Dragonslayer’s Class Regression Chapter 76-100

Chapter 76

House Graham was the ruler of Panstas, one of the three major cities of Midland.

During the Holy Empire era, they were a powerful family that ruled the entire eastern region where Midland is currently located.

Even after the Holy Empire’s decline, the Graham family maintained enormous influence by leading the central continent’s finance and real estate industries.

Zeke headed to Panstas with Farrell and Felix to visit House Graham.

Inside the carriage, Felix was excited about getting to visit the Graham family in person.

“House Graham! Master, this isn’t a dream, right?”

Zeke clicked his tongue watching Felix.

“We’re not going there for fun, Felix.”

“B-but it’s House Graham! They’re known for having the most handsome men and beautiful women on the continent!”

Besides their wealth and power, the Graham family was famous for their outstanding appearances.

There were even rumors that they had mixed blood with the now-vanished elven race.

Zeke looked at Felix with a disapproving gaze.

Then Farrell, who was beside them, said with a kind smile.

“Haha. The Graham family’s exceptional beauty is quite famous after all. Not just Felix, but everyone who visits the Graham family has such expectations. Don’t be too harsh on him, Sir Zeke.”

Felix nodded his head next to Farrell and said to Zeke.

“See? Master being so indifferent about this is what’s strange.”

“Tsk. Instead of talking nonsense, put more effort into your training.”

Though Felix was four years older than Zeke, their conversation sounded like one between an immature fellow and a stern knight.

In fact, there was a separate reason why Zeke didn’t have any particular expectations about the House of Graham.

‘I saw quite a bit of the Graham family members in my previous life.’

The Graham family, who had been in finance for generations, fled to the Northern Continent after the Continental War broke out to escape the Roman Empire’s invasion.

They also supported the Northern Continent by handling war supplies from the rear.

And in that process, Zeke had quite a few encounters with Graham family members.

‘They may look pretty, but if people knew how miserly they are, they wouldn’t say anything good about them.’

The Graham family never invested in anything that would result in a loss.

As a result, in his previous life, they initially sought asylum in the Northern Continent, but as the Imperial Army gradually pushed northward, they later sided with Nirvana to ensure their safety.

Having been backstabbed by the Graham family at the end like that, Zeke didn’t have very good feelings about them.

‘Though they’re not a family I’m particularly fond of, they’re reliable when it comes to calculations, so I should make good use of them.’

* * *

“Wow!”

Felix exclaimed at the scenery of Panstas visible from the carriage.

While Atlas had the sophistication of a new city and Mycenae possessed the classical elegance of an ancient city, Panstas had a completely different charm from both.

“Wow, Master. This is my first time seeing a city with so many different races.”

Panstas was a strategic transportation hub connected to the Northern Allied Nations above and the Central Kingdom to the east.

Anyone traveling from the north to central or from central to north would inevitably pass through Panstas at least once.

As a result, various races and cultures mixed, and Panstas developed into a city with an inconsistent but unique charm.

Ching! Ching! Ching! Ching!

In the city square, halflings were performing their traditional dance to attract travelers’ attention, while dwarves had set up stalls displaying and selling their handmade goods.

The snake-like Naga race and the mysterious bird-people race, rarely seen in other cities, could also be spotted occasionally.

Felix gaped at these fascinating sights different from Atlas.

The carriage passed through downtown Panstas and headed toward the Graham family castle.

Thanks to having clearly distinguished individuals like Zeke and Farrell, they could enter Graham Castle without much difficulty.

The problem was that meeting Duchess Catherine Graham, the wife of Duke Graham, was the first hurdle.

They couldn’t meet her right away because her schedule was packed as a prominent figure in social circles.

Farrell returned to the reception room after talking with the head butler.

His expression wasn’t very good.

“The Duchess seems extremely busy as it’s the beginning of the debutante season. I apologize, Sir Zeke.” [TL/N: A woman making her first public appearance]

Zeke nodded at Farrell’s words.

“Thank you for your effort, Sir Farrell. I’ll try talking from here.”

Zeke rang the bell to call a servant.

A Graham family servant promptly entered the reception room.

“Is there anything you need?”

Zeke said to the servant.

“I would like to meet His Grace the Duke.”

“May I know why you wish to see His Grace?”

Then Zeke said.

“Please tell the Duke that I’m interested in investing in the mithril mine.”

The servant was startled by the unexpected words and asked back.

“You mean, the mine investment?”

“Yes.”

The servant tried to hide his bewildered expression and left the reception room.

Exactly 30 minutes later, a young man who wasn’t the Duke appeared in the reception room.

“I am Albert Graham.”

He seemed to be a banker handling investments for the Graham family.

True to the Graham bloodline, he was incredibly handsome.

Zeke spoke to Albert.

“I said I wanted to see the Duke.”

Albert replied with a stiff expression.

“The Duke is away at an external meeting, so I came instead. If it’s about investment consultation, you can tell me. I heard you’re interested in investing in the mithril mine.”

Albert was only saying what he wanted to say.

Zeke spoke in a calm voice.

“I heard exploration work is currently underway in the northern mountain range.”

“That’s correct. Since we’ve practically found the vein, if you invest now, you can be guaranteed stable returns.”

Then Zeke smiled and said.

“That’s different from what I heard. I heard that after three years of exploration, there’s still no results, and the initial investment has almost dried up.”

Albert’s eyes trembled slightly at Zeke’s words that hit the mark.

Zeke laughed inside while looking at Albert.

‘The mithril vein will be discovered next year. I remember the Graham family nearly went bankrupt before barely surviving thanks to the vein discovery – I didn’t expect to use this information like this.’

Albert Graham collected himself and asked Zeke in a somewhat arrogant voice.

“How much investment are you considering? Mine development requires substantial funds, so we’re not accepting small investments at present.”

At his words, Zeke took out a check issued by the Northern Bank.

Albert’s mouth gaped open after glancing at the check amount.

“Fi-fifty thousand gold?”

Albert was shocked when Zeke presented an amount far exceeding expectations.

Farrell and Felix, who were standing nearby, also lost their words at the astronomical sum of fifty thousand gold.

Zeke asked Albert.

“Is this amount sufficient for investment?”

Albert, who had been wearing an arrogant expression, took out a handkerchief and wiped cold sweat from his forehead.

“O-of course. Will you be investing the full amount?”

“That’s the plan.”

Albert’s expression completely changed after receiving the check.

“S-Sir Zeke. Before that, may I verify the check with the Northern Bank first?”

“Of course.”

Albert wrote down the check information and left the reception room briefly.

Ten minutes later, Albert returned to the reception room with Duke Graham.

Duke Graham extended his hand to Zeke.

“Sir Zeke! I apologize. My external meeting just ended, and I’ve been rude to keep you waiting. I am Brian Graham.”

As rumored, Duke Graham was incredibly handsome.

Though known to be in his fifties, he looked no older than his thirties even at most.

After shaking hands with Duke Graham, Zeke asked Albert who was standing behind.

“Have you verified the check?”

“It-it’s verified. There’s no issue with the investment.”

Given their shortage of funds, Zeke bringing 50,000 gold was practically a godsend.

Duke Graham immediately wrote up an investment contract without delay.

By investing 50,000 gold, Zeke was able to secure a 38% stake in the mining business.

It was the highest percentage for individual holdings.

The Duke’s attitude was extremely courteous toward Zeke, who had become the major shareholder of the mithril mine.

“Sir Zeke. There are other good investment opportunities, would you like to see them?”

Zeke shook his head at the Duke’s proposal.

“I have to participate in the upcoming Draker Tournament, so I don’t have time to consider other investments.”

The quick-witted Duke Graham immediately understood Zeke’s words.

He smiled at Zeke and said.

“The Draker Tournament! It’s a dream stage for young and capable knights. Ah, come to think of it, I have a way to help Sir Zeke.”

“What kind of help do you mean?”

“I’ll arrange a meeting with my wife, Catherine. She has close relationships with nobles in the central region, so she might have heard information about this Draker Tournament.”

Zeke smiled and replied to the Duke’s words.

“That would be very helpful.”

“Let’s have dinner together tonight. My wife will also be very pleased to build a friendship with an excellent knight like you.”

After promising dinner, Duke Graham and Albert Graham left the reception room.

Then they gave Zeke’s party the best rooms in the castle and had the most beautiful servants attend to them.

Farrell wore a dazed expression at the dramatically improved treatment.

“I-I never imagined this method, Sir Zeke.”

“Sometimes money is the quickest solution, Sir Farrell.”

While some things can’t be solved with money, Zeke had learned painfully in his previous life that more things actually can be.

And that evening, Zeke’s party was able to meet Catherine Graham at the dinner.

Catherine Graham smiled and greeted Zeke.

“I’ve heard much about you from the Duke. They say you’re currently the most watched knight on the continent.”

Catherine Graham had the typical appearance of a central noble with brilliant blonde hair.

Along with her gorgeous appearance, every gesture and word was imbued with central noble education.

“You’re too kind. I still have much to learn.”

The dinner proceeded formally.

Proper pleasantries and cultured conversations about various continental issues were exchanged.

After dinner, Catherine stood up and said.

“It would be disappointing without tea time after dinner.”

Duke Graham quietly stepped aside as Catherine, Zeke, and Farrell moved to sit at the tea table on the balcony.

Felix stood guard behind them.

Catherine spoke to Zeke while elegantly drinking tea.

“I heard you’re participating in the Draker Tournament.”

Zeke nodded.

“That’s correct.”

“I’ve heard that unlike other competitions, the Draker Tournament’s charm lies in its events that surprise people every time. Do you know what events have been decided for this tournament?”

Zeke shook his head.

“I’m not well-informed, so I don’t know yet.”

Catherine covered her mouth and smiled slightly as she spoke.

“I see. Let me give you a little hint about what I’ve heard from others. Since I hope Sir Zeke achieves good results in the tournament–”

“Lady Catherine.”

When Zeke interrupted, Catherine looked at him with round eyes.

Zeke said to her.

“I didn’t come here just to hear simple information.”

Catherine’s eyebrows trembled slightly.

“I don’t quite understand what you mean, Sir Zeke.”

“I would like Lady Catherine to help me.”

Zeke conveyed his intention directly without beating around the bush.

Then Catherine folded her fan and slowly stood up.

“The night has grown too deep. Sir Zeke, Sir Farrell. It was truly a pleasant time. I hope we can have another enjoyable conversation next time.”

As Catherine showed a clear intention to refuse, Zeke said to her.

“I want to make a deal.”

Catherine turned her head to look at him.

Zeke slowly opened his mouth.

“If I can cure Lady Angelina’s illness, would you agree to the deal?”

Chapter 77

When Zeke spoke, Catherine’s expression hardened.

She addressed Zeke in a cold voice.

“Sir Zeke. You are being extremely rude.”

There was anger in Catherine’s voice.

Her daughter, Angelina Graham, was once rumored to become the continent’s greatest beauty.

However, Angelina did not make her debut in society even after turning 16, the typical age for debutantes, which led to various rumors spreading.

People speculated that she hadn’t grown up to be as beautiful as expected, or that she had contracted a terrible illness that had disfigured her face.

Since no one had seen Angelina after the age of ten, these rumors were considered somewhat credible.

While rumors were rampant, no one had ever dared to directly bring up Angelina in front of the prestigious House Graham.

Everyone kept quiet and avoided mentioning Angelina Graham’s existence altogether.

Catherine, feeling insulted by Zeke, spoke in a cold voice.

“I will remember your rudeness clearly. I would appreciate it if you would leave the castle now.”

She clearly ordered Zeke to leave, despite his large investment in the mines.

This demonstrated how sensitive the topic of Angelina was to Catherine.

However, Zeke remained unfazed and said to Catherine:

“If we leave Lady Angelina’s illness untreated any longer, it will become irreversible.”

Catherine flinched at Zeke’s calm voice.

She looked at Zeke and spoke:

“You speak as if you know what Angelina’s illness is.”

“Yes. I do know.”

Catherine’s eyes widened at those words.

“Are you saying that while all the renowned doctors in the continent couldn’t even diagnose it, Sir Zeke knows what the illness is and can even cure it?”

Zeke said to Catherine:

“The affliction troubling Lady Angelina isn’t an illness, but a curse.”

Catherine’s face turned pale at those words.

“A… a curse?”

Zeke nodded.

“Doesn’t she show symptoms of blisters appearing all over her body and decaying skin as time passes?”

Catherine was shocked.

“How… how did you know that…”

“While it may appear to be an illness at first glance, it cannot be treated with ordinary medicine. It’s a terrible curse cast through forbidden magic.”

Tears welled up in Catherine’s eyes.

“A curse… that’s impossible…”

“Do you have any reason to think it’s not a curse?”

“When Angelina collapsed, the first people we called were the wizards from Nirvana. House Graham has many enemies, so we’re always thorough about preparing against curses. We were especially careful with Angelina since she received so much public attention. The Nirvana wizards said they found no traces of a curse, so we only thought it was an illness…”

Zeke shook his head.

“Curses are closer to sorcery than magic. Many exist in mysterious realms that are difficult to interpret through ordinary magic.”

Catherine’s expression completely changed from before at Zeke’s words.

“S-Sir Zeke, do you mean you can break this curse?”

Zeke pulled out a holy book he had prepared from his chest.

He made the sign of the cross and said:

“You must have heard about the curse of House Agamemnon.”

Catherine nodded.

“O-Of course. I heard the curse was recently broken. Ah! Come to think of it, the newly appointed heir of House Agamemnon is…”

“With the help of the Sun God, we were able to recover the family’s sacred object and defeat the curse.”

Catherine felt her heart waver as she watched Zeke holding the holy book with a devout posture.

She approached Zeke and grabbed his hands.

“S-Sir Zeke. Can you really break our Angelina’s curse?”

“Everything will depend on God’s will. But what’s certain is that the more time we waste, the more dangerous it becomes for Lady Angelina.”

At Zeke’s words, Catherine began praying with trembling hands and a pale face.

Zeke held Catherine’s hands and recited the Lord’s Prayer together.

Farrell, who was behind them, also joined in prayer with clasped hands.

Only Felix, the descendant of an Arch Paladin, stood there blankly watching the three people pray.

* * *

Farrell and Felix returned to their room while Zeke followed Catherine deeper into the castle.

They headed toward the northern tower where outsiders were not allowed.

Knights wearing full plate armor guarded the tower entrance.

Catherine took a lamp at the entrance and began climbing up the narrow tower passage.

“They said magic power wasn’t good for the illness, so we removed all magic-powered items.”

Perhaps because of this, without even a common magic lamp, the passage was pitch dark.

The two walked up the spiral tower and entered the room at the top.

As soon as Zeke entered, he frowned at the rotten stench.

‘The situation seems worse than expected.’

Kaaaaaak!

A sound like a beast howling came from inside the room.

Catherine bowed her head and began reciting prayers again.

Zeke held Catherine’s hand to calm her and asked.

“Is Lady Angelina inside?”

Catherine nodded.

“A caretaker changes her bandages and cleans her discharge daily.”

“Please have the caretaker and madam step outside.”

Catherine flinched at Zeke’s words but soon nodded.

At this point, she had no choice but to trust Zeke.

Soon the caretaker came out from the inner door, and Zeke slowly entered.

The foul smell from earlier became even stronger.

‘The condition is serious.’

After closing the door, Zeke looked toward the bed in the corner of the room.

There lay a monstrous humanoid figure covered in discharge-soaked cloths that could hardly be called bandages.

“Kaaak!”

The bound creature with tied arms and legs screamed with a sound like scraping metal.

“Lady Angelina.”

Zeke slowly approached the bed.

Looking at her condition, it was more surprising that she was still alive.

Her entire body’s skin was festering and filled with pus, and her hair had mostly fallen out leaving patches.

She was so emaciated that every bone was visible.

Zeke tried speaking to Angelina.

“Lady Angelina. Can you hear me?”

Despite Zeke’s words, Angelina did not respond.

Then after a moment, her lips began to quiver as she tried to say something.

Zeke slowly brought his ear close to her mouth.

“…Ple…ase… kill… me.”

She had been living each day writhing in pain worse than death.

Watching Angelina, Zeke took out a bible from his possession and placed it on the table beside her.

Then he took out Agamemnon’s Golden Mask from his inventory.

He took a deep breath while looking at Angelina.

‘I hope this method works well.’

Zeke knew about Angelina’s curse through events in his past life.

He had once tracked down and captured a Nage who used evil ancient curses, under his master’s orders.

During interrogation, he learned that among the Mage’s commissions was cursing the daughter of House Graham in the past.

Since Angelina was already dead at that time and the Wizard died without revealing the client, they hadn’t notified House Graham.

‘Even if House Graham knew, they couldn’t have broken it since it used ancient forbidden magic.’

Ancient curses required extremely complex procedures to cast and had high risks if failed, but once successful, they were equally difficult to break.

Even the Mages who cast them often couldn’t break them.

In fact, the curse on Angelina was that kind.

‘A curse that causes more pain the more beautiful the target is. Who would create such a crazy curse.’

Zeke clicked his tongue and infused mana into the Golden Mask.

Like at the lake, the Golden Mask activated and transformed into a helmet covering his face.

[Mask functions are linked with the system.]

[Great Purification function is now available.]

After purifying House Agamemnon’s curse, Zeke was able to gain ownership of this divine item as the family successor.

Afterwards, he tested various functions by activating the mask.

As a result, he discovered that while holding the mask only allowed limited functions, wearing it activated like this enabled use of the ‘Great Purification’ skill.

“Phew.”

Wearing the Golden Mask, Zeke slowly approached Angelina.

He used the Great Purification skill and Area buff skill, designating the area around Angelina.

Woooong!

Golden waves emanating from his body seeped into Angelina’s body.

“Aaaagh!”

When the golden light enveloped her body, Angelina screamed in pain as if her body was on fire.

Hearing a different scream than before, Catherine grabbed and shook the doorknob.

“Sir Zeke! Is everything alright! Angelina! P-please open the door!”

Catherine couldn’t enter because Zeke had previously used a scroll to magically seal the door.

Zeke continued infusing the power of Great Purification into Angelina’s body.

Chiiik!

Suddenly, black smoke rose from Angelina’s body.

“Uuurgh!”

Soon after, she twisted her body and vomited black liquid.

“Aaaaaagh!”

Angelina screamed and writhed her entire body. The black smoke coming from her body was growing thicker.

Zeke quietly watched this, then took out a potion from his inventory and sprayed it on Angelina’s body.

Chiiik!

When the potion touched Angelina’s festering skin, new flesh began to grow.

‘Still not enough.’

This time he took out a supreme grade potion, forcibly opened Angelina’s mouth and made her swallow it.

“Uuurgh!”

Although Angelina tried to resist drinking the potion, Zeke grabbed her throat and forced her to swallow and absorb it.

Her entire body had weakened from being cursed for so long.

If he only removed the curse, her body might go into shock from the sudden change and her heart could stop.

“Unnngh!”

Angelina writhed in pain, twisting her body on the bed.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

There was a loud noise outside, perhaps Catherine having knights try to break down the door.

Zeke focused the power of Great Purification on Angelina once more.

Woooong!

Angelina’s body bent at a grotesque angle.

Then suddenly she opened her mouth wide and vomited black smoke.

Kwakwakwakwa!

The source of the curse burst out of Angelina’s body, unable to endure.

Zeke immediately used Gluttony on the source of the curse.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The black shadow from Zeke’s body swallowed the source of the curse.

Soon a message appeared.

[You have devoured an ancient cursed spirit.]

[Your depleted mental power and mana are being restored.]

[You have acquired the Curse Reflection (A-rank) skill by absorbing the devoured spirit’s ability.]

After devouring the spirit with Gluttony, he gained the Curse Reflection skill.

‘An unexpected gain.’

Zeke cast the Healing Factor skill as an area buff to regenerate Angelina’s body.

Crack! Crack!

Heal! Heal!

With the power of Healing Factor, Angelina’s damaged body began to recover.

Since this was the same Healing Factor that had restored the House of Agamemnon’s people who were crumbling from magical contamination, Angelina’s cursed body also returned to its original state.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

After confirming that her fallen hair had started growing back, Zeke put the golden mask back in his inventory.

Then he slowly approached Angelina.

Unlike before, he checked her pulse by holding her wrist, which was now silent.

Fortunately, there was a pulse.

Angelina, now free from the curse, had regained her original form.

Zeke took off his outer coat and covered Angelina’s bare body.

That’s when it happened.

Bang!

The door opened as the scroll magic Zeke had set up wore off.

Catherine entered the room with the knights.

Catherine realized Angelina was no longer screaming and covered her mouth.

She thought her daughter had died.

Catherine shouted at Zeke.

“Sir Zeke! How, how could this happen?! My, my daughter..!”

She had entrusted Angelina to Zeke with a thread of hope, but mistakenly thought it had led to the worst outcome.

Zeke scratched his head while watching the grieving Catherine.

‘I missed the timing to tell her the treatment was successful.’

While he was wondering how to explain since she seemed unlikely to listen to anything right now.

“Mother…?”

Chapter 78

“Ah, Angelina!”

Catherine rushed to the bedside in surprise.

Angelina’s skin, which had been full of foul-smelling discharge, was now clean.

Catherine shed tears of joy seeing Angelina’s rich, glossy golden hair.

“Angelina! Are you, are you conscious?”

Angelina slowly opened her eyes, sat up, and looked at Catherine.

“Mother, what happened?”

Catherine embraced the now-conscious Angelina and wept.

“My daughter! Our Angelina!”

The Duke, having heard the news, rushed into the room.

He too broke down in tears upon seeing the healed Angelina.

Zeke quietly left the room watching Catherine and the Duke.

‘With this, I can consider House Graham secured.’

* * *

Early the next day, Catherine visited Zeke’s room.

“Sir Zeke, I truly don’t know how to repay this debt…”

Catherine’s attitude toward Zeke, who had lifted Angelina’s curse, had completely changed.

Zeke smiled at Catherine.

“Could you help with the upcoming combat tournament?”

Catherine covered her mouth and laughed at his words.

“Is that all, Sir Zeke? We will do anything we can in the name of House Graham.”

Farrell couldn’t believe the sight of Catherine, who ruled over high society with absolute charisma, behaving this way.

After Catherine left, Farrell approached Zeke and asked.

“Did… did you really lift Lady Angelina’s curse?”

Zeke made a faint smile, made the sign of the cross, and said.

“It was all the will of the Sun God.”

The central and eastern regions of the Central Continent were deeply rooted in the influence of the Holy Empire.

Most nobles were followers of the Sun Religion, and Farrell was also a devout believer.

‘Not only exceptional skills but also such devout faith to even drive away curses. Isn’t he a role model for all knights?’

Farrell’s respect for Zeke grew even more.

Later, Zeke’s group was invited to lunch by Catherine.

Farrell and Felix felt their hearts stop at the sight of the beautiful woman they had never seen before.

Golden hair flowing like twilight, porcelain-like white and smooth skin, mysterious purple eyes like embedded stars.

She looked like a beautiful goddess from mythology come to life.

“Oh my God…”

Farrell unconsciously called out to God at her incomparable beauty.

Felix was equally shocked at that moment.

His mind was filled with dozens, hundreds of verses praising her beauty.

‘No, words cannot express such beauty!’

Unlike Felix’s despair, Zeke simply gave a light bow in greeting without any change in expression.

Then she approached Zeke.

“Sir Zeke Draker. Angelina Graham offers you her thanks.”

The stunningly beautiful woman was none other than Angelina.

After completely breaking free from the curse through Zeke’s power, she had regained her original outstanding beauty.

Zeke looked at her and spoke.

“I’m glad to see you’re healthy.”

Farrell and Felix couldn’t believe Zeke’s reaction.

‘To remain so detached before a woman who is like the reincarnation of the goddess of beauty. Sir Zeke is truly a knight among knights.’

Felix had a different thought from Farrell.

‘Master, surely you’re not gay?’

At that moment, the Duke, Catherine, and other members of House Graham all gathered.

They approached Zeke, kissed his hand, and expressed their gratitude.

Zeke’s group received the highest treatment as House Graham’s most honored guests.

After the meal, Angelina asked Zeke to take a walk in the garden together.

He accepted the request without much thought and walked the garden with Angelina.

Though Angelina’s mere presence seemed to brighten the surroundings, Zeke remained indifferent.

‘There don’t seem to be any side effects from the curse.’

He was only concerned about whether any remnants of the curse remained that could cause problems with the deal.

While walking through the garden checking if Angelina showed any signs of discomfort, Angelina spoke to Zeke.

“Sir Zeke, how old are you this year?”

“Seventeen.”

Angelina was pleased to learn that their age difference wasn’t great.

‘A two-year gap can definitely be overcome.’

To her, Zeke now appeared like a prince on a white horse.

A knight among knights who saved her from her curse with holy power.

Moreover, he came from a good family, was the most skilled in the continent, and was handsome too.

Angelina began walking again, trying to calm her fluttering heart as she shyly stayed by Zeke’s side.

At that time, Zeke spoke while looking at Angelina.

“Do you have anyone in mind?”

Angelina made a puzzled expression at the sudden question.

“Pardon?”

Zeke spoke with a cold expression.

“I mean someone who would want to curse you.”

For a moment, Angelina was startled by Zeke’s cold gaze.

Then she misunderstood on her own and didn’t know what to do with her fluttering heart.

‘Could it be… that Sir Zeke is angry at the scoundrel who cursed me.’

Angelina had little worldly experience due to being sickly since childhood.

Her understanding of relationships between men and women was limited to fairy tale stories of knights and princesses.

Because of this, she completely misunderstood Zeke’s intentions, who was focused on finding the person who cast the curse to bring the Graham family completely to his side.

Having completely misinterpreted Zeke’s words, Angelina looked at him and said.

“Sir Zeke, I’m fine. It’s already in the past. Your feelings alone are enough.”

Surprised by those words, Zeke asked:

“What? You’re not going to seek revenge?”

Angelina said with a calm smile:

“Revenge only breeds more revenge.”

She thought she showed a benevolent and beautiful smile, but it actually made her lose points with Zeke.

‘Really now, almost dying from a curse and she says such carefree things.’

While others might see Angelina as the most beautiful person in the world, to Zeke she was nothing more or less than a victim of a curse who had writhed in agony.

Looking at Angelina who seemed completely ignorant of the world, he clicked his tongue internally.

‘Tsk tsk. How will she survive in this harsh world like that? Ah, I guess it doesn’t matter since her family is rich.’

Completely unaware of Zeke’s thoughts, Angelina was dreaming of a rosy future with him.

* * *

“You mean javelin throwing?”

Farrell was surprised by the unexpected event selection when hearing about the tournament preliminaries from Catherine.

Zeke, sitting beside him, asked Farrell.

“Sir Farrell, is it strange that javelin throwing was chosen as a preliminary event?”

Farrell shook his head.

“No. I was just surprised that it’s such an ordinary and plain event.”

While most knights use swords, the spear was actually one of the basic weapons they learned.

Additionally, javelin throwing was one of the sports enjoyed by the central nobles.

However, it was rarely seen in the Draker Tournament precisely because it was a neutral event that didn’t particularly favor anyone.

Hearing Farrell’s words, Catherine nodded and said:

“As Sir Farrell expected, this isn’t simple javelin throwing.”

Farrell asked in surprise:

“If not simple javelin throwing… is it mounted competition?”

Catherine shook her head.

“It is javelin throwing, but the distance is different from usual cases. You have to throw extremely far.”

“Extremely far?”

Catherine nodded and answered:

“Yes. From what I heard, the target will be placed beyond the mountain.”

“Beyond the mountain?”

“Beyond the mountain?”

Farrell and Felix exclaimed simultaneously at the outrageous event.

Zeke nodded upon hearing Catherine’s words.

“Without considerable strength and accuracy, one wouldn’t even reach the target.”

At those words, Farrell’s expression darkened.

He said to Zeke.

“Sir Zeke, just looking at the preliminary event, I can guess which family secured the committee votes.”

“Which family would that be, Sir Farrell?”

He said with a serious expression:

“There’s a high possibility it’s the Jiemens family.”

Zeke nodded at Farrell’s words.

“Jiemens. That’s quite possible. Their family’s main characteristic is aura control after all.”

“Correct. Moreover, Edward Jiemens, the second son of the Jiemens family participating in this tournament, is originally a lance knight who uses spears as his main weapon.”

“Edward Jiemens…”

He was a knight Zeke remembered.

In his past life, he was one of those who dyed the continent red with blood while leading the imperial army alongside Abel Draker, the Knight of Massacre.

Unlike his older brother William Jiemens, Zeke remembered him as someone cruel who liked to take the initiative.

‘So that bastard is entering the tournament.’

Then something crossed Zeke’s mind.

‘Edward Jiemens and javelin throwing…’

Zeke asked Catherine:

“Catherine, could you tell me who provided this information?”

“I heard it from the Bronx family. One of their family elders was apparently selected as a committee member for the tournament preparation committee.”

‘Direct information from a committee member, and it’s the Bronx family.’

Zeke knew about the Bronx family as well.

They had deep connections with the Jiemens family.

Zeke stood up from his seat.

Farrell asked him:

“What’s wrong, Sir Zeke?”

“Now that we know the preliminary event, shouldn’t we practice?”

At Zeke’s words, Catherine immediately ordered her servants to set up spear-throwing targets on the nearby mountains.

As soon as the setup was complete, Zeke, Farrell, and Felix prepared their spears and stood in the clearing, throwing them toward the targets beyond the mountain.

Whoosh!

Felix’s spear didn’t even reach the mountain where the target was, while Farrell’s spear reached the mountain but landed far from the target area.

Finally, Zeke threw his spear.

Whoosh!

The spear soared high into the sky and fell straight toward where the target was.

The spear landed just in front of the target, narrowly missing it.

Farrell spoke to Zeke with an excited expression.

“Sir Zeke! At this rate, I think we can prepare in time for the preliminary round.”

However, Zeke merely examined the spear with a serious expression.

After a moment, he asked Farrell.

“Sir Farrell. Other participants who learned of this preliminary event earlier have started practicing sooner, right?”

Farrell nodded.

“Of course. The other participants have already devoted themselves to spear throwing and have likely finished practicing.”

“Are there any restrictions on weapons?”

“You can use any weapon registered before the preliminary competition.”

“And changing it midway isn’t allowed?”

“Usually not. But why do you ask?”

Zeke looked at the spear and said.

“If this spear were longer, had a shape more suitable for throwing, and could be modified to hit targets more accurately, what would you do, Sir Farrell?”

At Zeke’s words, Farrell looked as if he’d been struck by lightning.

“Good heavens. I hadn’t thought of that. Making a spear specifically designed for throwing in advance. That’s something the Jiemens would think of.”

The outcome of throwing events varied significantly depending on the weapon’s form.

Having a spear specifically designed for throwing would give an advantage in achieving better results than others.

Most knights would likely focus on throwing practice rather than think about modifying the spear’s shape to improve performance.

Zeke examined the spear from various angles and then nodded.

He then approached Catherine, who was sitting in the shade fanning herself.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“Ho ho. If it’s a request from Sir Zeke, I’d be happy to help with anything.”

Zeke showed Catherine the spear and explained how it should be modified.

Catherine tilted her head after hearing Zeke’s explanation.

“Are you really going to modify it that way? Although I don’t know weapons as well as you do, still…”

“Please, I insist.”

At Zeke’s firm words, Catherine reluctantly agreed.

“If that’s what Sir Zeke requests…”

“Thank you.”

Zeke turned to look at the target beyond the mountain.

‘With this, I’ve completed all preparations for the preliminary competition.’

Zeke smiled coldly as he thought of the Jiemens family.

‘No matter how much you struggle, you’re in the palm of my hand.’

Chapter 79

Zeke’s group returned to Atlas by train from Panstas, where the Graham family resided.

Lady Catherine planned to rejoin them in Atlas after gathering more information about the martial arts tournament from the central region nobles.

As Farrell got off at the central station and looked around Atlas, he said,

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here after graduating from Valhalla.”

“So Sir Farrell is also a Valhalla graduate.”

“Yes. Central nobles rarely go to Valhalla, but I really wanted to enroll because I admired Sir Flaubert.”

This made sense, as Flaubert was a knight from Thebea in the central region who was respected even by central nobles.

Zeke’s group headed to the mansion in Atlas.

Upon arrival, a familiar face was waiting for him.

“My lord!”

It was Liam Stone, who was about to graduate from the academy.

“Liam. It’s been a while.”

Liam had grown bigger since the last time they met, and his face looked much more mature.

From a distance, he looked similar to Farrell, who was in his thirties.

Zeke told Farrell and Felix to rest and went out to the garden with Liam.

“So, how have you been, Liam?”

“Thanks to you, my lord, I was able to complete the academy graduation exam safely.”

“I heard you were promoted to Purple Knight before graduation. Excellent.”

Liam was recognized for promotion to Purple Knight and would graduate from the academy this year. Among his peers, only Reina, one of the pureblood awakened ones, had achieved this.

Zeke asked Liam,

“I heard you refused the recommendation to enter Valhalla with Reina. Why?”

Liam beat his chest and replied,

“I want to be of help by your side as soon as possible, my lord.”

Zeke pondered Liam’s words.

‘In my previous life, Liam became a Red Knight after gaining practical experience without going to Valhalla. I wonder if he’ll grow faster gaining practical experience by my side.’

As Zeke contemplated, he felt slightly pressured by Liam’s burning gaze.

‘Well, having one more subordinate won’t hurt.’

Zeke accepted Liam’s decision.

“Thank you, my lord!”

While drinking tea, he asked about his other cousins.

“Leon Conrad ended up taking an indefinite leave from the academy, Owen Jiemens advanced a grade but failed this graduation exam. Reina Draker will graduate this time and enter Valhalla, and Jacken Valdek has been acting like a king among his peers after failing to advance.”

Zeke nodded at Liam’s words.

“So Leon finally broke down.”

Leon, who had bullied Liam, had his ear cut off by Zeke as punishment.

Leon, who had always been the perpetrator, couldn’t accept becoming a victim.

In the end, he chose indefinite leave, unable to overcome the shock of what Zeke had done to him.

“He brought it upon himself.”

Zeke, who had suffered at Leon Conrad’s hands in his previous life, agreed with Liam’s thoughts.

Just then, Decker approached from the garden.

“Young master. I’ve brought what you asked for.”

“Thank you, Decker. Put it here.”

Following Zeke’s gesture, Decker placed a fairly large box in front of Liam.

Zeke said to Liam,

“Liam, this is your promotion gift.”

Liam was flustered at those words.

“G-gift? What I’ve already received is more than enough, my lord.”

“Just accept it without argument.”

Liam opened the box with trembling hands.

And was shocked.

“M-my lord, this is?”

Inside the box were a new sword and light armor set specially ordered from Gelion for Liam.

