Episode 106
The atmosphere in the conference room turned icy at Zeke’s words. It was clear to everyone that he was referring to the Empire’s occupying forces.
However, Morgan was a seasoned knight. He relaxed his stern expression and let out a hearty laugh, his face breaking into a friendly smile.
“Ha! You got me there. Well played. So, Sir Zeke Draker is Princess Melissa’s secret weapon.”
Morgan returned to his seat, and Zeke took his place beside Princess Melissa.
Morgan addressed the princess again. “As I was saying earlier… Alencia lacks the capability to manage the Join tribe’s ghetto, so the Empire is offering to take over that responsibility.”
Melissa’s expression hardened at Morgan’s words. Though he spoke with a smile, it was a blatant insult.
Princess Melissa regained her composure and replied calmly, “There are two errors in your statement, Commander.”
“Oh? And what might those be?”
“Firstly, Alencia does not manage the Join tribe’s ghetto. That land has been theirs for 500 years. Alencia respects their territory.”
Melissa continued, her gaze fixed on Morgan. “Secondly, even if Alencia were lacking in management skills, the Empire has no right to intervene. Moreover, I must remind you that stationing troops illegally at Alencia’s border violates the Central Continent Treaty.”
Morgan chuckled at Melissa’s sound argument, a laugh only those from a powerful nation could afford.
He looked at Melissa and said, “It seems there has been a misunderstanding. The Empire respects the Join tribe’s territory. Our intention is not to take over but to protect them. The Emperor himself, concerned about the dwindling numbers of the Join tribe, has issued this directive.”
Melissa clenched her teeth at Morgan’s sly words. His tongue was as sharp as a snake’s.
Zeke, sitting beside Melissa, sensed something amiss in Morgan’s words. ‘Why are they so eager to seize the Join tribe’s land?’
He knew of the Rom Empire’s expansionist policies, but provoking Alencia seemed irrational. The Join tribe’s ghetto was a barren wasteland, much like the desert regions of the southern Central Continent. The endless canyons and red sandstone walls were impressive to behold but inhospitable.
‘There must be something hidden there that they’re after.’
The Empire’s motives were often the same. ‘An ancient ruin… There must be a significant dungeon in the Join tribe’s ghetto.’
The Rom Emperor, obsessed with immortality, was unearthing dungeons across the continent. A dungeon in the Join tribe’s territory, known for their ancient mystical powers, would certainly pique his interest.
Zeke slowly spoke up, addressing Morgan, who was countering Melissa’s arguments with various sophistries. “Sir Buffon.”
Morgan turned to look at Zeke. “Do you have something to say?”
“Continuing this discussion seems pointless.”
Morgan grinned at Zeke’s words. “I agree with Sir Zeke.”
“There is a traditional way to swiftly resolve such disputes.”
Morgan’s eyebrows twitched at that. “Are you suggesting a duel?”
“Isn’t it a tradition that dates back to the Holy Empire?”
Morgan tilted his head, puzzled. ‘Why is this Draker fellow suggesting this?’
The situation clearly favored the Empire. For Zeke to propose a duel, he must be confident.
Morgan probed Zeke, “A traditional duel… Are you referring to a grand warrior battle?”
“Exactly. Three from Alencia, three from the Empire. The winner continues.”
Morgan grinned at Zeke’s proposal. ‘It seems Zeke Draker intends to fight himself.’
It was a typical move for a young knight who had just received his knighthood, unaware of the vastness of the world and overestimating his strength. Zeke Draker, a champion of the Draker Martial Tournament, was likely brimming with confidence.
‘Still just a rookie.’
Morgan nodded in agreement. “Very well. Traditional methods are often the best.”
With Morgan’s agreement, the dispute was to be settled through a grand warrior duel.
As preparations for the duel began, Melissa spoke to Zeke in a worried tone. “Sir Zeke, are you sure you can handle the Empire’s knights?”
The Empire’s knights were known for their toughness and strength, having gained extensive combat experience from numerous wars. In contrast, Alencia’s knights, though skilled in swordsmanship, lacked real battle experience.
Zeke reassured Melissa, “Don’t worry. I will protect your honor, Princess.”
Though Zeke spoke without much thought, Melissa’s heart skipped a beat. It was a line often used by knights confessing their feelings to princesses in storybooks.
However, as Melissa blushed and turned away, Zeke misinterpreted her reaction. ‘Is she upset because I decided on the duel without consulting her?’
He realized that his unilateral decision might have upset Melissa. But the duel was already set. Watching Melissa, Zeke resolved to defeat the Empire’s knights and take responsibility for his actions.
Thud!
For the grand warrior duel, the Empire’s knights appeared in full plate armor. Zeke and the other Alencia knights did the same.
Morgan, the commander, did not participate but sent his most skilled knights instead.
Morgan addressed Zeke, “Will you be participating yourself, Sir Zeke?”
Zeke nodded. Morgan, seemingly satisfied with his assumption, smirked and took his place in the stands.
Melissa, too, sat in the stands, her face filled with anxiety.
An Alencia knight stepped forward first. Zeke watched from the sidelines, observing the Empire’s knights.
‘They seem to be at least of blue knight caliber.’
