Chapter 426
Chapter 426
Chapter 426
Zeke's suspicion grew at Castro's sudden words.
'What kind of trick is he trying to pull?'
Sensing the suspicion in Zeke's gaze, Castro waved his hand and spoke.
"Sir Zeke, I fully understand that it's difficult to believe my words, coming from enemy territory."
Castro leaned forward and continued in a serious voice.
"However, this is my message of respect to Sir Zeke, the Knight of Salvation. Please believe my words, as there isn't even a hint of falsehood."
Zeke looked into Castro's eyes as he spoke with what seemed like genuine sincerity.
'Knight of the Twin palace, Castro Pollock.'
Castro Pollock, an extreme purist, not only ignored and despised other races but also judged humans by discriminatory standards.
Zeke, being a pureblood awakened one from the Draker family, fit Castro's discriminatory standards as a superior human.
Thinking back to Castro from his past life, he was indeed someone capable of giving such advice, beyond his position as a Legion Commander of the Rom Empire.
'Although he's following Azmund Varios now, he's not exactly someone who fits Castro's purist ideals.'
The Varios family wasn't particularly prestigious within the Empire, and Azmund himself had risen to the position of Legion Commander through scheming, which didn't align well with Castro's tendencies.
Zeke slowly opened his mouth after hearing Castro's words.
"I, Zeke Draker, am moved by Lord Castro's sincere advice."
He decided to consider the current situation as goodwill stemming from Castro's extreme purism.
Castro made a fuss at Zeke's words.
"I, Castro, am overjoyed that Sir Zeke is moved! Let me recite a fitting ballad to convey this overwhelming emotion!"
Suddenly, he stood up and began singing a ballad composed by Reyes, the Knight of Fishermen.
It was a ballad about the heroic aspects of the Hero King driving out enemies while joining hands with barbarian tribes.
Only after singing the quite lengthy ballad from start to finish did Castro sit down.
He looked at Zeke with shining eyes, as if asking how his recitation was.
"...It was a wonderful recitation. I'm moved, Lord Castro."
Though Zeke knew nothing about ballads, he first offered praise and then, seeing Castro's satisfaction, changed the atmosphere to say.
"However, given the situation, it's difficult to believe everything you've said. Why do you think Legion Commander Azmund Varios has set up a trap while arranging a negotiation meeting?"
Castro, in an even better mood after reciting the ballad, looked at Zeke and said:
"While Legion Commander Azmund is certainly an excellent warrior and strategist, his reputation isn't actually very good. It's because he acts just like those snake people who always do shady things."
This was referring to how intelligent Nagas were sometimes recruited as legion strategists.
Castro, coming from a prestigious family and having gone through elite knight training, seemed quite displeased with Azmund's underhanded tactics.
He continued slowly.
"I don't know what excuse he'll use to lure you to Rom, but Legion Commander Azmund surely has no good intentions."
Castro was openly criticizing Azmund, who served as the Supreme Legion Commander.
Zeke pondered Castro's words.
'It seems he doesn't know exactly what kind of trap is set. He just seems to have no trust in Azmund Varios at all.'
There was a possibility that he hadn't even told Azmund about coming here today.
Since Castro Pollock from his past life would sometimes make sudden decisions based on his feelings and emotions, this visit too seemed to have been decided impulsively.
Zeke looked at Castro Pollock and said:
"I will deeply engrave Lord Castro's advice in my heart. But won't this cause trouble for you?"
At Zeke's words, Castro exhaled sharply and said:
"I am satisfied just by being of help to the Knight of Salvation. Although the situation has turned out like this... personally, I don't wish to cross swords with you."
In that moment, Zeke could read certain emotions hidden in Castro's words.
'Castro is dissatisfied with following Azmund Varios's orders.'
Castro, coming from an old prestigious family of the Rom Empire, took great pride in his family as much as he was an extreme purist.
Being such a person, Castro likely felt strong aversion to taking orders from Azmund, who came from an unremarkable family and used underhanded tactics.
Zeke noticed Castro's true intention for coming here.
'While telling me not to come to Rom, he's trying to use me as an excuse to strike at Azmund.'
Even for someone like Castro, directly striking at Azmund Varios was a burdensome task while Siemens held control of Rom.
However, if Zeke were to strike Azmund and create an opening, Castro could certainly exploit that opportunity.
Zeke realized Castro hadn't come here simply on impulse.
'He means he won't intervene when I clash with Azmund Varios.'
An indirect expression indicating that while he won't help Zeke, he won't attack from behind either, so please deal with Azmund.
After contemplating, Zeke raised his head and spoke to Castro:
"I understand well what your words mean. I too anticipated the trap Azmund Varios has set. But wouldn't the title of Knight of Salvation be shameful if I avoided it merely out of fear of danger?"
Castro immediately grasped the intention behind Zeke's words.
He soon put on a serious expression and stood up.
"The Knight of Salvation is truly different. Then I shall pray to the Sun God from behind for your success. May the light of peace and tranquility be with you, Sir Zeke."
It was a greeting befitting a Sun God worshipper who revered the Sun God.
After he left, Zeke called Felix to his office.
"You called, my lord."
Zeke looked at Felix and said:
"Prepare less than 10 members of the Black Sword Knights, including yourself."
"Less than 10 members, you say?"
Zeke nodded.
"Yes, I will go to Rom with that number."
"What?"
Felix wore a bewildered expression at Zeke's words.
But he knew well what kind of person his lord was.
