Episode 482
Carly’s Shocking Declaration.
“To claim the head of the family, I will eliminate Zeke Draker?”
Power struggles and family feuds were common among those in power. If anything, Howard would welcome Carly Draker’s decision to remove Zeke Draker.
Zeke, who reminded him of the former head, was a thorn in his side.
“If Carly Draker takes the first step against Zeke, things will be much easier.”
Howard, deep in thought, spoke cautiously.
“Are you truly resolved to eliminate Sir Zeke?”
Carly maintained a cold demeanor as she replied, “The only candidate standing in my way is Zeke. Helen has already pledged her loyalty to me, and Abel and Bacchus are dead.”
“That’s true, but… removing Sir Zeke, the Black Knight and guardian of the Draker family, is no simple task. Duke Draker, the former Black Knight, still supports him.”
“I have the Sword King on my side.”
The Sword King, Bernas. With Arthur Draker gone, Bernas was the strongest in the Draker family. Duke, who had long since retired, couldn’t match the Sword King’s reputation.
Carly continued, “Ishtar has agreed to assist in removing Zeke Draker.”
Howard was taken aback by her words.
“Ishtar is helping to eliminate Zeke Draker? Why?”
Pondering the question, Howard soon found the answer.
“Ishtar must also be wary of him becoming the head.”
Zeke Draker was growing at an unprecedented rate. If he became the head, he could surpass even Arthur Draker, making him a threat to rival families like Ishtar. Howard was convinced they preferred Carly as the head.
“With the Sword King backing us and Ishtar’s support, our chances are good.”
Howard nodded slowly, addressing Carly, “I understand your intentions, Carly. But this is not a decision to be taken lightly. The risks are immense…”
“I promise you the position of Chief Executor.”
Just as Howard was about to discuss terms, Carly preempted him.
“Chief Executor?”
The Chief Executor of the Draker family was a position of immense power, second only to the head. When Arthur Draker was head, the position remained vacant because he wielded absolute power.
Carly offered this influential position to Howard, saying, “If you can persuade the council, your name will be etched in Draker history.”
Howard was swayed by Carly’s proposal.
“With Zeke Draker out of the way and Carly in power, I could control not just Midland but the entire central continent.”
His mind raced with plans. Concealing his thoughts, Howard sighed and nodded reluctantly.
“If you insist, Carly, for the future of Draker… it seems a necessary choice.”
After a moment of feigned hesitation, Howard looked up at Carly.
“However, before we proceed, there’s something I need to confirm.”
“What is it?”
“Arrange a meeting with Ishtar.”
Whoosh—
Yellin’s dagger sliced through the air toward Zeke.
Zeke read the trajectory and found an opening in her attack.
Swish—
Before Yellin could close in, her attack faltered, making it difficult to continue.
Whoosh—
Yellin flipped backward, retreating. Her face was slick with sweat, showing her exhaustion.
Zeke watched her, sheathed his dagger, and said, “Let’s stop here.”
As soon as he spoke, Yellin collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.
“Hah… hah…”
Himmel, from the Raven Clan, approached with a towel and water.
“Are you alright, young master?”
Himmel knew Yellin wouldn’t tire from a mere spar. But this was no ordinary spar; she had asked Zeke to maintain the intensity of a Black Knight.
A regular knight would have been paralyzed by Zeke’s presence, but Yellin had managed to counterattack, showcasing her skill.
Luther Zemben, observing from the side, was impressed.
“As Sir Zeke mentioned, Ishtar’s martial arts seem based on ancient elf hunting techniques.”
Luther had recently joined the Black Sword Knights, pledging loyalty to Zeke. As a former martial scholar in the Murk Empire, he was knowledgeable about ancient Eastern martial arts.
Zeke, recalling something, spoke to Luther, “I had a chance to fight Saladin, the assassin, when invited to the palace. He used similar techniques.”
Luther was startled by the mention of Saladin.
“Sa-Saladin? Is he still alive?”
“The Sultan tried to win him over. He’s a stubborn warrior, so who knows if he’ll change his mind.”
Luther nodded, understanding the Sultan’s reluctance to let go of such a formidable fighter.
“Saladin’s skills were beyond human limits, so it’s no wonder the Sultan is reluctant.”
“Indeed. His techniques were impressive.”
Zeke gestured toward Yellin, who was resting, “I’d like you to teach Yellin and the Raven unit the ancient elf hunting techniques.”
Luther was taken aback.
“To the Ishtar practitioners?”
Draker and Ishtar were rival families with little interaction. There was no reason for Zeke to aid Ishtar.
But Zeke saw it as necessary. Strengthening Ishtar’s forces was preparation for the impending war against the Abyss.
“The upcoming war will be fierce.”
Human armies alone couldn’t face the Abyss and its demonic legions. Like in the Hero King’s era and the Liberation War, the entire continent needed to unite against the Demon King’s forces.
