Episode 592
Zeke suddenly realized the meaning behind the markings etched into the wall.
“The Three-Eyed Clan.”
It was the symbol of the Three-Eyed Clan, represented by three eyes.
Zeke had a hunch about where he had ended up.
“So, this is the kingdom of the Three-Eyed Clan, hidden within the Eternal Mountain Range.”
He recalled the secret kingdom of Tantra, which Titus and Yulina, siblings of the Three-Eyed Clan, had once mentioned. The survivors of Shambhala had established the kingdom of Tantra beyond the Eastern Continent’s Eternal Mountain Range.
Zeke had slipped through a dimensional rift, not to the Central Continent, but to the hidden kingdom of Tantra on the Eastern Continent.
“Why did the dimensional gate open here instead of the Central Continent?”
The only explanation he could think of was that the Three-Eyed Clan had performed a ritual to summon a higher-dimensional being at an ancient site, which might have caused the rift to connect here.
“If this really is the kingdom of Tantra, then this is a fortunate turn of events. I should take this opportunity to meet the descendants of the Three-Eyed Clan.”
Turning away from the wall marked with the clan’s symbol, Zeke began searching for an exit from the ruins.
Just then, a loud rumbling echoed through the chamber.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A massive stone door on the opposite side of the altar creaked open with a thunderous noise.
In marched hundreds of soldiers clad in ancient-style armor, spears in hand, forming ranks as they entered.
Thud!
In an instant, the soldiers surrounded Zeke, their spears and shields at the ready.
Seeing the soldiers, Zeke confirmed his suspicions.
“It seems this really is Tantra. Only a secluded secret kingdom would have soldiers wearing such outdated armor.”
He clicked his tongue, noting the soldiers’ brass armor as further evidence of Tantra’s existence.
Then, a figure adorned in extravagant attire emerged from among the soldiers. His protruding belly seemed to push against his golden armor, and he wore a mask marked with the Three-Eyed symbol. His head was adorned with a flamboyant array of feathers, and he carried a staff encrusted with jewels.
“Is that their leader?”
Zeke recalled what Titus and Yulina had told him about the kingdom of Tantra—a rigid society governed by a strict hierarchy based on bloodline. Those of higher bloodline status held all the power.
He assumed the masked figure was one of those privileged few.
The masked man pointed a finger at Zeke and shouted, “Seize that blasphemous intruder at once!”
At his command, the soldiers lowered their spears, aiming them at Zeke.
A red aura began to emanate from the spearheads.
These spears were relics of Shambhala, usable only by the Three-Eyed Clan.
The red energy shot towards Zeke.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
In an instant, Zeke was enveloped in the crimson aura.
But then, shadows surged up from beneath his feet.
Crash! Crash! Crash!
The shadows wrapped around Zeke, deflecting the red energy.
The redirected energy collided with the walls of the ruins, causing a deafening roar and a tremor.
Rumble!
As the ruins shook, the masked man shouted, “The blasphemous intruder seeks to destroy our great history! Capture him immediately!”
The soldiers, following orders, charged at Zeke, who was shrouded in shadows, with their shields and spears.
“Haaah!”
Despite the ancient artifacts, their weapons were no match for Zeke’s Shadow Armor.
Clang!
The Shadow Armor twisted around the soldiers’ spears, swallowing them whole.
Crunch!
The soldiers recoiled in terror as the black shadows devoured their weapons.
“Eek!”
Seeing the chaos unfold, Zeke dismissed the Shadow Armor and calmly walked towards the masked man, who was now shouting at his soldiers.
“What are you doing? Capture that blasphemous man immediately!”
Despite his orders, the soldiers hesitated to approach Zeke.
Zeke snapped his fingers.
Rumble!
From behind him, Caligula, his guardian, emerged.
With three eyes gleaming and four arms forming seals, Caligula’s presence sent the soldiers into a panic, causing them to retreat.
Zeke used the shadows to read the memories of a few Tantra soldiers, understanding their reactions.
“So, these are the royal guards of Tantra. They have high bloodline status and rarely leave the palace, unlike the frontline warriors. They lack real combat experience.”
In Tantra, the hierarchy dictated everything. Those of lower status were conscripted as soldiers and stationed on the kingdom’s outskirts, where countless beasts roamed the Eternal Mountain Range. These lower-ranked soldiers, despite their poor equipment, gained plenty of combat experience.
In contrast, the elite with high bloodline status, adorned in ancient artifacts and armor, were more accustomed to ceremonial duties than actual battle. When faced with a formidable opponent, they quickly lost their nerve.
The masked man, seeing his guards’ fear, shouted with a trembling voice, “You fools! What are you doing?”
He gritted his teeth and pointed his jewel-encrusted staff at Zeke.
“Blasphemous heretic! I will show you the power of the great bloodline!”
The jewel on the staff began to emit a strange light.
Zeke realized the man was attempting to use the Three-Eyed Clan’s magic through the staff.
Soon, the power of the Three-Eyed Clan resonated with the staff’s jewel, and mandalas appeared on the floor, ceiling, and walls.
From these mandalas, red vines began to sprout.
Rumble—
The red vines moved as if alive, trying to ensnare Zeke.
Zeke spoke softly, “Caligula.”
