Episode 321

Whoooosh—

As the blinding light faded, Daria slowly turned her head.

“Did it work?”

She had just activated the “Gorgon’s Eye,” the final hidden weapon of the Hermion armor she wore from the Inma Palace. This secret device unleashed a torrent of thousands of arrowheads, a move reserved for the most desperate of moments.

Daria had sensed that Zeke Draker would become a threat to the empire, regardless of Abel’s warnings. So, she had feigned capture to prepare this trap. Known for her chivalry, no one would have expected her to resort to such a cunning tactic.

Rising to her feet, she glanced to the side. Arrowheads were embedded all over Zeke’s Hermion armor. Despite the armor, the sheer number of tiny arrowheads had found their way through the gaps.

Daria approached the fallen Zeke cautiously. She nudged him with her spear, which she had transformed from a bow.

“Is he dead?”

It would have been nearly impossible to evade the Argos’ Eye she had unleashed. Still, to be sure, she drove her spear toward Zeke’s heart.

Clang!

Her spear couldn’t penetrate Zeke’s Hermion armor.

“The armor’s strength is incredible.”

It seemed she wouldn’t be able to retrieve Zeke Draker’s body until his full plate armor was removed. Just as Daria was about to order her knights to carry Zeke’s body inside—

Whoosh!

A massive fireball hurtled toward the fallen Zeke. As the flames engulfed him, Daria stepped back in shock.

“What is this?”

As she turned around, another giant fireball followed, targeting Zeke.

Boom!

The fiery storm swept over Zeke and the surrounding area. Abel, who had vowed to protect the prince, emerged, his red eyes gleaming as he gripped the Red Dragon Sword. He watched the blazing inferno intently.

Daria approached Abel, shouting, “What do you think you’re doing?”

Abel, seeing Daria’s anger, smiled with satisfaction. “Commander, that was quite the move.”

He had been observing the battle between Zeke and Daria from the shadows. As he had anticipated, Zeke possessed power beyond that of a red knight. Even though Daria had retreated to use the Gorgon’s Eye, Zeke had relentlessly pressured her with his black sword aura.

Had it been a fair fight, Zeke would have undoubtedly won. But history has shown that the best knight doesn’t always win.

Abel glanced at the charred Zeke, then turned back to Daria. “Well done, Commander Daria. I’ll handle the rest, so you can return—”

Screeeech—

Suddenly, Abel leaped back, three scars marking his chest. Behind him, Daria was immobilized by shadow control.

Zeke was slowly emerging from the fiery storm, approaching Daria with bloodshot eyes.

Abel grinned at the sight of Zeke in his Hermion armor. “Interesting.”

Pointing his sword at Zeke, Abel said, “Zeke, it seems killing you won’t be that easy.”

Zeke removed his helmet, facing Abel. “So, you’ve finally shown yourself, Abel.”

The two had been at odds, obstructing each other from afar. Now, they stood face to face.

Abel smirked at Zeke. “I knew this moment would come ever since I found out you killed Cain.”

Zeke frowned at Abel’s words, wondering how he had discovered the truth. He already knew from William’s memories about the connection between Abel and Cain.

“Abel and Cain were twins, and Ramon Jimenez tried to use them for something. When Cain died, Abel received the blessing instead.”

Cain had been a significant figure within Jimenez, as Aaron’s memories had revealed. Yet, Ramon Jimenez had kept Cain’s identity a secret from Abel. Abel had discovered it on his own and was now trying to seize control of the Draker and Rom Empire’s power.

“He’s no different from his past life. The timing is just a bit earlier this time.”

In his past life, Zeke hadn’t killed Cain, so he might have received the blessing Abel had. But in this life, Zeke’s intervention led to Abel receiving the blessing, allowing him to quickly reach the level of a black knight.

Abel pointed the Red Dragon Sword at Zeke. “You’ve been a thorn in my side since Kali… But it ends today.”

The sword was engulfed in flames. Abel was the only one in the Draker family who could wield the Red Dragon Sword, capable of summoning dragon flames. As the sword’s master, Abel was undoubtedly a genius within the Draker lineage.

Zeke gripped Bahamut, aiming it at Abel. Abel shook his head, looking at Zeke. “I acknowledge your strength, Zeke. It’s truly remarkable. But you’re no match for me.”

“You’re quite the talker for someone who gained the power of a black knight through a dark blessing.”

Abel chuckled at Zeke’s words. “You even know about the blessing? You never cease to amaze me. But you’re mistaken about one thing.”

Abel’s eyes began to change. Though still red, they took on a reptilian shape, glaring at Zeke.

Zeke was taken aback by Abel’s eyes. “Dragon’s eyes?”

He knew from William’s memories that Abel possessed some other power, but he hadn’t realized it was related to dragons.

Suddenly, the flames of the Red Dragon Sword intensified, enveloping Abel. He looked down at Zeke with arrogant eyes.

“See, Zeke? It’s not about being a black or red knight. I have transcended human limits to become something entirely different.”

Abel swung his sword at Zeke, unleashing a powerful storm of flames. Zeke countered with Bahamut, scattering the flames.

“This isn’t ordinary fire. It’s a power.”