Zeke smiled and said,

“I hope they fit well.”

Liam was too moved to speak properly.

He took out the gauntlets, boots, and breastplate from the box and attached them to his body.

“They fit perfectly, as if made for me!”

It was natural that Liam would like them since they were specially ordered from Gelion, referencing the armor Liam had used during his time as the Mercenary King in the previous life.

Finally, Liam slowly drew the sword from its scabbard.

Shing!

It was a sword carefully forged by Gelion, the soul craftsman.

Liam was so captivated by the sword that he silently stared at his reflection in the blade for a while.

“Do you like it, Liam?”

Suddenly coming to his senses, Liam immediately knelt before Zeke.

“Thank you for your grace. I will strive not to bring shame to your reputation, my lord.”

Seeing Liam even getting a bit choked up, Zeke smiled and said,

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Zeke, thinking the reunion was mostly concluded, immediately called Felix to establish the hierarchy between the two people.

“Liam is my first sworn subordinate. And Felix, you’re my follower. Felix, you should treat Liam as your senior.”

Felix asked in surprise at those words.

“What? Master, why am I lower ranked?”

Zeke looked at Felix and said:

“Are you dissatisfied?”

“Ah, no. I was just asking.”

Zeke looked at Felix and grinned.

“Alright, Felix. I’ll give you a chance.”

“What kind of chance do you mean?”

“If you can defeat Liam, I’ll change the hierarchy.”

At those words, Felix said with an excited expression:

“Really, Master? No take backs?”

That settled their duel. Shortly after, Felix and Liam stood facing each other.

Although his face was gaunt, Felix thought he could at least beat someone who had just graduated from the academy at seventeen.

He took his stance with his sword.

At the same time, Liam also took his stance.

But something felt strange.

‘Fresh academy graduate…?’

Woong!

A clear sword sound rang from Liam’s blade.

Whoosh!

Liam’s powerful sword strike, characteristic of his long reach, struck at Felix.

“Ugh!”

Felix barely blocked Liam’s sword and regained his balance.

He changed his mindset.

‘Damn it, fresh graduate my ass!’

Pride didn’t matter anymore.

Felix immediately used the Paladin inherited swordsmanship.

Whoosh!

As Felix’s heavy attack extended, Liam stepped back and looked for an opening with irregular attacks.

Watching their contrasting sword styles, Zeke smiled in amusement.

‘How ironic that light-looking Felix uses classical traditional swordsmanship, while heavy-looking Liam uses irregular swordsmanship.’

As he expected, their skills were nearly equal.

But since their sword styles were completely opposite, they would likely be good stimulation for each other.

“Eek!”

Despite his frivolous sounds, Felix demonstrated proper sword strikes from formal styles like the Paladin inherited swordsmanship and Agamemnon imperial swordsmanship.

Liam, who had slightly looked down on Felix’s light attitude, was also internally surprised.

‘His sword is solid.’

That meant his fundamentals were strong.

Having trained under his Arch Paladin grandfather since childhood and received the Aura Transmission, Felix naturally had solid fundamentals.

Clang!

After several hundred exchanges, both visibly showed depleted stamina.

“Huff. Huff.”

“Hah. Hah.”

Aura or not, they were both at their limit.

The two put their all into a final decisive move with their swords.

Whoosh!

That’s when it happened.

Liam, who was charging in quickly, appeared to strike Felix’s sword but instead dropped his own sword and rushed into Felix’s space.

“Huk!”

Felix, who had mainly trained in traditional swordsmanship, had never even considered dropping a sword during a duel.

Liam grabbed Felix’s legs using pankration techniques and took him down.

Then he grabbed Felix’s back and choked his neck.

“Keh!”

Felix, who had never learned pankration techniques, struggled in pain as his carotid artery was compressed.

Watching this, Zeke called out.

“Stop!”

At Zeke’s command, Liam immediately released the choke.

“Cough! Cough!”

Felix barely regained his senses while coughing violently.

Zeke looked at Felix and said.

“Felix, you lost.”

“Uurgh.”

Exhausted, Felix sprawled out in the garden.

Zeke was confident that Liam and Felix could fill in each other’s weak points.

Just then, Farrell approached where Zeke was.

“Sir Zeke!”

“Sir Farrell. What brings you here?”

Farrell handed Zeke a note.

“What is this?”

“News from a friend in Atlas.”

Zeke unfolded and read the note Farrell handed him.

He nodded.

“So Reina Draker is also participating in the martial arts tournament.”

“Since anyone above Purple Knight rank can participate, it seems House Tourn urgently registered Reina Draker’s participation.”

Zeke looked at Liam standing behind him and said:

“You heard that, Liam. Reina is participating in the tournament.”

He told Liam.

“Liam, you’ll also enter the tournament. Your goal is to defeat Reina.”

Farrell was shocked at those words.

“Sir Zeke! Reina Draker is from House Tourn and a pure-blooded awakened one. Though young, she’s one of the powerful favorites to win…”

Zeke grinned and said to Liam.

“You heard that, Liam. Work even harder.”

Liam bowed to Zeke with eyes full of determined will.

“Understood, my lord!”

Watching Liam, Felix and Farrell lost their words with blank expressions.

‘As expected of Sir Zeke. His thinking is completely different from ordinary people.’

‘Why did I agree to follow him?. Ugh ,I want to turn back time.’

* * *

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The day of the preliminary rounds for the Draker martial arts tournament arrived. Young knights and their house’s standard bearers gathered noisily at the assembly point on the outskirts of Atlas.

They waved larger and more elaborate flags as if trying to show off their houses and gain psychological advantage.

That’s when…

Thud!

A group of riders approached, leading military horses with massive builds.

An emblem with a huge bull engraved on it.

“It’s….it’s House Tourn!”

Among Draker’s blood allies, they were the most militant house with powerful physiques.

In the center of the Tourn house riders, Reina Draker, known as a genius pureblood awakener, arrived at the assembly point riding a massive warhorse.

When she appeared, riders from other houses exchanged glances and held their breath.

The intimidating presence of House Tourn’s knights with their barbarian-like massive builds was suffocating.

Then, following House Tourn, carriages and riders from another house entered.

An emblem showing two snakes biting each other’s tails.

“It’s Jiemens!”

The carriage bearing the Jiemens emblem stopped, and a young man with ash-gray hair and albino eyes stepped out.

Looking around, he said.

“Hmph, quite a lot of worthless rabble gathered here.”

Though he spoke arrogantly without hesitation, the riders from other houses backed away without a word when they saw Edward Jiemens.

Then, Edward spotted Reina and approached her.

“Reina! It’s been a while.”

As Edward approached, the knights of House Tourn standing behind Reina became alert.

Edward smirked and said.

“Can’t even say hello? How dare mere Tourn house lackeys glare at a direct descendant of Jiemens.”

Reina raised her hand to make the knights back off.

She bowed her head to Edward in greeting.

“It has been a while.”

“What a shame you came all this way. I’ll be taking the victory in this martial tournament.”

To those words, Reina said to Edward.

“Edward. You should be careful. I heard that person is also participating in this tournament.”

“What? Are you lecturing me?”

“Yes.”

Edward’s cheek twitched as he made a fierce expression.

“Who here could possibly stop me? You, Reina, who just became a purple knight? With mere pureblood awakening?”

“Not me. That person is…”

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Just then, several people entered the assembly point on horseback.

Without any house emblem or riders, only about four people arrived directly on horseback.

The one at the front dismounted.

“Phew. Barely made it in time.”

Following him, Liam, Felix, and Farrell dismounted.

Zeke raised his hand in greeting when he saw Reina standing face to face with Edward.

“Long time no see, Reina.”

Seeing Zeke for the first time in 2 years, Reina’s expression hardened.

Seeing Reina’s reaction, Edward cracked his neck and approached Zeke.

“Huh. So. This pathetic guy without even a sponsor house is the one I should be careful of. Is that it?”

Edward stood in front of Zeke.

“Kid. I am Edward Jiemens.”

Edward thrust his face toward Zeke and said.

“Trash like you without a sponsor house doesn’t deserve to be here. Just quietly get lost.”

That’s when it happened.

Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!

From far away came the sound of something approaching that shook the ground.

Chapter 80

It was an enormous gathering of riders.

Seeing them, Edward and the other participants’ faces turned pale.

“Th-that?”

There were banners of the prominent Central families including the Agamemnon family with their golden mask emblem, as well as the Achilles, Hector, Aegis, and even the Graham family – the de facto rulers of Panstas.

Whoosh!

Not just one, but over ten influential families stood behind Zeke’s group.

Edward, who stood in front of Zeke, was too flustered to speak.

‘This… this can’t be.’

While the Draker Tournament was considered a microcosm of continental power dynamics, having so many riders gathered at once was unprecedented.

The riders from each family bowed respectfully before Zeke.

“The Achilles family responds to the summons of Sir Zeke Draker, heir of Agamemnon!”

“The Hector family responds to the summons of Sir Zeke Draker, heir of Agamemnon!”

“The Aegis family responds to the summons of Sir Zeke Draker, heir of Agamemnon!”

Other families followed with their own reports to Zeke.

Finally, the Graham family’s rider, adorned in golden armor, stood before Zeke.

“By order of Duke Graham, we are to guard Sir Zeke Draker, benefactor and eternal friend of the Graham family, during the tournament.”

He presented something to Zeke.

“Lady Angelina Graham requested this handkerchief be delivered to Sir Zeke, carrying her wishes for victory.”

The mention of Angelina Graham’s name caused a stir.

Having recently appeared in social circles, Angelina Graham was already considered one of the continent’s greatest beauties.

Receiving a handkerchief from the reclusive Angelina Graham made Zeke the target of envy and jealousy from other young knights.

Zeke tucked the handkerchief into his chest and bowed in gratitude.

“Please convey my thanks to the Duke. And tell Lady Angelina I will certainly bring her victory.”

The riders behind Zeke alone were enough to overwhelm an entire knights’ order.

Edward retreated to where his riders were, sweating nervously.

He gritted his teeth looking at Zeke.

‘Zeke Draker. No matter what, you’re just a stepping stone for my debut.’

Just then.

Several figures appeared before the gathering place, waving the Draker banner.

Someone on horseback emerged from among those wearing Draker uniforms.

His appearance silenced everyone.

A middle-aged man whose face was covered in scars large and small.

Zeke looked at the man on horseback.

‘The Scarred Knight. Gareth Draker.’

Gareth was one of Draker’s guardian knights and a Red Knight who led the Black Wolf Order, one of Draker’s three major knight orders.

Zeke remembered his face from the Third Continental War in his past life.

However, after Draker was fully incorporated into the Empire, Gareth broke his own sword and went into seclusion to maintain his pride as a knight.

That’s how strong his integrity and pride as a knight were.

Gareth addressed the gathered crowd.

“The Draker Tournament preliminaries will now begin. Participants, step forward with your chosen weapon.”

At Gareth’s words, the tournament participants stepped forward holding their prepared spears.

Felix, standing behind Zeke, examined the spears the other participants brought.

Though most were covered in cloth, the long shafts clearly indicated they were throwing spears.

Felix nodded and whispered to Zeke.

“Master, as you predicted, they’ve modified them for throwing.”

That’s when Zeke handed something heavy to Felix.

Felix tilted his head.

“What’s this, Master?”

“The weapon you’ll use to participate.”

“What? Why am I participating?”

Zeke gestured toward the inner area where the preliminaries would be held.

Felix shook his head.

“Come on, I didn’t even register for the tournament…”

As he spoke, Zeke smoothly produced a registration form with Felix’s name.

“Huh?”

Felix, who had come along thinking it was just an excursion, only now realized he was a participant.

Zeke and Liam grabbed Felix as he tried to escape and dragged him inside.

The riders waited outside the stage, while the participants lined up to prepare for the preliminary round.

Then there was a loud noise from behind the stage.

Boom!

A huge target that looked like a siege weapon was installed in the middle of the stage.

The participants tilted their heads looking at the target made of multiple layers of thick steel plates.

‘Did they install that over the mountain?’

Then Gareth spoke.

“The preliminary event is thrust power. The more steel plates you penetrate, the higher score you’ll receive.”

Most participants were shocked and dazed at those words.

They had been told it would be javelin throwing, but suddenly the preliminary event had changed.

“This- this is absurd!”

“Thrust power?! We can’t even apply proper force with these spears!”

The participants had brought spears modified to be light and long to throw farther.

Seeing this, Edward and other participants associated with House Jiemens smirked.

They were able to prepare appropriate spears since they knew the preliminary event beforehand.

‘You’re all just here to make me look good anyway.’

Edward whistled as he took out his prepared spear.

It was a modified spear with a heavy metal shaft and sturdy blade designed to maximize thrust power.

Edward anticipated his easy victory.

That’s when it happened.

“Th-that?”

Other participants gasped in shock looking at Zeke’s group.

They had brought spears with heavy shafts and sturdy blades just like Edward’s.

What he had asked Catherine to prepare wasn’t a throwing spear but a thrusting spear.

Felix held the heavy spear and asked Zeke.

“M-master. Did you know about the preliminary event?”

Zeke shook his head at his question.

“I just thought the Jiemens wouldn’t reveal the preliminary event so easily.”

Additionally, Zeke had encountered Edward Jiemens in his previous life.

Edward, with his sadistic personality, preferred killing enemies by wielding the spear directly rather than throwing it.

He thought someone like Edward wouldn’t choose javelin throwing as the preliminary event.

He naturally ignored Edward’s glaring gaze.

Gareth raised his hand.

“Come forward with your weapon when called!”

Participants who had prepared throwing spears had no choice but to take their prepared spears and stand in front of the target reluctantly.

Since the qualification was purple knight or above, everyone could imbue their weapons with aura.

However, simply surrounding the weapon with aura wasn’t enough to penetrate the steel plates.

Snap!

When too much aura was applied to add force, the shaft broke and couldn’t transfer power to the target.

Participants who had only practiced throwing couldn’t even scratch the pure iron target.

“Huup!”

Clang!

Even participants with decent aura control could only penetrate one steel plate at best.

Soon after, it was Reina Draker’s turn.

Reina had brought a regular spear.

The Tourn family didn’t distinguish between throwing spears and thrusting spears in the first place.

Reina stood in front of the target holding her spear.

Then she drew up her aura.

Woong!

A clear vibration sound rang from the spear.

She thrust the spear forward while strongly stepping with her front foot.

Crack!

The aura-imbued spear penetrated four thick steel plates.

“Hmm…”

Though it was the best result so far, Reina’s expression suggested something wasn’t quite satisfactory.

Next was Felix’s turn.

“Phew.”

Felix stood before the target and gripped his spear with a serious stance.

Having mainly learned traditional swordsmanship, Felix had also mastered spear techniques from his grandfather.

Felix thrust deeply into the target, putting weight into the entire spear.

Crack!

The aura-imbued spear penetrated three and a half steel plates.

“Phew.”

Felix returned to his relaxed posture and slumped down next to Zeke, looking drained.

Soon it was Liam’s turn, and he immediately stood before the target with his spear.

He penetrated three plates, slightly less than Felix.

Seeing that he lost to not just Reina but Felix too, Liam resolved to train harder.

The next participant stood up.

‘Finally my turn.’

Edward Jiemens, who had been looking at others with an arrogant stance, stood before the target with his spear.

“Hmph. These steel plates are nothing.”

He gripped his spear and drew up his aura.

Woong!

The aura gathering on his spear was dense enough to be visible.

It was proof that he was close to promotion to blue knight.

“Haaat!”

With an tremendous shout, Edward thrust his spear at the steel plates.

Crack!

With a thunderous sound, Edward’s spear penetrated six plates.

He withdrew his spear and made an arrogant expression again.

“Not in good condition today. Usually I could’ve penetrated all ten plates.”

Edward glanced at Zeke’s direction with a smirk before returning to his original position.

Zeke didn’t pay much attention to Edward.

Rather, he was focused on another participant.

‘Elin Sabrina.’

After scanning the participants at the arena, Zeke noticed one participant that particularly caught his eye.

She was a young female knight who covered her face with a hood and cloak.

‘Just from her breathing, gait, and the aura she gives off, she’s clearly no ordinary knight.’

For a knight with such skills, he should have heard her name before, but it was his first time seeing it.

‘Could she be participating in this tournament under a pseudonym?’

“Zeke Draker.”

Finally, it was Zeke’s turn.

Zeke took his eyes off the female knight called Elin and stood up from his seat.

Then he took out the spear shaft he had prepared.

But something was strange.

“There’s no spear head.”

As stated, there was only the shaft.

Zeke inserted his sword Bahamut into the prepared spear shaft.

Click!

There was no issue with the attachment since it was specially ordered to be compatible with Bahamut.

Edward sneered at the spear Zeke was holding.

“Hehehe. Can you even properly hold that spear?”

From the start, Bahamut was a claymore, so it was bigger and heavier than regular swords.

Connecting the spear shaft to Bahamut had turned it into a long spear that was difficult to even hold properly.

When Zeke stood in front of the line, the examiner asked.

“Are you really going to use that spear?”

Zeke nodded and took his stance facing the iron plates.

Then he gathered his strength and took the basic stance of the Dragon Slaying technique.

Woong!

Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword Form

Chapter 8 Section 3

Dragon Scale Pierce

Bang bang bang bang!

With tremendous noise, Zeke’s spear penetrated the iron plate.

It was amazing that such a powerful thrust could be performed with such a heavy and long spear.

Moreover, Zeke hadn’t even used his Aura Blade.

The examiner counted the number of iron plates penetrated by Zeke’s spear.

“T-ten plates, all penetrated!”

Despite the unfavorable conditions, he had pierced through all of them.

Edward wore an expression of disbelief, and Reina glared at Zeke with sharp eyes.

Zeke shrugged his shoulders and returned to his seat holding Bahamut.

The game management staff removed all the penetrated iron plates and replaced them with new ones.

That’s when Elin Sabrina, whom Zeke had been paying attention to, stepped forward. It was her turn.

However, there was no spear in her hand.

The examiner asked Elin.

“Where is your spear?”

Then Elin smoothly drew out the sword that was under her cloak.

The examiner said to Elin.

“Are you going to thrust with a sword?”

While not impossible, it was certainly disadvantageous compared to using a spear.

Generally, swords were weapons meant for slashing, not thrusting.

But suddenly, Elin started walking towards the back of the target instead of the front.

The examiner called out to Elin in confusion.

“Elin Sabrina! Are you forfeiting the match?”

At that moment, Elin turned around and threw the sword she was holding towards the target.

Thud!

The sword pierced through the iron plates and became deeply embedded.

The examiner exclaimed in surprise after checking the iron plates.

“E-eight plates penetrated!”

If it had been a spear instead of a sword, she might have been able to penetrate all ten plates like Zeke.

Elin turned her head to look at Zeke and removed her hood.

Zeke was shocked when he saw her face.

It was a face he knew.

‘Helen Draker.’

She was the fourth direct descendant of the Draker family.

Chapter 81

On the way back to the mansion after the preliminaries, Zeke’s mind was filled with thoughts about Helen.

‘Helen Draker participating in the martial arts tournament.’

Helen was Zeke’s older sister, only five years apart from him.

She too was eligible to participate in the martial arts tournament as it hadn’t been 5 years since she was promoted to Purple Knight.

However, Zeke, who remembered Helen from his past life, never thought she would enter the martial arts tournament.

‘The Steel Knight.’

After Kali Draker, the Guardian Knight, was killed by the Pirate King in the South Sea, the Draker family fell into chaos.

Until the current head Arthur Draker died and Abel became the head, the Draker family was split into two factions, with Helen Draker, the Steel Knight, standing at the center.

After Abel became the head, when the Draker family merged with the Empire, she organized a rebel force to carry on the will of the Drakers and fortified herself in the Troy Principality .

The Northern faction reached out to Helen Draker, offering to form an alliance to fight against the Empire, but she rejected their proposal.

She then conveyed her wish to remain as a pure Draker until the end. Eventually, Helen died fighting against the imperial forces led by Abel.

Zeke, who was carrying out missions on other battlefields, learned of Helen’s death much later.

‘Still, Helen was one of the better Drakers. Because she had the qualities of a true knight.’

Among the Drakers who sought continental power through all sorts of schemes and tricks, Helen was closer to being an orthodox knight.

That’s why it was hard to understand why Helen would participate in the Draker martial arts tournament where all kinds of plots prevailed.

‘Is there some reason?’

Like Zeke, she might have participated under Arthur’s orders. He felt he needed to learn more about Helen.

When they returned to the mansion, Catherine had arrived from Panstas and was waiting for them. She nodded after hearing Zeke’s words.

“Sir Zeke’s prediction was right.”

“Without Catherine’s help, we wouldn’t have noticed Jiemens’ shallow trick,”

Farrell said with a smile to Catherine.

“Fortunately, all three from our side have advanced to the main tournament.”

The Draker martial arts tournament was more advantageous the more people you had on your side. This was because events requiring cooperation between teammates could be adopted.

Then Catherine said with a smile.

“I found out about the first round event. This time it’s definitely accurate.”

Zeke’s group focused on Catherine’s words.

She slowly opened her mouth.

“The first round of the main tournament is running.”

At the mention of running as an evaluation event, Felix made an expression of disbelief.

“R-running? Can running be an event in a martial arts tournament?”

Then Farrell, who was next to him, said with a serious expression.

“Running. Actually, it’s one of the frequent events in the Draker martial arts tournament.”

Zeke nodded, recalling the Draker martial arts tournament manual and past events that Farrell had given him.

“The first round has been a running competition with about 64% probability.”

At those words, Felix made an even more incredulous expression.

“It seems strange that running is a major event, Master.”

Then Zeke shook his head.

“The running we’re talking about isn’t ordinary running, Felix.”

“What? How is running anything but just running?”

Farrell explained to Felix.

“It’s called Survival race, actually famous among the Draker side. Though I’m not from the academy, I heard academy graduates have all done it at least once.”

Zeke nodded.

“That’s right, Sir Farrell.”

Felix asked Zeke.

“Survival race? What makes it so famous?”

“Survival race is a race where you need to reach the finish line.”

“Isn’t that just regular running?”

Zeke shook his head.

“There’s one difference. All forms of interference with opponents are allowed during the race.”

At Zeke’s words, Felix’s jaw dropped.

He now understood why it was called Survival race.

“If, if anything is allowed…”

“Whether it’s ambush, poison, or outright fighting, it doesn’t matter. You just need to reach the destination within the time limit.”

Liam and Felix could understand why the Draker martial arts tournament was called a miniature version of power struggles.

If Survival race was indeed the first round event of the main tournament as they just heard, having more allies would not only give an advantage in the survival competition but also secure a better position in preparing for the second round of the main tournament.

Zeke said to Felix and Liam.

“The main tournament starts tomorrow. Take good care of your condition.”

Felix returned to his room like a zombie, while Liam went up to the training room saying he would train more.

Zeke returned to his room and organized his thoughts through meditation.

‘Looking back at my past life, Helen Draker couldn’t have been on the same boat as Abel. She was Sister Kali’s person after all.’

After Kali’s death, Helen inherited her forces and served as a guardian knight. Though uncertain now, she could tentatively be considered an enemy of Abel and the Empire.

‘I need to figure out what Helen Draker wants.’

* * *

WHOOSH!

Helen swung her sword over and over in the training room until her whole body was drenched in sweat. Then someone entered the training room.

“Helen.”

Helen lowered her sword and turned around. Kali Draker was standing at the door.

She lowered her sword and politely greeted Kali.

“Greetings to Kali Draker.”

Kali shook her head at Helen’s behavior.

“I told you to call me sister when we’re alone.”

Though she said this every time, Helen had never called her sister casually.

This was completely different from Zeke, who immediately called her sister when told to speak comfortably.

Unlike Kali, who looked like a ‘legendary Valkyrie’ with her long platinum blonde hair, Helen had a modest appearance with brown short-cut hair.

Kali asked Helen.

“What do you think after seeing Zeke in person?”

Helen gripped her sword tightly. Seeing this, Kali nodded.

“Zeke, that child has something that provokes competitive spirit. Makes you want to test his skills as a knight.”

Helen silently nodded at Kali’s words. ‘That thrust he showed in the preliminaries was amazing.’

Dragon slaying technique

Dragon Scale pierce.

Of course, Helen, being a Draker, knew this technique as well. But Zeke’s Dragon Scale pierce was somehow different.

‘Should I say it was more dragon-like. That thrust seemed like it could really kill a dragon.’

Helen had already been promoted to Blue Knight a year ago.

Though they were both Blue Knights, she thought she would have the upper hand over the young Zeke due to her greater experience.

But the moment she saw Zeke in person, Helen abandoned that thought.

‘He’s certainly not below my level.’

Kali approached Helen, who was lost in her thoughts, patted her shoulder and said,

“Zeke will be a great asset to our side. Helen, test him as much as you need until you can acknowledge him.”

Helen nodded at Kali’s words.

The family was soon to discuss the appointment of Abel’s guardian knight. The Drakers were changing rapidly day by day.

Being by Kali’s side, Helen could feel that even becoming a Blue Knight, there wasn’t much she could do by simply swinging a sword.

But she couldn’t stop wielding the sword.

She thought of Zeke as she swung her sword again.

‘Zeke, I look forward to seeing your skills.’

* * *

The first round of the main tournament was held in Marake City, not far from Atlas. As Catherine had informed, the first round event was Survival race.

Again, Gareth delivered the competition notice to the participants.

“Nothing special. Just reach the destination at the top of Atlas Mountain within 48 hours.”

After the announcement, Draker knights distributed one backpack and one dagger to each participant.

These were the only items allowed in this competition.

Zeke, Liam, and Felix stood at the starting line with their assigned backpacks.

Shortly after, when all participants were at the line, the judge raised his hand high and shouted.

“Competition start!”

The 48-hour countdown began.

About 100 participants started running toward Atlas Mountain.

Most people knew Survival race was the event, so they were prepared with routes to reach the summit.

Most moved with participants from the same faction.

Zeke said to Felix and Liam.

“Let’s move.”

Without hesitation, Zeke chose the most difficult path.

While Atlas Mountain itself was famous for its rough terrain, Zeke chose to climb up the steepest path.

Edward smirked watching Zeke’s group.

“Tsk tsk. Seems they don’t know what Survival race is.”

He leisurely opened the front pocket of his backpack.

Unlike other participants, he had a map in his pocket.

It was a map marking where all the traps were and where necessary items could be found.

He grinned looking at the map.

‘Go ahead and struggle, you fools.’

Edward started moving according to the route marked on the map, leading other participants who followed the Jiemens family.

* * *

“Liam, Felix. Take everything out of your backpacks.”

Zeke told Liam and Felix after climbing the mountain for a while.

The backpacks contained one bottle of water, dried food, and simple camping tools. Zeke tried a bit of the water and food.

[Small amount of red mushroom poison detected.]

[Due to Poison Immunity constitution effect, you are not affected by the poison.]

As he expected, the water and food were poisoned.

‘Not enough to kill, but would need a week of recovery if eaten.’

Even a Purple Knight would be helpless against poison.

Zeke took out Agamemnon’s Golden Mask from his inventory, kept it close to his chest while holding it, and used the purification skill.

[Poison is removed by the power of purification.]

While he couldn’t use the great purification power without wearing the mask, he could still use the purification skill.

After securing the purified water and food, Zeke checked the route using the map’s navigation function.

Then he examined the traces left on the ground.

‘Judging by the droppings and footprints, it should be over there.’

Zeke deliberately went deeper into the mountains.

Then he found a hidden cave.

He unhesitatingly sent Felix inside the cave.

“Eeek!”

Felix, who had gone inside, suddenly screamed and ran out.

“Grrrrowl!”

Soon a huge Grizzly Bear appeared from the cave.

While Felix fumbled with his dagger, Zeke threw his dagger and hit the Grizzly Bear precisely between its eyes.

THUD!

The instantly fallen bear shook the ground.

Up close, it was so large it felt like a small hill. Zeke pulled the dagger from between the bear’s eyes.

Then he said to Liam and Felix.

“Liam, hold that side. Felix, go gather fresh branches.

We’ll skin it and tan the hide.”

Zeke skillfully used the dagger to skin the bear.

Then he divided the bearskin into three parts, put them on poles, and started smoking them.

Felix, who was following instructions, asked Zeke.

“M-master. What are you doing?”

Zeke looked at Felix and said.

“Have you ever climbed to the top of Atlas Mountain?”

Liam and Felix shook their heads.

Zeke recalled his experience from his past life.

He had underestimated Atlas Mountain and climbed casually, nearly losing his hands and feet to frostbite.

‘I would have died helplessly without the healing skill.’

While the bottom of Atlas Mountain isn’t cold at all, the temperature drops dramatically as you go up.

Snow is always accumulated near the summit, and while most think they only need to prepare when they get near there, the cold hits before reaching the top.

Seeing there was no cold weather gear in the backpack, Zeke immediately hunted the bear to skin it and make winter gear.

‘We’d be in big trouble if we just climbed up.’

Moreover, ‘those things’ were up there on Atlas Mountain.

Zeke started tanning the smoked hide by applying bear grease.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry and apply it, Felix.”

The three sat in a row and tanned the bearskin.

* * *

Atlas Mountain was quite rough and high.

However, climbing the mountain itself wasn’t very difficult for trained knights.

Reina climbed the mountain along with participants following the Tourn family through a pre-prepared route.

When the cold weather was about to begin, they put on the winter clothes that had been prepared beforehand along the route and climbed up the mountain.

Even with such preparation, the group was momentarily startled when they suddenly encountered the snow field while climbing up the mountain.

Although they had heard about it, seeing it in person felt different.

The cold penetrated through their winter clothes. At that moment, something approached Reina’s group across the snow field.

“Is that…?”

Reina was surprised when she realized what it was.

Chapter 82

‘A Yeti!!’

A Yeti, a snow monster with thick fur and hide, appeared.

Reina and her group all drew their weapons.

However, the Yetis that appeared in the snow field were not just one or two.

More than a dozen Yetis were approaching Reina’s group.

The largest Yeti among the group came forward and opened its mouth wide to shout.

“KRAAAH!”

It was a roar that seemed to warn them not to come any closer.

Reina’s group couldn’t turn back because this was the only path they knew to reach their destination.

Reina expressed doubt while facing off against the Yeti group.

‘Why would Yetis, who rarely show themselves, come out suddenly…?’

At that moment, Edward came to her mind.

It seemed strange that there were no attacks from Jiemens’ side while climbing up, but she never imagined they would have positioned a group of Yetis near the summit.

When Reina’s group didn’t back down, the Yetis’ eyes turned red.

They slowly approached while showing their sharp teeth and puffing up their bodies.

Reina’s group all tensed up and held their swords vigilantly.

Then something flew from behind.

Kwakwakwakwa!

One of the Yetis in the back had gathered a huge snowball and thrown it at Reina’s group.

What the Yeti threw wasn’t just a simple snowball.

Reina, who assessed the size of the snowball that had turned into solid ice rock, shouted.

“Dodge!”

At Reina’s shout, the group quickly scattered.

Kwakwabang!

As the ice ball hit the ground and shattered, sharp ice fragments flew in all directions.

“Kugh!”

One of the group members got scratched by an ice fragment and was wounded.

The problem was that even small wounds could quickly freeze and risk frostbite.

Reina ran toward her companion and poured potion on the wound.

Chiiiiik!

Thanks to the potion, the wound healed, but this wasn’t the end.

Kugugugugu!

The Yetis began throwing similar ice balls from all directions.

Kwakwabang!

Kwabang!

As ice bombs-like balls kept falling, Reina’s group had to keep swinging their swords to dodge and deflect the broken ice fragments.

“Huk. Huk.”

With sub-zero temperatures in the high altitude, even small movements drained their stamina.

Finally, Reina turned toward the Yeti leader while gripping her sword.

“Haaat!”

Reina kicked off the snow field and leaped toward the Yeti leader.

Tourn-Form Dragon Slaying Technique

Charging Skill

Bull Horn Strike

The charging skill, developed from the dragon slaying technique into a unique Tourn family technique, was unleashed.

Reina’s aura-imbued sword rapidly fell toward the Yeti leader.

The Yeti leader raised its arm to block Reina’s sword.

Twoong!

The Yeti’s thick, abundant fur and thick skin deflected the aura-imbued sword.

“Ughk!”

Reina had to retreat after taking internal damage from the failed charging skill.

The Yeti leader didn’t miss this opening.

“Kraaah!”

It charged at Reina while showing its sharp teeth.

WHIRIRIK!

Reina rolled to dodge the Yeti and swung her sword again.

Twoong!

The side was the same.

The sword that couldn’t penetrate the thick fur and skin bounced right off.

“Huu. Huu.”

Reina regulated her breathing and retreated as far as possible.

Even in this situation, the other Yetis kept throwing snowballs at her companions.

The snow field was practically the Yetis’ siege ground.

‘At this rate, we’ll be annihilated.’

To save the Tourn family followers, they had to retreat here.

Reina clenched her teeth and shouted to her companions.

“I, Reina Draker, will hold this place! Everyone escape from here!”

Her companions hesitated at Reina’s words, but when more Yetis approached, they had no choice but to turn back and start leaving the snow field.

Reina kept swinging her sword to prevent other Yetis from chasing her companions.

Puk!

The Yeti hit by the sword immediately retreated and rubbed its wound with snow, and soon the flowing blood stopped.

“KRAAAH!”

The Yetis, having lost interest in Reina’s companions, slowly surrounded her while keeping their distance.

Having seen blood, they had no intention of letting her go peacefully.

Reina was already exhausted.

She gripped her sword and steeled herself.

‘If I die here, so be it.’

Shortly after, one of the Yetis charged toward Reina.

She tried to swing her sword at the Yeti.

But she could no longer put strength into her hands.

“KRAAAH!”

That’s when it happened.

Puk!

Something flew toward the charging Yeti and pierced straight into its heart.

‘What?’

She looked back.

A person wearing bear fur stood on the snow field.

Nevertheless, Reina could recognize who it was.

‘Zeke Draker?’

Zeke, who had been looking for Yetis to gain points, had discovered the Yeti group attacking Reina.

Zeke drew Bahamut and stood before the Yetis.

“Come on.”

When an ominous energy emanated from Zeke, the Yetis hesitated.

But the Yeti leader had no intention of forgiving the intruders who violated their sacred snow field.

“KRAAAH!”

When the leader roared, the other Yetis, gripped by fear, charged at Zeke.

“KIAAAK!”

“KAAAAK!”

Zeke’s sword cleanly sliced through the charging Yeti’s neck.

THUK!

When the first Yeti’s head fell, the other Yetis were startled.

Zeke didn’t miss this opening.

WHIIIIK!

The sword flashed again and another Yeti’s head fell.

After two Yetis died, the leader in the back slowly walked toward Zeke, bearing its teeth.

He spoke while looking at the Yeti leader.

