Episode 310
Zeke quickly armed himself and dashed out of the barracks, his instincts proving correct as he saw the beasts attacking the camp.
With Roland in hand, he charged at the oncoming creatures, his sword slicing through them with ease.
Sssshhh—
The beasts fell to the ground, black smoke rising from their wounds as they lay defeated.
The Joins and Beastmen, with their keen senses, had already detected the attack and were engaged in battle.
The Joins wielded heavy steel clubs, while the Beastmen slashed at the beasts with their sharp claws.
Zeke raised Roland and unleashed a holy aura, casting a wide-area buff.
Wooooom—
The light of the holy aura enveloped the Joins and Beastmen.
“Oh?”
With the buff’s power, fighting the beasts became significantly easier.
Just as Zeke was about to charge at the beasts again, something caught his eye.
He spotted a suspicious shadow atop the cliff.
Turning to Helen, who had just emerged from the barracks, Zeke spoke.
“Sister, I’ve noticed something unusual. I’ll go check it out. Please take care of the others.”
“Understood. Don’t worry.”
Zeke swiftly scaled the cliff, but upon reaching the top, the shadowy figures were nowhere to be seen.
‘Could they be the ones controlling the beasts?’
Suddenly—
Whoosh!
A surprise kick came from his blind spot.
Crash!
Zeke blocked the kick with his elbow.
This wasn’t a technique used by knights of the Central Continent.
He stepped back, aiming Roland at his opponent, who was cloaked in black, face obscured by a hood.
In the figure’s hands was a peculiar sword, somewhere between a dagger and a longsword.
Zeke was taken aback upon recognizing the weapon.
‘That weapon?’
While he was momentarily stunned, another attack came from his blind spot.
Whoosh!
A bastard sword sliced through the air, targeting Zeke’s side.
Zeke deflected the sword with Roland, crouched low, and kicked back at the attacker.
Thud!
His kick landed squarely on the chest plate of the swordsman wielding the bastard sword.
As the swordsman staggered back, the dual-wielding figure charged at Zeke.
Swish!
The twin swords crossed, aiming for Zeke.
He spun around, delivering a kick to the figure’s jaw.
Crack!
The figure blocked with an arm, flying back from the impact.
‘He threw himself back before the hit landed.’
Zeke quickly regained his balance.
The dual-wielder and the swordsman with the bastard sword pointed their weapons at him.
Zeke noticed the fallen hunting dogs behind the dual-wielder.
‘So they drove the beasts this way.’
Addressing the two, Zeke spoke.
“Highlanders, lay down your weapons. I am not your enemy.”
Prince Leo, the second prince, had arrived at the garrison for a peacekeeping inspection and was taken aback by the report he received.
“Commander Morgan has disappeared? What do you mean?”
The lieutenant managing the garrison, sweating nervously, stammered.
“Well, after he said he’d lead a patrol with the knights yesterday, there’s been no sign of him.”
The lieutenant knew Morgan had taken knights to attack Zeke Draker’s autonomous district. But revealing this would expose the Empire’s direct aggression against the Joins and Beastmen in the neutral zone, so he kept it hidden.
Leo, still puzzled, addressed the lieutenant.
“That’s strange. It’s not like the commander to fall to monsters.”
Just then, someone entered the room without announcement.
“Hmm?”
Leo frowned at the intrusion but was shocked upon recognizing the newcomer.
It was Abel Draker, the Black Knight and guardian knight of the Draker family.
Abel bowed to Leo.
“Prince, Abel Draker greets you.”
As a knight himself, Leo was pleased to see Abel. In a place akin to a battlefield, his presence was understandable.
“The Slayer of Red! I’ve heard of your renown. Congratulations on becoming a Black Knight!”
Abel approached Leo with a charming smile.
“I am honored that Your Highness recognizes me.”
Abel, after a slight bow, continued.
“I came urgently upon hearing that Sir Morgan Buffon’s whereabouts are unknown.”
Leo nodded.
“I heard the same upon my arrival. He went on patrol and hasn’t been heard from since… I can’t make sense of it.”
Abel’s expression turned serious as he spoke.
“Your Highness, I have a theory.”
Leo, surprised, asked.
“Do you know what happened to Sir Morgan?”
“I only have suspicions, but… I believe it’s the work of Kali Draker.”
“Kali Draker? I haven’t heard of the Silver Knight being here.”
“That’s why I said it’s the work of Kali Draker’s side. You must have heard about the sudden appearance of many monsters here. They’re gathering around where the Joins and Beastmen are supposed to meet. I suspect it’s a ploy by Kali Draker. Sir Morgan might have noticed and tried to confirm it, only to meet misfortune.”
“I’m somewhat aware of the situation here… So you’re saying Kali Draker isolated them?”
“Yes, by doing so, they’re forced to seek help from Kali Draker, giving his forces a pretext to enter the independent zone of Ghetto.”
Leo frowned, questioning Abel.
“Why would Kali Draker go to such lengths to seize the Ghetto region?”
Abel’s expression grew grave as he replied.
“Forgive my boldness, but I believe Kali Draker plans to station troops in the Ghetto region and gradually invade the southern part of the Central Continent.”
“The southern region… Are you suggesting he’s targeting the Empire?”
“Given the current circumstances, that seems to be the case.”
Leo’s expression hardened at Abel’s words.
The Ghetto region was a hotbed of tension. If the Silver Knight stationed troops there to pressure the Empire, the already chaotic borders would become even more unstable.
Leo pondered seriously, then asked Abel a question that had arisen.
