[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 52
"Crazy..."
The scene unfolding before his eyes was utterly horrifying.
Traces of various human experiments, regardless of age, gender, or race, remained vivid.
It was while Zeke was trembling with rage.
"Who's there!"
A mage in a lab coat shouted at Zeke.
Perhaps having just finished an experiment, the mage's robe was covered in blood and debris.
Zeke opened his mouth towards the mage.
"I'll give you one chance. Tell me what you've been doing here, and I'll at least grant you a painless death."
The mage, realizing Zeke was an intruder, reached out his hand.
"Poison Fog!"
Perhaps a poison-type mage, he immediately created a poisonous fog and attacked Zeke.
[Magically synthesized poison detected.]
[This poison exceeds the effect of the constitution 'Poison Immunity'.]
[Entering a poisoned state.]
It seemed that magically synthesized poison couldn't be blocked by Poison Immunity.
However, Zeke's Healing Factor recovered his body faster than the poison could take effect.
Zeke drew Bahamut and dashed forward.
Gasp!
Before the mage could react properly, Zeke's sword sliced through his body.
Looking at the instantly dead mage, Zeke gritted his teeth.
"I gave him too easy death."
Thanks to the Healing Factor, he could move without any problems, but he couldn't leave the poison unattended, so he took out an antidote potion from his inventory and drank it.
As soon as the poisoned state was lifted and his body returned to normal, Zeke entered the laboratory with his sword.
Passing the experiment tables where the subjects were scattered, he went deeper inside, and a space filled with various reagents and experimental equipment appeared.
There were also experimental mages there.
"In.., Intruder!"
Before the mages could finish speaking, flames erupted from Zeke's sword.
Whoosh!
Pure flames engulfed the mages' bodies.
They didn't even have time to scream.
"I don't need to show mercy to those who aren't even human."
Zeke turned around and set fire to the place where the horribly dead test subjects were.
Then he searched the place where the mages had been and threw the experimental materials and records into his inventory.
He even ripped out the sealed things and put them in.
He was thinking of escaping this place, going to a safe house, and examining them slowly.
'If the Red Flower Plague was created through mana as Princess Melissa said, it might have been made here.'
Just as Zeke finished burning down the lab and was about to leave the dungeon.
Ssssss!
Thick poisonous smoke billowed towards Zeke.
[Magically synthesized poison detected.]
Checking the system warning, Zeke immediately stepped back.
At that moment, someone appeared from within the poisonous smoke.
"Who dares touch my lab?"
It was an old man in a black robe.
Zeke examined the symbol and the number of rings drawn on the old man's robe.
'A scorpion pattern with six rings. Is he an elder of the Scorpion Clan?'
The symbol on the robe indicated the mage's affiliation, and the number of rings signified the circles they had achieved.
If he had achieved 6 circles, he was a high-ranking mage, usually an elder of a famous clan or a division commander of a mage corps.
The old man raised his hand and pointed it at Zeke.
"Who sent you?"
Zeke didn't answer and immediately charged forward with Bahamut.
He knew well that there was nothing good to be gained by exchanging words with a mage during battle.
Woooong!
An aura blade surged from Zeke's sword.
The old man was surprised and quickly cast a spell.
Paching!
The old man's body crumbled like sand, dodging Zeke's aura blade.
Then, he reassembled himself far away from Zeke.
Zeke used the Mana Reflection skill before the old man could cast another spell.
Jiiiiiiiiing!
A mana reflection field unfolded around Zeke.
The old man frowned as the mana didn't move according to his will.
"Damn it! Could he be a Draker pureblood?!"
A Draker pureblood Awakened with the ability to interfere with mana was the natural enemy of mages.
The old man hurriedly took something out of his pocket and tore it apart.
Then, a mana circle made of sand was drawn on the floor, and a synthetic chimera popped out from within.
Zeke frowned as he looked at the synthetic chimera.
'Those Scorpion Clan bastards are always annoying to deal with.'
The Scorpion Clan, based in the desert, was a group of dark mages who specialized in forbidden mana that others avoided.
Not only did they create synthetic chimeras and synthetic poisons, but they also researched forbidden methods to create golems and mana to control the dead.
