Episode 246
“A dragon that killed another dragon?”
Dragons are the most powerful beings in the physical realm, unmatched by any other creature.
Kaishir had once explained that because of their immense power, dragons are bound by many restrictions.
One of those restrictions is that dragons cannot kill each other.
If dragons were to engage in territorial disputes like humans, it would spell the end for all life in the physical realm.
Thus, the idea of a dragon breaking such an absolute covenant had never crossed anyone’s mind.
“Is that why it’s managed to survive all this time?”
To be sure, Zeke asked Jamila again.
“Are you saying the Hermit of the Black River killed another dragon?”
Jamila was taken aback by Zeke’s lack of surprise. She steadied her voice and replied, “Yes, the Hermit has been trapped here since before the age of the Hero King.”
That meant over two thousand years.
Zeke looked at Jamila and said, “Whether it killed a dragon or not doesn’t change the fact that any dragon is a dangerous entity with powers far beyond human comprehension.”
Jamila clicked her tongue in frustration. “You don’t understand. The Hermit defied the absolute law that ‘a dragon cannot kill another dragon.’ If someone not bound by the covenant tries to break it, who knows what chaos might ensue.”
Zeke responded calmly, “That’s precisely why I should go. If there’s to be a sacrifice, it might as well be me, the one you intended to kill anyway.”
Jamila was momentarily speechless at Zeke’s logical response.
Then Yelin, who had been listening, spoke up. “Sir Zeke, I will accompany you into the labyrinth.”
Jamila was horrified. “You, you! Where do you think you’re going?”
Yelin replied with determination, “This is a matter of family honor. How can I let an outsider like Sir Zeke go alone? I will go with him.”
With Yelin’s firm stance, Jamila sighed and shook her head. “Fine, do as you please!”
At her gesture, the warriors hidden throughout the palace quietly withdrew.
She turned to Zeke and said, “Zeke Draker, if you truly break the chains of the covenant and fulfill the Ishtar family’s wish, you will be our benefactor.”
“Then you won’t send any more assassins after me?”
“Yes, I swear it on our laws.”
“Good.”
With a reluctant expression, Jamila led Zeke and Yelin into the main palace.
She took them to the dining hall and ordered food to be served.
Recalling a previous meal, Zeke tensed up, but fortunately, it was a mild dish, not the spicy soup he feared.
“I almost lost my strength before even entering the labyrinth,” he thought.
Jamila addressed Zeke, “Eat. You’re the first to be invited to the main palace twice, Zeke Draker.”
She stabbed a lotus root with her fork, glaring at him. “No, there was one more. That detestable Terracan Draker. That wretched man also visited the palace twice.”
Under Jamila’s fiery gaze, Zeke found it hard to swallow his food. Still, he forced himself to eat what was offered. After the meal, the awaited Ishtar tea was served.
As Zeke savored the aroma, Yelin asked, “Sir Zeke, are you sure about this?”
“About what?”
“The labyrinth… it’s filled with monsters and bizarre golems created by the dragon.”
“Sounds like a dragon with a twisted sense of humor.”
“It’s too dangerous to dismiss as mere humor. If you need time to prepare…”
“No need. It’s best to get it over with quickly.”
Jamila scoffed at his words. “For a Draker, you sure talk big.”
Zeke brushed off her mockery and asked, “Have you met Arthur Draker before?”
Jamila nodded slowly. “Yes, I have.”
“For what reason?”
Her eyebrows twitched at his question. “I have no reason to tell you that.”
She stood up and instructed, “Leave for the labyrinth tomorrow. If you don’t bring back results, you’ll face severe consequences under the law!”
As Jamila left, Yelin bowed to Zeke. “I’m sorry, Sir Zeke. It seems I’ve made things more complicated.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it, Lady Yelin.”
“If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll prepare it.”
Zeke thought for a moment before leaning towards Yelin. “I do have one request.”
“Yes, what is it?”
He lifted his teacup. “Could you tell me where I can buy this tea?”
”…”
The next day, Zeke and Yelin stood fully equipped before the entrance to the Ishtar palace’s underground cavern.
A heavy black door was tightly shut, wrapped in thick chains.
Jamila, watching from behind with her arms crossed, called out sharply, “Open the labyrinth door!”
The waiting Ishtar warriors unwrapped the chains from the door.
Clang!
As the chains fell away, the warriors pulled them with all their might.
Rumble!
The door began to open slowly.
Inside was pitch-black darkness, impenetrable to the eye.
Ezgi, trembling beside Yelin, pleaded, “M-Miss, can’t you just not go?”
Yelin patted Ezgi’s head reassuringly. “Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon.”
Without hesitation, Zeke and Yelin stepped through the door.
Rumble!
As they entered the labyrinth, the door closed behind them.
Complete darkness enveloped them.
Then, a bright halo of light rose around Yelin, illuminating their surroundings.
Zeke recalled seeing something similar on the island of the Deep Sea Tribe.
