Episode 453
As soon as the Eastern warriors laid eyes on Raven, they dropped to their knees and began to bow with reverence.
Perched on Zeke’s shoulder, Raven noticed the warriors’ awestruck gazes and responded with a proud, dignified demeanor, quite different from before.
Zeke glanced at Raven with a bemused expression.
“This bird’s personality is getting stranger by the day.”
He had completely forgotten the saying that a divine beast takes after its master.
Zeke approached the kneeling Eastern warriors and cleared his throat.
“Do you believe me now?”
The warriors looked at Zeke with admiration and replied, “Of course, Guide. Please forgive our earlier rudeness.”
Zeke nodded at their words. “Very well. My name is Zeke Draker, known as the Knight of Salvation in the Central Continent. Lead me to the Sultan’s palace. The Sultan awaits this divine creature.”
“Hmm?”
Hades, lounging and enjoying grapes fed to him by a servant while watching a beautiful Eastern dancer, tilted his head in curiosity.
“This energy feels familiar.”
As Hades rose from his seat, Hamel, the captain of the Black Raven unit, approached him.
“Is there something you need, Lord Hades?”
“Not exactly. Hmm, where’s Yelin?”
“The young master is training in the back garden.”
Hades clicked his tongue and shook his head at Hamel’s response. “Training even here? Your young master is something else.”
Just then, the sound of trumpets and cheers erupted from outside.
Curious, Hades looked out the window to see warriors carrying the Sultan’s banner entering the palace, accompanied by something familiar.
A majestic phoenix soared above, its wings flapping joyfully as it let out a triumphant cry.
Hades’ jaw dropped. “Raven? If that bird is here, then…”
He suddenly realized the source of the familiar energy and dashed out of the room.
“Amazing.”
Upon entering the capital of the Murk Empire, Zeke was first struck by its immense scale and then by the throngs of people welcoming him.
Everyone in the palace waved colorful flags and showered Raven with flower petals, offering warm greetings to the divine creature.
Caught up in the festive atmosphere, Raven soared into the sky, showing off its aerial acrobatics.
While Raven basked in the adoration, Zeke took the opportunity to closely observe the palace.
“Fascinating. The architecture and style are completely different from the Central Continent.”
Having never visited the Eastern Continent in his past life, this was Zeke’s first time in the Murk Empire’s palace.
He noted the similarities to Carcosa, a place he had seen in the fragments of another dimension, though Murk’s use of tiles to decorate both the exterior and interior of buildings was unique.
The Easterners of Murk wore finely crafted silk garments, their weaving techniques seemingly more intricate than those of the Central Continent.
“No wonder Murk silk is so expensive.”
When the Murk Empire’s invasion severed diplomatic ties 25 years ago, the price of Eastern silk skyrocketed, once trading for the equivalent of a thousand horses per bolt.
Though direct trade remains impossible, intermediary trade through the Dorta Republic is somewhat permitted, largely to import Murk silk.
As Zeke took in the exotic yet enchanting palace, a familiar face appeared before him.
“Sir Zeke!”
Yelin, dressed in Eastern training attire, emerged from the crowd.
Zeke greeted her warmly. “Lady Yelin!”
He dismounted from Bucephalus and made his way toward her.
It was their first meeting since Zeke had teleported to the Southern Continent after resolving the monster invasion of the Dorta Republic.
Yelin looked at Zeke in disbelief. “Sir Zeke, how did you come here alone?”
Zeke responded with a wry smile. “It’s a long story. But more importantly, have you been well, Lady Yelin? I was worried.”
Yelin blushed at his words. “Worried… Could Sir Zeke have feelings for me?”
She had confessed her feelings to Zeke back in the Dorta Republic, but had fled in embarrassment before hearing his response.
With the cheers of the crowd bolstering her courage, Yelin spoke up. “Sir Zeke, about what I asked you before…”
Just then, a voice interrupted from above.
“You fool! Why are you only arriving now?”
Hades appeared out of nowhere, pointing at Zeke and shouting.
Zeke’s attention shifted from Yelin to Hades, the temperamental black dragon.
“Have you been well, Lord Hades?”
Hades barely acknowledged Zeke’s greeting, scanning the cheering crowd and muttering, “I heard they revere the phoenix, but this is beyond my expectations.”
Zeke nodded in agreement. “I feel the same. Raven is having the time of its life.”
Yelin, having missed her chance to confirm Zeke’s feelings, glared at the floating Hades with frustration.
At that moment, the inner gates of the palace opened, and elaborately dressed eunuchs appeared.
The highest-ranking eunuch approached Zeke with a respectful bow and spoke in a voice that was neither male nor female.
“His Majesty wishes to host a banquet in honor of Sir Zeke Draker, the renowned Knight of Salvation and guide of the divine creature.”
