Chapter 236
Chapter 236
"Is it true that Bacchus's mother is a vampire?"
Zeke was startled by the completely unexpected story.
'Setting aside that Bacchus is a half-vampire, how could vampires even enter the Four Seasons Castle?'
Most vampires lived in the northern continent or wandered around the central continent.
Moreover, while vampires didn't actually turn to ash when exposed to sunlight like in stories, they did tend to roam at night due to their racial characteristics, and it was true that they survived by sucking the blood and vital energy of other beings.
In the central continent, similar races were rare, and the Draker family especially valued bloodline, strictly prohibiting mixing blood with similar races or werewolves.
The fact that Arthur Draker had a child with a vampire maid was hard to believe.
Zeke asked Kali.
"Did Bacchus request your protection for his vampire mother?"
"That's partly true, and also because if it's revealed that his mother is a vampire, the half-vampire Bacchus's own safety would be in danger."
Zeke nodded.
"If he were to apply for protection from the Black Corps, his mother being a vampire would immediately be exposed, and his own half-vampire status would be revealed."
"Yes, in that case, Bacchus would become a matter for the grand council's agenda. It would be 100% certain that he would be expelled from the Draker family."
If he were quietly expelled, it would be fortunate, but the hardline elders might insist on immediately killing Bacchus for "tainting Draker blood".
Zeke now understood why Kali had believed Bacchus's intelligence.
'She also has Bacchus on a leash, so to speak.'
Zeke felt the situation was turning strangely.
What he had thought was simply a trap set by Abel's side had become complicated with unexpected characters getting involved.
Zeke looked at Kali and asked,
"Do you think Bacchus has betrayed you?"
Kali shook her head.
"It's hard to think so. After all, his mother is in my territory. Why would he betray me and risk danger?"
Contrary to Kali's words, betrayal often happens when it seems least likely.
Of course, looking at the situation alone, it did seem difficult to betray her as she said, but Zeke thought it was hard to believe completely.
'Bacchus might not have known the information was fake, but that would be too optimistic. He might have abandoned his mother, or Abel's side might have already secured the safety of his mother in Kali's territory.'
There were plenty of methods.
In cartels, abandoning blood relatives for power was not uncommon, so Zeke found it difficult to be certain that Bacchus would not betray Kali because of his mother.
'I'll have to investigate this when I return to the central continent.'
After organizing the situation, Zeke told Kali,
"First, leaving this place seems urgent."
Kali also agreed and nodded.
"We have a ship we arrived on. I'll tell my companions, and you should leave this island with the Silver nights."
"Aren't you leaving with us?"
"I plan to rescue the Fishermen held captive by the Empire."
This made Kali furrow her brow.
"Zeke, there's no need to take risks for the fishermen."
But Zeke shook his head.
"I'm not planning to risk my life. If I can rescue the Fishermen hostages, I'll create a significant debt with Peter Pan, so I consider it a worthwhile investment."
"Would pirates find that valuable?"
"She’s not a simple pirate. Peter Pan is a descendant of the ancient deep sea race and holds great legitimacy among the fishermen. She’s definitely worth capturing."
Kali seemed convinced by Zeke's words and nodded.
"Hearing your explanation, it sounds plausible. Alright, I'll depart first."
"Thank you for understanding, sister."
They finished their conversation and went outside.
When Kali emerged from the hut fully recovered, the Silver Sword Knights wept with joy.
As discussed with Kali, Zeke ordered his companions to first board Linehart's ship and leave the island.
"I'll go with the fishermen youth group to rescue the hostages, so Iason, protect Kali well. Farrell, please lead them."
Farrell nodded to Zeke's command.
"Yes, my lord. Don't worry."
Zeke informed his group about the location of Linehart's ship in the cave, and they quickly departed.
After Kali's group left, Zeke called Peter Pan separately and handed her the conch shell given by Poseidon.
"What's this?"
"It's the Book of the Deep Sea."
"Wh-what? The Book of the Deep Sea? What's that?"
"I received it from the sea god. He asked me to pass it on to you, his descendant."
"What? The sea god? Just where have you been?"
"It's a long explanation. Anyway, I heard it contains the ancient power that the deep sea race lost."
Peter Pan examined the conch shell in amazement.
"But how do I use this? Do I eat it?"
"…Surely you're not serious. Try infusing it with power."
"How do I infuse power?"
"Like summoning a spirit, try concentrating your power."
Following Zeke's instructions, Peter Pan grabbed the conch shell and slowly concentrated her power.
However, the conch shell showed no reaction.
"It's not working?"
"Then try dropping some blood."
Peter Pan gasped at those words.
"B-blood is scary!"
"...Sometimes I doubt if you're really a pirate."
Zeke took out Annexi's dagger and directly held Peter Pan's hand, cutting her finger.
"OUCH, it hurts!"
The droplet of blood from Peter Pan's hand fell on the conch shell.
Suddenly, the conch shell began to react to Peter Pan's blood.
WOOOOONG!
A blue light emerged from the shell, wrapping around Peter Pan before seeping into her body.
"OH?"
As the blue light completely settled into her body, blue light burst from her eyes.
Suddenly, unfamiliar characters flowed out from the conch shell, glowing.
This time, the characters wrapped around Peter Pan's body, etching themselves onto her skin and glowing even brighter.
'This power... seems like magic. Are spirit arts related to magic?'
Considering how northern magicians used ancient magic to handle spirits, and spirits being beings with spiritual power, it seemed they could be considered similar.
After a moment, the blue light completely settled into Peter Pan's body.
She suddenly opened her eyes. Her eye color had changed to a mysterious mix of green, blue, and yellow.
