Episode 354
Zeke paused for a moment, considering Shadia’s request for an opportunity, before speaking slowly.
“What kind of opportunity are you asking for?”
Shadia replied in a calm voice, “As I mentioned earlier, the Mountain Elder is an enemy to me and the members of Salmak. If you give me a chance, I can identify those among us who could be valuable allies to you.”
The assassins of Salmak were renowned as the most skilled on the continent. If they joined Zeke’s side, it would be a significant advantage.
‘If I can bring the Salmak assassins to my side first and then target the Mountain Elder, it might be more efficient.’
For Zeke, dealing with Salmak was inevitable. Fighting against Narak and Siemens with the unpredictable Mountain Elder lurking in the background was a risky endeavor. It was more strategic to first neutralize Salmak and the Scorpion Clan in the desert and then face the alliance of Siemens and Narak head-on.
Zeke nodded at Shadia’s proposal. “Very well. I’ll leave this task to you, Shadia. Can we trust the Salmak members currently with us?”
Shadia shook her head. “Some of them are sending information to the Mountain Elder. He always assigns people to keep an eye on each other.”
It was a cunning tactic to ensure that the assassins couldn’t unite against him.
Zeke nodded. “Gather the trustworthy ones, excluding the spies. Once we eliminate the traitors, the Mountain Elder will think I’ve dealt with you all and will likely send assassins as a pretext.”
“Exactly. When he sends them, I can persuade them to join us, effectively bringing Salmak’s forces to our side.”
With Shadia’s plan in mind, Zeke recalled the location where Salmak was based. ‘That place might be an ancient ruin. I wonder what’s hidden beneath it.’
Having decided to eliminate Salmak, Zeke was resolute. Shadia, having received her orders, had already disappeared from the carriage.
Left alone, Zeke gazed out the window. The cityscape of Atlas and the imposing Four Seasons Castle came into view. His eyes grew more intense as he looked at the castle.
Upon arriving in Atlas, Zeke headed straight for the Four Seasons Castle. Summoned by Arthur Draker, he wasted no time in going to the lord’s chamber.
Despite Arthur Draker’s favorable disposition towards him in this life, Zeke couldn’t shake his unease. Arthur was still an enigma, and Zeke couldn’t help but feel wary, especially with something weighing on his mind.
‘Could he be questioning me about Bacchus?’
Zeke had defied Arthur’s orders, conveyed through Souma, by letting Bacchus go. He had decided to help Bacchus and his mother, Carmilla. Although he had sent false evidence of Bacchus’s severed arm to the Black Stage, Arthur Draker was no ordinary man. He might have seen through Zeke’s ruse.
Cautiously, Zeke opened the door to the lord’s chamber, only to be met with an unexpected sight.
Bang!
Initially, he thought the loud noise signaled an attack and instinctively reached for his sword, but it wasn’t an assault.
’…What is this?’
Confused, he looked around to see banners on the walls with messages like “Congratulations to the Knight of Salvation!” and “Welcome back, Zeke, the Continent’s Celebrity!” Even Arthur Draker, along with Baron Draker and Howard Draker, wore party hats.
For the first time since his return, Zeke felt his resolve waver at this unbelievable scene.
Arthur nudged the awkwardly standing Howard. “What are you doing, Howard? Go congratulate our knight of salvation.”
Forcing a smile, Howard approached Zeke with a three-tiered cake adorned with a figure resembling Zeke holding Bahamut, candles flickering brightly.
Howard lifted the cake towards Zeke, gesturing for him to blow out the candles. Seeing Howard, a member of the Cross Council responsible for the Draker family’s justice, acting this way, Zeke suspected Arthur had some leverage over him.
’…I suppose I should blow them out.’
Zeke blew out the candles, prompting Arthur to clap with a smile, joined by Baron, who clapped enthusiastically despite his unchanged expression. If Duke, Zeke’s mentor, had been beside Arthur, this might have seemed plausible, but seeing Baron, the head of the Black Stage, like this was somewhat unsettling.
Arthur grinned at Zeke’s wary expression. “Why the face like you’ve seen something you shouldn’t? A father throwing a party for his proud son should be touching.”
“I’m touched, my lord,” Zeke replied promptly.
Arthur clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “I knew you’d react like this. Come, have a seat.”
The four of them settled on the sofa in the lord’s office. Howard skillfully sliced the cake and distributed it, while Baron diligently brewed tea. Zeke, still unfamiliar with this scene, couldn’t hide his discomfort.
‘Baron is the lord’s confidant, but what leverage does Arthur have over Howard…?’
