Chapter 380
Chapter 380
Chapter 380
Ramon's eyes widened at the Apostle's words.
'Arthur Draker's weakness?'
He looked at the Apostle with a disbelieving expression and opened his mouth.
"Is that true?"
The Apostle nodded with a creepy smile at Ramon's question.
"Yes. If we use this, even Arthur Draker will have no choice but to fall. Others will never be able to find out the cause of Arthur Draker's death. The Priest is now preparing to perform that cursing ritual."
The frightening thing about ancient curses was that even the strongest black knight couldn't avoid them if they didn't know how to defend against them.
Of course, the stronger the target of the spell, the more sacrifices were needed, but the Abyss , having done this for hundreds of years, was well-versed in this area.
Ramon Jiemens was also prepared to make any sacrifice if it meant taking down Arthur Draker.
'If we can just take down Arthur Draker, all the failures until now mean nothing.'
The Draker family was the most concerning faction in the Continental War.
It took him less than a week to get his hands on Rom using Abel.
But the Draker family was on a completely different level from the Roman Empire.
He said to the Apostle.
"If we can eliminate Arthur before the Second Baptism, all our previous failures will disappear, and the plan will be as good as successful."
The Apostle stretched his mouth into a smile at Ramon's words.
"Of course. The Priest knows this too, which is why he's putting all his effort into this. So it would be better for you to focus on preparing for the Second Baptism rather than worrying too much."
Ramon didn't like the Apostle who whispered ominously like a snake, but in the current situation, he had no choice but to rely on the Abyss.
'After the Second Baptism is over, I'll have to eliminate these guys.'
He only joined hands out of necessity and had no intention of going all the way together.
Ramon looked down at the unconscious Abel and said to the Apostle.
"Take good care of him. He's a precious vessel after all."
Ramon turned around and left the great hall.
The Apostle's face, which had been smiling at Ramon's departure, completely distorted as if it had never happened.
"A mere human... arrogant bastard."
TSUTSUTSUTSU!
The Apostle's face crumbled, revealing the hidden true form.
The face of a demon with disgusting tentacles writhing was briefly revealed.
He was not an Apostle of the Abysss but 'Ropocale', a mid-level demon who had infected that body.
Ropocale quickly put on the human skin again and hid his tentacles.
He stretched out his hand and lifted the unconscious Abel with magical power, then grumbled while moving him to the room.
"Damn, I never thought Nebilos and Viper would end up like that. I was watching from the side, planning to step in at the crucial moment, but this has become troublesome."
His master, the ‘Writhing Pit of Darkness’, preferred to gain advantages by setting up sinister schemes from behind rather than stepping forward.
As servants tend to follow their master's tendencies, he too had set up a similar plan.
Since Viper and Nebilos, who were stronger than himself, a mid-level demon, had stepped forward, he was planning to just collect the falling human souls from behind, but now he was about to be stuck with the burden.
It was then, as he was grumbling internally with dissatisfaction.
"HMM?"
Ropocale suddenly stopped walking and shuddered.
His master, the ‘Writhing Pit of Darkness’, had transmitted something to him, his servant.
Ropocale thought about what his master had transmitted, then burst into laughter.
"Ha! That's truly an excellent plan! This servant will follow the master's orders and capture Zeke Draker."
Though the ‘Writhing Pit of Darkness’ wasn't a strong constellation, he had the insight to read the flow of battle well, so he was worth listening to not just because he was a constellation to serve.
Ropocale stroked his chin and gave a creepy smile.
'Zeke Draker. So he's the key to this war. Perhaps the plan might unfold more easily.'
He let out a sinister laugh as he entered the room with Abel.
The fallen constellations began to turn their attention to Zeke one by one.
******
"'Neutral City. It's been a while.'
The Neutral City Zeke last remembered was devastated by the continental war.
However, the City he was looking at from the roadside cafe was a vibrant scene with many people coming and going. Zeke was feeling its unique freedom while watching it.
Everyone in this City seemed happy, except for the two mischievous twins sitting uncomfortably in front of him.
"S-Sir Zeke."
Zeke glared at Al who carelessly called his name.
Al immediately shut his mouth and turned his attention to the honey tea Zeke had ordered for him.
Upon arriving at the Neutral City, Zeke visited the cafe he used to frequent in his previous life, wanting to enjoy the free atmosphere he hadn't felt in a long time.
However, his peace didn't last long.
CLANK! CLANK!
A group of knights in full plate armor approached Zeke.
One of the knights opened his helmet and showed his face.
He approached Zeke with a very tense expression and bowed politely.
"Sir Zeke Draker. I am the captain of the 3rd Defense Unit of the Neutral City..."
Zeke raised his hand to cut off the Defense Captain's words without listening further.
Although it could be considered rude, the Defense Captain showed no complaints and rather stood at attention with his mouth firmly shut.
Zeke, known as the Guardian Knight of Draker, Black Knight, and Knight of Salvation, was admired by all knights on the continent.
Zeke spoke while looking at the Defense Captain.
"What's the matter while I'm having tea?"
At those words, the Defense Captain glanced awkwardly at Al and Jeff brothers sitting in front of Zeke.
The Defense Captain spoke while sweating.
"W-well. Those seated with you are on the list of individuals prohibited from entering the Neutral City. B-by principle, we need to arrest them and investigate at the Defense Unit."
Zeke glared at Al and Jeff in front of him with an incredulous expression.
He wondered why they were being so difficult, but it turned out they weren't even allowed to enter the Neutral City in the first place.
"What exactly have you two been doing?"
Al and Jeff waved their hands while sweating.
"I-it's really nothing. We just played a few pranks!"