“So you’re the leader. Should be worth quite a few points.”

“KRAAAH!”

The Yeti leader charged at Zeke.

Zeke swung Bahamut wrapped in aura blade.

Seogek!

Unlike Reina’s sword strike, Bahamut penetrated the Yeti’s fur and skin, creating a wound.

“Kaaaah!”

The Yeti leader lunged at Zeke, showing its sharp teeth.

WHIK!

Zeke quickly lifted his body and landed on the leader’s arm.

Then, as if performing acrobatics, he swung his sword from that position.

Seogek!

Zeke’s sword grazed the leader’s neck.

“KAAAAK!”

When the leader was wounded in the neck, it began to roar even louder.

It called for the other Yetis to attack Zeke.

But the Yetis only watched the duel from behind, not moving.

The leader had to kill Zeke itself to maintain its authority as leader.

“KRRR!”

The leader rubbed snow on its wound to stop the bleeding, then stood before Zeke.

Zeke pointed his sword at the leader and said:

“Come.”

Having provoked the Yeti leader, he took the dragon slaying technique stance.

Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword Form

Chapter 6 Section 2

Dragon Heart Pierce

Zeke’s sword tip aimed at the leader’s heart.

The leader dodged the sword tip and swung its long arm to grab Zeke.

That’s when it happened.

WHIRIRIK!

Zeke’s sword tip suddenly wavered and changed direction.

It instantly changed from Dragon Heart Pierce to Dragon Head Slash Form.

Though it was basic dragon slaying technique, because it contained the essence of the True Dragon Sword, he could create combination Forms at will.

The suddenly redirected sword tip aimed at the leader’s neck.

Zeke dodged the leader’s attack, dove into its embrace, and swung his sword with great force.

Seogek!

The sword cut through the thick fur and skin, cleanly severing the leader’s neck.

CHWAAAK!

The leader’s head fell to the ground.

[You have slain the Chieftain Yeti. You gain 50 Karma Points.]

KIIIIK!

When the leader died, chaos broke out among the Yetis.

The Yetis approached Zeke’s position, showing their teeth.

Whoever could eat Zeke, who killed their leader, could become the next leader.

Zeke smiled at the charging Yetis.

“Come on. My points.”

KIIIIK!

The light from Zeke’s sword illuminated the snow field.

CHWAAAK!

The aura blade wrapping his sword pierced through the Yetis’ thick fur and skin, cutting necks and limbs.

The Yetis charging recklessly finally realized they couldn’t handle this human.

The Yetis suddenly changed tactics and began creating distance.

Zeke turned around and shouted.

“Felix!”

Felix threw the wooden spears he was holding toward Zeke.

Zeke stuck several wooden spears in the ground and threw them one by one at the Yetis.

HUUUUNG!

The spears thrown with tremendous force penetrated straight through the Yetis’ bodies.

“KAAAAK!”

They had created distance to throw snowballs from afar, but from what they judged to be a safe distance, the snowballs couldn’t reach.

Meanwhile, Zeke’s wooden spears accurately pierced the Yetis’ bodies.

“KIIIIK!”

Sensing they might be annihilated, the Yetis began to flee.

But Zeke’s spears showed no mercy.

The spears pierced straight into the fleeing Yetis’ backs.

[You have slain a Yeti. You gain 20 Karma Points.]

[You have slain a Yeti. You gain 20 Karma Points.]

Messages appeared each time he killed a Yeti.

‘Not bad.’

After quickly exterminating the Yetis, Zeke wore a satisfied expression having collected massive points.

He had enough to replenish the points spent on scrolls and ancient potions during the competition, with some left over.

After dealing with all the Yetis, he slowly approached Reina.

He took out a potion, poured it on Reina’s wounds, and helped her drink it.

“Zeke Draker. How did you…?”

Zeke spoke to the surprised Reina.

“Let’s make a deal.”

He meant for her to repay him for saving her life.

The Tourn family was simple, and clear about debts of gratitude.

She thought she needed to repay Zeke for saving her.

“…The Tourn family never forgets a debt. What do you want?”

Zeke looked at Reina and grinned.

“We’ll think about that later. Let’s go for now. Time’s almost up.”

Zeke had Felix and Liam help support Reina.

After walking for a while, they were able to reach the finish line at the summit of the mountain through the snow field.

There were already people who had arrived at the summit.

Edward and those following the Jiemens family, along with Helen Draker, had already arrived and were waiting.

Edward gritted his teeth when he saw Zeke’s group arrive with Reina being supported.

‘How did this happen?’

This was because he had thought only the Jiemens family would survive the survival race and planned to pass through the second round easily.

As soon as Zeke’s group all entered, the sand in the hourglass announcing the 48 hours fell completely.

Simultaneously, the judges from Gareth and Draker revealed themselves.

“First round of the main competition ended. Thirty-four people passed.”

The only ones who survived through Jiemens’ interference were Zeke’s group, Reina, and Helen Draker disguised as Elin Sabrina.

Edward left the mountain gritting his teeth while looking at Zeke’s group.

Seeing Edward like that, Zeke smirked and let it pass.

Then Helen approached Zeke.

“Zeke Draker.”

When Helen initiated contact with him first, Zeke thought it was unexpected and opened his mouth towards her.

“Elin Sabrina.”

Zeke pretended not to know and spoke to her.

“That’s quite an impressive skill for a name I’ve never heard before. To think you made it up here breaking through all of Jiemens’ interference.”

Elin examined him with eyes that seemed to pierce through Zeke completely.

Then she opened her mouth.

“I’m not interested in such childish games.”

She looked at Zeke with intense eyes.

“Zeke Draker. I want to test your limits and capabilities.”

Helen left those words and turned around to descend the mountain.

Hearing Helen’s words, Zeke somewhat understood her purpose.

‘Want to test, she says. So she did join sister Kali’s faction after all.’

It was highly likely that she jumped into the martial arts tournament herself to test if he was qualified after learning that he chose Kali’s side instead of Abel’s.

‘In a way, it’s quite befitting of the Steel Knight.’

At that time, Reina, who had barely recovered, approached Zeke.

“Zeke Draker. I owe you my life.”

Zeke spoke while looking at Reina.

“Since it’s come to this, how about taking on the second round with us? Those Jiemens guys must have pulled something again for sure.”

Reina nodded at Zeke’s words.

The Tourn family might be rough, but they were never foolish.

She also knew that taking on the second round with Zeke was rational.

Reina decided to take on the second round together with Zeke’s group.

After making that decision, Reina said to Zeke.

“I know what the second round event is.”

At those words, Zeke’s group, who hadn’t heard anything about the second round yet, was surprised.

Felix exclaimed excitedly.

“R-really? What, what is it?”

Liam also focused on Reina.

Reina slowly opened her mouth.

“The second round event is… tightrope wrestling.”

Chapter 83

After finishing the first round of the main competition, Zeke’s group returned to Atlas’s mansion.

When Zeke told Farrell that the second round would be tightrope wrestling according to Reina, he made a serious expression.

“Tightrope wrestling…”

At that reaction, Zeke asked Farrell.

“Sir Farrell. Is there a problem with the tightrope wrestling event?”

Farrell shook his head.

“No, Sir Zeke. There’s nothing wrong with the tightrope wrestling event itself. It’s just concerning that Jiemens chose this event.”

Tightrope wrestling itself wasn’t an event with very complicated rules.

It was a competition where two people fight on a single rope, and the one who endures wins.

In a way, it was an event where one could fully demonstrate their martial arts skills.

At that time, Catherine entered the reception room.

‘Everyone’s gathered here, perfect.’

Catherine sat down with an excited expression.

She spoke to Zeke.

“I found out about the second round event.”

Felix, who was next to her, said to Catherine.

“Lady Catherine. We already found out about the second round event from Reina Draker. It’s tightrope wrestling.”

Hearing Felix’s words, Catherine nodded as if she had expected that.

“Yes, it’s tightrope wrestling. But not just simple tightrope wrestling.”

Zeke was surprised at those words.

“What do you mean it’s not simple tightrope wrestling?”

“They say it will be conducted as team tightrope wrestling.”

“Team tightrope wrestling?”

Even Farrell, who had watched the Draker martial arts tournament several times, had never heard of such an event.

Catherine pulled out a piece of paper.

There was a drawing on the paper.

It showed people fighting with swords on ropes strung in all directions between walls.

Farrell looked at the drawing and his expression hardened.

“This… is clearly advantageous for whichever side has more people.”

Zeke also nodded at Farrell’s words.

While tightrope wrestling was a match between two people on a rope, when conducted as a team event, those with fewer numbers would have to face multiple opponents, and if someone decided to cut the rope while prepared to fall together, it would be difficult to move to another rope.

It meant that if Jiemens family’s collaborators all rushed at Zeke at once and cut all the surrounding ropes, he would have difficulty enduring as well.

After understanding the situation, Farrell gritted his teeth.

“They must have changed the event in a hurry. Because they wouldn’t be able to handle Sir Zeke in one-on-one matches.”

If the Jiemens side had prepared, there would surely be several other rules disadvantageous to Zeke’s group.

But then Catherine snapped open her fan and smiled.

“Don’t worry too much, Sir Zeke.”

Zeke looked at Catherine with a puzzled face.

“Lady Catherine. Do you have another way?”

Catherine said while waving her fan.

“What’s the use of having sponsor families if not for times like these? hoho.”

Catherine whispered something to Zeke’s group with a relaxed smile.

Zeke’s group was surprised at her words.

Looking at everyone’s expressions, Catherine gave a splendid laugh.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s match.”

* * *

From the second round of the main competition, outside spectators were allowed to watch.

This meant that sponsor families would be more actively involved than before.

The arena where the team tightrope wrestling was scheduled was already full.

On one side of the stands, blood alliance families connected to Jiemens made noisy cheers while hanging the Jiemens family banner.

Pampararara!

The band played trumpets, drums, and percussion, singing for Jiemens’ victory.

On the opposite side, the Agamemnon family and central nobles occupied the seats.

Though they didn’t make loud noises, they applied tremendous pressure by waving dozens of flags.

Their numbers were twice that of the Jiemens-allied families participating in the competition.

It was a scene that clearly showed the authority of the Agamemnon family, the hegemon of the central region.

Just before the competition began, contestants came out from both sides of the arena.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Amid loud drumbeats, the contestants stood in front of the team tightrope wrestling setup where ropes were chaotically tied between pillars.

The distance between ropes was quite far, so it seemed it wouldn’t be easy to move to another rope if one was cut.

Gareth stepped forward and briefly explained the competition rules.

The rules were simpler than expected.

Falling below the rope meant elimination, and those who endured until the set time could advance to the third round of the main competition.

Felix gaped at the quite large tightrope wrestling setup.

He whispered to Zeke.

“M-master. Maybe I should just quit here…?”

“Liam, Felix. Anyone who gets eliminated here will undergo closed-door training for a year.”

At Zeke’s threat, Felix headed towards the wrestling setup while whining.

The judge announced the start of the competition.

Twang!

The contestants each got up on the ropes.

The ropes weren’t tightly strung but were quite elastic, so maintaining balance and moving on them wasn’t easy.

But Edward Jiemens stood on the rope in a very comfortable position with his arms crossed.

He looked at Zeke’s group with a sinister smile.

‘This is Jiemens’ unique training tool. I’ve been playing here since I was five years old.’

In fact, this rope was one of many training tools developed by Jiemens for aura control.

Although it was regrettable to reveal the family’s secret training tool, it was worth it if they could definitely eliminate Zeke and Reina here.

Zeke, Felix, Liam, and Reina moved across the ropes to positions closer to each other.

However, almost everyone except them was from Jiemens-affiliated families.

Edward shouted to them while standing on the rope.

“Go and make them fall!”

Zeke’s group drew their swords and watched out for those approaching.

As expected, they seemed to be planning to rush in from all directions and drag others down with them.

Noticing this, jeers erupted from the Agamemnon side of the audience.

“Unworthy of being knights!”

“Jiemens, you cheap and dirty bastards!”

The central nobles were hurling crude insults, throwing away all pretense of dignity.

Yet neither Edward nor the Jiemens faction batted an eye.

If they were the type to be affected by such insults, the current Jiemens wouldn’t exist.

The participants from Jiemens’ allied families rushed toward Zeke’s group with weapons drawn, paying no mind to the jeers.

But then something completely unexpected happened.

“Ahhh!”

One of the Jiemens side members accidentally fell, grabbing others and bringing them down together.

Thud!

Four people fell and were eliminated simultaneously.

Edward, watching from behind, frowned.

‘What incompetent fools.’

But that wasn’t the end of it.

THUD! THUD!

People kept falling from the ropes before even reaching Zeke’s group.

Nearly half of the Jiemens side had been eliminated already.

Seeing this, Zeke smirked while looking at Catherine sitting in the stands.

‘The power of money is truly frightening.’

The Graham Duke family had a tight grip on the Central Continent’s financial sector.

This meant some families participating in this competition had borrowed money from the Graham Duke family.

Catherine had compiled a list of participating families who had borrowed from the Graham family and made them an offer they couldn’t refuse.

If they simply got eliminated from the competition, she would extend their loan terms and introduce new loan products with lower interest rates. The bait was taken immediately.

Those who accepted Graham family’s proposal acted out falling from the ropes accidentally.

Additionally, if they grabbed other participants and fell together, they could receive benefits like interest-free loans or fee waivers, so many pulled down their own teammates.

As his forces suddenly decreased by more than half, Edward frowned and shouted.

“What are you all doing?! Grab those guys and fall right now!”

His intended tactics had been completely stolen by Catherine.

Although they were close allies of Jiemens, loan maturity and high interest rates were reality itself.

The more financially struggling families actively accepted the Graham family’s proposal.

It was a counterattack befitting the Draker martial arts tournament.

Zeke grinned as he watched the Jiemens knights falling one after another.

“This should be manageable now.”

At those words, Reina and Liam nodded and charged forward.

Twang!

Reina used the rope’s elasticity to jump high into the air.

Then she drove down a powerful sword strike.

Tourn-style Dragon Slaying Technique

Charge Skill

Bull Skull Crusher

Crash!

A bold sword strike worthy of the Tourn family overwhelmed other participants.

Liam approached in a completely different way.

Hanging upside down from the rope, Liam used his characteristically long arms to swing his sword from below.

Swoosh!

“Ugh!”

When the sword suddenly appeared from below, those standing on the ropes were startled and lost their balance.

Liam swung his sword while moving around the ropes like a long-armed monkey.

Participants couldn’t properly focus against his irregular attacks.

Felix was the unexpected one.

Although he struggled to adapt to the tightrope at first, after getting his breathing under control and finding his balance, he stood on the rope like a huge immovable rock while holding his sword.

Other knights even backed away from the pressure emanating from Felix as he stood motionless with his sword.

Zeke smirked watching Felix.

‘His potential really is incredible.’

After checking his surroundings, Zeke began moving in earnest.

He ran across the ropes as if on flat ground while holding Bahamut.

Whoosh!

To Zeke, who had mastered the Wind Storm technique, there was little difference between a rope and the ground.

What he had worried about was them cutting all the ropes in a suicide attack, but fortunately, they had gained a chance to counterattack thanks to Catherine’s help.

Zeke rushed toward the knights standing on the ropes.

Swoosh!

Crash!

A knight who received Zeke’s strike lost balance and fell to the ground.

“Ugh!”

It was already difficult to maintain balance on the rope, and they couldn’t withstand the heavy sword strikes.

Soon several knights rushed at Zeke all at once.

They tried to grab Zeke’s ankle while hanging on the rope and then attempted to cut the rope with a sword.

It was a muddy fight with no trace of knightly honor.

But Zeke could escape if there was even a small gap.

WHOOSH!

Before his ankle could be caught, Zeke jumped up and moved to another rope.

Edward shouted.

“You idiots! Move aside! I’ll cut the rope!”

Edward started swinging his spear from behind to cut the rope.

But it was already too late.

As many were eliminated, space was created for Zeke to move. Zeke moved freely between the ropes, attacking and eliminating the Jiemens knights one by one.

“Arghhhh!”

THUD!

Realizing they couldn’t withstand Zeke’s attacks, the knights began to take defensive positions.

They isolated themselves by cutting all the surrounding ropes while keeping only the rope they were hanging on.

Zeke spoke to Edward who was standing behind the knights.

“Edward Jiemens. How about a one-on-one duel like a proper knight?”

Edward gritted his teeth and glared at Zeke in response to his provocation.

“What do you take me for?”

Though he was a ruffian, being a direct descendant of Jiemens, he wouldn’t fall for such simple provocation.

“If you won’t come, I’ll come to you myself.”

Zeke stepped on a single rope and leaped to jump to where Edward was.

However, Edward, who had trained in rope wrestling since childhood, avoided Zeke while moving across the few remaining ropes.

Simultaneously, other knights on Jiemens’ side stood in front of Edward to block Zeke.

‘These Jiemens lackeys are annoying.’

But then, something flew toward Zeke who was in mid-air.

Clash!

A heavy sword strike collided with Bahamut.

Bang!

Zeke absorbed the rebound and landed on the highest installed rope.

Then someone else stood on the opposite side.

A female knight with short hair wielding a sword.

It was Helen Draker.

Zeke pointed his sword at Helen Draker.

“Elin Sabrina. I didn’t expect you to be on Jiemens’ side.”

Zeke was probing, though he knew it wasn’t true.

Helen raised her sword, ignoring Zeke’s words.

Woong!

A clear sword sound rang out.

Then she rushed straight toward Zeke.

“Haah!”

Helen unleashed a powerful strike toward Zeke.

As Bahamut and Helen’s sword collided, it created a powerful shockwave.

Chapter 84

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The shockwave shook the connected ropes, causing several knights to lose balance and fall.

Zeke and Helen were pushed back to opposite ends, standing on pillars where the ropes were tied.

Helen took her stance with her sword.

Then she immediately jumped into the air and swung her sword at Zeke.

Dragon Slaying Technique Style

Steel Technique

Armor Splitter

Helen brought down her sword with enough force to split Zeke in half.

Zeke blocked Helen’s sword with Bahamut.

Clash!

Bahamut and Helen’s sword collided with a sharp sound.

Zeke gritted his teeth at the force felt from Helen’s sword.

‘If it weren’t for Bahamut, my sword would have been cut.’

Only because Bahamut had the indestructible attribute could it withstand Helen’s Steel Technique.

“Haah!”

Zeke shouted and deflected Helen’s sword.

Then he immediately kicked off the pillar and lunged toward Helen, swinging his sword.

Dragon Slaying Technique Form

Wind Storm Technique

Wind Slash

The Wind Storm Technique passed down by Duke wasn’t just about footwork.

It was swordsmanship that combined footwork with Dragon Slaying Technique Styles, executed with an extremely trained body.

That was the true secret of the Wind Storm Technique.

Helen, suspended in mid-air, twisted her body while gripping her sword tightly against Zeke’s sharp blade.

Then she spread aura throughout her body.

Dragon Slaying Technique Form

Steel Technique

Wall Surrounding

In Zeke’s past life, Helen Draker was famous for her defensive rather than offensive swordsmanship.

Proving that reputation, Zeke’s Wind Slash scattered without penetrating Helen’s solid defense.

Zeke and Helen both stood on single ropes again, pointing swords at each other in a standoff.

All spectators focused on their high-level duel.

“As expected of Zeke Draker. Skills worthy of the continent’s greatest genius.”

“Who is Elin Sabrina? Was there another skilled female knight besides Reina Draker?”

Ignoring the spectators’ murmurs, Zeke and Helen closed their distance.

Just as they reached sword-striking distance…

Ding!

A bell rang loudly.

The match time had ended.

Gareth came up to the arena and declared the end of the match.

“This concludes the second round. The third round will proceed with the remaining eight people.”

Eight people would compete in the quarterfinals: Zeke’s group of four, Helen, and three people from Jiemens’ side including Edward.

Zeke and Helen lowered their swords.

After thinking briefly, Zeke spoke to Helen.

“I look forward to seeing you again in the third round, Helen Draker.”

Helen was surprised when Zeke said her real name.

“…You knew?”

“We’re siblings after all, I should at least know your face.”

Actually, he didn’t.

If he hadn’t seen Helen Draker’s portrait in his past life, he wouldn’t have recognized her.

Helen nodded at Zeke and sheathed her sword.

She said to him.

“See you in the third round.”

Zeke and Helen descended from the wrestling ring amid spectator cheers.

The Agamemnon side cheered while chanting Zeke’s name.

“Zeke! Zeke!”

Zeke waved to the audience as he left the arena.

* * *

After the second round, Zeke’s group gathered at the mansion for a long-awaited rest.

The next day, Catherine brought news about the third round’s event.

“As expected, it will be a tournament.”

Farrell nodded as if he knew it would be.

Zeke also agreed with Farrell.

“With eight people left, they’ll likely end it with quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals.”

Catherine nodded.

“That’s right. The third round will be open to the general public, so a tournament format is best for entertainment.”

Farrell smiled at Zeke.

“In a tournament, Sir Zeke’s victory is almost certain. No participant can win against Sir Zeke, the Blue Knight, in one-on-one combat.”

Zeke tilted his head at Farrell’s words.

“That’s what’s strange. I thought Jiemens would choose an event more favorable to Edward.”

Then Catherine spoke to Zeke.

“Actually, this tournament has one rule.”

Zeke nodded as if he expected it.

“What rule is that?”

Catherine spoke with a slightly troubled expression.

“Well… the basic rule is that aura use is prohibited and battles must be fought with pure physical strength alone.”

At those words, Farrell jumped up.

“No! What kind of nonsensical rule is that?! Prohibiting aura use!”

While there was an implicit rule against using aura blades since Purple Knights could participate, there had never been cases of banning aura itself.

But Zeke wasn’t surprised.

She said to Zeke.

“Sir Zeke, you seemed to have expected this.”

He nodded.

“I didn’t think Jiemens would hold a normal tournament. But I didn’t expect them to make aura prohibition a rule.”

It was an obvious check against Zeke, the Blue Knight.

Edward was six years older than seventeen year old Zeke, so in terms of physical growth and completion, he was far ahead.

Looking at physical abilities alone excluding aura, Edward had calculated that he would have the advantage in battle.

Zeke calmed down the displeased Farrell who stood up from his seat.

“Sir Farrell. Don’t worry too much. Even without using aura, I can defeat Edward’s spearmanship by applying the traditional swordsmanship we practiced together.”

At those words, Farrell stood up with an excited expression.

“Sir Zeke, I’ll help you train as much as needed until the competition! Leave it to me!”

“Thank you, Sir Farrell.”

* * *

After the martial arts tournament preparation meeting ended, Zeke secretly left the mansion late at night.

This was because he received an urgent message from Kei.

He secretly visited Kei’s hidden residence in Atlas.

The hideout was a mansion of enormous scale.

Kei had become the boss of the syndicate controlling the southern cartel much faster and reached a higher position than in the past life.

When Zeke arrived, Feinan was the first to greet him.

“Welcome, Master.”

Zeke shook hands warmly with Feinan.

“Have you gotten used to the new environment?”

At Zeke’s words, Feinan gave an awkward smile.

“It’s overwhelming to suddenly take on such a big role, but I’m learning hard not to be a burden.”

Feinan was given the position of CEO of the new pharmaceutical company Zeke was preparing.

In the underground, Kei would manage the syndicate, while in public, Feinan would handle external activities.

“Are you having any difficulties during preparation?”

Feinan smiled and said

“Kei probably has more difficulties than me. Let’s go in.”

Zeke entered Kei’s office with Feinan.

The office was, in a word, a mess.

All kinds of documents were piled up throughout her office.

And inside, Kei was reviewing documents with a haggard face.

“Kei, what is all this?”

Kei looked up at Zeke.

“Ughh.”

Upon meeting Zeke’s eyes, Kei made a strange sound and slumped.

Then Feinan habitually approached and handed Kei a fatigue recovery potion.

Kei drank the potion in one gulp and caught her breath.

“Ahhh. Thanks, senior. Without this, I would’ve died from overwork already.”

“Good thing my minor was in alchemy.”

Being both mages, it seemed Feinan and Kei had decided to call each other senior and junior.

While drinking another potion, Kei looked at Zeke and said

“You must be busy with the martial arts tournament, how did you find time?”

“You said it was urgent so I came as quickly as possible.”

“Ughh. Right. Let’s take a break. I’ll have tea brought right away.”

Zeke, Kei, and Feinan moved to the reception room and sat on the sofa.

While savoring the tea aroma, Zeke asked Kei.

“Did you send the urgent message because of all the paperwork?”

Kei shook her head.

“That’s a problem too, but there’s a bigger issue.”

“Did something happen with the cartel?”

“No. Simon is controlling the cartel well. The reconstruction of the Cusco kingdom is also going smoothly.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Kei pointed at Zeke.

“You.”

Then she handed him a document.

Zeke’s expression hardened as he opened the document.

“…The Empire’s Intelligence Bureau and Draker’s Black Corps are both investigating the south at the same time?”

Kei nodded.

“To be precise, the Intelligence Bureau is looking for whoever destroyed the Favela Cartel’s camp, while the Black Corps is searching for whoever killed Don Juan.”

In the end, both groups were chasing after Zeke.

Zeke had an idea why the Empire’s Intelligence Bureau was looking for him.

‘Cain Jimenes Constantinus.’

A member of the Empire’s royal family and a suspicious figure who possessed an ancient Hersion.

Zeke had killed him and taken his Hersion at the Empire’s human experimentation facility discovered in Favela’s camp.

Given that he used the royal family’s name and possessed a special Hersion, he was likely an important figure in the Empire, which would be sufficient reason for the Intelligence Bureau to pursue Zeke.

But at the same time, Zeke had no idea about the Draker Black Corps case.

‘Why is the Black Corps chasing me?’

As Zeke carefully examined the Black Corps documents, Kei said:

“There’s no need to think about why the Black Corps are chasing you. That’s just how the Draker Black Corps is.”

Zeke nodded at Kei’s words.

Black Corps, being the eyes and ears of Draker, was a tenacious group that searched and dug up all information across the continent.

Zeke frowned upon learning that the Intelligence Bureau and Black Corps were pursuing him.

‘This has become troublesome.’

Although he hadn’t left traces of himself, there might be evidence accidentally left behind if they kept digging.

Using that as a lead, they might eventually reach Zeke.

Kei said to Zeke.

“If you’re worried, should I tell Simon to kill any spies in the south on sight?”

Feinan beside them looked a bit shocked, seemingly not used to Kei’s words.

Zeke clicked his tongue at Kei.

“What are we, a cartel? We can’t kill everyone just for snooping around.”

At Zeke’s words, Feinan let out a sigh of relief.

For someone who had become accustomed with the ways of the underworld, he was quite timid.

Kei also nodded at Zeke’s words.

“True. The Intelligence Bureau guys might be one thing, but Black Corps isn’t going to back down just from killing a few of them.”

They were the type to keep an even closer eye and follow more intensely.

“Just leave it for now and keep me updated on the situation. We can move when there’s evidence that could identify me specifically.”

“Got it. I’ll tell Simon that.”

“How’s that Black Demon guy doing? Is he adapting well in the South?”

“Actually, he’s the one who asked about this information. Being from the Intelligence Bureau, he’s good at picking up information leaking from the Empire. Simon says he’s doing a good job.”

“Hoh. Seems worth keeping him alive and bringing him over.”

That’s when Kei spoke to Zeke.

“And there’s one more problem.”

“What kind of problem?”

Kei poked Feinan in the side.

Then Feinan spoke to Zeke with a troubled expression.

“Well. There’s been some trouble with the alchemists we hired recently.”

“From the alchemist side?”

“Yes. We invited them for developing new medicine using soma, but they suddenly declared they would strike and aren’t doing any research at all.”

“Huh?”

While he knew alchemists were difficult to deal with, he never expected them to go on strike.

Zeke asked Feinan.

“Is there a reason for the sudden strike?”

Then Feinan carefully said.

“Actually, I invited new alchemists this time, but their personalities are a bit…”

Zeke shook his head.

“No. What are these alchemists unsatisfied with?”

Feinan answered awkwardly.

“Well, first of all, it’s not one alchemist, but alchemists.”

“Alchemists?”

Something occurred to Zeke upon hearing Feinan’s words.

“Don’t tell me these alchemists are twins?”

“How did you know?”

At Feinan’s response, Zeke made a subtle expression.

‘It’s those guys. The genius twin alchemists. Al and Jeff brothers.’

Chapter 85

There was a reason Zeke remembered the Al and Jeff brothers.

‘In my past life, those eccentric guys created the cure for the Hong-hwa disease.’

The continent fell into chaos as many people died when the Hong-hwa disease spread.

While no one else could create a cure for the Hong-hwa disease, it was none other than the Al and Jeff brothers who succeeded in developing the cure.

Even more surprising was that these eccentric twins freely released the combination method for the cure and made it widely known throughout the continent.

Thanks to this, the Hong-hwa disease could be eradicated quickly.

Zeke had also taught the Hong-hwa disease cure he remembered from then to Melissa Allensia.

He recalled the information he had heard about the Al and Jeff brothers in his past life.

‘After the Hong-hwa disease cure, they received a lot of sponsorship and developed many things, but being such eccentrics, almost none of them were useful.’

The Al and Jeff brothers were eccentrics who only focused on research they liked, so they developed medicines that were more like pranks rather than practical potions.

Things like a potion that immediately stops hiccups, eye drops that instantly remove eye discharge, or medicine that prevents stomach aches for people who get them from drinking milk.

They were all like that. Though they created hundreds of new medicines, those that were commercialized could be counted on one hand.

Zeke asked Feinan.

“Those twins. How are their skills?”

“Though their personalities are a bit unique, they’re certainly excellent alchemists.”

If Feinan, who acknowledged their skills, said this much, their alchemy must be genuine without a doubt.

He said to Feinan.

“So what are their demands?”

“They requested various alchemy materials, but too many seem unrelated to this new medicine research. Though I’m not majoring in alchemy, I can distinguish how materials should be combined, but quite a lot of materials were completely unrelated.”

With the Al and Jeff brothers, they would definitely make medicines they wanted to make under the excuse of new medicine development.

“Can you guess what they’re trying to make?”

Feinan shook his head at Zeke’s question.

“I couldn’t guess at all. So when I cut the budget for expensive materials that seemed unnecessary, they went on strike right away.”

Zeke roughly understood what the situation was.

He said to Feinan.

“Provide the materials that Al and Jeff are requesting.”

Feinan was shocked at those words.

“Are you sure? The amount would be quite substantial…”

Zeke flinched at Feinan’s intense reaction and asked.

“…How much is it?”

“Even roughly estimating, about a hundred thousand gold…”

“A hundred thousand gold? What kind of materials did they request for such an amount?”

“There are many things. Golden eagle droppings that only live in the Northern Ice Mountains, golden Komodo dragon droppings from the swamplands, Kraken King droppings that only live in the Death Waters of the South Sea, and…”

Zeke’s expression twisted at Feinan’s words.

‘Why is it all droppings?.’

After contemplating, Zeke nodded.

“For now, provide everything that can be obtained. But make sure to tell them firmly that they must complete the new medicine using soma.”

Feinan’s face brightened at Zeke’s permission.

“Understood, Master.”

Kei, who was beside them, said with a worried expression.

“Are you sure it’s okay to invest a hundred thousand gold in those eccentric guys?”

“If a proper new medicine comes out, a hundred thousand gold isn’t too much.”

Zeke clenched his fist with a cracking sound.

“If proper results don’t come out, I’ll have to visit them personally to give a warning.”

Kei broke out in cold sweat at his response, and Feinan gave an awkward smile.

* * *

‘The Draker Tournament Quarter-finals begin!’

The large arena prepared in Atlas was packed with spectators.

At the very front were flags full of supporting houses cheering for the participants.

Among them, the large banner of House Agamemnon supporting Zeke and the extremely flashy banner of House Graham were the most noticeable.

On the opposite side, House Jiemens’ allied houses, gathered through connections, cheered for Edward with a military band.

The participants appeared in the arena that was noisy in various ways.

Eight third-round qualifiers including Zeke’s group went up to the arena and greeted the audience.

Felix, who initially insisted he wouldn’t participate, was the most excited, waving his hands at the audience.

Shortly after, Gareth appeared and announced the first match.

“Felix Valencia, Morton Heros.”

Felix, realizing he was first, was startled and rolled his eyes around.

Then Zeke hit Felix’s back with a loud smack.

“Ugh! Ow, that hurts, Master.”

“Stop dawdling and get up there quickly. Know that if you lose, you’ll be doing closed-door training.”

At Zeke’s threat, Felix grumbled as he went up to the arena.

His opponent Morton Heros sneered at Felix.

Heros was one of House Jiemens’ vassals, counted among the prestigious houses in the eastern region.

Morton internally rejoiced seeing that his opponent was Felix, whose name he had never heard before.

‘The quarter-finals will be a freebie.’

“Begin the match!”

Ziiiing!

With the sound of the judgment bell, the tournament match began.

Morton approached Felix slowly while holding his sword.

He grinned and swung his sword at Felix.

Swoosh!

A clean cut befitting a noble family was displayed.

Felix moved slightly backward to avoid Morton’s sword.

Then Morton smirked.

‘So you’re not completely worthless.’

He adjusted his grip on the sword and charged toward Felix.

“Haaah!”

With a battle cry, Morton swung his sword powerfully as if to cut Felix’s waist in one strike.

Clang!

But Felix deflected Morton’s sword too easily.

Morton stepped back and gave a sneering smile.

“Lucky shot.”

Felix didn’t respond to his mockery and took one step closer to Morton.

Unlike Felix’s light appearance seen from outside the arena, there was an inexplicable pressure emanating from Felix as he held the sword.

Morton unconsciously flinched and stepped back.

‘W-what? Me, against someone like this….’

In that moment, Felix rushed forward quickly.

And raised his sword for a vertical cut.

It was a clean cut as if it had jumped out of a swordsmanship technique.

“Huk!”

Morton barely managed to raise his sword to block Felix’s blade.

His wrist stung from the heavy sword strike.

Felix didn’t stop and swung his sword in all directions.

Vertical cuts, horizontal cuts, diagonal downward strikes, diagonal upward strikes, and so on.

Though they were simple cutting motions, as the sword strikes came continuously without intervals, Morton was overwhelmed.

“Huff, huff.”

He took his stance while breathing heavily.

His sword hand was already trembling.

‘M-me, against this nobody…?’

Meanwhile, Felix took another half step forward.

Morton unconsciously became frightened and stepped back.

Being pushed back like that, he soon found himself cornered in the arena.

After confirming Morton’s position, Felix raised his sword, his body bending like a bow before shooting forward.

Then he swung his sword powerfully at Morton.

Whoosh!

Morton raised his sword to block Felix’s blade.

But Felix’s sword sent Morton flying along with his sword.

