Episode 276
Zeke stared intently at Richmond.
Richmond, flustered, raised his voice. “I-I’m telling the truth!”
“Hmm.”
Richmond, feeling wronged by Zeke’s reaction, explained further. “To become a lich, you usually have to undergo a ritual to turn yourself into an undead and then store your soul in a ‘life vessel.’”
Zeke, a former Highlander, was familiar with the basic principles, having dealt with many liches before. Some, like the arch-lich he had previously defeated, used personal items as their life vessels, while others hid them elsewhere to escape in times of danger.
Zeke looked at Richmond and asked, “So, you never had one to begin with? I thought you lost it after becoming a summoned creature.”
“I performed the ritual using a bloodstone I created, which allowed me to become a lich in a unique way. My original goal was to become a dragon-type monster, but…”
Zeke’s expression turned incredulous. “Is that why you mixed dragon monster bones into your body?”
“In the end, I failed and became half-human, half-lich.”
“You really are something else.”
“Hehe, thank you for the compliment.”
Though it wasn’t exactly a compliment, Zeke didn’t deny it since Richmond seemed pleased. He then asked, “So, do you think the Abyss figured out how to make artificial bloodstones from your research?”
“That’s the mystery. I researched bloodstones 500 years ago. How they discovered it is beyond me.”
“Is it difficult to make artificial bloodstones?”
“Well, you need fairy stones, so acquiring materials is a barrier.”
“So, it’s possible if you have fairy stones?”
“Along with other things. I used a mandragora cultivation method, burying fairy stones in places where vengeful criminals are likely to die, and setting up magical devices to absorb their grudges.”
“So, it’s a method to forcibly imbue fairy stones with grudges.”
“Exactly. The key is the magic circle I devised. How they learned about it is the real question.”
Zeke pondered Richmond’s words. ‘If they know Richmond’s method, they could gather sacrifices, let them die with grudges, and transform fairy stones into bloodstones…’
The Abyss, known for their forbidden practices, could easily produce artificial bloodstones if they had the resources.
‘As long as they can supply sacrifices and fairy stones, they can mass-produce them.’
Zeke’s expression grew serious. If high-ranking demons like the Incubus King could manifest freely, stopping Siemens and Abel would be impossible.
‘We must stop them before they can mass-produce bloodstones.’
Zeke had learned from the Abyss’s mages that they were experimenting with resurrecting demons killed in the first and second invasions. Knowing there were sites and labs for these rituals across the continent, he couldn’t let it continue.
‘I will find and destroy them all.’
After dismissing Richmond’s summoning, Zeke planted his sword, Bahamut, into the ground. “Let’s see the power of the Elemental Sword that can stir storms and split the earth.”
Zeke gripped the sword and unleashed his power.
Rumble―
His energy resonated with the earth through the sword.
Vroooom!
As the resonance intensified, Zeke felt his mana rapidly depleting.
Boom!
The entire salt mine reacted to his power.
Suddenly, the energy exceeded Zeke’s control, and the vibrations grew stronger.
‘Damn…’
The field of gold was harder to control than the field of fire.
Crash!
The ceiling collapsed, and the ground split open.
Zeke quickly pulled out his sword and dashed forward, avoiding the falling debris.
Unfurling dragon wings and using flight boots, he swiftly ascended above the mine, but the entrance was blocked by fallen rocks. Seeing this, Zeke aimed Bahamut forward.
Vroooom!
He unleashed his will to break through.
Boom!
The sword’s will pierced the rocks, and Zeke rolled out of the mine.
Crash!
As soon as Zeke emerged, the ground around the mine collapsed, burying the underground space completely.
Having exhausted his mana, Zeke took a breath, watching the natural disaster his power had caused.
“Phew, controlling the Elemental Sword has become too difficult since reaching SS rank…”
Even a small exertion drained his mana and devastated the surroundings, leaving Zeke exhausted, making it hard to use in battle.
‘I need to find a way to control this power.’
As Zeke slowly gathered himself, Shadia approached, having evacuated the villagers.
Seeing the collapsed salt mine, Shadia looked incredulous. “B-Boss? Did you do that?”
Zeke nodded. “There won’t be any traces left.”
“It’s not about traces… Never mind. I’ve evacuated the villagers. What should we do next?”
“I’ve informed Simon. He’ll send people to handle the aftermath. First, we need to deal with the cultists spread across the southern continent.”
Having observed Zeke closely, Shadia felt a sense of awe beyond fear.
‘If the entire Salmak were to fight Zeke Draker with all their might…’
No matter the strategies or assassination attempts, the result would be the same.
Certain defeat.
A cold sweat ran down Shadia’s back.
‘Did the master know Zeke Draker’s true power when he gave that order?’
Before following Zeke, Shadia had received a secret order from the Salmak Lord: to assassinate Zeke Draker if an opportunity arose and return.
Known as the Desert Flower, Shadia believed she would eventually find a chance to assassinate him by staying close. But the longer she stayed, the more she realized it was impossible.
