[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]
Chapter 93
Crash!
The spear of Aura that Zeke thrust accurately pierced the beast's heart.
The beast, whose head had almost completely regenerated, was about to regain consciousness when it let out a long roar in pain as its core was pierced.
Goooooooooooo!
A hole was blown through where its heart was.
The wings that had sprouted from the beast's back melted away and disappeared.
Kaaaaaaaaaa!
The beast let out a death rattle, staggered, and collapsed on the ground.
Zeke, watching the beast from Bucephalus's back, cautiously descended.
"Attacking the core was the right answer."
At the same time, a message popped up before Zeke's eyes.
[The skill level of True Dragon Sword Art (S) has increased from Beginner to Skilled.]
The True Dragon Sword Art left by Saturn Draker was a secret technique designed to relentlessly target a dragon's vital points.
On the other hand, the Dragon Slayer Art currently taught by the Drakers was modified for battles against humans, not dragons.
After Terakan Draker, many clans created their own secret techniques and applied forms based on the Dragon Slayer Art, leaving the original form only as the basic Dragon Slayer Art.
As the Drakers and their blood alliance clans focused on the modified applied forms and secret techniques, they considered the basic Dragon Slayer Art as merely an introductory swordsmanship technique.
However, while learning Saturn Draker's True Dragon Sword Art, Zeke realized that the true essence of the Dragon Slayer Art lay within the basic Dragon Slayer Art.
The sword forms and techniques were important, but the core of the True Dragon Sword Art was how to combine and utilize Aura with those techniques and how to link each form.
Zeke was able to grasp the essence of the True Dragon Sword Art through the battle with the Master of the Swamp.
'I clearly understand the meaning of the True Dragon Sword Art, which is to slay dragons.'
As the beast collapsed, the area that had completely turned into a swamp was slowly returning to its original form.
Zeke rode Bucephalus and landed on the ground.
Then, he approached the fallen beast.
It wasn't completely dead yet, as the mud-like substance on its skin was still wriggling slightly.
That was when it happened.
The mud-like skin slid down, revealing the beast's eye that had been covered.
The eye was similar in shape to Bahamut's, which Zeke had seen in the video of Saturn Draker in the past.
'Is it really a dragon?'
At that moment, something was transmitted to Zeke's mind.
『...Dragon Slayer... Thank you...』
Unlike before, when its words were cut off with a groan, its intentions were clearly conveyed this time.
Zeke was bewildered by the beast's words of gratitude.
"Thank you? What do you mean? And... are you a dragon? But why are you in this form...?"
As Zeke poured out his questions, the beast closed its eyes, seemingly taking its last breath.
The mud-like organic matter covered the beast's face again, and the traces of the dragon-like eyes could no longer be found.
Zeke looked at the dead Master of the Swamp.
It felt different from the other monsters he had caught in both his past and present lives.
'A dragon thanking a Dragon Slayer. And Bahamut, known as the Evil Dragon, being Terakan Draker's contracted dragon... It seems there's something unknown going on.'
The records about Terakan Draker were also restricted by the Draker clan.
The Draker clan held many secrets, including the unknown legend of the Dragon Slayer.
'If I take control of the clan, all these secrets will be revealed as well.'
Zeke pondered what to do with the corpse of the dead monster, or perhaps dragon, and decided to absorb it with Gluttony.
He couldn't be sure of its true identity, but it was definitely a dragonkin, so he judged that he could gain a lot from devouring it.
'But will I be okay after devouring this?'
There hadn't been any problems so far, so he thought it would be fine, but he couldn't help but feel uneasy remembering that the beast had sprayed not only acidic solution but also poison.
"Well, it'll be fine. Come on, good skills."
Zeke used Gluttony on the Master of the Swamp.
Sizzle!
Zeke's shadow spread widely and engulfed the beast.
Soon, the beast's body was absorbed into Zeke's shadow.
Perhaps because it was so large, it took quite a while to absorb.
Finally, the shadow of Gluttony swallowed the entire beast.