At his call, Caligula’s eyes flashed, and he directed his will towards the approaching red vines.
Crunch!
The vines, which had been trying to wrap around Zeke, began to move erratically, ignoring the masked man’s commands.
Snap!
The vines thickened, sprouting thorns all over.
The masked man was taken aback.
“H-How is this possible…?”
The thorny vines, moving like snakes, turned towards the masked man.
He recoiled in fear.
“Stay back! Stay away!”
The thorny vines, under Caligula’s command, wrapped around the masked man’s feet and dragged him towards Zeke.
“Aaah!”
He screamed in terror, as if facing death.
Zeke gestured, and Caligula floated towards the masked man, removing his mask.
On his forehead was the mark of the Three-Eyed Clan, proof of his lineage.
The man, now kneeling before Zeke, glared at him with trembling jowls, filled with indignation.
“I-I am Saruhan, a sacred blood of the Tantra Kingdom! If you harm me, you will incur the wrath of the entire kingdom!”
Zeke could see how arrogant and out of touch the privileged class of Tantra’s hierarchical society was.
He clicked his tongue inwardly and addressed the man.
“Saruhan, is it? Are you truly a descendant of the Three-Eyed Clan and Shambhala?”
Saruhan’s eyes widened in shock at Zeke’s words.
“H-How do you know that…?”
At that moment, a vivid blood-red eye appeared on Zeke’s forehead.
The soldiers and Saruhan were all struck with fear at the sight of the eye, more intense than any sacred blood they had ever seen.
The soldiers immediately knelt before Zeke, bowing their heads.
“O divine one!”
“Forgive our sins!”
“We beseech you!”
The combination of the blood-red eye and the aura of absolute dominion surpassed even the blood king Caligula, pressing down on everyone around.
Only then did Saruhan realize that Zeke was no ordinary human.
“C-Could it be… the Blood King…?”
Zeke’s blood-red eye glowed as he looked down at Saruhan.
“How dare you, with your insignificant blood, look directly at me.”
The Three-Eyed Clan of Tantra were descendants of the lower ranks in Shambhala, not even permitted to exist in the same space as him.
Saruhan’s face turned pale, sweat pouring down as he trembled under Zeke’s oppressive presence, bowing his head.
“O-Oh great Blood King, your humble servant Saruhan greets you!”
Zeke stood over Saruhan and the soldiers of the Tantra’s Three-Eyed Clan, who were kneeling before him. He spoke slowly, his voice carrying authority.
“Saruhan, are you the king of the Tantra Kingdom?”
Saruhan shook his head, his voice trembling. “N-no, I am the captain of the royal guard.”
It was hard to fathom how someone with such a protruding belly could be the captain, but it was a testament to the corruption within the Tantra Kingdom’s hierarchy.
Zeke’s eyes glowed red as he stepped closer to Saruhan. “Take me to your king immediately.”
The Three-Eyed Clan could not resist the command of such an overwhelming presence. A new ruler had emerged in the Tantra Kingdom.
Boom!
The grand doors of the Tantra palace’s throne room swung open, and a corpulent courtier rushed inside. The hall, meant for the king and his advisors to discuss state affairs, was instead a scene of debauchery.
Nobles, both of sacred and noble blood, lounged about, indulging in delicacies and wine served by beautiful maidens. Dancers swayed seductively, and musicians played lively tunes.
Amidst this decadence sat a young man in the most extravagant attire—King Notalis of Tantra, the bearer of the kingdom’s most noble blood. He was in a daze, holding a newly acquired concubine and smoking a mind-numbing herb.
The courtier, breathless, approached the king. “Y-your Majesty.”
As the courtier tried to speak, King Notalis waved him off with irritation. “How dare you breathe your worthless air in my presence?”
The courtier covered his mouth, bowing low to suppress his breath as he continued. “S-Saruhan, the captain of the guard, has not returned from the pyramid.”
King Notalis snorted dismissively. “You interrupt my pleasure with such trivial news? Begone! You’re ruining my enjoyment of the dance!”
The nobles, amused by the king’s words, jeered at the courtier, throwing food and wine at him. “Get out!”
“You’ve spoiled the fun! Take responsibility!”
King Notalis laughed heartily at the spectacle. But then, suddenly—
Bang!
The throne room doors burst open again, and Saruhan entered with the royal guard in perfect formation.
King Notalis chuckled, turning to the courtier. “See? He’s returned. Now, for disturbing us, go stand in the middle and pretend to be an elephant—”
Crash!
Before the king could finish, something flew through the air, overturning a table laden with food. The intoxicated nobles laughed uproariously at the chaos.
“Hahaha!”
“What a mess! It’s a circus!”
King Notalis laughed along, but his expression soon hardened when he saw what had caused the commotion.
“Damn it…!”
A severed head had landed on the table. It belonged to the king’s personal executioner, a ruthless man who tortured and executed anyone, regardless of age or gender, at the king’s command.
Realizing this, King Notalis rose in anger. “Who dares commit such an atrocity?”
At that moment, Saruhan and the soldiers parted, revealing a figure stepping forward.
Thud!
With a glowing mark on his forehead, Zeke entered the throne room, exuding an aura of intimidation that froze King Notalis and the nobles in place.
Zeke surveyed them all, then spoke with calm authority. “Kneel.”