Episode 363
“What?”
For a moment, Zeke felt as if his entire body had been sliced in half.
Instinctively, he took a step back.
Zeke, with his immortal body that could heal instantly, was not easily shaken. Yet, there was something different about Vernas’s sword.
“What is this? I’ve never felt anything like it before…”
The memory of his past life’s mentor, the forest hermit Nigel, flashed through Zeke’s mind.
“Could Vernas be a Grand Master too?”
He couldn’t be sure if Vernas had reached that level, but he was certainly close.
Zeke steadied his breathing and gripped his sword once more.
“Alright.”
He decided there was no point in hiding his true strength as a Black Knight any longer.
His stance shifted.
Zeke assumed the posture of the Infinite Sword Technique, and the very aura emanating from him transformed.
A low hum resonated.
While Vernas’s sword exuded a static energy, Zeke’s was dynamic. As an immortal, he was always ready to clash fiercely, igniting at any moment.
Sensing the change in Zeke’s demeanor, Vernas adjusted his own stance, raising his sword to meet Zeke’s challenge.
Zeke charged first, swiftly closing in on Vernas’s blind spot with a burst of speed.
His sword, imbued with aura, sliced through the air toward Vernas’s side.
It was a fierce attack, but Vernas deftly parried it with a flick of his sword.
Undeterred, Zeke launched into a series of Dragon Slayer techniques.
The Dragon’s Head Slash and Dragon’s Heart Thrust followed in quick succession.
Vernas’s sword trajectory shifted, skillfully neutralizing Zeke’s attacks.
This time, Vernas took the offensive, swinging his sword at Zeke.
Zeke evaded with his phantom steps, countering with a thrust to Vernas’s blind spot.
In an instant, they exchanged dozens of blows.
Their aerial duel was so fast that onlookers struggled to keep up.
Then, suddenly, Vernas stepped back, drawing his sword to his chest and gathering energy.
Zeke anticipated an aura blade or astral sword, but he was wrong.
Instead of an aura blade, a white mist-like energy enveloped Vernas’s entire body.
“What is that?”
Vernas’s movements changed, becoming several times faster as he charged at Zeke with his sword.
Zeke raised his sword to block the attack.
The impact was on a whole different level.
“His speed and strength are completely different.”
This was a new kind of assault.
Vernas’s relentless attacks continued.
The once-static swordplay was now a relentless barrage, pushing Zeke back.
The more their swords clashed, the stronger Vernas’s attacks became.
Zeke deflected another strike, retreating slightly.
“Even with my limitless stamina, this is intense.”
Unable to use his usual skills or elemental sword techniques, Zeke felt as if he were fighting with one hand tied behind his back.
Then Vernas spoke.
“Why aren’t you using the power you received from the Fairy King’s blessing?”
Zeke was taken aback by the question.
“I thought you’d disapprove of using something that’s not a knight’s strength.”
“Do you think I’d say that with your head on the enemy’s sword?”
It was a sentiment Zeke appreciated.
In his past life, he’d seen many knights die upholding a chivalry that didn’t serve them in real battles.
Nodding, Zeke replied, “In that case, I’ll show you everything.”
He activated his Holy Light Technique.
A white orb appeared above his head.
Simultaneously, Zeke retrieved the Giant Slayer from his inventory.
As he raised the Giant Slayer, the power of the Holy Light Technique infused it.
He hurled the weapon at Vernas with all his might.
The Giant Slayer flew toward Vernas, crackling with energy.
Vernas, instead of retreating, charged forward, leaping over the Giant Slayer with ease and closing in on Zeke.
But Zeke was ready.
He pulled on the chain attached to the Giant Slayer, redirecting its path.
The weapon swung back, targeting Vernas’s back.
Sensing the threat, Vernas turned, slicing downward with his sword.
The Giant Slayer crashed into the ground, shattering the stone floor.
But the Giant Slayer was merely a distraction.
The real attack was yet to come.
Vernas felt a tingling energy behind him.
Zeke’s sword was enveloped in a swirling mist, the Astral Sword, capable of cutting through the very essence of existence.
The spectators gasped, retreating from the powerful aura emanating from Zeke’s blade.
Zeke’s sword struck toward Vernas.
Dragon Sword Technique: First Form
Sun and Moon Slash
Vernas raised his sword to meet the incoming Astral Sword.
Mist rose from his body.
In a flash, Vernas lunged forward, meeting Zeke’s attack head-on.
Vernas collided with the Astral Sword, his body absorbing the impact.
Simultaneously, his sword cleaved through the attack.
Zeke saw the truth in that moment.
“What is that?”
Vernas hadn’t just cut through the attack.
He had inserted his sword into the fabric of space itself, severing the very dimension where the attack existed.
“Is such an attack even possible?”
No matter how fierce a fire is drawn on paper, if the paper itself is removed, the fire ceases to exist.
Vernas’s sword had pierced through the paper, erasing the space itself.
