Episode 63
Commander Ingrid paced back and forth inside the tent, her face etched with anxiety.
Just then, the communication crystal flickered.
She received a message through the crystal.
“So, what’s the situation?”
The crystal relayed the status of Zeke, who was currently detained.
“Did that fool Feynan really reject Draker’s proposal?”
Ingrid’s expression brightened.
With the elusive Black Nightshade on the run, Zeke alone didn’t have enough evidence to accuse the Delpoa higher-ups of anything substantial.
He might have tried to lodge a complaint through Draker, but without evidence, it was impossible to prove any collusion between him and Black Nightshade.
Moreover, the higher-ups were keen on maintaining this unit.
Ingrid was not about to let go of this advantageous position, which promised both money and career advancement.
“If I can hold out for just one more year, I could move up to the central command. With a bit of luck, I might even be in the running for the Tower Master position.”
The news of Feynan rejecting Zeke’s proposal had Ingrid dreaming of her rosy future.
Just as she was lost in her thoughts, her lieutenant entered the tent.
“Commander, how should we proceed with the fortress attack?”
Ingrid put away the crystal and replied, “Make a show of it with a few flashy spells, then retreat.”
The lieutenant, also part of the corrupt network, didn’t question the order and promptly left the tent.
Ingrid grinned, preparing for the battle.
“Depending on how things go, I might have to call that Black Nightshade back. Let him stick around until the end of the year, then send him off somewhere else.”
She knew that if the tail grew too long, it would eventually be caught.
Given the recent events, it was becoming too risky.
Once she had the necessary experience, she planned to end things cleanly.
Following her orders, Ingrid quickly organized the mage unit and led them toward the fortress.
The plan was to unleash a few dazzling spells at the fortress, then feign defeat and retreat back to the barracks.
“I’ll let Jorge take the fall for this.”
After positioning themselves as usual, Ingrid commanded the mage unit to cast their spells.
Whoosh!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The air was filled with the loud and spectacular sounds of magic, aimed at the fortress.
However, the attacks were cleverly directed to avoid causing any real damage to the fortress.
Once the attack was sufficiently underway, Ingrid ordered her troops to retreat.
“Fall back!”
It was time for the fortress to counterattack.
But no arrows or stones came flying from within as usual.
“What on earth is going on?”
Ingrid was taken aback by the lack of response from the fortress.
Then, the fortress gates opened.
“Commander!”
Her lieutenant, equally shocked, called out to her.
Someone emerged from the gates.
Ingrid squinted her eyes.
“You, you!”
To her astonishment, Zeke was at the forefront, riding out on horseback.
Behind him were his companions and Feynan.
Ingrid pointed at Feynan, stammering.
“F-Feynan! How did you…? I was sure…!”
Zeke interrupted her.
“Surprised that things didn’t go as you eavesdropped?”
Ingrid was at a loss for words.
Zeke had known all along that their quarters were being monitored and bugged.
So, when he spoke with Feynan, he used a magic scroll to prevent eavesdropping.
Realizing the corruption between Ingrid and the mage unit, Feynan had decided to cooperate with Zeke.
“If that’s the case, you won’t be able to build your career in Delpoa anymore.”
“Better to give up than to build a career in shame.”
Despite his gentle appearance, Feynan was a man of firm resolve.
He had pretended to reject Zeke’s proposal and immediately reported the corruption to the higher-ups.
Soon, someone else appeared behind Feynan.
Ingrid turned pale at the sight of the emblem on their robes.
“The scales and sword… the Inspection Unit!”
Delpoa wasn’t a place riddled with corruption and crime like the southern continent.
This was thanks to a powerful inspection agency.
Delpoa’s Inspection Unit was notorious for its rigorous investigations and severe punishments.
The head of the Inspection Unit stepped forward and arrested Ingrid.
“Ingrid Haxen, you are under arrest for collusion and corruption with continental enemies.”
Magic-suppressing cuffs were placed on Ingrid and the mages of her unit.
She shouted at the head of the Inspection Unit.
“This is a setup! I’ve never colluded with anyone!”
The head of the Inspection Unit glared at her sharply.
“We’ve already secured evidence of your collusion inside the fortress. Give up any thoughts of denial.”
Realizing she was completely cornered, Ingrid screamed in desperation.
“Damn it! If I’m going down, I’m not going alone! I have connections in the higher-ups! If I talk, it’ll shake all of Delpoa!”
At that moment, Zeke approached Ingrid and slapped her hard.
“Ugh!”
The blow from Zeke left Ingrid’s mouth bleeding, and she spat out a few teeth.
“You, you bastard!”
Zeke looked down at her with cold eyes.
“Not just you, but all the other scum connected to you will be dragged down. You think you have connections? Use them all you want. I’m a direct descendant of Draker, a pureblood Awakened, and the sole disciple of the former Black Knight, Duke Draker. It might be fun to see whose connections are stronger.”
Ingrid’s face turned ashen at Zeke’s words.
Only then did she realize who she had crossed.
She collapsed to her knees in front of Zeke, begging.
“I-I’m sorry! I was wrong! Please! Forgive me…!”
Zeke glared at her.
“Beg forgiveness from the knights who died meaninglessly because of you, not me, you piece of trash.”
In the end, Ingrid was dragged away by the Inspection Unit, her face a mask of despair.
The head of the Inspection Unit approached Andrei to express his gratitude.
