I'm the Crazy One in the Family-Chapter 85: Bring Me The Salt (1)

Liqueur was a city ruled by the law of the jungle. Yet, it had a functioning market and semblance of order. This meant that there was some control at work here.

The one who placed a leash around the necks of hundreds of thousands of Liqueurians—all of whom were aura users who did not fear death—was none other than Godfather Alkione.

With a benevolent smile, he said, “Twelve years have passed. Back then, you were just a kid, still adapting to life in Liqueur.”

Alkione’s voice was soothing and warm. Yet, the words that voice carried were far from comforting.

“How was the outside world? Was it the world you dreamed of?”

Keter’s lips curled into a smile as his body quivered slightly. He felt a mixture of awe and fear toward the Godfather.

“You seem to know everything, even while staying in Liqueur, Godfather.”

“If I could also leave like you, it wouldn’t be such a remarkable feat.”

“So the legend that no one can leave Liqueur was a lie.”

The Godfather beckoned Keter closer.

“Sit down. This will be a long conversation.”

“With pleasure.”

As Keter sat across from the Godfather, he felt his body tense more than ever. Not even standing before a monarch had left him so uneasy.

The Godfather was that kind of presence. Though he appeared as an ordinary grandfather from next door, what lay beneath his skin wasn’t flesh and bone like that of a human. He had the perfect appearance of a man and spoke with a human voice, but Keter knew better.

Is this what the queen feels like? Could the Godfather be a god like the queen?

Keter was uncertain because the Godfather aged. The Godfather Keter had met twelve years ago had fewer wrinkles and a straighter back. Now, his face resembled tree bark, his hair had turned snow white, his back was hunched, and his frame had shrunk. He was a man who bore the full weight of time. And that made him all the more terrifying. For all his humanity, he felt anything but human.

“Let me begin by saying you’ve done well. You handled the troublesome Red Comet admirably.”

“To you, Godfather, it must have been a trivial nuisance.”

“But not to the rest of you, no? Haha.”

“You’ve never hidden it, but do you enjoy playing games in this human body of yours?”

“Keter, have you ever heard of the Law of Causality?”

“No, I’m not familiar with the concept.”

“Even I do not fully understand it. Perhaps no one in this world truly does. But this old man thinks the Law of Causality is like fate.”

“Fate, as in luck or misfortune?”

“Precisely—The Law of Causality is fate. But not everyone is equally influenced by it. The more insignificant a being is, the less they are affected by the law. Conversely, the greater one’s presence, the more they are governed by it. Now, what do you think drives this law?”

“I would think... murder.”

“That’s quite a simplistic answer for you.”

“You, Godfather, are the only person who could listen to such a simple answer from me.”

“Haha, you may be right. I regret earning your respect just a little.”

The Godfather calmly smiled and turned his gaze elsewhere.

Keter flinched in surprise.

When did I start sweating so much?

His entire body was damp with sweat, but it wasn’t from heat but from sheer nervousness. His body was aroused by anxiety and was releasing sweat in an attempt to cool itself. He had perspired so much that a small puddle had formed at his feet.

When I was a child, seeing the Godfather didn’t feel this overwhelming.

Back then, Keter had feared the Godfather too, but the source of that fear was different. It was the position he held that frightened him, not the man himself. However, now, after returning with the memories of his fifty years of previous life, Keter fully recognized the Godfather as a transcendent being.

And that human-like consideration he shows makes it even more unsettling.

If the Godfather had continued speaking, Keter would have suffered from dehydration and exhaustion from excessive tension. Yet the Godfather deliberately broke the flow of conversation, allowing Keter to realize how over-strained he was.

This kind of thoughtful consideration was undeniably human. And it was precisely this human-like trait, displayed by someone who was not truly human, that made Keter’s skin crawl.

Rubbing at the goosebumps rising on his arms, Keter finally said, “So, what exactly is it that drives this law?”

Keter rarely paid attention to what others said, as he found most conversations dull or lacking in valuable information. But the Godfather’s words were different. Each one was a treasure trove of information, brimming with intrigue.

“Influence,” the Godfather replied kindly, giving the answer directly.

Influence.

Keter repeated the word silently to himself, turning it over in his mind.

“The more influence you exert, the more causality diminishes, and as causality decreases, misfortune increases. That’s what you’re saying, isn’t it?” Keter asked.

“For now, think of it that way.”

There were likely more complex factors at play, but if the Godfather said so, then it was enough for now.

“In summary, then, the reason you didn’t personally deal with the Red Comet was that the loss of causality from handling it yourself would have been a greater cost than leaving it to someone else.”

“If you’ve understood that much, you should also grasp why the world operates as it does. For example... why Queen Lilian doesn’t personally intervene if she truly wishes for Sefira’s downfall.”

“...!”

Goosebumps, which Keter pressed back into his skin, rose again. Regardless of Keter’s reaction, the Godfather maintained his gentle smile and continued speaking.

“I’m going to make you an offer you can’t refuse.”

* * *

The Godfather, who had casually introduced the Law of Causality that governed the world, clasped his hands together and continued.

“I will protect Sefira from Lilian.”

