Episode 456
Serazad’s eyes widened in surprise at Zeke’s words.
“The Covenant of Faith.”
The Covenant of Faith was an ancient vow originating from the Eastern Continent, forged on the foundation of trust and belief between the parties involved. Those who entered into this covenant could neither betray one another nor speak falsehoods.
While it bore similarities to the “Oath of Promise” from the Central Continent, the Eastern Continent’s Covenant of Faith went beyond a mere contract, strengthening the bond between the parties involved.
By entering into this covenant, the Sultan could claim alignment with the Phoenix’s guide, while Zeke could spread his reputation as the Knight of Salvation across the Eastern Continent and serve as a bridge between the East and Central Continents.
Serazad looked at Zeke and spoke.
“I’m impressed you know of the Covenant of Faith. Hmm, though I must admit, the idea of marrying you is more tempting.”
“As I mentioned, that would complicate matters.”
Serazad turned her gaze to Yellin, who stood beside Zeke, and then addressed him again.
“Is it because of this beautiful high elf descendant beside you that you refuse my proposal? If you wish, I would allow her to be your concubine after our marriage.”
Zeke shook his head.
“If I were swayed by beauty, I would have accepted Your Majesty’s proposal. I’m offering the most reasonable suggestion considering all factors.”
Zeke’s casual remark made Serazad’s heart skip a beat. As the ruler of the continent, she had lived for decades with countless men willing to offer their hearts and bodies at her command. Her five consorts were all exceptionally handsome and well-built, with impressive backgrounds. Yet, she had never felt her heart flutter for any of them.
But now, feeling such emotions for a much younger knight from the Western Continent left Serazad herself surprised. She quickly masked her expression and spoke to Zeke.
“Marrying me and becoming a prince consort would be much simpler. You do love a challenge, don’t you?”
“It’s just my nature, Your Majesty. I hope you understand.”
Serazad smiled at his words.
“I admire those who strive. Very well, guide of the divine beast. But if you truly wish to enter into the Covenant of Faith with me, you must first overcome a trial.”
Sitting atop a golden fox, she declared in a majestic voice.
“Zeke Draker, I shall personally prepare a ‘Sacred Trial’ for you!”
The mention of a Sacred Trial shocked not only Omar but also the eunuchs nearby. The banquet hall below the Sultan’s platform buzzed with excitement.
“The Sacred Trial is about to begin!”
“The Sultan has decreed a Sacred Trial for the guide of the divine beast!”
As the commotion grew, Yellin quietly asked Hades.
“Lord Hades, what exactly is this Sacred Trial the Sultan mentioned?”
“Think of it as similar to the Sacred Law of your family’s holy land.”
When Zeke first met Yellin, he had fought an honor-bound duel under the Sacred Law of the holy land. Winning that duel had allowed him to nullify the charges of violating the Ishtar family’s expulsion order.
The Sacred Trial followed a similar procedure, but with one key difference: the trial was not ordained by a deity but by the Sultan, who acted as the divine’s representative and determined the trial’s nature.
Rumble!
Soon, the sound of something entering the banquet hall was heard. Muscular slaves appeared, pulling several carts. As the carts were moved to the center of the hall and unfolded, a dueling arena was revealed.
Rumble―
At that moment, the platform where Zeke and his companions stood began to vibrate, moving to a position with the best view of the arena. The slaves quickly repositioned the Sultan’s seat to the front of the platform, creating a prime viewing spot for the duel.
More carts were brought in, and seating around the arena was swiftly arranged. Zeke and his companions watched in awe as the large dueling arena was constructed in an instant.
“How many duels must they have to be able to set up an arena of this scale so quickly?”
The Sultan, Serazad, was deeply versed in martial arts and had a keen interest in various forms of combat. In the Central Continent, families focused on honing their aura techniques and maintaining their traditions. Although not widely known, the original aura technique created by Shaton Draker had diversified over the millennia, yet its foundational principles remained largely unchanged.
The Draker family was the only one actively researching new visions, developing special techniques, and preserving them as family secrets. In this regard, Serazad’s approach of maintaining martial arts researchers in the palace to study and compare the aura techniques and succession rituals of the Central Continent was innovative.
Thus, it was not surprising that such an arena and system had been established.
Boom, boom, boom!
As Zeke and his companions marveled at the scene, drummers appeared, heightening the atmosphere. Reclining on plush cushions with her three spirit beasts, the Sultan looked down at the arena with interest and raised her voice.
“Warrior Krashnu! Step forward!”
At Serazad’s command, one of the warriors guarding the platform leaped onto the arena with agile movements.
Whoosh!
As Krashnu ascended the arena, Serazad addressed Zeke.
“Sir Zeke Draker, I hereby decree the Sacred Trial. You must defeat three warriors of my choosing in this duel.”
Zeke nodded at Serazad’s words.
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
“If you win the duel, you may enter into the Covenant of Faith with me. I would even permit you to share my bed.”
The Sultan’s bold words caused Yellin’s face to flush red. As the heir of the relatively conservative Ishtar family, she found it difficult to match the Sultan’s audacity. Hades, standing beside her, found her reaction amusing and laughed heartily.
“You might end up like a dog chasing a chicken. Try harder.”
Unaware of Yellin’s inner turmoil, Hades teased her mercilessly.
Zeke leaped from the platform and landed on the arena. His nimble movements excited the nobles of Murk, who cheered enthusiastically.
“Guide of the divine beast! We have high hopes for you!”
