Chapter 246
Chapter 246
'A dragon that killed a dragon?'
Dragons are the strongest living beings in the physical world when considered individually.
Kaisir had said that dragons face many restrictions when using their power because of this.
And one of those restrictions was that dragons cannot kill other dragons.
It was obvious that if dragons started fighting over territory like humans, no living being would survive in the physical world.
So he had never thought there could be a dragon who broke such an absolute oath.
'Is that why they've been able to survive until now, on the contrary?'
Zeke asked Jamila again to make sure.
"Are you saying the Hermit of the Black River killed another dragon?"
Surprisingly, Jamila flinched more when Zeke didn't show much shock. She spoke in a deliberately calm voice.
"Yes, the Hermit of the Black River has been trapped here since before the Hero King era."
This meant they had been here for over 2,000 years.
Zeke looked at Jamila and said.
"Nothing changes just because they killed a dragon. Any dragon is still a dangerous being with transcendent abilities compared to humans anyway."
Jamila clicked her tongue and said.
"You don't understand my words at all. The Hermit of the Black River is a being who broke the absolute rule that 'dragons cannot kill dragons.' It means we don't know what sparks might fly if someone who isn't party to the contract tries to break the oath."
Zeke responded in a calm voice.
"Then all the more reason I should go. If someone has to be sacrificed, it would be better if it's me, since you were planning to kill me anyway."
Jamila was momentarily speechless at Zeke's logical response.
Then Yelin, who was standing nearby, spoke.
"Sir Zeke, I too will go down to the labyrinth with you."
Jamila was horrified at those words.
"You, you! Where do you think you're going!"
Yelin spoke with a determined expression.
"How could we send Sir Zeke, an outsider, alone to a place where we must resolve our family's long-cherished wish? I will go down together."
When even Yelin came out like this, Jamila touched her forehead and shook her head.
"Ha, really... Do whatever you want, you two!"
When Jamila gestured, the presence of warriors hidden throughout the main palace disappeared in unison.
She said to Zeke.
"Zeke Draker, if you truly break the shackles of the oath and fulfill the Ishtar family's wish, you will become our benefactor."
"Then you won't send any more assassins?"
"Yes. I swear on the law."
"Good."
Jamila led Zeke and Yelin into the main palace with an unsatisfied expression.
She first took them to the banquet hall and had food brought out.
Zeke tensed for a moment remembering the previous meal, but fortunately, mild food came out instead of spicy soup.
'I almost lost my strength before even entering the labyrinth.'
Jamila said to Zeke.
"Eat. You're the first person to be invited to the main palace twice, Zeke Draker."
She glared at him while stabbing a lotus root with her fork.
"No, there was one more. That detestable Terakan Draker. They say that cursed seed also came to the main palace twice."
Zeke had trouble swallowing his food under Jamila's blazing glare.
Still, since it was a meal prepared for him, he managed to finish it all. When the meal ended, the awaited Ishtar tea was served.
As Zeke savored the tea's aroma, Yelin spoke to him.
"Sir Zeke, will you really be alright?"
"What do you mean?"
"The main palace's labyrinth... is filled with monsters we've never seen before and bizarre golems created by the dragon."
"Seems like a dragon with bad taste."
"It's too dangerous to dismiss as just the dragon's bad taste. If you need time to prepare..."
"It doesn't matter. If it's something we have to do anyway, better to handle it quickly."
Hearing those words, Jamila snorted.
"You talk big for a Draker."
Zeke ignored her mockery and asked Jamila.
"Madam, have you met Arthur Draker before?"
Jamila slowly nodded at those words.
"Yes, I have met him."
"For what reason did you meet?"
Jamila's eyebrow twitched at Zeke's question.
"I have no reason to tell you that."
She immediately stood up and said to Zeke and Yelin.
"Leave for the labyrinth tomorrow. If you don't bring proper results, you will be severely punished by law!"
As Jamila left just like that, Yelin bowed her head to Zeke.
"I'm sorry, Sir Zeke. It seems things have gotten bigger somehow because of me."
"It's fine, don't mind it, Lady Yelin."
"If you need anything, please tell me. I will prepare it."
Hearing those words, Zeke appeared to think for a moment before leaning towards Yelin.
"There is one thing I'd like to ask."
"Yes, please speak."
Zeke held up his teacup and said.
"Could you tell me where I can buy this tea?"
"......"
The next day, Zeke and Yelin stood fully equipped in front of the cave beneath the Ishtar main palace.
Inside the cave was a black door that was tightly shut, wrapped in strong chains.
Watching from behind, Jamila called out in a sharp voice with her arms crossed.
"Open the door to the labyrinth!"
The waiting Ishtar warriors undid the chains wrapped around the door.
CLANK CLANK CLANK!
As the chains came loose, the warriors pulled them hard.
RUMBLE RUMBLE!
The door slowly began to open.
Inside the door was complete darkness - it was impossible to see even an inch ahead.
Ezgi, who was standing next to Yelin, said while trembling.
"M-miss, can't you just not go?"
Yelin patted Ezgi's head and said.
"Don't worry too much. I'll be back soon."
Zeke and Yelin entered through the door without hesitation.
RUMBLE RUMBLE!
Once the two entered the labyrinth, the door closed again.
Complete darkness fell.
Then bright lights rose up around Yelin's body. They soon illuminated the surroundings brightly.
Zeke remembered seeing something similar on the island of the Sea People.
After Poseidon regained his divine status and the island returned to its original form, these lights had appeared throughout the forest.
Zeke asked Yelin.
