Episode 341
Zeke looked bewildered at Duke’s words.
“Stop the head of the family? What do you mean by that?”
Duke furrowed his brow and replied, “There are times when I watch Arthur and feel like he’s on the edge.”
Zeke couldn’t quite grasp what Duke was getting at.
“The head of the family, in danger? How could someone who’s reached the level of a Grand Master be in danger?”
Then, a memory from his past life flashed through Zeke’s mind. In his previous life, Arthur Draker had died suddenly from an illness. Could Duke’s concerns be related to that death?
“I can’t imagine someone like him dying from an illness.”
Duke continued slowly, “Arthur has always been the type to achieve whatever he sets his mind to. He’s been like that since he was a child.”
“Doesn’t sound like he’s changed much.”
“Exactly. Except for his relationship with Laura, he’s always gotten what he wanted.”
Zeke recalled his mother, Laura Agamemnon, from when he traveled back in time. She was strong and independent, a stark contrast to the duplicitous Arthur Draker. In fact, Laura had despised Arthur back then.
“I still don’t understand why Mother married Arthur Draker. Did they truly love each other?”
Zeke wanted to ask Rex Turn about this when he got the chance. Moreover, Laura Agamemnon had seemed more at ease with Ramon Siemens than with Arthur Draker. Given the current state of the Siemens family, it was hard to believe she had shown any warmth toward him. There must have been something Zeke didn’t know about the past.
Duke, noticing Zeke’s serious expression, spoke again. “When I look at the mad emperor of Rom, I worry that Arthur might end up like that.”
“Surely not,” Zeke replied, though Duke gave a wry smile.
Duke had some idea of the secretive dealings Arthur Draker was involved in through Baron. While not as insane as the emperor’s actions, they were far from ordinary. If Arthur Draker didn’t hold such immense power within the family, he might have already been summoned by the elders and stripped of his position.
“Anyway, I hope you become the head of the family, Zeke. Maybe then this crazy family can become a bit more normal.”
“Wouldn’t it be possible for my sister Carly to become the head? She’s the most level-headed Draker I’ve ever known.”
Duke shook his head. “I like Carly too, but it’s not enough. She’s already struggling with her role as a guardian knight. While she’s an exceptional knight, her political skills don’t match her prowess. If she became the head, she’d be easily manipulated by the elders and other family heads.”
Being the head of the Draker family required more than just strength. Arthur Draker wielded unprecedented power not only because of his skills but also due to his exceptional political acumen. Carly, though a brilliant knight, lacked this political savvy. Duke had seen a glimpse of that potential in Zeke during the recent Holy Kingdom crisis.
“If you decide to officially enter the succession race, I’ll support you from behind.”
The succession race was essentially a power struggle within the Draker family. The outcome depended on how much support one could garner. Currently, Carly had overwhelming support, but if Zeke stepped forward and Duke stirred the pot, the results could be unpredictable.
Zeke pondered Duke’s words. His original plan was to support Carly Draker as the head and step back from political battles, growing stronger and eventually taking over after her. But recent events had given him pause.
“The prophecy about the resurrection of the demon king and the abyssal ones. If I step back, I won’t be able to use the Draker family’s power to stop them.”
While it was possible to wield the family’s power with Carly at the helm, there were clear limitations. If Carly couldn’t fully control the family’s power, the elders might put a brake on their efforts.
“If I become the head and take control of the family, I could attack them more effectively. I could even find a reason to erase the Siemens family entirely.”
Seeing Zeke deep in thought, Duke spoke again. “It’s not a decision to be made lightly, so take your time. For now, Andre, Owl, and I will stay by your side, so there’s no rush.”
Zeke felt genuinely grateful for Duke’s consideration. “Thank you, Master. By the way, there’s something I’d like to ask of you.”
“What is it, my student?”
“Could you push my men a bit harder?”
Through the recent battle, Zeke realized that his knights hadn’t yet reached their full potential. He handed Duke a book he had compiled, containing the proper aura cultivation techniques he had learned from Shaton Draker.
Duke, skimming through the book, was taken aback. “What is this?”
“I found it by chance in an ancient ruin and restored it through research. I thought you might apply it to the knights’ training.”
Duke, intrigued by the different approach from the traditional aura cultivation methods, nodded with interest. “This is worth studying. Andre and Owl can handle themselves now, so it might be good to focus on the others.”
“They’re sturdy, so it’ll be rewarding to train them.”
Just then, someone knocked on the door and entered. It was none other than the captain, Decker, who approached Zeke and Duke with a grave expression.
“My lord, urgent news has arrived.”
Decker quickly continued, “The imperial army, led by the emperor, is advancing beyond the border towards the Holy Kingdom of Vadoka.”
Zeke frowned at the news. “Didn’t His Holiness the Pope send a letter? We defeated the orc legion, so he should withdraw his forces.”
Decker nodded. “Yes, but the emperor continues his advance. Moreover, the envoy who delivered the letter hasn’t returned.”