Because of such wickedness, in the Holy Kingdom, simply belonging to the Scorpion Clan was enough to warrant the death penalty.
The fact that this Scorpion Clan and the Empire conducted human experiments together was a scandal that could turn the entire continent upside down.
Krrr!
The chimera, seemingly created by combining the tail of a desert black scorpion, the Southern Jungle's Shark Dragon, and the legs of a griffin, bared its teeth at Zeke.
Its saliva seemed to be acidic, as smoke sizzled from the floor where it dripped.
The old man looked at Zeke with a confident expression.
"This is my greatest masterpiece! Even a Draker won't be able to withstand it!"
The chimera slowly approached Zeke.
Zeke used the Dragon's Majesty skill, which was effective against monsters.
The chimera flinched in surprise.
At that moment, a message window popped up.
[You have instilled fear in an inferior dragonkin.]
[Inherent Authority 'Dragonkin Domination' is activated.]
[Would you like to subjugate the target dragonkin?]
It seemed that the Shark Dragon was used as the base when creating the chimera, which the system recognized as a dragonkin.
Zeke chose to subjugate.
[You have subjugated an inferior dragonkin.]
It seemed that Zeke's Inherent Authority worked.
The chimera growled lowly and looked at Zeke.
Unlike before, its eyes were filled with fear and respect.
Zeke spoke to the chimera.
"Bite that guy."
As soon as the order was given, the chimera turned around and quickly lunged at the old man.
The old man was flustered as the chimera suddenly went berserk.
"Kyaaaak! Not me, him...!"
The old man, unable to use mana properly due to Zeke's Mana Reflection, was instantly killed when the chimera bit his neck.
Thinking that he had dealt with it more easily than expected, Zeke searched the dead mage's robe.
An identification card indicating the mage's identity and other belongings came out.
"Gurab al Rumani? This guy was the second-in-command of the Scorpion Clan, wasn't he?"
It was a meaningless death for the second-in-command of an infamous dark mage clan.
Originally, mages of the Scorpion Clan mainly used mana effective for large-scale battles or assassinations.
They were skilled at initiating attacks, and usually had a lot of escorts. However, since it was a secret laboratory where security was crucial, it seemed that only mages were gathered.
Zeke took all of Gurab's belongings and then burned the body as before.
And the chimera, which had been watching Zeke, seemed to judge that the situation was over and came over to him, rubbing its head against him.
Its actions were rather cute, and as Zeke was pondering, a message popped up before his eyes.
[Would you like to name the subjugated dragonkin? A named dragonkin can be summoned at any time at the summoner's call.]
After some thought, Zeke named the chimera.
"Since the original owner's name was Gurab, let's call it Gurab."
Gurab didn't seem to like its name very much.
But there was nothing that could be done about what had already been decided.
The chimera, registered under the name Gurab, turned into sand and disappeared into Zeke's shadow.
[Registering summon Gurab.]
He had gained an unexpected subordinate.
After carefully taking care of even the chimera, Zeke finally leisurely left the dungeon.
***
Afterward, Zeke spent ten days evading the pursuit of the Favela Cartel and returned to the domain of the McCain Cartel.
He returned to Don Juan's mansion and faced Don Juan.
"Truly amazing. Amazing."
Don Juan marveled at Zeke standing before him with a cigar in his mouth.
"Would you like a drink, Zeke Murray?"
"I'm fine."
Don Juan rose from his seat and looked at Zeke.
“To be honest, I didn't think you'd succeed in this mission.”
“I don't make promises I can't keep.”
“Indeed, you certainly proved that. These days, it's hard to find someone so trustworthy.”
“Then will you believe me now?”
Don Juan nodded.
“A brave warrior deserves respect. I have always cherished and valued warriors like my own children. I hope you understand that.”
Zeke scoffed inwardly at Don Juan's words.
'What a load of bullshit.'
At least a few thousand people must have died as cannon fodder in the McCain Cartel.
Zeke knew the cruel nature of the cartel all too well, so Don Juan's polite words sounded ridiculous to him.
Don Juan patted Zeke's shoulder and said.
“Zeke Murray, as a token of trust, I have prepared this.”