Then it happened.
Vernas’s sword shattered, the pieces clattering to the ground.
The attack had been too powerful for an ordinary sword to withstand.
Vernas dropped the hilt, glanced at Zeke, and spoke slowly.
“Not bad for a youngster.”
With that, he turned and left the arena.
The spectators, who had been watching the duel, were left in shock.
“What just happened?”
“It was incredible, but I have no idea what I just saw.”
The duel had been so advanced that the audience couldn’t fully grasp what had transpired.
Then, Kali stood up.
“Zeke Draker, the Knight of Salvation, has been acknowledged by Sword King Vernas.”
She continued, addressing Zeke.
“Sword King Vernas has confirmed that Zeke Draker has reached the level of a Black Knight!”
The audience was stunned.
“The Knight of Salvation is a Black Knight?”
“Wait… isn’t Zeke only twenty?”
“Unbelievable, a Black Knight at twenty? Is that even possible?”
Not long ago, Abel Draker had set the record as the youngest Black Knight, and now that record was broken again.
Zeke turned to look at Kali, who smiled at him.
He realized her decision.
“She’s decided to pass the mantle to me.”
Kali Draker had chosen to support Zeke rather than compete with him.
She had arranged for him to duel with Vernas to prove his worth.
The elders and other knights had witnessed Zeke’s prowess firsthand.
A knight renowned across the continent, acknowledged by the Sword King as a Black Knight.
Even the proud Draker elders couldn’t deny it.
Zeke felt grateful for Kali’s support.
“At least I don’t have to fight her.”
In the Draker family, one could never be sure when Kali might challenge him again, but for now, things had settled peacefully.
Then Arthur Draker, who had been seated, stood up.
He addressed Zeke.
“You’ve surpassed your siblings to become the fastest to reach the level of a Black Knight.”
Zeke felt a mix of emotions at the implied dismissal of Abel, but he bowed respectfully to Arthur.
“It wouldn’t have been possible without the family’s support and Kali Draker’s help.”
Arthur, pleased, nodded at Zeke.
“To Sir Zeke Draker, the Black Knight of Draker and newly appointed Guardian Knight, I hereby grant the lands and all the possessions of Abel Draker.”
Arthur’s explosive declaration left not only Carly but everyone present in stunned silence.
Unfazed by their reactions, Arthur continued.
“Furthermore, Abel Draker is hereby excommunicated as a traitor to the family. He shall no longer bear the Draker name. Additionally, the Draker blood pact with the Siemens is revoked.”
This meant the expulsion of both Siemens and Abel from the Draker family.
Arthur’s sudden proclamation left the key figures of the central continent in a state of shock.
Zeke bowed his head in acknowledgment of Arthur’s words.
“I will carry out the head’s orders.”
Arthur addressed Zeke directly.
“As your first mission as Guardian Knight, capture the traitor Abel and execute him immediately. Stabilize the Rom Empire.”
The atmosphere grew even more tense at Arthur’s command.
Abel was currently seizing control of Rom and preparing to ascend as its emperor.
Arthur’s words were tantamount to a declaration of war against Rom.
One thought dominated the minds of the attendees.
“A continental war is coming.”
Since the Eastern Empire’s invasion centuries ago, the central continent had not seen a war of such magnitude.
If Draker and Rom clashed, the conflict would undoubtedly engulf the entire continent.
Pale-faced attendees began to quietly leave the ceremony, eager to report the news to their home countries.
Arthur watched them go with a sly smile.
Then he leaned in close to Zeke and whispered in his ear.
“I’m counting on you. Make this entertaining for me.”
And with that, Zeke’s appointment as Guardian Knight concluded.
After the ceremony, Zeke ascended to the office in the Four Seasons Castle that had been newly assigned to him.
Though it had once belonged to Abel, there was no trace of him left.
Somehow, the office had been redecorated to suit Zeke’s tastes perfectly.
“To think I’ve become the Guardian Knight of Draker.”
In his past life, it was a position he could never have dreamed of.
Who would have believed that Zeke, once expelled from the academy as a failure, would become the emblematic Guardian Knight of Draker?
As he gazed out at the view from the castle, someone entered the office.
“Sister.”
It was none other than Carly Draker.
“Zeke.”
They looked at each other in silence for a long moment.
“There are many things I wish to discuss with you, sister.”
Zeke guided Carly to a seat and quickly prepared tea.
As she sipped her tea, Carly’s expression seemed far more relaxed than before.
Zeke looked at her directly and asked, “Sister, why did you give up the position of heir to me?”
Carly set down her teacup at his question.
She met Zeke’s gaze and spoke slowly.
“I simply thought you would do a better job than I would.”
“You mean as the heir?”
Carly shook her head at his words.
“Then…?”
At that moment, Carly used her aura to block out any surrounding sounds.
She looked at Zeke with a serious expression.
“Zeke, only you can stop the Draker family.”