Episode 62
“A stimulant?”
Zeke recalled the mercenaries who had charged at the knights with wild eyes.
“So they weren’t just simple soma addicts.”
“It is true that it’s made from soma.”
“Why create a stimulant like that?”
“To turn them into warriors who know neither pain nor fear.”
Hearing this from Black Yacha, Zeke realized it was yet another of the Empire’s human experiments.
‘So, during the years of skirmishes with Delphoa, they were testing the combat styles of mercenaries on stimulants.’
At the same time, Zeke remembered how Black Yacha had held out in the fortress for three years, absorbing bandits and mercenaries to expand his organization.
He had wondered how such things were possible while being holed up in a corner of Delphoa, but it was clear now that the Empire had been backing him.
‘What on earth is the Empire doing all over the continent?’
Zeke turned to Black Yacha.
“You know that if things continue like this, the Empire will kill you first.”
Black Yacha clenched his teeth before speaking.
”…Since I’ve answered you honestly, show me mercy and kill me now.”
Zeke shook his head.
“What if there was a way to survive?”
Black Yacha’s eyebrows twitched.
“There’s no escaping the Empire’s intelligence agency.”
Zeke replied, “What if Draker’s power could shield you?”
At the mention of Draker, Black Yacha’s expression changed.
The only force on the continent that could rival the Empire’s intelligence agency.
”…Draker? What are you talking about?”
Zeke removed his gloves and used his magic reflection skill. The magic lamp he had turned on began to flicker.
Black Yacha looked at Zeke with a hardened expression.
“A pureblooded Draker awakener?”
“Yes. I’ve been formally knighted by the family.”
Black Yacha’s mind raced. No matter how much of a spy he was, he didn’t want to die. His patriotism had waned after handling so much dirty work. If he were to die without revealing the information he had, the Empire’s intelligence agency would ensure his death was excruciating. It might be better to become a key witness under Draker’s protection.
Black Yacha spoke to Zeke.
“Can you guarantee a complete change of identity for me?”
“There’s an even better option.”
Zeke looked at Black Yacha with a smile that sent a chill down his spine.
“I’ll even find you a new job. With your background in the 13th Division of the intelligence agency, there are plenty of places that could use you.”
After hiding Black Yacha in a cave, Zeke returned to the fortress, sensing something was off.
‘The fortress hasn’t been taken, has it?’
Without Black Yacha, the bandits and mercenaries should have been easy for Andre’s group to handle. Yet, tension still hung in the air around the fortress.
Zeke decided to leave the fortress and return to the knights’ camp. As soon as he arrived, the mages pointed their staffs at him.
Zeke glared at the mages and demanded, “What is the meaning of this?”
The commander stepped forward from among the mages and shouted at Zeke.
“Zeke Draker! Because of you, Black Yacha escaped. You will be taken to the barracks to answer for your crime!”
The accusation that Black Yacha had escaped because of him was absurd.
Zeke addressed the commander, “Why do you say Black Yacha escaped because of me?”
The commander scowled and shouted, “Your clumsy attack allowed Black Yacha to flee the fortress! You fool!”
Zeke tilted his head and asked the commander, “Have you confirmed Black Yacha isn’t in the fortress? I checked, and the defenses are still strong.”
The commander hesitated before speaking.
“Silence! Others confirmed it. Someone left the fortress in a hurry.”
“That could have been someone sent to call for reinforcements. What evidence do you have that it was Black Yacha?”
Zeke’s logical rebuttal made the commander’s face turn red with anger.
Seeing the commander’s reaction, Zeke was certain.
‘This bastard tipped off Black Yacha to escape.’
For three years, he had been profiting from the skirmishes here. He might not have known he was aiding the Empire’s experiments, but he was still a scoundrel.
The commander pointed his staff at Zeke and said, “Enough talk. Come with us. I will report your crimes to the higher-ups. Don’t think you’ll get off easily just because you’re from Valhalla.”
Zeke decided to comply for now.
As the mages led him to the barracks, he saw Jorge and the other knights kneeling with their hands bound.
Zeke looked at Jorge.
“Why are they restrained?”
The commander shouted in frustration, “Silence! One more word and I’ll cast a spell to seal your mouth!”
There was no such spell among combat magic.
Zeke clicked his tongue at the commander’s hysterical response.
At that moment, Jorge stood up and shouted, “Sir! We don’t regret helping you! We want to remain honorable knights!”
The other knights stood and echoed Jorge’s sentiment.
The commander ground his teeth and gestured to the mages.
Crackle!
The mages sent electric shocks through the chains binding the knights.
“Argh!”
The knights writhed in pain from the shock.
Watching this, Zeke spoke to the commander.
“Isn’t it excessive to treat allies this way? You wouldn’t even do this to prisoners.”
The commander, unable to contain his anger, approached Zeke.
“One more word… and I’ll execute you on the spot!”
Just then, a loud crash sounded.
Boom!
A barrack was completely destroyed, and Andre emerged with his sword drawn. Behind him stood Aster and Diego, weapons ready, aimed at the mages.
Andre approached the commander threatening Zeke.
