Episode 174
Emerging from the prison, Zeke found himself lost in thought.
“Coffee, huh.”
Zeke wasn’t much of a coffee drinker, preferring tea instead. While not as universally popular as tea, coffee had recently become a trendy beverage in the city. However, it wasn’t something everyone could enjoy. The limited regions where coffee could be grown meant that demand far outstripped supply, making it a luxury item. True coffee could only be savored in renowned hotels or restaurants.
“The places that produce coffee are limited.”
From Dario’s memories, Zeke was certain he had seen a coffee-producing region. The aroma was unlike anything found in the city, suggesting a place where coffee was cultivated, not just sold. By narrowing down the possibilities based on climate, architecture, and the fact that it was a coffee-producing area, Zeke hoped to pinpoint where Dario had made contact with the mysterious Narak.
He had finally grasped a clue about the elusive Narak.
“If it’s a coffee-producing area, it’s likely in the southern part of the Empire or the outskirts of the Holy Kingdom.”
Though he had heard that the Republic of Dorta had started growing coffee, the atmosphere in Dario’s memories didn’t match that of Dorta.
“Somewhere in the southwestern part of the central continent. That’s where Narak’s base must be.”
Just as Zeke organized his thoughts, Boris and Visco returned from their training.
Zeke called out to Boris.
“Boris, head to the southwest of the continent immediately…”
As he was giving instructions, Zeke sensed something amiss. The dragon soldiers he had stationed around sent out a warning signal.
“Enemies are coming.”
At Zeke’s words, Boris gestured to Visco. Though unexpected, it wasn’t entirely unforeseen. They had to evacuate with Dario as planned.
Visco and Boris quickly took Dario out of the prison.
Drawing his sword, Zeke spoke.
“I’ll distract them. Stay in the mountain bunker until it’s safe, then head to Mycenae.”
“Understood, boss.”
Without hesitation, Boris and Visco headed towards the bunker with Dario.
Zeke equipped Hershion and summoned Richmond.
“Richmond, the enemies are approaching. Prepare yourself.”
“Yes, master.”
As Richmond waved his staff, dark clouds suddenly gathered in the clear sky.
Rumble!
Rain began to fall, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Richmond summoned enhanced reptilian skeletons and skeleton dragoons.
While Richmond prepared, Zeke donned a transformation cloak, changing his appearance to that of a Death Knight. With an Arch Lich and a Death Knight, the undead army was complete.
Thud, thud, thud!
In the distance, hundreds of knights on horseback approached. The banners indicated they were from the Siemens faction.
In his Death Knight form, Zeke addressed Richmond.
“Richmond, leave a lasting impression on them.”
Richmond floated into the air.
Screech!
He let out a monstrous cry and swung his staff.
Boom!
A crimson lightning bolt struck the center of the enemy ranks.
Neigh!
The horses panicked, throwing their riders into the mud.
The commander shouted.
“Everyone! Form ranks! It’s the undead!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Richmond’s summoned skeletons, skeleton knights, and skeleton dragoons advanced towards the Siemens knights, their eyes glowing ominously.
The Siemens knights charged at the undead army with their shields raised.
“Haaah!”
Ordinary skeletons could be handled by well-trained soldiers. However, Richmond’s skeletons were enhanced with the power of the “Rider of Blood and Madness” and dragon strength.
Crash!
Contrary to expectations, it was the knights, not the skeletons, who were pushed back upon collision.
The knights, taken aback, retreated.
“Commander! Something’s wrong!”
The commander shouted as he cut down skeletons with his aura blade.
“Fools! They’re just skeletons! Don’t retreat, smash their skulls with your swords!”
Despite his words, the commander himself was barely holding his ground with his aura blade.
The Siemens knights were numerous, but individually they were not particularly skilled, struggling even against the skeletons.
Then Richmond unleashed fireballs from the sky, and the skeleton dragoons swept through the battlefield, quickly dismantling the enemy forces.
“This should be manageable without my intervention.”
In his Death Knight form, Zeke assessed the situation and prepared to join Boris.
Just then, he noticed more riders approaching from the flank.
“Was the Siemens group just the vanguard?”
Zeke enhanced his vision to examine the newcomers. Their banners bore an unfamiliar emblem.
“A scorpion with a star. Could it be…?”
A cavalry unit wielding kite shields and spears, typical of the Imperial Knights.
Zeke realized they were the Scorpius Knights, led by the Scorpion Knight, known to be allied with the Nostra family.
“I didn’t expect them to send reinforcements so quickly.”
While the Siemens knights were numerous but weak, the Imperial Knights were a different story. Especially those from the Zodiac, the elite of the Imperial army.
The Scorpius Knights charged at the undead army with their spears.
Crash!
Unlike the Siemens knights, the Scorpius Knights easily shattered the enhanced skeletons with their spears.
Screech!
Even when skeletons clung to them, pulling them from their horses, they quickly regained their balance and drew their swords to fight back.
Using their characteristic Imperial tactics, they shielded themselves with kite shields and calmly engaged the undead.
With the Scorpius Knights joining the fray, the tide of battle shifted dramatically.
“This is troublesome.”
If they were delayed here, they risked losing Dario.
They had to hold them off somehow.
Zeke drew Bahamut and stepped forward.
Thud!
As Zeke, in his Death Knight form, appeared, the Scorpius Knights formed a shield wall.
A knight who seemed to be the deputy commander led the others forward.
