Episode 457

Saladin, the Butcher of War.

Even Zeke was familiar with that name.

It belonged to the commander of the Murk Empire’s legion that invaded the central continent 25 years ago.

Records from that time claimed Saladin single-handedly faced over a hundred knights.

“They described him as a monster, breathing black flames, with dozens of spikes on his back and iron-like fur covering his body.”

Zeke looked down at Saladin, who was kneeling, bound in chains.

Contrary to the terrifying accounts, Saladin appeared to be of average build, with a surprisingly gentle face.

Just as Zeke was pondering this contradiction, Serazad ordered the slaves to release his chains.

Clink, clink, clink!

The chains binding Saladin’s neck and arms fell away immediately.

The nobles, witnessing this, were visibly tense, their faces pale with fear.

Zeke, who had read about the Murk Empire’s history, understood why the nobles were so terrified of Saladin.

“Saladin returned to the empire as a defeated general after the invasion. The defeat wasn’t his fault but rather due to the inexperience of other commanders. Yet, he was made the scapegoat.”

Had Saladin led the army to the end, the balance of power on the central continent might have shifted dramatically.

The Murk army, entering through the desert, had seized the southern cities of Rom, Jupiter, and Venus, and was advancing toward Midland.

But inexperienced noble commanders ruined the groundwork Saladin had laid.

While the invasion forces faltered, the knights of Draker and the mages of Nirvana seized the opportunity, leading to the invasion’s failure.

Even during the retreat, Saladin sacrificed himself to protect his soldiers from the pursuing allied forces of the central continent.

Barely making it back to the empire, Saladin faced execution due to false charges from the commanders whose lives he had saved.

Enraged, Saladin’s followers broke him out of prison and executed the cowardly noble commanders.

His warriors then rallied around him, urging a march on the imperial palace to overthrow the sultan.

However, Saladin’s forces were no match for the sultan’s powerful army.

Captured, Saladin offered his life in exchange for his followers’ safety.

The sultan, however, executed his followers and imprisoned Saladin, thus quelling the rebellion.

“In the end, Saladin and his followers’ actions only strengthened the sultan’s power by eliminating the treacherous commanders.”

Zeke speculated that the sultan’s invasion was not merely to conquer the central continent but a ploy to eliminate internal rivals.

If true, Saladin had been an unwitting pawn in Serazad’s grand scheme.

As Zeke pondered this, Serazad instructed the slaves, “Bring the Butcher’s weapon.”

At her command, a cart was wheeled in.

Rumble, rumble—

The cart, pulled by a dozen slaves, carried a massive sword resembling a blunt hunk of metal.

It was so enormous that calling it a sword seemed questionable.

The slaves struggled to lift the colossal blade onto the arena.

Saladin approached and effortlessly lifted the sword with one hand.

Whoosh!

The sword, which required a dozen slaves to move, was wielded with ease by Saladin, exuding a menacing aura.

The nobles watching swallowed hard, reminded of why Saladin was called the Butcher of War—he had decapitated corrupt nobles with that very sword.

With such a history, every swing of Saladin’s sword sent shivers down the nobles’ spines.

Regaining his composure, Saladin turned toward Zeke.

As he silently raised his sword, Zeke mirrored him with his own weapon, Levatein.

“I’m coming,” Zeke announced.

The two charged at each other simultaneously.

The clash of the massive sword and Levatein sent shockwaves through the arena.

Boom!

The impact alone sent a powerful shockwave rippling outward.

The nobles in the stands recoiled in fear from the force.

“Eek!”

“Are we going to get caught in this and end up butchered?”

With the sultan hosting the event, the nobles couldn’t simply leave, despite their fear.

Serazad, surrounded by her three spirit beasts, watched the duel with sharp eyes.

Whoosh!

Saladin swung the massive sword with precision, aiming at Zeke.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The terrifying strikes that had once cleaved through dozens of knights now targeted Zeke.

Yet, Zeke, blocking with Levatein, remained unfazed.

He marveled at Saladin’s skill.

“His mastery of the greatsword is impressive.”

Zeke was more intrigued by Saladin’s finesse with the sword than his raw strength.

Handling a greatsword often led to predictable attacks, but Saladin’s strikes were anything but.

His sword sought out Zeke’s openings with relentless precision.

It was hard to believe such fluid movements came from someone who had been imprisoned for so long.

Clang!

At one point, Zeke was pushed back by Saladin’s assault.

Watching this, Yelin and Hades tensed.

Yelin, trained in martial arts, recognized the exceptional nature of Saladin’s swordsmanship, her expression growing more serious.

Then, Saladin raised his sword and charged at Zeke.

Whoosh!

The greatsword cut through the air with a demonic howl.

At the same moment, Zeke’s body flickered and vanished, reappearing in Saladin’s blind spot.

Levatein aimed for the exposed side.

But Saladin’s arm muscles bulged, and the greatsword swiftly changed direction.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The spinning greatsword collided with Zeke’s Levatein.

Boom!

The explosive clash sent both men skidding backward.

“Huff, huff.”

Amidst the rising dust, Saladin steadied his breath.

Zeke, calm and composed, gripped his sword and addressed Saladin.

