Episode 239

By the time Zeke arrived at the Four Seasons Castle, the appointment ceremony had already concluded.

He made his way up to Kali’s office in Summer Rock.

“Sister.”

As Zeke entered the office, Kali greeted him warmly.

“Zeke, welcome.”

She offered him a seat and personally brewed some tea, bringing it over herself.

The tea had a delightful aroma, but this was not the time to savor it.

“What happened, sister?”

Zeke’s question hung in the air as Kali took a moment before speaking.

“Abel has been appointed as a Guardian Knight.”

Hearing the news directly from Kali made the situation feel all the more real.

“A Guardian Knight, just like that? Did Abel pull some strings?”

Kali responded, her voice carefully controlled.

“Abel has been promoted to Black Knight.”

“What?”

Zeke was taken aback by her words.

“Promoted to Black Knight… Is that true?”

Kali nodded.

“Yes, during the ceremony, he challenged and defeated Dritan, the leader of the Execution Squad, with a single strike. Even the head of the family acknowledged his promotion.”

“Dritan?”

Zeke knew of Dritan, the leader of the Execution Squad.

In his past life, the Turn family had withdrawn from the blood pact and established their own domain in Tempel after Arthur Draker’s death and Abel Draker’s rise as head of the family. This decision came after the Atlas Massacre.

The Turn family, known for their strong bonds, was expected to withstand the Empire’s invasion, but they crumbled unexpectedly. One reason was that the Draker Execution Squad, composed of Turn members, chose Draker over Turn.

The rebellion within Tempel led to the downfall of the Turn family, and Reina Draker eventually surrendered to the Empire with the remaining Turn members. She later became known as the Flash Knight, one of the Five Star Knights.

Knowing the future from his past life, Zeke found it suspicious that Abel had specifically targeted Dritan to prove his status as a Black Knight.

‘Is Dritan a traitor now, or will he become one later? Abel must have used some trick.’

Zeke asked Kali, “Did the head of the family truly recognize Abel’s promotion to Black Knight?”

Kali nodded again.

“Yes, otherwise, Abel wouldn’t have been given the title of Guardian Knight.”

Zeke pondered over Kali’s words.

‘Could it be that Abel has also received the baptism?’

Knights who received the baptism could wield power beyond their rank. If Abel, a Red Knight, had received it, he could indeed possess the strength of a Black Knight.

‘Receiving a demon’s baptism to become a Black Knight? That’s a huge risk…’

But it was hard to find another reason for Abel’s sudden promotion.

Having experienced the difficulty of becoming a Black Knight himself, Zeke knew how challenging it was to break through that barrier.

Abel’s unexpected appointment as a Guardian Knight had thrown Zeke’s plans into disarray.

After gathering his thoughts, Zeke asked Kali, “Now that Abel is a Guardian Knight, does that mean he could push you aside and become a candidate for head of the family?”

Kali’s expression darkened at his question.

“While Guardian Knights attend the Grand Council, their actual authority is limited compared to other members. However, as a Black Knight with the title of Guardian Knight, Abel could wield significant influence. The symbolic weight of a Black Knight in the Draker family, a family of knights, is immense.”

Black Knights, known as one-man armies, had a different level of impact due to their superhuman abilities, affecting the entire continent.

Supporters of Kali might gradually shift their allegiance to Abel, the Black Knight.

The moment that balance tipped, the succession order for the head of the family would undoubtedly change.

‘The symbolism of a Black Knight… If I reveal myself as a Black Knight, would that balance things out?’

But even if Zeke declared his status as a Black Knight and supported Kali, it could lead to internal division among her supporters.

Zeke and Kali sat in silence, lost in thought, sipping their tea.

After some time, Kali’s secretary cautiously entered the office.

“The head of the family requests the presence of Sir Zeke Draker.”

It seemed the head of the family had learned of Zeke’s arrival at the Four Seasons Castle.

Zeke stood up and spoke to Kali.

“I’ll go see the head of the family first. Let’s come up with a plan regarding Abel later.”

“Yes, understood. Helen will join us once her mission is complete, so the three of us can put our heads together.”

Zeke nodded and left Kali’s office, heading to the head of the family’s office on the top floor of Summer Rock.

Inside, the head of the family was already waiting, brewing tea.

“Zeke, welcome. The tea is at the perfect temperature.”

Every time Zeke heard the head’s affable voice, he felt a chill. The smile hid intentions he couldn’t fathom.

As Zeke sat down, the head poured him a cup of tea.

Zeke sniffed the aroma, puzzled.

‘This scent… I’ve smelled it before.’

Arthur grinned and said, “This tea came with a gift from Ishtar. See if it suits your taste.”

Arthur placed a dagger from Ishtar on the table.

Seeing the dagger snapped Zeke back to reality.

‘It’s been almost two years, hasn’t it?’

