Episode 528
The Morning Star, a knightly order once led by the Arrogant Savior himself.
Arataso had been one of the knights belonging to that very order.
“So, after the Arrogant Savior was sealed away in the mortal realm, the order was disbanded?”
At Sieg’s words, Arataso paused, then nodded.
[Initially, we waited for the Arrogant Savior’s return. But the situation in the demon realm began to deteriorate. My comrades and I were attacked by other lords, and we had no choice but to make a decision.]
Arataso explained that many were annihilated or had their souls absorbed by other entities during this turmoil.
Demons, always lurking for an opportunity, invaded the Arrogant Savior’s once-mighty faction, expanding their own territories.
The current lords emerged as prominent figures during this upheaval.
The Clear Green Wish, a loyal follower of the Arrogant Savior and the leader of the Morning Star, led the surviving members to Mephistopheles’ domain.
Mephistopheles, having already established a formidable realm known as Pandemonium, could protect them from other lords’ attacks.
He had long coveted the Morning Star and offered the Clear Green Wish a place in his domain.
Ultimately, for survival, the Clear Green Wish became a vassal of Mephistopheles.
Recalling those times, Arataso spoke.
[After the war in the demon realm ended, other archdemons worried about the power we had shifted to the demon lord. They feared that if we regained our strength, the demon lord might become as powerful as the Arrogant Savior.]
Thus, they established a non-aggression pact and sealed the power of the Clear Green Wish, the leader of the Morning Star.
As a result, Arataso, who once possessed the power of a high-ranking demon, was demoted to the strength of a mid-level demon.
Despite this, Arataso maintained his knighthood as the first knight of the Clear Green Wish, managing the lands granted to him.
In place of the sealed Clear Green Wish, Arataso guided the scattered members of the Morning Star and the demon refugees from the fallen Babel to their new territory.
Though the Clear Green Wish’s land bordered Abaddon, ruled by the Abyssal Sovereign, and was frequently embroiled in conflict, they steadfastly defended their domain and protected their people.
Sieg understood why Arataso remained at the level of a mid-level demon after hearing his story.
“Did you respond to the Abyss’s summons to the mortal realm to break the seal on your former lord, the Arrogant Savior?”
Arataso shook his head.
[I am loyal to the Clear Green Wish. Our sealed master requires more souls than other celestial beings. I answered the Abyss’s call because we needed the souls they offered.]
As a vassal of the Clear Green Wish, Arataso’s power grew as his master’s did.
However, the pact with the archdemons meant that as the Clear Green Wish’s power was sealed, both he and Arataso faced limitations in their strength.
Finding a solution within the demon realm was difficult, so they seemed to have made a pact with the Abyss to obtain souls for their celestial master.
Sieg pondered Arataso’s words before speaking slowly.
“If I were to absorb the Arrogant Savior’s soul, would his former followers then pledge their loyalty to me?”
Arataso shook his head.
[It’s not that simple. Loyalty in the demon realm differs from that in the mortal realm. If you wish for their allegiance, you must prove your worth as a lord and claim it through strength.]
“I see. And what about you, Arataso? If I prove myself as a worthy lord, would you swear true loyalty to me?”
Arataso remained silent, prompting Sieg to chuckle.
“Expecting loyalty from a demon is indeed a foolish notion.”
But then, Arataso spoke.
[If you prove yourself as a lord.]
He looked at Sieg.
[I will speak to the Clear Green Wish and request to become your vassal.]
Sieg was taken aback by Arataso’s words.
“Are you serious?”
Arataso nodded.
[I’ve watched you grow while sealed in the sword. As a human who has begun to transcend into divinity, you have the potential to rule as a great lord. And frankly, you’re a better option than the unpredictable demon lord.]
Demons, accustomed to the harsh survival of the fittest in the demon realm, recognized strength above all.
Arataso had come to acknowledge Sieg’s power, which had grown to rival that of celestial beings.
Sieg nodded at Arataso’s words.
“Unexpected, but welcome news. Very well, Arataso. I would gladly accept you as my subordinate.”
[…If only you didn’t have this side to you.]
Sieg laughed and continued.
“By the way, Arataso, do you know where the Arrogant Savior’s sealed form is hidden? As his former knight, you might be able to sense his power.”
Arataso nodded slowly.
[Until I heard the demon princess speak earlier, I wasn’t sure. But now, I think I know where the Arrogant Savior’s soul is sealed in the mortal realm.]
Sieg was surprised by Arataso’s revelation.
“Is that true?”
Arataso’s ability to pinpoint the location of the Arrogant Savior’s seal was unexpected.
He continued, looking at Sieg.
[The Priest of the Abyss.]
Arataso’s eyes glowed from within his helmet.
[I sensed the Arrogant Savior’s presence from him.]
Thud, thud, thud!
Baron Draker, the Black Mist Commander, led his troops into Mycenae.
By the time they arrived, the battle had already ended.
Baron surveyed the shattered outer walls and the battlefield’s scars with a grim expression.
The damage to Mycenae was far less than he had anticipated.