Zeke drew his sword and unleashed an elemental blade.
Whoosh!
A massive gust of wind erupted from Zeke’s sword.
Boom!
The Imperial knights braced against the storm with their shields. Meanwhile, Zeke charged forward.
Crash!
His power-infused sword shattered the Imperial shields.
The deputy commander shouted.
“Maintain formation!”
The Imperial knights discarded their broken shields and raised their swords, aligning themselves.
Soon, aura blades erupted from their swords.
“Charge!”
Slash!
A dozen aura blades descended upon Zeke.
Amazingly, every knight charging at Zeke was of blue knight caliber.
“As expected of the Zodiac.”
Zeke deflected the incoming aura blades with his sword.
Crash!
The knights who swung their swords were unable to withstand the recoil and tumbled to the ground.
The remaining Imperial knights cautiously closed the distance, swords raised towards Zeke.
“Remarkably well-trained.”
They were far stronger than the knights under Morgan Buffon of the Sagittarius.
Zeke gripped his sword, gathering his energy.
Whoosh!
Blue flames erupted from Zeke’s body as he raised his power field.
He altered his voice to mimic a true Death Knight.
“Arrogant humans. I’ll reduce your souls to ashes with the flames of hell.”
Sensing the ominous energy, the deputy commander shouted.
“Evade!”
Zeke plunged his sword into the ground, unleashing blue flames around him.
Boom!
The Siemens knights caught in the flames were incinerated, reduced to ashes.
“Ugh!”
The Scorpius knights managed to escape the blue flames but couldn’t avoid injury entirely.
Assessing the situation, the deputy commander ordered.
“Retreat! Fall back!”
With the swift retreat order, the Scorpius knights withdrew.
The Siemens knights, left behind, were overwhelmed by the skeletons.
“Argh!”
Having lost their will to resist, the Siemens knights were slaughtered by the skeletons.
The commander, who had been shouting in vain, also fell to a skeleton dragoon’s blade.
“This should suffice.”
Zeke confirmed the Scorpius knights had fully retreated and prepared to regroup with Boris. Their hasty withdrawal was puzzling, but it was an opportunity.
Just then, the dragon soldiers sent out a strong warning signal.
“What now?”
The dragon soldiers were being rapidly neutralized.
Someone was swiftly taking them out.
Zeke communicated with Richmond.
“Richmond! Something’s coming! Ready the troops!”
“Understood, master!”
At Richmond’s command, the scattered skeletons raised their shields and formed a defensive line.
Zeke, too, gripped his sword tightly, scanning the surroundings with a wary eye.
Something was approaching rapidly from beyond the forest.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A figure seemed to glide just above the ground, rushing toward them with alarming speed.
Zeke squinted, trying to make out the shape hurtling toward them.
“A kid?”
A boy, who couldn’t have been more than a teenager, flew toward the undead army with a peculiar grin on his face.
As he drew closer, the boy extended his hand forward.
“Explode!”
Crack!
In an instant, the skeletons in that space crumbled as if squeezed by an invisible force, shattering into dust.
The boy, now hovering in front of the legion, waved his hands playfully, as if enjoying himself.
With each gesture, the skeletons floated into the air, gathering and compressing into a single mass like a ball.
Crack!
The skeletons merged into a sphere of bones.
The boy lightly stepped onto the bone sphere he had created.
Dressed in a suit with shorts, he looked like a student from an elite private school.
Zeke realized this boy was sent by the Nostra family.
“A bloodline ability user, perhaps.”
It was a power unlike magic or swordsmanship.
The boy, with a devilish smile, looked down at Zeke, who had transformed into a Death Knight.
“A Death Knight, huh? I wonder if you’ll be fun to play with.”
Suddenly, the boy pointed a finger.
Bang!
A burst of air, and Zeke felt a sharp impact on his shoulder.
The boy pursed his lips in admiration.
“Oh, so you really are a Death Knight. Fascinating.”
The boy floated up again, rolling the bone sphere as if it were a toy.
“Come on! Let’s have some fun!”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The bone sphere spun furiously, charging forward.
Crack!
The remains of fallen knights and other skeletons were sucked into the sphere, growing larger with each rotation.
Before long, the sphere rolled right up to Zeke.
Zeke raised his sword, unleashing a powerful strike.
Rumble!
The force of his blow collided with the spinning sphere.
Boom!
Unable to withstand the attack, the sphere exploded, sending sharp bone fragments flying in all directions.
The boy, protected by an invisible barrier, remained untouched by the debris.
As the bone sphere disintegrated, the boy’s amused expression twisted into a scowl.
Hovering in the air, he glared at Zeke.
“How dare a monster like you break my toy?”
Rumble!
A powerful aura surged around the boy.
Crack!
The ground split, and a vortex of energy swirled around him.
Sensing the ominous power, Richmond, who was floating nearby, was taken aback.
“Master! There’s something strange about that boy.”
Richmond, too, sensed the boy’s power was unnatural.
“Can a bloodline ability alone produce such strength?”
Whatever experiments the Nostra family had conducted to enhance the boy, it was far from normal.
The longer the battle with this unknown power dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would become.
Zeke stepped forward, sword in hand, confronting the boy.
“Those who stand before the Legion of Death shall know only eternal suffering.”
The boy’s face twisted into a crooked smile as he shouted back.
“You damned monster! Cut the crap and come at me! I’ll smash your skull to pieces!”