Episode 365
A sharp hiss filled the air as steam billowed from the armor. The helmet, shoulder guards, and lower sections split open, revealing a completely new design. Zeek was taken aback by the sight.
“Is this another version of the Hershion?” he asked, astonished.
Hades shook his head. “No, the Hershion operates on a different principle. It uses a magical drive plate powered by mana. This one, however, functions through internal mechanisms, not magic.”
Zeek was puzzled. “But it uses a high-compression mana battery and doesn’t rely on magic?”
Hades frowned, trying to simplify the explanation. “For someone like you, it’s a bit complex. Simply put, the Hershion converts the wearer’s mana into power through a magical drive plate. Its intricate mana circuits make it susceptible to external barriers.”
“And this one?” Zeek inquired.
“This armor uses compressed mana stones to power its internal mechanisms, making it immune to external barriers or mana storms. Judging by its structure, it seems designed to combat dragons.”
Zeek recalled a past vision of the Terracan Draker’s dragon slayer unit wearing this armor to fight dragons corrupted by dark magic, as well as demons and monsters.
‘The Hershion would be vulnerable to dragon magic, so they developed a different kind of equipment,’ he realized, understanding why this armor was exclusive to dragon slayers.
Hades pointed to another piece of equipment nearby. “That one operates on a similar principle but has an additional feature.”
“What is it?” Zeek asked.
“If a member of the Sky Tribe wears it, they can fly.”
In modern times, the Sky Tribe had lost the ability to fly. Their defining traits were their strong beaks, powerful muscles, and unyielding spirit.
Zeek, contemplating the dragon slayer and Sky Tribe armor, turned to Hades. “Hades, is it possible to mass-produce this armor?”
Hades raised an eyebrow. “Mass-produce it? Are you planning to hunt dragons?”
Zeek shook his head. “Not dragons, but it could be useful against demons.”
Demons were formidable opponents, skilled in both magic and martial arts. Their techniques could disrupt a knight’s aura, but with this armor, even regular knights might stand a chance against lower-tier demons.
Hades considered Zeek’s reasoning and nodded. “It’s not impossible.”
“Really?” Zeek asked, hopeful.
“Yes, if I simplify the design and we have skilled blacksmiths to execute it. It won’t be immediate, and it’ll cost a bit, but it’s doable.”
Zeek thought of Golyn. ‘Golyn might be interested in this project.’
If he could persuade Golyn to join and create a prototype, and then recruit skilled dwarven artisans to produce it in the southern islands, they could arm a significant number of knights.
Whether or not Zeek was destined to vanquish the true Demon King, it wouldn’t hurt to be prepared. His cautious nature was proving unexpectedly advantageous.
As Zeek and Hades were deep in planning, a knock came at the door. It was Yellin.
“Sir Zeek, do you have a moment?” she asked.
Sensing she had something private to discuss, Zeek briefly explained the situation to Hades and then accompanied Yellin to the hotel’s rooftop.
The rooftop had a garden reserved for top-tier guests. Zeek and Yellin strolled through it, but she hesitated to speak her mind.
‘What is she trying to say?’ Zeek wondered. He had assumed she wanted to spar, which is why he had chosen the spacious rooftop.
As he pondered the unexpected atmosphere, Yellin finally spoke, her voice tentative.
“Sir Zeek, I’ve noticed there are many beautiful women of marriageable age around you.”
Zeek tilted his head, puzzled. ‘Beautiful women? Who could she mean?’
Though Zeek hadn’t given it much thought, Yellin had seen Arina, Kay, Shadia, and Nerissa around him and assumed they were all connected to him. This misunderstanding had initially driven her to wander aimlessly, only to later realize her mistake.
Despite her embarrassment, the journey had reaffirmed her feelings for Zeek. ‘If I wait too long, he might fall for someone else.’
Though unmatched in beauty, Yellin had never been aware of it, and her anxiety grew with time. True to her warrior spirit, she decided to confront the issue head-on.
Looking Zeek in the eye, she blurted out her feelings. “Sir Zeek, would you consider marrying me?”
Zeek was caught off guard by her unexpected proposal, momentarily stunned. Regaining his composure, he asked, “Marriage? Did your family pressure you again?”
Yellin shook her head. “No, it’s not that.”
Zeek couldn’t fathom why Yellin would suddenly bring up marriage without any external pressure. ‘Is there a power struggle within the Ishtar family for the heir’s position?’ he speculated, thinking in typical Draker fashion.
If that were the case, marrying Zeek could strategically align her with an external ally to strengthen her position. As Zeek mulled over these possibilities, Yellin cautiously asked, “Do you have someone else in mind?”
Zeek shook his head. “No, there’s no one in particular.”