A banquet hosted by the Sultan of the Murk Empire was a significant honor, and the invitation was extended as a request rather than a command.
The Murk Empire’s influence was vast, and the Sultan’s power was unparalleled.
For the Sultan to personally invite Zeke and seek his consent was the highest form of respect.
Zeke addressed the eunuch. “Please convey my gratitude to the Sultan. I would be honored to attend.”
The eunuch bowed deeply, nearly touching the ground, and led Zeke into the inner palace, guiding him to the finest guest quarters.
Inside, Zeke marveled at the unique Eastern architecture and the exquisite ceramics and crafts adorning the Murk palace.
Soon, beautiful maidservants entered his room.
“We will escort you to the bath.”
The Murk Empire’s bathing culture was well-known even in the Central Continent.
While the Rom Empire favored public baths, Murk’s bathing culture was more luxurious and aristocratic.
Following the maidservants to the bath, Zeke was astounded.
“This is a private bath?”
A massive natural hot spring made of precious lapis lazuli lay at the center, surrounded by wooden tubs filled with various herbs.
The maidservants approached Zeke. “Allow us to assist you with your bath.”
They guided him into the lapis lazuli pool, carefully pouring fragrant water over him and skillfully massaging his arms and shoulders.
The bathing experience was distinctly different from that of the Central Continent.
After a refreshing drink and a relaxing massage, Zeke emerged from the bath, his face glowing with renewed vitality.
Returning to his room in high spirits, he found attendants had prepared a Murk-style banquet outfit for him.
The room was filled with luxurious silk and finely crafted accessories.
A tailor sent by the Sultan bowed before Zeke.
“It is an honor to craft attire for the sacred guide.”
The tailor immediately took Zeke’s measurements and tailored a garment on the spot.
The outfit was made of black silk, embroidered with a golden phoenix, and adorned with various ornaments, perfectly complementing Zeke.
Even the maidservants and the tailor were in awe of Zeke’s appearance in the Murk-style formal wear.
Just then, someone entered Zeke’s room.
“Are you ready?”
Hades, also dressed in Murk-style attire, floated into the room.
He was taken aback by Zeke’s appearance, which seemed straight out of a storybook.
“Well, well, you look quite good in Eastern attire,” remarked Zeke as Hades approached him.
“Now that I think about it, I have something for you, Lord Hades.”
“Oh? What might that be?”
Before answering, Zeke retrieved the “Tome of Hyperion” from his inventory, a gift from Hyperion, the former lord of the Silver Clan, and handed it to Hades.
“I met the spirit of Lord Hyperion. When I mentioned you, he was delighted and asked me to tell you that he cherished every moment you spent together.”
Hades was taken aback, clearly not expecting any news about Hyperion.
“Lord Hyperion…”
With slightly trembling hands, Hades accepted the tome from Zeke. He carefully leafed through the pages of Hyperion’s final legacy, then closed his eyes and nodded slowly.
“As expected, Lord Hyperion was remarkable. With this, I believe our research on the exosuits will progress significantly.”
Hades was working on mass-producing exosuits specifically for dragon slayers. If successful, it could prove invaluable in the war against the Demon King’s army.
Just then, a voice announced, “Lady Yellin Ishtar has arrived.”
The doors opened, and Yellin entered gracefully. Draped in a delicate veil and wearing an elegant silk gown embroidered with intricate patterns, she looked every bit the goddess of beauty.
Approaching Zeke, Yellin wore a slightly bashful expression. “Is it… alright? I tried on this traditional High Elf dress…”
“You look truly beautiful, Lady Yellin,” Zeke replied, his words sincere and without a hint of falsehood.
Yellin blushed at his compliment. Zeke extended his hand to her in the manner of the Central Continent’s customs. She lightly placed her hand on his arm, accepting his escort.
Together, Zeke, Yellin, and Hades made their way to the banquet hosted by the Sultan. Upon arriving at the venue within the inner palace, they were awestruck by its sheer scale.
The grand hall could easily accommodate thousands, filled with hundreds of dancers, a large orchestra, and a feast of delicacies made from ingredients sourced from every region of the Eastern Continent.
As the trio entered, their astonished expressions drew cheers and applause from the nobles and imperial officials invited by the Sultan.
“Guides of the Divine Beast!”
“Welcome to the Murk Empire!”
The crowd parted to allow Zeke and his companions to pass, bowing their heads and doffing their hats in respect.
Zeke walked down the path they cleared, his eyes fixed on something at the end.
A separate space within the banquet hall, adorned with a lavish canopy atop a high platform, guarded by warriors with sharp, watchful eyes. Inside, beautiful attendants fanned themselves gracefully.
Zeke didn’t need to see to know who was within the canopy.
‘The Sultan of the Murk Empire.’
The ruler of the Eastern Continent and the master of the Murk Empire was present.