Then Don Juan brought a box from the desk and handed it to Zeke.
Just from the size and weight of the box, Zeke could guess what was inside.
As he opened the box, it was indeed as he expected.
'The head of the Syndicate chairman.'
Zeke glanced and saw five more boxes.
There were a total of six executives who came to McCain to celebrate Don Juan's birthday.
“Do you like the gift?”
Zeke closed the box and nodded.
“I have clearly seen the boss's trust.”
Don Juan gave a satisfied smile.
Then he slowly walked back to his chair and put on a serious expression.
“But you see, there's one problem.”
“What problem is it?”
“It seems the Favela Cartel has noticed that we attacked them. They're spouting nonsense about us mobilizing knights and mages from the central continent.”
It seemed that the Favela side had taken the bait Zeke had scattered around.
Don Juan said to Zeke.
“Zeke Murray. I want to give a clearer warning to those filthy pirates. That the McCain Cartel is the master of this Southern Continent.”
Hearing Don Juan's words, Zeke nodded.
“I will go to Favela and convey the boss's will.”
“What? Really?”
He was thinking of driving them there, but Don Juan was surprised when Zeke offered to go to Favela first.
He never expected Zeke to volunteer to infiltrate.
Zeke said to Don Juan.
“In return, please give your support to Kay. So that she can properly take over the Syndicate's vacancy.”
Don Juan nodded at his words.
“Yes, to properly deliver our goods, we need to tidy things up on that side as well.”
“With the boss's help, the noise from the Syndicate will also disappear soon.”
Don Juan nodded.
“Alright. Zeke Murray, I will take responsibility and become her guardian.”
And then he clapped his hands.
Then, someone slid out from the wall where no one had been before.
A man in an old military uniform with slicked-back hair and an eyepatch over one eye.
Zeke knew him.
'Simon Zapatero.'
He was one of the top hitmen in the McCain Cartel and a famous outlaw in the border area of the Southern Continent.
Don Juan patted Simon's shoulder and said.
“I'll attach the cartel's best hitman and a unit to you. It will be of great help in this mission.”
Simon maintained a straight face and just nodded at Zeke.
In his past life, Zeke had a connection with Simon.
It was none other than him who taught Zeke Southern-style martial arts and assassination techniques.
Zeke said to Don Juan.
“As soon as the unit is ready, I will go to Favela.”
“Right away?”
“The longer we wait, the thicker Favela's defenses will become.”
Don Juan nodded at his words.
“Good. Simon, make sure you complete your mission.”
As usual, Simon responded to Don Juan's words with a nod.
Zeke, watching Don Juan, laughed inwardly with a sharp edge.
'Don Juan, you will gradually sink into the swamp. Without even realizing it.'
***
Step! Step!
Someone walked into the completely burned-down dungeon.
A man with a mane of red hair.
It was Abel Draker, the knight who shook the continent with the alias Lion Sword.
He bent down and carefully examined the traces of the fire.
Behind Abel, William, the heir of the Siemens family, appeared.
“Abel. The investigation is already over. The Imperial Intelligence Agency has thoroughly examined it. There's nothing left to see.”
Abel didn't reply and headed somewhere.
He looked for minute traces left on the floor and walls, picturing them in his mind.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
“There was one person here, William.”
William was surprised at his words.
“What do you mean, one person? At least a unit of mages and knights…”
“No, it's clear. At least those who are Red Knights or above had a confrontation here.”
“What? A Red Knight in this rural backwater of the South? That's ridiculous.”
William looked at Abel in disbelief.
Abel grabbed the blackened soil in his hand and slowly stood up.
“There are traces of the Intelligence Agency stepping in and hastily cleaning up. This means that something we don't know about is secretly going on in the Empire.”
He scattered the soil he was holding back on the floor.
Abel said to William.
“I need to find out what the Imperial Intelligence Agency is hiding.”
“Investigate the Intelligence Agency? How are you going to handle the aftermath?”
His eyes flashed as he said.
“There was something here that I couldn't miss. My instincts tell me so, William.”
Abel looked at the traces left on the floor and said.
“To hold both the Empire and Draker in my hands.”
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]