‘The demon invasion halted midway.’
According to Baron’s expectations, at least half of Mycenae, if not all, should have been destroyed.
Yet, seeing Mycenae with only its outer walls breached and already undergoing repairs, Baron sensed something was amiss.
As Baron and his Black Mist troops approached the gates of Mycenae, they were met by a group of knights.
At first, he thought they were the Black Sword Knights stationed in Mycenae, but the banner they carried bore a different emblem.
Baron’s eyes narrowed as he recognized it.
‘The Knights of Steel.’
The figure leading them was none other than Helen Draker, a direct descendant of Draker and known as the Knight of Steel.
Behind her were her Steel Knights and the Silver Knights of Kali.
She approached Baron with a sharp gaze.
“It’s been a while, Sir Baron.”
Typically, Black Mist members aren’t addressed as ‘Sir,’ but Baron, having been knighted by the head of the Draker family, was an exception.
He was Arthur Draker’s most trusted confidant.
Baron bowed his head to Helen in greeting.
“How have you been, Lady Helen?”
Despite his polite greeting, Helen’s expression remained stern.
She addressed Baron.
“I heard you led the Black Mist and Draker’s knights to attack the Valdeck family in Canus.”
Baron nodded, his face unchanged.
“We discovered evidence that Wolfgang Valdeck, head of the Valdeck family, was colluding with the traitor Ramon Zimens, so we acted swiftly.”
Helen’s expression grew even sharper at his words.
“Are you saying you took action against one of Draker’s most significant allies without informing Lady Kali Draker?”
Helen’s accusatory tone was met with Baron’s calm, even voice.
“Lady Kali has not yet officially assumed the position of head. Until the council of elders approves, I retain the authority to make immediate decisions as the proxy for the former head, Sir Arthur Draker.”
Helen clenched her teeth at Baron’s words.
With Sieg having ceded the position to Kali, her ascension as head of the Draker family was all but certain.
Kali was already performing the duties of the head.
However, as Baron pointed out, the elders needed to formally approve her position before it could be officially announced.
The problem was that the elders kept delaying their approval with various excuses.
In this situation, Baron had suddenly attacked and annihilated the Valdeck family, one of Draker’s key allies, without any prior notice.
Kali suspected that the council was deliberately delaying approval to allow Baron to maintain his authority for immediate action.
Helen glared at Baron, her voice sharp.
“Lady Kali will not overlook the matter of the Valdeck family.”
Baron bowed his head again.
“Everything I do is for the Draker family. I only hope Lady Kali understands my loyalty.”
Having served as the Black Mist Commander for a long time, Baron deftly handled Helen’s provocations.
Realizing she was being drawn into his pace, Helen decided to change the subject.
“With the situation in Canus still unresolved, why have you come to Mycenae?” Baron asked, his gaze fixed on Helen.
“I’m afraid that’s classified information,” Helen replied, a frown creasing her brow.
“Are you saying there’s something you can’t disclose even to the Guardian Knight of Draker?” she retorted.
When Kali ascended to the head of the family, she appointed Helen as the Guardian Knight. Helen had already proven herself by successfully completing her duties as a knight of the Draker family and reaching the esteemed rank of Red Knight, making her more than qualified for the role.
Thanks to this, Kali could appoint Helen as the Guardian Knight even without the formal approval of the Elder Council. Yet, Baron shook his head.
“My apologies, Dame Helen. The Black Stage is a direct unit under the head of the family and has the right to refuse any orders except those from the head.”
In other words, he had no intention of revealing why he had come to Mycenae.
Helen clenched her teeth at Baron’s rigid demeanor. But then, a voice interrupted.
“So, if it’s an order from the head, you can disclose this classified information, correct?”
Kali Draker, clad in her silver armor, emerged from behind Helen. As soon as she appeared, Helen and the members of the Steel and Silver Knight Orders dismounted and bowed to her.
“Greetings, Head of the Family!”
Even Baron, who had maintained a stoic expression, showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes at Kali’s sudden appearance.
Kali observed Baron and the Black Stage members, who remained unmoved by her presence, and spoke.
“Baron Draker, you show no courtesy even in the presence of the head of the Draker family.”
Baron responded in a dry tone, “You have not yet been formally instated as the head, Dame Kali.”
Kali shook her head at his words. “Not anymore.”
She pulled out a badge from her cloak—a dragon-slaying emblem crafted from black metal and gold, signifying her status as the head of the Draker family.
Baron’s expression subtly twisted at the sight. Possessing the dragon-slaying emblem meant the Elder Council had recognized her as the head.
Kali looked at him and said, “Do you still intend to claim I’m not the head?”
At her words, Baron and the Black Stage members immediately dismounted and bowed to her.
“We greet the esteemed head of the Draker family!”
Kali regarded Baron and the Black Stage members, who now bowed their heads to her, and spoke with a chilling gaze.
“As the head of the Draker family, I command you, Captain of the Black Stage, Baron Draker.”
Her eyes were cold as she continued, “Explain immediately why you have brought the Black Stage to Mycenae.”