[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 114
“Ararararara!”
The ones who appeared with boisterous war cries were none other than Zoin warriors.
Zoin warriors with sturdy beaks, massive physiques, adorned with splendid feathers and ornaments, came galloping on horseback.
Whirrrrrr!
The Zoin warriors threw the hand axes they were holding.
Crack!
The axes, imbued with powerful force, split the skulls of the horses the knights were riding.
“What the…!”
Knowing they were Draker knights, the Zoin warriors strategically targeted the horses, assuming the knights would easily deflect the axes.
Simultaneously, the Zoin warriors at the back used slings to hurl magic bombs from afar.
Whoosh!
The magic bombs landed accurately, combining the Zoin's unique eyesight and delicate throwing skills.
Kwa kwa kwa kwa kwang!
The Red Lion Knights, befitting Draker knights, swiftly dodged and escaped the magic explosion range.
The Zoin warriors, having likely faced many knights before, didn't approach closely and instead threw weapons from a distance.
Then, among the Zoin warriors, those with larger builds and black feathers stepped forward.
Whoosh!
They brandished their traditional Zoin weapons, iron clubs, and let out war cries.
“Kiyooooooooooooo!”
“Kiyoooo!”
“Ararararara!”
The knights faltered and stepped back at the war cries that echoed throughout the wasteland.
They were warriors of the Black Wing tribe, known for being the fiercest and strongest among the Zoin tribes.
Each Black Wing warrior was as strong as a knight who used aura.
With the sudden appearance of the Zoin forces, the Red Lion Knights shifted their attention from Zeke and became wary of them.
Grasping the situation, William shouted towards the Zoin warrior at the forefront.
“We are Draker knights! We are on a mission, so stand down immediately.”
Then, among the Black Wing warriors, one with a relatively smaller physique stepped forward.
Despite his smaller size, his sharp gaze and the aura he exuded were extraordinary.
He spoke in fluent Common Tongue.
“You have invaded our territory and destroyed the temple where the souls of our ancestors reside.”
It seemed the Zoin warriors also came out to assess the situation after seeing the collapse of the ruins.
William said to the Zoin warrior,
“That has nothing to do with us.”
“Nothing to do with you?”
He took a step closer and said,
“Humans greedily crave the mysteries of our people. In the end, that greed will consume humans and lead to the destruction of your own kind.”
Abel, who had been observing this, spoke up.
“Zoin, if you interfere with our mission any further, we will consider you enemies of Draker.”
At Abel's words, the Red Lion Knights who had been standing back drew their weapons.
However, with their numbers clearly fewer than the Zoin warriors, a tense atmosphere hung in the air.
Then, the Zoin warrior nodded to the other warriors behind him.
The warriors lifted their clothes.
Underneath the Zoin warriors' clothes were a massive amount of magic bombs.
The amount was enough to blow up the entire area with a single explosion.
Seeing this, Abel frowned.
It wasn't uncommon for Zoin warriors, who didn't even fear death, to charge with magic bombs strapped to them.
The Red Lion Knights were somewhat demoralized by the Zoin warriors' resolve.
William approached Abel and whispered quietly.
“Abel, there's no need to clash with the Zoin here. It's a waste of resources.”
With the collapse of the Zoin ruins, the temple they were excavating and the results of their experiments were all gone.
There was no need to waste precious knights here.
Understanding William's words, Abel said to the Zoin warrior,
“Alright. I apologize for entering your territory. We don't intend to stay here long either. However, that outlaw murdered our knights. We will leave this place immediately after capturing him.”
Zeke was searching for an escape route while observing the standoff between Abel and the Zoin.
'Zoin.'
Just then, something crossed Zeke's mind.
'The Black Wing tribe… and the charisma to unite warriors from other tribes.'
He remembered a famous Zoin warrior from his previous life.
The leader of the Beastman Revolutionary Army, who rose up for the freedom of the beastmen oppressed in the central continent.