“Krashnu! Show them the strength of a Murk warrior!”
As cheers erupted, Serazad raised her hand, and the drumming changed rhythm.
Thud, thud, thud―
Krashnu drew his sword first. It was a curved blade unique to the Murk Empire, with a slightly bent back. Krashnu held the curved sword in one hand and a round shield in the other. The shield was smaller than the kite shields of the Central Continent, just large enough to cover the upper body.
“The smaller shield means faster movement.”
Aside from Luther, this was Zeke’s first proper encounter with an Eastern warrior, so he remained cautious as he drew his sword.
Sss―
As he summoned Levatein from his inventory, the Murk nobles murmured in curiosity at the sight of Zeke’s sword.
“A sword appearing from thin air. Could it be a demonic weapon?”
“A knight from the Central Continent wouldn’t wield a demonic weapon meant for heirs. It must be magic.”
As the surrounding whispers continued, Zeke and Krashnu finished their preparations, and Serazad snapped her fingers.
Boom!
The drummers signaled the start of the duel.
Krashnu twirled his sword by the wrist, slowly circling Zeke. Then, sensing an opportunity, he charged forward with his shield.
Wham, wham, wham―
Krashnu lunged at Zeke with the speed of the wind, thrusting his shield forward.
Whoosh!
The shield sliced through the air, aiming for Zeke’s face. Zeke evaded the attack with a light step, using his phantom footwork.
Krashnu quickly changed direction, swinging his shield at Zeke again as he retreated. Zeke noted the sharpness of Krashnu’s shield attacks.
“Yet, despite the speed, the attacks are rather straightforward.”
As Zeke deftly dodged Krashnu’s attacks, he saw an opening and stepped forward, swinging Levatein.
Whoosh!
It was a light strike meant to test the waters. Yet, when Levatein clashed with Krashnu’s shield, it shattered into pieces.
Crash!
The sturdy shield broke apart, and Krashnu staggered back from the impact.
“Ugh!”
With just a light swing, Krashnu’s left hand was left nearly useless.
Zeke couldn’t help but be astonished as he gazed at the Levatein in his hand.
“So the seal of Bahamut has been completely broken and it’s even evolved… The power is no joke.”
He realized that if he wasn’t careful, he might end up being overwhelmed by the sword’s power himself.
Krasnu quickly tore a piece of his clothing to wrap around his left arm, then gripped his sword with his right.
Even in this dire situation, Zeke could sense the indomitable spirit unique to the Eastern warriors in Krasnu’s determination to continue the duel.
And then, something extraordinary happened.
A shimmering aura began to emanate from Krasnu’s sword, enveloping his entire body.
The power of the spirit sealed within the weapon surged forth, transforming Krasnu’s presence entirely.
With a fierce cry, Krasnu raised his sword and charged at Zeke.
He moved like a gust of wind, soaring through the air with incredible speed.
“Haah!”
Like a storm, Krasnu’s sword strikes rained down on Zeke from all directions.
Zeke parried the wind-infused attacks with Levatein, realizing something crucial in the process.
“There’s a faint trace of elemental power here.”
Humans, by nature, couldn’t wield elemental power due to their physical limitations.
However, the Eastern successors had transcended these limits, harnessing the power of spirits sealed within their weapons. They seemed to wield this power indirectly.
“If you can’t control elemental power yourself, then control a being that can.”
The spirits sealed in the Eastern weapons were akin to genies, a type of elemental entity, making it possible for them to wield elemental power.
As Zeke observed this closely, the wind emanating from Krasnu’s sword grew even stronger.
“So, the spirit sealed in that weapon wields the power of wind.”
Zeke stepped forward, blocking Krasnu’s wind with Levatein.
He wanted to study the power of the Eastern successors more closely, but there were still two more opponents to face. He couldn’t afford to be complacent.
Zeke assumed the stance of the Dragon Slayer technique with Levatein.
With a resonant hum, his sword sang as he stepped forward, activating the Dragon Slayer technique.
Dragon Slayer Technique: True Dragon Sword Style
Chapter 4, Verse 1
Full Moon Slash
With a mighty slash, Zeke’s attack cleaved through Krasnu’s storm, creating a full moon in its wake.
The countering force of the storm swept Krasnu away, caught in the power he had unleashed.
“Argh!”
It wasn’t that Krasnu’s abilities were weak; it was simply that Zeke’s power was overwhelming.
Unable to withstand the backlash, Krasnu was swept off the dueling platform and tumbled to the ground below.
Thud!
In contrast, Zeke landed steadily back on the platform.
Thud!
The nobles of the Murk Empire were taken aback, watching Zeke easily defeat the formidable Krasnu.
The audience buzzed with surprise, not expecting such a one-sided outcome.
Serazad, watching Zeke’s confident victory, wore a satisfied smile.
She rose from her seat and announced, “The warrior for the second trial is Saladin!”
At the mention of Saladin’s name, the entire banquet hall fell silent.
Even the excited nobles turned pale at the sound of that name.
Hades and Yelin, observing from the VIP section, sensed something amiss from the crowd’s reaction.
And then, moments later.
Clank, clank, clank.
The doors to the banquet hall opened, and a man bound in heavy chains was led onto the dueling platform by a dozen slaves.
Thud!
The slaves pulled the chains, forcing the man to kneel on the ground.
Serazad, with a seductive smile, introduced him.
“Saladin the Executioner. He is the second trial.”