At that moment, a message appeared before Zeke.
[Achievement Quest Mission Completed.]
[Acquired 'Deep Sea Race Medal' as a reward.]
Zeke immediately checked the medal's information.
―Medal Information―
Description: A medal containing the power of the deep sea race
Unique Ability: Telepathy
Special Note: Can transmit one's thoughts to another.
'Telepathy? What a fascinating ability.'
Zeke immediately consumed the deep sea race medal.
[Consuming the Deep Sea Race Medal.]
[Acquired Active Skill Telepathy.]
[Active Skill Telepathy merges with Blood Eye Skill.]
[Blood Eye Skill proficiency increases.]
[Blood Eye Skill application range expands.]
Checking the skill window, it was marked as 'Blood Eye [S-Rank (Expert+)]'.
'Was telepathy also a type of magic? I should examine this new ability.'
While Zeke was thinking about his new ability, Peter Pan, who had absorbed all the powers of the Book of the Deep Sea, approached him.
Zeke asked,
"Did you absorb all of the Book of the Deep Sea?"
Peter Pan nodded, saying, "This... is the lost ancient magic of the deep sea race. With this, fishermen won't have to suffer discrimination anymore!"
Zeke nodded, looking at Peter Pan,
"That's good."
After a moment of hesitation, Peter Pan bowed her head to Zeke.
"Th-thank you..."
Zeke responded in a dry voice,
"I just did what I was asked. You don't need to thank me."
Peter Pan quickly raised her head, her face twitching,
"I-I'm just saying hello! Not a lot, just a little thanks!"
She continued, turning her head away from Zeke,
"My real name is... Yes, Nerissa! Remember that!"
Then she suddenly jumped away.
Zeke tilted his head, looking after her.
'I wonder why she suddenly did that.'
A typical reaction from Zeke, who remained composed even in front of Angelina, the continent's most beautiful woman.
He called Bill and asked,
"Bill, where did you hide the Triangle?"
"I hid that ship behind the island, sir."
"Gather the fishermen youth group. We're taking the Triangle to rescue the villagers."
Bill replied enthusiastically ,
"Understood! I'll call them right away!"
* * *
The Neverland, a ship symbolic to Peter Pan's Fishermen pirate crew, currently held Fishermen captured by the Imperial Army.
Imperial soldiers and Abyss mages were guarding the brainwashed fishermen on the Neverland.
Suddenly, sea fog began to surge into the previously calm sea.
A soldier on patrol on the deck noticed the thick sea fog that made it impossible to see even an inch ahead.
"The weather was fine for days, and now what's this?"
The soldier grumbled, then noticed something through the fog.
"Huh? What's that?"
In the foggy darkness, something was rapidly approaching the ship.
It was none other than a massive whale.
"Huh?"
The whale quickly approached and swept its fin toward the Neverland.
SWOOOOSH!
The Neverland ship was swept by the waves and rocked violently.
As a result, soldiers on the deck lost their balance and fell, causing chaos.
Simultaneously, figures rose onto the deck.
The fishermen youth group grabbed fallen soldiers with hooks and threw them into the sea.
"KYAAAA!"
The fishermen youth group, who had instantly secured the deck, sent a signal.
Then Zeke and Peter Pan also climbed onto the deck.
Zeke inwardly admired the fishermen youth group's skill in instantly suppressing the Imperial Army's ship.
'No wonder they made a name for themselves as a great pirate group in the South Sea.'
Thanks to their racial characteristics, the youth group displayed exceptional skills in naval warfare.
Moreover, this sea fog was summoned using the deep sea race's sorcery that Peter Pan had just learned, blocking the view so other Imperial warships couldn't see them.
Thanks to this, Zeke's group could board the Neverland without being detected.
Zeke realized his decision to help the fishermen and bring them to his side was correct.
Zeke slowly descended to the lower part of the ship where the hostages were kept.
The soldiers there had already been dealt with by the youth group.
When he reached the lowest part of the ship, the brainwashed fishermen sat chained, with hazy eyes.
Zeke drew his gemstone sword Roland and used Recovery with a wide-area buff.
WOOOOONG!
The Recovery light spread to the brainwashed fishermen.
Moments later, focus returned to the brainwashed fishermen's eyes.
"Wh-where are we?"
Some villagers had completely regained their senses.
At that moment, Peter Pan approached the villagers.
"Aren't you Lisa!"
"SHH, everyone be quiet. Are you all back to your senses?"
The villagers nodded to Peter Pan's words.
Fortunately, they seemed to have regained their minds due to Zeke's Recovery.
"Are the villagers all here?"
"Yes, we've kept them gathered here since our attack."
"Good. Let's clean up and take the ship."
While the youth group was freeing the villagers, Zeke went up.
Then something jumped out from the darkness.
SWOOOOSH!
A mage in a black robe sprayed a suspicious potion toward Zeke.
CHIIIIIII!
Zeke stepped back to avoid the potion, but the wizard gave a sinister laugh and said, "It's useless to dodge. The moment you inhale the potion's smoke, your mind will be caught by me..."
The wizard, who was rambling, stopped mid-sentence when he saw the Blood Eye on Zeke's forehead.
The wizard, whose spirit was suppressed, could not refuse Zeke's command.
Zeke slowly approached the mage.
"I've been waiting for you to appear. I have many things to ask about the Empire's brainwashing, so let's have a calm discussion."
A few hours later, as dawn broke and the sea fog gradually lifted, chaos erupted in the Imperial Army camp. The Neverland ship, which had been perfectly fine, had vanished without a trace.
Imperial warships urgently tried to find the Neverland and the fishermen, but they had already disappeared without a trace.