“We will send an official letter of thanks to the Draker family and Valhalla for your assistance.”
“Thank you for Delpoa’s swift response, which allowed us to resolve this safely.”
The Inspection Unit rounded up the Black Nightshade group and the mages captured at the fortress and began clearing the scene.
As they watched, someone approached Zeke.
“Sir Knight.”
It was Jorge and the members of the 8th Knight Division.
Thanks to Zeke’s testimony that they were not involved in the corruption, they were excluded from the investigation.
However, without the mage unit, the 8th Knight Division couldn’t exist.
Unless another mage unit took them in, the 8th Knight Division would be disbanded.
But no one wanted to take in knights branded as traitors to their mage unit.
Zeke looked at Jorge.
“Do you have any regrets, Jorge?”
Though he spoke informally, Jorge accepted it without issue, scratching the back of his head.
“No regrets. I just feel sorry for our comrades who died unjustly. We had a lousy commander…”
Jorge’s voice choked with emotion, and the other knights sniffled as well.
Despite their rugged appearances, they were surprisingly tearful.
Watching them, Zeke spoke to Jorge.
“If you’re interested, I have a new job offer for you.”
Jorge was taken aback.
“A new job offer?”
Zeke pulled out a contract from his coat.
Jorge’s jaw dropped as he read it.
“Sir Knight, this… the terms are too generous. Is there a mistake in the figures?”
“If you’re going to work with me, you should be compensated accordingly.”
“With you, Sir Knight?”
“Yes. I’ve recently established a trading company. We need a security team, and I’d like you to take on the role.”
“Are you saying you’ll hire our entire knight division?”
“Why, do you not want to?”
Jorge shook his head vigorously.
“Of course not! What are you all doing? Pay your respects to our new lord!”
Jorge and the knights knelt and bowed to Zeke in unison.
Zeke clicked his tongue and spoke to Jorge.
“Well, it won’t all be smooth sailing. There’s a tough instructor waiting for you.”
Zeke planned to send them south for a while to be trained by Simon.
They would also be tasked with guarding the new factory being built.
Having settled the future of the 8th Knight Division, Zeke turned to Feynan.
“Once things are wrapped up in Delpoa, please come to Atlas, Feynan. We have much to do together.”
Feynan nodded.
“Understood, Master.”
Their relationship had shifted from professor and student to master and subordinate.
With the situation in Delpoa resolved, Zeke and his companions returned to Atlas.
The outcome of his special graduation mission had taken an unexpected turn, leaving the final evaluation uncertain.
Boom!
In a secret location in Midland, figures clad in black uniforms gathered.
Their uniforms resembled those of Draker, but instead of dragon-slaying emblems, they bore twin black wings.
They were Draker, yet not Draker.
And yet, they were the most Draker-like of all—the members of the Black Wing Unit.
The round table was occupied by the Black Brigade’s commander, with his lieutenants seated on either side.
All the key members of the Black Brigade were present for the meeting.
The commander, a man with a stern face devoid of hair or eyebrows, fiddled with the black gloves of a pureblood awakener on his hands as he spoke.
“Sorry to call you all in when you’re busy.”
Baron Draker.
He was the only one in the Black Brigade permitted to use Draker’s name.
Addressing his officers, he continued, “I trust you can handle the minor issues on your own. Let’s focus on the biggest problem.”
His gaze sharpened.
“The southern continent has been quite noisy lately.”
The left-wing lieutenant chimed in, “Commander, it’s just a bunch of thugs dealing drugs. Nothing to worry about.”
The left-wing unit was primarily involved in combat operations. Given their strength, the cartel was nothing more than a gang of petty criminals.
Then the right-wing lieutenant spoke up. “The southern cartel has risen rapidly. Take Don Juan of the McCain Cartel, for instance. He’s amassed a fortune by monopolizing the production, manufacturing, and distribution of soma across the south. They’re not to be underestimated.”
Unlike the left-wing, the right-wing unit focused on intelligence gathering and analysis.
The commander then revealed, “Don Juan is dead.”
The lieutenants were taken aback. It was unthinkable that none of the Black Brigade, who held all the continent’s information, knew this.
The right-wing lieutenant calmly responded, “Commander, our intel suggests Don Juan has gone into hiding to evade the Pavela Cartel’s attacks.”
The commander spoke slowly, “After Don Juan disappeared, the McCain Cartel splintered. Pavela, at war with them, also lost most of its leaders. Yet, Don Juan remains hidden. Doesn’t that strike you as odd?”
The right-wing lieutenant fell silent. He hadn’t given much thought to the southern cartel, assuming Don Juan was merely in hiding.
The commander placed his hand on the table, and a magical projection appeared in the air.
“This footage was taken a month ago near Pavela.”
The video showed figures in black masks. He flipped to the next image.
“This one’s from the McCain side.”
Again, masked figures appeared in the photos.
The commander spread his hand, displaying a series of images of masked individuals.
Pointing to the screen, he said, “The person in the center. This individual has been moving between McCain and Pavela, dismantling both cartels. Yet, no one has uncovered their identity.”
With a sharp gaze fixed on the footage, the commander declared, “From this moment, we find this person. We need to know who they are and why they’re targeting the major cartels in the south.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the Black Brigade members rose from their seats.
The continent’s most formidable intelligence agency, Draker’s Black Brigade, began to track down the mysterious figure.