The flames, created by the dragon’s power, were on a different level from typical fire magic. Zeke realized that Abel, having gained the power of a dragon, could now wield the dragon’s power within the Red Dragon Sword.

Abel spoke to Zeke. “Watch closely, Zeke. This is the fate of those who defy me.”

A massive flame erupted from Abel’s body, which he sent hurtling toward the sanctuary. It felt like a giant meteor was falling.

Zeke realized that Abel was now recklessly rampaging, unlike before.

“This isn’t ordinary fire. I have to stop it.”

He quickly summoned a wind barrier.

Elemental Sword

Wind Barrier

Storm Blade

A massive storm erupted from Zeke’s sword.

Boom!

The powerful storm enveloped the descending flames, neutralizing them. The flames, mixed with the storm, scattered across the wasteland like a fiery rain.

Abel watched in genuine surprise. “To block the power of the flames… It seems you have secrets of your own, Zeke.”

Zeke launched an attack at Abel.

Crash!

Abel dodged, laughing maniacally. “This won’t be enough to stop me! Show me more! I’ll test my strength against you!”

After trying to have Daria kill Zeke, Abel now wanted to test his strength against him. It made no sense.

Zeke sensed an even greater madness in Abel than in his past life.

“He was always crazy, but now he’s even crazier.”

The fact that Abel became a dragon through a dark blessing was far from normal. The blessing process must have further corrupted Abel’s mind.

Abel conjured more flames, hurling them at Zeke. Four massive fireballs flew toward him.

Whoosh!

Zeke rolled to evade the fireballs, but they changed direction, pursuing him again. It was as if the fireballs were alive.

“Magical flames and power flames are definitely different.”

Gritting his teeth, Zeke launched a dragon’s claw at the fireballs.

Slash!

One of the fireballs was shredded by the dragon’s claw, dissipating into nothing. Abel watched in disbelief.

“The power of flames can’t be dispelled by ordinary means. Fascinating.”

Zeke realized that despite being a dragon, Abel couldn’t use dragon skills.

“Can’t he use the system window?”

The only dragon Zeke had encountered was Hoshgar, who could use the system window. It seemed not all dragons could use the system.

“If he can’t use the system, I have the advantage.”

Zeke began to gauge the extent of Abel’s power.

Abel swung his sword at the approaching Zeke, shouting.

“Whatever power you’re hiding, it doesn’t matter! I’ve already transcended humanity! I’ll uncover your secret!”

Abel couldn’t even entertain the possibility of losing to Zeke. Ever since his baptism, he believed he had surpassed human limits. So, even if Zeke was concealing his strength, Abel was certain he couldn’t be outmatched.

“I’ll find your weakness.”

With a swift motion, Zeke unleashed the dragon’s claws, obliterating the incoming fireballs.

“Hyah!”

Zeke assumed the stance of the Black Sword Technique and charged at Abel, brandishing Bahamut. Abel swung his Red Dragon Sword in response.

Clang!

The clash of Zeke’s Bahamut and Abel’s Red Dragon Sword echoed through the air.

Grinding his teeth, Abel locked eyes with Zeke and smirked. “Do you really think a mere Red Knight like you can defeat me?”

He exerted his power, pushing Zeke back with a forceful swing of his sword. Just as he was about to unleash the Astral Sword—

A hum filled the air as Zeke took to the sky with dragon wings, assuming the Infinite Sword Stance. An invisible force radiated from him.

Abel’s eyes widened in shock. By the time he realized Zeke’s aura had surpassed that of a Red Knight, it was too late.

Rumble!

Zeke’s Astral Sword emerged faster than Abel’s, and he unleashed the Infinite Sword Technique on the unsuspecting Abel.

The Astral Sword, a force that cleaves through the essence, imbued Zeke’s blade and flew toward Abel.

Infinite Sword Technique

First Form

Sun and Moon Slash

Zeke’s Infinite Sword Technique struck head-on, and Abel hastily summoned his Astral Sword. But he was already a step behind.

Zeke’s Astral Sword sliced through the air, cutting Abel down in an instant.

Crack!

Abel’s Red Dragon Sword shattered, and Zeke’s strike hit him squarely.

“Ugh!”

The force of Zeke’s attack sent Abel flying, crashing into a building that couldn’t withstand the impact and collapsed.

Dust billowed into the sky as Zeke sprinted toward the rubble where Abel lay buried.

“Where are you?”

Having taken a direct hit from the Astral Sword, Abel was surely gravely injured. Now was the time to finish this.

As Zeke scanned the area with his sword drawn, a powerful wave swept over him.

“This is…”

It was the unique mana rejection field of a pureblood Draker, causing a distortion in the mana field. Sparks flew from Zeke’s Hersion armor, affected by the distortion.

Zeke stepped back, using mana suppression to neutralize Abel’s distortion field. The Hersion returned to normal operation.

Thunder rumbled as the debris shifted, and Abel slowly emerged from the wreckage.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

To Zeke’s surprise, Abel was now clad in a Hersion he’d never seen before. It was entirely black and red, with a grotesque beast engraved on the chestplate.

“This isn’t the Empire’s style of Hersion.”

It seemed to be an artifact unearthed from ancient ruins, much like Teia’s Hersion.

Abel tossed aside his broken Red Dragon Sword. “Zeke, so you’re a Black Knight…”