Episode 278
William was taken aback by Abel’s bold declaration of his ambition to become the Emperor of the Empire.
“Abel, what are you saying…?”
Even within the secure confines of the carriage, William couldn’t help but glance around nervously.
Abel, noticing William’s reaction, chuckled and turned his gaze back to the window.
“Look at you. You nearly faint every time I say something. How can I share anything with you?”
William, still tense, replied, “You didn’t tell the head of the family about this, did you?”
At the mention of Ramon Jimenez, Abel’s expression darkened. He clenched his jaw and spoke through gritted teeth.
“Ramon Jimenez only sees me as a puppet.”
“What do you mean? The head of the family has been doing everything to make you the heir of the Draker family…”
“That’s because he couldn’t become the head of the Draker family himself, so he’s trying to use me as a substitute. Isn’t that right?”
William fell silent at Abel’s words. The relationship between Ramon Jimenez and Arthur Draker was so tangled that even they didn’t know everything. But one thing was clear: Ramon Jimenez was always a step behind Arthur Draker.
Abel’s eyes flashed with a fiery determination. “William, I have no intention of being Ramon Jimenez’s puppet. The head of the Draker family? That means nothing to me now. I will control the entire continent.”
William clenched his fists, unnerved by the madness in Abel’s eyes. ‘Could it be a side effect of the baptism?’
The baptism granted immense power in a short time, but it came with its own set of side effects. The problem was that the side effects varied, and no one had ever received a baptism as powerful as Abel’s, so it was unclear how they would manifest.
‘If the side effects aren’t physical but mental, things could get serious.’
Just then, Abel leaned in and grabbed William’s chin.
“Ugh.”
He whispered in William’s ear, “I’m not crazy, William.”
Abel had read his thoughts perfectly. He continued, “Do you think I wouldn’t know that the blood of the Jimenez family flowing through us gives us the right to be electors of the Rom Empire?”
William’s eyes widened in shock. ‘How does he know…?’
Abel tightened his grip on William’s chin. “Cain Jimenez Constantinus. My twin brother, hidden away by Ramon Jimenez. He was supposed to take the baptism meant for me, if he hadn’t been killed by Zeke in the southern continent’s lab.”
William’s hands trembled uncontrollably. Under Ramon’s orders, he had manipulated information and erased traces to ensure that neither Abel nor the Empire’s intelligence agency could find any hint of Cain. Cain was one of the Jimenez family’s most closely guarded secrets.
‘Abel… knew everything.’
Abel’s expression turned wild again as he shouted, “That woman always told me, ‘Abel, everyone around you is an enemy! Keep your wits about you!’”
He mimicked his mother’s voice, and William felt his jaw might shatter under Abel’s grip. Finally, with trembling hands, he grabbed Abel’s wrist.
Abel glared at William with his fiery red eyes. “William, you’ll have to choose between Ramon and me.”
Only then did Abel release William’s chin. William clutched his aching jaw, looking at Abel with a mix of fear and awe. Abel was a transcendent being, holding the power of life and death in his hands.
Silence fell between them, and the carriage carrying the two men reached the Imperial garrison at the edge of the Joinsok ghetto. There, the flag bearing the sacred wolf of the Rom Empire fluttered in the wind.
Inside the carriage, Abel’s face once again took on a subtle, manic glow as he gazed at the flag.
With a hiss, Zeke stepped off the train and set foot on Aten Station.
‘So this is Aten.’
He surveyed the main station of Aten. Having never visited Aten in his previous life, the place felt unfamiliar to him.
Aten, being the stronghold of the Nirvana family, had a structure quite different from Atlas, the domain of the Draker family. While both Aten and Atlas were overseen by a city mayor, the Draker family actively involved themselves in the city’s operations, whereas the Nirvana family paid little attention to Aten’s management.
The Nirvana family, one of the three great transcendent families, boasted thousands of skilled wizards, but it was more of a wizard’s consortium than a traditional family. The Draker family, too, recognized talented knights as part of their family, even if they weren’t direct blood relatives. However, the distinction between direct and collateral lines was strictly maintained, with clear divisions of authority.
In contrast, the Nirvana family didn’t have a concept of ‘direct lineage.’ Anyone with the skill of a 4th-circle wizard who passed the Nirvana family’s test could enter the ‘Storm Fortress,’ the family’s main stronghold in the stormy northern seas. After achieving certain qualifications in their magical research, they could leave the fortress and operate under the Nirvana name.
The problem was that both the Nirvana qualification test and the Storm Fortress entry test were notoriously difficult. As a result, unless one specifically requested the Nirvana family, it was rare to encounter wizards bearing the Nirvana name. This exclusivity meant that Nirvana wizards were highly esteemed, but many were eccentric, pursuing only the research they desired.
