Episode 100
The sandstorm subsided with a whoosh.
As the dust settled, two figures emerged, revealing a surprising scene: Zeke had his sword, Bahamut, poised at the throat of an Ishtar warrior.
Zeke spoke to the warrior with a calm authority. “It seems the Earth God has rendered his judgment.”
The Ishtar warrior nodded quietly in acknowledgment. As Zeke sheathed his sword, the warrior slowly rose to his feet.
When the two climbed out of the pit, another Ishtar warrior rushed over, his voice filled with concern. “My lady!”
The tall Ishtar warrior who had fought Zeke gestured, conveying something silently. The approaching warrior’s eyes widened in shock. “You mean… she lost?”
The disbelief was palpable.
Zeke, now having sheathed his sword, addressed them. “The Earth God has spoken. You can no longer accuse us of trespassing. Let us pass. We must reach the central continent without delay.”
The tall warrior gestured again, and the other warrior’s eyes widened even further. “You’re inviting them to the family estate?”
Even Zeke was taken aback by this. ‘The Ishtar family hasn’t invited guests in over 150 years.’
The Ishtar family was known for its seclusion.
The shorter warrior then turned to Zeke. “The lady has offered to open a portal to expedite your journey to the central continent. Follow us.”
Zeke was once again surprised. “A portal? The Ishtar family has their own portal?”
The shorter warrior did not respond to Zeke’s question. Instead, the tall warrior motioned for Zeke to follow.
After a moment’s hesitation, Zeke turned to Simon and Boris. “It seems they mean no harm. Let’s see where this leads.”
In his past life, Zeke had known the Ishtar family to be staunch followers of the law and the Earth God’s decrees.
Zeke helped the injured Boris onto a horse and, with Simon and Karus, followed the Ishtar warriors on foot.
Karus was visibly excited. “Zeke, can you believe we’re actually going to see the Ishtar family estate? We’re incredibly lucky.”
“Glad you think so,” Zeke replied, amused by Karus’s carefree attitude despite their near-death experience.
They pushed through the harsh sandstorm, moving deeper into the desert until they reached a vast expanse of white sand, creating an almost mystical atmosphere.
The Ishtar warriors led them into the desert.
Zeke activated his map, recording the route they were taking. Strangely, although they seemed to be walking straight, the path on the map was erratic and unpredictable.
‘The desert’s mystery,’ Zeke mused. It seemed the Ishtar family had a secret path known only to them.
Suddenly, something appeared in the distance where there had been nothing moments before.
“Wow,” Karus exclaimed beside him, his voice filled with awe. He was thrilled at the prospect of seeing the legendary Ishtar family estate.
The shorter warrior snapped, “Outsiders can never find their way here, so don’t bother trying to return.”
As Zeke had suspected, there was a special method to enter the estate.
The group gradually approached the city of Ishtar, nestled in the heart of the desert.
“My goodness, a city this large in the middle of the desert!”
Karus couldn’t stop marveling as they entered the city. The atmosphere of Ishtar was entirely different from the central continent, resembling the style of the Eastern Empire.
Most people wore simple clothes and covered their faces with chadors, while those who didn’t were clearly from the central continent.
‘The Ishtar family are devout followers of the Earth God. It seems only non-believers show their faces.’
Contrary to Zeke’s expectations of a solemn and quiet city, Ishtar was bustling and lively, with markets full of goods.
Zeke wondered how such a secluded city managed to acquire so many resources. ‘Not that they’d tell me if I asked.’
Following the Ishtar warriors, Zeke and his companions explored the market before heading to the main palace at the city’s center.
Upon reaching the palace, the guards eyed the outsiders warily.
The shorter warrior addressed the guards, “These are the lady’s guests. I will report to the elders myself.”
The guards nodded respectfully and returned to their posts.
Inside, the palace was as quiet and solemn as Zeke had anticipated. The few people they saw moved silently, and the place felt more like a monastery than a palace.
The shorter warrior spoke to Zeke and his companions. “I’ll show you to a room where you can rest. The elders will decide what to do after I report to them.”
It seemed they wouldn’t be using the portal immediately.
Zeke and his group were led to a room by another guide.
Once inside, Zeke laid Boris down and checked his condition. Thanks to a potion, Boris was no longer in critical danger.
Zeke retrieved an ancient potion from his inventory, far more potent than a regular one. He applied it to Boris’s wounds and had him drink the rest.
Healing magic would have been quicker, but Zeke was reluctant to reveal his abilities in front of others.
“Ugh,” Boris groaned.
“How are you feeling, Boris?” Zeke asked.
“Boss… I feel like I’m dying.”
“You’re not dead yet, so stop whining.”
Boris slowly sat up, wincing. “Where are we?”
“The Ishtar main palace.”
“What?” Boris looked around, alarmed.
Zeke reassured him, “It’s fine. We’ve been invited as guests of the Ishtar family.”
Despite Zeke’s words, Boris couldn’t shake his wariness, knowing they were in the heart of a family known for their deadly skills.
Just then, attendants entered with food. The meal was simple but flavorful, highlighting the natural taste of the ingredients.
After eating, Zeke sipped the tea the attendants brought.