Zeke noticed Shadia’s dazed state and called out, “Shadia, are you alright?”
Startled, Shadia nodded. “I’m fine.”
Zeke pulled a potion from his pocket and tossed it to her. “You look tired. We’ll be returning soon, so hang in there.”
Shadia watched Zeke, who casually tossed her a precious potion and turned his back to her. He was a different kind of person from the Salmak Lord, who trusted no one, not even his disciples.
‘Or maybe he’s confident he can handle any threat, even if caught off guard.’
Clutching the potion Zeke had given her, Shadia steadied her turbulent emotions.
After wrapping up the salt mine incident, Zeke returned to Atlas.
Having found a lead on the Abyss, Zeke decided to track down the sites where they conducted their rituals and produced artificial bloodstones.
Shadia joined Boris to gather related information, parting ways with Zeke.
Atlas, Iason, and most of the eastern region of Midland were under Kali’s domain. There, in a palace once used as a summer retreat by the Holy Empire’s pope, Kali spent most of her time, having named it the “Palace of Silver.”
Zeke’s carriage entered the Palace of Silver. He marveled at the elegant white marble structure.
‘They say it’s the most beautiful palace on the continent. It’s like a work of art.’
As he passed through the palace gardens and entered, a familiar face greeted him.
“Zeke!”
It was Karus, the exiled fourth prince of the Empire, who had been waiting for Zeke’s arrival.
Zeke warmly greeted him. “Karus. It’s been a while.”
Karus, now dressed in Central Continent fashion, embraced Zeke. “Come in. I’ve been eagerly waiting for you.”
“You look well, that’s a relief.”
Karus nodded with a smile. “I may have no power, but it’s better than the stifling imperial palace. There’s delicious food and the women are much more beauti… Anyway, come on in.”
Karus led Zeke to his room, filled with various paintings.
Zeke admired the paintings leaning against the walls. “Impressive. Did you paint these yourself, Karus?”
The paintings varied in theme, from landscapes to abstract pieces.
Karus nodded proudly. “Yes, in this beautiful Palace of Silver, I finally found the space to nurture my artistic talent.”
Zeke knew Karus had an interest in art, but he hadn’t realized the extent of his talent. The paintings were indeed remarkable.
As Zeke showed interest, Karus enthusiastically explained each piece to him.
While listening and admiring the works, Zeke noticed a canvas covered with a cloth in the corner.
“What’s that?”
Karus hesitated, looking slightly embarrassed. “Uh, that one…”
“Can I see it?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Karus nodded.
The canvas revealed nothing but a chaotic mass of black paint.
“What kind of painting is this?”
Carus hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly.
“Actually, when I heard you were coming, Zeke, I wanted to give you a gift by painting your portrait.”
Zeke was taken aback by Carus’s words.
“Me?”
“Yes, I thought I’d paint your portrait as a gift. But…”
Zeke looked at the canvas, which was entirely painted over in black.
“So this is supposed to be me?”
“Ah, this has never happened before. Usually, when I think of painting someone, their features come to mind so clearly. I wanted to paint you splendidly, Zeke, but somehow the brush just went its own way.”
Zeke stared intently at the blackened canvas.
Then he nodded.
“I love it.”
Carus was surprised and asked, “Really?”
“Yes, you’re the first to give me a painting as a gift, Carus. Thank you.”
In both his past and present lives, Zeke had very few people he could truly call friends, aside from Kay. If he had a friend his age, he imagined they would be like Carus.
As Zeke admired the painting with satisfaction, a servant entered the room.
“Sir Zeke, Sir Carly has arrived.”
Zeke bid farewell to Carus and left the room, heading to Carly’s office.
When he opened the door, Carly and Helen were waiting for him.
“Sister Carly, Sister Helen.”
Helen, who had just returned from a mission, stood up stiffly and handed something to Zeke.
Zeke looked at the rough box, puzzled.
“What is this?”
Helen sat back down without a word, her expression still rigid. Carly grinned and explained, “Helen brought you some specialties from the East.”
Zeke sat down and opened the box Helen had brought. Inside, it was filled with delicious-looking pies.
He was surprised. “Pies, out of the blue?”
He had assumed the specialty would be some kind of weapon from the region.
Helen watched him silently. Feeling the unspoken pressure, Zeke picked up a pie and took a big bite. Though he wasn’t fond of sweets, he made sure to eat it with appreciation.
After swallowing the last piece, he turned to Helen. “It’s delicious, Sister.”
Helen smiled, relieved. “I’m glad you like it. I brought plenty, so eat as much as you want.”
Finding something odd in her words, Zeke turned around to see dozens of similar boxes piled high.
“Oh my.”
Carly, who had been watching with amusement, quickly changed her expression and addressed Zeke.
“Zeke, Abel has started to move.”
Zeke, masking his complicated feelings, took another bite of pie and looked at Carly. “So he’s officially making moves after becoming a Black Knight. Where has he gone?”
Carly replied with a heavy expression, “The Join Tribe ghetto. The Empire is targeting it again.”