“Kuhuck!”

Morton flew straight out of the arena and fell outside.

“Felix Valencia wins!”

As the match was declared over, Felix immediately lowered his sword and returned to his original expression.

“Whew, fortunate that the opponent was weak. I almost had to go through closed-door training.”

In truth, Morton Heros was by no means a weak opponent.

Felix, who had been trained naturally among strong fighters while following Zeke, hadn’t realized how much stronger he had become.

The next match was between Reina and Liam.

The two who had competed for first and second place at the academy were now facing each other in the martial arts tournament.

“I look forward to our match, Reina Draker.”

Reina responded to Liam’s words with a nod.

After the bell sound announced the start, the two faced each other with their weapons raised.

But they only stared at each other without moving.

Having fought countless times since their academy days, they already knew well how the other would move.

The spectators also watched their standoff while holding their breath.

Amidst the tense standoff, Liam broke the balance first.

Pat!

He lowered his stance and attacked Reina’s legs.

Swoosh!

Reina jumped into the air and tried to cut Liam’s back.

But Liam’s long arm bent at a strange angle as he swung his sword to block Reina’s blade.

Clang!

The two created distance again and began probing while checking each other.

Unable to use aura in this situation, they had to swing their swords using only physical strength.

Reina had the Tourn family’s characteristic strength and elasticity, while Liam could make irregular attacks with his long reach and flexibility.

This time Reina attacked first.

She launched an attack using her whole body’s elasticity, as advised by Zeke before.

Swish!

Her sword displayed a sharp strike that was unbelievable without using aura.

Liam stepped back while quickly swinging his sword to block Reina’s attack.

Then he swung his long leg for a low kick.

Puk!

Reina took damage from the sudden kick attack.

As her balance wavered, Liam didn’t miss the opening and dove in.

Swoosh!

He swung his sword as if to cut through Reina’s waist.

That’s when it happened.

In an instant, Reina’s eyes flashed and her entire musculature surged as she transcended physical limits.

Reina felt as if time had stopped.

‘What is this sensation?.’

Liam’s sword seemed to approach her slowly.

Reina avoided Liam’s sword and rotated her body to dive into his embrace.

Then she tripped his legs to make him fall.

Whoosh!

The stopped time returned to normal.

Lying on the ground, Liam’s expression showed he couldn’t understand why he had fallen.

Reina felt pain as if every muscle in her body was screaming.

She endured the pain and placed her sword against the neck of Liam who was lying down.

“Reina Draker wins!”

Reina regulated her breathing while taking rough breaths.

‘I’ve found a new path.’

The battle with Liam had become a foundation for Reina’s growth.

Watching this, Zeke gave a bitter smile.

‘Flash technique. Indeed, once a genius is always a genius.’

He could see that Reina’s application of the technique, which in Zeke’s previous life had earned her the title of Flash Knight, was gradually taking shape.

Just then, Felix spoke to Zeke beside him.

“Master, since Liam lost, he gets closed-door training, right?”

Without answering, Zeke gave Felix’s back a smack and slowly walked up to the arena.

It was because it was his turn next.

“Zeke Draker, Edward Jiemens!”

Zeke looked at the spear Edward Jiemens brought to the arena.

‘Ha, this bastard. He brought a magic spear.’

While others couldn’t use aura, he sneakily brought a spear enchanted with magic to the match.

As Zeke could sense mana, which was essentially the same source as aura and magic power, he could detect the magic cast on the spear.

Edward spoke to Zeke.

“Remember this well. Strategy ultimately overcomes power.”

Edward was rationalizing his petty actions with nonsensical words.

Zeke silently raised Bahamut.

And soon the bell announcing the start of the match rang.

Edward charged at Zeke with his spear while shouting a battle cry.

“Haaah!”

With haste and strength enhancement magic cast on the spear, his charging speed and thrust power were hardly different from using aura.

But Zeke swung Bahamut toward the incoming spear with an expressionless face.

Slash!

“Huh?”

The spear blade was cut off in a single strike.

Edward couldn’t properly understand what had happened.

And immediately after, Zeke swung his sword at him.

Whoosh!

Edward tried to block Zeke’s sword with the remaining spear shaft.

But Zeke’s sword was faster.

He struck Edward with the flat of the blade rather than the edge.

“Squeak!”

Edward, who was hit squarely on the back while trying to dodge, let out a strange sound and collapsed.

The spectators all gaped at Edward who had fainted from Zeke’s single strike.

The referee finally gathered his wits and shouted.

“Z-Zeke Draker wins!”

Medical staff carried away Edward Jiemens who had collapsed foaming at the mouth.

Edward was eliminated without even getting to use any of his prepared strategies.

Zeke sheathed Bahamut and calmly walked down from the arena.

“Waaaaaah!”

“Zeke! Zeke!”

The arena filled with cheers.

Chapter 86

When Zeke returned to the waiting room, Farrell exclaimed excitedly.

“Sir Zeke! You’re in the semifinals. Just two more wins until victory.”

Zeke nodded at Farrell’s words.

“It’s all thanks to you, Sir Farrell.”

Smiling as he answered, Zeke looked at the dejected Felix and Liam beside him.

“Why are you both gloomy?”

While he understood Liam being gloomy after losing to Reina, he couldn’t understand why Felix was acting the same way when he’d advanced to the semifinals.

Felix raised his head and said to Zeke.

“Uhuuh— Master. My next opponent is Elin Sabrina. How can I fight someone who was nearly even with you?”

Felix groaned about having to face Elin.

Zeke hit Felix’s back hard.

“Arghhhh! Master, your palm seems to be getting harsher by the day!”

Zeke clicked his tongue and said to Felix.

“Go show all your skills. If you do it halfheartedly, it’s closed-door training.”

Felix jumped up at Zeke’s words.

“No! Liam lost but doesn’t have to do closed-door training! You’re only making me do it! Master, aren’t you being too biased?!”

Instead of an answer, Felix got another smack on his back from Zeke and writhed in pain.

After the designated break time ended, Zeke and Felix went back to the arena.

The semifinals were about to begin.

The first semifinal match was between Zeke and Reina.

Zeke and Reina faced each other on the arena with their swords raised.

When the two stepped onto the arena, the cheers were tremendous.

The Tourn family’s standard-bearers beat huge drums to cheer for Reina.

In response, the Agamemnon and Graham families frantically waved their family banners to pray for Zeke’s victory.

Zeke spoke while looking at Reina.

‘This is our first match since the cradle evaluation.’

Since then, Zeke had surpassed Reina several times faster.

The youngest Blue Knight appointee and youngest Valhalla graduate in the continent.

Reina silently gripped her sword and pointed it at Zeke.

Zeke also drew Bahamut and pointed it at Reina.

As soon as the match began, Reina charged at Zeke first.

Swoosh!

Using incredible elasticity, Reina swung her sword at Zeke like a flash of light.

Clang!

Sparks flew as Reina’s sword clashed with Zeke’s sword.

“Haaah!”

Reina unleashed a fierce assault on Zeke while emitting tremendous fighting spirit.

Even without using aura, the power of each sword strike was enough to shake the surrounding air.

Zeke calmly deflected Reina’s sword while maintaining solid defense.

He sometimes softly, sometimes forcefully deflected the strongly swinging sword and counterattacked without fail when he saw an opening.

Whoosh!

When Zeke’s sword flew toward her side, Reina leaped back greatly to retreat.

Zeke didn’t miss that opening.

Dragon Slaying Technique

Wind Storm Technique

Wind Slash

Zeke’s Wind Storm Technique unfolded toward Reina.

Reina clenched her teeth and likewise unleashed an application technique.

Tourn Style Dragon Slaying Technique

Counter Technique

Bull Horn Breaking

After deflecting Zeke’s air-splitting sword with all her might using her two-handed sword, Reina rotated her body and immediately swung her sword toward Zeke’s body.

It was an application of the Dragon Slaying Technique that adapted the counter technique of deflecting a charging bull’s horns and immediately diving in to pierce the bull’s heart.

Zeke’s body wavered for a moment at Reina’s powerful counter technique.

Wind Storm Technique

Phantom Step

Shifting Phantom

It was an upgraded version of the high-speed movement skill Zeke had learned before.

As Shifting Phantom unfolded, Zeke’s figure disappeared leaving only afterimages, and Reina’s sword cut empty air futilely.

‘Wh-where?’

Reina couldn’t see Zeke anywhere as she looked around.

That’s when Zeke’s shadow flickered above.

Reina hurriedly raised her sword to block Zeke’s attack.

Crash!

But Zeke descended without striking Reina with his sword.

As a result, Reina’s sword raised above her head stopped in a floating state.

Zeke, who had crouched low to the arena floor, dove into her opening.

Zeke, in his lowered stance, pointed Bahamut at Reina’s exposed neck.

It was Reina’s complete defeat.

“Zeke Draker wins!”

Once again, Reina failed to overcome Zeke.

She lowered her sword and said while looking at Zeke.

“Next time, I absolutely won’t lose.”

She sheathed her sword and walked down from the arena with dignity.

Zeke grinned while watching Reina.

‘Befitting the Flash Knight. She might even become stronger than in her previous life.’

Zeke came down from the arena amidst tremendous cheers.

And immediately the next match began.

Felix went up to the arena looking like death.

Helen was looking not at Felix but at Zeke sitting in the waiting area behind.

Seeing Helen sending gazes his way, Zeke laughed inwardly.

‘This isn’t the time to be looking at me.’

Though he always picked on Felix, his potential was extraordinary.

If they could use aura, it would be difficult to last ten seconds against Helen, but in a sword fight alone, an unexpected result could occur.

“Felix Valencia! Elin Sabrina!”

The two pointed their swords at each other and prepared for battle.

The bell announcing the start of the match rang.

That’s when it happened.

Surprisingly, Felix charged forward towards Helen first.

Whoosh!

Helen, who hadn’t paid much attention to Felix’s skills, was startled by the sudden sharp sword strike and swung her sword.

Clang!

Helen was surprised by the heavier-than-expected sword strike.

She had seen Felix’s sword in the previous quarterfinal match and knew his fundamentals were solid.

But she thought it would be difficult to use effectively against her.

However, after actually clashing swords, her thoughts changed.

‘If I had taken a direct hit, my wrist might have given out.’

She had only been thinking about the battle with Zeke and thought she would easily beat Felix. Helen corrected her stance at the unexpected strong sword.

At the same time, Helen’s demeanor changed.

Felix also pulled his sword towards his chest and steadied his breathing at Helen’s aura that reminded one of a solid steel wall.

Both Felix and Helen used orthodox swordsmanship, so their offense and defense were well-balanced.

This time Helen attacked first.

Whoosh!

A heavy sword strike flew low towards Felix’s lower body.

Felix maintained his basic stance, moved clockwise to avoid Helen’s attack, and swung his sword while rushing forward.

Again, it was a clean movement like one from a Technique.

Zeke could sense traces of Agamemnon Golden Swordsmanship in Felix’s sword technique.

‘Though he complained, he properly absorbed the elders’ techniques.’

Helen regained her stance and deflected Felix’s sword strike.

Both Felix and Helen’s wrists ached from the intense rebound force.

“Hoo.”

Felix steadied his breathing and regained his stance.

Helen furrowed her brow seeing Felix’s defense that was as solid as her own.

‘Now I somewhat understand how my previous opponents felt.’

Sharp counterattacks were hidden within what appeared to be monotonous defense.

If she recklessly charged in, her attack would likely be blocked and immediately countered.

If she could use aura, she could break through that defense with Steel Force, but it seemed difficult with swordsmanship alone.

Helen also held her sword and steadied her breathing.

‘I shall become a strong steel sword that breaks through walls.’

Zeke, who was watching this, was shocked.

‘To think Helen Draker is already approaching the realm of sword-self unity.’

Becoming one with the sword meant she had opened the entrance to rising from Blue Knight to Red Knight.

Helen tried to become a steel sword herself to break through Felix’s defense.

Her body shot out in an instant.

Whoosh!

It was as if a giant sword was flying towards Felix.

Felix focused his mind and extended his sword towards Helen.

Agamemnon-style Golden Swordsmanship

Counter technique

Rainbow Reflection

It was the strongest counter technique he learned from the elders of the Agamemnon family.

Helen clenched her teeth seeing Felix’s sword pushing in after deflecting her own sword, and unleashed her counter technique.

Dragon Slaying Technique

Steel Force

Armor splitter

Crack!

A counter came against Felix’s counter.

“Kuhek!”

There was no room to control power. In the end, Helen’s sword struck Felix’s side.

Felix collapsed while holding his sword, bleeding.

That’s when the medical staff waiting outside the arena quickly came up.

They immediately poured the potion they were holding on Felix’s wound.

Hiss!

Being an effective potion, the wound from Helen’s sword quickly foamed and healed.

Helen felt her sword-holding hand trembling as she looked at the fallen Felix.

‘If I had made a mistake, I could have been the one struck.’

Felix’s counter technique was that sharp.

Felix was soon carried out by the medical staff and Helen claimed victory in the semifinals.

Even after the match ended, the arena was filled with cheers calling out Elin and Felix’s names.

“Elin! Elin!”

“Felix! Felix!”

The spectators were moved by the magnificent display of martial arts from both fighters.

Gareth came up to the heated arena.

He called out to the audience.

“The final championship match of the Draker Tournament will be held next week at the Grand Stadium!”

Every year, thousands of spectators gather at the Grand Stadium that marks the end of the Draker Tournament, including key figures from the Draker blood alliance families.

Gareth pointed to Zeke and Helen and called them to the arena.

He pointed to Zeke first.

“Zeke Draker!”

As soon as he was called, cheers erupted from the families supporting Zeke.

And this time Gareth pointed to Helen.

“Elin Sabr…”

That’s when she raised her hand and stopped Gareth’s words.

Then she stepped forward and called out to the spectators in the arena.

“My name is not Elin Sabrina.”

The audience began to stir at those sudden words.

She opened her mouth again.

“My name is Helen Draker. One of the pureblood awakeners of Draker, one of the direct bloodline, and one of Draker’s Blue Knights.”

One of the spectators stood up and shouted.

“Helen Draker! The Steel Knight!”

“My goodness. You mean the Steel Knight who completely wiped out the outlaws in the central region?”

“To think the Steel Knight, famous for not showing their face, would appear in the tournament!”

The audience stirred at Helen Draker’s appearance.

She drew her sword and shouted.

“I, Helen Draker, will give my all in the battle with Zeke Draker at the Draker Tournament. For this, I request that the rule prohibiting aura use in the championship match be reconsidered!”

The audience cheered at Helen Draker’s words.

It made no sense to prohibit aura in a battle between two pureblooded Drakers who had shaken the continent.

Zeke inwardly admired Helen.

‘Heh, I thought she was just a rigid practitioner, but I didn’t know the Steel Knight had this side to her.’

Helen had succeeded Kali after her death in his previous life.

She had hidden qualities of a politician that even she herself didn’t know about.

The audience shouted towards Gareth.

“Allow aura! Allow aura!”

“Save the aura prohibition for monsters!”

As the atmosphere heated up, the tournament organizers quickly held a meeting.

Since the rule was made to favor Edward Jiemens anyway, there was no need to maintain the aura prohibition rule after his elimination, so the committee decided to follow public opinion.

Receiving news from the committee, Gareth nodded and announced.

“The championship match has been changed to allow aura use!”

The audience cheered at those words.

Zeke and Helen exchanged sharp glances.

“It won’t be easy.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

The semifinals ended with the audience’s heated enthusiasm.

And there were those who quietly watched all this from the farthest corner of the arena.

“So who do you think will win, Arthur?”

Duke asked Arthur Draker, who had his robe pulled low.

Arthur stood up and said.

“It doesn’t matter who wins. Only the winner is important.”

Watching Arthur walk away after saying that, Duke clicked his tongue.

“Acting all cool while his mouth keeps twitching in excitement.”

Duke grinned while looking at Zeke in the arena before following after Arthur.

Chapter 87

The Grand Stadium, one of Atlas’s landmarks.

Thousands of people gathered there.

They were spectators who came to watch the finals of the Draker Tournament.

This final match garnered continent-wide attention as it was a battle between Draker’s pureblood awakeners and Blue Knight promotees.

Arthur Draker, the head of the Draker family, appeared in the stadium arena filled with thousands of spectators.

He called out to the audience.

“The Draker Tournament finals will begin shortly!”

Tremendous cheers erupted and brilliant lights illuminated the arena.

At the same time, Zeke Draker and Helen Draker came up to the arena.

Zeke wore light armor while Helen wore relatively heavier plate armor.

What was unique was Helen’s sword.

She had a long, massive sword strapped behind her armor.

The audience murmured seeing Helen’s armament.

“Is that the famous Steel Knight’s Dragon Buster?”

The Dragon Buster was the promotion gift Helen received from the family head when she was promoted to Blue Knight.

Made from dragon bone from blade to handle, it was closer to a knife than a sword in form.

Heavy armor and a sword as large as an adult’s body.

Her title as the Knight of Steel wasn’t for nothing.

Arthur Draker descended from the arena and Zeke and Helen faced each other.

Zeke drew Bahamut and Helen drew the Dragon Buster.

The tension between the two could be felt even in the spectator seats.

Soon the gong signaling the start of the match rang out.

Ding!

Zeke and Helen swung their swords simultaneously.

Boom!

Rather than swords clashing, it sounded like a bomb exploding.

Zeke and Helen ground their teeth while glaring sharply at each other as their swords met.

Crack!

The arena floor beneath them cracked from their tremendous holding power.

Clang!

After a moment, they deflected their swords and stepped back.

Zeke gripped Bahamut tightly and took the Dragon Slaying Technique stance.

Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword Technique

Chapter 3 Section 2

Crescent Moon Slash

A crescent moon made of aura flew from Zeke’s sword.

Helen raised the blade of the Dragon Buster and clashed with the crescent moon.

Boom!

Zeke’s crescent moon was neutralized like that.

It seemed to serve as a shield rather than just a sword.

‘Indeed, her defense is solid.’

Zeke changed his stance and unleashed Wind storm.

Dragon Slaying Technique Application

Wind Storm

Zeke began circling around Helen at high speed.

Combined with the Shadowless Step technique, it appeared as if multiple Zekes were surrounding Helen.

Helen closed her eyes while gripping the Dragon Buster.

Then she held the Dragon Buster horizontally and let out a battle cry.

“Haaaaaah!”

There was no technique or anything.

She simply swung the Dragon Buster and cut through Zeke’s afterimages.

Boom!

The surroundings were devastated in an instant.

Whoosh!

That’s when Zeke jumped on top of the Dragon Buster and rushed towards Helen.

Swish!

Zeke swung his sword towards Helen.

Helen then dropped the Dragon Buster and drew the Arming Sword at her waist.

Clang!

After blocking Zeke’s attack, Helen lowered her body, picked up the Dragon Buster again and swung it.

Whoosh!

A strange sound rang out from the Dragon Buster’s power that seemed to tear through the air.

Screech!

Zeke jumped into the air to avoid the Dragon Buster’s attack.

As the two faced off at a distance, the silent spectators finally erupted in cheers.

“Zeke! Zeke!”

“Helen! Helen!”

From the Agamemnon family, Rufus Agamemnon, the family elders, and even the head maid came to cheer for Zeke.

“True heir of Agamemnon! Zeke Draker!”

Zeke pointed Bahamut at Helen.

‘Her defense is solid. I’ll need to shake her up a bit.’

Zeke’s stance changed.

He took the Agamemnon Golden Swordsmanship stance instead of the Dragon Slaying Technique.

Recognizing this, the Agamemnon family waved their banners more vigorously in support.

Zeke held his sword and charged towards Helen.

Whoosh!

As Zeke’s attack thrust straight forward like a lance, Helen tried to block his attack by tilting the Dragon Buster sideways.

Whoosh!

But the charging Zeke suddenly changed direction.

Then he changed his stance and launched a high kick towards Helen’s head.

Boom!

Helen barely managed to dodge the kick by turning her body, but the pauldron on her shoulder flew off.

A knight’s body enhanced with aura was no different from a deadly weapon.

Even a kick could inflict fatal wounds.

Helen steadied her disrupted breathing at Zeke’s irregular attack.

‘Zeke, you’re really strong.’

She didn’t expect to be pushed this much by her younger brother.

She caught her breath and gathered energy while gripping the Dragon Buster.

Woong!

Bright aura rose from Helen’s body.

That aura wrapped around the Dragon Buster and soon formed an aura blade.

Seeing this, Zeke also raised an aura blade on Bahamut.

The two who had created bright aura blades glowing with blue light jumped into the air simultaneously.

Babababat!

A blue light decorated the stadium’s air.

Woooong!

Paching!

Pababat!

Aura Blades clashed with each other, creating strong shock waves and vibrations.

The two people who were engaged in aerial combat soon landed back on the stadium floor.

Immediately, they charged at each other and clashed swords.

Woooooong!

Kwakwakwakwang!

Strong vibrations created waves that destroyed the stadium floor as they passed.

Kwakwakwang!

Thanks to the defensive barrier installed near the spectator seats, the waves were cancelled out and dispersed, but the audience could fully feel their collision.

On the devastated stadium, Zeke and Helen were pointing their swords at each other.

However, unlike Zeke, Helen’s breathing had become rough.

“Huff. Huff.”

There was no point in having a long battle against Zeke who had infinite stamina.

Helen also noticed that Zeke’s stamina was far superior to hers.

‘Unbelievable.’

But this was reality.

Helen realized it was time to throw her final trump card.

She gripped Dragon Buster and drew up her energy.

Woooooong!

Dragon Buster vibrated frantically.

Zeke also noticed that Helen was about to throw her trump card.

He too took up the dragon-slaying stance again.

Woooooong!

An incredible tension filled the air between the two.

That’s when it happened.

Helen raised Dragon Buster high and swung her sword toward Zeke.

Dragon Slaying Style

Steel Technique

Wall Splitting

It is said that Terakan Draker, the ancestor of the Drakers, split a giant wall with one strike.

Like the legendary Terakan Draker, a strong energy like a tidal wave rushed toward Zeke as if to split a wall.

Zeke took his stance and swung his sword horizontally toward Helen’s Wall Splitting.

True Dragon Sword Technique Secret Art

Third Form

Great Phoenix Rising from Water

Hoooong!

A massive energy taking the form of a bird burst forth from Zeke’s sword.

That energy split Helen’s Steel Technique that was rushing in like a tidal wave.

As if still having power left, the energy extended toward Helen who was holding her sword.

Kwadeudeudek!

“Ughk!”

Helen tried to block Zeke’s True Dragon Sword Technique with Dragon Buster.

But Helen, who had already exhausted her strength with Wall Splitting, could no longer hold on.

That’s when it happened.

Woooooong!

Zeke charged toward Helen holding Bahamut.

He jumped into the air and unleashed the dragon-slaying technique.

Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword

Chapter 8 Section 2

Dragon Scale Pierce

The technique that had pierced through ten steel plates was unleashed toward Helen.

Kwakwakwakwang!

The stadium was devastated as dust clouds rose.

The audience rose from their seats in surprise.

“Wh-what happened?”

Shortly after, as the dust clouds cleared, the state of the stadium was revealed.

He was pointing his sword at the fallen Helen.

It was Zeke Draker’s victory.

Jiiiing!

The bell signaling the end of the match rang out.

Simultaneously, cheers erupted from the spectator seats.

Rufus Agamemnon and the elders were teary-eyed with joy.

Zeke extended his hand toward the fallen Helen.

Helen grabbed Zeke’s hand and stood up.

“I lost.”

“I was just lucky.”

Helen knew best that it wasn’t luck.

She said to Zeke.

“Kali Draker said she has something to tell you, so she will meet you out soon.”

After leaving those words, Helen gave a brief greeting to the audience and went outside the stadium.

Although she lost, the audience cheered for Helen who had shown tremendous martial prowess.

The cheers were well-deserved as she had proven her skill worthy of the title Iron Knight.

Shortly after, Arthur Draker came up to the stadium.

Standing next to Zeke, he addressed the audience.

“This year’s Draker Martial Tournament champion has been decided as Zeke Draker!”

The stadium filled with cheers and excitement.

Arthur personally placed the winner’s medal around Zeke’s neck.

He grabbed Zeke’s shoulders and said.

“You performed your duty excellently.”

“I merely followed the head of the family’s orders.”

Arthur smirked at Zeke’s words.

Though he was the master of the Draker family that shook the continent, his youngest son alone seemed unafraid of him, always calm, making it difficult to grasp his true thoughts.

Arthur said to Zeke.

“The winner of the Draker Martial Tournament gets various special privileges. We’ll give those gradually, but as a father, I want to give a gift to my proud son. Is there anything you want?”

Then Zeke looked at Arthur and said without hesitation.

“I want to hear about mother.”

Arthur’s expression subtly changed at Zeke’s words.

“Mother. Did you hear something from the Agamemnon family?”

“I heard less than what I didn’t hear. That’s why I want to hear it from you, head of the family.”

“I’m curious why you want that among all the many possible gifts.”

Zeke looked at Arthur and answered.

“I want to know about mother’s prophecy as an Irregular.”

Arthur’s expression slightly hardened at those words.

After a moment of silence, Arthur nodded and said to Zeke.

“Laura used to surprise me just like you do. In my life, there was hardly anything that didn’t go my way, but Laura alone never went according to my wishes.”

He looked at Zeke and said.

“Come to the Four Seasons Castle. I have something to show you.”

Zeke nodded at Arthur’s words.

Arthur smiled and said to Zeke.

“Hold up the medal and smile. That’s the only way this competition will be worth the thousands of gold spent.”

Following Arthur’s words, Zeke held up the medal and waved to the audience.

The audience chanted Zeke’s name and cheered.

It was a warm reception and response he had never experienced in his previous life.

* * *

“So Zeke won in the end.”

Abel said to William while drinking tea.

William spoke with a displeased expression.

“That fool Edward only brought shame to the family.”

William was very displeased that Edward was knocked out by Zeke in one hit.

Then Abel put down his teacup and said with a smile.

“He’ll get stronger after receiving baptism anyway, so why are you so displeased?”

William shook his head.

“Edward, that guy is completely hopeless. The youngest one would be better. At least he knows how to use his head.”

Abel smirked and said.

“By the way, how is the Guardian Knight matter going, William?”

William changed his expression and slowly opened his mouth.

“It seems the Kali Drake side keeps persuading the elders. They’re desperately trying to prevent you from receiving the Guardian Knight position.”

“Can’t we propose it now?”

“We’re still short by about two votes. There are many elders who claim neutrality, so we need to secure two more votes to reliably promote you.”

Abel tapped his fingers on the table.

“Two votes. William. I’m too tired of waiting. You know. How long I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

William nodded at Abel’s words.

William said to Abel.

“Once the Guardian Knight matter and the Carus issue are resolved well, things will go as you wish. Just be patient a little longer.”

Abel slowly rose from his seat.

He looked at William with eyes tainted by madness and said.

“I’m looking forward to it. But remember this. If the wait gets longer, you too should be prepared.”

After saying that, Abel entered the torture chamber.

Soon, terrible screams leaked out from the torture chamber.

Torture inflicted not for information, but simply for entertainment.

William broke into a cold sweat as he listened to the screams leaking from the torture chamber.

The Knight of Massacre was becoming a terrible monster that shouldn’t exist in this world.

Chapter 88

“Congratulations on winning the martial arts tournament.”

Knights of the Four Seasons Castle greeted Zeke whenever he passed by.

Their attitude was surprisingly friendly for the typically stern Draker knights.

When Zeke first received his formal knight title, quite a few within Four Seasons Castle regarded him unfavorably.

But after the martial arts tournament, the atmosphere completely reversed.

Thanks to this, Zeke could fully feel the prestige of the Draker martial arts tournament.

Zeke headed to the family head’s office while receiving such greetings from the knights.

The secretary warmly welcomed Zeke at the door.

“The family head is waiting for you.”

Zeke entered the office guided by the secretary.

As the secretary said, Arthur Draker was waiting for him.

“Zeke, come in.”

As usual, Arthur had prepared precious tea from the Eastern Empire.

Zeke sat down and savored the tea’s aroma.

Arthur looked at Zeke and said.

“I thought you’d come after enjoying the victor’s banquet for a few months. My prediction was completely wrong.”

Typically, when one wins the Draker martial arts tournament, they hold grand parties with sponsoring families and related parties.

Afterwards, it was customary to travel the continent attending parties hosted by invited families and enjoy all kinds of popularity.

But Zeke neither held separate banquets nor accepted invitations from other families.

“I’m not really the type to enjoy parties.”

Arthur nodded at Zeke’s words.

“I was the same at your age. I only repeatedly trained to the bone for faster achievement, thinking parties and banquets were just entertainment for those lacking in training.”

Arthur put down his teacup and said.

“But remember this. Even if you become a Black Knight, you cannot face the entire continent alone. If just two other Black Knights join forces, you won’t be able to avoid death.”

Zeke didn’t expect such words from Arthur Draker, one of the continent’s strongest.

Black Knights were called one-man armies.

But even Black Knights had limits to their power.

Then Zeke suddenly thought of the Hero King Kaisir.

‘Master Kaisir probably couldn’t be defeated even by multiple Black Knights.’

A Black Knight’s power was close to a Sword Master from the Hero King’s time.

But the Hero King was beyond Sword Master, at the Grand Master level.

‘If I surpass Black Knight and become a Grand Master…’

He could become an absolute ruler looking down upon everything.

Arthur looked at Zeke and said.

“Well, my words probably don’t mean much to you right now.”

Zeke raised his head, looked at Arthur and said.

“No. I will deeply engrave your words about relationships with others being as important as individual power.”

Arthur grinned at Zeke’s model answer and spoke.

“Stop saying things you don’t mean and come this way.”

He got up and beckoned to Zeke.

The place Arthur took Zeke was an exhibition hall storing his personal items.

Rare items Arthur had collected from each continent were displayed in glass cases.

With his dragon eyes, Zeke could see what kind of items they were.

‘Most are from before the Golden Age. They seem to be from the Hero King’s time.’

Arthur was collecting ancient relics like Emperor Rom.

As they walked between the displays, Arthur stopped at one spot.

In front of an old box.

He slowly opened the box.

An unexpected item lay inside.

‘A pocket watch?’

Arthur carefully took out the old pocket watch from the box.

Then he looked at Zeke and said.

“This is the only thing Laura left me.”

Zeke was surprised at Arthur’s words.

“You mean it’s mother’s keepsake?”

Arthur nodded.

“Yes. Laura always carried this with her.”

Zeke looked at Arthur’s eyes as he gazed at the pocket watch.

The man of iron who seemed devoid of emotion was looking at the watch with wistful eyes.

After a while, he turned and approached Zeke, handing him the pocket watch.

“Are you giving this to me?”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to know about Laura?”

“This watch doesn’t contain everything about mother.”

“Laura used this watch to peek into realms we couldn’t see. She said she found it in the Northern Continent. I don’t know much more than that. She was always full of secrets.”

Laura Agamemnon, an Irregular with healing abilities.

Even Arthur Draker, the family head and her husband, didn’t seem to know everything about her.

Holding the watch, Zeke looked at Arthur and asked.

“There’s one thing I want to ask.”

“What is it?”

Zeke clenched his fist.

“Did you ever think I might have healing abilities?”

Arthur closed his mouth briefly at those words.

Then he slowly answered.

“I did.”

Zeke’s hand trembled slightly.

Arthur looked at Zeke and slowly opened his mouth.

“But Zeke, you weren’t a healer. You’re a proud Draker pureblood awakener, aren’t you?”

At Arthur’s words, Zeke clenched his teeth.

‘Were you planning to abandon me if I wasn’t a pureblood awakener?’

Zeke forced himself to swallow those words.

Memories of his struggles in his past life flashed through his mind.

Arthur said to Zeke.

“Zeke, let me tell you one thing. Don’t dig too deep into your mother, Laura Agamemnon.”

Zeke raised his head at those words.

“What do you mean?”

“Laura was both a healer and an Irregular. You know what that means.”

The Central Continent treated Irregulars as cursed beings. So having Irregular blood wouldn’t be particularly advantageous for Zeke.

There was a reason Duke deliberately hid the fact after initially mistaking Zeke for an Irregular.

Zeke bowed to Arthur and answered.

“I will follow the family head’s orders.”

Arthur placed his hand on Zeke’s shoulder.

“You are a proud Draker pureblood awakener. Don’t forget that fact.”

Zeke nodded while gripping his mother’s pocket watch tightly.

* * *

After returning to the mansion from Four Seasons Castle, Zeke went up to his room to examine the pocket watch.

“Why did mother leave this watch as her final keepsake?”

Then Zeke suddenly felt this watch was quite familiar.

‘Where have I seen this before?’

As he pondered, a spark flashed in Zeke’s mind.

“Sethon Draker!”

He recalled when Bahamut’s memories awakened while learning the True Dragon Sword Technique.

It matched the shape of the pocket watch Sethon Draker was holding when he visited Bahamut, the Ruler of Twilight.

Zeke looked at the watch, recalling that memory.

‘I remember this watch had Chronos’s power embedded in it.’

His mother Laura Agamemnon used this watch to prophesy the future.

And in his memory, Sethon Draker used this watch to show Bahamut what would happen in the future.

‘Could Chronos’s power be the power of prophecy?’

Zeke examined the watch’s exterior while handling it.

There were no engravings or markings on the surface.

Though old, the surface was still smooth.

Opening the lid to see the watch face, there was a large clock in the center with small clocks densely arranged around it.

The hands were stopped.

Zeke looked at the watch and slowly moved his mana.

‘Will this work too?’

Both ancient Hersion and the Agamemnon golden mask had awakened in response to mana.

If this watch was also an ancient relic, it would likely respond to mana.

Woong!

Zeke infused mana into the watch.

But unlike Hersion or the mask, there was no response from the watch.

“Hmm, this alone isn’t enough?”

Then something occurred to Zeke.

Among ancient relics, there were often ones that responded to the user’s blood.

Zeke took out a dagger, cut his finger, and dropped a few drops on the watch.

When there was still no response, he tried flowing mana again.

Woong!

Suddenly the blood Zeke had dropped began seeping into the watch.

At the same time, messages appeared before Zeke’s eyes.

[Detecting Elder Dragon’s soul embedded in user’s blood.]

[Releasing dormant state of sleeping ancient relic.]

[???’s Watch has been temporarily activated.]

[Title ‘One Blessed by the Great Dragon’ releases ???’s Watch’s security.]

[???’s Watch connects to system.]

[Authentication key needed to activate ???’s Watch.]

[Must enter Chronos Temple to retrieve authentication key.]

“Authentication key?”

Simultaneously, a window appeared before Zeke’s eyes.

―Main Quest Mission―

[Activate ???’s Watch by retrieving authentication key. (No time limit)]

[Quest Mission Reward: Grant Chronos’s Authority]

“Chronos’s Authority?”

