Episode 297
A creature of unparalleled beauty, unlike anything he had ever seen, spread its wings before him.
Its feathers shimmered with a kaleidoscope of colors, and its long, elegant tail swayed gracefully as it fixed its eyes on Zeke.
Zeke stared at the mystical being, a thought suddenly crossing his mind.
“A… chicken?”
In an instant, the creature pecked Zeke’s forehead with surprising force.
“Ouch!”
The beak was so hard that even Zeke, with his immortal strength, felt as if his forehead might split open.
After his healing factor mended the wound, Zeke stood up and looked at the creature again, this time through his dragon eyes.
―Divine Beast Information―
Description: A rare and fantastical creature of mysterious beauty.
Unique Ability: Phoenix’s Blessing
Special Note: The phoenix has long been considered a harbinger of good fortune. Its presence brings luck.
“A harbinger of good fortune?”
Zeke watched as the phoenix, its feathers gleaming in a dazzling array of colors, walked gracefully before him.
The phoenix spread its wings once more and flew up to perch on Zeke’s shoulder.
A strange, harmonious cry, blending five distinct tones, filled the air.
Hearing the phoenix’s song, Zeke felt a wave of calm wash over him.
The chaotic, dazzling scenery before his eyes began to settle, transforming into a more familiar landscape of forest and lake, though still tinged with an air of mystery.
“So its ability, Phoenix’s Blessing, is tied to its song,” Zeke mused.
Just then, a figure emerged from the lake, its water-like hair cascading around it like a dress. The being’s appearance was as if sculpted from marble, reminiscent of Kaishir and Chronos.
Zeke realized this was a lake spirit, its eyes filled with an enigmatic gaze as it spoke to him.
“The power of immortality is dangerous. Karma will not leave you be.”
Zeke understood that the lake spirit would never restore the sacred relics for him.
“Damn, without reviving the relics, I can’t progress with the quest.”
After a moment of contemplation, he made a decision.
“Then I’ll just have to summon the creator.”
He retrieved the Tear of the Fairy King from his inventory and opened the bottle.
The lake spirit shuddered at the power emanating from the bottle.
“You… you can’t mean…!”
A brilliant light burst forth from the opened bottle, and the lake spirit’s form began to ripple.
[Tear of the Fairy King activated.]
[Enhanced by the power of the Fairy Lake.]
[Communication with the Fairy Realm is now possible.]
The lake spirit’s eyes flashed with light.
Zeke felt an overwhelming presence emanating from the spirit, far beyond anything he had sensed before.
A message appeared before Zeke.
[The Fairy King gazes upon the Immortal.]
Zeke felt a pressure so intense it nearly brought him to his knees, but he managed to speak to the Fairy King.
“Fairy King, please restore the sacred relics.”
The lake spirit’s eyes shone brightly at Zeke’s words.
[The Fairy King says the Immortal’s power is too great, and possessing the relics could disrupt the world.]
“The Demon King’s army is on the verge of revival. Without the relics, we can’t stop them.”
[The Fairy King considers the Immortal’s words.]
[The Hero King expresses his opinion.]
“The Hero King? Could it be Master Kaishir?”
[The Hero King says this Immortal is foolish and dim-witted but won’t misuse the relics’ power.]
Zeke could almost hear Kaishir’s voice in his head as he read the message.
[The Fairy King ponders the Hero King’s words.]
[The Hero King chides the Fairy King for hesitating.]
[The Fairy King tells the Hero King to be patient.]
Zeke was bewildered by the ongoing exchange.
“Why are they arguing?”
Then, the lake spirit, embodying the Fairy King’s will, trembled, and a new message appeared.
[The Fairy King decides to restore the sacred relics.]
[The Hero King scolds the Fairy King for taking so long to make the decision.]
Zeke felt a wave of relief wash over him.
“Thank goodness. I didn’t expect the fairies to be so wary of the Immortal’s power… Is it because of Siemens Apollyon, who summoned the Demon King?”
At that moment, Kaishir’s voice echoed in Zeke’s mind through the messages.
[The Hero King tells the Immortal to stop learning trivial skills and focus on mastering the Elemental Sword to make his mark on the world.]
“Even in the Fairy Realm, he hasn’t changed a bit.”
Zeke knew the power of the Elemental Sword, but as a human, the mana cost was too high, and controlling it was difficult, making it impractical for battle.
Unaware of Zeke’s struggles, Kaishir continued to nag through the messages.
Then, the lake spirit’s eyes glowed, and the light shot toward the relics Zeke had placed on the ground.
A hum filled the air as the chalice, scabbard, and Agamemnon’s mask began to reconnect, the broken mask slowly restoring to its original form.
With a crack, the sun emblem on the mask’s forehead fell away, revealing another symbol beneath.
“That symbol…?”
A serpent devouring its own tail.
Zeke felt a chill as he recognized the symbol.
“The Siemens crest!”
The Siemens family crest depicted two serpents biting each other’s tails.
Zeke couldn’t fathom why a symbol so similar to the Siemens crest was engraved on the relic mask.
[The name of ???‘s mask has been identified.]
[The Mask of the Great Sage Atrahasis has been restored.]
The mask glowed with a radiant light, floating alongside the other relics.
Zeke finally understood the mask’s true identity.
“A mask crafted by the Great Sage. So the sage’s name is Atrahasis.”
Even in the Hero King’s tales, the Great Sage’s name was never mentioned.
Everyone in the mortal realm, including Zeke, only knew him as the “Great Sage.”