"Th-that's right! It was just for laughs, but they took it too seriously!"
At those words, the Defense Captain frowned and said.
"Those guys previously put a diarrhea bomb in the mayor's cushion during an annual event as a prank. When the mayor sat down, diarrhea-like liquid splattered everywhere... it was quite a mess."
Al and Jeff looked away in different directions, seemingly embarrassed.
Seeing this, Zeke clicked his tongue and said to the Defense Captain.
"Defense Captain, I fully understand your dedication to your duty. However, these troublemakers have business to attend to here with me."
At Zeke's words indicating he couldn't hand over Al and Jeff, the Defense Captain wore a troubled expression.
Then Zeke removed his dragon-slaying badge from his collar and handed it to the Defense Captain.
"If you face questioning from above because of this, mention my name and show this dragon-slaying badge. At least then, the Defense Captain won't suffer any consequences."
The Defense Captain's mouth fell open upon receiving the dragon-slaying badge.
It was none other than the dragon-slaying badge of the Guardian Knight of House Draker.
He received Zeke's badge with trembling hands.
"S-Sir Zeke. Th-this is…?"
"Keep it safe. I'll come back for it when everything is done."
At Zeke's words, the Defense Captain wrapped the badge carefully in a handkerchief with a pale face and put it in his chest.
Then he bowed to Zeke again.
"I-I apologize for the intrusion. Please enjoy your time."
The Defense Captain left, taking the knights and guards with him.
Al and Jeff sighed with expressions of relief as if they'd aged ten years, but soon returned to their mischievous looks.
"Wow, the Draker name really carries weight."
"Yeah, who knew that leech of a Defense Captain would leave without a peep. We were worried for nothing."
Zeke gave Al and Jeff a cold stare.
Al and Jeff, who had quickly returned to their playful behavior, immediately shut their mouths and stayed quiet upon receiving Zeke's gaze.
Zeke spoke while drinking his tea.
"If you cause trouble here again, you'll be having a meeting with Lady Arina at the Southern Islands Academy next time."
At those words, Al and Jeff's faces turned pale.
They too were well aware of the rumors about Arina's meetings."
It is said that when she interviews any violent criminal, they either go insane with fear or completely transform into a gentle lamb, changing 180 degrees.
However, it was even more terrifying because no one knew exactly what or how Arina conducted these interviews.
Zeke smiled with satisfaction watching Al and Jeff trembling in fear.
At that moment, someone approached Zeke.
"Sir Knight, please buy a flower."
A young girl was selling flowers with a flower basket.
Zeke nodded at the girl and handed her a gold coin.
The girl shook her head while sweating profusely.
"S-Sir Knight. H-How can I give you ch-change for a gold coin…?"
"No change needed. The flowers are pretty, so I'll buy the whole basket."
At Zeke's words, the girl handed over the basket with a bright smile.
Al and Jeff looked at Zeke with confusion after seeing this.
'Does Sir Zeke like flowers?'
'It really doesn't suit him.'
Ignoring their obvious thoughts shown through their expressions, Zeke looked inside the flower basket.
'As expected, it's here.'
Inside the basket was a scroll sent by Bacchus.
He had hypnotized the flower-selling girl to deliver the scroll to Zeke.
Zeke put the scroll in his inventory and handed the flower basket to Al and Jeff.
"Why are you giving this to us?"
"I don't like flowers though."
He spoke while looking at Al and Jeff.
"Take this and apologize to everyone in this City whose mood you've ruined with your troublemaking. Give them each a flower. If you don't do it properly, you'll have an interview."
At Zeke's words, Al and Jeff slumped down with lifeless expressions.
Zeke left the two where they were and stood up.
Then he went to a quiet place and took out Bacchus's scroll and tore it.
WOONG!
As the scroll activated, something appeared before Zeke's eyes.
TSUTSUTSUTSU!
A small bat-like creature started circling around Zeke.
Then, as if telling him to follow, it flew low and headed somewhere.
'Is this magic that indicates location?'
This was Zeke's first time seeing such magic, but it seemed to be vampire magic.
Zeke put on his shape-shifting cloak, changed his appearance, and followed the bat into the alley.
As the Neutral City was large and free, there existed an enormous hidden world beneath its surface.
Officially, the Black Market City in the lawless zone was the largest black market, but the Neutral City's black market was more advantageous for obtaining illegal potions, illegal medicines, and smuggled rare ingredients.
Zeke also frequently used this black market in his previous life.
During war, supplies were always scarce, and since the Alchemist Union only sold at high prices, he had no choice but to use relatively cheaper counterfeit goods from the black market, although they were somewhat less reliable.
Following the bat deep inside, he saw a tattoo shop deep in the alley.
Young men and women covered in tattoos stood around the shop, staring at Zeke.
Zeke checked the patches on their leather vests.
'Red Eye guys, huh.'
The eastern region, especially the Neutral City's black market, was one of the places where territory disputes between Red Eye and the Nostra Family were fierce.
Each alley had its own territory, and trespassing would immediately result in retaliation.
And this seemed to be Red Eye's territory.
One young vampire approached Zeke.
"Hey, this ain't a place for humans. Get lost while I'm asking nicely."
Zeke was looking around when he finally raised his head to look for the bat. It was circling around the tattoo shop entrance.
It seemed he needed to go inside.
When Zeke showed no reaction, the young vampire came closer.
"This bastard. Not listening to..."
THWACK!
Zeke extended his fist and lightly hit the vampire's jaw.
Though it seemed like a light hit, the vampire collapsed right there.
The other vampires leaning against the wall were shocked watching this.
Zeke spoke while looking at them.
"Go get your captain."