Zeke knew the power of Bahamut’s Authority, Dragon Clan Control.

‘Since Chronos was the Hero King’s contract dragon, he must have Authority as strong as Bahamut’s.’

Zeke opened the map to check the retrieval location mentioned in the quest.

“This place?”

The retrieval location was none other than ‘Athen’ in the eastern part of the Northern Continent.

“Hmm, of all places, Athen.”

The reason for his uncomfortable reaction was because Athen was the territory of the Nirvana family, one of the 3 transcendent families.

While Draker dominated Midland and Ishtar exerted influence over the southern border region and desert areas, Nirvana held great influence over this Athen and the entire Storm Sea region.

“Well, it’s not somewhere I can’t go. There’s lots to gather while I’m there too. I’ll retrieve the authentication key while I’m at it.”

In his past life, Zeke was active in the Northern Continent longer than the Central Continent.

So he remembered all the hidden treasures and unusual phenomena there.

He recalled the hidden Arch Mage’s dungeon in Athen.

‘That place will still take time to be excavated.’

He needed to move more diligently since he had to find both Chronos’s seal and the watch’s authentication key.

Zeke carefully put the pocket watch in his inventory.

Then Decker entered the room.

“Young master. Visitors have come.”

“If it’s another banquet invitation or something, send them away politely.”

But Decker shook his head.

“Kali Draker and Helen Draker have come.”

“My sisters?”

Zeke got up and went to the reception room.

Unlike before, Kali and Helen were sitting on the sofa in casual clothes.

Zeke approached and greeted them.

“Welcome. I didn’t expect you both to visit personally.”

Kali smiled at Zeke’s words.

“It’s fine. We can’t order around a busy tournament champion.”

Zeke smiled back and sat across from them.

Then Kali said to Zeke.

“As you expected, Helen is on our side. She participated in the tournament wanting to test your skills personally.”

Zeke nodded at Kali’s words and said to Helen.

“Thank you for your consideration, Lady Helen. If you had used your blood ability, it would certainly have been my defeat.”

Helen flinched at Zeke’s words.

“To think you even know about my blood ability. Zeke, you’re becoming more and more frightening.”

Zeke grinned and said.

“Please consider it personal interest in the Knight of Steel.”

Watching the siblings’ conversation fondly, Kali continued speaking.

“The reason we came like this is because of the current situation at Four Seasons Castle.”

Zeke nodded at Kali’s words.

“You mean keeping Abel Draker in check.”

“Yes. Soon there will be a general meeting in the Council of Elders to propose Abel’s Guardian Knight position.”

Zeke’s expression hardened at those words.

Unlike regular knights, Draker’s Guardian Knights could directly intervene in family operations.

The Council of Elders who presided over general meetings, the Cross Society with internal audit rights, and the Guardian Knights’ Society as the executive body could be seen as Draker’s main power brokers.

If Abel received the Guardian Knight position, his standing within the family would clearly rise much higher.

Kali looked at Zeke and said.

“Abel is persuading the elders to receive the Guardian Knight position at this general meeting.”

Though she said persuading, it was no different from lobbying using the Empire’s power.

“Zeke, there’s something I want to ask of you.”

She continued slowly.

“Go to the Dorta Republic and stop the deal between Abel and the Empire.”

Chapter 89

When Kali spoke, Zeke showed a surprised expression.

“You mean the deal between Abel and the Empire?”

She nodded.

“Yes. We received intelligence. It seems Abel is making a big deal with the Empire. I’m not sure exactly what kind of deal it is, but it appears to be related to the card they’ll present to the elders to obtain the Guardian Knight position.”

After hearing Kali’s words, Zeke asked.

“Is it alright to entrust such an important mission to me?”

“Abel is already on high alert regarding our faction. If any of us slip out, they might cancel the deal immediately. However, it’s difficult to entrust such an important task to an ordinary knight.”

At Kali’s words, Zeke fell into contemplation.

‘If I take on this mission, I’ll officially become Kali Draker’s Confidant.’

As the winner of the martial arts tournament, Zeke’s entry into Four Seasons Castle was confirmed.

Four Seasons Castle was the collective body of the Draker blood alliance.

It was a place filled with nobles from various kingdoms, lords of households, and high-ranking politicians who gathered from across the continent.

To survive here, strong connections were necessary.

In that respect, Kali Draker, as the first in line to succeed as family head and receive the Guardian Knight position, was sufficient as a solid shield to protect Zeke.

‘The problem is that sister Kali dies at the hands of the Pirate King in a few years.’

There were already quite a few things that had changed from his previous life due to his regression to the past.

Considering such circumstances, Zeke judged that he could intervene in the battle between Kali and the Pirate King to save her.

‘If sister stops Abel and safely succeeds as family head, we might be able to prevent the Third Continental War that the Empire will start.’

If that happens, Zeke could more stably focus on training to become the continent’s strongest.

The cleanest method would be to obtain power beyond that of a Black Knight, then formally challenge Kali to receive the family head position and become the absolute ruler.

‘I don’t want to rule over an Atlas that’s been reduced to ruins by war with the Empire.’

Zeke ended his contemplation and answered Kali.

“I understand, sister. I’ll take on that mission.”

At Zeke’s calm words, Kali instead showed a surprised expression.

It wasn’t a mission to decide on easily, but contrary to expectations, Zeke gave an immediate answer.

“Will you really take it on?”

Zeke nodded.

“Yes. When should I depart?”

Kali composed her expression and said.

“There will be a deal at a casino in the Dorta Republic in a week.”

“Then it would be better to leave quickly. I understand. However, I have a request for this mission.”

“What is it? Tell me.”

“I need someone from the Dorta Republic to invite me. Using the pretext of a victory tour party for the martial arts tournament winner.”

At those words, Kali nodded.

“You mean to hide the mission under an official invitation.”

“Yes. For a casino in the Dorta Republic, it would be difficult to enter with a hidden identity. If I move, since I’m the martial arts tournament winner, it will reach Abel’s ears anyway. In that case, it would be better to openly receive an invitation and go to the Dorta Republic. However, since I’ve rejected all invitations so far, I need an invitation from a major figure in Dorta.”

“I understand. I’ll contact Dorta to select an appropriate person to extend an invitation.”

“Thank you, sister.”

Helen, who was beside them, said to Zeke.

“Zeke, while Dorta appears glamorous and full of pleasure on the surface, demons dwell within. You must always be vigilant of your surroundings.”

At Helen’s words, Zeke inwardly gave a bitter smile.

In his previous life, when he lived as a hitman for the Southern Cartel, Zeke had experience running casinos in the Dorta Republic.

He had acquired several hotels in the Dorta Republic to launder the Mekein Cartel’s funds, operating auction houses and gambling dens to launder money from soma sales.

As someone who had been more deeply involved in the underworld than anyone, Zeke well understood what Helen’s concerns meant.

“Thank you, Lady Helen. I’ll take those words to heart.”

“One more thing.”

“Please speak.”

Helen said to Zeke.

“…Speak comfortably to me as well.”

Helen’s face slightly reddened, seemingly embarrassed after speaking.

Zeke nodded with a grin.

“I understand, sister Helen.”

Only after hearing his response did Helen show a satisfied expression.

* * *

The next day, an invitation from the Dorta Republic arrived for Zeke immediately.

Zeke was shocked when he saw the invitation.

“The Jayed family? Good heavens, an invitation directly from Dorta Republic’s wealthiest family?”

While the Dorta Republic was famous for its auction houses and casinos, it was also famous as a mana stone production site.

The Jayed family owned underwater mana stone mines in the Dorta Republic, producing 70% of the mana stones supplied to the continent.

The fact that such a Jayed family could be moved showed the tremendous influence of Kali Draker.

Zeke nodded while looking at the invitation.

“If it’s an invitation from Jayed, other families who had their invitations rejected would understand.”

At that moment, Decker approached Zeke.

“Young master. All documents needed for portal use have been issued.”

Zeke received the Draker Knight-exclusive immigration papers from Decker.

“Thanks, Decker. When did you say we need to get to the terminal?”

“It operates this evening, so you need to leave soon.”

Large-scale portals only operated twice a day.

Moreover, if they missed tonight’s portal to the Dorta Republic, they’d have to wait three more days.

With bad luck, it could take longer than going by ship.

‘When I think about it that way, the system’s portal function is really unfair.’

While there were various restrictions and it required a large amount of karma points, being able to move to any desired location at any time was a huge advantage.

Zeke moved towards the waiting carriage while marveling at the system anew.

Outside, Farrell was training Liam and Felix in the garden.

“Come on! One more time!”

Farrell was an official knight of the historic Thebea Kingdom, a Blue Knight qualifier, and a direct descendant of the prestigious noble Achilles family.

As he was also a famous traditional swordsmanship master, he was perfect for teaching the two Purple Knights.

Zeke had specially requested Farrell to train them.

Felix panted heavily while complaining.

“Ugh… Sir Farrell. I really feel like I’m going to die if we do more.”

Then Liam charged forward first with his sword.

Felix followed after him while wailing and shuddering.

“Ughh! Liam! Please, let’s stop now!”

Watching the two, Zeke said to Decker.

“Tell Sir Farrell to push Felix a bit harder.”

“Yes, young master.”

Zeke stared at Decker who answered politely and said.

“And Decker, reconsider returning as a knight. I need reliable talented people.”

At those words, Decker bowed his head and answered.

“Thank you for your words, young master. But I’m already too rusty to be called a knight.”

“Hmm.”

Far from being rusty, his edge was still visibly sharp and blue.

But seeing Decker reject his request again, Zeke nodded.

“Alright. But when things get urgent, you’ll have to step up too.”

“Understood.”

With that final exchange, Zeke got into the carriage with Decker seeing him off.

Perhaps because he had practically raised him since his previous life, Zeke found himself unconsciously acting spoiled in front of Decker.

‘Still, he seems attached to the sword, but I don’t understand why he’s being so stubborn. Is there something I don’t know?’

Zeke headed to the terminal while thinking various thoughts in the carriage.

When they arrived at the terminal, someone was waiting for him.

“Welcome, Master.”

It was Feinan, dressed in a formal suit.

Zeke had designated Feinan as his companion for this mission.

The two completed VIP processing at the terminal and waited briefly in the lounge.

“Sir Feinan. Is this your first time in the Dorta Republic?”

Feinan shook his head.

“I often go to Dorta to obtain items needed for research. Though this is my first time going by portal.”

Just then, an announcement came on.

“The portal to the Dorta Republic will open soon. Please proceed to the portal shuttle and take your seats.”

Zeke and Feinan used the passage connected to the lounge to sit in first-class seats on the portal shuttle.

Premium leather seats, wine, and various services were provided.

Sitting in his seat eating provided peanuts, Zeke felt the surrounding mana fluctuate.

‘Oh, interesting.’

Soon mana spread through the magic circle surrounding the shuttle and a large portal opened.

The shuttle slowly entered the portal.

Drrrrr!

There was a slight vibration.

Soon the shuttle stopped and the portal gradually closed.

“We have arrived in the Dorta Republic. Have a pleasant journey.”

People began moving busily, and Zeke and Feinan also got off the shuttle and went outside the terminal.

Outside the terminal, an incredibly luxurious carriage was prepared.

It was a golden carriage pulled by six double-humped camels adorned with various ornaments.

Zeke’s expression darkened when he saw the carriage.

‘Don’t tell me?’

“Sir Zeke Draker!”

Just then, a typical Dortan wearing a turban and white clothes with various expensive mana stone ornaments approached Zeke.

He confirmed Zeke’s identity and embraced him.

“Welcome! We welcome you!”

It was quite natural continental common language.

Zeke replied to him in Dortan.

“Thank you for your hospitality.”

The Dortan was surprised when Zeke spoke in Dortan.

“Goodness! You know Dortan! The God of Earth will bless you, Sir Zeke!”

He led Zeke into the golden carriage while making elaborate prayers.

Only after sitting in the carriage did the Dortan introduce himself.

“I apologize for the late introduction. My name is Muhammad bin Abuda Jayed. Second son of the Jayed family.”

Zeke was surprised at those words. While he had guessed from the lavish carriage, he hadn’t expected a direct descendant of the Jayed family to personally come greet him.

He spoke to Zeke.

“First, congratulations on winning the Draker martial arts tournament. Our family’s honor will be elevated further now that Sir Zeke has accepted the Jayed family’s invitation.”

“The shining honor of the Jayed family is known by all on the continent.”

“Indeed, Sir Zeke is an honorable knight. I, Muhammad, am touched.”

After finishing the formal greetings, Muhammad’s expression suddenly changed.

“I heard from Kali Draker.”

At those words, Zeke also straightened his posture.

“Then I won’t need to explain at length. It would be good if you could arrange the casino where the deal will take place in advance, Mr. Muhammad.”

Muhammad waved his hand with a smile.

“Sir Zeke. Pardon my words, but that won’t be necessary.”

“What do you mean?”

Muhammad said with a slight smile.

“No casino in the Dorta Republic can escape the Jayed family’s influence.”

Zeke understood Muhammad’s words to some extent.

‘Well, even when I ran casinos during my cartel days, they caused a lot of problems. Their people kept attacking so much.’

This was actually why Don Juan had sent Zeke to the Dorta casinos.

After Zeke killed all the attackers and hung them in front of the Jayed mansion, they finally proposed a ceasefire.

It was understandable for the Jayed family to show such confidence, given they were said to be richer than the Empire’s emperor in terms of wealth.

Zeke said to Muhammad.

“Very well. Sir Feinan here is an excellent Mage. He plans to place eavesdropping magic in advance at the meeting place where the Empire’s side will proceed.”

Zeke hadn’t brought Feinan for nothing.

He wanted to catch evidence that Abel was trying to break the Draker family’s neutrality oath by dealing with the Empire.

The plan was to install eavesdropping devices in advance and keep them as evidence.

Muhammad showed his white teeth in a smile.

“That won’t be a problem at all. Don’t worry.”

“And I have one more request.”

“What is it? Just say the word.”

Zeke whispered to Muhammad in a low voice.

Muhammad was surprised to hear Zeke’s story.

“T-that…”

“Please, I must ask this of you.”

Muhammad showed a slightly troubled expression before nodding.

“Alright. Since it’s Sir Zeke’s request, I’ll do my best.”

“Thank you, Mr. Muhammad.”

Zeke turned his head to look out the carriage window.

The luxurious carriage was entering a splendid city after passing through the road laid across the Dorta Republic’s wasteland.

The brilliant lights characteristic of Dorta, known as the place without night, flickered abundantly.

Zeke sharpened his mind while looking at the spectacular view.

Chapter 90

The Altara Casino, guided by Muhammad, was famous for being the largest and most luxurious in the Dorta Republic.

Zeke and Feinan were guided to a suite room at the Altara Casino Hotel.

“Sir Zeke, please make yourself comfortable and think of this as your home.”

Muhammad said with a smile.

Then he whispered to Zeke.

“I’ve also taken care of what you mentioned earlier, Sir Zeke.”

Zeke expressed his gratitude to Muhammad.

The next morning, someone came up to Zeke’s room.

It was none other than Black Demon who had crossed over from the South to the Dorta Republic.

What Zeke had asked Muhammad was to let Black Demon, whose identity was unknown, into the Altara Casino.

Despite being a top-tier casino with very strict identity verification, Muhammad specially allowed it as a favor to Zeke.

Black Demon greeted Zeke and said.

“It’s been a while, Black Demon. Or should I call you Boris now. How are you finding life in the South?”

Zeke called Black Demon by his new identity name.

Boris replied with a haggard face.

“It’s fine.”

He looked more worn out than when he was a continental operative in Delpoa, suggesting Simon had been quite rough on him.

Zeke said to Boris.

“You probably know the general situation.”

Boris nodded.

“Yes. I heard there will be a deal between the Empire and Abel Draker.”

“Right. Have there been deals of this scale before?”

Boris shook his head.

“Not that I know of.”

Zeke’s eyes changed.

“That means the relationship between Abel Draker and the Empire is special.”

“More than that. They rarely make such deals even with allied nations.”

It was surprising that the Empire, which rarely made deals even between nations, would make such a large deal with an individual like Abel Draker.

‘Not just Abel, Jiemens must be involved somehow too.’

Zeke was still concerned about how Cain had both the Jiemens family name and that of the Imperial royal family.

“Are there separate connections between Jiemens and the Imperial royal family?”

“I don’t know about the royal family, but I know there are quite a few joint ventures between Jiemens and the Empire.”

“Hmm.”

Zeke explained the operation plan to Boris.

“Starting tomorrow, there will be a celebration banquet at the casino. You should attend and blend in. And check on any Empire people you see.”

“Understood.”

After Boris joined, Zeke accelerated the main operation.

Feinan installed wiretapping magic circles throughout the casino with Boris.

It took a long time to install as they had to set up double and triple security to prevent Imperial magicians from discovering them.

And from the next day, a luxurious banquet hosted by the Jayed family was held at the casino.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

Muhammad knew how to have a good time. He rented out the entire basement club of the hotel and gathered all the young wealthy people in the Dorta Republic.

Zeke, as the guest of honor, mingled with them while drinking.

Though he pretended to be very drunk, he wasn’t drunk at all thanks to his Healing Factor.

While dealing with the young heirs of influential families in the Dorta Republic who wanted to socialize with him, Zeke kept watching the movements of Abel and the Empire’s side.

It was on the second day after the banquet started.

“Master, the Empire’s Intelligence Bureau Special Forces have appeared.”

Zeke tensed up and looked around after hearing Boris’s report through communication magic.

Using Dragon Eye, he could clearly see several different individuals.

The Empire’s Special Forces were elite agents who had completed special training even within the Intelligence Bureau.

‘The fact that Special Forces are here means the Empire’s regents have moved.’

The regents were the true power players who directly moved the Empire under the Emperor.

The Empire’s Special Forces only moved according to these regents’ orders.

‘This could be an even larger scale deal than I thought.’

Zeke pretended not to mind the Special Forces while laughing, chatting, and drinking with the young wealthy people.

* * *

“I hear Zeke Draker is downstairs.”

William said to Abel.

To this, Abel looked at William and said.

“Do you think he’s here because of our deal?”

William shook his head.

“I heard the Jayed family invited him. Makes sense since he won the martial arts tournament.”

Abel sat down in front of William and said.

“The Jayed family, huh. Zeke wouldn’t have enough power to move that family. Kali might be able to though.”

William was shocked at those words.

“Surely not? Even for Kali Draker, the Jayed family wouldn’t be so easily handled.”

Abel glared at William and said.

“William. As I always say, you lack imagination. That’s why you can’t handle Kali Draker.”

William fell silent at Abel’s words.

Abel tapped the desk and asked.

“Is it possible to change the meeting location?”

William made a troubled expression.

“If we suddenly change the meeting location, it would upset the Empire’s side. It might also make our preparations look insufficient.”

Though Abel wanted to move the meeting location elsewhere, as William said, given the Empire’s tendencies, it was likely to not go over well.

Moreover, the counterpart in this transaction was none other than Julius, one of the Empire’s most powerful regents.

‘Dealing with that stubborn old man is going to be quite tricky.’

As Abel had a troubled expression, William looked at his watch and said.

“There’s not much time left until the regent arrives. Moving the meeting location now is practically impossible.”

Abel nodded at William’s words.

“We’ll proceed with the meeting as planned. Just increase the security personnel around and tell the mages to be more thorough with checking for listening devices.”

Abel felt an unusually strong sense of unease.

As William said, there was nothing strange about a martial tournament winner, but Zeke’s presence at the casino at this time just felt somehow suspicious.

‘To consider it merely a coincidence…’

That’s when it happened.

“The Regent has arrived.”

The regent’s arrival was earlier than expected.

Abel and William went down to the prepared conference room.

Soon after they waited, Julius entered, escorted by the Special Forces.

Julius, dressed in the Empire’s distinctive attire, was an elderly man with an aquiline nose and sharp features.

Despite his age, he was large in stature and exuded an aura of dignity throughout his body.

Abel admired Julius as he looked at him.

‘Befitting the Empire’s war hero.’

Though Julius wasn’t a Black Knight, he was the Empire’s great general with excellent tactics and leadership.

At the same time, he was known as the only person in the current Empire who could control the Emperor.

Julius approached Abel and offered his hand first.

“Pleased to meet you. It’s an honor to see the Lion Sword of Draker in person.”

Abel also took Julius’s hand and greeted him.

“I’ve heard much of your reputation, Regent. It’s an honor to meet a hero.”

After exchanging courtesies, the two sat down.

Julius got straight to the point as soon as he sat down.

“I think the Lion Sword is well aware of the situation. Concerns about Carus are growing.”

Abel nodded at those words.

“I understand well. Though I shared a deep friendship with Lord Carus, I believe it’s time to make a major decision for the Empire’s safety and future.”

* * *

Zeke, who was enjoying the banquet, signaled to Muhammad.

Muhammad pretended to be heavily drunk and dragged Zeke into the VVIP room.

The VVIP room had a secret passage that allowed them to go up to the guest room while avoiding others’ eyes.

‘This should be enough of an alibi to avoid Abel’s suspicion.’

After going up to the room through the secret passage, Zeke listened to the listening device with Feinan.

Zeke’s expression gradually hardened as he heard the content of the deal.

The regent and Abel were discussing the Empire’s complicated power dynamics.

It was about appointing the next emperor after the current emperor’s death, but there seemed to be an issue as there wasn’t much difference in votes between the first and second in line for succession.

Moreover, in the case of the second prince supported by Julius, there was concern that those votes might split again with Carus.

In the end, Carus was quite a troublesome existence for Julius and other supporters of the second prince.

The problem was that Carus had the strongest legitimacy among all the princes.

Since directly dealing with Carus could cause internal division in the Empire, Julius took the risk of meeting Abel to make a deal.

Feinan looked at Zeke with a hardened expression and said.

“Master, this… isn’t an ordinary matter…”

Zeke put his finger to his lips, signaling Feinan to say no more.

‘This is bigger than I expected.’

It’s a matter where the regent himself has stepped forward from the Empire’s side.

The deal was that the regent would entrust Abel with handling the Empire’s prince, and in return, provide resources to persuade the elders on Draker’s side.

If this content were to be revealed, it would surely explode into a major scandal.

Zeke quickly asked Boris.

“Is Prince Carus here as well?”

“I’m not sure if it’s the prince, but there is a place heavily guarded by the Special Forces.”

Zeke recalled the Third Continental War from his previous life.

‘Surely Carus didn’t die and led the battlefield with Abel.’

In his previous life, he thought Carus was someone obsessed with blood and madness, but seeing this situation made him think Carus might have been brainwashed after being drawn to Abel and Jiemens’ side.

He told Feinan.

“Sir Feinan, take these records immediately and talk to Muhammad about going to Jason. I’ll arrange for escort from Agamemnon. These records must be handed directly to Kali Draker.”

“Understood. Aren’t you coming with us, Master?”

“I will take Prince Carus away.”

Feinan’s face hardened at Zeke’s words.

He had an intuition that this matter could escalate into something that would shake the entire continent.

“Please be careful.”

After Feinan left, Zeke contacted Agamemnon.

Then he put Bahamut in his inventory and grabbed another sword and dagger.

He put on a mask and left through the hotel window.

Whoosh!

Zeke, who climbed the hotel wall using wind power, used Dragon Eye to look for where Prince Carus might be.

And he found a VIP room where many people presumed to be Special Forces were gathered.

‘Seems like that’s the place.’

Zeke went up to where the VIP room was and entered through its window.

Then he used the stealth skill he had obtained when he caught Gaguk before.

Like how Gaguk blended with darkness to hide his appearance, Zeke’s body melted into the darkness.

‘Good thing I devoured Gaguk back then.’

Zeke stayed hidden on the ceiling as he passed the Special Forces and went inside the room.

Soon he could hear loud noises coming from inside the room.

“Insolent fools! Get out of my way this instant!”

Carus shouted at the Special Forces.

Still, the Special Forces agents were preventing Carus from leaving.

Carus gritted his teeth and threw random objects in the room at the Special Forces agents.

“How dare you stop me?! Move aside now! Can’t you hear the casino calling?!”

He was throwing a tantrum about wanting to go to the casino to gamble.

Zeke looked around at the room’s structure.

‘I don’t see any escape routes.’

With uncertainty about when Abel and the Imperial Regent’s deal would end, now was the only chance to escape with Carus.

Zeke steadied his breathing.

And waited for the enraged Carus to come further inside the room.

“You disrespectful bastards! As soon as I return to the Empire…!”

Whoosh!

Zeke descended from the ceiling and immediately snatched Carus.

Then he drew his sword, imbued it with gold power, and struck the wall.

BOOM!

A large hole opened in the hotel wall.

Zeke held Carus and jumped through the hole.

“Aaaaargh!”

Carus, tucked under Zeke’s side, screamed.

WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Zeke used wind power to slow their fall and landed in the hotel garden.

“Boris! Set off the smoke bombs in the casino and get out!”

Following his order, Boris activated the scroll of smoke bombs he had installed beforehand.

FWOOSH!

Smoke filled not just the casino but all around the hotel.

“F-Fire!”

Others panicked and scrambled to get out, thinking there was a fire.

Thanks to this, even the Special Forces couldn’t easily get out due to being blocked by other people.

The masked Zeke held onto Carus.

“W-Who are you?”

“Your Highness, listen to me carefully. Julius and Abel are trying to kill you right now.”

Carus said in shock.

“W-What do you mean? Julius is my loyal subject, and Abel is a close friend!”

“If what Your Highness says is true, why were the Special Forces forcibly restraining you?”

Carus’s face hardened at Zeke’s words.

He too had felt something was off since arriving in Dorta.

It felt more like they were keeping him from escaping rather than protecting him.

‘Could Julius and Abel really…?’

Zeke spoke to Carus with urgency.

“If you stay here, you’ll either die or be brainwashed. We need to move to a safe place, so follow me.”

Though Carus still looked skeptical, he decided to follow him for now.

Just then, Boris came out from inside riding a horse.

“Boss! We need to leave quickly.”

As Zeke and Boris tried to leave the hotel together, knights who had been waiting outside charged toward Zeke.

They were none other than Abel’s knights.

Chapter 91

“Over there! Block them!”

The Red Lion knights following Abel drew their swords and blocked the path.

If they were delayed here, the Special Forces and Abel would catch up.

Zeke shouted to Boris.

“When I clear the path, escape from here with the prince!”

Zeke placed the prince on Boris’s horse.

As Boris rode his horse to escape outside the hotel, Zeke drew his sword.

Woooong!

Elemental power gathered in Zeke’s sword.

He concentrated the power of wind.

Whoooosh!

Soon a massive storm arose around Zeke, and he swung his storm sword toward the Red Lion knights.

KWAKWAKWAKWA!

The knights couldn’t maintain visibility due to the tremendous gust.

Boris, carrying Carus, rushed forward along the wind path that Zeke had cleared.

Zeke followed behind while swinging his sword at the disoriented Red Lion knights.

BANG!

The knights who clashed with Zeke’s sword imbued with wind power were sent flying.

“Arghhhh!”

Zeke took out the Deep Breath of the Fire Giant potion from his inventory.

WHISK!

As soon as he threw the potion, white flames erupted, creating a massive wall of fire in front of the hotel.

The knights panicked and scattered, unable to cross the wall of fire.

“Damn it! Deploy the Aura Blade!”

The blue knights gathered forward to try to contain the flames with their Aura Blade.

However, the ancient Deep Breath of the Fire Giant potion couldn’t be extinguished so easily.

The knights hesitated to advance further, feeling like their whole bodies would turn to charcoal if they got too close to the flames.

That’s when it happened.

WHOOOOSH!

Suddenly Abel leaped through the air toward the flames.

Simultaneously, he swung his sword at the Deep Breath of the Fire Giant.

KWAKWAKWAKWA!

The wall of flames split apart like a waterfall being parted.

Abel stood in front of the split wall of fire and shouted to the knights.

“Split the Red Lion knights in two. One group comes with me to the terminal and port! The other group pursues the attackers with the Special Forces!”

* * *

DUDUDUDU!

Zeke and Boris galloped into the forest, evading their pursuers.

When the glamorous city view was no longer visible, Zeke asked Boris.

“Is there a way to cross directly to the Central Continent from here?”

Boris shook his head at the question.

“It’s difficult to find a direct route while avoiding Abel Draker and the Imperial Special Forces.”

“Are there other routes?”

Boris contemplated before slowly speaking.

“There are two options. The first is to go north through the kingdom, cross the Central Sea, and detour through the Northern Continent. However, this method requires following the coastline, which has a high risk of being detected by enemies.”

“And the other method?”

“Going through the Beast Forest to the kingdom’s south, crossing the Sea of Death to reach the Southern Continent. From the Southern Continent, we can enter the Central Continent through a portal. However, this method involves threats from magical beasts.”

“We’ll go south.”

Zeke chose to enter the Beast Forest without hesitation.

He judged that dealing with magical beasts would be better than facing the knights.

Boris let out a low groan but nodded.

“Understood.”

He turned his horse to guide Zeke toward the Beast Forest.

Carus, sitting behind Boris, remained silent with a pale face.

Zeke approached Carus and handed him a potion.

“Please drink this. It will warm your body.”

Carus accepted the potion with trembling hands and drank it all.

Color returned to Carus’s face after drinking the health recovery potion.

“…This is much better than before. Thank you, Sir Zeke.”

Zeke was startled by Carus’s words.

“How did you know I was Zeke Draker?”

Carus spoke while steadying his breathing.

“I never forget something I’ve seen once. Your voice and distinct accent can’t be hidden no matter how you try.”

‘Did he follow along willingly because he knew I was Zeke Draker?’

He had thought Carus was just a dissolute prince, but it seemed that wasn’t entirely true.

Zeke said to Carus.

“Your Highness is in quite a dangerous situation.”

Carus nodded at Zeke’s words.

“Yes, if Julius and Abel are both after me, I should consider the entire Central Continent my enemy.”

Zeke shook his head at those words.

“Not necessarily. If we go to Midland and enter Kali Draker’s territory, we can guarantee your safety.”

“Kali Draker. The Silver Knight, you mean. Is she helping me?”

“Kali Draker is the one who sent me here.”

“If it’s the Silver Knight, I can trust her. Sir Zeke, can you safely take me there?”

Zeke nodded.

“I’ll do my best. Though it will be difficult for Your Highness, you must follow my instructions well.”

That’s when something caught Zeke’s senses.

“Stay back with His Highness. I’ll take the front.”

Zeke moved forward with his sword drawn.

Then something dropped from the trees.

“Kaaaaaak!”

A magical beast that looked like a giant flying squirrel lunged at Zeke.

Zeke swung his sword and cut down the flying squirrel.

[You have defeated a creature infected by magical energy.]

[You have gained 10 Karma Points.]

As Zeke expected, he could gain Karma Points by defeating magical beasts.

‘Good. I can secure some points here.’

Boris said to Zeke.

“Boss, we can’t ride horses from here on.”

Zeke decided to dismount and walk deeper into the forest as Boris suggested.

KYAAAAK!

The deeper they went into the forest, the more magical beasts attacked.

Zeke struck down all the beasts lunging from the trees as they headed beyond the forest.

Since it would take at least two days of walking, managing stamina was important.

Zeke distributed food and water from his inventory to Boris and Carus while sustaining himself by absorbing the defeated beasts with Gluttony.

Then an ominous sound echoed across the forest canopy.

KYAAAAAAK!

A flock of sinister-looking birds circled above the forest, letting out screams like tearing flesh.

“Something’s changed in the forest’s atmosphere.”

Boris responded to those words.

“It seems our pursuers have followed us into the forest.”

The knights appeared to be noisily searching the forest for Carus.

Boris’s expression darkened further after speaking.

“Boss, we should pass through the forest quickly. It’ll be trouble if the Master of the Swamp appears.”

“Master of the Swamp?”

At that moment, a massive roar echoed from deep in the forest.

Gooooooooo!

The roar seemed to shake the entire forest.

Boris’s face turned pale.

“I-it’s the Master of the Swamp. The Dortans never venture deep into the Beast Forest for fear of angering the Master of the Swamp.”

From Boris’s reaction, this was no ordinary magical beast.

Zeke nodded.

“Boris, take His Highness deeper inside first. I’ll lure the pursuers elsewhere.”

“Understood.”

* * *

“What do you think you’re doing?”

Row Jiemens, one of the Red Lion Knights’ commanders, spoke sharply to the Special Forces member.

The agent replied to Row.

“I said it would be safer to take a detour than cross this forest.”

Row said to the agent.

“If they reach there first and escape by smuggling ship, will the Special Forces take responsibility?”

The agent couldn’t give a proper response to Row’s words.

He snapped at the Special Forces agent.

“If you don’t want to report to the regent that Carus escaped, we should pursue them quickly.”

Hearing Row’s words, the Special Forces agents reluctantly looked for a way into the Beast Forest, grinding their teeth.

Since the incident occurred before handing Carus over to Abel’s side, the responsibility still lay with the Empire.

Because of this, even though the Red Lion Knights were being rigid, the Special Forces agents had no choice but to follow their instructions.

‘Damn it. Of all places, the Beast Forest.’

While the Beast Forest wasn’t as well-known as the Central Continent’s forbidden area ‘Forest of the Forgotten,’ it was no less dangerous.

As an intelligence organization, the Information Bureau conducted surveys of areas before missions, so they knew well how terrifying the Beast Forest was.

Unlike the cautiously moving Special Forces agents, the Red Lion Knights led by Row were advancing recklessly through the forest.

Though the Special Forces agents were anxious about possibly waking the Master of the Swamp, they couldn’t stop the Red Lion Knights’ actions.

Then magical beasts appeared before the pursuit team.

KRUUUUUR!

It was a massive beast that looked like a bear but definitely couldn’t be called one.

“It’s a Devil Bear! Spread out and engage!”

The Special Forces agents tried to maintain distance while facing the Devil Bear.

However, the Red Lion Knights drew their swords without hesitation and stabbed them into the Devil Bear’s body.

The Devil Bear fell instantly.

Watching this, the Special Forces team leader broke into a cold sweat.

‘To handle a Devil Bear so easily. The Draker knights are truly frightening.’

They continued deeper into the forest while slaying magical beasts.

Then at some point.

GOOOOOOOOO!

A roar echoed from far away. The Special Forces team leader’s face turned pale.

“D-damn. The Master of the Swamp has awakened.”

Row asked the team leader in response.

“Being so afraid of mere beasts, the Special Forces’ reputation seems undeserved.”

Row ignored the team leader’s warning and ventured deeper inside.

However, strangely, the deeper they went, the fewer attacking magical beasts appeared.

The Special Forces team leader sensed something was wrong.

‘The forest shouldn’t be this quiet.’