After Poseidon reclaimed his divine status, these halos appeared throughout the forest as the island returned to its original state.
Zeke asked Yelin, “What are these?”
Yelin gently caressed the lights with her hand. “These are earth spirits.”
“Earth spirits? Fascinating.”
“Where they dwell, forests thrive, and life flourishes. As a high elf, I can summon these earth spirits.”
Just as Nerissa of the Deep Sea Tribe could command water spirits, it seemed Yelin, a high elf, could summon earth spirits.
She used the spirits to light their path. “This way.”
Zeke followed Yelin’s lead deeper into the labyrinth.
Thud!
The door swung open, and Abel entered.
William Siemens followed closely behind.
Abel’s expression was stern, while William looked pale as a ghost.
They walked down the corridor and stopped in front of the head’s office. A strategic headquarters agent blocked their way.
“The head has ordered no one to enter.”
Abel raised his hand and flicked it aside.
The agent flew helplessly towards the wall like a paper doll.
Crash!
The strategic headquarters agents guarding the office drew their weapons, eyeing Abel warily.
Abel’s eyes glowed red as he surveyed them. “Draw those, and you’re all dead.”
The oppressive aura froze the agents in place.
While they hesitated, Abel reached out, and the tightly shut office door trembled.
Rumble—
With a sound like an explosion, the vibrating door burst open.
Abel strode in without hesitation.
Inside, Ramon Siemens sat at his desk, engrossed in paperwork.
Even as Abel approached, Ramon continued signing documents in silence.
Abel glared at Ramon and spoke. “You used the trap I set without even telling me.”
Ramon’s pen paused momentarily at Abel’s words.
But only for a moment, as he resumed writing.
Abel slammed his hand on the desk, shouting, “Say something!”
Bang!
The desk shattered, scattering papers across the floor.
William, watching from behind, turned pale.
In the Siemens family, the head was akin to a god.
Defying his word was unthinkable, even for William, the heir.
Ramon surveyed the broken desk and scattered papers before finally looking up at Abel.
Meeting Ramon’s calm, emotionless gaze, Abel felt a chill.
Ramon stood and gestured for Abel to follow.
He moved to the seat prepared beside him, taking the head of the table, and gestured for Abel to sit across from him.
Abel sat facing Ramon, with William standing behind him.
Ramon spoke first, directing his words at Abel.
“Even after your baptism, you still can’t get Cali out of your mind, can you?”
Abel glared at him, responding sharply.
“That’s not what I meant. We set a trap for Cali, one we prepared for a long time. But then you…”
“Yes, it was a long time in the making. And it was all my doing.”
Abel’s eyes widened at Ramon’s words. Ramon clasped his hands together and continued.
“The infiltrators in the Order of the Silver Knights, the bribes to Morgan Buffon, the legion commander of the Empire, and the bait to lure those filthy pirates—all of it was my handiwork.”
Abel clenched his fists, trembling with anger. Just as he was about to speak, Ramon cut him off.
“And you, Abel. You were one of my carefully laid plans.”
Abel’s eyes grew even wider, turning a deep crimson as they transformed into something otherworldly.
An invisible force began to swirl around Ramon, threatening to crush him with the slightest exertion of power.
Yet Ramon seemed unfazed, speaking to Abel as if nothing was amiss.
“Sometimes, people forget their place when too much effort is invested in them. They start to confuse their roles.”
Ramon rose from his seat.
He approached Abel, seemingly unaffected by the oppressive force, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
In a voice devoid of any emotion, he said, “Abel, I’ve invested a lot in you. You’re important to me. But don’t mistake that for something it’s not.”
Though Ramon’s hand held no visible power, Abel felt an overwhelming pressure, as if a massive weight was bearing down on him.
Ramon continued, “If you ever forget your place, just remember your mother, Abel.”
At the mention of his mother, a surge of red energy erupted from Abel.
The entire office began to tremble violently. Abel lifted his head, glaring at Ramon.
The vibrations intensified, shaking the room even more.
Abel’s eyes, now resembling those of a reptile, fixed on Ramon as he shouted, “Never speak of her again!”
Cracks began to form around where Ramon stood, spreading outwards like a web.
Yet Ramon remained untouched by the chaos.
He spoke to Abel once more, “If you don’t want to return to that time, remember your place and your role.”
Grinding his teeth, Abel stood up, suppressing his rage as he stormed out of the office.
William, who had been watching with a tense expression, hesitated before moving to follow Abel.
“William.”
Ramon’s voice stopped him in his tracks, and he turned back, his face ashen.
“Y-yes, Master.”
“Abel is still unstable. Keep a close watch on him to ensure he doesn’t act recklessly.”
“Understood.”
William nodded stiffly, then hurried out after Abel.
Ramon gazed at the seat Abel had vacated.
“So, the dragon’s eyes have manifested in Abel…”
He murmured to himself.
“The time is drawing near.”
With a wave of his hand, the broken desk and scattered papers returned to their original state.
Ramon sat back down and resumed his paperwork.