The two-year grace period to seek permission for a marriage proposal with Yelin, Ishtar’s heir, was nearing its end.

The head of the family, unfazed, savored the Ishtar tea and spoke to Zeke.

“You’ve heard about Abel, I presume.”

“Yes, I heard he was appointed as a Guardian Knight.”

The head of the family smiled slyly at Zeke’s calm response.

“So, what is your decision?”

Zeke was momentarily confused by the question.

“What decision do you mean?”

The head replied as if it were obvious.

“Who will you choose between Kali and Abel?”

Zeke finally understood the head’s intent.

‘Of course, the head doesn’t know what Abel will do in the future. If I didn’t know either, I’d be torn between Kali and Abel.’

Though Abel’s appointment as Guardian Knight was only hours old, the Draker family was already in turmoil beneath the surface.

After contemplating the head’s words, Zeke spoke.

“I intend to stand with Kali.”

The head looked surprised by Zeke’s declaration.

“Honestly, I’m surprised. I thought you’d align with Abel.”

“Why did you think that?”

The head looked at Zeke and said, “Zeke, you’re the most like me among my children. If it were me, that’s what I would do.”

Zeke’s expression hardened at the head’s words.

‘I’m the most like the head?’

In his past life, Zeke had been discarded as worthless.

Knowing Arthur’s true nature, Zeke found his words insincere.

‘I can’t tell what scheme he’s plotting.’

Zeke decided to play along with the head for now.

He bowed his head and said, “I’m honored by your words. I was momentarily at a loss for words. My apologies, head of the family.”

“Hahaha! Zeke, you have a knack for pleasing me. Very well. Your mind may change with circumstances. Anyway, the reason I called you is to reward you for your previous mission.”

He handed Zeke a document from the table.

Zeke carefully took the document and read it.

‘This is?’

It was a permit for Zeke to take the advanced knight exam.

Arthur looked at Zeke and said, “You handled the Haunted Mansion mission well. As expected, the news outlets were abuzz. Your name is firmly established as the Knight of the Sea.”

“You’re too kind.”

“And you passed the Trial of Strife from the Turn family, I hear.”

It seemed the Turn family had reported on the Trial of Strife.

“I was fortunate.”

“I thought so too. But reaching the 100th floor, where even Rex couldn’t, is remarkable. You should be proud.”

Arthur praised Zeke highly.

“Achieving such fame at your age is no small feat. If you were older than Kali or Abel, you’d surely be the next head of the family.”

Zeke felt that Arthur was unusually candid today.

‘Is this another ploy?’

While Zeke was lost in thought, Arthur continued.

“Winning over the Turn family is one test passed. To become an advanced knight, you must pass another test.”

“May I ask what the test is?”

Arthur shook his head.

“I can’t reveal the test yet. But I can tell you this: it will be unlike any standard advanced knight exam.”

Typically, the Draker advanced knight exam consisted of three evaluations: the candidate’s reputation as a knight, their combat prowess, and their dedication to fulfilling duties as a Draker knight.

Since Zeke had only recently become an official knight, he couldn’t be assessed by the usual standards, so it seemed they were setting different criteria.

Arthur looked at Zeke and spoke.

“You’ll soon receive notice about the exam. I hope you do well and become a senior knight.”

“I’ll do my best not to disappoint you, my lord.”

Arthur looked at Zeke intently before speaking again.

“But you know…”

In that instant, Zeke froze.

He could feel the entire office fall under Arthur’s complete control.

Zeke realized that even the slightest movement could cost him his life.

‘This isn’t… the Astral Sword. It’s something far superior.’

Within this domain, Arthur could manipulate anyone with mere willpower.

Zeke understood that Arthur Draker was no ordinary black knight.

‘Could it be… has the lord reached the realm of a Grand Master?’

Arthur leisurely sipped his tea, watching Zeke, who was immobilized, and then spoke.

“Abel has Ramon by his side, so that’s settled. But you, Zeke, you intrigue me in so many ways.”

The head of the Draker family, who seemed to know everything, had found something he didn’t know.

And that was Zeke Draker.

Arthur slowly rose from his seat and approached Zeke.

He placed a hand on Zeke’s shoulder and said, “Zeke, I respect your choices. If you’ve chosen Kali, that’s interesting too. As your father, I eagerly await your growth.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the oppressive force that had been holding Zeke in place dissipated.

Freed from the pressure, Zeke wiped the cold sweat from his brow and steadied his breathing.

Then, with his head bowed, he said, “I will do my utmost to meet your expectations, my lord.”

Arthur smiled, seemingly pleased with the response.

“Good. You may go now.”

Zeke slowly rose and left the lord’s office.

Once he was gone, Arthur’s smiling face turned serious.

“To walk out unscathed after facing my full power in the absolute domain? If I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

Arthur picked up a dagger sent with the tea from Ishtar, twirling it in his hand, and smiled.

“The future looks promising.”