Chapter 594
“Baaah!”
The children of the satyr tribe, with their goat-like horns and legs, cried out in sorrow.
Their village had been destroyed by a sudden onslaught of beasts, and the satyr warriors who tried to defend them had all perished.
In a desperate attempt to save the children, the adults had hidden them among the trees at the back of the village. But the merciless beasts, resembling hunting dogs, had already caught their scent and were closing in.
The satyr children knew they had to stifle their cries, but as the beasts’ heavy breathing drew nearer, fear overwhelmed them, and they couldn’t help but let out sobs.
Grrrr!
The beasts, having pinpointed the children’s location from their cries, turned their heads and charged toward the trees.
Roar!
The massive creatures barreled toward the trees with reckless abandon. If they collided, even the sturdiest trees would be uprooted.
The children clung to each other, their cries growing louder and more mournful.
“Baaah!”
Just as the beasts were about to crash into the trees—
Crack!
A blinding white lightning struck from all directions.
Grrrr!
The beasts, hit by the lightning, collapsed to the ground, oozing sticky fluids from their mouths.
The crying children, startled by the sudden turn of events, looked up.
Someone was approaching from the direction of the trees.
“The children are here.”
Zeke had found the hidden satyr children and extended his hand toward them.
A warm, golden light flowed from Zeke’s hand, healing all the children’s wounds.
The satyr children instinctively felt that Zeke had come to save them and wept tears of relief.
After rescuing the children from beneath the trees, Zeke loaded them onto a waiting carriage.
The beasts that had attacked the village lay charred and defeated, while the soldiers of Tantra finished off any survivors.
With the village secured, Zeke ascended the hill behind it, carrying Ascalon.
There lay an abandoned altar and a neglected gate.
The Abyss had once installed gates throughout the Eternal Mountains, using them to transport beasts and monsters to the central continent.
After the Abyss fell, the gates were left unattended, and the beasts, no longer controlled by dark sorcerers, went on a rampage, attacking nearby farms and villages.
Zeke decided to destroy all the abandoned gates to prevent the remnants of the Abyss from sending more beasts to the central continent.
He unleashed a bolt of light at the gate and altar before him.
Boom!
With a thunderous noise, the gate and altar disintegrated into dust.
‘That should take care of most of it.’
Having dealt with the immediate threats, Zeke knew that even if dark sorcerers were hiding nearby, reopening the gates wouldn’t be easy.
He planned to send Titus and Yulina to stabilize the Tantra Kingdom and devise a proper strategy.
Though unintentional, Zeke’s presence had led to the subjugation of the Tantra Kingdom. He considered establishing a branch of the merchant guild in the Eternal Mountains, centered around the Tantra Kingdom, much like the southern archipelago and the city of the Nagas.
The Tantra Kingdom, rich in natural resources, held great potential for development.
He intended to open up this long-isolated region, making it a hub connecting the central continent and the Murk Empire.
‘Of course, that will take some time.’
Satisfied with the progress, Zeke decided to head to the Murk Empire to contact his allies.
Just then, Tosavid came running toward him.
“Your Majesty!”
He stopped in front of Zeke, speaking urgently.
“Please, come this way. I believe we’ve found what you were looking for!”
Zeke followed Tosavid down the hill.
To his surprise, they found dark sorcerers captured by Tantra soldiers, tied up in front of their underground base.
Zeke entered the base first and discovered something familiar.
“Well, well.”
Inside the underground base, there was communication equipment connected to the outside world.
Seeing this, Zeke smiled with satisfaction.
‘This will solve the system’s unstable communication network.’
Zeke immediately connected the system to the communication equipment.
[External communication network secured.]
With the interference from the Eternal Mountains lifted, the system’s list appeared.
Zeke activated the long-disabled system sharing function.
There was only one person with whom he shared the system.
‘The Sultan of the Murk Empire, Empress Serazad.’
Zeke sent a message to Serazad through the system.
[Your Majesty, can you hear my voice?]
After sending the message, Zeke waited.
Soon, a message appeared before him.
[…Hmm, am I hearing things now? This is troubling.]
Confirming the activation of the shared function with Serazad, Zeke sent another message.
[Your Majesty, it’s truly me, Zeke Draker.]
To his surprise, messages came flooding in.
[What?]
[Is it really you, Zeke?]
[Not a hallucination?]
[Can you hear me?]
As he read Serazad’s barrage of messages, Zeke remembered why he had disabled this function in the first place.
[Your Majesty, I’ll explain later.]
He sent a message to Serazad, filled with urgency.
[I need the coordinates to the palace. Immediately.]
In the Murk Empire, Sultan Serazad watched as the palace magicians adjusted the portal device’s settings.
Unlike usual, Serazad wore an expression of eager anticipation.
The palace magicians signaled that the setup was complete.
An attendant approached Serazad.
“Your Majesty, the preparations are finished.”
Serazad nodded, and the magicians activated the portal.
Rumble!
The magic circle shimmered, and a portal opened above it.
Sssshhh—
Moments later, someone stepped out of the portal.
Serazad stood up abruptly.
