Chapter 277
Zeke furrowed his brow and asked again,
“Are you saying the Empire is targeting the Birdfolk Ghetto again?”
Cali nodded.
She spread out a map of the Central Continent, pointed to the Birdfolk Ghetto region, and said,
“Abel, along with the Empire's forces, is trying to occupy the Ghetto. They’ve judged it to be a strategically important point because it borders Delpoa and Troy to the north, and Alencia to the side.”
Even though the Sanctuary of the Sky Tribe had fallen, it seemed the Empire was once again targeting the Birdfolk Ghetto to lay the foundation for a continental war.
For Abel's first move after being promoted to a Black Knight to be targeting the Birdfolk Ghetto alongside the Empire was quite unexpected.
‘If it were me, I would have first secured my power base within the Draker clan to keep Sister Cali in check. For him to specifically target the Birdfolk Ghetto… I’m not sure what his objective is.’
Zeke sensed a certain rashness in Abel's decision.
Perhaps after being promoted to Black Knight and receiving the rank of Guardian Knight, Abel thought that his check on the internal factions of the Draker clan was already complete.
A glint appeared in Zeke’s eyes.
‘If that’s what Abel thinks, then there might be an opening to exploit.’
Just then, Cali said to Zeke,
“Perhaps because of the Empire's movements, the Birdfolk are also showing different movements than before.”
As Zeke heard Cali's words, a face flashed through his mind.
‘Song of Crouching Flame, the leader of the Therian Alliance, the Western Revolutionary Army. Has he started to move?’
Song of Crouching Flame of the Blackwing Tribe, who had black feathers, commanded hundreds of subordinates who followed him blindly.
Just then, Cali looked at Zeke and said,
“The leader of the Birdfolk is attempting to make contact with the therian organization, Krostel.”
Zeke was lost in thought at Cali's words.
‘The meeting of the Birdfolk and Krostel. The beginning of the Western Revolutionary Army.’
The center of the continent was controlled by the Nostra Clan, the east and north by the vampire gang, Red Eye, and the western region was the sphere of influence of the therian organization, Krostel.
Initially, the southern therians had wandered the continent in clan units like nomads, but as they gradually settled in the western region of the continent, their sphere of influence became established.
The Therians, who had mostly settled in the Delpoa and Alencia regions, mainly lived in slums and back alleys. Because of this, many of them grew up to be criminals and organization members by selling Soma imported from the south.
Even if they didn't commit crimes, they mostly lived as mercenaries or adventurers, so they were a rough bunch. Krostel was the organization formed from the gathering of these therian groups.
Although its history was short compared to the Nostra Clan or Red Eye, it was an organization that was growing rapidly thanks to the resourcefulness of its new leader, the rat therian ‘Big Joe’.
‘The meeting of Song of Crouching Flame and Big Joe.’
In his past life, the meeting between the two organizations had proceeded with great difficulty.
This was because the values of Song of Crouching Flame and Big Joe were different.
After confirming their conflicting values, their alliance was broken off, but the situation was reversed later when Big Joe was assassinated.
The Empire's side had assassinated Big Joe in a very cruel manner to give a warning to the therians, and had left his body on the street as if for display.
It was a fatal mistake made by the Empire, who had failed to properly understand the nature of the therians.
The therians mourned the Big Joe they had respected, and to honor his will, they pledged an oath of loyalty to Song of Crouching Flame and joined the Western Revolutionary Army.
In his past life, even right up until Zeke was killed by the hounds, the Western Revolutionary Army had shown fierce momentum against the Empire that had invaded the continent.
‘If Song of Crouching Flame and Big Joe can join hands earlier, they will be able to exert a greater power than that time.’
Zeke looked at Cali and Helen and said,
“If the Birdfolk and Krostel join forces, wouldn't they be able to keep Abel and the Empire in check?”
Cali nodded at Zeke's words.
“You’re right, Zeke. But given the dispositions of their respective leaders, it won't be easy.”
“You mean Song of Crouching Flame and Big Joe.”
Cali looked slightly surprised that Zeke knew the names of the two leaders.
Then, she soon nodded.
