Episode 397

“A curse to bring down Dreiker? How on earth?”

Zeke was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected revelation.

As he pondered, a memory from his past life suddenly surfaced.

“The reason Dreiker fell in my past life… Arthur Dreiker died suddenly from an illness. There’s no way a Grand Master would die from something so simple.”

Zeke began to suspect that the curse Do-cheol mentioned might be targeting Arthur Dreiker.

“If Narak is truly aiming a curse at Arthur Dreiker…”

If Arthur Dreiker were to fall due to a curse, it would undoubtedly shift the balance in the war between Rom and Dreiker.

Arthur Dreiker, the current head of the Dreiker family, wielded unprecedented power and influence. His fall would weaken the family, creating an opportunity for other factions to strike.

Some factions might even side with Siemens, and in the worst-case scenario, a rebellion could erupt within Midland.

“If it comes to civil war, Dreiker will be at a disadvantage.”

In such a scenario, Dreiker would have to contend not only with Siemens’ powerful secret weapons but also with the demonic legions summoned by Narak, multiplying their burdens.

Even the central kingdoms, currently favorable to Dreiker, would likely withdraw their support and adopt a neutral stance if Arthur Dreiker, their pillar, were to fall.

“If the priest’s plan succeeds and the head dies, it will spell disaster.”

Do-cheol, observing Zeke deep in thought, quietly sought a way to escape.

His gaze fell on the discarded shell nearby.

“Being trapped in that shell again would be dreadful, but it’s better than complete annihilation.”

One of Do-cheol’s horns began to melt, slithering like a snake toward the discarded shell.

The horn, containing his soul, slowly burrowed into the shell’s brain.

Sssss—

Do-cheol’s consciousness transferred back into the shell.

“Made it.”

With Zeke distracted, Do-cheol seized the chance to escape.

He began to sink the shell slowly into the ground, hoping to avoid detection.

Almost his entire body had disappeared into the earth when—

Whizz!

A holy spear pierced the ground, impaling Do-cheol’s shell completely.

[Ugh!]

The spear pinned Do-cheol to the ground, halting his escape.

Zeke stood before him, having anticipated his move.

“Typical of your kind. Too bad you couldn’t get away.”

[W-wait!]

Panicked, Do-cheol struggled, but Zeke’s shadow expanded, enveloping his tattered form.

Sensing an ominous energy wrapping around him, Do-cheol cried out in terror.

[P-please! Spare me! I beg you!]

But despite his desperate pleas, his body was slowly consumed by the shadow.

As Zeke’s devouring power took hold, Do-cheol screamed.

[N-no! Just end it with the spear…!]

His cries faded as his body vanished into the shadow.

Rumble!

Zeke felt the complete absorption of Do-cheol.

A message appeared before his eyes.

[You have devoured a fully corrupted aberration tainted by demonic energy.]

[Your stamina, mental strength, and mana are replenished.]

[You have absorbed the bloodline ability of the aberration and gained the power ‘Control.’]

[You receive 1,500 Karma Points as a reward.]

[A special random box is awarded as a bonus.]

“The power of Control, huh? Quite a sinister ability.”

Zeke opened his status window to examine the details of the ‘Control’ power.

―Power Information―

Control: Allows the user to issue commands to targets with lower mental strength, forcing them to act. Ineffective against those with higher mental strength.

Understanding the power, Zeke realized why Do-cheol had tried to manipulate him.

“Did he really think a Nephilim like him would have stronger mental strength than a human like me?”

Having dealt with Do-cheol, Zeke turned to assess the situation behind him.

The monstrous creatures seemed mostly handled by the golem knights, while Kaiman and the shadow knights were locked in combat with the enemy knights.

“Kaiman’s unit still hasn’t finished them off? The enemy knights must be stronger than expected.”

Zeke hefted his hammer and approached the enemy knights.

Boom!

Even when the shadow knights felled the enemy, they quickly reformed and rose again.

The shadow knights, sustained by Zeke’s mana, remained intact, leading to a stalemate with the enemy knights.

“How did Siemens create such a thing?”

Immortal knights that rose again after being destroyed—it was a mystery which constellation’s power was at play.

Zeke, seeking answers, summoned Arataso from his inventory, drawing a green sword.

Sssss—

Arataso, resembling an armored centaur, appeared.

“Arataso, can you identify which constellation’s power is within those knights?”

Arataso grumbled at the abrupt summoning and questioning.

[You treat me too casually now.]

Zeke nodded at Arataso’s remark.

“Perhaps. Should I use the holy light to shake you up before asking?”

Arataso quickly shook his head, alarmed.

[Just kidding. It’s better to be familiar if we’re to work together. Let me see about the constellation’s power.]

Arataso focused on the enemy knights, sensing the energy emanating from them.

After a moment, his expression turned puzzled, and he tilted his head.

[Hmm?]

“What is it, Arataso?”

[Well, this is…]

Arataso hesitated before shaking his head.

[Honestly, I can’t tell.]

“Does that mean it’s not a power from a strong constellation you know?”

[That’s the strange part. The power feels as strong as something from a great demon.]

“And yet?”

[But among the great demons I know, none possess such power.]

“Could it be a great demon you don’t know?”