Morgan, one of the Thirteen Constellation Knights, was a blue knight, though his skills were considered low for his rank. Known more for his strategy than his strength, he was nonetheless the commander of the Sagittarian Knights, one of the Empire’s 13 legions, and not to be underestimated.
However, perhaps to save face, Morgan himself did not participate in the duel. He seemed confident that his knights could handle Alencia’s.
‘That arrogance will be their downfall.’
The duel began, and the Empire’s knight immediately pressed the Alencia knight.
Crash!
The Empire’s swordsmanship was specialized in shield combat, a traditional style adapted to aura combat since the Holy Empire era, making it well-suited for traditional duels.
Morgan’s confidence was understandable.
“Ugh!”
The Alencia knight fell without putting up much of a fight.
The second knight stepped forward, but the result was the same.
With two knights defeated in succession, Melissa’s face turned ashen.
If Zeke, the last participant, lost, they would have to open the path to the Join tribe’s ghetto to the Empire’s occupying forces. Initially, they might claim to protect the Join tribe, but it was clear they would gradually encroach on Alencia’s territory.
That was the Rom Empire’s typical method of territorial expansion.
Zeke donned his armor, took up his kite shield, and entered the arena.
The Empire’s knight, seeing Zeke in full plate armor, remarked, “It’s an honor to duel with the champion of the Draker Martial Tournament.”
Though he spoke of honor, his words were laced with mockery.
Zeke silently closed his visor and raised his sword.
The Empire’s knight also readied his weapon and stood before Zeke.
As the duel commenced, the Empire’s knight charged forward.
“Haaah!”
The knight swung his shield, aiming for Zeke’s side.
Crash!
The clash of shields echoed with a tremendous sound.
The Empire’s knight expected Zeke to stagger. But to his surprise, Zeke stood firm, unaffected by the impact. The knight was taken aback by the unexpected recoil.
He raised his sword to strike Zeke.
Crash!
Zeke struck first, slamming his shield into the knight’s front.
The force of the blow sent the knight reeling backward.
Zeke swiftly advanced, swinging his sword at the knight’s side.
Crunch!
The armor crumpled, and a cracking sound echoed from the knight’s side.
“Argh!”
The Empire’s knight collapsed, groaning in pain.
Morgan, who had been watching with a smug smile, jumped up in shock.
He shouted at Zeke, “Isn’t that an artifact? That’s against the rules!”
Zeke opened his visor and replied, “It’s not an artifact. These are standard weapons and armor borrowed from the Alencia border headquarters. Feel free to inspect them.”
Morgan clenched his teeth. Zeke’s skill was better than he had anticipated.
“If I’d known it would come to this, I should’ve just stepped in myself, reputation be damned.”
But it was too late to change the course of the grand duel.
Morgan took a deep breath and sat back down.
The two remaining champions were seasoned knights he had personally trained and fought alongside on countless battlefields.
He reassured himself that a newly minted knight like Zeke couldn’t possibly defeat them.
Crash!
Yet, with a single shield strike, Zeke sent the second knight flying.
Morgan’s jaw dropped at the sight.
“How… how is this possible?”
Despite his lack of experience, Zeke’s skill with the shield was extraordinary.
He wielded the heavy, unwieldy shield as if it were an extension of his own body.
To see him overpower imperial knights, who prided themselves on their shield techniques, left Morgan speechless.
With a grave expression, Morgan turned to Antonio, the last remaining champion.
“You must not lose.”
Antonio nodded and closed his helmet.
Being the most skilled among the three, Morgan decided to place his trust in him.
Zeke and Antonio faced each other in the arena.
With both being the last champions standing, this was the final duel.
Melissa, watching from the stands, clenched her fists tightly.
Antonio moved first.
“Haah!”
With the precision and practicality befitting an imperial knight, he advanced with his shield and swung his sword.
Clang!
Zeke’s sword clashed with Antonio’s.
Antonio was taken aback by the sheer weight behind Zeke’s strikes, especially from someone not yet fully grown.
‘A monster…’
He finally understood why the knights of Draker were hailed as the continent’s strongest.
Sensing Antonio’s hesitation, Zeke seized the opportunity and closed in.
Thud!
Zeke’s sword slammed into Antonio’s shield.
Though he blocked it, the impact reverberated through his body.
“Ugh!”
Antonio couldn’t hold his ground and staggered back.
He widened the distance between them, then gripped his shield with both hands and charged forward to shift the momentum.
Boom!
Antonio, charging with his heavy shield, was a terrifying force in his own right.
But Zeke wasn’t about to let himself be hit so easily.
With a deft sidestep, he evaded Antonio’s charge and swung his shield at the exposed side.
Crash!
Antonio managed to raise his shield just in time to block Zeke’s attack, thanks to his incredible reflexes.
Crack!
But the force twisted his wrist, forcing him to drop the shield and face Zeke with only his sword.
“Huff… huff…”
Antonio focused his aura into his blade.
While it was customary not to use an aura blade in traditional duels, there were times when etiquette had to be set aside.
Antonio decided this was one of those times.
Vroom!
A vivid aura blade formed on Antonio’s sword.