The one who led the Western Revolutionary Army at that time was a Zoin warrior with black feathers.
'Was his name Song of the Crouching Flame?'
The warriors led by Song of the Crouching Flame, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, were sure to be formidable.
It was then.
Morgan's Hercyon, which had been deactivated while he was lying on the ground, finally disintegrated.
'This is my chance.'
Zeke pulled on the chain, lifted Morgan, and swiftly grabbed him by the neck.
Then, he shouted in Common Tongue mixed with a northern accent,
"Draker bastards! If you keep chasing me, this guy's life is forfeit!"
Bound by the Soul Sealing Technique, Morgan was completely captured, unable to resist, only gasping for breath.
Abel was already annoyed by the Zoin threatening with bombs, and now with the Corps Commander Morgan taken hostage, his anger flared.
Drrrrrr!
The ground started shaking around Abel.
His eyes had turned crimson red.
William, who was watching Abel from the side, had an anxious expression.
“A-Abel. C-calm down.”
If Abel lost control here and Morgan died, all the connections they had painstakingly built with the Empire could be severed.
Zeke carefully observed Abel's unexpected reaction.
'What is that power of Abel's?'
He sensed an energy different from aura emanating from Abel.
Drrrrrr!
At William's words, Abel barely managed to maintain his composure and hold onto his reason.
Soon, the shaking of the ground stopped.
'Now's my chance!'
In that instant, Zeke threw Morgan, whom he was holding by the neck, towards the Zoin.
"Song of the Crouching Flame! That's the Imperial garrison Corps Commander! Take care of him!"
As Morgan flew and fell towards the Zoin warriors, Song of the Crouching Flame was startled but gestured to the other warriors.
The Zoin warriors rushed in and seized Morgan.
Taking advantage of the opening, Zeke started running in the opposite direction.
Seeing Zeke escaping, Abel shouted to his knights.
"Damn it! Catch him!"
Abel couldn't leave his position because he had to get Morgan back from the Zoin.
Now that the enraged Zoin knew the identity of Morgan, the garrison Corps Commander, they might skin him alive.
Zeke channeled the will of speed and ran through the wasteland.
A few Red Lion Knights followed after Zeke.
'Good.'
He immediately changed direction and randomly threw chains at the Red Lion Knights.
“Gah!”
The knight bound by the chain fell from his horse.
Zeke leaped into the air and landed on the horse the knight had dropped.
Then, he drew his sword and slashed at the other knights.
“Kyaaa!”
After using a healing buff on the horse, Zeke shook off the Red Lion Knights and galloped towards the border region.
***
“Master!”
Liam and Felix greeted Zeke, who had finally returned to the border region headquarters after shaking off his pursuers.
Zeke looked exhausted.
Liam asked with a worried expression,
“My lord, are you alright?”
“...I can't say I'm alright. Liam, bring me a cup of tea.”
Zeke had spent days going back and forth through the wasteland, erasing his tracks to shake off his pursuers and the Knight Killers.
Drinking the warm tea relaxed his body. Only then did he feel like he had completely finished his mission.
Just then, Felix approached Zeke.
“Master, where have you been for the past few days? The princess has been looking for you.”
“The princess? What for?”
“What was it… I heard the Imperial garrison is withdrawing.”
“Oh?”
It seemed Song of the Crouching Flame had successfully negotiated with the Imperial army, using Morgan as a hostage, just as Zeke had planned.
From the Empire's perspective, there was no reason to persist in targeting the ineffective Zoin ghetto now that the ruins had collapsed.
Zeke nodded.
"Good."
Just then, Princess Melissa, perhaps having heard the news, entered the room.
"Sir Zeke!"
She ran towards Zeke and embraced him.
Seeing Princess Melissa, Felix and Liam exchanged glances and left the room.
Princess Melissa, realizing her actions, was startled and quickly moved away from Zeke.
"I-I apologize. I was so worried that something might have happened to you, Sir Zeke..."
