Episode 74
Rumble, rumble, rumble!
Dozens of carriages rolled into the tranquil streets of Mycenae. Each one bore the emblem of a distinguished family, signaling their importance. The citizens of Mycenae whispered among themselves as they watched the carriages head toward Agamemnon Castle.
“Could the rumors be true?”
“Has the curse on the castle really been lifted?”
“Otherwise, why would all these families gather here so suddenly?”
The townsfolk recalled the sacred golden wave that had enveloped Agamemnon Castle a few weeks prior. The once eerie and desolate hill was now covered in beautiful roses. Word spread quickly among the citizens that the long-standing curse on the Agamemnon family had finally been broken. Of course, the syndicate’s efforts to spread the rumor had helped it travel even faster. And with the arrival of the lords’ carriages at the castle, the rumor gained even more credibility.
The restored Agamemnon Castle was nothing short of majestic and elegant. As the servants who had left long ago returned, along with their descendants, the castle rapidly regained its former glory. The allied families and regional lords were astonished to see the castle restored to its original state. Some were moved to tears, while others, from newer generations, remained indifferent. Yet, they all shared a common thought.
“Could the family’s curse truly be broken?”
The lords whispered among themselves. It was hard to believe that the Agamemnon family, which had sealed itself off for fifty years, had suddenly summoned all its allied families. Some lords wore dark expressions, worried about losing the advantages they had gained while the Agamemnon family was inactive.
The banquet hall was a mix of those genuinely welcoming the Agamemnon family’s return and those who were not, creating a peculiar atmosphere. Just then, a lively fanfare erupted, and Rufus Agamemnon, the host of the banquet, made his entrance. The lords and family heads were taken aback by Rufus’s appearance, restored to his original form after the curse was lifted. Tall and broad-shouldered, Rufus wore the traditional noble attire with grace.
The lords and family heads flocked to Rufus, realizing through him that the Agamemnon family’s curse had indeed been lifted. Now, they had to decide how to respond.
“My goodness, Lord! To see you return in such good health… it’s unbelievable!”
Whether they truly felt that way or not, most of the allied families exaggerated their gestures and words to win Rufus’s favor. It was a glimpse into the power of a once-great family that had been at the heart of Midland. The lords and family heads approached Rufus, kissing the back of his hand. Rufus accepted their gestures with noble poise and restraint.
Once everyone had finished, Rufus addressed them.
“I extend my gratitude to the allied families who have filled the void left by the Agamemnon family during our absence!”
Rufus’s resonant voice made those with ulterior motives flinch.
“Is the ruler of the central continent rising again?”
As the gathered guests swallowed nervously, Rufus spoke once more.
“The reason I have invited you here today is to announce that the curse on the Agamemnon family has ended!”
At those words, the lords erupted in a mix of awe and relief. Rufus continued.
“Furthermore! Today, the Agamemnon family will introduce its official heir to the allied families gathered here!”
The mention of an official heir set the family heads whispering again. The return of the Agamemnon family and the designation of an official heir were entirely different matters. Even if they had once been the rulers of the continent, the family had been effectively sealed off for fifty years. Regaining their power would take time. Yet, here they were, suddenly announcing an heir.
The family heads waited tensely for Rufus’s next words. Then Rufus clapped his hands. Another fanfare sounded, and someone stepped into the banquet hall.
Step, step.
It was Zeke, dressed in the formal attire of the Agamemnon family. At seventeen, Zeke had grown considerably, appearing almost like an adult. One of the family heads recognized him and exclaimed.
“Z-Zeke Draker!”
It was a noble who had attended Zeke’s promotion party. As Zeke Draker’s name was mentioned, the family heads began to murmur.
“Zeke Draker? The youngest blue-ranked on the continent?”
“The genius who recently graduated from Valhalla as the youngest ever?”
As the banquet hall buzzed with excitement, Rufus raised his hand to calm the crowd. Once silence fell, all eyes turned to Zeke on the platform.
“My name is Zeke Draker. As a direct descendant of the Agamemnon family, I hold the official heir status.”
Zeke’s declaration was met with another wave of astonishment. A direct descendant of the Agamemnon family and a pure-blooded awakened member of the Draker family. On top of that, he held the titles of the youngest blue-ranked and the youngest Valhalla graduate on the continent. If Zeke Draker was the heir, the Agamemnon family could swiftly regain its lost power and status.
At that moment, someone raised a hand. Rufus’s eyes gleamed. It was the head of the Achilles family, one of the Agamemnon family’s long-standing vassals. A steadfast ally and, at times, a formidable adversary. The head of the Achilles family addressed Rufus.
“Honorable Rufus Agamemnon. As your long-time friend and loyal vassal, may I speak?”
“My oldest friend, Arnold Achilles. Your counsel always enlightens me. Speak.”
Arnold Achilles stepped forward, pointing to Zeke.
“It is indeed joyous news that the Agamemnon family has an official heir. However, according to the laws of the proxy, the Achilles family is obligated to verify the heir’s qualifications.”
Two other family heads joined him, standing by his side.
“The Hector family shares this duty.”
“The Aegis family also wishes to fulfill its obligation.”
Hearing the three families, Rufus nodded.
