Episode 356
It was only when Abel spoke with precision that Ramon’s stern expression finally softened.
He turned to the priest and asked, “So, if a creature from the demon realm fully takes root in someone’s mind, they can communicate?”
『It’s possible, as it can mimic based on the host’s memories from when they were alive. However, this one only has Abel’s memories from before he received the baptism. Plus, his current body has been forcibly revived through consciousness, so there might be unforeseen side effects.』
Ramon nodded as he watched Abel slowly revert from his dragon-like form back to a human.
“This should suffice. We’ll minimize his exposure and only reveal him when necessary.”
The real issue was Arthur Draker.
Ramon wondered if Arthur would notice anything amiss with Abel’s current state.
Frowning, Ramon looked up and spoke to the priest. “It seems we need to adjust our plans.”
The priest regarded Ramon and said, 『Surely you’re not suggesting we expedite the second baptism. That’s impossible, no matter how stubborn you are.』
Ramon shook his head. “I know that. I’m talking about the Empire.”
The priest fell silent for a moment before speaking again. 『The Empire, you say. Are you planning to seize the Emperor’s vacant throne?』
Ramon nodded. “Yes, in this state, it’s impossible to entrust Abel with the Draker affairs.”
The Draker side was still rife with adversaries. With the rising Zeke Draker, the ever-opposing Carly, and Arthur Draker, who still wielded the most influence in the family, it was only a matter of time before Abel’s secret was uncovered.
But the Empire was different from the Drakers.
Ramon’s eyes gleamed. “We will elevate Abel to the Emperor of the Empire.”
The priest looked down at Abel, bound to the altar, and then back at Ramon. 『We’ll need more time to adjust the details.』
Ramon’s eyes sharpened. “The longer we delay, the more likely that fox Julius will aim for the Emperor’s seat. Whether he finds the second prince or elevates another royal to act as regent, he’ll find a way.”
Ramon addressed the priest. “I’ll give you three days. In that time, ensure Abel can communicate normally. Our future plans depend on it.”
Originally, their plan was to use Abel to take over the Draker family, merge with the Empire, and naturally inherit the Emperor’s position. They intended to start a war, direct the blame for the continental invasion at the mad Emperor, and have Abel take down both the Emperor and Julius’s forces, thereby seizing control of the Empire and the entire continent.
However, targeting the Draker family first was now too risky.
Ramon decided to set the Drakers aside and focus on securing the Empire first.
He looked down at Abel, bound to the altar, and said, “Abel, through you, the continent will witness a new era.”
Zeke followed Arthur into a hidden chamber within the Draker family estate.
‘This place…’
The first thing that caught his eye was a statue of a sword god.
It was part of the awakening ritual that all Draker children underwent at the age of twelve. This ritual granted the Draker bloodline the blessing of aura, allowing them to grow stronger much faster than other knights.
However, Zeke knew through the system that the statue served as a class identifier. Since it only recognized sword-related classes, Zeke, who was a healer, couldn’t awaken and had to endure many hardships in his past life.
Now, before Zeke stood a statue similar yet different from the one used in the Draker awakening ritual. It was twice the size of the original and stood in the center of the vast space.
Arthur Draker gestured to the statue and spoke. “You know what this is, don’t you?”
Zeke nodded. “Yes, it’s the statue used in the awakening ritual. Though it’s much larger.”
Arthur chuckled. “Zeke, who do you think this statue represents?”
Caught off guard by the question, Zeke pondered for a moment before answering. “Isn’t it a depiction of an ancient sword deity or something?”
Arthur shook his head. “Close, but not quite. This statue is modeled after the ancestor of the Draker family.”
“What?”
Arthur grinned at Zeke’s surprise. “It’s the likeness of the Sword Saint, Shaton Draker, the founder of the Absolute Sword Family.”
”……!”
Zeke was taken aback by Arthur’s revelation.
It wasn’t surprising that Arthur knew about the Absolute Sword Family or Shaton Draker. What shocked Zeke was the statue’s identity.
Zeke had seen Shaton Draker’s appearance as a spirit. The Shaton Draker he knew was slender, almost boyish, wielding a thin sword unlike the typical arming sword.
Yet, the statue bore no resemblance to Shaton Draker. With broad shoulders, a robust build, and wielding a massive bastard sword, the statue embodied the quintessential knight, with no trace of Shaton Draker.
‘How could that possibly be Shaton Draker?’
Zeke wondered how much of the Draker family’s legends, from the dragon slayer tales onward, held any truth.
Arthur, noticing Zeke’s stunned silence, remarked, “You’re more surprised than I expected. You’re usually not one to be easily startled.”
Zeke, unsure how to respond, slowly spoke. “I always thought the founder of the Draker family was the dragon slayer, Terracan Draker… But to hear it’s Shaton Draker, the Noble Knight I know of… Is that true?”
Arthur nodded. “Yes, it’s true. Shaton Draker, the first knight of the Hero King Kaishir and one of the Clock Tower Knights, the Noble Knight. It’s understandable you’re surprised, given how little is known about him.”