Zeke and Duke’s faces hardened at this. Duke clicked his tongue. “That mad emperor, he’s completely lost it now.”
Zeke turned to Decker. “Is the emperor definitely heading towards the Holy Kingdom of Vadoka?”
“We can’t be certain of the exact destination, but that’s the direction.”
Zeke had a hunch about where the emperor was headed. “The ruins of the first Holy King, Geo Lubern.”
Knowing the emperor’s target, Zeke had previously asked the Pope about the location of the Holy King’s ruins. However, the Pope didn’t know the exact location either, only having heard from a previous pope that it might be underground near an old fortress not far from the Holy Kingdom of Vadoka.
“This is an opportunity. I need to get to the ruins first, set a trap, and deal with him there.”
They couldn’t let the mad emperor run rampant any longer. Zeke stood up and instructed Decker, “Decker, stay with Sir Baord and protect the Holy Kingdom of Vadoka. I’ll scout the emperor’s movements.”
Decker was taken aback. “Alone, my lord?”
Zeke nodded. “If too many of us move, we’ll be exposed. It’s better if I go alone. I’ll just assess the situation, so don’t worry too much.”
The ruins of the Holy King might contain relics left by Geo Lubern. Bringing others could complicate matters, so it was better to go alone. Zeke mounted Bucephalus and headed straight for the old fortress where the ruins were said to be.
“Mad emperor, the ruins of the Holy King will be your grave.”
Thud, thud, thud!
The emperor’s army advanced relentlessly, flying the banner of the Sacred Wolf. At the forefront was the Celestial Bow Knights, led by Vice-Captain Carlito and Captain Gillian. Surprisingly, Gillian’s face was muzzled with iron, and his body was bound with thick leather restraints, chained like a beast. Even so, Carlito and the entire knight order rode on silently.
The emperor’s army, led by the Celestial Bow Knights, continued their strange march, crossing the border into the vicinity of the Holy Kingdom of Vadoka. As the march paused briefly, a black-robed sorcerer approached Gillian and Carlito, delivering the emperor’s message.
“The Holy Kingdom of Vadoka has refused our entry. His Majesty is furious at their insolence and demands compensation for the effort and provisions spent bringing the army here.”
Carlito spoke up, “If His Majesty is angry, that’s unacceptable. I’ll lead the army to destroy the Holy Kingdom of Vadoka and drag the Pope out to present his head to His Majesty.”
It was an unusually aggressive statement from Carlito, who was typically more restrained. The sorcerer shook his head and continued speaking.
“The Emperor has decreed that we must first go to the site of the First Holy King’s relics, exhume his remains, and properly collect them,” the messenger announced. “His Majesty is furious that the Holy Kingdom has neglected the remains of the First Holy King. It is the Rom Empire, not the Holy Kingdom, that carries on the true legacy. Therefore, it is only right to honor the First Holy King’s neglected remains and punish those cunning dogs of the Bardoka Holy State.”
Hearing this, Carlito nodded in agreement. “Truly, His Majesty’s insight is unparalleled. We will head to the First Holy King’s site immediately.”
Carlito, already brainwashed by the cult’s dark magic, was nothing more than a loyal puppet. They informed the Knights of the Celestial Palace that their destination was now the First Holy King’s site, not Bardoka.
The knights, also under the cult’s spell, prepared to move without a word. Like Carlito and Gillian, they had become mindless followers, obeying orders without question.
With lifeless eyes, the knights mounted their horses and followed Carlito and Gillian. The Emperor’s long procession began to move once more.
The sorcerer, who had delivered the message and the location to Carlito, walked past the soldiers, whose eyes were as dead as ghouls, and headed towards the opulent golden carriage.
The carriage, adorned with the sacred wolf emblem of the Emperor, was so large it seemed like a moving room. Inside, a bed was surrounded by a translucent curtain, behind which the Emperor of the Rom Empire lay.
The sorcerer bowed deeply and reported, “Your Majesty, the knights have been ordered to proceed to the relic site.”
From behind the curtain came the sound of labored breathing, as if the Emperor’s life was hanging by a thread. The breathing soon subsided, replaced by a clear voice.
“Why does my condition not improve despite the sacrifices? Wasn’t the Serpent of the Black Maw supposed to grant rewards in exchange?”
The sorcerer bowed again, replying, “How could mere servants comprehend the will of the Celestial? We only deliver what the Celestial desires.”
At that moment, the golden carriage shook violently. The sorcerer looked up in alarm, clutching his throat in distress.
“Ugh! Your Majesty…”
A chilling voice came from behind the curtain. “There is only one reason I keep wretches like you around: to tether my soul to this body. Etch that into your filthy mind. If you deceive me or act suspiciously, I will tear you apart and feed you to the wolves.”
As the voice finished, the pressure on the sorcerer’s throat eased. He glanced fearfully at the curtain, then quickly bowed deeply and exited the carriage.
The carriage was once again filled with the Emperor’s ragged breathing, and the army silently marched towards the ancient ruins.