Howard Draker, though celebrated as a war hero, was in reality a cunning opportunist. In his past life, he had played a significant role in handing the Draker family over to the Empire. Although history had changed with Zeke’s return, Howard’s subservient behavior was surprising.
Reflecting on Arthur Draker’s formidable nature, Zeke reconsidered his death. Perhaps the family’s fall to the Empire was part of Arthur’s grand design. The possibility that his death from illness was a ruse crossed Zeke’s mind.
Unaware of Zeke’s thoughts, Arthur spoke while eating cake. “You’ve achieved great things once again.”
Zeke bowed his head humbly. “I was fortunate.”
Arthur laughed. “Ha! How can mere luck save a holy kingdom and defeat an imperial army led by the emperor himself? Too much humility isn’t always a virtue, you know.”
Zeke found Arthur’s good mood unfamiliar. At that moment, Baron served tea to everyone.
Arthur savored the aroma, nodding. “Tea is best when brewed by you, Baron.”
Baron, his expression unchanged, bowed to Arthur. “You’re too kind, my lord.”
Arthur clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “You and Zeke are just alike.”
Despite his words, Arthur’s expression was one of deep satisfaction. He turned to Howard, who was visibly startled by Arthur’s attention.
“What do you think of Zeke’s achievements, Howard?”
Startled, Howard stammered, “Y-yes, my lord. I mean… Zeke Draker’s accomplishments are truly remarkable. I’ve never seen a knight achieve so much at such a young age.”
Arthur chuckled, feigning surprise. “Oh, really? Then what reward should we bestow upon Zeke for such extraordinary deeds?”
Howard, his eyes darting nervously, finally spoke. “I-I believe we should elevate Zeke Draker to the rank of Guardian Knight.”
Zeke was taken aback by Howard’s suggestion. ‘I didn’t expect Howard to propose the Guardian Knight rank.’
Zeke had only been a Senior Knight for less than a year. Promoting him to Guardian Knight so soon was a significant move.
Arthur, stroking his well-groomed beard, smiled. “Guardian Knight, you say. Well, the position left by Abel is vacant.”
At the mention of Abel, Howard visibly flinched. Zeke understood why Howard was so tense around Arthur.
‘Howard was aligned with Siemens and the Empire. With Abel, the heir candidate, missing, Siemens’ influence has waned significantly. And with the emperor’s death, the Empire’s political landscape is unstable, leaving Howard vulnerable.’
Having risen to the Cross Council with Siemens’ backing, Howard now found it difficult to rely on that support. The position of a council member couldn’t be maintained by personal skill alone. For someone like Howard, who had relied on political maneuvering, external support was crucial.
With Siemens’ influence diminished, Howard needed Arthur Draker’s power to maintain his council position.
‘Arthur Draker is exploiting Howard’s weakness to bring the council under his control… This is the Draker way.’
Such maneuvers were common within the Draker family.
The political machinations of the Kingdom of Bardoca were said to be intricate, but they paled in comparison to the complexities of Dreiker’s politics.
In Dreiker, threats, persuasion, alliances, and even sending assassins were all part of the game, executed without a second thought.
Outwardly, they claimed to be the epitome of chivalry, but in truth, Dreiker was a breeding ground for the most sordid power struggles.
At the pinnacle of the Dreiker family stood Arthur Dreiker.
Though he was currently enjoying a sweet slice of cake with a broad smile, he was a man whose next move was impossible to predict.
Arthur nodded at Howard’s words and turned to Baron.
“What do you think, Baron? Howard suggests we elevate Zeke to the rank of Guardian Knight. Is that feasible?”
Baron remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
“Sir Zeke’s contributions certainly warrant it. However, the Council of Elders and the Crusaders’ Order may not accept it so easily.”
Arthur had previously pushed through Abel’s promotion to Guardian Knight, bypassing family protocols under the pretext of Abel being a Black Knight.
Even though Abel’s disappearance left a vacancy, the number of Guardian Knights wasn’t fixed, so his absence wasn’t necessarily an issue.
Arthur nodded at Baron’s response.
“That’s true. Howard, could you handle the Crusaders’ Order for us?”
Howard’s face turned pale at Arthur’s sudden request.
Refusing would undoubtedly cost him his position within the Crusaders’ Order.
Reluctantly, Howard nodded.
“Yes, my lord.”
Arthur smiled, satisfied with Howard’s compliance.
“Good, Howard will take care of the Crusaders. Now, what about the Council of Elders…?”
Arthur Dreiker trailed off, lost in thought.
At that moment, Zeke spoke up, addressing Arthur.
“My lord.”
Arthur’s face lit up at Zeke’s words.
“Oh, do you have a good idea?”
Zeke spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully.
“I do not wish to be elevated to Guardian Knight.”