At the same time, a message window popped up.
[You have devoured a corrupted dragonkin completely eroded by magic.]
[Your consumed stamina, mental strength, and mana are restored.]
[You have devoured a designated creature, and as a reward, the skill level of Gluttony has increased.]
[As the Gluttony skill grows, you can devour items and acquire abilities.]
[You have acquired the ability 'Decay' from the devoured creature.]
[By absorbing the dragonkin's Dragon Heart, the seal on Bahamut's heart has been partially released. The current compression seal level is 80%.]
[You have earned 1000 Karma points.]
[You have acquired 3 Random Boxes.]
"Oh?"
When he devoured the Hydra, he only absorbed one head and gained the Immunity to All Poisons constitution, but after absorbing the entire ancient dragonkin, the rewards were tremendous.
Zeke was surprised to see one of the messages that popped up.
"I can devour items too?"
He wanted to test out this function, but considering the situation, he decided to try it later.
"I gained an ability, a large amount of points, my True Dragon Sword Art skill level increased, and I even got Random Boxes. It was tough, but I gained a lot."
With a satisfied expression, Zeke climbed onto Bucephalus's back.
Then, he quickly ran towards Boris and Prince Karus.
***
"Your Highness, this way."
Boris led the prince and hid deeper into the forest.
Perhaps because of the Master of the Swamp, no other monsters were in sight.
However, this also meant that the pursuers could chase them without being hindered by the monsters.
"Ugh!"
Boris gritted his teeth as his wound reopened.
He tore his clothes to stop the bleeding and caught his breath.
The Special Forces agents were relentlessly chasing after Karus.
'Damn it, even though this was where I used to work, they're really persistent.'
The Special Forces, who had split from Low's group, were chasing them deep into the Forest of monsters.
Boris was also a special agent from Division 13 of the Intelligence Agency and a Blue Knight, but he was no match for the Special Forces agents while carrying Karus.
'Can I hold out until the boss arrives?'
His new boss, Zeke, was a truly monstrous person.
So he believed that if Zeke came, they would definitely be able to escape this place.
Just then, one of the Special Forces agents approached where Boris was hiding.
"I don't know who you are, but you're quite skilled. Even we had a hard time."
The Special Forces agent began to persuade him.
"You won't be able to escape this place with the prince anyway. I'll make you an offer. Hand over the prince, and I'll guarantee your life."
Boris knew better than anyone that the Special Forces agent's words were a lie.
They wouldn't let him go after he learned about the Empire's secrets.
He held his sword and cautiously observed his surroundings.
'They'll surely say that and then stab me in the back.'
Boris drank the potion Zeke had given him and took out a scroll from his pocket.
He didn't have many left, as he had used them several times to escape pursuit.
'I wonder how long I can hold out with this.'
Just then, the Special Forces agent shouted again.
"I'm not lying! I'll really guarantee your life!"
Boris was about to throw the smoke scroll and escape.
But that was when it happened.
"I'll go! Let this person go!"
Unexpectedly, Karus stood up first and tried to go towards the Special Forces.
Boris was surprised.
"Your Highness! What are you doing?!"
Karus said with a bitter expression,
"You've done enough. I'll surrender, so you escape from here alive."
Karus had naively fallen for the Special Forces' persuasion.
That was when it happened.
Whoosh!
The Special Forces agents from behind rushed in and immediately subdued Boris and Karus.
"We've secured Prince Karus."
The Special Forces agent who was trying to persuade them grinned.
Thud!
Suddenly, a dagger was plunged into the agent's temple.
He collapsed without even screaming.
The Special Forces agents who had subdued Karus and Boris were startled.
"There's an enemy hiding! Be on guard!"
Thud!
Before he could finish his sentence, daggers were plunged into the necks of two Special Forces agents.
Boris got up and grabbed Karus.
"Get up! We have to escape from here!"
Karus, with a bewildered expression, ran after Boris.
The Special Forces chased after them again.
But something jumped out from the forest and blocked the Special Forces.
Whoosh!