“Hmm? This is a new flavor. Does the Ishtar family grow their own tea?”
The attendant nodded. “You have a discerning palate. This tea is a unique variety cultivated in the desert, available only here.”
Zeke nodded, savoring the aroma. It was like the essence of rare Eastern tea, concentrated yet subtly balanced, offering immense satisfaction.
‘I wonder if they sell this as a local specialty. I’d love to take some back.’
Zeke savored the tea, taking small sips to make it last.
He glanced around at his companions. Karus had taken out a small sketchbook and was drawing the scenes of the Ishtar city.
Zeke warned him, “Be careful with that. If you leak those sketches, the Ishtar assassins might come looking for you, Karus.”
Startled, Karus hiccuped and quickly closed his sketchbook, then closed his eyes, trying to commit the city’s image to memory.
At that moment, the two warriors who had brought them to the palace entered the room.
The shorter warrior, now more courteous, introduced himself. “The elders have formally invited you as guests. There will be a banquet in your honor this evening, and we hope you will attend.”
Zeke stood and bowed slightly. “We are honored by the Ishtar family’s invitation. May the Earth God’s blessing be upon the guardians of the desert.”
The shorter warrior responded, “May the Earth God’s blessing be upon the travelers of the desert. Please forgive my earlier rudeness. My name is Ezgi Ishtar, and this is Yelin Ishtar.”
Zeke looked at Yelin. “Are you observing a vow of silence, Yelin Ishtar?”
Yelin nodded slightly in response.
Zeke introduced himself. “I am Zeke Draker.”
Ezgi and Yelin’s eyes widened in surprise. “Dr-Draker? My goodness.”
They stared at Zeke with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
“Is something wrong?” Zeke asked.
Ezgi hesitated, “Well, we heard that all Drakers have horns and sharp teeth and laugh like demons with a ‘kekeke’ sound…”
Zeke chuckled at the absurdity. “In the central continent, they say the Ishtar family drinks poison like water at every meal.”
Ezgi protested, “Who drinks poison at every meal? It’s expensive! Maybe once a day, if that. Well, the lady might have it with every meal.”
So they did drink it, after all. Zeke couldn’t help but laugh at the unexpected revelation.
After their conversation, Ezgi continued to glance at Zeke’s head, as if checking for horns, before Yelin gently pulled him away.
Simon, who had been watching, chuckled. “I thought the Ishtar family was all about blood and steel, but it seems they’re just people like us.”
Zeke nodded. “Indeed. But where did the rumor about Drakers having horns come from? And who laughs like ‘kekeke’?”
Karus, standing nearby, chimed in with a comment.
“Zeke, that’s a metaphor. It’s a way of saying the Draker family is like demons. They’ve made a lot of enemies and have a ruthless side, you know.”
”…Right. Thanks for the explanation, Karus.”
Karus beamed with pride at Zeke’s acknowledgment.
As evening fell, the guides handed Zeke and his companions garments made of plain cloth.
Boris, still recovering from his injuries, decided to stay in his room, with Simon remaining behind to keep him company.
Excited about the invitation to the Ishtar family banquet, only Karus and Zeke changed into the simple attire and followed the guide to the banquet hall.
Upon arrival, they found a massive round table set up, with others dressed in similar plain clothes already seated.
Yelin and Ezgi, who had invited Zeke, greeted them warmly and led them to the table.
Zeke and Karus sat down awkwardly at the round table.
Just then, one of the seated figures slowly rose. Though their face was obscured, a clear and melodious voice filled the room.
“After 153 years, guests have graced our family. As the head, I wish to convey this joy to the god of the earth.”
At this, everyone joined their hands in a gesture of gratitude to the earth god.
The head of the family addressed Zeke.
“Sir Zeke Draker, guided here by the earth god, we welcome you as a guest of Ishtar. Please rise and offer words of blessing for this auspicious meeting.”
Zeke stood up slowly and spoke in ancient Eastern tongue.
“The god of the earth, who governs mystery and wonder, has orchestrated this meeting. We offer thanks for their wisdom and power, and seek to engrave the order of the law above all.”
The members of the Ishtar family were moved by Zeke’s fluent use of the ancient language and his formal blessing.
They nodded in approval, their eyes fixed on Zeke with satisfaction.
As Zeke finished and took his seat, the head of the family spoke again.
“On such a joyous day, let us all remove our chadors and welcome our guest.”
With excitement, the Ishtar family members removed their chadors.
Zeke and Karus were taken aback by the sight of the unveiled Ishtar people.
“They’re all incredibly beautiful…!”
Though the Graham family was renowned for their beauty across the central continent, they couldn’t compare to the Ishtar family.
With hair in a spectrum of colors, some had fair skin while others had darker tones, yet all shared a delicate, striking beauty.
It was hard to believe this was the same Ishtar family known for their deadly skills.
Zeke turned to look at Yelin, who had once been his opponent.
Her emerald hair cascaded like waves, and her face was as flawless as a marble sculpture.
Karus, too, gaped at Yelin.
But Zeke was struck by something else entirely.
He had noticed Yelin’s long, pointed ears.
“An elf?”