daat, it happened.
Dududud.
“…An earthquake?”
Suddenly, the world shook as if it were being shaken whole, and the world was bathed in light. The light was so bright that nothing could be seen.
But it was only for a moment. Less than the blink of an eye.
When the strange phenomenon ended-
“Sorry to interrupt while you were having fun.”
Ultima, who had left, suddenly appeared before him and repeated the same words.
“Keter?”
Ultima called, but it didn’t reach his ears. What kind of nonsense is this now?
‘Did I regress again?’
Who would have thought there would come a time when I’d miss having a watch. I’m not sure exactly, but it seems like about 10 minutes have been reversed.
Can this even be called regression?
But that’s not important.
Looking at Ultima’s face, it was clear he hadn’t noticed the time reversal.
But that doesn’t mean I’m under an illusion. I’m naturally resistant to illusions, and even if I were under one, I’d notice immediately.
“Keter?”
Ultima waved his hand in front of my eyes.
“Shut up and stay still.”
Pay attention, Ultima. Time has reversed.
“Ah, I see. But I have to go soon, so I can’t wait long.”
Listening to Ultima, I realized I didn’t need to keep him here to think.
“Go back.”
“Huh?”
“Walt came to find you, right?”
“Uh, how did you know? You, don’t tell me you…!”
Ultima was startled. As expected, Ultima hadn’t noticed the time reversal.
It was quite amusing to see Ultima panicking, and I wanted to tease him more, but there was a more serious matter at hand.
“Walt must have made a difficult proposal to you. Whatever it was, he must have given you plenty of time. Right?”
“…Yes.”
“I understand the situation to some extent, so don’t worry.”
“Don’t worry? Against the Grand Duke?”
“Yes. Trust me.”
“…!”
“Trust me and go back. And live as if nothing happened, as usual.”
“Keter, I also…”
“Hate a life of being controlled? Me too, man.”
“….”
Ultima’s gaze at me was strange. Before, it was filled with a desire to kill me, but now there was fear.
“Ah, I see.”
I grabbed Ultima’s wrist as he was about to leave.
“Your watch. Give it to me.”
“If it’s a wristwatch, I’ll send it to Sephira generously.”
“No, give it to me now.”
“….”
Click.
I borrowed Ultima’s wristwatch for a moment. Fortunately, it had a second hand.
After quickly sending Ultima away, I stared at the watch.
Exactly 10 minutes have passed now!
“….”
Chirp chirp.
The world hasn’t changed.
There might be some error, so I waited another 10 minutes, but it was still the same.
“What kind of nonsense is this?”
It’s not my imagination. Clearly, 10 minutes have regressed.
This phenomenon didn’t happen because I wanted it. It just happened after I finished talking with Ultima.
‘This is too shabby. It’s not even a major crisis.’
In my past life, regression happened because of death, which at least gave it some justification.
‘Does that mean I can regress just by dying? It doesn’t seem like it.’
The current 10-minute regression completely supports that. The trigger for regression is not my death.
Then what is it?
“This is some next-level nonsense.”
The regression phenomenon following the Grand Duke’s interference.
It’s fortunate it’s only 10 minutes, but if a year had regressed… I would have seriously smashed everything.
Time advantage or not, everything I’ve achieved so far would disappear. Wouldn’t that piss me off?
Of course, if I were given another chance, even 3 months instead of 6 would be enough, but-
‘Only I remember the regression. All the relationships I’ve built would disappear.’
I’d have to explain regression to Maknun again, Sephira’s brothers, and all the friends I’ve made. When would I get close to them again?
“I can’t do it because it’s annoying.”
Thump thump.
My head itches. This is another kind of irritation.
“Regression I can’t control is really annoying.”
I wish I could at least control it, but time reversing regardless of my will is not welcome at all.
Then it happened.
Dududud.
“What the hell, again?”
I checked the watch. 24 minutes and 15 seconds.
There’s no pattern at all.
The irritation surged. More than the Queen who annihilated the Sephira family, more than the Grand Duke who’s testing me by holding my family hostage.
This time, the vague fear of not knowing how much time would reverse surged.
“If time is going to reverse anyway, I might as well go all out.”
Mandala.
I respond to time with time.
Originally, it’s a power I shouldn’t use recklessly since it’s not authorized, but who cares in the face of regression.
‘Mandala, full deployment!’
When I treated Lyze, I split 1 second into 100 seconds.
But now, I split 1 second into 10,000 seconds.
Immediately, there was a reaction. The owner of Mandala observed me.
[Who are you to use Mandala without a contract?]
“Your dad.”
[What?]
Ignoring the owner of Mandala, I manifest my will. I command the reversing time. Stop!
[Foolish. A human’s will cannot stop time… no, reverse time?]
The owner of Mandala seemed to mistake me for causing the regression.
[Kehahaha! Is Aeon finally breaking?]
Aeon? What’s that?
But I don’t have the luxury to care about that now. The reversing time is gradually slowing down.
‘It’s working.’
I felt it. This regression phenomenon is happening because of someone’s will.
This time, it wasn’t just 10 minutes. They were trying to reverse at least an hour.
But I stopped it.
Crack!
The sound of a glass mirror breaking. The reversing time shattered and returned to the present.
At the same time, as my connection with the owner of Mandala was about to break, he left a final message.
[Pioneer. I support you. Persuade the post-regression me. If you do, I will surely become your strength……]
Fizz.
The world turned off for a moment, then back on.
And what appeared before me was Ultima.
“If it’s a wristwatch, I’ll send it to Sephira generously.”
“….”
“Keter?”
“Yes, send it generously.”
A repeated conversation. I sent Ultima away first.
Then, there was an immediate reaction.
Drip drip.
Blood tears flowed. My vision was filled with blood.
‘I stopped the regression, but…’
I stopped an hour from reversing, only allowing about 10 minutes, but the backlash from using Mandala remained.
“Why is this still happening, damn it……”
Thud.
Keter spent 1 minute to stop the regression.
For others, it was just 1 minute, but-
For Keter, who split 1 second into 10,000 seconds using Mandala, it was like 187 hours had passed. Moreover, he had to focus his will without missing a second to stop the time reversal.
To put it in perspective, it was like sprinting non-stop for 8 days. The only difference was that Keter did it with his head, not his legs.
If he were an ordinary human, his brain would have been cooked from overload. But Keter only fainted.
Meanwhile, at the same time, in the Sammael Empire.
Clang!
A young girl with a rapier and a middle-aged man with a dagger were fighting.
Though it was called a fight, it was more like a one-sided domination. The middle-aged man had his right hand behind his back, overpowering the girl with just his left hand.
“Princess, what’s wrong? Didn’t you say you’d defeat me in a match and make me your subordinate? Are you going to waste this hard-earned opportunity?”
The girl called Princess gritted her teeth.
Her eyes were filled with confusion. It wasn’t because the middle-aged man was stronger than expected.
The girl was confident she could defeat the middle-aged man. He had said the match was a one-time opportunity, but this was actually their third match.
However, this was different from what she had expected.
‘Why did the regression stop halfway?’
She had reversed time to just before the fight with the middle-aged man, but for some reason, it didn’t fully reverse. Her regression had never failed before.
From the first time she caused regression decades ago until now, it had always worked flawlessly.