The Nirvana family, with its unique structure, was arguably more challenging to deal with than the insular Ishtar family.
After exploring the area around Aten Station, Zeke hailed a carriage to the central branch of Nirvana. Although the main stronghold was in the northern seas, Nirvana had research facilities and branches across the continent. The central branch in Aten was where the head of the family usually resided.
Upon arriving at the central branch, Zeke was taken aback by the sight of the building.
‘Why is the building so small?’
The Draker’s Four Seasons Castle was massive, akin to five regular castles combined. In contrast, the Nirvana central branch seemed like a collection of large houses scattered about.
Doubting whether he was at the right place, Zeke approached a full-plate armored guard at the gate to identify himself.
The guard’s eyes flashed, and after a quick glance at Zeke’s identification, he nodded.
“Zeke Draker. Identity confirmed. You may enter.”
To Zeke’s surprise, the gatekeeper was not a person but a golem. Though not as sophisticated as the Guardian Hades had created, it moved with impressive precision. Zeke tilted his head in curiosity.
‘Why use such an expensive golem for guard duty? It would be cheaper to station a hundred soldiers for ten years.’
As someone who valued efficiency, Zeke found it puzzling. Pushing his curiosity aside, he entered the building, only to be taken aback once more.
‘What is this?’
Contrary to its modest exterior, the building’s interior was vast. The lobby was bustling with wizards moving about quickly.
A bald, hook-nosed wizard flew through the air with a vial of experimental potion, while a towering figure muttered to himself, his body flashing with light as he teleported to the second floor. A plump wizard sat on the lobby stairs, sipping tea with a cat in his arms.
The chaotic scene of dozens of wizards moving independently left Zeke feeling dizzy.
‘What kind of place is this?’
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Zeke scanned the area and found a call device on the wall. He picked up the receiver and pressed a button.
A beep sounded, followed by a voice as mechanical as the golem’s from the other end.
“Please state your identity and the person you wish to contact.”
“Zeke Draker. I’m here to deliver a letter from Kali Draker to Master Jorge Nirvana.”
After another beep, the connection abruptly cut off. Zeke stared at the silent receiver, puzzled.
‘Was the call made?’
As he debated whether to press the button again, someone approached him from behind.
“Why are you still holding that?”
An elderly man with a stern, wizardly appearance snapped at Zeke.
Zeke bowed his head to the wizard. “Are you Master Jorge? I’m Zeke…”
“Do I look like that fool Jorge to you?” the wizard barked at Zeke.
Antonio looked Zeke up and down with a disapproving expression.
“I’m Antonio, standing in for that blockhead Jorge.”
‘Antonio Nirvana? He’s one of the few 8th-circle masters on the continent.’
Antonio gestured for Zeke to follow him. “I don’t know what brought you here from Dreiker, but since you’re here, come along.”
He casually placed a hand on the wall, and a door suddenly appeared where there had been none.
Antonio opened the door and walked in as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Zeke hesitated at the sight of the door in the wall. As a knight by birth, magic was still something unfamiliar to him.
When Zeke lingered, the door swung open again, and Antonio shouted, “What are you waiting for? Get in here!”
Reluctantly, Zeke opened the door Antonio had conjured and stepped inside.
To his surprise, the room appeared to be Antonio’s laboratory. The floor was cluttered with countless experimental tools and books, and the walls were lined with chalkboards covered in indecipherable formulas.
‘Wizard labs are always such a mess,’ Zeke thought.
Antonio cleared a space on his desk and plopped down into a chair. “Find a spot and sit. Oh, and you’re a pureblood awakener, right? Don’t take off your gloves. Some of this equipment is priceless.”
With a snap of his fingers, two cups of coffee appeared on the previously empty desk. Antonio took a sip of the inky black brew, as dark and intense as something from the depths of hell.
“I only drink black coffee, so there’s no milk or sugar. Just drink it as is.”
Zeke took a sip and was hit by a bitterness so strong it felt like his tongue might disappear. He quietly set the cup down.
After finishing his coffee, Antonio pulled out a pipe, lit it with a snap of his fingers, and finally got to the point.
“So, why has Zeke Dreiker brought a letter from Kali Dreiker?”
“For ongoing collaboration and exchange with Nirvana…”
“Not interested. You can go now.”
Despite his leisurely coffee break, Antonio cut Zeke off before he could finish.
Zeke nodded, as if he had expected this. ‘Nirvana wizards hate being bothered.’
Looking at Antonio, Zeke said, “In that case, the official business is concluded. Now, I have a personal proposal.”
Antonio exhaled a puff of smoke. “Damn it, I’ve got nothing more to say. I’m busy as hell, so take your nonsense elsewhere…”
Thud!
The moment Antonio saw what Zeke pulled from his coat, he straightened up.
“What is that? Is that… a fairy stone?”