Episode 237
Several days had passed since Zeke and his companions escaped from the island of the Deep Sea Tribe.
After capturing a sorcerer from the Abyss, Zeke managed to extract information that had previously eluded him.
The most significant revelation concerned the knights who had attacked Kali.
“Baptized ones, huh…”
The sorcerer referred to these knights as the “Baptized.”
“They’re followers of the Abyss, a group of dark sorcerers centered around the Book of the Dead, and they worship fallen saints known as demons. If they’re the ones bestowing this ‘baptism,’ it’s obvious what it entails.”
The fact that these knights had mastered demonic techniques suggested that the baptism granted them powers from the demon realm.
Zeke, who could manipulate mana directly, had learned these techniques, but for ordinary humans, it was impossible.
The mere fact that the Baptized could use such techniques was evidence that they had transcended human limitations.
Zeke speculated that these knights might have undergone body modification experiments, similar to demons.
Otherwise, it was hard to explain how they could recover from injuries so quickly.
“Even a blue knight could wield the power of a red knight after baptism. And if they can use demonic techniques, their value increases exponentially.”
Zeke suspected that these Baptized were deeply connected to Siemens.
It seemed they were raised and brainwashed from a young age, like the Night Killers, and placed throughout the continent, ready to act on command at critical moments.
“This might explain how the Empire managed to invade the central continent so swiftly during the Third Continental War.”
Zeke wanted to uncover more, but as he delved deeper, the sorcerer’s soul vanished, marking the limit of what he could learn.
With his blood eye open, Zeke sensed the formidable power of the restrictions placed on the sorcerers’ bodies.
He also realized that these restrictions were a form of ancient sorcery, not magic.
As he pondered over the sorcery, Zeke decided to shift his focus and examined the divine relics he had received from Poseidon.
The relics included a piece of a horn and a luminous orb.
Gazing into the orb, he saw waves constantly undulating within. Zeke checked the information on the relics.
―??? Information―
Description: A part of the Sea God Poseidon’s body
Unique Power: ???
Special Notes: ???
―??? Information―
Description: A relic symbolizing the Sea God Poseidon
Unique Power: ???
Special Notes: ???
Strangely, no information appeared for the relics from Poseidon.
“I know they’re valuable, but what am I supposed to do with them?”
After examining them closely once more, Zeke decided to store the relics in his inventory, thinking they might be useful someday.
Next, he retrieved a spear made of god-slaying stone, which had been used to seal the Sea God’s divinity.
It was an ordinary spear with a sharp adamantium tip.
Using his blood eye, Zeke found no trace of divine-slaying energy in the adamantium.
“A spear that can seal even a divine dragon, impressive.”
Perhaps there were more divine dragons sealed by god-slayers like the Sea God.
“Siemens Apollyon. To think he was an immortal who wielded a god-slaying spear.”
Zeke had heard that the great sage used god-slaying stones to seal the Demon King, but he hadn’t expected Siemens Apollyon to have sealed divine dragons first.
He had wanted to question the sorcerer about this, but the sorcerer’s soul had vanished due to the restrictions.
To uncover more, Zeke realized he would need to find an apostle.
As Zeke was organizing his thoughts, Peter Pan—no, Nerissa—came running toward him.
“Look, there’s the harbor!”
They had nearly reached the port city of Iason.
In the distance, Zeke could see the sprawling harbor city.
Nerissa, standing beside him, gazed at Iason with wonder.
“Is that Iason? I’ve only heard about it.”
“Have you never been to Iason before?”
“Of course not! What if I got caught wandering around here?”
Though they were a simple fishing youth group, to outsiders, they were known as a notorious pirate crew of the South Sea.
During the voyage, Zeke had explained his relocation plan to Nerissa and the merfolk.
He proposed developing an uninhabited island given by Kali into a merfolk village, offering assistance to other merfolk who wished to relocate.
Nerissa and the merfolk agreed to Zeke’s proposal.
Zeke planned to use the island as a trade route with the Kingdom of Cusco.
With the Sea God regaining his divinity, the once-treacherous South Sea would calm, facilitating trade with the southern continent.
Zeke intended to make the merfolk’s island the hub of this trade.
“The stronger the merfolk become, and the more prosperous the island, the more powerful a navy I gain.”
Zeke envisioned forming an alliance with the merfolk youth group, similar to the Rose Knights, and growing together.
With the negotiations with the merfolk concluded and having been promoted to a black knight by Poseidon, Zeke felt he had gained much from this journey.
As he reflected on the successful expedition, the Triangle and Neverland ships entered Iason’s harbor.
“Wow!”
Nerissa marveled at the vast harbor and the bustling city, her mouth agape as she took in the sights.
No one would suspect that she was the infamous Peter Pan, feared across the seas.
The merfolk, too conspicuous to wander the city, decided to remain on the ship until temporary accommodations could be arranged.
Zeke planned to meet with Kali to discuss the merfolk’s relocation to the South Sea archipelago.
“You and the merfolk will all gain citizenship in the southern kingdom of Cusco. The archipelago will be my territory, but you’ll be allowed to settle there as Cusco citizens.”
“Hmm. That sounds complicated. Is it really necessary?”
“The merfolk have never had a place to belong, so their rights were never protected. With official status, any issues can be escalated to international matters, citing merfolk persecution.”
“Oh, so it’s about protecting all merfolk.”
As Zeke explained the relocation plan to Nerissa, a carriage approached them swiftly.
“My lord!”