Zeke assured Luther, “Feel free to teach them everything. Even if they use it against me, I won’t hold it against you.”
Luther, convinced by Zeke’s words, nodded.
Yellin approached Zeke, asking, “Sir Zeke, may I request another spar?”
Despite not fully recovering, she sought another match.
Zeke replied, “After today, there will be no more spars. Instead, Sir Luther will teach you the ancient elf hunting techniques.”
Yellin and Himmel were surprised that a human like Luther knew such techniques and was willing to teach them.
Zeke, noticing their surprise, added, “I have a favor to ask of you, Yellin.”
“What is it?”
Zeke rarely asked for favors, so Yellin listened intently.
Sensing the curious eyes of others, Zeke suggested, “Shall we talk while taking a walk?”
Leaving the others behind, Zeke and Yellin headed to the garden behind the mansion.
The mansion, located on the outskirts of Atlas, was a safe house away from the scrutiny of the Draker council and the Black Stage.
Zeke leisurely strolled through the garden with Yellin.
But Yellin was anything but relaxed.
“What could Sir Zeke possibly want to ask?”
Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
Unlike the composed Zeke, Yellin was anxious.
Zeke gestured to a bench, “Shall we sit here for a moment?”
Yellin sat beside Zeke, a moment she had longed for, yet now found herself at a loss for words.
Though it was Zeke who had a favor to ask, Yellin, overwhelmed by her thoughts, blurted out, “Wh-what happened with the Sultan?”
Instant regret washed over her.
“What am I saying…!”
She had been curious about Zeke’s private meeting with Serazad after the trial.
She had been embarrassed after drinking and dancing with him, only to regret it the next day.
Now, having made another blunder, Yellin felt disheartened.
Zeke, considering her question, finally answered, “We made a sacred pact.”
“A p-pact, and nothing more?”
Once again, Yellin found herself regretting her words as soon as they left her mouth.
Zeke, however, simply nodded at her comment, unfazed.
“Aside from the pact… is there something you’d like to know about the Sultan?”
“Oh, no, nothing in particular…”
Zeke clearly had no grasp of what was going on in Yellin’s mind.
When he mentioned that he had entered and left the room of the beautiful Sultan without incident, Yellin let out a sigh of relief without even realizing it. Then she startled herself with her own reaction.
“Get a grip,” she thought.
There was a time when Yellin had vowed to dedicate her life to martial arts. But ever since meeting Zeke, that resolve had quietly crumbled.
Zeke watched Yellin with curiosity as her expressions shifted rapidly. He hadn’t realized before just how expressive she could be. Her face, as if sculpted from the essence of beauty itself, never ceased to fascinate him with its constant changes.
After observing her for a moment, Zeke spoke up.
“Before I ask for a favor, there’s something I’d like to give you, Yellin.”
He retrieved something from his inventory: a dagger with a black blade.
It was Anexi’s dagger.
Yellin gasped in surprise. “Isn’t this the symbol of the Black River?”
The dagger had belonged to Anexi, the dark elf chieftain of the Black River tribe, and was also a token of the pact that had bound the Ishtar family to the borderlands.
Zeke looked at the dagger and said, “The pact is no more, so its symbolic power is gone. But this dagger is indestructible. I believe you could make good use of it.”
With trembling hands, Yellin accepted Anexi’s dagger from Zeke. It felt as if it had always been meant for her, fitting perfectly in her grip.
“Are you sure you want to give me something so valuable?”
Zeke already had the holy sword and the dark sword, so he had little need for Anexi’s dagger. Having Yellin, his ally, grow stronger was far more beneficial to him.
“As long as you use it well, that’s all I ask.”
Yellin’s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts at Zeke’s unexpected gift.
“Could it be… is Sir Zeke finally proposing to me?”
Her heart pounded wildly at the thought. She began to ponder how she would respond if Zeke did propose. Her imagination raced ahead, envisioning a life with Zeke, setting up a new home, and embarking on a journey together as warriors.
But Zeke’s next words caught her completely off guard.
“I’d like to learn spirit magic from you, Yellin.”
“Uh, yes, of course.”
They looked at each other, both slightly confused.
“Pardon?”
“Huh?”
Zeke nodded, misinterpreting her response. “I didn’t realize you’d be so pleased to teach me spirit magic.”
Yellin’s face flushed a deep red at his words. She lowered her head, trying to suppress a smile.
“Yes, well, I suppose so. Haha.”
With an awkward laugh, Yellin slowly regained her composure. She looked at Zeke, her energy somewhat drained.
“But Sir Zeke, humans can’t learn spirit magic. Only elves with a high affinity for spirits can…”
Suddenly, a white light shimmered around Zeke.
When the light faded, Yellin was left speechless, her mouth agape.
“Sir Zeke?”
Emerging from the glow, Zeke stood before her, transformed into an elf.