Zeke, with his sword drawn, confronted the charging Special Forces agents.
Woooong!
A shield automatically unfolded from his armor, deflecting all the attacks of the Special Forces agents.
"N-no w..."
Before he could even finish saying "No way!", the Special Forces agent's head was severed.
After dealing with all the Special Forces agents, Zeke chased after Boris.
Boris and Karus looked relieved as Zeke caught up with them.
"Boss!"
"Boris, how long will it take to reach the smuggling ship?"
"We have to cross that mountain and go to the coast."
"The pursuers might have bypassed the forest. We can't be sure even if it takes longer. Let's hurry."
***
Zeke and his party traveled for a whole day, crossing the Forest of monsters and heading towards the southern coast.
Fortunately, there were no more pursuers sent by the Special Forces.
As they crossed the mountain and escaped, the sea came into view.
"Boss, this way."
Zeke and his party moved towards the southern coast where the smuggling ships docked.
The southern part of the Dorta Republic was close to the Sea of Death, with rough waves and a basalt terrain, so people rarely approached it.
Because of these geographical conditions, smugglers from the Southern Continent used it as a base when entering the Dorta Republic.
The safer route was through the north of the kingdom, but considering the situation, they had no choice but to choose the south.
Zeke said to Boris,
"Do smuggling ships always dock there?"
"Most of the smugglers who use the southern route bring in drugs. Since there is a high demand for Soma in the casino city, small smuggling ships are constantly coming and going."
"I see. But will they willingly take us to the Southern Continent?"
"If you tell them you're from the Syndicate, they won't be able to refuse."
The Syndicate, which controlled the Southern Cartel, was not something that small-time smugglers could handle. Zeke nodded in understanding at Boris's words.
Zeke and his party passed through the basalt terrain and headed towards the cave where the smugglers had set up camp.
As they almost arrived, they heard the sound of fighting from inside the cave.
Clang!
Crash!
Zeke raised his hand and signaled them to retreat.
"It seems they've found the smuggling ship dock."
Boris gritted his teeth at the enemies' persistence.
If they couldn't board a smuggling ship here, it would be difficult to find an escape route.
"Boris, protect His Highness. I'll go check it out."
Zeke used his Concealment skill and slowly approached the basalt cave where the battle was taking place.
Looking inside, he was surprised to see Draker knights fighting with smugglers.
'Those are the Red Lion Knights.'
As Zeke expected, it seemed to be the pursuers who had bypassed the coast and chased after them.
Fortunately, Abel and William were nowhere to be seen.
Just then, someone from the Red Lion Knights shouted, "Catch all those bastards!"
As the knights charged into the cave, the smugglers hid behind the cover they had set up inside and shot crossbows and military magic bombs at the knights.
Crash!
Although they were Draker knights with skills above Purple Knight level, the power of the magic bombs was considerable, and they could be seriously injured if they were careless.
The knights, who had underestimated the smugglers, were caught off guard by the unexpected counterattack.
The smugglers' defense, armed with military magic weapons circulating among the Southern Cartel, was stronger than expected.
'I need to divert the Red Lion Knights' attention and create an opening.'
Zeke, observing the situation, took out the explosive magic scrolls he had purchased from the shop from his inventory and started moving stealthily and quickly.
Meanwhile, Donner Rapelt, one of the lieutenants of the Red Lion Knights leading the knights, had an annoyed expression.
"Damn it, can't you even handle those bastards?"
The Red Lion Knights were composed of young knights who followed Abel.
Most of them had mainly hunted outlaws in the Central Continent or massacred poorly armed rebels, so they lacked combat experience in chaotic battles in narrow spaces like this.
Donner was annoyed that his subordinates couldn't sweep away the enemies as smoothly as usual.
He raised his sword and shouted,
"Get out of the way! I'll go in and sweep them all away!"
But just then, something flew from behind.
Crash!
It wasn't the sound of military magic bombs thrown by the smugglers, but the explosion of real magic.
[Translator - Peptobismal]
[Proofreader - Max]