"It's alright. More importantly, I heard that the Imperial garrison has withdrawn."
Melissa quickly changed her expression and relayed the situation.
"Yes. Corps Commander Morgan suddenly issued a withdrawal order. I don't think it's because of our confrontation. I think there's something else going on."
Zeke didn't bother mentioning the ruins to Melissa.
Although they were currently allies, they weren't obligated to share all information.
'I should keep the information about the experiment to create monsters with magical beast blood to myself for now.'
Then Melissa said to Zeke,
"Oh, Sir Zeke. There's more good news."
"What is it?"
"The supply of Red Flower Plague medicine has stabilized. Thanks to that, the spread of the disease in the border region has significantly decreased."
It seemed the Red Flower Plague experiments had also ended with the destruction of the laboratory.
'Although it's possible they're conducting it elsewhere.'
Zeke didn't mention that and smiled at Melissa.
"That's good. The Red Flower Plague spread in the border region might be eradicated soon."
"It's all thanks to you, Sir Zeke. On behalf of Alencia, I truly thank you."
Zeke bowed his head in response to Melissa's gratitude.
Then, he slowly got up.
"Then, I'll get some rest and be on my way."
Melissa was taken aback by Zeke's sudden words.
"O-on your way? Where to?"
Zeke tilted his head and said,
"Back to Atlas, of course. Shouldn't you return to Alencia as well, Your Highness? You must be busy."
Melissa naturally assumed Zeke would accompany her to Alencia, considering he readily came all the way here and their previous conversations.
Having developed a deep affection for Zeke, Melissa was excited to tour the famous sights of Alencia with him and discuss future business ventures.
At twenty-nine, Melissa had been so preoccupied with work that she had never had a proper romantic relationship, so she didn't even know how to express her feelings.
Zeke, on the other hand, had lived his life feeling that such emotions were a luxury, beyond simply being indifferent to romance.
Since the border issue was resolved, he didn't feel the need to stay in Alencia any longer, which is why he said he would return.
Melissa was reluctant to let Zeke go just like that and wondered how to keep him with her.
Just then, someone entered the room.
"M-Master."
It was Felix, with an awkward expression, as if he had interrupted a good atmosphere.
Zeke spoke to Felix with an indifferent expression.
"What is it, Felix?"
"I-I'm very sorry to interrupt your good time. There's an urgent message..."
"Skip the unnecessary words and get to the point."
"Well, there's a message from Four Seasons Castle to enter the castle."
"From Four Seasons Castle? What for?"
"It's an order to attend the official knight initiation ceremony soon."
After receiving knighthood, Draker knights undergo a training period of several years as apprentices.
Once they endure the apprenticeship and become qualified, they go through an official initiation ceremony and have the opportunity to choose which knight order to join.
The official knight initiation ceremony, a stepping stone to becoming a true Draker knight, was one of the most important events among the various Draker events.
Zeke looked at Melissa and said,
"I have no time to spare. I must leave immediately. I'll see you again, Your Highness."
Princess Melissa forced a smile with a stiff expression and bid farewell to Zeke.
"Y-yes. But next time, I'd love to see Alencia with you."
"I look forward to it, Your Highness."
Melissa's face brightened instantly despite Zeke's formal reply.
Zeke, just as he had arrived with Felix and Liam, abruptly left the border region headquarters and returned to Atlas.
***
A few days later, at Four Seasons Castle Artemfel, where the official Draker knight initiation ceremony was held, the lord, the family elders, the guardian knights, and all the knights of the Draker Knight Orders gathered.
The grand hall of Artemfel was filled with Draker knights.
However, the expressions on the knights' faces were somewhat strange.
Arthur Draker, the lord, broke the long silence and asked Zeke,
"I'll ask again. Zeke Draker, which Knight Order will you choose?"
Then Zeke opened his mouth and said in a clear voice,
"My answer remains the same. I will not choose any."
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]