Chapter 341
Chapter 341
Chapter 341
Zeke wore a perplexed expression at Duke's words.
"What do you mean by stopping the Head of the Family?"
Duke frowned as he spoke.
"I often think Arthur seems precarious when I look at him."
Zeke couldn't quite understand Duke's words.
'The Head being precarious? How could someone who reached Grand Master level be like that?'
Just then, memories from his past life surfaced in Zeke's mind.
In his previous life, Arthur Draker had suddenly passed away from illness.
He wondered if that death was related to Duke's concerns.
'I really can't imagine that person dying from illness.'
Duke slowly continued.
"Arthur was always someone who had to achieve whatever he wanted. He was like that since childhood."
"Not much has changed about him now."
"True. Except for his relationship with Laura, there's never been anything he couldn't get."
Zeke recalled his mother, Laura Agamemnon, whom he'd seen when he returned to the past.
A strong and independent person.
Her personality was completely incompatible with the two-faced Arthur Draker.
In fact, Laura had despised Arthur back then.
'I still wonder why mother married Arthur Draker. Did they truly love each other?'
Zeke wanted to ask Rex Tourn about this in detail when he met him later.
Moreover, the Laura Agamemnon that Zeke met showed more friendliness toward Ramon Jiemens than Arthur Draker.
Considering the current state of the Jiemens family, it was hard to believe Laura Agamemnon had shown him such friendliness.
He could only think there must have been something in the past he didn't know about.
Duke spoke while looking at the serious Zeke.
"When I look at the mad emperor of Rom, I worry that Arthur might become like that someday."
"Surely that couldn't happen."
Duke gave a bitter smile at Zeke's words.
He knew to some extent what secret activities Arthur Draker was conducting through Baron.
While not as mad as the emperor's actions, they weren't sensible behaviors either.
If Arthur Draker hadn't held such enormous family power as he did now, he might have been immediately summoned by the elders and stripped of his position as Head.
"Anyway, I'd like you to become the Head, Zeke. Then maybe this mad family could become somewhat normal."
"If that's the case, couldn't sister Kali become Head too? She's the most normal Draker I've seen."
Duke shook his head as he spoke.
"While I like Kali too, that's not enough. Even her current position as Guardian Knight is overwhelming for her. While she's an excellent knight, her political abilities don't match that capability. If she takes the Head position, she'll be pushed around by not only the elders but also the heads of other families."
The Draker Head position wasn't one that could be maintained by strength alone.
The reason Arthur Draker could wield the strongest power among all previous Heads was not just due to his ability, but his exceptional political sense.
While Kali possessed excellent abilities as a knight, she lacked this political sense.
Duke had discovered this talent in Zeke through the recent Holy Kingdom incident.
"If you officially declare your participation in the successor competition, I'll support you from behind."
The successor competition was ultimately a power struggle within Draker.
The outcome depends on how much support one receives from various factions.
While Kali currently receives overwhelming support, if Zeke steps forward and Duke shakes up the Four Seasons Castle's situation from behind, the result was unpredictable.
Zeke fell into contemplation at Duke's words.
His original plan was to install Kali Draker as Head, withdraw from political battles to become stronger, and slowly take the Head position after Kali.
However, as things progressed to the current situation, something worried him.
'The prophecy about the Abyss creatures and the Demon King's revival. If I step back, I won't be able to use Draker's power to stop them.'
While it was possible to use the family's power through Kali, there were clear limitations.
Moreover, if Kali couldn't secure real authority as Head, the elders would likely restrict her power.
'If I become Head and secure control over the entire family beforehand, I can attack them more effectively. I could even create justification to erase the Jiemens family entirely.'
Looking at Zeke in contemplation, Duke spoke.
"Take time to think it over since it's not an easy decision. Andrei, Aul, and I will stay by your side for a while, so there's no rush."
Zeke felt genuinely grateful for Duke's consideration.
"Thank you, Master. By the way, there's one thing I'd like to request."
"What is it, disciple?"
"Please train our people rigorously."
Through this battle, Zeke realized his knights weren't yet reaching their full potential.
Zeke handed over a book from his inventory containing proper Aura training methods he had heard from Sethon Draker.
Duke was surprised after skimming through it.
"What is this?"
"It's something I restored through research after discovering it in ancient ruins. I thought you might want to apply it while training the knights."
Duke nodded in fascination while examining the book closely, noting its different approach from traditional Aura training methods.
"This is worth researching. Since Andrei and Aul manage well on their own now, it might be good to work with the others."
"They have strong foundations, so it should be fun training them."
Just then, someone knocked and entered the room.
It was Commander Decker.
He approached Zeke and Duke with a serious expression.
"My lord, urgent news has arrived."
Decker continued hastily.
"The imperial army led by the Emperor continues to march toward Vadoka Holy Kingdom after crossing the border."
Zeke frowned at this.
"Didn't His Holiness send a personal letter? Telling them to withdraw troops since the Orc legion was defeated."