Yellin’s face brightened at his response. Gathering her courage, she asked again, “Then, how about me as a potential partner?”
Zeek pondered her words before replying, “If we were to marry, it would be the first union between the Draker and Ishtar direct lines, which would certainly cause a stir. However, since I’m now a candidate for heir, becoming a son-in-law to the Ishtar family might be complicated.”
Yellin’s expression darkened. She bit her lip and said, “That’s not what I meant. I want to know if you see me as a woman.”
”…?”
Zeek was confused. ‘I was talking about marriage from a family perspective.’
Frustrated by his misunderstanding, Yellin raised her voice. “I’m asking if you have feelings for me as a woman!”
‘A woman?’ Zeek was momentarily taken aback, then fell into deep thought. With a serious expression, he asked, “Are you asking if I love you?”
Hearing the word “love” directly, Yellin blushed furiously and couldn’t respond. She quickly retreated from the garden, overwhelmed by the weight of the word.
Zeek stood there, staring at the spot where Yellin had been. ‘Love, huh.’
Having been given a second chance at life after his previous death, Zeek had never really considered such a luxurious emotion as love. In his past life, he had relationships with women, but they were mostly physical, lacking genuine affection.
‘Could my relationship with Kay in my past life be considered love? No, that was more like friendship.’
Reflecting deeply, Zeek realized he had never truly experienced love. However, there was one person who came close.
‘Alicia.’
Yet, even his feelings for Alicia were too complex to be labeled as love. She was more special to him than a lover could be. She was his friend, comrade, and sometimes felt like a sister.
‘If Alicia heard I considered her a romantic partner, I wonder how she’d react.’
Zeek chuckled at the thought and turned his attention to his feelings for Yellin. She possessed a beauty that transcended humanity, and being near her made his heart race. But he couldn’t definitively say he loved her.
‘Marrying Yellin is possible, but love? I’m not sure.’
Moreover, Zeek wasn’t certain he could offer Yellin the kind of love she sought. With these new concerns weighing on him, he spent a restless night.
The next day, news arrived that Julius had secretly reached the meeting location.
Julius, renowned as the Empire’s war hero, was a knight of the highest caliber and a grand general known for his exceptional strategy and leadership. Despite the unprecedented nature of holding both the positions of grand general and consul in the Rom Empire, Julius was granted this rare exception due to his extraordinary capabilities.
Julius, the only man known to defy the mad emperor’s orders and keep him in check, was renowned as a master strategist. Yet, as he sat in the secure meeting room, his face told a different story.
He looked haggard, his complexion sallow, dark circles under his eyes, and a rough beard shadowing his jaw. Waiting anxiously for Zeke, he seemed a far cry from the powerful figure who supposedly controlled the Rom Empire.
Muhammad, sitting beside him, couldn’t help but offer some comfort. “Consul, have a drink. It’ll warm you up.”
Julius took the amber liquid Muhammad handed him and downed it in one go, but the tension in his face remained.
“Are you sure this place is secure?” Julius asked, his voice betraying his unease.
Though it wasn’t the first time Julius had asked about security, Muhammad reassured him once more with a calm voice. “Absolutely. This place is tightly guarded. Abel’s side won’t know a thing.”
At the mention of Abel’s name, Julius visibly shuddered, as if seized by a sudden fit. “No, that man… he’ll catch me and kill me. Skin me alive.”
The fear in Julius’s voice was palpable, even to Muhammad. ‘What on earth happened in Rom?’ he wondered.
Just then, the door to the secure room opened, and Zeke entered. Julius, who had been trembling in his seat, sprang to his feet.
“Z-Zeke Draker. The Knight of Salvation…” He looked at Zeke as if he were a savior.
Clutching a necklace adorned with the sacred wolf emblem of the Rom Empire, Julius approached Zeke. “Zeke Draker, I’ve heard you are blessed by the Fairy King and receive revelations from the God of Light. Please, grant me your holy blessing. I beg you.”
Zeke could see that Julius was in a dire state. ‘He’s completely broken. What happened to him?’
In his current condition, a meeting was out of the question. Zeke took hold of Julius’s arm and cast a healing and stamina-boosting spell.
A soft glow emanated from Zeke’s hand, and as it seeped into Julius, his expression relaxed noticeably. “The rumors were true. I feel warmer and more at ease.”
Though using his indomitable willpower would have been more effective, the backlash would be too severe once the buff wore off, so Zeke opted for a moderate recovery.
As Muhammad assessed the situation and stepped out of the room, only Zeke and Julius remained at the table.
Zeke spoke first. “Why did you request this meeting?”
It was clear that Julius desperately needed Zeke’s help. There was no need for pretense.
Julius, still trembling, looked at Zeke and said, “Kill Abel Draker, no… Abel Siemens Constantinus.”