“Remarkable. The famed Butcher of War isn’t a successor.”

Yelin and Hades, observing the duel, were taken aback by Zeke’s revelation.

As Zeke noted, Saladin wasn’t a successor and couldn’t wield weapons imbued with sealed spirits.

The greatsword he wielded was merely a massive, heavy blade.

Zeke sought to understand how Saladin could exhibit such power without being a successor.

“His entire chakra system is open. It seems innate, rather than trained like the Ishtar clan.”

In Yelin’s Ishtar clan, special training opened the body’s chakras, enhancing reflexes and strength.

But Saladin appeared to be naturally gifted, like the warrior Tyr, with his chakras fully open.

Silently, Saladin gripped his sword and advanced again.

Rumble—

Zeke sensed the immense power emanating from Saladin.

“He’s focusing all his energy into the sword.”

Yelin, observing, was more surprised than Zeke.

“That’s… Tiger Capture?”

Hades, overhearing, asked with a puzzled look, “Tiger Capture? What’s that?”

Yelin explained with a serious expression, “It’s one of our clan’s secret techniques. It focuses all the body’s chakra into a single, decisive strike.”

Hades was astonished. “How does a Murk Empire warrior know Ishtar’s secret arts?”

Serazad, listening to their conversation, answered for them.

“Divine one, it’s an adaptation of ancient elven hunting techniques. Since the Ishtar clan descends from elves, the origins of the technique are the same.”

Yelin, surprised by Serazad’s words, asked, “Your Majesty, are you saying the Butcher of War is of elven descent?”

Serazad shook her head. “No, he is purely human.”

Yelin was incredulous. “A pure human can’t master Ishtar’s techniques. They can’t open their chakras…”

“Saladin is an outlier, what you might call an irregular. That’s why he can master the elven hunting techniques.”

Upon hearing the term “Irregular,” Yellin’s eyes widened slightly before settling into an expression of understanding.

“Irregular… a being that defies the laws of the world, allowing them to unlock their chakra.”

“These outliers are mysterious entities with unknown origins,” Serazad explained. “One of the scholars who once worked under me was an Irregular. He had the unusual ability to wield both magic and aura. Though he has since fled to the western lands.”

Yellin, now tense, turned her gaze toward the dueling arena.

Rumble—

Saladin, poised like a predator ready to strike, focused his sharp gaze on Zeke.

In an instant, he launched himself toward Zeke.

Crash—

The ground beneath Saladin’s feet shattered as he propelled himself forward.

Leaping into the air, he brought down his massive sword with tremendous force aimed at Zeke.

Zeke, in turn, raised his sword, Levatein, summoning his energy.

Boom—

A dark aura enveloped his blade.

“Haah!”

With a fierce shout, Zeke swung his Infinite Sword Technique at the descending Saladin.

Infinite Sword Technique: Special Form

Black Sword Art

Black Wings

As the Black Sword Art resonated with the dark sword Levatein, black wings sprouted from Zeke’s back.

The black wings wrapped around Saladin’s attack, creating a massive collision in mid-air.

Whoooom—

The clash of Levatein and Saladin’s greatsword sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

Crackle—

Boom!

The shockwave’s thunder and lightning startled the noble spectators, leaving them in awe.

“The sky is splitting!”

“My word! How can they wield such power without using magical artifacts?”

The sight of such raw power, achieved without the aid of magical weapons, was beyond belief for the onlookers.

Boom—

The enormous shockwave spread in all directions, causing the atmosphere of the banquet hall to tremble violently.

Thud!

Amidst a cloud of dust, Zeke and Saladin landed back in the arena.

Zeke stood upright, holding Levatein in the same stance as before.

However, Saladin was on one knee, his greatsword embedded in the ground, his body trembling.

“Ugh!”

Saladin coughed up black blood, the result of internal injuries from drawing too much power too quickly.

At that moment, Zeke retrieved a potion from his inventory and tossed it to Saladin.

“Drink this. It should ease your discomfort.”

Gasping for breath, Saladin glanced at the potion Zeke offered, then looked up at the Sultan.

Serazad gestured reassuringly, and Saladin downed the potion in one gulp.

“Ahh…”

The superior potion quickly soothed his internal injuries.

Regaining his composure, Saladin stood once more, gripping his greatsword, ready to continue the duel.

Despite his injuries, he seemed determined to fight on.

‘A warrior of unyielding resolve,’ Zeke thought.

He realized that Saladin had no intention of ending the duel until one of them fell.

Watching him, Zeke was reminded of the knights of Northern Himonas, with whom he had once risked his life.

Saladin’s reckless yet steadfast spirit was something Zeke couldn’t help but admire.

Zeke tightened his grip on Levatein.

A true warrior deserved to be met with sincerity.

But just then—

Shimmer—

A golden barrier appeared between Zeke and Saladin.

Whoosh!

Riding atop a golden fox, Serazad hovered in the air, looking down at Zeke.

“The second trial is yours,” she declared, acknowledging Saladin’s defeat.

Her eyes turned a mesmerizing gold as she continued, smiling alluringly at Zeke.

“The third trial, I shall undertake personally.”