Decker nodded.
"Yes. But the Emperor continues marching. Moreover... the messenger who delivered the letter hasn't returned."
Both Zeke and Duke's faces hardened.
Duke clicked his tongue and said.
"That mad Emperor is completely out of control now."
Zeke asked Decker.
"Is the Emperor definitely marching toward Vadoka Holy Kingdom?"
"Based on direction yes, though the exact destination is unclear."
Zeke seemed to know where the Emperor was heading.
'The ruins of First Holy King Geo Lubern.'
Since Zeke knew the Emperor's objective, he had asked the Pope about the Holy King's ruins.
But even the Pope didn't know their exact location.
He only mentioned hearing from the previous Pope that the ruins might be underground in an old castle site not far from Vadoka Holy Kingdom.
'This is an opportunity. I need to set a trap at the ruins and deal with him here.'
The mad Emperor couldn't be left unchecked any longer.
Zeke stood up and spoke to Decker.
"Decker, guard Vadoka Holy Kingdom with Lord Baord. I'll go scout the Emperor's location."
Decker was shocked.
"By yourself, my lord?"
Zeke nodded.
"Better alone to avoid detection. Don't worry too much, I'm just checking the situation."
The Holy King's ruins might contain relics left by Geo Lubern.
Going alone was better as bringing others could cause complications.
Zeke departed immediately for the old castle ruins on Bucephalus.
'Mad Emperor. The Holy King's ruins will become your grave.'
*********
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
The Emperor's army marched relentlessly under the sacred wolf banner.
The Scorpion Knights were at the front.
Vice Commander Calito led the vanguard with Commander Gillian beside him.
Surprisingly, Commander Gillian wore an iron muzzle and was bound in thick leather restraints sealed with chains.
More shocking was that despite Commander Gillian being bound like a beast, Vice Commander Calito and the entire knight order simply rode on silently.
The Emperor's army led by the Thousand Scorpion Knights continued their strange march, crossing the Holy Kingdom's border to reach near Vadoka Holy Kingdom.
During a brief halt, a black-robed mage approached Gillian and Calito.
The black-lipped, black-nailed cultist mage delivered the Emperor's message to the two.
"Vadoka Holy Kingdom has refused our entry. His Majesty is angered by their rudeness and demands compensation for the effort and supplies spent bringing troops here."
Calito responded to the mage's words.
"His Majesty's anger must not go unanswered. I'll lead the troops to destroy Vadoka Holy Kingdom and bring the Pope's head to His Majesty."
This extreme statement was unlike Calito's usual demeanor.
The mage shook his head and continued.
"His Majesty orders us to first go to the First Holy King's ruins and excavate the tomb for his remains. He's furious that the Holy Kingdom has neglected them. As the Rom Empire inherits the Holy Empire's traditions, he says we should properly honor the First Holy King's remains and then punish those cunning Vadoka people."
Calito nodded.
"Truly His Majesty's wisdom. We'll head to the First Holy King's ruins immediately."
Calito, brainwashed by the cultists' magic, was now their faithful slave.
They informed the Scorpion Knights of the change in destination from Vadoka Holy Kingdom to the First Holy King's ruins.
The knights silently prepared to move, also brainwashed like Calito and Gillian to follow orders without question.
The Scorpion Knights, now puppets faithfully following orders without will, mounted their horses with lifeless eyes and followed Calito and Gillian.
The long imperial procession began moving again.
The mage who delivered the message and location to Calito headed toward an ornate golden carriage, passing soldiers walking with dying eyes like ghouls.
The mage bowed before the golden carriage flying the sacred wolf banner of the Emperor, then slowly climbed aboard.
The carriage was so large it seemed like a giant room moving by itself.
A bed sat in the center, surrounded by translucent curtains.
The Emperor of Rom Empire was behind those curtains.
The mage bowed deeply and reported.
"Your Majesty, I've ordered the knights to head toward the ruins."
Harsh breathing came from behind the curtains.
It sounded like breath that could stop at any moment.
As the breathing calmed, a clear voice emerged.
"Why isn't my condition improving despite continuous sacrifices? Didn't the Serpent of the Black Maw promise rewards matching the price?"
The mage bowed again and replied.
"How can mere servants understand the constellation's will? We only convey what the constellation desires."
The golden carriage suddenly shook.
The mage looked up in alarm.
Simultaneously, he clutched his throat in pain.
"KUHURK! Y-Your Majesty."
An eerie voice came from behind the curtains.
"There's one reason I keep disgusting creatures like you. To keep my soul from leaving this body. Engrave that in your filthy mind. If you deceive me or act suspiciously, I'll tear you to pieces and feed you to the wolves."
The pressure on the mage's throat released as the words ended.
The mage stared fearfully behind the curtains, then made a deep bow and quickly descended.
The carriage filled again with the Emperor's labored breathing as the army silently marched toward the old castle ruins.