Episode 277
Zeke furrowed his brow and asked, “Are you saying the Empire is targeting the Join Tribe ghetto again?”
Kali nodded, spreading out a map of the central continent and pointing to the ghetto area. “Abel is trying to seize the ghetto with the Empire. It’s a strategically important location, bordered by Delphoa and Troy to the north and Alencia to the side.”
Despite the collapse of the Sky Tribe’s sanctuary, the Empire seemed intent on laying the groundwork for continental war by targeting the Join Tribe ghetto once more.
It was quite unexpected that Abel’s first move as a newly promoted Black Knight was to target the ghetto alongside the Empire.
‘If it were me, I would have consolidated power within the Draker family first to keep Kali in check. Targeting the ghetto seems like a strange choice. What could his motive be?’
Zeke sensed a certain impatience in Abel’s decision. Perhaps Abel believed that receiving the title of Guardian Knight after his promotion meant he had already neutralized internal threats within the Draker family.
Zeke’s eyes gleamed with a sudden realization. ‘If Abel thinks that way, there might be an opportunity to exploit.’
Just then, Kali spoke to Zeke. “Perhaps due to the Empire’s movements, the Join Tribe is also behaving differently than before.”
A face flashed through Zeke’s mind at Kali’s words. ‘The leader of the Western Revolutionary Army, the Song of the Crouching Flame. Is he making a move?’
The Song of the Crouching Flame, a member of the Blackwing Tribe with black feathers, commanded hundreds of loyal followers.
Kali continued, “The leader of the Join Tribe is attempting to make contact with the beastman organization, Crosstel.”
Zeke pondered over Kali’s words. ‘The meeting between the Join Tribe and Crosstel. This marks the beginning of the Western Revolutionary Army.’
In the central continent, the Nostra Family held sway, while the eastern and northern regions were dominated by the vampire gang Red Eye. The western region was the domain of the beastman organization, Crosstel.
Initially, the southern beastmen wandered the continent in family units like nomads, but they gradually settled in the western region, forming a consolidated power base.
The beastmen, primarily settled in Delphoa and Alencia, often lived in slums or back alleys. Many became criminals, selling soma imported from the south, or lived as mercenaries or adventurers, leading rough lives. Crosstel was formed by such beastmen banding together.
Though Crosstel’s history was shorter than that of the Nostra Family or Red Eye, it was rapidly growing under the leadership of Big Joe, a rat beastman who had recently become its leader.
‘A meeting between the Song of the Crouching Flame and Big Joe.’
In his past life, the meeting between the two organizations had been fraught with difficulty due to their differing values.
Their alliance had initially fallen apart after realizing their differences, only to be reversed when Big Joe was assassinated.
The Empire had brutally assassinated Big Joe and displayed his body in the streets as a warning to the beastmen, a grave miscalculation of their nature.
The beastmen, mourning the respected Big Joe, pledged their loyalty to the Song of the Crouching Flame in his honor, joining the Western Revolutionary Army.
Even as Zeke lay dying at the hands of the Empire’s hounds in his past life, the Western Revolutionary Army fiercely resisted the Empire’s invasion of the continent.
‘If the Song of the Crouching Flame and Big Joe join forces earlier this time, they could wield even greater power.’
Zeke turned to Kali and Helen, saying, “If the Join Tribe and Crosstel unite, they could effectively counter Abel and the Empire.”
Kali nodded in agreement. “You’re right, Zeke. But given the leaders’ personalities, it won’t be easy.”
“The Song of the Crouching Flame and Big Joe, you mean.”
Kali looked slightly surprised that Zeke knew their names, then nodded. “Yes, the Song of the Crouching Flame is a warrior through and through, while Big Joe is more of a strategist. He’s willing to ally with anyone, even enemies, if it benefits him. That’s why Crosstel has grown so quickly.”
“The Song of the Crouching Flame might resist Big Joe’s methods.”
Kali nodded. “To unite them, we’ll need a compelling reason.”
In his past life, that reason had been Big Joe’s death, but this time, Zeke knew it couldn’t be the same.
Zeke pondered what could serve as a unifying cause. ‘In my past life, I couldn’t intervene, but this time is different.’
Then, an idea struck him. ‘The Empire’s experimental reports from the ghetto.’
The reports detailed experiments not only on the Join Tribe but also on the beastmen. If the Song of the Crouching Flame and Big Joe saw these reports, their anger could be directed at the Empire.
After some thought, Zeke spoke to Kali. “Sister, would you take a look at this?”
Zeke retrieved a report from his inventory and handed it to Kali. As she skimmed through the contents, her expression changed.
“Where did you get these documents?”
“I obtained them during a raid on a secret Imperial lab. These documents should provide enough justification for the Song of the Crouching Flame and Big Joe.”
Kali nodded at Zeke’s explanation. “Are you planning to send these to the two organizations?”
“Yes. If we do, they’ll likely condemn the Empire’s attempt to seize the ghetto and form an alliance with the beastmen to counter them.”
If the Empire’s attempt to take the ghetto failed, Abel would have to return empty-handed. During the time Abel wasted in the west, Kali could regain control within the Draker family.
Kali nodded at Zeke’s suggestion. “It’s a sound plan.”