The Draker family’s founder was widely believed to be the dragon slayer, Terracan Draker. The Drakers had never officially confirmed this, but the legend was so famous that everyone accepted it as fact.
Even within the Draker family, few knew the history before Terracan Draker.
Arthur gazed up at the statue and said, “The most important thing unknown about Shaton Draker is that he was the first to create the aura cultivation method.”
Zeke feigned surprise, though he was already aware. Shaton Draker had developed the aura cultivation method to help humans stand independently from dragons. He also created the True Dragon Sword Technique, the precursor to dragon slaying methods, ushering in the age of knights.
Arthur calmly explained Shaton Draker’s achievements.
As Zeke listened, he realized something. ‘He doesn’t seem to know that Shaton Draker created the True Dragon Sword Technique. Or maybe he knows and is deliberately withholding it.’
Having observed Arthur’s methods, Zeke understood that he often manipulated information to guide others according to his intentions. It was clear that this explanation had a purpose.
While Zeke pondered this, Arthur continued, explaining how Shaton Draker took the throne of the Chronos Kingdom after the Hero King’s departure, only to leave the kingdom due to certain events.
Arthur omitted the involvement of Siemens Apollyon, suggesting either ignorance or intentional information control.
“Shaton Draker left the Chronos Kingdom and wandered the continent. From the central continent to the northern and southern continents, and even the eastern continent, he traveled far and wide.”
Curious about what Arthur would reveal next, Zeke asked, “Why did he do that? It doesn’t seem like it was just a wanderlust.”
“As I mentioned, Shaton Draker was the first to create the aura cultivation method. At the time, people didn’t even know what aura was. He developed a way for humans to train in aura and grow stronger to protect themselves.”
Zeke nodded, seemingly impressed by Arthur’s words.
Arthur, satisfied with Zeke’s reaction, continued with a smile. “After perfecting the aura cultivation method, Shaton Draker returned to the central continent to teach other knights. But the knights of the time, accustomed to artifacts, rejected the arduous aura training. Faced with this, Shaton made a decision.”
He paused briefly before continuing. “He decided to establish his own family.”
Zeke didn’t know the details of how Shaton Draker founded the Draker family, so he focused intently on Arthur’s words, even if the truth was uncertain.
Arthur gestured for Zeke to follow him. “Come this way.”
He moved behind the statue to an arched doorway in the wall.
Inside, countless swords were embedded in the ground.
Arthur gestured to the swords and said, “Zeke, these are the swords used by the heads of the Draker family throughout history.”
Zeke finally understood why there were so many old swords here.
Seeing the various swords from different eras, it felt like a graveyard of swords.
Arthur walked past the numerous swords embedded in the ground to the innermost part.
He pointed to the sword embedded deepest within.
“This sword is none other than the blade of the founder, Shaton Draker.”
Arthur pointed to a sword that, to Zeke’s surprise, bore a striking resemblance to the Bahamut he wielded.
Zeke couldn’t help but be puzzled. He knew what kind of sword Shaton Draker used, and the one Arthur indicated didn’t match his expectations at all.
‘This is nothing like what I remember.’
The swordsmanship he had experienced firsthand from Shaton Draker didn’t seem suited to a claymore of this shape. For Shaton’s swift and unpredictable style, the slender, one-handed sword he wielded was far more fitting.
Arthur turned to Zeke and said, “Zeke, try drawing this sword.”
Zeke was taken aback by Arthur’s sudden request. “This sword?”
“Yes. Long ago, when I came here with the previous head of the family, I was told the same thing. Can you guess what happened?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I tried with all my might to draw it, but it was impossible. The sword didn’t budge, as if it were glued to the ground.”
Arthur paused, then looked at Zeke again. “Go on, Zeke. Give it a try.”
Zeke sensed a subtle expectation in Arthur’s words. ‘Why does he want me to draw this sword?’
Amidst his swirling questions, Zeke slowly reached out and grasped the hilt.
‘What?’
The moment he touched it, Zeke realized something. ‘This sword… it’s made of adamantium.’
A sword forged from the divine-slaying stone, capable of killing gods. Like the holy spear he had found in the ruins of the Sacred King, this sword was imbued with the power to slay the divine.
Adamantium, known as the god-slaying stone, could only be wielded by those with the power of the immortal. As an immortal class, Zeke instinctively knew he could draw this sword.
He felt Arthur’s intense gaze on him, sharp enough to send a chill down his spine.
‘Damn…’
Arthur was a Grand Master. Pretending he couldn’t draw the sword when he could, right in front of Arthur, was out of the question.
Despite a creeping sense of fear, Zeke couldn’t fathom why Arthur wanted him to draw this god-slaying sword.
‘Backing down now would only raise more suspicion.’
Reluctantly, Zeke tightened his grip and began to lift the sword.
But then, something astonishing happened.
‘It won’t budge.’