“Yes. If Song of Crouching Flame is a peerless warrior type, Big Joe is closer to a virtuous general. He's a man of great ability who wouldn't hesitate to join hands even with an enemy if it was helpful. This is the reason why Krostel grew so powerful in such a short time.”
“So Song of Crouching Flame might oppose Big Joe's methods.”
Cali nodded.
“If we want to unite the two of them, we need a very powerful just cause.”
He had wondered if it might be different, but as expected, the situation was not much different from his past life.
In his past life, that just cause had been Big Joe's death, but this time, that could not be the cause.
Zeke thought about a just cause that could unite the two men.
‘In my past life, I couldn't intervene, but this time is different.’
And Zeke was able to think of one thing that could become that just cause.
‘The Empire’s bio-experiment report from the Ghetto region.’
That report contained not only details of experiments on the Birdfolk, but also on the therian race.
If they saw this report, he could turn the anger of Song of Crouching Flame and Big Joe toward the Empire.
Zeke thought for a moment, then said to Cali,
“Sister, would you take a look at this?”
Zeke took out the report he had been storing in his inventory and handed it to Cali.
Cali’s expression changed as she quickly scanned the contents of the report.
“Where did you get these documents?”
“I obtained them when I raided a secret Imperial laboratory before. With these documents, wouldn't it be more than enough to give Song of Crouching Flame and Big Joe their just cause?”
Hearing Zeke’s words, Cali nodded.
“Are you saying you will send these documents to both organizations?”
“Yes. If I do, they will, on their own accord, condemn the Empire for trying to take the Ghetto, and furthermore, they will form a therian alliance to keep them in check.”
If the Empire's attempt to occupy the Birdfolk Ghetto was foiled, Abel, who had gone to the trouble of making a move, would have no choice but to return empty-handed.
While Abel was spending meaningless time in the west, Cali could buy time to bring the flow of power within the Draker clan back to her side.
Cali nodded at Zeke's words.
“That’s a good idea.”
Just then, Helen, who was beside them, picked up the documents and opened her mouth.
“I will be the one to deliver these documents.”
Cali was surprised at Helen's words.
“Helen, you'll go yourself?”
“Yes. With documents of this importance, they might be suspicious. A Pure-blood Awakened and direct descendant like myself must go to earn their trust.”
Zeke also nodded.
“My thoughts are the same as Sister Helen's. If Sister Helen delivers the documents in Sister Cali's name and promises support for the formation of an alliance, they will be gaining both a just cause and practical benefits, so they will not refuse.”
Hearing Zeke's words, Cali nodded and then looked at Helen.
“Helen, it's a dangerous mission, so I'm reluctant to entrust it to you. But it's also a mission that would be impossible for any knight of a lesser caliber than you.”
Helen stood up from her seat, nodded, and said in a resolute voice, “I will be sure to complete the mission and return.”
She turned her head back to Zeke and said,
“Zeke, I'm truly sorry for not being able to attend your Senior Knight appointment ceremony. I was planning to congratulate you today for what I couldn't then and also have a spar, but since the situation is urgent, let's postpone that for later.”
Zeke sensed the disappointment hidden within her stiff tone, smiled, and nodded.
“Anytime is fine, Sister.”
Helen gave a barely visible smile and grabbed the Dragon Buster that was leaning against the wall.
As she infused the Dragon Buster with her power, the sword began to vibrate.
WOOONG!
The sheaths that had been covering the sword instantly broke apart into pieces and began to attach themselves to Helen's body.
The steel was reacting to the bloodline ability possessed by Helen Draker: ‘Magnetism’.
‘So that's Helen Draker's bloodline ability.’
He had known that she possessed a bloodline ability, but this was the first time he had seen it in person, so he found it novel.
In an instant, Helen, now clad in full plate armor and having become the ‘Knight of Steel’, bowed her head to the two of them.
“Well then, I'll be on my way.”
After Helen left the office to deliver the documents, Zeke looked at Cali and said,
“Sister, how is your body?”
Cali smiled at Zeke and said,
“I have no trouble swinging a sword now. We could have that spar you couldn't have with Helen, you and I.”
At that, Zeke shook his head and said, “I'll postpone the spar for later.”
