Episode 238
“A Black Knight?”
The room erupted into murmurs at Ramon’s words.
Even Carly looked at Ramon with disbelief.
Ramon turned to Arthur Draker, the head of the family, and spoke.
“If Abel Draker’s promotion to Black Knight is confirmed, he will become the youngest Black Knight on the continent. This not only elevates the honor of the Draker family but also adds another Black Knight to our ranks. It’s a remarkable achievement, especially since Duke Draker lost his Black Knight status after a failed mission over a decade ago.”
At the mention of Duke Draker, a few elders cleared their throats awkwardly.
Those who felt uneasy about the mention were the ones who had been directly or indirectly involved in Duke Draker’s trial in the past. Ramon’s decision to bring up what had been a hushed-up family scandal made them visibly uncomfortable.
Arthur nodded at Ramon’s words.
“Indeed, if Abel Draker has truly been promoted to Black Knight, he is more than qualified to receive the title of Guardian Knight.”
Arthur’s eyes suddenly sharpened, and an intangible aura emanated from him, making the air in the hall feel heavy.
Carly realized that Arthur Draker’s Astral Sword was targeting the entire room.
“Even breathing feels difficult.”
If this was the true power of a Black Knight, everyone in the room could be at his mercy in an instant.
Arthur Draker addressed Ramon.
“But if he is merely pretending to be a Black Knight, there will be consequences.”
An invisible tension crackled between Ramon and Arthur.
Watching her father’s demeanor, Carly came to a realization.
‘Father is making a calculated move.’
Using Abel Draker’s potential promotion as a pretext, Arthur was drawing Ramon Siemens out of his seclusion. If Abel wasn’t truly a Black Knight, it would put an end to any schemes Ramon might be plotting from the shadows.
‘And if Abel really has become a Black Knight, it only benefits the Draker family. I can’t fathom the extent of Father’s strategy.’
Just then, news arrived that the ceremony was ready.
Arthur sheathed his Astral Sword and smiled warmly.
“Well then, shall we? I’m eager to see if a new Black Knight will indeed be born.”
The hall of Atemfel was lavishly decorated for the appointment of the new Guardian Knight.
Inside, the captains and vice-captains of the major knight orders, as well as key figures from the bloodlines, had gathered.
The Draker family was the heart of the central continent.
As such, the appointment of a Guardian Knight, a pivotal role within the Draker power structure, naturally drew the attention of all allied families and kingdoms of the central continent.
Boom!
The doors swung open, and Arthur Draker, along with the assembly, entered the hall.
The most influential figures of the Draker family were all present.
Carly took her seat at the Guardian Knight’s place, surveying the grand ceremony.
If it turned out that Abel Draker hadn’t truly been promoted to Black Knight, it would not only be a humiliation but also tarnish his and the Siemens family’s honor.
‘But if Abel really has become a Black Knight…?’
It defied Carly’s understanding.
Both she and Abel, as pure-blooded Draker awakeners, had quickly risen to Blue Knight and then to Red Knight.
But a Black Knight was on an entirely different level.
Even among renowned knights who dedicated their lives to the sword, most never surpassed the Black Knight barrier.
The fastest to ever achieve Black Knight status was Arthur Draker himself, and even he hadn’t done so until his forties.
For Abel, now in his thirties, to have achieved it would be unprecedented in the continent’s history.
At that moment, the doors of Atemfel Hall opened, and someone entered.
A man with fiery red hair, clad in Draker’s ceremonial garb.
It was Abel Draker, known as the Lion Sword.
He strode confidently across the hall towards Arthur Draker, seated on the Dragon Throne.
The Dragon Throne, crafted from dragon bones and hide, symbolized the head of the dragon-slaying Draker family.
Arthur Draker, seated on the throne, welcomed Abel.
Abel bowed to the head of the family.
“To the head of the Draker family, lord of the Atlas estate, the heart of Midland, and the dragon-slaying knight of knights…”
Arthur Draker raised a hand, interrupting Abel.
“Enough. On any other day, I’d enjoy such flattery, but today, that’s not what’s important.”
Arthur rose from his seat.
He addressed everyone gathered in the hall.
“I’m sure you’re all curious about this sudden appointment of a Guardian Knight!”
Arthur’s voice resonated throughout the hall, capturing everyone’s attention.
He continued.
“The Guardian Knight represents the Draker family, a position that requires rigorous vetting and the consensus of many wise individuals! However!”
Arthur’s voice grew louder.
“If Abel Draker before me has indeed been promoted to Black Knight, I believe he deserves to bypass all procedures and claim the title of Guardian Knight!”
The hall erupted in shock at Arthur’s declaration.
“A Black Knight?”
“My goodness, the Lion Sword truly?”
As the room buzzed with excitement, Arthur clapped his hands.
The sound echoed, quickly restoring silence.
Arthur looked at Abel.
“Abel Draker. Can you prove here and now that you are a true Black Knight?”
Abel met Arthur’s gaze and nodded.
“I will follow your command, my lord.”
Abel turned from the Dragon Throne to face the assembly.
He pointed to one among them.
“I request the honor of a duel with the Captain of the Executioners.”
Captain Dritan Turn rose at Abel’s challenge.
