Episode 308
The atmosphere shifted instantly, growing tense under the low, ominous voice and piercing gaze of the Crouching Flame’s Song.
Zeke, unfazed, looked at him and spoke calmly. “Can’t you see? I’m just grilling some meat.”
The Crouching Flame’s Song bristled, feathers standing on end. “Do you humans lack the basic knowledge that you shouldn’t eat monster meat?”
Zeke shook his head. “Normally, yes, it’s not safe. But that’s because of the toxins. Once you remove them, it’s perfectly fine to eat. So don’t worry, just enjoy.”
The Crouching Flame’s Song raised a heavy iron rod, ready to smash the stone slab where the meat was cooking.
Whoosh!
Just then, Helen, standing behind, drew her Dragon Buster and deflected the rod with a loud clang.
The Crouching Flame’s Song staggered back, and the Blackwing warriors behind him raised their feathers, aiming their rods.
He glared at Zeke and Helen. “Foolish humans. You can’t just remove the toxins from monster meat like that! Even if you don’t feel it now, those who eat it will soon collapse! Your reckless actions will doom your allies!”
Zeke pondered how to explain, then turned to a knight. “Fetch me a bowl of dirty water, please.”
The knight quickly returned with a bowl from a nearby well, its water long contaminated, forcing them to drink only the clear surface after letting the sediment settle.
Zeke pointed to the murky water. “Watch closely, everyone.”
He used a purification skill, and a golden aura seeped into the water, transforming it into something impossibly clear.
The beastfolk and Blackwing warriors were stunned by the miracle Zeke had performed.
“How… how did you do that?”
“Is this some kind of miracle? From a human?”
The Crouching Flame’s Song eyed the purified water, then asked Zeke, “Are you a wizard, human?”
“Even a passing orc could tell I’m no wizard.”
“Then how can a knight do such a thing?”
Zeke hesitated, then spoke slowly. “I recently visited the Fairy Lake. I met the Fairy King there and received a blessing.”
The mention of the Fairy King’s blessing left everyone, from beastfolk to knights, gaping in disbelief.
“The Fairy King…?”
“Isn’t that something out of a storybook?”
Seeing their skepticism, Zeke decided to reveal something more tangible. Though he usually kept his powers hidden, building trust was crucial now.
Just as he was about to show the blessed fairy stone, a phoenix emerged from a dimensional rift, revealing itself.
The phoenix perched on Zeke’s shoulder, spreading its magnificent wings and letting out a resonant cry. The birdfolk warriors, who had been fearless against the Imperial Knights, were now in a frenzy.
“My goodness! Is that…?”
“The Phoenix! It’s the Phoenix!”
“The legendary divine beast has appeared!”
Zeke was taken aback by the Blackwing warriors’ reaction. ‘Why are they suddenly acting like this?’
The Crouching Flame’s Song, too, was visibly shaken. “Is it truly the Phoenix, human?”
Zeke nodded, puzzled by the unexpected response. “Yes, it was born at the Fairy Lake. But why are you all reacting this way?”
The Crouching Flame’s Song swallowed hard, then spoke slowly. “There was a prophecy.”
“What kind of prophecy?”
He looked at Zeke with a reluctant expression. “The prophecy said that when the divine Phoenix appears, the birdfolk will regain their freedom.”
Zeke glanced at the phoenix, now perched on Helen’s shoulder, singing merrily, and found it hard to believe. ‘Does it have some power I’m unaware of?’
Though he had heard of the phoenix being a rare omen, it had only recently hatched and didn’t seem to possess any special abilities yet.
The phoenix flapped its wings and, in a playful gesture, snatched a piece of meat from the stone slab.
The birdfolk were astonished. “The Phoenix ate the meat!”
“Is it really safe?”
The Crouching Flame’s Song, wearing a complex expression, approached the slab, picked up a piece of meat, and tasted it. After chewing and swallowing, he looked intently at Zeke.
Moments later, he turned to the other Blackwing warriors and nodded. They rushed to the slab, eagerly devouring the meat.
“How long has it been since we had meat!”
“It’s delicious. So good.”
Zeke watched, bemused, as the birdfolk warriors, who had earlier acted as if they were being poisoned, now tore into the meat with more enthusiasm than the beastfolk.
Once the meat was gone, the birdfolk stood tall and proud again, though their beaks glistened with grease.
The Crouching Flame’s Song, having eaten his fill, suddenly raised his rod and let out a battle cry.
“Arararara!”
The other birdfolk joined in, their cries echoing.
“Arararara!”
“Kiyoooo!”
The phoenix, excited by the commotion, joined in from Helen’s shoulder, its song driving away evil and bringing good fortune.
The fortress, once somber, buzzed with energy at the phoenix’s song.
After the cries subsided, the Crouching Flame’s Song led his warriors out of the fortress, leaving those inside bewildered.
“Have they lost their minds?”
The beastfolk, lounging with full bellies, watched the birdfolk dash out and clicked their tongues.
Soon, the birdfolk returned, dragging several minotaurs behind them.
Thud!
The Crouching Flame’s Song dropped a minotaur before Zeke, eyes gleaming. “A Blackwing warrior never eats for free.”
Then, with the other warriors, he stared at Zeke expectantly.
‘So they want more meat grilled,’ Zeke thought, amused by their indirect request. But he knew they needed to eat well to regain their strength.