“I fully understand your duty and rights as my long-time friends and loyal vassals. Very well. How do you propose to verify the heir’s qualifications?”
Arnold Achilles spoke on behalf of the group.
“We will adhere to the ancient tradition.”
The ancient tradition they referred to was the knightly tournament—a duel that had been passed down since the days of the Holy Empire, involving full plate armor, shields, and swords.
Rufus addressed Arnold.
“Very well. We shall verify the heir’s qualifications through a knightly tournament, as you wish.”
The mention of a knightly tournament filled the faces of the other family heads and lords with anticipation and excitement.
Rufus announced.
“The champions from the three families participating in the knightly tournament should prepare and gather at the arena in one hour!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire banquet hall erupted in cheers.
Exactly one hour later, people flocked to the arena prepared at Agamemnon Castle. The champions from the Achilles, Hector, and Aegis families entered the arena, clad in full plate armor and equipped with kite shields. Rufus had informed the three families about the heir in advance, allowing them to prepare for the knightly tournament.
The participants were official knights from each family, well-versed in the knightly tournament-style duels. Each family had brought champions skilled in such duels, intending to crush the young heir Zeke’s spirit from the start.
Finally, Zeke entered the arena.
Step, step.
He was wearing full plate armor and a kite shield prepared by the Agamemnon family, not the Hershion family. Seeing Zeke, the Hector family’s champion spoke.
“Are you sure about that sword?”
He was referring to Bahamut, a claymore longer than a typical sword, offering advice that was more of a taunt. Instead of responding verbally, Zeke simply closed his helmet.
The first duel began immediately. Zeke’s first opponent was the Hector family’s champion. Familiar with knightly tournaments, the Hector champion performed for the audience, twirling his sword theatrically. The lords and family heads in the stands cheered.
In contrast, Zeke calmly prepared for the duel, minimizing his exposure by positioning his shield forward and aiming his sword. The Hector champion gestured at Zeke.
“Heir of Agamemnon! Do your worst!”
He taunted Zeke, spreading his arms wide.
Then it happened.
Boom!
Zeke charged at the Hector champion with incredible speed, slamming his heavy shield into the champion’s full plate armor with the force of his momentum.
Crash!
The sound was deafening as the Hector champion was sent flying with a single blow. The nobles, who had been cheering moments before, were stunned into silence, unable to comprehend what had just happened. They stared blankly at the Hector champion, crumpled against one wall. The champion showed no signs of getting up, seemingly knocked out by the shield charge.
The referee, who had been standing there with his mouth agape, finally snapped back to reality.
“Zeke Draker wins!”
Despite the announcement of victory, the audience remained in stunned silence, unable to muster cheers or applause.
“Ahem! Ahem!”
The head of the Hector family cleared his throat awkwardly, clearly embarrassed by the unexpected outcome.
Amidst the shock, the second match began without delay.
This time, a champion from the Aegis family stepped forward. Unlike the Hector champion, he was determined not to underestimate his opponent.
He approached Zeke cautiously, shield and sword in hand.
And then it happened.
Whoosh!
Zeke’s sword struck the champion’s shield with a resounding force.
Bang!
Despite his shield, the Aegis champion couldn’t withstand the tremendous power and lost his balance.
“Ugh!”
He quickly regained his footing, struggling to hold his ground.
But Zeke didn’t give him a moment’s respite.
Bang!
The heavy kite shield slammed into the champion’s side, sending him flying.
Crash!
Encased in cumbersome full plate armor, it was difficult to regain composure once balance was lost.
Yet, the Aegis champion was a seasoned knight with plenty of battle experience. He rose to his feet once more.
“Huff. Huff.”
He felt increasingly overwhelmed by the aura emanating from Zeke.
‘Is this really the prowess of a seventeen-year-old?’
He had heard of Zeke being the youngest to ascend to the rank of Blue Knight, but he had assumed the boy would be inexperienced.
Facing him now, however, Zeke showed no openings, as if he were a veteran warrior.
Zeke moved with the grace of a dancer, despite the weight of his armor and shield, as if he wore nothing at all.
“Ugh!”
The Aegis champion struggled to keep up with Zeke’s swift movements.
Zeke engaged him using the Agamemnon-style Golden Swordsmanship, skillfully parrying attacks and exploiting openings.
‘I’m finally getting used to this armor.’
In the first match, he had intended to engage in a more balanced fight, but unfamiliarity with the armor and shield had led him to end it with a single blow.
Now, Zeke adjusted his strength, deftly countering the Aegis champion’s attacks and seizing every opportunity.
His exceptional instincts shone through, allowing him to move with agility even in close combat.
“Wow!”
The audience erupted in cheers at Zeke’s near-supernatural display of skill.
Zeke sensed the end was near.
Whish!
He assumed the Agamemnon Golden Sword stance, shifting his weight backward.
Then, with a swift motion, he swung his shield, disrupting his opponent’s balance.
“Ugh!”
The center was left wide open.
Zeke thrust his sword forward.
Boom!
Just like with the Hector champion, the Aegis champion was sent sprawling.
This time, the arena was filled with cheers and applause.
And then, the final champion from the Achilles family stepped into the arena.