[Unlikely. I’m a noble with a formal title in the demon realm. All great demons participate in title ceremonies. I would know of a great demon with such power.]

Zeke, seeing Arataso’s confusion, felt his own mind grow tangled.

“Stronger than a great demon, yet not a great demon.”

Then a thought crossed Zeke’s mind.

“Arataso, could a regular constellation, not a fallen one, grant such power to humans?”

Arataso shook his head.

[If that were possible, all constellations would lend their powers to humans. Constellations grow stronger with more followers.]

Zeke pondered Arataso’s words before reaching a conclusion.

“If thinking about it won’t yield answers, there’s no need to dwell on it. They’re still the enemy.”

Zeke decided to deal with the enemy knights first and consider their origins later.

With his decision made, Zeke charged at the enemy knights engaged with the shadow knights.

Whoosh!

Swinging his hammer menacingly, the enemy knights retreated.

Zeke then unleashed the power of freezing upon them.

Crack!

The intense cold instantly froze the enemy knights.

Creak—

Even the knights that reformed after being destroyed couldn’t withstand the freezing power and remained frozen.

“It’s not just simple magic. If a power can counter them, it must be a power.”

At that moment, unlike the others, Bishop Castik broke free from the freezing power and moved.

Whoosh!

He charged at Zeke with his sword.

Clang!

Though unexpected, Zeke calmly blocked Bishop’s sword with his hammer.

Bishop’s eyes, visible through his helmet, were completely blackened.

“He’s not in a normal state.”

Zeke attempted to subdue Bishop’s mind using his blood eye.

Buzz—

The red eye on Zeke’s forehead targeted Bishop’s mind.

But the blood eye’s power hit a wall, unable to penetrate Bishop’s mental defenses.

“Is it the power’s influence that prevents skill-based suppression?”

Zeke decided to try the ‘Control’ power he gained from absorbing Do-cheol.

Buzz!

Zeke’s eyes glowed red.

As the control power activated, Bishop’s eyes also glowed red.

Moments later, Bishop sheathed his sword and stepped back, standing at attention.

Zeke addressed him.

“Bishop Castik, do you remember who you are?”

Bishop slowly opened his mouth.

“Hail, Siemens. I am an honorable knight who has earned the right to serve Siemens’ glory.”

Though Zeke could command Bishop’s actions, his mind remained under Siemens’ indoctrination.

“Was this the state of all the five-star knights in my past life?”

In a past life, I had only fleeting encounters with the Five-Star Knights on the battlefield, never having the chance to truly meet them. So, I couldn’t gauge their true state.

However, seeing Bishop Castic, one of those knights, in this condition led me to a reasonable conclusion: the Siemens faction had brainwashed talented knights, infusing them with powers to turn them into formidable war machines.

I looked at Bishop Castic, deep in thought.

“Will recovery magic even work?”

I decided to try, drawing out Roland and casting a recovery spell on the bishop, infusing it with purifying energy.

A hissing sound filled the air as black smoke seeped from the bishop’s body.

The problem was that his life force was draining away with it.

“The dark magic has completely infiltrated his very marrow. Recovery is impossible.”

A grating noise echoed as the power of the freezing spell began to wane, and the other enemy knights started to stir.

“What should I do?”

I could use the power of control to manage them, but maintaining that power continuously was no easy task.

“For now, I’ll keep them on standby with my power and figure out the next steps later.”

I commanded the enemy knights to stand by using the power of control and bound them with Solomon’s chains.

After dismissing my summoned creatures, I surveyed the situation below the cliff.

Alicia had already dealt with the monsters and the gate.

I descended, leaving the cleanup to others, and dragged the captured high-ranking demon, Ikeros, back for further interrogation.

“Explain in more detail what you mentioned earlier.”

Ikeros trembled as he responded to my demand.

“W-what do you mean?”

“About Caligula.”

“I’ve told you everything.”

“Why are you looking for the Vampire King’s tomb?”

“I-I don’t know. I’m just following orders.”

“Just following orders, huh? Who gave them?”

Despite his trembling, Ikeros remained silent.

I shook my head and infused the chains binding him with holy energy.

Crackling!

“Aaaargh!”

“I’ll ask again. Who ordered you to find Caligula’s tomb?”

Ikeros hesitated, glancing around nervously before finally speaking.

“R-Ramon Siemens!”

Hearing Ramon Siemens’ name, my mind raced.

“Ramon Siemens knows about Caligula’s tomb?”

Emperor Nero had been obsessed with immortality, even forming a hunting unit to search for ancient ruins.

Now, with the emperor gone, Ramon Siemens was acting similarly, which troubled me.

“The Elder Dragon was worried about Caligula’s power being unleashed in this world. It might be linked to the Demon King’s resurrection.”

I realized I couldn’t delay any longer. I had to find Caligula’s tomb as soon as possible. I took out the key given to me by Hyperion.

A beam of light shot from the key, pointing deep into the ice mountains.

“I guess I have to go.”

I helped the panting Ikeros to his feet and said, “I can’t leave you here to your own devices. You’re coming with me.”

Ikeros’ face turned pale at my words.

“I should’ve just stayed in the demon realm.”

Summoned to this world, Ikeros had endured nothing but hardship and humiliation.