Episode 114
“Arararara!”
With a loud battle cry, the warriors of the Jo-in tribe made their entrance.
Riding on horseback, these warriors were adorned with vibrant feathers and ornaments, their sturdy beaks and massive frames making them an imposing sight.
Whirr!
The Jo-in warriors hurled their hand axes.
Crack!
The axes, thrown with tremendous force, split the skulls of the horses ridden by the knights.
“Damn it!”
Realizing they were up against Draker’s knights, the Jo-in warriors strategically targeted the horses, knowing the knights would likely deflect the axes.
Simultaneously, warriors at the rear launched magical bombs using their catapults.
Whoosh!
The Jo-in’s keen eyesight and precise throwing skills ensured the bombs hit their mark.
Boom!
The Red Lion Knights, true to their reputation, quickly evaded the blast radius of the magical explosions.
The Jo-in warriors, experienced in fighting knights, kept their distance, opting to attack from afar.
Then, among the Jo-in warriors, those with larger builds and black feathers stepped forward.
Whoosh!
They swung their traditional iron clubs, letting out a piercing battle cry.
“Kiyaaaaa!”
“Kiyaaaa!”
“Arararara!”
The cries echoed across the wasteland, causing the knights to hesitate and step back.
These were the warriors of the Blackwing tribe, known for their ferocity and strength.
Each Blackwing warrior was as formidable as a knight wielding aura.
The sudden appearance of the Jo-in warriors forced the Red Lion Knights to shift their focus from Zeke to the new threat.
Assessing the situation, William called out to the leading Jo-in warrior.
“We are the Draker Knights! We are on a mission, so stand down immediately.”
In response, a relatively smaller warrior from the Blackwing tribe stepped forward.
Though small in stature, his sharp gaze and commanding presence were anything but ordinary.
He spoke fluently in the common language of the continent.
“You have trespassed on our land and desecrated the temple where our ancestors’ spirits reside.”
Seeing the ruins, the Jo-in warriors had come to understand the situation.
William addressed the Jo-in warrior.
“That has nothing to do with us.”
“Nothing to do with you, you say.”
The warrior took a step closer.
“Humans greedily seek the mysteries of our kind. In the end, that greed will consume you and lead to your own destruction.”
Watching this, Abel spoke up.
“Jo-in tribe, if you continue to interfere with our mission, we will consider you enemies of Draker.”
At Abel’s words, the Red Lion Knights drew their weapons, though they were clearly outnumbered by the Jo-in warriors, creating a tense standoff.
The Jo-in warrior signaled to his comrades.
They revealed their garments, showing an alarming number of magical bombs strapped beneath.
Even a single explosion could obliterate the entire area.
Abel frowned at the sight.
The Jo-in warriors were known to charge into battle with bombs, ready to sacrifice themselves.
The Red Lion Knights felt their resolve waver in the face of such determination.
William quietly approached Abel and whispered.
“Abel, there’s no need to clash with the Jo-in here. It’s a waste of resources.”
With the ruins collapsed, the temple and any experimental results were lost.
There was no point in wasting valuable knights here.
Understanding William’s reasoning, Abel addressed the Jo-in warrior.
“Fine. We apologize for entering your territory. We have no intention of staying here long. However, that outlaw killed our knights. Once we capture him, we’ll leave immediately.”
Zeke, observing the standoff between Abel and the Jo-in, was searching for an escape route.
“The Jo-in tribe, huh.”
Something clicked in Zeke’s mind.
“The Blackwing tribe… and the charisma to unite other tribes.”
He recalled a famous Jo-in warrior from his past life.
The leader of the Beastmen Revolution Army, who rose for the freedom of oppressed beastmen in the central continent.
The leader of the Western Revolution Army was a Jo-in warrior with black feathers.
“Wasn’t his name Song of the Hidden Flame?”
If these warriors were led by Song of the Hidden Flame, their skills would be formidable.
At that moment, Morgan’s Herseion, which had been lying on the ground, disintegrated.
“This is my chance.”
Zeke pulled the chain, lifting the fallen Morgan and grabbing him by the throat.
Then, in a northern accent mixed with the common language, he shouted.
“Draker scum! Keep chasing, and this one’s life is forfeit!”
Bound by soul-binding magic, Morgan could only gasp for air, unable to resist.
Abel was already frustrated with the Jo-in’s bomb threat, and now with Morgan, the legion commander, taken hostage, his anger surged.
Rumble—
The ground began to shake around Abel.
His eyes glowed a fiery red.
William, watching Abel with concern, spoke anxiously.
“A-Abel, c-calm down.”
If Abel lost control and Morgan died, the connections painstakingly built with the empire could be severed.
Zeke watched Abel’s unexpected reaction closely.
“What is this power from Abel?”
It was a different kind of energy than aura emanating from Abel.
Rumble—
At William’s urging, Abel managed to rein in his temper and regain his composure.
The tremors subsided.
“Now’s my chance!”
In an instant, Zeke hurled Morgan towards the Jo-in warriors.
“Song of the Hidden Flame! That man is the legion commander of the imperial garrison! Do as you will!”
As Morgan flew towards the Jo-in warriors, Song of the Hidden Flame gestured to his comrades in surprise.
The Jo-in warriors rushed to seize Morgan.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Zeke sprinted in the opposite direction.
Seeing Zeke flee, Abel shouted to his knights.
“Damn it! Capture him!”