“Ingrid Haxen, commander of the Delphoa Magic 8th Division. Your actions can be seen as a threat to the life of Zeke Draker, a knight of Draker. This means Draker will consider Delphoa an enemy from this moment, and I, Andre Draker, will respond accordingly.”
Andre’s declaration made the commander’s face go pale.
This was a warning from Draker, not just against him but against all of Delphoa.
He stepped back, sweating.
“W-wait! Isn’t this sudden declaration of war too extreme?”
Andre glared at the commander with cold eyes.
“Ingrid Haxen, remember this well. The name of Draker is not to be taken lightly.”
The commander swallowed hard.
He had never truly felt the weight of the Draker name before. He had scoffed when other commanders trembled at the mention of Draker. But now, feeling the knight’s killing intent, his legs trembled.
“W-wait. There seems to be a misunderstanding.”
The commander stepped back, trying to calm Andre.
He quickly continued, “I misspoke earlier. The stress of continuous battles made me edgy. I only meant to take him to the barracks for a proper investigation.”
Andre glanced at Zeke.
Zeke nodded, indicating he was fine.
Andre sheathed his sword and withdrew his killing intent.
“It seems there was a misunderstanding between both sides.”
The commander sighed in relief as Andre backed down.
He gestured for the mages to stand down, preparing for a counter-response.
Zeke addressed the commander.
“May I speak with my comrades for a moment?”
The commander gritted his teeth and replied, ”…You have twenty minutes.”
Zeke nodded.
He entered a tent with Andre and the others, guided by the mages.
Once inside, Zeke removed his gloves and used his magic reflection skill.
Buzz!
The magical devices around the tent malfunctioned and emitted noise.
Zeke spoke to Andre.
“I’ve captured Black Yacha.”
Andre was surprised and asked, “You captured Black Yacha alone?”
“Yes. He tried to use poison, so I lured him into a trap and ambushed him.”
Andre’s jaw dropped.
Though Black Yacha was a notorious outlaw, he had committed significant crimes across the continent, making him a formidable foe even for seasoned knights. That Zeke had captured him alone was astonishing.
Zeke kept Black Yacha’s identity a secret but mentioned his covert dealings with Ingrid.
Andre’s eyes widened at the revelation.
If Delphoa’s high-ranking officials were involved in corruption, it could complicate matters significantly.
“What do you plan to do?”
Zeke stood up.
“It’s best to let Delphoa handle its own affairs.”
He relayed the necessary information to Andre and left the tent.
Then he was taken by carriage to the barracks.
Upon arriving at the barracks, the wizards didn’t lock Zeke in a regular holding cell. Instead, they cleared out an officer’s quarters and stationed guards at the door.
Surprisingly, knights more skilled than Jorge and his order were assigned to protect the other wizards within the barracks.
“If they have such forces, why not deploy them to capture fortresses?” Zeke thought, lying on the bed with a bored expression.
He had been lying there for some time when someone knocked and entered the room.
“Zeke.”
It was Professor Feynan, his face set in a grim expression.
“I knew you’d come,” Zeke thought, having anticipated this visit from the moment things took a turn.
Feynan approached him. “Zeke! What on earth happened?”
“I suppose it’s the result of ignoring your warnings, Professor.”
“My goodness.”
Feynan had already been aware of Commander Ingrid’s corruption. In fact, most of the high-ranking wizard officers were quietly in the know.
For Delphoa wizards, military service was a necessary step to climb the ranks. Zeke thought he had failed at this balancing act, but in truth, Feynan had felt limited in his research role and had volunteered for military service.
Moreover, his placement in this unit was thanks to the head of the Royal Research Institute, who had arranged it for him. This unit was known for allowing one to fulfill military service without much incident.
Despite being on the front lines against the infamous Black Yacha, the wizard division suffered minimal casualties, making it an ideal place to gain experience and then move on.
Knowing this, everyone turned a blind eye to Ingrid’s corruption. Feynan had warned Zeke for this very reason.
Zeke spoke to Feynan. “Professor, I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
He whispered to Feynan about what he had discovered regarding the Black Yacha.
“My, my goodness…!” Feynan was shocked, especially about the Empire’s awakening drug experiments.
If this were true, they couldn’t let things continue as they were.
Zeke spoke in a low voice. “Exposing this corruption is the right thing to do, but it will undoubtedly cause an uproar among the Delphoa wizards.”
Feynan agreed. Reporting a fellow wizard’s misconduct was taboo in Delphoa’s magical society. Even if it was the right thing to do, it could mean giving up any chance of becoming a high-ranking wizard.
Zeke looked at Feynan. “I’ll leave the decision to you, Professor.”
Feynan fell into deep contemplation at Zeke’s words. He slowly raised his head and looked at Zeke.
“Zeke, I’m truly sorry, but… I can’t do it.”
“Is it because of the power that comes with being a wizard?”
Feynan shook his head. “Power… perhaps. To pursue my research, I need the title of a high-ranking wizard.”
With that, Feynan slowly stood up. “I’m really sorry, Zeke.”
He left the room in a hurry, almost as if fleeing.