"What are these?"
Yelin gently caressed the lights with her raised hand and said.
"These are spirits of the earth."
"Earth spirits. How fascinating."
"Forests grow lush and life flourishes where they dwell. High Elves like myself can call forth these earth spirits."
Just as Nerisa of the Sea People could handle water spirits, it seemed Yelin as a High Elf could summon earth spirits.
She lit the path ahead with the earth spirits.
"This way."
Zeke followed the path Yelin guided him down into the labyrinth.
* * *
THUD!
The door opened and Abel entered.
William Jiemens followed behind him.
Abel's expression was hardened, and William was pale.
He walked down the hallway and stood in front of the Family Head's office. A Strategic Headquarters agent blocked Abel's path.
"The Family Head ordered not to let anyone in."
Abel raised his hand and swung it lightly to the side.
The Strategic Headquarters agent flew helplessly toward the wall like a paper doll.
CRASH!
The Strategic Headquarters agents guarding the office drew their weapons warily toward Abel.
Abel's eyes turned red as he looked around at them.
"The moment you draw those, you all die."
The Strategic Headquarters agents couldn't move under the crushing pressure.
While they hesitated, Abel stretched out his hand and the tightly closed door of the Family Head's office shook.
RUMBLE!
The office door that was vibrating opened with what sounded like an explosion.
Abel strode in without hesitation.
Inside the office, Ramon Jiemens was sitting at his desk reviewing documents.
Even though Abel walked right up to his desk, he was silently continuing to sign documents.
Abel looked at Ramon and said.
"You used the trap I had prepared without even telling me."
At Abel's words, Ramon's signing pen paused for a moment.
But it was only brief , his pen started moving again.
Abel leaned on the desk, glaring at Ramon, and said.
"I'm talking about the Pirate King incident. You used the golden opportunity I had been saving to catch Kali Draker as you pleased."
Ramon still said nothing.
Then Abel slammed his palm on Ramon's desk and shouted.
"Say something!"
BANG!
Ramon's desk split and shattered. The documents Ramon had been signing all spilled onto the floor.
William's face turned blue as he watched from behind.
In the Jiemens family, the Family Head was akin to a god.
Going against his words was unthinkable. Even for William, the Young Family Head.
Ramon looked at the broken desk and scattered documents, and finally raised his head to look at Abel.
Abel felt a chill facing Ramon's emotionless, calm gaze.
Ramon stood from his seat and gestured to Abel.
He went to a seat prepared on the side, sat at the head position, and offered Abel the seat across from him.
Abel sat across from Ramon while William stood behind.
Ramon opened his mouth toward Abel.
"Even after receiving baptism, you're still so concerned about Kali?"
Abel glared at him and said.
"That's not what I mean. It was a trap I had prepared for a long time to catch Kali. But that..."
"Yes. Something prepared for a long time. By none other than me."
Abel's eyes widened at Ramon's words. Ramon interlocked his fingers and continued speaking.
"The baptized ones infiltrated into the Silver Knight Order, the bribes given to Imperial Legion Commander Morgan Buffon, the bait to draw in those filthy pirates , I prepared all of it."
Abel trembled with clenched fists at Ramon's words. As he was about to speak, Ramon spoke first.
"And you too, Abel. You're one of the things I meticulously prepared."
Abel's eyes widened at Ramon's words.
In that moment, his pupils turned red, transforming into demon eyes.
An invisible force began to swirl around Ramon's body, attempting to crush him.
If he applied even a little force, Ramon's body would have been crushed instantly.
However, Ramon spoke to Abel as if unbothered.
"Sometimes there are fellows like this. Those who forget their place and become confused about their position because too much effort was invested in them."
Ramon rose from his seat.
As if completely unaffected by the invisible pressure Abel had created, Ramon slowly approached Abel and grabbed his shoulder.
He spoke in a dry voice devoid of any emotion.
"Abel. I truly invested a lot in you. That's why you're precious. However, it's really troublesome if you misunderstand your position because of that."
Though Ramon's hand held no power, Abel felt an overwhelming pressure as if something massive was bearing down on him.
Ramon said to Abel.
"Whenever you seem to forget your place, remember your mother, Abel."
At the mention of his mother, red energy surged from Abel's body.
RUMBLE!
The entire family head's office began to shake. Abel lifted his head to glare at Ramon.
RUMBLE !
The vibrations shaking the room grew stronger than before.
Abel's red-tinted eyes had transformed into something completely different.
With eyes now resembling those of a reptile, Abel shouted at Ramon.
"Never! Speak of that woman again!"
CRACK!
The ground around where Ramon stood began to split, countless cracks spreading out from his position.
Yet Ramon himself seemed completely unaffected by any pressure.
Ramon said to Abel.
"If you don't want to return to that time, remember your position and role well."
CRACKLE!
Abel got up from his seat, grinding his teeth. Suppressing his rage, he left the family head's office.
William, who had been watching from the side, hesitated with a stiff expression before moving to follow Abel.
"William."
When Ramon called out to stop him, William turned back with an ashen face.
"Y-yes, Family Head?"
"Abel is still unstable. Watch him carefully to ensure he doesn't use his power recklessly."
"Y-yes, sir."
William bowed stiffly and immediately rushed out.
Ramon looked at the seat where Abel had been sitting.
"The Dragon Eye has manifested in Abel..."
He muttered as if to himself.
"The time is slowly approaching."
He turned and waved his hand.
The destroyed desk and scattered papers reversed their movement, returning to their original state.
Ramon sat back down at his desk and resumed his paperwork.