The moment Keter heard those words, his anxiety cooled immediately. It wasn’t because he was tempted by the offer; something felt off, yet he couldn’t immediately pinpoint what it was. Under normal circumstances, he would have realized it right away, but right now, his thoughts felt stifled as though trapped in a cramped space.

“You cannot protect Sefira,” the Godfather said. “Just one of the Four Lords could end it, and if Sefira shows any signs of revival, Lilian will even expend causality itself to intervene. When that time comes, there will be nothing you can do. You will only be able to merely watch as Sefira crumbles under her hand, no matter what you have prepared.”

The Godfather was confident as if he had seen the future, and it seemed convincing to Keter as well.

“Are you asking for my soul?”

“I’m no demon, Keter. As you can see, I’m merely an old man—one whose time is running out.”

“If you wished, you could extend your life. You don’t need to be a god or demon for that.”

There were elixirs that could stop aging or restore one’s body to its prime. Though extremely difficult to obtain, this was Liqueur—a place where nothing was impossible. As its ruler, he could have easily obtained one by a simple mention. No, there was a high chance that he already had one in his possession.

Yet, the Godfather shook his head.

“The Law of Causality is not so simple. Like everyone else, I will eventually reach the end of my natural life. And when that happens, what do you think will become of Liqueur?”

“I imagine it’ll work itself out.”

“Liqueur needs a Godfather. I wish to pass that role on to you.”

“So when you say you’ll protect Sefira, you mean for me to protect it as the new Godfather?”

“That is not the case. I swear there is no connection between you becoming the Godfather and protecting Sefira. This is a transaction. I will save Sefira, and in return, you will succeed me as the next Godfather.”

“I can’t seem to not ask cliché questions in front of you, Godfather. Why me?”

“You already know the answer. You’re different from the rest; you’re special, aren’t you?”

The Godfather fixed his gaze on Keter with an expression that suggested he already knew everything. Keter didn’t shy away, meeting his gaze head-on.

When it came to being special, Keter could indeed claim to be the most unique individual in the world—he had regressed, after all. But the Godfather wasn’t referring to that. While he seemed to know much about Keter, there was no indication that he was aware of the regression.

Realizing this, Keter felt a sense of relief. The more he conversed with the Godfather, the freer he felt, his thoughts gradually sharpening.

“That’s not like you, Godfather,” Keter said, his tone regaining its usual composure.

“What do you mean?”

“You know I have left Liqueur, that I have been active in Sefira, yet you’re leaving it to me to deduce why I’m special? If it’s swordsmanship, there’s the Blade Demon, Balt, who surpasses me. If it’s knowledge, Dork here outmatches me.”

“...Do you not think you’re nitpicking over trivialities?”

“A mistake may seem trivial at first glance, but catching those trivialities often leads to uncovering the decisive truth.”

“Haha, hahaha.”

The Godfather leaned back with a silent laugh, his eyes glinting with intrigue.

Keter didn’t look away, keeping his focus on the old man.

“Fine, I admit it,” the Godfather said. “I know you’re special, but I don’t know why. Still, what difference does it make? No matter what you do, you cannot prevent Sefira’s downfall. The causality of its collapse has been building for far too long to be overturned in a single stroke.”

“I have no intention of overturning it in a single stroke. I’ll build it up myself—causality, that is.”

“Causality isn’t something you can just recklessly meddle with to solve everything.”

“Haha.”

“What’s so amusing?”

“I once thought you were something beyond human, but it seems I was mistaken.”

The Godfather’s brow twitched slightly.

Keter, now more at ease, continued with a smile.

“When I said I would build causality, I could sense a hint of impatience in your words, Godfather.”

“I assure you, you’re imagining things.”

“Whether it’s imagination or not, it’s my decision, and I will bear the consequences.”

“You say that now, but you don’t understand the trials Sefira will face. Once you do, you’ll never speak so lightly again.”

“Then enlighten me. I’ll take it into consideration.”

“All I can tell you is that ruin awaits.”

Keter didn’t think the Godfather possessed the ability to foresee the future.

If you have enough information, you can infer a likely future. What he is saying is shocking, but if you think about it, it doesn’t seem like he actually knows the future.

Even possessing such information was remarkable enough, but it was still within the bounds of human capability.

With the illusion of the Godfather’s omnipotence shattered, Keter felt his excessive tension ease further. Above all, the Godfather was also mistaken in assuming that Keter was trying to save Sefira for its sake; he was nurturing Sefira purely for his own purposes.

“Your proposal truly is an offer I can’t refuse,” Keter said. “You’ll protect Sefira from the queen, and as if that weren’t enough, you’re offering me the position of Godfather, the ruler of Liqueur. By all accounts, I stand to lose nothing.”

“Then you understand?”

“Yes. I understand that protecting Sefira from the queen is no easy feat. Even one Lord would be beyond me, and reviving Sefira would require immense effort and countless successes. On the other hand, with your help, I wouldn’t have to go through such hardships. And all you ask in return isn’t my soul or my loyalty, but simply to acknowledge my specialness and inherit the position of Godfather.”

“Haha, I’m glad. It pleases me to see that you fully understand my intentions.”

“However, for that very reason, I must decline.”

“...What?”

The Godfather’s benevolent expression twisted.

But Keter, smiling brightly, calmly replied, “There’s no way a deal that good could exist in this world, is there?”