Abel couldn’t leave, needing to retrieve Morgan from the Jo-in’s grasp.
With the Jo-in now aware of Morgan’s identity, they might flay him alive.
Zeke, enveloped in the will of speed, raced across the wasteland.
A few Red Lion Knights pursued him.
“Perfect.”
He quickly changed direction, randomly throwing chains at the Red Lion Knights.
“Ugh!”
A knight, ensnared by the chains, fell from his horse.
Zeke leaped into the air, landing on the horse the knight had abandoned.
Drawing his sword, he cut down the other knights.
“Aaargh!”
Using a healing buff on the horse, Zeke outpaced the Red Lion Knights, heading towards the border.
“Master!”
Having finally shaken off his pursuers, Zeke returned to the border headquarters, where Liam and Felix greeted him.
Zeke looked visibly exhausted.
Liam asked with concern.
“My lord, are you alright?”
”…I can’t say I am. Liam, bring me some tea.”
Liam quickly brewed a cup and presented it to Zeke.
Zeke had spent days evading the pursuit, crossing the wasteland to cover his tracks.
As he sipped the warm tea, his body relaxed. Only then did he feel the mission was truly over.
Felix approached Zeke.
“Master, where have you been these past few days? The princess has been looking for you.”
“The princess? For what reason?”
“Well, it seems the imperial garrison is withdrawing.”
“Interesting.”
It seemed Song of the Hidden Flame had successfully negotiated with the empire, using Morgan as leverage.
From the empire’s perspective, with the ruins collapsed, there was no reason to target the Jo-in’s territory.
Zeke nodded in approval.
“That’s good news.”
Just then, Princess Melissa entered the room, having heard the news.
“Sir Zeke!”
She rushed to him, embracing him tightly.
Seeing this, Felix and Liam exchanged glances and discreetly left the room.
Realizing her actions, Princess Melissa quickly stepped back, flustered.
“I-I’m sorry. I was just so worried something might have happened to you…”
“It’s alright. More importantly, I heard the imperial garrison is withdrawing.”
Melissa quickly composed herself and explained the situation.
“Yes. For some reason, Commander Morgan suddenly ordered a withdrawal. I don’t think it’s because of our confrontation. There must be something else.”
Zeke chose not to mention the ruins to Melissa.
Though they were allies, there was no obligation to share all information.
“The experiments on creating monsters with demonic blood… I’ll keep that to myself for now.”
Then Melissa spoke to Zeke.
“Oh, Sir Zeke. There’s more good news.”
“What is it?”
“The supply of the Red Flower Disease medicine has stabilized. As a result, the spread of the disease in the border area has significantly slowed.”
It seemed the collapse of the laboratory had also halted the experiments related to the disease.
“Though it might be continuing elsewhere.”
Zeke didn’t mention this, instead smiling at Melissa.
“That’s excellent news.”
“That’s great news. The red flower disease spreading along the border might be eradicated soon.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Sir Zeke. On behalf of Alencia, I truly thank you.”
Zeke nodded in response to Melissa’s gratitude, then slowly stood up.
“Well, I’ll take a short rest and then be on my way.”
Melissa was taken aback by Zeke’s sudden announcement.
“You’re leaving? Where to?”
Zeke tilted his head slightly, puzzled. “I need to return to Atlas. You must also head back to Alencia, Princess. I’m sure you have a lot on your plate.”
Melissa had assumed that Zeke, having come all this way and shared so many conversations with her, would naturally accompany her back to Alencia. She had grown fond of him and was looking forward to exploring Alencia’s famous sites together and discussing future ventures.
At twenty-nine, Melissa had been so consumed by work that she had never experienced a proper romance and didn’t know how to express her feelings. Zeke, on the other hand, was indifferent to romance, considering such emotions a luxury. With the border issue resolved, he saw no reason to linger in Alencia.
Melissa was reluctant to let Zeke go and pondered how to persuade him to stay. Just then, someone entered the room.
“Ma-Master.”
It was Felix, looking sheepish as if he had interrupted something important.
Zeke addressed him with a calm demeanor. “What is it, Felix?”
“I’m terribly sorry to intrude, but there’s an urgent message…”
“Skip the unnecessary details and get to the point.”
“There’s a summons from the Four Seasons Castle. You’re required to attend the official knight induction ceremony.”
In the Draker tradition, knights undergo a probationary period after receiving their title. Once they complete this period, they attend an induction ceremony and choose which order to join. This ceremony is one of the most significant events for the Draker knights.
Zeke turned to Melissa. “No time to waste, it seems. I must leave immediately. Until next time, Princess.”
Princess Melissa forced a smile despite her disappointment. “Yes, but next time, I hope you’ll see Alencia with me.”
“I look forward to it, Princess.”
Even Zeke’s formal reply brightened Melissa’s face. With Felix and Liam in tow, Zeke departed the border headquarters as swiftly as he had arrived, heading back to Atlas.
A few days later, at the Four Seasons Castle in Autumnfell, the Draker family’s official knight induction ceremony was underway. The head of the family, elders, guardian knights, and members of the Draker knight order were all gathered.
The grand hall of Autumnfell was filled with Draker knights, but their expressions were unusual.
Arthur Draker, the head of the family, broke the silence and addressed Zeke. “I’ll ask you again, Zeke Draker, which order will you choose?”
Zeke spoke clearly and decisively. “My answer remains the same. I choose none.”