True to the Turn family’s reputation, his stature was imposing, larger than most knights.
With fierce eyes and a face marked by scars, he glared at Abel.
“What is your request?”
Abel grinned.
“I’ve long wished to cross swords with you, Captain. Will you grant me that opportunity today?”
Dritan’s eyebrow twitched at Abel’s words.
Though respectful, it was clear Abel was asking him to serve as a witness to his promotion.
After a moment of silence, Dritan stood.
Boom!
His movement seemed to shake the entire hall.
Dritan Turn was renowned for his strength and integrity, even among the Draker’s Red Knights. Had he taken the Draker name, he would have been considered on par with Gareth Draker, the current Guardian Knight.
Instead, Dritan had maintained his position as the Captain of the Executioners, a role the Turn family had held for generations, for ten years.
Dritan was not one to hold back or lose intentionally.
He drew the massive sword from his back.
Whoosh!
It was more a club than a sword, large and unwieldy.
Dritan looked at Abel.
“I will fight you earnestly, as the Lion Sword requests.”
Abel grinned and drew his Red Dragon Sword.
In the center of Atemfel Hall, Dritan and Abel faced each other, swords drawn.
Dritan moved first.
Whoosh!
Using the Turn-style dragon-slaying technique, Dritan’s attacks were swift and powerful.
He wielded the unwieldy sword with precision, sending a flurry of strikes at Abel.
Clang! Clang!
Abel deftly parried Dritan’s attacks with his Red Dragon Sword.
Dritan felt the weight behind Abel’s parries.
He gripped his sword and charged forward again.
Whoosh!
Dritan’s sword aimed for Abel’s waist, executing a clean strike that belied its size.
Swish!
Abel leaped into the air, landing atop Dritan’s sword.
The crowd gasped at Abel’s acrobatic feat.
As knights themselves, they understood the skill required to counter Dritan’s technique and land on his sword.
Abel charged along the sword, swinging his Red Dragon Sword at Dritan.
Whoosh!
Dritan quickly swung his sword, shaking Abel off and rolling to evade the strike.
“Huff.”
Dritan regained his stance, sword at the ready.
Abel stood opposite, unfazed, watching Dritan with ease.
He spoke to Dritan.
“I’d like to see the true strength of the Executioners’ Captain.”
Dritan frowned at Abel’s provocation.
He assumed a stance, gripping his sword and adopting the Turn-style dragon-slaying posture.
Known for his straightforward and steadfast nature, Dritan always adhered to the basics.
Rex Turn often praised this as Dritan’s greatest strength.
Watching Dritan, Abel’s smile turned cold.
“Is that how you want to play it?”
Rumble!
An energy different from aura surged from Abel’s body.
Everyone in the hall felt a tingling sensation, as if thousands of needles were pricking their skin.
Dritan, standing firm with his sword, was directly facing Abel’s overwhelming aura. Though he held his ground, the invisible pressure bore down on him, making it hard to breathe.
“This aura… it’s just like…”
He didn’t want to admit it, but it was the same oppressive force he had felt when Rex Turn unleashed the power of the Black Knight.
Abel, holding the Red Dragon Sword, slowly approached Dritan.
Any ordinary knight would have buckled under such pressure, but Dritan was no ordinary knight. Instead of succumbing, he shook off the weight and stepped forward, raising his sword.
“Haahhh!”
With a fierce battle cry, Dritan unleashed the Turn family’s secret technique against Abel.
Whoosh!
Like a massive bull charging without hesitation, his greatsword, imbued with a force that could cleave anything in its path, descended toward Abel’s head.
Clang!
A sharp sound reverberated through the hall, piercing everyone’s ears.
“What… what was that?”
In the moment others were distracted by the sound, Abel slipped past Dritan.
Simultaneously, Dritan’s greatsword was severed, and blood gushed from the wounds that suddenly appeared all over his body.
Thud!
Dritan collapsed to the ground.
“Captain!”
The members of the Chusal Squad rushed forward, examining Dritan’s injuries before carrying him out of the hall.
The fact that the captain of the Chusal Squad, known for never falling, was defeated by a single strike from Abel left everyone in shock.
Abel sheathed the Red Dragon Sword and turned to face Arthur, who sat on the Dragon Throne with a stern expression, saying nothing.
Abel slowly approached Arthur and spoke first.
“Though my skills are lacking, I will do my utmost to uphold the honor of the Guardian Knight.”
Before Arthur could acknowledge the promotion, Abel had already taken the initiative.
Arthur rose from the Dragon Throne and addressed those gathered in the hall.
“The sixth Black Knight of the Dreiker family has been born!”
Arthur Dreiker’s declaration left the hall in astonishment.
With the head of the family personally acknowledging the rank of Black Knight, Abel Dreiker was now officially recognized as a Black Knight of the continent.
Arthur continued, “I hereby bestow upon Abel Dreiker, the sixth Black Knight of Dreiker, the title of Guardian Knight.”
Arthur personally pinned a golden badge onto Abel’s uniform.
Clap! Clap!
Ramon, who had been seated, began to applaud first.
Soon, applause and cheers erupted throughout the hall, filling it with thunderous sound.
Abel waved to the crowd with a smile.
But as she watched him, Kali’s eyes wavered with unease.