Another message appeared.
[The Fairy King advises the Immortal not to be consumed by the abyss.]
[The Hero King tells the Fairy King to stop with the pointless advice and give the Immortal a good item instead.]
[The Fairy King, considering the Hero King’s words, bestows a gift upon the Immortal.]
[You have received a special random box containing the Fairy King’s gift.]
[You have received a special random box containing the Hero King’s gift.]
Before Zeke could express his gratitude, the energy within the lake spirit dissipated.
“Gasp!”
The lake spirit, now free of the Fairy King’s presence, trembled as it looked at Zeke.
“How could the Fairy King grant relics to an Immortal…?”
Zeke quickly stored the relics and random boxes in his inventory and addressed the lake spirit.
“Hey, now that we’re done here, could you show me the way out?”
The water surrounding the lake spirit churned violently.
The spirit, trembling, manipulated the lake water to create a mirror-like portal.
It called out to Zeke as he prepared to leave.
“Immortal, heed my words! Those who defy the laws will surely pay the price…”
Ignoring the spirit’s warning, Zeke leaped into the portal.
The forest spirits watching the scene giggled with delight.
The lake spirit, after a final splash, retreated back into the depths of the lake, shivering.
A hum resonated as Zeke emerged from the portal, surrounded by water.
“Ugh!”
Realizing his situation, Zeke quickly activated his amphibious skill, allowing him to breathe underwater.
Beside him, the phoenix perched gracefully on his shoulder, seemingly unbothered by the water.
“It looks like a pretty chicken, but it’s a divine beast.”
As if reading his thoughts, the phoenix pecked Zeke’s head again.
“Ouch, you little…!”
Blocking the phoenix’s beak, Zeke swam upward.
“Phew!”
He found himself at the edge of a lake, surprisingly close to the druid village.
After swimming ashore, Zeke checked his map to confirm his location.
He made his way into the druid village, where the villagers greeted him with cheers.
“The knight has returned!”
Their attitude was a stark contrast to the wary reception he had received initially.
The druids gathered around Zeke, extending their hands with palms facing him, bowing their heads with closed eyes.
Zeke watched their solemn ritual, unsure of its meaning.
When nothing else happened, he continued walking, and every druid he passed adopted the same posture.
Pondering the significance of their gesture, Zeke made his way to the village square, where the village chief awaited him, staff in hand.
Upon meeting Zeke, the chief also bowed and showed his palms.
The chief then raised his head and spoke to Zeke.
“Thank you for saving the Mountain Lord.”
The chief’s demeanor was a far cry from the man who had cursed and beaten Michel when they first met.
Zeke shook his head and said, “It’s simply what any knight should do.”
It had been a while since Zeke had spoken like a model knight.
The village chief smiled warmly and gestured toward the druids who were bowing to Zeke. “This is a ritual to share their blessings with you as a token of gratitude.”
Just then, a loud thumping sound echoed through the village.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
From the direction of the village, Sangun and Michelle appeared, carrying large barrels. The druids and magical creatures ran toward them with smiles.
“Sangun’s honey wine!”
“It’s been ages since we had a festival!”
Sangun reached the village square and set down several large barrels. As the lids were removed, an unbelievably sweet aroma wafted through the entire village.
Michelle filled a large cup with the honey wine and brought it to Zeke. “Sir Knight! You have to try this. Sangun’s honey wine is the best!”
All the village druids turned their eyes to Zeke. He accepted the cup from Michelle without hesitation. Inside, a rich amber liquid shimmered, its fragrance as delightful as its color.
Just as Zeke was about to take a sip, his clothes suddenly bulged, and a phoenix poked its head out, diving straight into the cup.
Woo-woo-woo!
The phoenix let out a mystical cry as it drank all the honey wine. Then, as if exhilarated, it emerged fully, spreading its iridescent feathers and soared into the sky.
Woo-woo-woo-roo!
The phoenix sang joyfully as it flew over the village.
Sangun, who had been sitting to the side, watched the phoenix in awe and exclaimed, “Well, well, a phoenix! It’s a rare divine creature indeed.”
The druids were taken aback. “A phoenix? Isn’t that the legendary harbinger of good fortune?”
“My goodness, a real phoenix exists!”
The druids were abuzz with excitement, and Michelle was so thrilled by the sight of the phoenix that she nearly fainted.
Zeke turned to Sangun and asked, “I fell into the Fairy Lake, and the egg absorbed its power, resulting in this divine creature.”
Sangun took a swig of honey wine, looking intrigued. “The egg of a divine beast is rare. The Fairy Lake may have awakened it, but it was your power that determined the creature that emerged.”
“Are you saying that phoenix was born because of me?”
“The egg of a divine beast hatches a creature that matches the soul of its bearer. Zeke, that phoenix is your soul’s companion, so treat it with care.”
Zeke watched the phoenix, now drunk and singing wildly, with a skeptical expression. ‘It looks more like a pretty chicken…’
The phoenix, as if reading Zeke’s thoughts, swooped down and pecked at him with its beak.
The druids burst into laughter at the sight of the playful exchange between Zeke and the phoenix.
Joining in the festivities with the villagers, Zeke found himself relaxing and enjoying the village feast.
When the celebration finally wound down and everyone had gone to sleep, Zeke gently covered the sleeping phoenix with his cloak and opened his inventory.
Before him lay three sacred relics. With a determined look, Zeke infused them with his power. In that moment, a brilliant white light burst forth.