[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 84
Rumble!
The shockwave shook the connected ropes, causing several knights to lose their balance and fall.
Zeke and Helen were thrown to opposite ends, landing on the pillars where the ropes were tied.
Helen took a stance with her sword.
Then, she immediately leaped into the air and swung her sword at Zeke.
Dragon Slayer Art, Applied Form
Steel Technique
Armor Splitter
Helen swung her sword down with the force to split Zeke in half.
Zeke raised Bahamut to block Helen's sword.
Clang!
Bahamut and Helen's sword clashed with a sharp sound.
Zeke gritted his teeth at the force he felt from Helen's sword.
'If it wasn't for Bahamut, my sword would have been cut.'
It was only because Bahamut had the Indestructible attribute that it could withstand Helen's Armor Splitter.
"Haaa!"
Zeke shouted and deflected Helen's sword.
Then, he immediately kicked off the pillar, lunged towards Helen, and swung his sword.
Dragon Slayer Art, Applied Form
Gale Force Technique
Wind Cutter
The Gale Force Technique he learned from Duke wasn't just a movement technique.
It was a swordsmanship technique that combined footwork with the applied form of the Dragon Slayer Art, unleashed with the power of a body trained to its limits.
That was the true secret of Gale Force.
Helen, airborne, twisted her body and channeled Aura throughout her body to meet Zeke's sharp sword.
Dragon Slayer Art, Applied Form
Steel Technique
Wall Covering
The Helen Draker that Zeke remembered from his previous life was famous for her swordsmanship that specialized in defense rather than offense.
As if to prove her fame, Zeke's Wind Cutter couldn't penetrate Helen's solid defense and dissipated.
Both Zeke and Helen stood on the ropes again, facing each other with their swords drawn.
All the spectators were focused on the high-level duel between the two.
"As expected of Zeke Draker. He has the skills befitting the continent's best genius."
"Who is Elin Sabrina? Was there another female knight besides Reina Draker with such outstanding skills?"
Ignoring the murmurs of the spectators, Zeke and Helen closed the distance between them.
Just as they were within sword's reach...
Clang!
A loud gong rang out.
The match time was over.
Gareth entered the arena and declared the end of the match.
"This concludes the second round of the finals. The third round will proceed with the remaining eight participants."
A total of eight participants – Zeke and his three companions, Helen, and three from the Siemens side, including Edward – would compete in the quarterfinals.
Zeke and Helen lowered their swords, which were pointed at each other.
After a moment of thought, Zeke spoke to Helen.
"I look forward to seeing you again in the third round, Helen Draker."
Helen was surprised that Zeke knew her real name.
"...You knew?"
"Well, we're siblings. I should at least know your face."
Actually, he didn't.
If he hadn't seen a portrait of Helen Draker in his previous life, he wouldn't have recognized her.
Helen, looking at Zeke, nodded and sheathed her sword.
She said to Zeke,
"See you in the third round."
Zeke and Helen came down from the wrestling arena to the cheers of the spectators.
The Agamemnon faction chanted Zeke's name and cheered.
"Zeke! Zeke!"
Zeke waved to the audience and left the arena.
***
After the second round, Zeke and his companions gathered at the mansion and took a long-awaited break.
The next day, Catherine brought news about the third round.
"It's a tournament, as expected."
Farel nodded as if he had expected it.
Zeke also agreed with Farel's words.
"With eight people remaining, it seems they'll have a quarterfinal, then a semifinal, and finally the final."
Catherine nodded.
"That's right. The third round will be open to the general public, so a tournament format is the best for attracting an audience."
Farel smiled at Zeke.
"If it's a tournament, Sir Zeke's victory is almost certain. There's no participant who can defeat a Blue Knight like Sir Zeke in a one-on-one match."
Zeke tilted his head at Farel's words.
"That's a bit puzzling. I thought the Siemens side would choose an event that was more advantageous to Edward."
Catherine then said to Zeke,
"Actually, there's one rule in this tournament."
Zeke nodded, with an "as expected" expression.
"What's the rule?"
Catherine said with a slightly troubled expression,
"Well... the basic rule is that the use of Aura is prohibited, and the matches are to be fought with pure physical strength."
Farel jumped to his feet.
"What! What kind of absurd rule is that! Prohibiting the use of Aura?!"
Since Purple Knights were eligible to participate, there was an unspoken rule not to use Aura Blade, but there was no case where the use of Aura itself was prohibited.
However, Zeke wasn't surprised.
Catherine said to him,
"It seems Sir Zeke expected this."
He nodded.
"I didn't think the Siemens side would hold an ordinary tournament. But I didn't know they would bring up the prohibition of Aura as a rule."
It was a blatant check against Zeke, a Blue Knight.
Edward was six years older than the seventeen-year-old Zeke, so in terms of physical growth and maturity, he was considered to be far ahead.
It was the result of Edward's calculation that he would have an advantage in the match if only physical abilities were considered, excluding Aura.
Zeke calmed down the disgruntled Farel and rose from his seat.
"Sir Farel, don't worry too much. Even if I can't use Aura, if I apply the traditional swordsmanship I've learned within my past life, I'll be able to overcome Edward's spear skills sufficiently."
Farel's expression brightened, and he jumped to his feet.
"Sir Zeke, I'll help you train as much as you want before the match! Just leave it to me!"
"Thank you, Sir Farel."
***
After the meeting to prepare for the martial arts tournament, Zeke secretly left the mansion late at night.
This was because he had received an urgent message from Kay.
He secretly went to Kay's hidden residence in Atlas.
The residence was a mansion of enormous scale.