Just then, the look in Zeke's eyes changed.
“What happened to Varkas?”
Varkas Draker was one of the key figures who had lured Cali into a trap with information about the Pirate King.
Cali thought for a moment, then slowly opened her mouth.
“Carmilla is dead.”
Zeke furrowed his brow at the unexpected words and asked,
“Did you punish her, Sister?”
At that, Cali shook her head.
“If I had, the matter would have been simpler. The one who killed Carmilla was none other than Varkas.”
At her words, Zeke looked confused.
“Wasn't he bringing you information all this time to protect his own mother? Why all of a sudden…?”
“I don't know the details either. What's certain is that Carmilla, whom I was protecting, was killed at Varkas's hands, and Varkas has currently vanished.”
Zeke frowned and said to Cali,
“Could Siemens's side have been involved?”
“That's a possibility. But there's no evidence left, so I can't be sure.”
Her belief that she could control Varkas by holding his mother, Carmilla, had been a misjudgment.
Cali looked at Zeke and said,
“We're still tracking Varkas, so don't worry too much. I'll share any information as soon as we detect his movements.”
“I understand, Sister. And…”
Zeke brought up another topic to Cali.
“While you are tightening your grip on the clan's internal factions, I'm thinking of going to Aten.”
“To Aten? Don't tell me…”
Zeke nodded.
“Yes, I intend to meet with the Nirvana clan.”
While going to Aten to find the Druids, Zeke was planning to make contact with the Nirvana side as well.
‘I've already created a bond for an alliance with Ishtar's side by breaking the Shackles of the Covenant. If I can also draw a favorable response from Nirvana, it will be a great help in keeping Siemens in check.’
Even if the Nirvana clan didn't offer their help, if he could secure a promise that they would maintain neutrality, Zeke's side, which could bring in the power of Ishtar, one of the three great transcendent families, would be at a much greater advantage.
After hearing Zeke's plan to go to Aten to make contact with the Nirvana clan, Cali considered it for a moment, and then nodded.
She brought over a piece of paper and a pen, wrote a letter herself, and handed it to Zeke.
“This is a letter expressing my desire for an exchange with the Nirvana side in my name. If you use my name as a Guardian Knight of the Draker clan, the Nirvana clan will not be able to avoid giving you an answer.”
For a knight of Cali's stature, her name itself was an important diplomatic and strategic weapon.
Zeke nodded and carefully stored the letter in his pouch.
“Thank you, Sister.”
“The Nirvana clan has many peculiar people, so try not to be too surprised.”
Zeke had experienced them himself in his past life, so he fully agreed with Cali's words and nodded.
After spending the night at the Silver Palace, Zeke left for Aten early the next day, riding Bucephalus.
***
DUDUDUDU!
A carriage, escorted by well-armed knights, galloped across the western wastelands of the continent.
Inside the carriage, Abel and William sat facing each other.
William called out to Abel, who was staring out the window.
“Abel.”
Abel remained silent, only looking out the window.
William looked at Abel, called his name again, and said in a low voice,
“Abel, are you going to keep being like this?”
Only then did Abel turn his head toward William.
“You’re being quite the nag today. What is it that you want from me, William?”
At his words, William said in a calm voice,
“I can only think that the Empire is using your name, now that you've become a Black Knight, for this Ghetto matter.”
William had hoped that Abel would not get involved in the Birdfolk Ghetto dispute.
Not only was there little for Abel to do there, but there was also not much to be gained even if they did occupy the Ghetto.
Looking at William, Abel said,
“William, I know full well what you are thinking. If you look at it with the Draker clan at the center, it’s certainly possible to think that way.”
William frowned at Abel’s words.
“Are you saying that you made this decision without putting the Draker clan at the center?”
At that, Abel nodded.
At the same time, he looked at William and said,
“William, do you know what the first thought I had after becoming a Black Knight was?”
“I can’t say I do.”
Abel smiled and said,
“I realized that the Draker clan is too small and narrow a place to contain me.”
In that instant, his eyes, as he looked at William, were dyed red.
He flashed a look of madness in his eyes and said,
“I will become the Emperor of the Empire and unify this continent, William.”