“Zeke Draker!”
Seeing Zeke emerge from the portal, Serazad greeted him with delight.
Zeke bowed respectfully to Serazad.
“Your Majesty, I hope you have been well.”
Serazad waved off the formalities.
“Enough. There’s no need for such formalities between us.”
At that moment, Raven appeared on Zeke’s shoulder.
Coo!
Recognizing Serazad, Raven flew toward her.
In the Murk Empire, the sight of a phoenix was more precious than any other.
Serazad beamed as she welcomed Raven.
“Raven! It’s been too long. I’ve missed you.”
Raven perched on Serazad’s arm, spreading its wings and letting out a phoenix cry.
Zeke shook his head at Raven’s antics.
‘That cunning creature. It knows exactly who holds power and sticks close.’
Serazad fed Raven the finest jerky she had prepared and turned to Zeke.
“Zeke, I was startled to hear your voice in my head. What happened?”
Unable to admit he had deliberately blocked the shared system, Zeke crafted a plausible story.
“I don’t know the reason myself… Perhaps my earnest wish to reach Your Majesty connected our hearts.”
Serazad’s expression softened, touched by his words.
“You mean to say you longed for me so deeply.”
As the Sultan of the Empire, Serazad had many lovers but no true confidant.
Her heart fluttered at Zeke’s words.
Zeke felt Serazad’s gaze, like a predator eyeing its prey.
Fearing she might persistently persuade him about the imperial decree, he quickly changed the subject.
“Your Majesty, there’s an urgent reason for my visit.”
Serazad shook her head at Zeke’s words.
“You’re still as impatient as ever. First, to commemorate your and Raven’s return to the palace, I shall host a seven-day feast. I’ve prepared new delicacies and delightful performances, and as a guest, you are obliged to enjoy them.”
Serazad’s way of thinking was unlike that of ordinary people.
Zeke sighed inwardly and sent a message to Serazad through the shared system.
[Your Majesty, Arthur Draker is alive.]
Serazad, about to lead Zeke to the prepared banquet hall, furrowed her brow at his message.
She replied through the system.
[Arthur Draker is alive? What do you mean?]
[Exactly as it sounds. Arthur Draker faked his death. He’s now hiding in the shadows, working to resurrect the Demon King.]
Hearing Zeke’s words, Serazad’s expression darkened.
“You’re right. This is no time for feasting.”
She instructed her attendant to cancel the banquet and led Zeke to her private chamber.
In Serazad’s chamber, the divine beasts, having seen Zeke and Raven before, were startled.
They hesitated, retreating at the sight of the grown Raven.
Ignoring their wary stance, Raven joyfully let out a phoenix cry.
Serazad watched Raven with affection, then reclined on the plush cushions on the floor, inviting Zeke to sit.
“Rest assured, nothing said here will leave this room. Now, tell me why Arthur Draker faked his death.”
Zeke nodded at Serazad’s words and began to speak.
“Arthur Draker is attempting to resurrect the Demon King. But I suspect that’s not his only goal.”
“Hah, so resurrecting the Demon King is just a means to an end? He’s after something else?”
“Yes. Arthur Draker isn’t the type to aim for the continent’s destruction just for the sake of it. He’s hiding a more sinister purpose.”
“Hmm… Arthur Draker. I’ve never met him, but I’ve heard the rumors. Those who returned from the crusades called him a demon.”
Zeke nodded in agreement with Serazad.
“Having faced demons myself, I can tell you Arthur Draker is even more challenging.”
Serazad laughed at Zeke’s words.
“Haha! Zeke Draker, you’ve developed quite a sense of humor.”
But when she saw the seriousness in Zeke’s eyes, her expression shifted to surprise.
“You’re not joking?”
“No, before coming to the Eastern Continent, I visited the Demon Realm. I discussed these matters with the demon lords there.”
Serazad’s jaw dropped.
As the Sultan of the Murk Empire, it was rare for her to be taken aback. But Zeke’s claim of visiting the Demon Realm and meeting its lords left her stunned.
She shook her head, trying to process the information.
“The demon lords… It’s hard to even imagine.”
“The Demon King and the demon lords are no longer just myths or legends. They’re a real threat we must face.”
Serazad nodded, her voice turning serious.
“Alright, I understand the situation. So, what is it you want from me and the Murk Empire?”
“You need to prepare your forces. Arthur Draker won’t be satisfied with just the Central Continent.”
“You mean he plans to invade the Eastern Continent as well? Hmm.”
Serazad’s face grew pensive.
Zeke continued, sensing her hesitation.
“I know what concerns you. It’s the lands beyond the Eternal Mountains, isn’t it?”
Serazad nodded.
“Yes. One of the Murk Empire’s primary duties is to guard the Eternal Barrier, preventing the beasts from descending south. Diverting troops to face Arthur Draker and the Demon King would cause significant unrest.”
“Would resolving that issue suffice?”
Zeke’s eyes gleamed as he pulled something from his cloak.
Serazad’s eyes widened in shock.
“Is that…?”
What Zeke revealed was none other than the royal seal of the Kingdom of Tantra.