Kay, the boss of the Syndicate that controlled the Southern Cartel, had reached an even higher position much faster than in Zeke's previous life.
The first person to greet Zeke upon his arrival was Paynun.
"Welcome, Master."
Zeke shook hands with Paynon warmly.
"Are you getting used to your new environment?"
Paynon gave an awkward smile at Zeke's words.
"I'm a bit overwhelmed because I've suddenly been given such a big role, but I'm learning hard so as not to be a burden."
Paynon had been appointed the head of the pharmaceutical company that Zeke was newly preparing.
Kay would run the Syndicate in the shadows, while Paynon would handle external activities in the open.
"Are there any difficulties in the preparation process?"
Paynon said with a smile, "Probably Kay is having more difficulties than me. Please come in."
Zeke entered Kay's office with Paynon.
The office was, in a word, a mess.
All sorts of documents were piled up everywhere in her office.
And inside, Kay was reviewing the documents with a haggard face.
"Kay, what's all this?"
Kay looked up at Zeke.
"Ugh..."
Meeting Zeke's eyes, Kay made a strange sound and slumped down.
Paynon approached her familiarly and handed her a fatigue recovery potion.
Kay drank the potion in one gulp and caught her breath.
"Ah... Thank you, senior. If it wasn't for this, I would have already died from overwork."
"It's a good thing my minor was alchemy."
Since they were both mages, Paynon and Kay seemed to have decided to address each other as senior and junior.
Kay took another sip of the potion and said to Zeke, "You must be busy with the martial arts tournament, how did you find the time?"
"I came as soon as possible because you said it was urgent."
"Ugh... Okay. Let's take a break. I'll have them bring some tea soon."
Zeke, Kay, and Paynon moved to the drawing-room and sat on the sofa.
Savoring the aroma of the tea, Zeke asked Kay, "Did you send the urgent message because of the paperwork?"
Kay shook her head.
"That's a problem too, but there's a bigger problem."
"Is there a problem with the cartel?"
"No, Simon is managing the cartel well. The reconstruction of the Cusco Kingdom is also going smoothly."
"Then what's the problem?"
Kay pointed at Zeke.
"It's you."
Then she handed him a document.
Zeke's expression hardened as he unfolded the document.
"...The Empire's Intelligence Agency and Draker's Black Stage are both investigating the south?"
Kay nodded.
"To be precise, the Intelligence Agency is looking for the one who destroyed the Pavella Cartel's camp, and the Black Stage is looking for the one who destroyed Don Juan."
In the end, both groups were after Zeke.
Zeke had an idea why the Imperial Intelligence Agency was looking for him.
'Cain Siemens Constantine.'
The suspicious Imperial prince who possessed the ancient Hercyon.
Zeke had killed him and taken Hercyon from the Imperial human experimentation facility he found in the Pavella camp.
Considering he used the Imperial family name and possessed a special Hercyon, he was likely an important figure in the Empire, and that would be enough reason for the Imperial Intelligence Agency to chase after Zeke.
However, Zeke had no clue why the Draker Black Stage was after him.
'Why is the Black Stage after me?'
As Zeke carefully examined the Black Stage's data, Kay said, "There's no need to think about why the Black Stage is after you. That's just how the Draker Black Stage is."
Zeke nodded at Kay's words.
The Black Stage, the eyes and ears of the Draker family, was a relentless group that sought and unearthed all information on the continent.
Zeke frowned upon learning that the Intelligence Agency and the Black Stage were after him.
'This is a bit troublesome.'
He hadn't left any traces of himself, but there might be evidence he accidentally left behind if they dug deep enough.
Using that as a clue, they might eventually reach him.
Kay said to Zeke, "If you're worried, should I tell Simon to kill any spies we find in the south?"
Paynon looked a bit surprised by Kay's words, as if he wasn't used to it yet.
Zeke clicked his tongue as he looked at Kay.
"Are we some kind of cartel? Killing everyone just because they're following us."
Paynon sighed in relief at Zeke's words.
He had a weak heart for someone who became friends with the queen of the underworld.
Kay also nodded at Zeke's words.
"Well, that's true. Even if we consider the Intelligence Agency, the Black Stage won't back down so easily just because we kill a few of them."
They would be even more determined to chase after him.
"Leave them alone for now and just keep me updated on the situation. If any evidence that could identify me specifically emerges, we can act then."
"Okay, I'll let Simon know."
"How's the Black Yaksha? Is he adapting well to the south?"
"Actually, he's the one who brought this information. Maybe because he's from the Intelligence Agency, he's good at gathering information leaked from the Empire. Simon is happy with his work."
"Oh? It was worth saving him instead of killing him."
Just then, Kay said to Zeke, "And there's one more problem."
"What problem?"
Kay nudged Paynon's side.
Paynon said to Zeke with a troubled expression, "Well, there's some trouble with the alchemists we hired this time."
"With the alchemists?"
"Yes, they're the ones we invited for the new drug development using Soma, but they suddenly declared a strike and aren't doing any research at all."
"Huh?"
He knew alchemists were difficult, but he didn't expect them to go on strike.
Zeke asked Paynon, "Is there a reason why they suddenly went on strike?"
Paynon carefully replied, "Actually, I invited new alchemists this time, and their personalities are a bit..."
Zeke shook his head.
"No, what are these alchemists dissatisfied with?"
Paynon replied, looking troubled, "Well, first of all, it's not alchemist, but alchemists."
"Alchemists?"
Something occurred to Zeke at Paynon's words.
"Are those alchemists twins by any chance?"
"How did you know?"
At Paynon's answer, Zeke made a subtle expression.
'It's them. The genius twin alchemists, the brothers Al and Jeff.'
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]