Helen, who had been listening, picked up the documents and spoke. “I’ll deliver these myself.”
Kali was taken aback. “Helen, you personally?”
“Yes, with documents of this importance, they might be suspicious. As a pureblood and a direct descendant, my presence will lend credibility.”
Zeke nodded in agreement. “I think Helen is right. If she delivers the documents in your name and promises support for an alliance, they won’t refuse.”
Kali looked at Helen with concern. “Helen, it’s a dangerous mission, and I’m reluctant to send you. But it’s a task only someone of your caliber can accomplish.”
Helen stood up, her voice firm. “I’ll complete the mission without fail.”
She turned to Zeke, adding, “Zeke, I’m sorry I can’t attend your promotion ceremony. I wanted to congratulate you and have a sparring match, but it seems we’ll have to postpone.”
Zeke sensed the regret in Helen’s formal tone and smiled. “Anytime, sister.”
Helen gave a faint smile and picked up the Dragon Buster leaning against the wall. As she infused it with power, the sword vibrated.
A low hum resonated as the scabbard disassembled and adhered to her body, reacting to her bloodline ability, ‘Magnetism.’
‘So that’s Helen Draker’s bloodline ability.’
Though he knew she possessed such a power, witnessing it firsthand was fascinating.
In an instant, Helen donned a full plate armor, becoming the ‘Knight of Steel.’ She bowed to the two of them. “I’ll be off then.”
After Helen left to deliver the documents, Zeke turned to Kali. “Sister, how are you feeling?”
Kali smiled at Zeke. “I can wield a sword without any issues now. We can have that sparring match Helen missed.”
Zeke shook his head. “Let’s save the sparring for later.”
His expression shifted. “What about Bacchus?”
Bacchus Draker was one of the key figures who had trapped Kali with information about the Pirate King.
Kali hesitated before speaking slowly. “Carmilla is dead.”
Zeke frowned at the unexpected news. “Did you punish her?”
Kali shook her head. “If only it were that simple. Bacchus killed Carmilla.”
Zeke looked confused. “Wasn’t he providing you with information to protect his mother? Why would he suddenly…?”
“I don’t know the details. What I do know is that Carmilla, whom I was protecting, was killed by Bacchus, and now he’s vanished.”
Zeke furrowed his brow and asked, “Could the Siemens be involved?”
“It’s possible, but without evidence, we can’t be certain.”
The assumption that holding Carmilla would keep Bacchus in check had been a miscalculation.
Kali looked at Zeke and said, “We need to be cautious.”
“Don’t worry too much about Bacchus. We’re still tracking him. I’ll share any updates as soon as we have them.”
“Understood, sister. And…”
Zeke hesitated before bringing up another matter with Kali.
“While you’re consolidating our family’s power, I was thinking of making a trip to Aten.”
“Aten? You don’t mean…”
Zeke nodded.
“Yes, I plan to meet with the Nirvana family.”
Zeke intended to visit Aten not only to find the druids but also to establish contact with the Nirvana family.
‘The Ishtar side has already loosened the chains of their pact, forming a new alliance. If I can also gain favor with Nirvana, it would be a significant advantage against Siemens.’
Even if Nirvana didn’t offer direct support, securing their neutrality would still strengthen Zeke’s position, especially with the backing of the Ishtar family, one of the three great transcendent families.
Kali pondered Zeke’s plan to visit Aten and meet with the Nirvana family. After a moment, she nodded and took out paper and pen to write a letter, which she handed to Zeke.
“This letter expresses my intent to engage with Nirvana. Mentioning my name as a guardian knight of the Draker family should ensure they don’t ignore you.”
Kali’s reputation was a powerful diplomatic tool in itself.
Zeke nodded, carefully tucking the letter into his coat.
“Thank you, sister.”
“Be prepared for some eccentric characters in Nirvana. Don’t let them catch you off guard.”
Having encountered them in a past life, Zeke fully understood Kali’s warning and nodded in agreement.
After spending a night at the White Silver Palace, Zeke set off early the next morning, riding Bucephalus towards Aten.
Thud, thud, thud!
A well-guarded carriage sped across the western wastelands of the continent.
Inside, Abel and William sat facing each other. William called out to Abel, who was staring out the window.
“Abel.”
Abel remained silent, his gaze fixed outside.
William, watching him, called his name again, this time more softly.
“Abel, are you going to keep this up?”
Finally, Abel turned to face William.
“You’re unusually persistent today. What do you want from me, William?”
William replied in a calm voice.
“I can’t help but think the Empire is using your name as a black knight in this Ghetto affair.”
William hoped Abel would stay out of the current conflict with the Ghetto tribe. There was little to gain, even if Abel succeeded in taking control.
Abel, observing William’s concern, spoke.
“William, I understand your perspective. From the Draker family’s viewpoint, your concerns make sense.”
William frowned at Abel’s words.
“Are you saying you made this decision without considering the Draker family?”
Abel nodded, meeting William’s gaze.
“William, do you know what my first thought was after becoming a black knight?”
“I can’t say I do.”
Abel smiled.
“I realized the Draker family is too small and confining for me.”
In that moment, his eyes glowed red as he looked at William with a fervent intensity.
“I will become the Emperor of the Empire and unite this continent, William.”