To Zeke’s surprise, it was Felix who had come to greet him.
“Felix? How did you know I was coming?”
“Sir Kali instructed us to report as soon as the ship arrived! But more importantly, you must come quickly!”
Zeke instructed Nerissa to return to the ship and prepared to leave.
“What? I want to come too!”
“It seems there’s trouble. Stay on the ship, and I’ll send someone to contact you. Don’t cause any trouble.”
After sending a pouting Nerissa back to the Neverland, Zeke boarded the carriage with Felix.
Though they had spent considerable time together, Zeke had never seen Felix so urgent.
Once Zeke was seated, Felix spoke slowly.
“Sir Kali has already gone to the Four Seasons Castle.”
“She should be resting, yet she went to the castle? What’s going on?”
With a grim expression, Felix handed Zeke a telegram from Kali.
“Sir Kali asked me to deliver this to you.”
Zeke quickly read the telegram Felix handed him, his eyes widening in surprise.
“Abel is being appointed as a Guardian Knight?”
Zeke had thought the matter of Abel’s appointment was off the table after he thwarted Abel’s dealings with the Empire.
Yet, Abel, who had been out of sight for some time, was suddenly being appointed as a Guardian Knight, leaving Zeke bewildered.
Moreover, it wasn’t a discussion about the appointment; it was already approved and proceeding.
Such a breach of protocol was rare in the meticulous Draker family.
Zeke questioned Felix.
“Did Lady Kali leave any other messages about this situation?”
Felix shook his head.
“Nothing else. She just instructed me to bring you to Atlas as soon as you arrived.”
Zeke furrowed his brow, deep in thought.
He had saved Kali’s life on the Deep Sea Tribe’s island, thinking it would help counter Abel’s influence, but Abel had found another way to advance.
“If Abel becomes a Guardian Knight, Siemens’ influence within the Draker family will grow stronger.”
Assuming the Baptized who attacked Kali were hidden throughout the Draker family’s allies, Siemens was ready to strike at any moment.
“Abel Draker. What trick have you pulled?”
The Autumn Palace in the Four Seasons Castle was bustling with preparations for Abel’s Guardian Knight appointment ceremony.
Before the ceremony began, the meeting room in the Autumn Palace was filled with key figures: Arthur Draker, the head of the family, leaders of allied families, members of the Cross Council, elders, and Guardian Knights, all seated around a round table.
The door opened, and Kali, clad in silver armor, entered.
“It’s been a while, my lord.”
With a stern expression, Kali took her seat.
Once she was seated, Arthur Draker stood up.
“Now that everyone is here, let’s begin.”
He pulled something from his pocket.
It was a golden dragon emblem, symbolizing the Guardian Knight rank of the Draker family.
“As you were informed, today is the day we appoint Abel Draker as a Guardian Knight.”
Arthur Draker announced, holding up the golden emblem.
“In the usual course of events, we would convene the Grand Council, including the Elders, to decide on appointments. However, given the circumstances, I, Arthur Draker, as head of the family, have exercised my discretion to appoint him as a Guardian Knight.”
The room erupted into murmurs at his words.
The position of Guardian Knight was a significant one, granting the holder the right to participate in the Grand Council, which could influence the Draker family. It was clear overreach for the head of the family to make such a decision unilaterally.
Just then, the heavy doors of the council chamber swung open with a resounding thud, and someone entered.
The atmosphere in the room instantly turned icy.
A middle-aged man with a stern expression, clad in a crimson robe, walked in. He looked more like a sorcerer than a knight.
Arthur Draker greeted him with a sly smile. “Ramon, it’s been a while.”
The newcomer was none other than Ramon Zimenez, the head of the Zimenez family. His rare appearance at the council caused a stir among the attendees.
Ramon Zimenez seemed utterly indifferent to the commotion, casually making his way to the empty seat beside Arthur Draker and sitting down.
With the tension in the room thickening, one of the council members raised a hand.
“I have something to say to the head of the family!”
Arthur Draker nodded. “Go ahead, Councilor Ullian.”
Known for his forthrightness, Councilor Ullian stood up to speak his mind.
“How can the position of Guardian Knight be decided solely at the discretion of the head of the family? This is unprecedented in the thousand-year history of the Drakers…!”
Arthur Draker raised a hand to halt him. “There’s no need to bring up a thousand years of history. I understand your point. You mean to say Abel Draker isn’t qualified for the position of Guardian Knight.”
The elder councilor frowned and protested, “It’s not about qualifications; it’s about following due process! Everyone here has been recognized through proper procedures. Ignoring such legality will inevitably lead to problems!”
Arthur Draker nodded in agreement. “You have a point.”
At that moment, Ramon lifted his head and looked at the councilor. “I come back after so long, and it’s the same old drivel.”
Ramon Zimenez’s words made the councilor’s face flush with anger. He shouted at Ramon, “Sir Ramon! Mind your words! You may be the head of the Zimenez family, but in this chamber, everyone holds equal standing!”
Ramon stood up, causing the councilor to flinch and step back. Despite his words, he knew it was foolish to directly challenge Ramon Zimenez, who wielded the power of the Zimenez family.
Then, another councilor, Carly, spoke up. “I agree with Councilor Ullian. The Guardian Knight is the strongest sword protecting the Draker family. Such a position requires due process…”
“A strong sword, you say.”
Ramon stroked his chin thoughtfully, then addressed the room, his gaze sweeping over the attendees. “Wouldn’t a Black Knight be considered a strong enough sword to protect the Draker family?”