Then one of the knights triggered a planted scroll.

KWAKWAKWANG!

The explosion scroll detonated, sending vibrations throughout the forest.

Row shouted in surprise to the knights.

“Prepare for ambush!”

From within the smoke, Zeke attacked while stealthed, slicing the knights’ ankles with his dagger.

“Arghh!”

The unsuspecting knights were helpless against Zeke’s attack.

Row shouted.

“Fall back and secure visibility!”

But it was already too late.

Zeke’s sword moved even faster.

Slash!

His sword beheaded the knights.

Row gritted his teeth and raised his Aura Blade.

“Haaah!”

Zeke threw a dagger imbued with Aura at Row.

Clang!

After deflecting the heavy dagger, Row charged straight at Zeke.

Zeke deployed a field of water power against Row.

Elemental Sword

Water Field

Wave Blade

Zeke’s sword strikes surged like a tidal wave, deflecting Row’s sword and creating massive shockwaves that pushed Row back.

KWAKWAKWA!

The repelled Row crashed into a tree. The forest caught in the shockwave was swept away.

“Kuhak!”

Row coughed blood from the massive impact and couldn’t maintain his balance.

The Special Forces agents keeping their distance behind threw chains at Zeke.

CHWARRRRK!

Having succeeded in wrapping chains around his limbs, the Special Forces agents pulled from all directions to try to restrict his movement.

But when Zeke enveloped his body in Aura, they could no longer restrain him with chains.

Instead, when Zeke pulled the chains, the Special Forces agents were nearly dragged along.

“Ugh! What insane strength….,!”

Just as Zeke quickly subdued all the Red Lion knights and Special Forces agents.

Suddenly something strange happened to the forest floor.

SSSSSSS!

The normal ground transformed into a swamp.

The Special Forces team leader shouted in surprise.

“Get up in the trees immediately!”

The Special Forces agents who realized the situation quickly regained their senses and climbed the trees, but the Red Lion Knights couldn’t.

“AAAAAGH!”

Most of them floundered and sank into the swamp.

“S-save me!”

The knights trapped in the muddy swamp tried to escape using Aura, but it was useless.

The more they struggled, the stronger the swamp’s force pulled the knights down.

“Aaaaagh!”

Finally, all the knights who couldn’t climb the trees disappeared beneath the swamp.

Row, who had been leaning against a tree, regained his senses and barely managed to climb up a nearby tree.

He broke into a cold sweat seeing all his subordinates swallowed by the swamp.

“W-what is this?”

The Special Forces team leader shouted while clenching his teeth.

“Damn it, the Master of the Swamp has appeared! We need to get out of here quickly!”

THUD! THUD! THUD!

The sound of something massive approaching could be heard from the other side of the forest.

Chapter 92

‘What is that?.’

Zeke also looked at the being appearing from beyond the forest from atop the tree.

GOOOOOOO!

A massive monster appeared, looking as if it was molded from dirty mud and sewage.

HISSSSS!

The trees touched by the body fluid dripping from the monster’s body melted away while emitting smoke.

The area around the monster transformed into a bubbling swamp.

The swamp sucked in all moving living beings below.

Zeke observed the monster with his dragon eye.

[A Great dragon species completely corrupted by tainted energy.]

‘A corrupted Great dragon species?’

Like the hydra found in Kaisir’s resting place, it seemed the swamp master was also one of the dragon species corrupted by tainted energy.

At that moment, the swamp master raised its head and opened its mouth wide toward those on the trees.

KAAAAAAAH!

Suddenly, a sticky liquid shot out from the monster’s mouth.

SPLASH!

The tense special forces agents jumped to different trees to avoid the liquid that shot out from the monster’s mouth.

However, the knights who felt safe after climbing the trees and failed to dodge the liquid ended up being drenched by it.

HISSSSS!

“AAAAAGH!”

The knights covered in acidic liquid screamed as their entire bodies melted away.

Even the Draker knights’ uniforms, which effectively blocked physical and magical attacks, were useless against the monster’s acidic liquid.

Row, who luckily avoided the acidic liquid, moved to another tree while breaking out in cold sweat.

“HUFF. HUFF.”

But the monster was persistent.

Suddenly, its back began moving in waves, and tentacles covered in sticky body fluid shot out.

Splash!

Dozens of tentacles shot out and wrapped around the special forces agents and knights on the trees.

“AAAAAGH!”

The bodies wrapped in tentacles began melting, as the fluid covering the tentacles was also acidic.

Then the monster’s back split open and swallowed the knights and agents wrapped in its tentacles.

Row swung his sword from the tree to cut down the tentacles shooting out from the monster.

“HAAH!”

The tentacles were cut by Low’s Aura Blade as a Blue Knight.

However, he couldn’t maintain the Aura Blade forever.

A tentacle that had snuck into his blind spot suddenly grabbed Row’s arm.

“Ugh!”

Row succeeded in cutting off the tentacle with his sword again.

But the acidic solution on the tentacle had melted half of his arm.

He cut off his increasingly melting arm with his sword.

“Huff. Huff.”

Row’s face turned pale after cutting off his own left arm.

‘I need to escape from here somehow.’

There was no time to think about knightly honor or such things.

Like facing an unstoppable force of nature, Low felt an immense sense of despair before the swamp master.

“Haaaaah!”

Low concentrated Aura in his legs and moved between the trees.

The tentacles chased after Low as he fled quickly.

Just as he was about to completely escape the monster’s territory while cutting down tentacles with his sword.

Splash!

Acidic solution was sprayed like black rain falling from the sky.

“Ah! No!”

Hit by the solution, Row couldn’t dodge and his entire body began melting.

The tentacles grabbed and dragged the half-melted Low.

Low disappeared into the monster’s body.

Gooooooo!

The monster roared even louder, shaking the entire forest.

Using his stealth skill, Zeke analyzed the attack range while observing the movements of the monster’s extending tentacles.

‘Impressive.’

Dozens of tentacles stretched in all directions. Not only were they freely mobile, but they also secreted acidic solution that was fatal even from a slight touch.

Seeing that the acidic solution penetrated the dragon scale armor and even the healing factor recovered slowly, he wore a serious expression.

‘Now I understand why it’s called the swamp master.’

It was hard to believe that in the age of Terakan Draker, they fought dragons more powerful than this kind of dragon species.

But if he ran away now and the monster chasing him caught Carus, all his efforts so far would have been for nothing.

He discarded his sword corroded by the monster’s acidic solution and took out Bahamut from his inventory.

Then he activated Hersion.

WHOOSH!

Hersion covered his entire body.

With both the special forces and Red Lion knights completely annihilated, there was no reason to hide anymore.

Bahamut with its indestructible property and Orichalcon, the divine metal, could withstand the acidic solution.

Woong!

After gripping Bahamut and equipping Hersion, Zeke summoned Bucephalus.

“Bucephalus! Let’s go!”

When he mounted its back, Bucephalus leaped into the air.

Splash!

The monster’s tentacles persistently chased after Zeke and Bucephalus moving through the air.

‘Those tentacles make it difficult to find an opening to attack.’

That’s when it happened.

Neigh!

As if reading Zeke’s mind, Bucephalus suddenly changed direction and charged toward the tentacles.

Then lightning began to surge from the horn on its head.

Crackle!

Suddenly, powerful lightning poured from Bucephalus’s horn.

BOOM!

White lightning strands struck the tentacles.

SIZZLE

The tentacles hit by lightning burned black and turned to ash.

KAAAAAAAK!

The monster twisted its entire body as if in pain.

Zeke was startled by the powerful lightning Bucephalus created.

“Wow, Bucephalus, they said you were the King of War Horses and they weren’t kidding!”

Bucephalus freely jumped through the air, pouring lightning toward the approaching tentacles.

BOOM!

The lightning-struck tentacles dropped to the ground.

Zeke grinned.

“Good! Bucephalus, keep blocking those tentacles! I’ll launch one big attack!”

Zeke stood on Bucephalus’s back holding his sword.

“HAAAAAH!”

As Zeke gathered energy in his sword, an Aura Blade over 3 meters long formed.

He leaped from Bucephalus’s back and swung his sword toward the monster.

Dragon-Slaying Sword Technique Secret Art

Third Form

Giant Dragon Slash

One of the secret arts of the Dragon-Slaying Sword Technique that splits a giant dragon’s body.

Zeke’s Aura Blade sliced the monster’s back.

SPLASH!

The monster hit by Zeke’s attack twisted its body and opened its mouth wide.

KAAAAAAAK!

At the same time, black acidic liquid shot toward Zeke in the air.

Zeke used wind force field to change direction in mid-air.

“Here comes another big one!”

Then he gathered fire power in his sword.

Woong!

Fire power gathered in Zeke’s sword.

The gathered flames turned blue.

Zeke swung his flaming sword at the monster.

Elemental Sword

Fire Force Field

Blue Flame Dance

Dozens of blue flame swords poured from Zeke’s sword and pierced the monster’s body.

KAAAAAAAK!

As the fire swords burned its body, black smoke rose and the monster screamed in agony.

Then immediately tentacles poured out from its entire body.

Splash!

Hundreds of tentacles covered in powerful acidic solution flew toward Zeke.

Splash!

The tentacles wrapped around Zeke’s body equipped with Hersion.

Several messages appeared.

[External corrosion and attack attempt detected]

[Automatically executing available defense magic from activatable magic circles]

[Mana supplied from Dragon Heart connected to system]

[6th Circle Magic ‘Plasma Field’ executed]

Woong!

Purple and blue plasma burst out from Hersion.

Sizzle!

All tentacles touched by the plasma lost their form and disappeared into ashes.

Hundreds of tentacles scattered in an instant.

Zeke was startled by the plasma bursting from Hersion.

‘They said it had grand magic circles engraved, but automatic execution of 6th Circle magic?’

A battle mage who could operate 6th Circle magic without chanting during combat would need to be at least 7th Circle.

Considering the current Magic Tower Lord was 8th Circle, this Hersion’s power was truly tremendous.

The monster hit by the Plasma Field howled in pain.

Soon the magic’s effect ended and Zeke, floating in the air, began falling.

“Bucephalus!”

Bucephalus circled through the air and caught the falling Zeke.

Gooooooo!

The swamp master stretched its long neck up and roared even louder.

The entire forest shook.

The forest quietly stirred as hiding monsters concealed themselves deeper in fear.

That’s when it happened.

A strange sound emerged from the monster.

[……Cursed…… Dragon Slayer…… Hatred……!]

It was like speaking through vibrations.

Zeke realized this sound was the language of the Chronos era that Kaisir had spoken of before.

The system automatically translated the monster’s language.

‘It knows about Dragon Slayers? Could it be a dragon species that survived from the Dragon Slayer era?’

Seeing it could speak, it seemed this was no ordinary dragon species.

It might even be a real dragon corrupted by evil magic.

‘I didn’t expect there would be dragons still surviving until now. It would be good if we could talk, but it doesn’t seem like a situation for dialogue.’

That’s when it happened.

KAAAAAAAK!

The monster raised its upper body while howling.

Then suddenly something grew from its back.

Splash!

A pair of wings shot out from its back.

The wings also had slimy organisms writhing like mud.

The monster flapped its wings.

Whoosh!

Then sticky organic matter began spraying in all directions.

Hisssss!

The decaying organic matter contaminated not just trees and grass, but even the ground.

Bucephalus ran through the air avoiding all the decay matter the monster sprayed. While doing so, it struck lightning down at the monster.

BOOM!

White lightning strands struck the monster’s body directly.

The monster opened its mouth wide and breathed black poisonous smoke toward Bucephalus.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The poisonous smoke, far more threatening than poison liquid, filled everywhere.

Bucephalus flew higher to avoid the poisonous smoke.

[Detected lethal poison breathed by ancient dragon species.]

[???’s armor automatically purifies lethal poison.]

Surprisingly, Hersion also had a function to automatically purify poison.

‘The more I see, the more amazing it is.’

He thought that without this Hersion, dealing with the swamp master would have been much more difficult.

Zeke stroked Bucephalus’s mane and said.

“Bucephalus! Fry that thing with lightning!”

Neigh!

As if responding to Zeke’s words, lightning surged from Bucephalus’s horn again.

BOOM!

Dozens of lightning strands pierced through the rampaging monster’s body.

At the same time, Zeke held his sword and took the stance of the Dragon Slaying Technique.

A huge Aura Blade rose displaying its majesty.

“HAAAAAAH!”

Zeke leaped from Bucephalus’ back and charged at the magical beast paralyzed by lightning.

Then he swung Bahamut imbued with Aura Blade.

Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword Form

Chapter 7 Verse 1

Dragon Head Cutting

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!

Zeke’s sword cleanly cut through the beast’s neck.

Splash!

The beast’s head fell onto the swampy ground.

The head slowly sank into the swamp.

Simultaneously, the cut area writhed and tried to regrow a head like a hydra.

The swamp and the beast seemed to be connected.

Zeke realized cutting off its head was useless.

‘Since it’s a dragon species, I need to destroy its core – the Dragon Heart.’

Zeke deployed a wind field, jumped into the air, mounted Bucephalus, and circled in the air again.

Now was his chance, while it hadn’t fully regenerated its head and regained consciousness.

‘Aim precisely and take it down in one strike.’

Zeke raised his sword and aimed at where the beast’s heart would be.

Woooong!

As power concentrated, Bahamut roared fiercely.

When Bahamut’s heart in Zeke’s diantan moved, light rose from the marking on his chest.

Zeke gripped his sword and took the Dragon Slaying stance.

Aura gathered around Bahamut like a whirlwind.

Kwakwakwakwa!

Zeke’s Dragon Slaying Technique contained the essential principles of the True Dragon Sword passed down by Sword Saint Sethon’s Draker.

As heir to the Sword Saint, Zeke revived the true form of the Dragon Slaying Technique in this era.

Kugugugugu!

A storm of Aura swirled around Zeke’s sword.

“Haaaaaah!”

Zeke swung his sword forcefully from atop Bucephalus.

Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword Form

Chapter 6 Verse 2

Dragon Heart Pierce

PIIIIING!

Like a massive lance piercing a dragon’s heart, Zeke’s sword strike accurately struck the beast’s heart.

Chapter 93

KWAKWAKWAKWA!

Zeke’s aura lance precisely pierced the magical beast’s heart.

The beast, with its head almost fully regenerated, let out a long roar from the pain of its core being pierced.

GOOOOOOOOOOO!

A hole was punctured cleanly through where its heart was.

The wings that had sprouted from the monster’s back disappeared as if melting away.

KAACKKK!

With a death cry, the monster staggered and collapsed to the ground.

Watching the monster from atop Bucephalus, Zeke descended slowly while maintaining his guard.

“Attacking the core was the right answer.”

Simultaneously, a message appeared before Zeke’s eyes.

[True Dragon Sword Technique(S) skill level has increased from Beginner to Expert.]

The True Dragon Sword Technique left by Sethon Draker was a technique created to persistently target a dragon’s vital points.

In contrast, the dragon slaying techniques currently taught at Draker had been modified for combat against humans rather than dragons.

After Terakan Draker, many families created their own secret arts and applications based on the dragon slaying techniques, leaving only the basic dragon slaying technique in its original form.

Both Draker and the blood-allied families focused only on modified applications and secret techniques, considering basic dragon-slaying techniques merely as entry-level swordsmanship.

However, while mastering Sethon Draker’s True Dragon Sword Technique, Zeke realized that the real essence of dragon-slaying techniques lay within the basic forms.

While the sword forms and patterns were important, the key aspects of the True Dragon Sword Technique were how to combine and utilize aura with these techniques, and how to link the various forms together.

Zeke was able to grasp the essence of the True Dragon Sword Technique through his battle with the Master of the Swamp.

‘Now I clearly understand the meaning of True Dragon Sword Technique – to slay dragons.’

As the monster fell, the area that had completely transformed into a swamp was slowly returning to its original state.

Zeke rode Bucephalus down to the ground.

Then he approached the fallen monster.

Still not completely dead, the mud-like substance on its skin surface was slightly writhing.

That’s when it happened.

The mud-like skin flowed down, revealing the monster’s eyes that had been covered beneath.

Those eyes were similar to those of Bahamut that Zeke had seen in Sethon Draker’s vision.

‘Is it really a dragon?’

Then something was transmitted into Zeke’s mind.

‘…..Dragon slayer…… thank you……’

Unlike earlier when the words were cut off with buzzing sounds, the message was clearly conveyed this time.

Zeke was taken aback by the monster’s words of gratitude.

“What do you mean by thank you? More importantly, are you a dragon? Then why are you in this form…?”

While Zeke was pouring out questions, the monster seemed to have breathed its last, closing the eyes it had barely opened.

The mud-like organic matter covered the monster’s face again, leaving no trace of the dragon-like eyes.

Zeke looked at the dead Master of the Swamp.

It felt somehow different from other monsters he had hunted in both his previous life and current one.

‘A dragon thanking a dragon slayer. And Bahamut, known as an evil dragon, being Terakan Draker’s contract dragon. There seems to be something unknown here.’

The Draker family also had limited information about Terakan Draker.

Including the unknown legend of the dragon slayer, the Draker family kept many secrets.

‘Once I take control of the family, all these secrets will be revealed too.’

After contemplating what to do with the dead monster or dragon’s corpse, Zeke decided to absorb it using Gluttony.

Though its exact identity was unknown, it was certainly a dragon species, so he judged there would be much to gain from using Gluttony on it.

‘But I wonder if I’ll be okay after devouring this.’

Though there hadn’t been any problems so far, he couldn’t help feeling uneasy remembering all the acidic liquid and poison that had been sprayed.

“Well, it should be fine. Hope I get some good skills.”

Zeke decided to absorb the corpse using Gluttony.

SSSSSS!

Zeke’s shadow spread and enveloped the beast, absorbing it completely.

Soon, the monster’s body was absorbed directly into Zeke’s shadow.

Perhaps due to its size, the absorption took quite some time.

Finally, the Devour shadow completely consumed the monster.

Simultaneously, message windows appeared.

[You have devoured a corrupted dragon species infected by tainted energy.]

[Consumed HP, MP, and Mental Power are restored.]

[Gluttony skill level increased as reward for devouring designated elimination target.]

[Gluttony can now absorb items and gain their abilities.]

[Acquired the ‘Decay’ authority from the devoured creature.]

[Dragon Heart absorption partially releases Bahamut’s heart seal. Current compression seal: 80%.]

[You have gained 1000 Karma Points.]

[You have gained 3 Random Boxes.]

“Oh?”

The rewards were immense compared to when he had only absorbed one hydra head.

Zeke was surprised by one of the messages that appeared.

“I can devour items too?”

Though he wanted to test what this function did, given the situation, he decided to try it later.

“Got an authority, massive points, True Dragon Sword Technique skill increase, and even random boxes. It was tough, but I gained a lot.”

Zeke mounted Bucephalus with a satisfied expression.

Then he quickly rushed towards where Boris and Prince Carus were.

* * *

“Your Highness, this way.”

Boris led the prince to hide deeper into the forest.

Perhaps due to the swamp’s master, no other magical beasts were visible.

However, at the same time, their pursuers could chase them without interference from magical beasts.

“Ugh!”

Boris clenched his teeth as his wound opened up.

He tore his clothes to stop the bleeding, then caught his breath.

The special forces persistently pursued Carus.

‘Damn. It’s my old territory but these guys are really tough.’

The special forces that split from Low’s group had chased them deep into the forest of magical beasts.

Although Boris was also a special agent from Information Bureau’s 13th Division and a Blue Knight, he was outmatched against the special forces while protecting Carus.

‘Can we hold out until boss arrives.’

His new boss Zeke was truly a monster of a person.

So he believed they could escape if he came.

That’s when one of the special forces approached where Boris was hiding.

“I don’t know who you are but your skills are impressive. Our side had quite a difficult time too.”

The special forces member started negotiating.

“You won’t be able to escape with the prince anyway. Let me make you a proposal. Hand over the prince. Then I’ll guarantee your life.”

Boris knew better than anyone that those words were lies.

They would never let them go knowing the empire’s dark secrets.

He held his sword and watched his surroundings.

‘They’ll definitely stab me in the back after saying that.’

Boris drank the potion Zeke gave him and took out a scroll from his pocket.

Having used several to escape pursuit, only a few remained.

‘Not sure how long we can hold out with this.’

That’s when the special forces member shouted again.

“This is not a lie! I really will guarantee your life!”

Boris was preparing to throw a smoke scroll and escape.

But then.

“I will come out! Let this person go!”

Unexpectedly, Carus stood up first and tried to go towards the special forces.

Boris was shocked.

“Your Highness! What are you doing?!”

Carus spoke with a bitter expression.

“You’ve done enough. I will surrender so escape from here alive.”

Carus had naively fallen for the special forces’ negotiation.

That’s when.

Whoosh!

Special forces members rushed in from behind and immediately subdued Boris and Carus.

“Prince Carus secured.”

At those words, the negotiating special forces member grinned.

THUD!

Suddenly a dagger pierced the special forces member’s temple.

He collapsed without even screaming.

The special forces members who subdued Carus and Boris were shocked.

“Enemy in hiding! Stay alert!”

Thud!

Before those words finished, daggers pierced the necks of two special forces members.

Boris got up and grabbed Carus.

“Get up! We need to escape from here!”

Carus followed Boris running with a dazed expression.

The special forces chased after them again.

But something jumped out from the forest and blocked the special forces.

Whoosh!

Zeke faced off against the charging special forces with his sword.

Woong!

As shields automatically spread from his armor, all the special forces members’ attacks were deflected.

“No, this can’t…”

Before finishing ‘be happening!’, the special forces member’s head fell off.

After dealing with all the special forces members, Zeke followed after Boris.

When Zeke caught up, Boris and Carus showed relieved expressions.

“Boss!”

“Boris, how long until we reach the smuggling ship?”

“We need to cross that mountain to reach the coast.”

“The pursuers may have gone around the forest. Even if it takes longer, we can’t be certain. Let’s hurry.”

* * *

Zeke’s group took another full day to pass through the magical beast forest and move towards the southern coast.

Fortunately, no more pursuit teams sent by the special forces were visible.

After crossing the mountain, they could see the ocean.

“Boss, this way.”

Zeke’s group moved to the southern coast where smuggling ships dock.

The southern Republic of Dorta was close to the Sea of Death with rough waves and volcanic rock terrain, so people rarely approached.

Due to these geographical conditions, smugglers from the southern continent used it as a base to enter the Republic of Dorta.

The safer route was through the northern kingdom, but given the situation, they had no choice but to take the southern route.

Zeke asked Boris.

“Are smuggling ships always docked there?”

“Most smugglers using the southern route bring in drugs. Since there’s high demand for soma in Casino City, small smuggling ships constantly come and go.”

“I see. But will they willingly take us to the southern continent?”

“If we say we’re with the Syndicate, they won’t be able to refuse.”

The Syndicate that controlled the southern cartel was not something small smugglers could deal with. Zeke nodded in understanding at Boris’s words.

Zeke’s group headed towards the cave where smugglers had set up camp, passing through the volcanic rock area.

As they were almost there, fighting sounds could be heard from inside the cave.

Paching!

KWAKWAKWANG!

Zeke raised his hand signaling to fall back.

“Looks like they’ll discover the smuggling ship dock.”

Boris gritted his teeth at the enemies’ persistence.

If they couldn’t board a smuggling ship here, it would be difficult to find a route out.

“Boris. Guard His Highness. I’ll go check it out.”

After using his stealth skill, Zeke slowly approached the volcanic cave where fighting was occurring.

Looking in, surprisingly, Draker’s knights were fighting with smugglers.

‘Those are Red Lion knights.’

As Zeke expected, they seemed to be pursuers who had gone around the coast to chase them.

Fortunately, neither Abel nor William were visible.

That’s when someone from the Red Lion knights shouted.

“Capture all those bastards!”

As knights rushed into the cave, smugglers shot crossbows and threw military magic bombs at the knights from behind cover installed inside.

KWAKWAKWANG!

Although they were Draker knights with skills above purple knight rank, the magic bombs were powerful enough to cause serious injury if careless.

Knights who underestimated them as mere smugglers hesitated at the unexpected counterattack.

The smugglers’ defense was surprisingly solid with military magic weapons that had flowed out from the southern cartel.

‘Need to create an opening by diverting the Red Lions’ attention.’

After observing the situation, Zeke took out explosive magic scrolls purchased from the store and began moving quickly and stealthily.

At that time, Donner Rafelt, one of the Red Lion Knights’ squad leaders commanding the knights, wore an irritated expression.

“Damn it. Can’t even handle guys like that.”

The Red Lion Knights consisted of young knights who followed Abel.

Most lacked combat experience in close quarters fighting like this since they mainly hunted outlaws in the central continent or massacred poorly armed rebels.

Unlike usual, Donner grew irritated as his squad members failed to cleanly sweep away the enemies.

He raised his sword and shouted.

“Move aside! I’ll go in and sweep them all away.”

But then something flew in from behind.

KWAKWAKWAKWANG!

It was the sound of real magic exploding, not military magic bombs thrown by smugglers.

Chapter 94

“D-Damn it’s magic! Dodge!”

KWAKWAKWANG!

Though it was actually Zeke’s explosive magic scroll activating, Donner mistook it for real magic due to its similar power.

“A mage! Find the mage!”

When magic suddenly flew from behind, the knights tensed up, retreated, and searched for the attacking mage.

But that was the wrong choice.

Zeke had already planted explosive scrolls in places they were likely to dodge to.

KWAKWAKWANG!

Hidden scrolls activated causing explosions.

“Urgh!”

While other knights would have been wiped out by these explosions, these were still Draker’s knights.

They quickly protected themselves with aura and rolled to dodge the explosions.

The Draker knights’ uniforms, which effectively blocked magic, also helped protect them.

Donner drew his sword and shouted.

“Damn it, who is it?!”

A tremendous wind blew towards the knights who couldn’t regain their senses from the consecutive explosions.

Donner saw the wind and shouted.

“Dodge!”

Some knights jumped into the sea, while others rolled behind rocks to hide.

The wind Zeke created swept the surroundings, blocking visibility.

During this time, Zeke remained hidden and slit the throats of knights hiding behind rocks.

“Guhk!”

Since he covered their mouths and stabbed vital points instantly, even Draker knights were helpless.

When the wind disappeared, squad leader Donner barely regained his senses and tried to gather his squad members.

But looking around, all his squad members were already dead.

“H-How is this possible?”

Then someone stood behind Donner.

He felt the sharp sensation of a dagger coming for his throat.

“Where is Abel?”

Donner cautiously looked for an opening to swing his sword.

Slash!

Zeke cut off Donner’s arm with the sword in his other hand.

“Arghh!”

Zeke held Donner’s severed arm and asked again.

“Answer now and I’ll give you a potion. The faster you answer, the higher chance of reattachment.”

Donner clutched his severed arm while breathing heavily.

A knight with a severed arm was worthless.

His lips trembling, he opened his mouth.

“C-Commander is at the terminal…”

Slash!

Before Donner could finish speaking, Zeke cut off his head.

He never intended to let him live anyway.

Zeke signaled Boris who was hiding.

While Zeke protected Carus, Boris would enter the cave to negotiate with the smugglers.

Soon after, Boris brought several armed smugglers.

The vigilant smugglers came out of the cave with weapons.

Zeke asked their apparent leader in southern language.

“Do you have a ship? We need to go to the southern continent right now. We’ll pay the price.”

The smuggler replied to Zeke.

“No payment needed since you saved our lives. But we can’t sail right now.”

“Storm coming?”

The smuggler shook his head.

“The big one comes out in weather like this.”

Boris beside him added.

“He means sea monsters appear.”

Zeke told the smuggler.

“If sea monsters appear, I’ll handle them. Just ready the ship.”

At his words, the smugglers whispered among themselves.

Then they soon nodded.

“Southerners repay debts even at the cost of their lives. We’ll launch the ship but can’t guarantee arrival.”

“Understood.”

The smugglers went back into the cave.

Surprisingly, they laid rails to the coast and pulled out a ship from inside the cave.

The ship soon floated on the sea, and Zeke boarded with Carus.

He first checked for traps with Dragon Eye, but fortunately found no hidden assassins or explosives.

“Rest here for now.”

Unexpectedly, Carus kept up well with Zeke and Boris’s forced march.

Though they gave him potions when his stamina dropped, he fared better than most soldiers.

Zeke asked Carus.

“Your Highness, have you received military training before?”

Carus nodded at those words.

“Yes. I received field training. How did you know?”

“Those who only received knight training have trouble enduring marches and field situations.”

Carus nodded at those words.

“Some noble knights are like that, all style. But I served my full 3 years and was discharged from active duty.”

Zeke was more surprised at Carus’s words.

“You responded to conscription despite being royalty?”

The Rom Empire adopted conscription.

All young men and women had to serve 3 years in the military.

But most nobles avoided service duty with various excuses.

The same went for royalty.

So it became very natural for royalty and nobles to not join the military.

In such circumstances, it was naturally surprising that Prince Carus, who held succession rights, completed active military service.

“Is it strange that I’m a reserve soldier?”

“It’s unexpected. I thought you only liked drinking and gambling.”

“That’s quite a rude remark, but since you saved my life, I’ll let it slide. Sir Zeke, I am an artist. An artist should not only know how to enjoy the arts but also have many other experiences. The famous minstrel Paris of the Holy Empire was a legendary bard performer, an excellent soldier, and also a representative swordsman of that era.”

Zeke was somewhat impressed to see this unexpected side of Carus.

In his previous life, he had handled several VIP rescue missions, and dealing with immature nobles was more challenging than facing ten knights.

While talking with Carus about various things, the preparations were completed.

“Boss, they say we’re ready to depart now.”

“Alright. Boris, you should get some rest too.”

Soon the ship set sail, and the Dorta Republic gradually faded into the distance.

Then the smuggler ship’s captain approached Zeke.

“With this wind, it will take about ten days. However, as I mentioned, I can’t guarantee we’ll safely reach the Southern Continent.”

“Is it because of the monster you mentioned earlier?”

“That’s part of it, and it’s also hard to predict how pirates might act outside of set days and times.”

“Pirates, huh. I thought the Favela Cartel was disbanded and scattered.”

The captain shook his head.

“Those ones abandoned their pirate honor and went ashore, so they’re not even considered pirates anymore.”

“So there are other pirates besides them?”

“Yes. There are some dangerous ones operating around the Death Waters. We usually pay a toll to pass through, but if we’re unlucky, we’ll become fish food.”

In other words, it was all at the pirates’ discretion.

Zeke nodded.

“I understand. If we encounter pirates, I’ll handle them.”

The captain bowed and returned to the deck.

Though worried that Abel’s forces might pursue by ship, fortunately, no pursuing vessels were in sight.

‘I hope Sir Feinan arrived safely. I’ll have to trust that Muhammad handled it properly.’

Sitting in the cabin, Zeke opened his status window after a long time to check his current abilities.

[Intermediate Administrator Status Window]

Name: Zeke Draker

Class: Immortal (Unique Grade)

Titles:One Blessed by the Great Dragon, Heir of Terakan Draker, Successor of the Sword Saint.

Powers: Dragon-Race Domination, Decay.

Constitution: Heavenly Bone Body, Poison immunity.

System Functions: Inventory(100 slots) / Mini Map (Portal travel) / Intermediate Quest Book / Skill Shortcut Slots / Potion Shortcut Slots /

Passive Skills: Healing Factor / Sturdy Mental Defense / Infinite Stamina / Combat Sense

Special Skills: Wind Storm [A-grade(Proficient)] / Elemental Sword [S-grade(Proficient)] / True Dragon Sword Technique [S-grade(Proficient)]

Active Skills: Lightning [A-grade(Beginner)] / Flash Bang[C-grade(Proficient)] / Dissonance [C-grade(Proficient)] / Magic Reflection [A-grade(Beginner)] / Area Buff [A-grade(Beginner)] / Stealth [A-grade(Beginner)] / Curse Reflection [A-grade(Beginner)]

Dragon Race Skills(2nd Stage Release): Dragon Eye (Proficient) / Dragon’s Dignity (Proficient) / Gluttony (Expert) / Incantation (Locked) / Dragon Scale Armor(Proficient) / Dragon’s Claws (Proficient)

Karma Points: 2410 points

‘It’s grown quite a bit since I first saw it.’

Zeke checked the information on his new power ‘Decay’.

―Power Information―

Decay: Ability to cause decay in anything touched.

‘So I can make anything decay.’

Since it was an ability that wasn’t immediately clear, he decided to learn about the Decay power gradually.

Zeke smiled with satisfaction at seeing over 2,000 Karma points.

Then Zeke opened three random boxes he had been given.

―Upper Body Armor Information―

Description: Upper body armor made of cloud iron, which is both sturdy and light

Unique Ability: None

Special Note: Unique ability activates when cloud iron full set is completed

―Helmet Information―

Description: Helmet made of cloud iron, which is both sturdy and light

Unique Ability: None

Special Note: Unique ability activates when cloud iron full set is completed

―Longsword Information―

Description: Longsword made of cloud iron, which is both sturdy and light

Unique Ability: None

Special Note: Unique ability activates when cloud iron full set is completed

All three were equipment made of cloud iron.

‘The gauntlets, boots, and lower body armor from before were also made of cloud iron.’

Then a message window appeared.

[Cloud Iron full set has been completed.]

[When equipped with the full Cloud Iron set, Unique ability ‘Magic Shield’ activates automatically.]

‘Magic Shield? Does that mean a defense barrier forms automatically? Lucky that the full set was completed right away.’

Zeke immediately equipped the full Cloud Iron armor set.

The Cloud Iron armor itself was woven tightly like cloth rather than plate armor, making it very comfortable to move in.

‘Good. I’ll use this when I need to move while hiding my identity.’

* * *

During the voyage, Zeke taught Carus basic survival skills on the ship.

Perhaps due to his knight and military training, he picked things up better than expected.

More than anything else, Zeke focused on teaching Carus how to use a crossbow and shield.

“Other knights only trained intensively with swords, but Sir Zeke is different.”

“Those fools usually die from arrow shots.”

Carus nodded at Zeke’s blunt words.

In actual combat situations, the most threatening thing to knights was suddenly incoming arrows.

If one could maintain an aura state constantly, arrows wouldn’t be threatening at all, but when exhausted, even a single arrow could cause fatal wounds.

Generally, even after promotion to purple knight, though armor became gradually lighter, this was why vital points remained covered.

Since his life depended on it, Carus learned survival skills diligently.

This was possible because they were having a fairly relaxed voyage with no imperial warships in pursuit. However, a problem soon arose.

On the third day, the sea suddenly began to get rough.

“What’s happening?”

The smugglers shouted, pale with fear.

“B-big one… A big one is coming!”

It seemed the monster they’d been worried about since departure was approaching.

Zeke drew Bahamut and scanned the sea.