“But if they’re isolated, wouldn’t it be difficult to request help? Have there been any movements towards the Ghetto region?”
Abel nodded.
“Kali Draker hasn’t acted directly. Instead, he sent another brother, Zeke Draker, to the Ghetto region to handle the monster subjugation.”
“Zeke Draker has entered the Ghetto region?”
Abel nodded.
“He received permission for monster subjugation from Alencia and entered the border area.”
“The Knight of the Sea… I’ve heard of Zeke Draker’s reputation. Would he really attack Sir Morgan?”
Abel shook his head.
“Your Highness, don’t be deceived by Zeke Draker’s public image. He’s a dangerous individual with demonic talent and a serpent’s heart. Though he’s my brother, his threat grows by the day.”
Leo looked at Abel, incredulous.
“But you said earlier it was just a suspicion. What makes you think that?”
“Bring it in.”
At Abel’s command, soldiers brought in a large coffin.
When the lid was opened, it revealed the corpse of a Join.
Leo was shocked, looking at Abel.
“What is this?”
Abel pointed to the Join’s body.
“This is the result of Zeke Draker’s atrocities. This Join died from a mutated Red Flower Disease.”
“A mutated Red Flower Disease? Wasn’t there a cure developed in Alencia?”
“Your Highness, the place producing that cure is Zeke Draker’s pharmaceutical company. He’s partnered with Princess Melissa of Alencia to make it.”
“I wasn’t aware of that. But what does that have to do with a Join dying from the disease? And didn’t you just say it was Kali Draker’s scheme that brought Zeke Draker here?”
Abel spoke slowly.
“Kali Draker and Zeke Draker’s interests aligned perfectly. Publicly, Kali Draker’s influence is still stronger. Zeke Draker, in collusion with Kali Draker, transformed the existing Red Flower Disease with magic, creating a mutated version to infect the Joins.”
“What?”
Abel pressed on without pause.
“By spreading the disease, the Joins are pressured to turn to Alencia for help. And since Zeke Draker’s company produces the cure, the Joins in the Ghetto region have no choice but to rely on him.”
Abel deftly shifted the blame for the Empire’s actions onto Zeke.
Leo’s face turned pale at the revelation.
Though he was a knight of great talent, his experience was lacking.
In truth, Abel’s claims were full of holes and lacked concrete evidence.
However, Leo had always considered Abel an ally, so this unexpected revelation left him completely taken aback.
For a moment, Leo stood there, stunned, before slowly lifting his head to meet Abel’s gaze.
”…What do you suggest we do, Sir Abel?”
Abel responded with a serious expression, “We must strike at Zeke Dreiker’s forces first. I’ve heard they’re currently injured and isolated in the ghetto area. Now is the time to act.”
Leo’s face darkened at this suggestion. “Attacking the wounded? That goes against the code of chivalry…”
“Your Highness, sometimes one must dirty their hands for the greater good.”
Abel’s insidious words began to seep into Leo’s noble soul. Leo was a knight driven by a strong sense of duty to protect the empire. Abel knew this and used it to unsettle Leo’s resolve.
“The ghetto is currently sealed off, with no one able to enter from the outside. Even if we attack Zeke Dreiker’s side, we can claim it was a monster attack, and no one will suspect a thing.”
Leo’s expression grew even more troubled. “How can we do such a thing in the name of the Imperial Army?”
Abel shook his head. “The Imperial Army need not be involved. If you grant permission, we can bring in outsiders to handle this.”
“Are you suggesting we hire assassins?”
“Think of it as something similar. You are in charge here, Your Highness. I implore you to grant your approval.”
Leo felt dizzy from Abel’s words. Normally, he would have refused outright. But with Morgan Buffon gone and Abel’s persuasive words gnawing at him, he found himself conflicted.
After a moment of contemplation, Leo spoke slowly, ”…I need more time to think.”
Abel nodded and left the room, leaving Leo to his thoughts.
Outside, Abel’s face twisted into a sinister grin. “Damn it. Morgan’s interference is making this more complicated than it should be.”
His eyes glowed a menacing red.
“Abel, calm down. If the prince catches on to your agitation, it’ll be troublesome,” William, who had been waiting outside, quickly intervened.
Abel took a deep breath to steady himself. “Alright. The prince will have no choice but to follow my lead. We’ll proceed with the attack on Zeke’s camp.”
“Are you sure? Acting without the prince’s approval could be risky. Don’t forget, Daria Calvi, the knight from the Imperial Palace, is also on her way here.”
Abel smirked. “Even if something goes wrong, I can handle it by speaking directly to Julius. If we delay any longer and Zeke escapes, it’ll be a bigger headache. William, you handle the autonomous district.”
“Me? What if it becomes known that we were involved?”
William’s words made Abel’s eyes flash red again, causing William to clench his fists. They were already in this together, for better or worse.
“Damn it,” William muttered, biting his lip before nodding. “Fine. What about the escaped tribes from the fortress? They’ve managed to get out.”
Abel waved dismissively. “They chose to die outside rather than inside the fortress. They’re too weak to make it through the canyon. I’ll inform our contact to let the monsters deal with them. We just need to collect evidence of their deaths later.”
“Understood.”
Abel reminded William, “Don’t forget, once this is over, the rest will be much easier.”
William nodded. “I know.”
“Good. Make sure it goes smoothly this time.”
Resigned, William hurried off to prepare for the mission. In the dim corridor, Abel’s eyes glowed red before gradually fading.
“Zeke, this time, you won’t escape.”