Zeke dismantled and purified the minotaurs, grilling the meat once more.
Big Joe, understanding the situation, ordered his men to hunt more tasty monsters.
Thanks to Zeke’s efforts, everyone in the fortress ate well and regained their strength.
Even the tiger beastfolk, who had been knocked out by Zeke earlier, recovered quickly after eating minotaur meat, now moving around as if nothing had happened.
Zeke nodded, recognizing the beastfolk’s remarkable recovery abilities, a significant asset on the battlefield.
No wonder mercenaries valued beastfolk so highly, despite their often hot-headed nature causing trouble, leading some mercenary groups to avoid them.
Their fierce nature was also why beastfolk struggled to integrate into central continent society like dwarves or other races.
With everyone fed and energized, Zeke resumed talks with the Crouching Flame’s Song and Big Joe.
“The birdfolk will agree to Kali’s terms.”
Surprisingly, the once-stubborn Crouching Flame’s Song was the first to accept the proposal.
‘Could the Phoenix really have changed their minds?’
The birdfolk, along with the naga, were among the most mysterious races. Their shamans often received prophecies, glimpsing the future.
Such prophecies were vital to the birdfolk, and the Phoenix’s appearance seemed to hold great significance for them.
Big Joe nodded at the Crouching Flame’s Song’s words. “The Phoenix is indeed a powerful omen for our alliance.”
Even Big Joe seemed pleased with the Phoenix’s appearance.
The Phoenix, with nothing but its beautiful feathers, had accomplished something significant.
Big Joe then turned to Zeke. “If the Western Alliance is formed, I’d like to hear what kind of support Kali’s side can offer.”
Zeke realized Big Joe was no pushover. ‘It’s good to be clear when forming an alliance.’
Zeke handed Big Joe a list he had prepared, detailing the support they could offer if the alliance proceeded positively.
Big Joe reviewed the list, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
“Are you sure about these terms? They seem quite favorable to us.”
“Lord Kali isn’t looking to demand anything from you. He simply supports the beastfolk alliance, hoping the Ghetto region can stand independently.”
Of course, it wasn’t purely out of goodwill. The Western Alliance would act as a buffer, preventing the Empire from advancing, aiding Kali and Zeke in countering the Abel faction.
Big Joe nodded at this.
“Hmm, Crossel is willing to accept Sir Kali’s proposal. However, there is a condition,” Zeke said, glancing at Big Joe.
“And what might that be?” Big Joe asked with a sly grin.
“We would like Sir Zeke Draker to continue serving as the envoy and mediator for our alliance. What do you say?”
The Crouching Flame’s Song, standing nearby, nodded in agreement.
“Does that mean you trust me enough to form this treaty?” Zeke inquired.
Big Joe chuckled. “Of course. Anyone who travels with a divine beast is certainly trustworthy, wouldn’t you agree?”
The Crouching Flame’s Song silently affirmed Zeke’s role with a nod.
Thanks to the unwavering faith the beastfolk and the beastmen had in the divine beast, the treaty negotiations proceeded smoothly.
Once the details were finalized, Zeke moved on to the next step of his plan.
“We can’t survive here indefinitely by hunting monsters. We need to move towards the autonomous zone,” Zeke stated.
Both leaders of the groups agreed with his assessment.
However, since they had already consumed all the horses they arrived with, traveling on horseback was no longer an option.
Zeke turned to the Crouching Flame’s Song. “Is there a faster route than the canyon?”
The Crouching Flame’s Song shook his head. “The canyon is the quickest way.”
With no other choice, Zeke decided they would have to traverse the canyon again to reach the autonomous zone.
His plan was to secure the area first and then relay the details of the alliance treaty to Kali’s side.
With the treaty in place, Kali’s forces could enter the ghetto region to hunt monsters without any issues.
‘No matter what, I must protect the Crouching Flame’s Song and Big Joe to establish the Western Alliance and announce it.’
Their presence in the west was crucial to pressuring the Empire and exploiting any weaknesses.
The next day, Zeke and his companions packed jerky made from minotaur meat and plenty of water before stepping out of the fortress.
As soon as they emerged, the scent drew hordes of monsters towards them.
Zeke, wielding his enchanted sword, let out a thunderous roar from the flank.
Roooooar—
The monsters hesitated, retreating slightly at the sound.
Seizing the moment, Zeke hurled a solar flare at them, blinding the creatures with its brilliant light.
“Move quickly, now!” he shouted.
The Crouching Flame’s Song and Helen led the charge, breaking through the monster blockade.
The beastfolk and beastmen warriors followed closely behind.
Despite Big Joe’s mobility issues, some beastmen warriors carried him swiftly in a makeshift palanquin.
Grrrrr!
Suddenly, a group of frenzied monsters blocked Zeke’s path, charging at him.
With a swift motion, Zeke transformed his sword into the Bahamut and swung it at the oncoming beasts.
Swoosh!
In a single strike, dozens of monsters fell.
Zeke immediately activated his absorption skill, shadows swirling around him as they consumed the fallen creatures.
Replenishing his strength as he fought, he continued to wield his sword tirelessly.
But then, he noticed the monsters slowly retreating.
‘Why are they backing off?’
Moments later, a thunderous sound shook the wasteland.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Zeke turned towards the source of the noise and saw something massive approaching.
‘What is that?’
From the far side of the wasteland, three barbarians charged towards Zeke, letting out fierce battle cries.