But nothing was visible except the rough waves.

In his previous life, he had faced monsters at sea several times.

However, back then he had lured the monsters to land and hunted them using various equipment.

Despite being in a more difficult situation than before, Zeke calmly took out the ‘Whale’s Breath’ he had bought in advance from his inventory and drank it.

Thanks to this, he could now breathe even if he fell into the sea.

That’s when it happened.

KUGUUGUGUGU!

A massive sound echoed from beneath the sea.

The sailors began praying in terror.

Then something approached from under the sea.

CRASH!

A powerful wave hit the ship’s side.

The smuggling vessel rocked so violently it nearly capsized.

Zeke shouted to Boris.

“Take the prince inside!”

Boris immediately took Carus to the inner cabin, and after confirming this, Zeke drew his sword and swung it at the waves.

KWAKWAKWAKWA!

The waves shattered against Zeke’s sword strike.

But more waves came rushing in.

Simultaneously, a giant monster revealed itself within those waves.

KUGUUGUGUGUGU!

A massive Kraken extended its tentacles to wrap around the ship.

It was so huge that each sucker was the size of a person.

As the terrified sailors froze in place praying, Zeke shouted.

“Get into the cabin now!”

At the same time, Zeke swung his sword at the Kraken’s tentacle.

Slash!

When he cut off the tentacle with the dragon-slaying technique, the giant Kraken howled and retreated.

KRUOOOOOOOO!

With a long cry, more tentacles rushed toward the ship.

Zeke thought there was no chance of winning on the ship.

After a moment’s hesitation, he shouted toward the sea.

“Nahuel!”

The subjugated dragon-kind responded to Zeke’s call.

A massive magic circle appeared on the sea, and Nahuel was summoned from within it.

Ururururu!

It was Nahuel, making the same mysterious cry as when seen at the lake.

Zeke immediately leaped onto Nahuel’s back.

He grabbed Nahuel’s neck and raised Bahamut.

“Nahuel, let’s go catch that damned squid.”

“Ururururu!”

As the mysterious spirit beast’s cry echoed, Zeke felt his mind become peaceful.

Seeing Zeke riding the spirit beast, the Kraken’s tentacles surged toward him.

A gigantic tentacle that looked like a tower rushed at Zeke.

Chapter 95

KWAKWAKWAKWANG!

When the giant Kraken struck with its tentacles, tsunami-like waves surged forth.

The waves looked like they would swallow the ship whole.

Zeke, mounted on Nahuel’s back, raised his sword toward the waves.

WOOOONG!

The sword vibrated intensely.

Zeke held his sword horizontally and unleashed the secret technique of the True Dragon Sword.

True Dragon Sword Secret Technique

Third Formation

Great Phoenix Rising from Water

The third formation that had split Helen’s sword strike was released toward the tsunami.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!

Zeke’s sword horizontally split the massive wave.

The mountain-high tsunami shattered into pieces.

The smugglers watching from the deck were astounded by Zeke’s prowess as he fought the giant Kraken and destroyed the tsunami.

“Good heavens! He is the Sea God, an incarnation of the Sea God!”

While most southerners followed the Sun Religion spread from the Central Continent, many sailors still worshipped the ancient native Sea God.

Zeke, riding a sea dragon and defeating a giant monster, certainly looked like the legendary Sea God.

When Zeke split its tsunami with his sword, the giant Kraken panicked and began thrashing its thick tentacles wildly.

This created a massive whirlpool in the sea.

Nahuel, carrying Zeke, tried to break free from the whirlpool by cutting through the water.

URURURURU!

As Nahuel roared, the rough seas gradually began to stabilize.

It seemed Nahuel, as a spirit beast, was using its unique ability to control the sea’s flow.

Then large water droplets appeared around Nahuel’s body.

WHOOSH!

The water droplets, seemingly created by Nahuel, flew toward and stuck to the giant Kraken.

After attaching to the Kraken, the droplets gradually grew larger. This prevented the Kraken from moving its affected tentacles.

Zeke spoke to Nahuel.

“Well done, Nahuel! Keep holding it!”

URURURURU!

Nahuel raised its head and cried out as if responding to Zeke’s words.

Zeke floated using wind power and leaped across the sea.

CHWAAAAK!

Simultaneously, Zeke concentrated wind power in his sword.

WOOOONG!

Storm power surged at Zeke’s sword tip.

Wind power capable of creating massive gusts was compressed and compressed until it formed a solid sphere.

The giant Kraken remained immobilized by Nahuel’s water droplets.

Zeke pointed his sword tip at the Kraken and let out a battle cry.

Elemental Sword

Wind Force Field

Storm Sphere

The storm sphere at his sword tip shot toward the Kraken.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!

The storm sphere created massive water spray as it shot toward the Kraken’s head.

The moment the sphere touched the monster’s body, it released its compressed power in an explosion.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!

A massive gust wrapped around and burst through the Kraken’s entire body.

PUBUBUBUBUK!

The giant Kraken’s body was torn to shreds.

The storm sphere’s explosion had blown away half of the Kraken’s body, leaving it in tatters.

KRUOOOOO!

The giant Kraken, seemingly deciding it couldn’t win against Zeke, let out a roar and tried to escape back into the sea.

But Zeke took the stance for the dragon-slaying technique’s first formation against the Kraken trying to flee underwater.

Dragon-Slaying True Dragon Sword Technique

Chapter 4 Section 2

Full Moon Slash

Zeke’s sword drew a massive full moon.

A full moon made of aura floated on the sea’s surface and cleanly cut through the Kraken’s body and tentacles.

KWAKWAKWAKWAKWA!

The Kraken, with all its tentacles severed by the full moon, floated on the sea surface in tatters.

Then a message appeared before Zeke’s eyes.

[You have defeated a threatening ancient sea species.]

[You gain 300 Karma points.]

[Experience points are automatically distributed to summoned beast Nahuel.]

[When certain points accumulate, spirit beast Nahuel will evolve into a divine beast.]

‘Nahuel evolves when it receives points? Summoned beasts can receive points too?’

This was unexpected.

He had thought Karma points were only for his own use.

‘If it works for Nahuel, could it work for other summoned beasts? Maybe even for growth-type items like Bahamut…?’

The growth-type weapon Bahamut currently had most of its power sealed.

He had left it alone since he didn’t know how to develop it, but if Karma points could also develop items, it might not take as long as expected to unlock Bahamut’s sealed power.

‘Good to know.’

Zeke sent Nahuel back to its original lake and climbed back onto the ship.

But when the smugglers saw him, they suddenly began bowing to him.

“What are you all doing?”

Boris, who came out from the cabin, answered for them.

“They see you as the incarnated Sea God because you defeated the Kraken.”

Zeke smirked at those words.

“If I were the real Sea God, such monsters wouldn’t have appeared in the first place.”

Regardless of what Zeke thought, the smugglers revered and served him like a god.

Since it wasn’t particularly uncomfortable, Zeke decided to just leave them be.

As they were about to continue sailing on the now-calm sea, Zeke noticed the smugglers tying one of the Kraken’s tentacles floating on the sea to the ship with a rope.

“Why are you collecting that?”

To Zeke’s question, the smugglers replied with excited expressions.

“The meat of the big ones sells for a very high price, and it’s also something to brag about. It tastes good too.”

The giant Kraken wasn’t a magic-corrupted monster, so it seemed there was no problem eating it raw.

When they tried the grilled Kraken that the smugglers brought, it really had much more elasticity and flavourful than regular squid.

Just in case, they tried eating another tentacle of the Kraken through gluttony, but unlike monsters or other ancient species, they didn’t gain any blood-related abilities.

‘I guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with how good it tastes.’

And so the smuggling ship crossed over to the center of the Death Sea with the Kraken tentacle hanging from it.

The smuggling ship’s captain said to Zeke.

“We’ll need to stay on the island for tonight, replenish our water and food supplies, then depart tomorrow.”

When Zeke nodded, the captain turned the ship toward the island.

The ship reached the island by evening, and Zeke’s group was able to set foot on land after several days.

The smugglers skillfully docked the ship and unloaded boxes for water containers and food supplies.

Zeke asked the captain.

“It looks like an uninhabited island, but is there a place to replenish supplies?”

“Yes. It’s an island that all ships crossing the Death Sea commonly stop at. Even pirates don’t plunder here and quietly exchange only water and food supplies.”

It seemed there were rules among seafarers.

After finishing his explanation, the captain took several smugglers with him to get supplies.

Zeke was preparing a camp for the night, taking camping equipment out of his inventory.

That’s when it happened.

The smugglers who remained on the ship shouted.

“Pi- Pirates! Pirates!”

In the distance, dozens of pirate ships revealed themselves.

Zeke, who had been contemplating how to apply Karma Points to Bahamut, stood up at the smugglers’ shouts.

Boris approached Zeke and said.

“Boss, we have a problem.”

“You mean the pirates. The captain said this island was a neutral zone without conflicts.”

“Usually it is… but these pirates are known for being rough. That ship in the middle is the captain’s ship.”

“You mean they’re the leader of the pirate forces?”

“Yes. Their captain is a pirate called Hook, who’s currently known as the man closest to being the Pirate King.”

Zeke’s expression hardened at the mention of Pirate

‘Pirate King, huh.’

Hook’s pirate ship soon reached the shore.

Then dozens of pirates who had transferred to smaller boats approached the shoreline.

The pirates who revealed themselves all had fierce appearances, with rough scars and tattoos carved all over their bodies.

Among these pirates with such intense appearances, there was one man who particularly stood out.

“It feels damn good to step on land after so long.”

He was a man with a large build of what looked to be 2 meters, with characteristic hook-shaped beard.

This was Captain Hook, the notorious pirate of the Death Sea.

Hook and his pirates discovered Zeke’s group and the smuggling ship on the shore.

Hook stroked his beard and grinned.

“Who the hell are these bastards? Smugglers mixed with kids and an outlaw from the mainland?”

When Captain Hook spoke in a threatening voice, Boris stepped forward first.

“Captain Hook. I’ve heard much of your reputation. We’re from the Syndicate on a mission. We’d like to quietly take care of our business and leave.”

At Boris’s words, Hook and the other pirates burst into loud laughter.

“Hahaha! Wants to quietly take care of business and leave, he says. Where’d you learn to speak Southern dialect with that itchy Central Continent accent? What’s the Syndicate to us? Did you think we’d just say ‘Oh my, yes sir’ and let it go?”

Boris’s expression hardened at Captain Hook’s words.

These rough pirates didn’t seem to have any intention of letting things go quietly.

That’s when Zeke, who had been watching this, stepped forward.

He spoke in a low voice.

“We don’t want to see blood.”

At Zeke’s sharp voice, Hook’s laughing expression changed for a moment.

He felt an unusual aura emanating from Zeke, whom he had thought was just a young kid.

One of the other pirates beside Hook stepped forward, raising his weapon.

“What an arrogant brat. Who are you talking back to? Did you get some knight training somewhere?”

Then he swung his huge axe at Zeke.

Zeke caught the axe falling toward his head with his bare hands instead of avoiding it.

Crack!

Not only did he catch it, but he also crushed the iron axe blade with his bare hands.

“Huh?”

The pirate who had swung the axe stepped back in surprise.

Seeing this, all the pirates drew their weapons and took combat stances.

Captain Hook raised his hand to stop his subordinates.

He opened his mouth toward Zeke.

“You’re no ordinary knight. Are you really from the Syndicate?”

“If you want, I can show you my membership card.”

“How the hell would we know if a damn Syndicate card is real? Well, brother. If you say you don’t want to see blood, what are you going to do?”

Then Zeke said while looking at Hook.

“I suppose I’ll have the chance to treat the renowned Captain Hook to some quality alcohol.”

At those words, Hook wore a blank expression.

Then he burst into hearty laughter.

“Damn it all! Put down your weapons, boys. Today I must share a deep drink with this audacious young brother!”

At Captain Hook’s words, the pirates lowered their weapons.

The atmosphere reversed in an instant.

Hook approached Zeke.

“Young brother, let me properly introduce myself. My name is James Hook. As you know, I’m more commonly called Hook.”

“Pleased to meet you, James. I’m Zeke Murray.”

“Murray. Though it’s the first time I’ve heard the name, I feel it won’t be long before it shakes things up around here.”

“Thank you for the generous assessment. If you’d like, would you care to have a drink with us? It’s not much, but we have grilled Kraken and some hidden whiskey.”

At those words, Hook laughed heartily and moved without hesitation to Zeke’s camp.

Boris lit a fire to grill the Kraken tentacle, and Zeke took out whiskey that the smugglers had and served it to Hook.

“Whew! This is quite good whiskey. Indeed, those Central Continent fellows know how to make good whiskey.”

Zeke asked while pouring more whiskey into Hook’s glass.

“Why has the great pirate who shakes the Death Sea come all the way here? I heard this place is mainly used by smugglers.”

Hook downed the whiskey in one go and said.

“It’s all because of those damn fishermen.”

“Fishermen?”

“Yeah. Recently, the fishermen started forming groups and imitating pirates. And before we knew it, their force had grown quite large. We wondered why these creatures who used to just dig for shellfish on islands suddenly changed, and it turns out some bastard was stirring them up, damn it.”

“You mean there’s someone who’s unified the fishermen as pirates?”

Hook nodded while downing another glass of whiskey.

“Yeah. Hey, young brother. Have you ever heard about Treasure Island?”

“This is the first time I’m hearing about Treasure Island.”

“It’s a famous story among us pirates. They say Captain Kidd, known as the legendary pirate, hid the treasures he collected throughout his life on an island somewhere in the Death Sea.”

“I didn’t know such a legend existed.”

“Young brother, that’s not all. There’s a legend that whoever finds Captain Kidd’s Treasure Island becomes the Pirate King.”

When the words Pirate King came up, Zeke’s eyebrows twitched again.

‘Pirate King, huh. If I remember correctly, the name of the Pirate King who drove Sister Kali to her death wasn’t Hook. That bastard was…’

Hook shouted loudly while chewing on the grilled Kraken tentacle.

“That damn Peter Pan is after that Treasure Island! While I, the great pirate Captain Hook, am watching with my own two eyes!”

Chapter 96

‘Peter Pan.’

The captain of the Neverland and the one who was Pirate King in Zeke’s previous life.

Hook gritted his teeth and said.

“Young brother, just watch. I’ll find Kidd’s Treasure Island before that arrogant merfolk and become the Pirate King. Captain Hook! Doesn’t that have a damn good ring to it?”

Zeke responded appropriately to Captain Hook’s words while thinking about Peter Pan.

‘The Pirate King appears 2 years from now. That’s also when Sister Kali goes to subjugate the Pirate King.’

In this life, he had to protect Kali Draker no matter what.

That was the only way to maintain a force that could stop Abel within the Drakers.

Just then, Hook, slightly tipsy, smiled and took something out.

“Young brother, take a look at this. This here is proof that Hook will claim Captain Kidd’s treasure before Peter Pan and become Pirate King.”

What Hook took out was a piece of old parchment.

He unfolded the parchment.

“This here is the map that leads to Captain Kidd’s Treasure Island.”

Zeke looked at the parchment Hook unfolded with quite some curiosity.

However, most of the content was erased, and what remained was written in unfamiliar letters, making it impossible to understand what it represented.

‘Being a treasure map, I suppose it’s written in code.’

Since even Zeke couldn’t understand it, Hook must have felt confident showing it.

But then, surprisingly, the system activated on its own.

[Ancient sea chart detected.]

[Scanning and analyzing sea chart.]

[Analyzing and supplementing erased portions to recreate sea chart. Marking location on map.]

‘’Huh?’’

Unexpectedly, the system analyzed the sea chart as soon as it saw it.

Captain Hook, unaware of this, continued talking excitedly.

“Currently, no one can read this sea chart. We know it’s somewhere in the Death Sea, but we still don’t know the exact location. That’s why we’re searching this whole area.”

While Captain Hook was talking, the system finished analyzing the chart.

And the map that appeared before Zeke’s eyes showed the exact coordinates of where Treasure Island was.

‘…Once again, I’m reminded that there are no limits to the system’s abilities.’

Zeke had unexpectedly gained the opportunity to become Pirate King.

Just then, a quest window appeared.

―Achievement Quest (Advanced Mission)―

[Find the Forgotten Sea God’s Island. (No time limit)]

[Quest Mission Reward: Title Sea God’s Blessing / Sea God’s Treasure]

‘Sea God’s Island?’

It wasn’t a map to Treasure Island where Captain Kidd’s treasure was hidden, but rather to an ancient ruin.

Given that the mission rewards were Sea God’s Blessing and Sea God’s Treasure, the saying about becoming Pirate King by finding this island didn’t seem completely false.

‘If Peter Pan found this island and gained the Sea God’s power, I can somewhat understand why Sister Kali was defeated.’

Judging by how the system worked, it seemed impossible to find the way to this island through normal means.

Zeke closed the quest window and thought about the Sea God’s Island while agreeing with Hook’s words.

‘I need to claim the Sea God’s power before Peter Pan takes this island.’

Since it would be difficult to take Carus to the island, Zeke thought he would need to come back after safely delivering him.

Captain Hook only returned to his ship after finishing an entire box of whiskey that the smugglers had hidden.

For Zeke, who had learned about the Sea God’s Island, it had been a profitable encounter.

* * *

The next day, Zeke’s group loaded supplies and set sail again toward the Southern Continent.

True to its name as the Death Sea, the ocean was rough and full of reefs.

Fortunately, the smuggler captain seemed quite skilled, successfully navigating through the Death Sea without issues.

They encountered pirate ships a few times, but there were no major incidents as the pirates fled on their own after Zeke and Boris went over to quietly reason with them.

After a week had passed, Zeke and his group finally arrived at the Southern Continent. However, just before docking at the port, the captain asked if they could dock somewhere else.

“My lord, must we dock directly at Golfa Port? Smugglers like us die the moment we enter Golfa.”

Zeke reassured the captain.

“I’ll guarantee your safety, so don’t worry.”

Convinced by Zeke, the smuggling ship reached Golfa Port.

However, Golfa Port was in disarray.

Men with rough appearances were spread throughout the port.

The smugglers were terrified at the sight.

“M-my lord. It’s the Mekein Cartel.”

Although Don Juan had died, the Mekein Cartel, though reduced in size, still boasted strong organizational power.

Without responding, Zeke jumped off the smuggling ship while wearing his iron helmet.

The cartel members saw Zeke and took defensive positions.

That’s when it happened.

“Boss!”

In the distance, Simon and his subordinates could be seen running over.

When Simon appeared, the cartel members were surprised, put away their weapons, stood at attention, and lined up.

Simon knelt before Zeke.

“Welcome, Boss. We’ve been waiting.”

The smugglers gaped at this sight.

Simon Zapatero, the new boss of the Mekein Cartel and guardian of the Cusco royal family who controlled the northern region of the Southern Continent, was kneeling before Zeke.

At the same time, other cartel members also knelt before Zeke.

He approached Simon.

“It’s been a while, Simon. Have you been well?”

“Thanks to you, Boss. Was there any inconvenience on your way here?”

“It was a fine voyage. Please compensate the captain and crew for their service.”

“I will reward them generously in the name of Simon Zapatero.”

Meanwhile, Boris and Carus, their faces concealed, disembarked from the ship and immediately boarded the carriage Simon had prepared.

Zeke also boarded the carriage, and only after Simon got in did Zeke remove his helmet and speak.

“Can we move to the portal right away?”

Simon shook his head.

“Boss, I apologize, but currently the portal in Tahuani is unavailable.”

“What do you mean the portal is unavailable?”

“Imperial soldiers are swarming all over the terminal.”

Zeke was shocked by Simon’s words.

“You mean those Imperial bastards have come all the way here?”

“I suspect they predicted that you would come to the South.”

Behind Abel Draker stands Jiemens.

It wasn’t for nothing that they were called the Strategic Jiemens.

Zeke fell into deep thought.

‘We can’t keep His Highness the Prince in the South. It’s such an unstable place, we never know what might happen…’

The Southern Continent was a place teeming with assassins and outlaws.

Zeke couldn’t stay to protect him forever. While they could prepare to some extent, it was impossible to prevent all assassins who would come at them using various methods.

Somehow, they needed to get to the Central Continent and receive Kali Draker’s protection.

Simon carefully spoke.

“Boss, there is one way.”

“What is it? Tell me.”

“We can go through the border region, cross the desert, and head to the Holy Kingdom. The Empire’s power doesn’t reach the Holy Kingdom.”

Hearing Simon’s words, Zeke fell into contemplation.

If they couldn’t take the portal, traveling by land was their only option for now.

Once they entered the Holy Kingdom, there would be many ways to get to Midland, whether by land or sea.

Zeke looked at Simon and said.

“That seems to be our only option right now. But can we pass through the border region full of outlaws? Imperial knights must be guarding that area too.”

“Actually, because it’s a lawless zone, we can find gaps to slip through. If we can just get up to the upper border region, there’s a tunnel that connects to the desert area. Since it’s operated illegally, even if Imperial forces pursue us, their speed will be hindered.”

This was a solution only Simon, a former outlaw, could propose.

After thinking briefly, Zeke nodded.

“Alright. We’ll do as you say.”

“Understood, Boss. Today, rest from your journey at the safe house, and we’ll depart first thing tomorrow.”

* * *

The next day, Zeke’s group changed into Southern attire and rode horses up toward Tahuani.

With Simon and his subordinates escorting them, there was no need to worry about minor thugs causing trouble.

The problem would start from the border region above Tahuani.

This area, commonly known as the lawless zone, was an extraterritorial region consisting of several towns built in the wasteland.

The reason this became a lawless zone was none other than the formation of a massive black market city.

All sorts of stolen goods, items involved in crimes, and money that couldn’t make it to the Dorta Republic flowed in here, and various criminals came to hide their identities to find work or commit more crimes to make money.

Naturally, this place became somewhere where common sense and laws didn’t apply.

If Dorta was a city of glamorous entertainment, this was a city of desire and pleasure built in the lowest place.

Since it was such a dangerous place, after crossing the wasteland and entering the lawless zone, Simon warned Zeke’s group:

“From here on, we must be extremely careful. Consider everyone except our group as enemies.”

Zeke nodded at Simon’s words.

While Carus was slightly tense, he seemed quite excited about visiting the black market city in the lawless zone that he had only heard rumors about.

Zeke’s group slowly walked toward an area fenced off with wire in the wasteland.

There was a guard post there, which was one of the entrances to the lawless zone.

Simon approached and showed something to the organization members guarding the post.

They looked at the badge Simon presented, whispered among themselves, then went inside the post to contact someone.

Soon they came back out and handed the badge back to Simon.

“The atmosphere is rough these days, so watch yourselves.”

Simon took back the badge and entered the wire fence with his companions.

Coming inside and walking along the path, they saw a small village.

Simon said to Zeke.

“Boss, we should stay here today. Tomorrow we’ll go to the black market city to meet the tunnel broker and move right away.”

Zeke nodded.

This village at the entrance to the lawless zone was still considered relatively less dangerous.

Once they entered the black market city, they would have to be prepared to risk their lives, so taking time to prepare wasn’t a bad idea.

Zeke’s group unpacked at the lodging Simon had arranged.

To protect Carus, Zeke decided to share a room with him.

However, as Zeke was unpacking, Carus approached him and showed him something.

“Zeke, look at this. What do you think?”

Having spent quite a long time with Zeke while on the run, Carus now spoke comfortably with him.

Zeke also spoke casually with Carus.

“It’s a drawing. Did you draw this, Carus?”

“I told you I’m an artist. When the drawing is complete, I’ll add a poem that suits it. Then it will be finished.”

“An artist, huh. Is that your dream, Carus?”

Carus tucked the drawing back into his chest and said.

“If I were an ordinary prince, yes. But with the situation as it is now, I wonder if I can become even an ordinary artist. I’ll probably spend my life either being chased or living as an exiled royal.”

Zeke gave a bitter smile at Carus’s self-deprecating words.

Then Carus asked Zeke.

“How about you, Zeke. Do you have a dream?”

Carus’s question momentarily left Zeke speechless.

In front of Arthur Draker, he had said his goal was to become the strongest on the continent.

His goal was to become the continent’s strongest, dominate the Draker family, and become the absolute ruler.

‘A dream, huh. Is that a dream?’

Having died and returned through regression, Zeke had devoted all his energy to achieving what he couldn’t in the past.

He looked at Carus and said.

“Becoming the strongest on the continent. That was my dream.”

Carus nodded at Zeke’s words.

“The strongest on the continent. That certainly won’t be easy to achieve.”

But at that moment, Zeke’s senses detected suspicious movement.

‘What’s that?’

He told Carus to be quiet and get under the bed.

Carus did as Zeke said without question.

Zeke pressed himself against the wall and surveyed the surroundings with his dragon eye.

He sensed suspicious movement from behind the building across from them.

‘These aren’t just ordinary outlaws. These guys are trained.’

They could be killers raised by the cartel, but either way, he could tell they weren’t approaching with good intentions.

Zeke knocked on the wall of the adjacent room to send a signal.

Soon Boris entered the room.

Zeke said to Boris.

“Boris, tell Simon to prepare to leave this place immediately.”

“Understood, Boss.”

After Boris left, Zeke quickly packed their belongings and was about to leave the room with Carus.

Just as they finished gathering everything and were about to exit the room.

Swish!

An arrow flew through the window.

“Duck!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the arrow that had flown in exploded.

Chapter 97

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The arrow had a magic bomb attached to it.

Fortunately, the shield from Zeke’s cloud iron armor activated and blocked the damage from the explosion.

“Are you alright, Carus!”

Carus nodded while spitting out dust from his mouth.

Zeke took Carus and left the room.

Boris and Simon had finished preparing and were waiting for his orders.

“Simon, there’s a sniper! Protect Carus. I’ll handle this!”

Boris and Simon took Carus and went outside.

Zeke immediately went to the window and climbed onto the roof.

He expanded his senses to search for the sniper.

‘Where are they?’

Just then, another arrow flew towards Zeke.

He drew his cloud iron sword and split the arrow.

Whoosh!

This time it wasn’t a bomb but poison powder that scattered.

However, the poison powder was useless against Zeke who was immune to all poisons.

Zeke looked in the direction the arrow came from and identified the sniper’s position.

‘Left side, 500 meters away, just below the building rooftop.’

He unleashed his wind technique and dashed between buildings.

Arrows rained down towards him as he ran.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Explosions occurred around him, but Zeke paid no attention and ran straight towards where the sniper was.

CRASH!

Zeke broke through the building wall and rolled inside.

The startled sniper shot an arrow at Zeke.

TING!

But arrows were useless against Zeke who was wearing cloud iron armor and using the dragon scale armor skill underneath.

Zeke immediately rushed at the sniper.

BOOM!

With a shoulder tackle infused with gold force, the sniper was slammed into the wall.

“KUHEK!”

Having subdued the sniper in one move, Zeke grabbed him for interrogation.

“Which sent you?”

The sniper immediately clenched his teeth and tried to commit suicide with poison.

But such methods didn’t work on Zeke.

CRACK!

Zeke dislocated the sniper’s jaw and pried open his mouth to pull out the poisoned molar.

CLUNK!

After relocating the jaw, Zeke asked the sniper again.

“Speak quickly. Who sent you?”

The sniper glared at Zeke and shouted.

“The vengeful spirits of Favela will haunt you forever!”

Zeke kicked the sniper in the stomach.

“KUHEK!”

Zeke grabbed the sniper’s hair and yanked his head back.

“You bastard, who are you trying to fool? Since when did the Favela train snipers? You reek of Salmak. Did the Salmak leader tell you to say that when caught?”

The sniper was shocked that Zeke had completely seen through his ruse.

‘What, how does someone like this exist?’

He had seen all sorts of people while working as an assassin, but never someone like this.

Zeke struck the sniper’s throat.

“Kuhek!”

“Don’t roll your eyes, bastard. If you’re from Salmak, you wouldn’t have come alone. How many came? Tell me quickly.”

Before even getting an answer, Zeke pulled out a dagger and used his lightning skill.

ZZZZZZZZT!

“AAAAGH!”

Though the assassin was trained to endure all kinds of torture, the electric torture caused unbearable pain that felt like his muscles were being twisted.

“Th-three! Three people!”

As soon as Zeke heard the assassin’s words, he stabbed his throat with the dagger, killing him.

There was no point in further interrogation since Salmak assassins never revealed their clients.

‘If Salmak is involved, this is troublesome.’

Salmak was a traditional assassin group based in the desert region.

Along with the black mage Scorpion Clan, they were famous in the underworld.

Zeke left the building and heightened his senses to search for the other Salmak assassins.

Then he detected something in his senses.

It was in the direction where Simon’s group was fleeing with Carus.

‘The Salmak bastards are following Carus. Was this an assassination request from the Empire?’

Zeke chased after the Salmak assassins while leaping across buildings at high speed.

Whoosh!

Sensing Zeke’s pursuit, one of the Salmak assassins stopped chasing and turned around.

Swish!

Throwing stars flew towards Zeke.

Pack!

Zeke caught the throwing stars between his fingers.

Seeing the blue glow on the blade surface, it seemed to be coated with poison.

Zeke infused the throwing stars with Aura and threw them back at the assassin.

THUD!

“Kugh!”

Unable to dodge, the assassin was hit in the thigh and rolled onto the building rooftop. Zeke approached the assassin and stepped on his neck.

Crack!

The assassin’s neck broke instantly.

After confirming the assassin was completely dead, Zeke immediately chased after the remaining assassin.

* * *

Ping!

Bang bang bang!

Explosions occurred whenever arrows flew in.

Boris and Simon’s group, riding horses with Carus, couldn’t escape from the assassin’s attacks.

Simon shouted to Boris.

“Boris! Protect the prince! We’ll hold them back!”

Boris nodded and increased his speed while carrying Carus.

Simon and his subordinates reduced their speed while searching for the assassin pursuing them from the rooftops.

‘Where are they?’

They must be a high-level assassin as they were difficult to spot with the naked eye.

Just then, a bead rolled beneath Simon’s group’s feet.

“Dodge!”

BANG! BANG! BANG!

An explosion much bigger than before occurred.

Simon’s ears were ringing from the explosion sound, and the vibrations that shook the area made it hard to stay focused.

Barely maintaining his balance, he shouted to his subordinates.

“Take care of the wounded! I’ll chase after them!”

Simon drew his dagger and climbed up the building wall.

As soon as he reached the rooftop, an arrow came flying.

PAK!

He deflected the arrow with his dagger, but suddenly poison powder spread everywhere.

“KUHM!”

Having inhaled the suddenly scattered poison powder, Simon felt his breathing becoming increasingly difficult.

‘Damn it.’

He thought he should at least take that assassin with him before he dies.

Simon charged toward the approaching assassin while lowering his stance.

Whoosh!

When he swung his dagger, the assassin created distance and kept shooting arrows.

Even among assassins, Salmak’s methods were completely different from the South.

Salmak’s assassins considered it the highest grade of assassination to kill targets without them even realizing they were dying.

It was clearly different from the Southern style of assassination where they would find targets, tell them why they must die, and kill them brutally.

“Kugh!”

Simon felt his strength gradually draining.

At that moment, something approached.

Whoosh!

Unable to see due to the poison, Simon swung his dagger toward where he sensed movement.

THUD!!

But the one who approached grabbed Simon’s arm and flipped him to the side.

“Urgh!”

Then forcefully fed him something and poured something into his eyes.

“Huhk!”

Instantly his vision returned and his breathing recovered.

When he came to his senses, Zeke was looking down at him.

“Are you alright, Simon.”

“B-Boss. I’m sorry. We need to chase after the assassin right away…”

But Zeke shook his head.

“I caught the last one.”

When he raised his head and looked around, he saw the assassin already subdued by Zeke.

Zeke and Simon took the assassin and went down.

Fortunately, there were only injured people and no casualties.

Zeke asked Simon.

“It seems the Empire has put in a request to Salmak.”

Simon’s expression darkened at the mention of Salmak.

“If it’s Salmak, this won’t end with just once. The black market is practically Salmak’s home ground.”

Zeke nodded.

“Is there another route to cross the border besides the black market?”

Simon thought for a moment.

“There is one place. It’s further away from here. And that tunnel’s exit is close to Ishtar’s territory.”

When Ishtar was mentioned, Zeke contemplated before nodding.

“Let’s go that way. If it’s close to Ishtar’s territory, neither the Empire nor Salmak’s people would act recklessly.”

In the worst case, Zeke considered going through Ishtar’s territory and crossing the Forgotten Forest, which was forbidden territory, to enter the Troy principality.

Although it would take considerable time, securing Prince Carus’s safety was the priority.

Simon ordered his subordinates to take the captured Salmak assassin and the injured people back to the cartel.

Thus, Zeke, Boris, Simon, and Carus decided to cross the wasteland of the lawless zone as a group of four.

“We have enough food and water. Let’s depart right away.”

Zeke already had plenty of survival necessities in his inventory.

The four quickly finished preparations and rushed out of the village toward the wasteland.

The scorching sun beat down endlessly and the barren wasteland stretched infinitely.

Naturally, Carus, who had the weakest stamina, tired first.

“Ugh. Zeke. How about we rest for a bit?”

While together, Carus usually didn’t ask to rest first, but the wasteland of the lawless zone was that murderous.

Zeke opened his map to find a place to rest briefly.

Finally finding a shaded hill, Zeke took a break with his companions.

Zeke took out food and water from his inventory and handed them over.

Boris looked at Zeke and said.

“Every time I see it, I feel that Boss’s subspace artifact can hold so many items.”

Remembering that he couldn’t explain the inventory, he had vaguely told them it was an ancient relic with spatial magic.

Zeke responded naturally to Boris’s words.

“That’s why money is good, Boris.”

“Indeed.”

Boris nodded in understanding at Zeke’s words.

As they were taking a brief rest, they saw dust clouds rising in the distance.

Zeke and Simon stood up alertly.

Zeke observed the approaching group with dragon eyes.

‘Are they outlaws?’

When he described the group’s appearance, Simon’s expression hardened.

“They’re famous bounty hunters from the lawless zone. It seems the Empire has spread information about the prince not only to Salmak but also to outlaws.”

At Simon’s words, Boris also joined in taking a defensive position.

Carus in the back also stayed alert with his crossbow.

THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!!

They could see over a dozen people on horseback drawing weapons and charging toward Zeke’s group.

“The hundred thousand gold is right there! Get them!”

The bounty hunters charged excitedly.

Then Zeke shouted to Simon and Boris.

“Close your eyes!”

Then he shot a flash bang skill toward the bounty hunters.

Flash!

An intense light flashed and attacked the bounty hunters’ retinas.

“Argh!”

While Zeke protected Carus, Boris and Simon stepped forward to deal with the bounty hunters.

Slash!

As Boris was Blue Knight class and Simon had comparable skills, they could easily handle blinded outlaws.

When Simon and Boris returned after dealing with all the outlaws, Zeke said.

“We need to hurry. With a bounty of hundred thousand gold, most outlaws in the lawless zone will come after us.”

Zeke’s group started galloping through the wasteland again on horseback.

As he expected, outlaws pursuing them appeared from all over the wasteland.

Most were small fry that Boris and Simon could handle.

Zeke checked the map while watching Boris and Simon return after dealing with the outlaws.

‘We still have half a day’s journey to the tunnel, I’m not sure if Carus’s stamina will hold up.’

Carus was already completely drained both mentally and physically.

Simon and Boris, who had been moving continuously without proper rest, were also in poor condition.

Judging that it would be difficult to continue moving, Zeke looked for a place to rest.

“We’ll make camp here.”

Zeke dug out space under a large rock and set up a tent to create shelter from the sun.

Already exhausted, Carus immediately collapsed and fell asleep.

Zeke said to Boris and Simon.

“I’ll take watch, so get some sleep.”

Boris and Simon admired Zeke’s incredible stamina as they pretended to give in and lay down next to Carus to get some rest.

Zeke consumed the separately stored Kraken leg with Gluttony to replenish his mental strength, stamina, and mana.

Then he summoned the chimera Gurab.

Summoned from Zeke’s shadow, Gurab seemed excited to be outside after a long time and wandered around wagging.

“Gurab, play around the area and if you find any suspicious ones, bite them. If they don’t die, bring them here.”

KIEEEE

Gurab excitedly ran around roaming the wasteland.

But then.

“Arghh!”

Not long after letting him loose, Gurab brought back a suspicious person in his mouth.

Zeke examined the person Gurab brought.

“Urgh.”

As ordered, they were still breathing.

Zeke checked the suspicious person’s belongings.

And he discovered their identity.

‘It’s one of the Empire’s hounds.’

Chapter 98

The hound bitten by Gurab soon died.

Zeke wondered why the Empire’s hounds were wandering around here.

‘They could be chasing Carus, but there might also be ancient ruins here.’

The mad Emperor of the Rom Empire was searching through every ancient ruin across the entire continent.

He wasn’t sure if Regent Julius had the authority to command even the hounds, but if the hounds were really pursuing Zeke’s group, crossing the border area would become even more difficult.

Soon Boris and Simon woke up, and the two were nonetheless shocked to see the hound’s corpse.

“Simon, are there any ancient ruins near here?”

At those words, Simon nodded.

“Yes. There are quite a few hidden dungeons near the border area.”

Zeke was somewhat relieved at Simon’s answer.

But he couldn’t let his guard down.

The hounds were also Empire knights.

No one knew when they might mobilize fully and cast a wide net.

‘We should leave here as quickly as possible.’

Zeke woke up Carus and headed straight for the tunnel.

The tunnel Simon mentioned for crossing the border area was a route previously used by smugglers.

When Ishtar hadn’t issued expulsion orders, the cartel sent all their soma through this route.

Back then, outlaws rather than the syndicate served as route guides.

Simon knew about this tunnel because he had helped transport the cartel’s drugs through here during his past activities as an outlaw.

“We’re almost there.”

Beyond the wasteland, they could see a small village built with earthen walls.

Zeke entered the village while staying alert to the surroundings.

Simon went deeper into the village saying he would meet with a broker briefly.

Zeke’s group entered the restaurant Simon had guided them to first.

Carus sat at a table and spoke dejectedly.

“Ugh. I don’t care what it is, but I’d like to eat something warm instead of dried food.”

His mouth felt stale after eating only dried rations while crossing the wasteland.

Soon the food they ordered came out, fulfilling Carus’s wish.

Although it had strong spices, the food was edible.

Carus put aside his dignity as royalty and devoured the food ravenously.

‘He’s a hundred times better than those nobles who make a fuss about food not suiting their taste.’

Zeke was glad Carus was an easygoing royal.

When they were resting after finishing their meal, Zeke sensed an ominous atmosphere developing around them.

‘Not good.’

As he expected, a group of men entered the restaurant.

Judging by their sword types, they seemed to be from the Central Continent.

‘They’re hounds.’

It seemed the hounds who were searching for ruins in the area had entered the village to get a meal.

Zeke signaled Boris and Carus to cover their faces and look away.

Just as they were about to quietly get up.

“Hey, you.”

Suddenly someone called out to Zeke.

Glancing back, one of the outlaws who had been sitting in the restaurant, not the hounds who just entered, was approaching Zeke.

“Haven’t seen your face before. Where are you from?”

Keeping his face covered, Zeke spoke to the outlaw in Southern language.

“From the syndicate. And where are you from?”

The outlaw flinched momentarily at the mention of syndicate.

Then he grinned and approached Zeke again.

“These days everyone just claims they’re from the syndicate. Listen kid. Did you think I’d be scared if you said that?”

One look and he was clearly just a thug who robbed travelers entering the village.

Zeke was concerned about the hounds sitting at the inner tables.

“I don’t want to cause trouble. What do you want?”

At those words, the outlaw spoke with a confident expression.

“Hand over everything you’ve got. Let’s see how much you give up before this elder decides what to do.”

Zeke nodded as if he had no choice.

“Fine. Most of what I have is on the horse. Let’s go there.”

The outlaw followed Zeke to the stable gleefully.

Zeke threw a pouch that was attached to the horse to the outlaw.

“Oh ho. Quite heavy. Let me see what’s insi…”

Before he could finish saying ‘inside’, Zeke struck his nape and knocked him out immediately.

He led the horse toward where Carus and Boris had already come out.

But the hounds who had been quietly eating had gotten up at some point and were approaching Zeke.

“Hey. You there, hold on.”

After considering the hound’s words briefly, Zeke approached him while keeping his face covered.

“What is it?”

“Earlier I heard you’re from the syndicate. What are smugglers doing all the way out here?”

Fortunately, it seemed they hadn’t been recognized.

Zeke slowly made up a story.

“The road into the Central Continent suddenly got blocked, so we came to take a detour through the desert and go up.”

At Zeke’s words, one of the hounds gave him a suspicious look and approached Carus, who had a different atmosphere from the three.

“You, take off your robe.”

The hound reached out to remove Carus’s robe.

That’s when it happened.

Thud!

Zeke drew a dagger and threw it at the hound’s hand.

Then he immediately drew his Cloud Iron Sword and slashed the hound’s neck in front of him.

Slash!

The hounds were momentarily stunned when their companion suddenly died.

“C-Catch them!”

Boris, who was next to him, drew his sword and stabbed the barking hound from behind.

Zeke threw a dagger at the hound trying to escape.

Three hounds died in an instant at the restaurant.

Boris approached Zeke.

“Boss, it’s only a matter of time before we’re discovered.”

“Let’s abandon the horses and head towards where Simon is. We need to pass through the tunnel quickly.”

Zeke grabbed Carus and ran to where Simon was.

But then other outlaws began chasing after Zeke’s group.

“100,000 gold is getting away!”

It seemed bounty hunters had barged in all the way here.

Zeke used a flash bang skill against the pursuing outlaws.

Flash!

“Arghhhh!”

The outlaws exposed to the flash bang rolled on the market floor.

It was when they were trying to get to the tavern Simon mentioned by crossing the market.

“Boss!”

Simon ran towards Zeke.

“What’s going on?”

“Those bounty hunter bastards are already on our tail. The hounds have caught our scent too. Can we enter the tunnel right now?”

“There’s no guide but we can enter.”

“I can find the way so let’s hurry.”

Zeke ran following Simon towards where the tunnel was.

Since this village was created when the tunnel was made, the tunnel entrance was closer than expected.

The entrance was inside an old well.

A single guard was standing watch in front.

When Simon showed the ticket received from the broker, the guard nodded and gestured to enter the well.

Starting with Simon, they entered the well one by one.

Whoosh!

Coming down, there was a narrow tunnel below the well.

It was so shabby it was hard to believe that just a few years ago, drugs from the south were transported to the central continent through this tunnel.

Zeke turned on his map and examined the tunnel path thoroughly.

“I’ll take the lead. Simon, protect Carus from the very back.”

Thanks to the map, Zeke could find his way through the intricately intertwined tunnel paths without confusion.

Soon the narrow path ended and a fairly wide passage appeared.

Simon said to Zeke.

“Boss, if we keep going this way we can pass through the border zone.”

Zeke’s group walked along the long stretching tunnel path.

It was unbelievable how people could have made such a long tunnel.

Then after walking for quite a while.

There was a loud noise from behind.

“Over there!”

Apparently there was more than one tunnel entrance.

Armed outlaws were chasing after Zeke’s group.

Simon, after observing them, said to Zeke.

“That guy in front is a quite famous outlaw called Yellow Wind Messenger.”

“Simon, protect Carus. Boris follow behind me!”

Zeke immediately drew his Cloud Iron Sword and charged forward.

Whoosh!

Since using too powerful techniques risked collapsing the tunnel, they had to deal with the outlaws using only swordsmanship.

Zeke swung his sword with Aura.

Thwack!

The Yellow Wind Messenger who clashed with Zeke’s sword flew straight into the wall and got stuck.

Boris too swung his sword against multiple outlaws at once.

Zeke shouted to Boris.

“Boris! Cover your ears and step back!”

At Zeke’s words, Boris rolled backwards.

Simultaneously, Zeke used the skill Dissonance.

ZIIIIING!

As strange sounds echoed around Zeke, the outlaws stepped back in pain.

The outlaws couldn’t maintain proper balance due to the dissonance.

“Is, is this magic?”

Though it was a skill Zeke used, to them it seemed close to magic.

Zeke’s sword swept through the confused outlaws.

“KUHEK!”

Since even the famous Yellow Wind Messenger was no match for Zeke to begin with, they were all just small fry.

Zeke personally beheaded the Yellow Wind Messenger and Boris finished off the remaining outlaws.

Zeke said while sheathing his sword.

“Boris, let’s hurry.”

Zeke’s group quickly moved deeper into the tunnel again.

But the outlaws continuously attacked Zeke’s group.

Slash!

Zeke’s sword cut through the outlaws creating a path.

The tunnel floor was wet enough with blood spilled by the outlaws.

Boris who kept swinging his sword showed considerable signs of fatigue but thanks to infinite stamina, Zeke could continue taking down opponents.

‘Without infinite stamina this could have been dangerous.’

Zeke distributed stamina potions to his companions and continued advancing towards the tunnel exit.

And when they finally arrived at the tunnel exit.

Zeke sensed something ominous.

‘This is… magical energy.’

Sure enough, magic flew in from outside the exit.

Crackle!

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Lightning and fireballs rained down towards Zeke’s group.

“Duck!”

Zeke activated Dragon Scale Armor while embracing Carus.

After the explosion ended, he got up and said to Simon.

“Stay and protect Carus. I’ll go out and deal with the mages.”

Zeke put on his Cloud Iron Armor and ran outside the tunnel.

“He’s out! Attack!”

As soon as Zeke emerged, the mages began bombarding him with attacks.

Since there were all sorts of outlaws, battle mages were occasionally seen too.

Like before, fireballs, lightning, and energy balls rained down.

But the shield activated, automatically defending against the magic.

WOOOONG!

As soon as the shield’s effect ended, Zeke ran towards the mages with his sword drawn.

Then he stretched out his hand and used the magic reflection skill.

As the magic field distorted, the mages couldn’t properly operate their magic and couldn’t help but panic.

“Wh-what’s happening?”

Zeke immediately swung his sword and took down the mages.

After quickly finishing them off and looking around, he could see the outlaws waiting behind the mages panicking.

“Those bastards! They said they were Delpoa mages but it was all lies!”

The battle mages killed by Zeke seemed to be deserters from the Delpoa Magic Corps.

He swept away all the outlaws who were waiting with his sword.

“Whew.”

Even though he had infinite stamina, Zeke had his limits.

He too was gradually starting to feel fatigue. Since he couldn’t properly use gluttony while moving quickly, he couldn’t resolve his mental fatigue.

‘If my consciousness suddenly cuts off, it’ll be even more dangerous.’

Zeke signaled his companions to come out.

Boris brought the horses the outlaws had.

Simon said to Zeke.

“Boss, if we ride horses for about two days, there’s a village we can stop at before entering the Forest of the Forgotten, outside Ishtar’s territory.”

“It would be better to regroup there and then enter the Grand Troy Principality following the forest’s outskirts.”

“That seems better than entering the desert region.”

“Alright. Let’s change the route.”

Although it was a more roundabout path, with even assassins targeting Carus, entering the desert region which was their base would be tantamount to a suicide attempt.

Just as Zeke’s group was about to leave the border zone on horseback.

They felt something fiercely pursuing them from behind.

Zeke enhanced his vision with Dragon Eye to observe the pursuers.

He immediately cursed.

“Damn, the Imperial hounds are onto us.”

It seemed they were traced because of the three killed at the restaurant.

Zeke’s group rode their horses even faster.

But horses stolen from outlaws couldn’t outrun Imperial military horses.

Soon the hounds caught up to Zeke’s group.

SWOOSH!

One of the hounds fired a crossbow.

Zeke, who was at the very back, swung his sword to deflect the arrow.

He shouted towards Simon.

“Keep running! Once we get closer to Ishtar’s territory, the hounds won’t be able to follow!”

Zeke fell slightly behind his companions and threw daggers at the pursuing hounds.

Ping!

The daggers imbued with Aura gradually slowed the hounds’ speed.

But another dust cloud rose from the side.

Another group of outlaws came swarming in from behind.

Chapter 99

“These crazy bastards!”

Zeke gritted his teeth watching the outlaws popping up endlessly like cockroaches.

He rode his horse back to rejoin Carus’s group.

Zeke cast a wide-range buff and spread Healing Factor.

WOOOONG!

The companions and even the horses were temporarily restored.

In the urgent situation, the other companions didn’t notice and just rushed forward.

At that moment, a massive sandstorm began blowing in front of the wasteland.

Simon shouted.

“Boss! From here on is Ishtar’s territory!”

“Keep going!”

Zeke’s group penetrated through the sandstorm and went in.

The pursuing outlaws gradually stopped their chase knowing it was Ishtar’s territory.

But the hounds didn’t stop pursuing.

They too charged through the sandstorm.

Watching this, Zeke gritted his teeth.

“Those persistent bastards…”

Since his previous life, Zeke only had bad ties with the hounds.

He shouted to Simon.

“I’ll take care of those guys! Don’t stop and keep going!”

Zeke turned his horse around and charged towards the hounds in the sandstorm.

The wind blew more violently, making it hard to secure proper visibility.

But Zeke using Dragon Eye skill could see the hounds through the sandstorm.

‘About twenty Purple Knights. Seems there’s one Blue Knight mixed in too. How can the Empire produce so many knights like this?.’

While the Draker family overwhelmed the Empire in numbers of Blue Knights and Black Knights, the Empire had overwhelmingly more troops at the Purple Knight level.

Moreover, among the hounds Zeke saw in his previous life, there was even a group composed entirely of Blue Knights with Red Knights mixed in.

Whoosh!

Zeke spread a wind force field and unleashed a gust towards the charging hounds.

Boom boom boom boom!

The gust mixed with the raging sandstorm swept over the hounds.

The commander leading the hound unit shouted.

“Damn it! That bastard’s using magic!”

People of this era who didn’t know about Elemental Sword inevitably mistook it for magic.

Zeke cut down the hounds who fell from their horses while cutting through the gust.

“Arghhhh!”

The hounds with their vision blocked by the sandstorm couldn’t avoid Zeke’s sword.

Then a sword light flashed behind Zeke.

Whoosh!

A Blue Knight swung an Aura Blade.

Swoosh!

Zeke dodged the sword with Shadowless step.

Then he immediately concentrated Aura throughout his body and body slammed towards the horse the knight was riding.

Boom!

Neeeigh!

The horse hit by Zeke’s attack fell sideways.

The knight who was riding the horse immediately got up and charged at Zeke again.

“Haaaaah!”

Zeke deflected the hound’s sword imbued with Aura Blade using his sword filled with gold force.

“Kugh!”

As his wrist stung from the tremendous impact, the Blue Knight retreated back instead of charging again.

He shouted to the other hounds.

“Catch this guy! I’ll chase the prince.”

Then he quickly turned and rode another hound’s horse towards Carus.

Zeke, now urgent, had no choice but to take the Dragon Slaying Technique basic stance.

Woong!

A crescent-shaped aura shot out from his sword.

Slash!

The Blue Knight riding on horseback was hit by the crescent aura Zeke launched from behind and fell from his horse.

He didn’t die, probably wearing armor inside.

“Kugh! That bastard! He’s a Draker!”

The hound immediately recognized Zeke’s Dragon Slaying Technique.

Zeke clenched his teeth.

If even one person escaped here, there was a risk his identity would be exposed.

Zeke focused his mind and raised Bahamut.

Woooong!

Aura surged from the sword.

Zeke’s body moved like a gale.

Dragon Slaying Technique

Wind Technique

Wind Blade

Like wind becoming a single blade, sharp sword strikes poured from Zeke’s body as he ran like the wind..

Slashhhh!

Moving between the hounds, Zeke’s sword that became wind cut their necks, pierced their hearts, and severed their limbs.

“Arghhhh!”

The hounds couldn’t block Zeke’s attacks that had become one with the sandstorm.

After a stream of wind passed, all the hounds fell.

Zeke approached where the Blue Knight who hadn’t died was with his sword raised.

The Blue Knight gritted his teeth looking at Zeke.

“Damn you Drakers. The Empire’s flame will burn you…!”

Slice!

Before finishing his words, Zeke’s sword cut off his neck.

While wondering how to handle the knights’ corpses that had traces of Dragon Slaying Technique, Zeke gathered them in one place and placed his hand on the bodies.

“Power of Decay.”

He tried using the power gained from devouring the great dragon species.

Then starting from the corpses touched by Zeke’s hand, decay gradually began progressing.

TSSS! TSSS! TSSS!

The corpses decayed at a rapid speed, and finally even their armor and swords completely corroded and scattered with the sandstorm.

Zeke was shocked seeing the corpses disappear in an instant.

“So this is the power of decay… It could be an incredible weapon if used well.”

After handling the hounds’ corpses with the power of decay, Zeke mounted a living war horse and rushed towards Carus’s group.

Breaking through the fierce sandstorm, when I moved quickly towards the group and almost reached them.

Something was wrong.

‘That…?’

Simon and Boris had fallen while bleeding, holding their swords, and Carus was aiming a crossbow at someone.

Zeke jumped off his horse and unleashed the Wind Storm.

Whoosh!

Zeke swung his sword at the enemy approaching Carus.

Clash!

They deflected Zeke’s sword imbued with Aura power with a dagger.

Zeke stood in front of Carus and pointed his sword at the enemies.

The two standing before Zeke had slender builds and wore clothes made of cotton, with their faces covered by chadors.

There was only one place that wore such distinctive attire.

‘Ishtar’s mystic artists.’

Zeke threw a potion to Simon and asked.

“What happened?”

Simon applied the potion to his wound and used the rest on Boris who had deeper wounds before answering.

“Those bastards suddenly appeared and attacked.”

Zeke pointed his sword at the Ishtar side and asked.

“Why did you attack us?”

One of them stepped forward and said.

“You ignored the Ishtar family’s exile order and entered their territory.”

It was an unwritten rule that when the Ishtar family issues an exile order, no one can enter the family’s territory.

Zeke glared at them and said.

“Are you saying you attacked immediately without even hearing our circumstances?”

“We prioritize the family’s exile order above all else. Those who ignore the holy sandstorm’s warning cannot have good intentions. There is only judgment from the Earth God.”

Since the Ishtar family was famous for being stubborn and narrow-minded, there was no point in further dialogue.

Zeke took a deep breath and slowly opened his mouth.

Ancient Eastern language flowed from his mouth.

“Under the name of the Earth God, I wish to determine the guilt of violating the exile order through an honor duel.”

The Ishtar warrior was shocked by Zeke’s words.

“You, you! How… Do you know the holy laws of earth?!”

The Ishtar family was a place that strictly followed family laws passed down for a long time.

Among the laws of the Ishtar family, there was one that took precedence above all.

Holy judgment through warriors’ confrontation.

The Earth God they worship was also the god of warriors.

Therefore, when someone commits a crime or a problem occurs, there was a law stating that after a duel betting warrior’s honor, one could know what judgment the Earth God had made based on the result.

Since Ishtar was the most closed-off place on the continent, naturally no one outside knew about this law.

However, Zeke knew about Ishtar’s laws thanks to his experience of being in a special organization in his previous life.

When the warrior’s law suddenly came up, the Ishtar warriors showed surprised looks.

Then someone who had been quietly watching from behind stepped forward.

Another warrior was shocked.

“My, my lady, are you going to participate in the duel?”

The warrior nodded and stood in front of Zeke.

The Ishtar warrior soon held uniquely shaped daggers in both hands.

The blade was wavy like water.

Zeke knew that dagger was the Ishtar family’s exclusive weapon.

‘Using that dagger. Seems to be a warrior of considerable status within the family.’

Ishtar, one of the three transcendent families.

They were a family of mystic practitioners different from the knights of the Central Continent.

They display unique physical techniques combining weapon arts, assassination arts, and poison arts after strengthening their bodies using mystic arts.

While Zeke was recalling about Ishtar, the Ishtar warrior took stance with the daggers.

Zeke also took the Dragon Slaying stance with Bahamut.

One could not let their guard down for even a moment when facing an Ishtar mystic artist.

Swoosh!

The Ishtar warrior rushed towards Zeke first.

Clash!

The warrior swung the daggers with animal-like movements.

Zeke stepped back, pushed by the force in the daggers.

‘Incredible strength. As if using Aura.’

Zeke also concentrated Aura in his sword and clashed with the warrior’s daggers.

BANG! BANG!

When the sword and daggers collided, it sounded like metal masses crashing.

Zeke swung his sword with all his might against the warrior’s attacks who wielded the daggers with sharp mystic angle techniques in continuous linked movements like dancing.

‘Strong.’

Central Continent’s swordsmanship evolved in a way optimized for Aura training.

However, Ishtar family’s mystic arts focused on efficient killing techniques.

Thanks to this, warriors of the Ishtar family were all worthy of being called killing experts.

They were specialists of killing on a different level from mere assassins.

Clash!

Under the endless chain of attacks, Zeke couldn’t properly find a moment to use Dragon Slaying technique.

Zeke stepped back and changed his stance.

“Whew.”

After catching his breath and taking the Elemental Sword stance, Zeke spread the water power field.

WHOOSH!

Among what he learned from Kaisir, the water power field was the most difficult to acquire.

Zeke’s sword advanced smoothly like waves.

CLASH!

When the flow of the sword suddenly changed, the Ishtar warrior was bewildered.

Like other knights of the Central Continent, they had only been defending, unable to find timing to use Aura, but suddenly displayed a completely different sword.

SWOOSH!

Though slower than Zeke’s previous sword strikes, it had even fewer openings than before.

The Ishtar warrior felt their sword dance’s flow being disrupted by Zeke’s sword.

Eventually, the Ishtar warrior had to retreat, unable to properly execute their mystic angle technique against Zeke’s sword that kept thrusting between their linked movements.

Whoosh!

A sandstorm blew between Zeke and the Ishtar warrior.

They glared at each other without moving.

Though they appeared to be standing still, in reality, an enormous number of exchanges were taking place.

The other Ishtar warrior watching was shocked.

‘Good heavens. To think there was a warrior who could fight evenly with the young lady.’

She was called the greatest genius in Ishtar family history.

Even the family’s top warriors couldn’t keep up with her sword dance.

In terms of physical techniques, no one in the family could match her, so it was shocking that an outsider who invaded their territory was fighting evenly with her.

That’s when it happened.

Swoosh!

The two lunged at each other simultaneously.

Zeke’s sword swept through the sandstorm like drawing a massive wave.

WHOOOOSH!

The Ishtar warrior running towards the wave-like sword strike spun her body while holding the daggers and rode up that wave.

Swoosh!

The warrior who rode up the wave smoothly spun her body once more, jumped into the air, and unleashed a flying Kick towards Zeke.

A whirlwind kick containing the force of ten thousand pounds fell toward Zeke.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

A massive explosion occurred where Zeke had been, causing sandstorms to rise in all directions.

Chapter 100

WHOOSH!

The sandstorm subsided.

The two figures were revealed, and surprisingly, Zeke had Bahamut pointed at the Ishtar warrior’s neck.

Zeke spoke to the warrior.

“It seems the God of Earth has made their judgment.”

The Ishtar warrior quietly nodded at Zeke’s words.

When he withdrew his sword, the warrior slowly got up.

As the two emerged from the pit, another Ishtar warrior came running with a surprised voice.

“Miss!”

The tall Ishtar warrior who fought Zeke made some hand gestures to communicate something.

The running warrior showed a shocked expression.

“W-what? The Miss lost?”

They seemed quite shocked.

Zeke sheathed his sword and said.

“The God of Earth has made their judgment. You can no longer charge us with violating the expulsion order, so open the path. We need to get to the Central Continent as soon as possible.”

The tall warrior made more hand gestures to communicate something to the other warrior.

The short warrior was surprised again.

“Y-you’re inviting them to the household?”

Even Zeke standing nearby was surprised at those words.

‘The last time the Ishtar household invited guests was 150 years ago, wasn’t it?’

That’s how closed off the Ishtar household was.

Then the short warrior spoke to Zeke.

“…The Miss says she will open a portal for quick travel to the Central Continent, so follow us.”

Zeke was surprised again at those words.

“A portal? Does the Ishtar household have their own portal?”

The short warrior didn’t respond to Zeke’s question.

Then the tall warrior gestured for Zeke to follow.

After contemplating, Zeke said to Simon and Boris.

“They don’t seem hostile, so let’s follow for now.”

The Ishtar household he knew from his past life was a place that followed the law and the God of Earth’s judgments like their lives depended on it.

Zeke put the severely injured Boris on a horse and followed behind the Ishtar warriors on foot with Simon and Carus.

Carus was flushed with strange excitement.

“Zeke, we get to see the Ishtar household ourselves. We’re really lucky.”

“…I’m glad you think so.”

Carus was quite relaxed considering they almost died.

Breaking through the rough sandstorm and going deeper inside, they had entered the desert area rather than wasteland.

The white star sand spreading across the vast desert created a mysterious atmosphere.

The Ishtar warriors went into the desert.

Zeke had his map open and was recording the Ishtar warriors’ route.

Strangely, while it felt like they were just walking straight ahead, the route marked on the map was going in random directions.

‘The mystery of the desert.’

It seemed there was a path only known to the Ishtar household.

That’s when it happened.

Though nothing was visible in the desert just moments ago, something could now be seen in the distance.

“Ohhh.”

Carus let out an exclamation beside him.

He was excited about being able to see the Ishtar household’s main residence that he had only heard about.

Then the short warrior snapped.

“Outsiders can never enter this place no matter what, so don’t waste time wandering the desert trying to find it again.”

As Zeke expected, there seemed to be a special way to enter the main residence.

Zeke’s group gradually entered the Ishtar city built in the middle of the desert.

* * *

“Good heavens, to think there was such a large city in the middle of the desert!”

As soon as they entered the city, Carus kept expressing amazement.

The Ishtar city had a completely different atmosphere from the Central Continent and looked more similar to Eastern Empire style.

Most people wore clothes made of cotton and covered their faces with chadors, while only those who looked like Central Continent people had their faces uncovered.

‘The Ishtar household are all fierce believers of the God of Earth. I guess only non-believers show their faces.’

Though it was a closed city, it was surprisingly no different from any other city, contrary to expectations of an extremely solemn and quiet atmosphere.

The market was rich with goods and lively.

Zeke wondered how such goods entered this isolated closed city.

‘They probably won’t tell me even if I ask.’

Zeke’s group looked around various parts of the market while following the Ishtar warriors toward the main palace at the center of the city.

When they reached the front of the main palace, the guards watching the gate were wary of Zeke’s group who were outsiders.

Then the short warrior spoke to the guards.

“They are the Miss’s guests. I will report inside personally.”

The guards bowed their heads formally before returning to their original positions.

Unlike the city, the inside of the palace was very quiet and solemn as expected.

The people walking around made no footsteps, and there were hardly any traces of people in the palace to begin with.

It felt like looking at a monastery.

The short warrior said to Zeke’s group.

“I will guide you to a room, so rest there for a while. We will decide what to do after reporting to the household elders.”

It seemed they couldn’t use the portal right away.

Zeke’s group entered a room guided by another guide.

As soon as they entered the room, Zeke laid Boris down and checked his condition.

Thanks to the potion he took, he had passed the dangerous state.

Zeke took out an ancient potion from his inventory.

It was much more effective than regular potions.

He sprayed the potion on Boris’s wounds and fed him the rest.

Though Healing would cure him quickly, he used potions instead since he was reluctant to show his Healing talent in front of others.

“Ughhhh.”

“Boris, how are you feeling?”

“Boss… I’m dying.”

“Stop exaggerating, you’re not dead yet.”

Boris slowly sat up.

“Ugh. But where are we?”

“The Ishtar main palace.”

“What?”

Boris was startled and looked around warily.

Zeke reassured him.

“It’s fine. We’re invited as guests of the Ishtar household, so you can relax.”

Despite Zeke’s words, Boris remained cautious about being in the headquarters of the Ishtar household, full of assassination art specialists.

At that moment, servants entered and prepared food.

Though modest like monastery food, it was simple and preserved the natural flavors of the ingredients.

After finishing the meal, Zeke drank the tea brought by a servant.

“…Hmm? This is a flavor I’ve never tasted before. Does the Ishtar household grow their own tea as well?”

The servant nodded at Zeke’s words.

“You have good knowledge of tea. This tea can only be tasted here, made from breeds cultivated in the desert region.”

Zeke nodded and savored the tea’s aroma.

It felt like several times the concentrated aroma of precious Eastern tea, yet it subtly permeated without being overwhelming, giving great satisfaction.

‘I wonder if they sell this as a specialty in the market. I’d like to buy some.’

Zeke was savoring every sip of this new tea.

As Zeke regained composure and looked around at his companions, Carus had taken out a small sketchbook and was drawing the Ishtar city scenery he had seen.

Watching Carus, Zeke said.

“If you carelessly leak that, Ishtar’s assassination artists might come after you, Carus.”

Startled by those words, Carus hiccupped, then quietly closed his sketchbook.

Then he closed his eyes, trying to engrave the city’s scenery in his mind.

That’s when it happened.

Someone entered the room.

It was the two warriors who had brought Zeke’s group to the palace.

The short warrior discarded their earlier domineering attitude and politely greeted them, saying.

“The household elders have formally invited you as guests. There will be a banquet for the guests this evening, so please make sure to attend.”

Zeke stood up and bowed to the warriors, saying.

“We gladly accept the Ishtar household’s invitation. May the God of Earth’s blessing be with the desert guardians.”

The short warrior replied.

“May the God of Earth’s blessing be with the desert travelers. Please forgive my earlier rudeness. My name is Ezgi Ishtar. And this is Lady Yelin Ishtar.”

Zeke looked at Yelin and said.

“I see Lady Yelin Ishtar is observing a vow of silence.”

Yelin lightly nodded at those words.

Zeke spoke to the two.

“My name is Zeke Draker.”

Yelin and Ezgi were startled at those words.

“D-Draker…? Goodness.”

Yelin and Ezgi looked at Zeke curiously.

“…Why do you look at me like that?”

Ezgi spoke with a dubious voice.

“Well, we heard all Drakers have horns on their heads, sharp teeth, and always laugh like demons going kekeke…”

Zeke responded with an incredulous expression.

“Well, in the Central Continent they say Ishtar household members drink poison like water with every meal.”

Ezgi burst out angrily.

“How could we drink poison every meal?! Do you know how expensive that is?! We drink it once a day at most. But, the Miss takes it with every meal though.”

So they did drink it after all. Zeke let out a small laugh at the unexpected response.

Having finished their conversation, Ezgi kept checking if Zeke had horns on his head until being dragged out by Yelin.

Simon, who had been watching, snickered.

“I thought the Ishtar household was a place without blood or tears, but I guess people live here too.”

Zeke nodded.

“Yeah. But why did rumors spread about Draker people having horns…? And laughing ‘kekeke.’ Does anyone laugh like that?”

Carus beside him chimed in.

“Zeke, that’s a metaphor. It’s figuratively expressing how the Draker family is like demons. The Draker family has made many enemies and has many harsh aspects after all.”

“…Right. Thanks for the kind explanation, Carus.”

Carus looked satisfied at Zeke’s words.

When evening came, guides brought cotton clothes to Zeke’s group.

Boris, still not recovered from his injuries, would stay in the room with Simon remaining to guard him.

Only Carus and Zeke, excited about being invited to the Ishtar household banquet, changed into cotton clothes and followed the guide to the banquet hall.

In the banquet hall, a huge round table was prepared with people in cotton clothes seated all around.

Yelin and Ezgi who had invited Zeke greeted them from the front and guided them to the round table.

Zeke and Carus awkwardly sat at the round table.

Then one of those seated at the table slowly stood up.

Though their face was covered and unrecognizable, a clear, pure voice rang out.

“It has been 150 years since we’ve had guests in our household. As the head of the household, I wish to convey this joy to the God of Earth.”

At that, everyone else joined hands and offered thanks to the God of Earth.

The household head spoke to Zeke.

“Sir Zeke Draker, who found our household through the God of Earth’s guidance. We welcome you as Ishtar’s guest. Please stand and offer words of blessing for this miraculous meeting.”

Zeke slowly stood up.

Then he spoke in ancient Eastern language.

“The God of Earth who oversees mystery and wonder has arranged this meeting. I offer thanks for their wisdom and divine power, and wish to engrave the order of law which is most important above all else.”

The Ishtar household members were moved by Zeke’s fluent ancient Eastern language and formal blessing.

They nodded with satisfied faces as they looked at Zeke.

After Zeke finished speaking and sat down, the household head said.

“As this is a joyous day, let us all remove our chadors to welcome our guest.”

Then all the Ishtar household members excitedly removed their chadors.

Zeke and Carus were shocked to see the revealed faces of the Ishtar people.

‘They’re all incredibly beautiful…!’

Though the Graham family was famous for their beauty in the Central Continent, even they couldn’t compare to the Ishtar household members.

With various hair colors, some had white skin while others had dark skin.

But they were all commonly beautiful men and women with fine features.

Just looking at their appearances, it was hard to imagine them as the Ishtar household famous for assassination arts.

Zeke turned his head to look at Yelin who had fought with him.

Mysterious emerald hair flowed like waves, and her face was like a perfect statue carved from marble.

Carus also gaped at Yelin.

But Zeke was shocked for a different reason.

Because he discovered Yelin’s long, pointed ears.

‘An elf?’