'He must have some plan in mind.'
Unlike his initial reaction, Felix bowed to Zeke with an understanding attitude and said:
"Understood, my lord. Ah, but... does this include Lady Reina?"
"Isn't Reina not part of the Black Sword Knights?"
"That's true, but she said she would go with the Black Sword Knights during the advance."
After contemplating, Zeke nodded.
"Include her if she wishes."
"Understood, my lord."
After Felix left, Zeke remained alone in the reception room, resting his chin on his hand in thought.
'Azmund Varios. I don't know what trap you've set, but it won't go according to your intentions.'
Zeke's eyes flashed like a beast eyeing its prey.
* * *
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Zeke galloped down the main road from Heli to Rom with ten Black Sword Knights members.
Not only Felix and Liam, but also Diego, Rick, Aster, and Reina - four of the Five Star Knights from his past life were with Zeke.
Following behind were the mages Zeros, Jason, Arin, and the archer Claire.
Though only ten in number, they were skilled enough to face an entire order of knights.
Zeke headed towards the negotiation site in Rom with only a small number of Black Sword Knights members for negotiations with Azmund Varios.
This was because Arthur Draker, the head of House Draker, had given Zeke the mission to recover the forbidden book containing Terakan Draker's secrets from Azmund Varios.
It was Draker law that when an order came from the family head, it must be completed.
After passing the main road from Heli into Rom, a gateway appeared where Rom Empire forces were stationed.
Liam, who was carrying the Black Sword Knights' flag, stepped forward first.
Then an imperial knight rode out from the gateway and spoke to Zeke's party:
"State your identity!"
At the imperial knight's words, Liam stepped forward and shouted loudly:
"Guardian Knight of House Draker! Pureblood Awakened One! The renowned Knight of Salvation across the continent, Sir Zeke Draker! We seek passage to enter Rom at the invitation of Lord Azmund Varios, Knight Commander of the Crab Palace and one of the Empire's 13 Legion Commanders!"
As Liam's dignified voice filled with aura rang out, the imperial knight's eyes wavered as if overwhelmed.
He seemed unable to believe that Liam, who appeared quite young, possessed such martial prowess to emit this level of presence.
The imperial knight cleared his throat and turned his gaze toward Zeke behind Liam.
Then he waved toward the gateway.
Soon the tightly closed gateway slowly began to open.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
As the massive doors opened to both sides, Zeke mounted on Bucephalus stepped forward first.
The ten Black Sword Knights members followed behind Zeke.
Zeke entered without hesitation into the gateway where hundreds of imperial soldiers and knights were waiting.
The hundreds of imperial troops were all overwhelmed by the 'prestige' emanating from Zeke's body.
Until Zeke passed through the gateway and went out the opposite door, the imperial knights and soldiers couldn't move a single step.
The knight managing the gateway could only keep swallowing dry saliva at Zeke's majestic appearance.
'Knight of Salvation Zeke Draker. An even more fearsome presence than the rumors suggested.'
That's when it happened.
Someone came rushing up in a cloud of dust before Zeke and the Black Sword Knights who had entered through the gateway.
WHOOSH!
A knight in light armor who dismounted with swift movements immediately knelt on one knee before Zeke.
"I pay my respects to Knight of Salvation Sir Zeke Draker. I am a messenger sent by Legion Commander Azmund."
Zeke stopped Bucephalus and looked down at the messenger kneeling before him.
The messenger raised his head and spoke to Zeke.
"The Legion Commander awaits Sir Zeke Draker. I shall guide you, please follow me."
Zeke gave no response to the messenger's words.
After looking down at him for a moment, Zeke turned his head toward Liam who was behind him.
"What do you think I should do, Liam, Felix?"
At Zeke's words, Liam, who was holding the flag, glared at the messenger below with serious eyes and said:
"Suddenly sending a messenger to guide us is suspicious. It could be a trap, so we should capture this fellow and extract the truth."
Then Felix, who was beside him, stepped forward and said to Zeke.
"Since we're here for negotiations, I think Azmund's side sent a messenger to show courtesy. Let's follow him, but if I sense anything strange, I'll cut his throat immediately."
The messenger's face turned pale white at Liam and Felix's words.
After hearing the two's words, Zeke nodded and then looked back at the messenger.
The messenger bowed his head deeply and shouted:
"S-Sir Zeke! There is absolutely no deception! I came only by Legion Commander Azmund's orders to escort you!"
Zeke silently looked at the messenger before speaking:
"Rise."
At Zeke's irrefutable voice, the messenger rose from his spot while trembling slightly.
Though there was no separate order, the messenger returned to his horse as if entranced and began guiding Zeke's party to where Azmund Varios was.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Following behind the messenger, Zeke and his party soon reached Rom, one of the largest cities in the Central Continent and the empire's capital.
Knights and troops were guarding the entrance to Rom.
When the messenger waved his hand at them, those guarding the entrance greeted Zeke with tense expressions.
BOOM!
Zeke and the Black Sword Knights proudly crossed between the knights and soldiers guarding Rom, following the messenger.
Among the imperial troops, some sent gazes of reverence upon seeing the much-rumored Zeke Draker.
Zeke naturally received such gazes as he entered Rom.
And not long after entering Rom, he frowned.
'The smell of blood.'
The thick smell of blood drifting through the air irritated Zeke's senses.
While Rom's scenery was as he remembered, no people were visible and the smell of blood wafted from everywhere.
It felt even more eerie than Heli, which had turned into a ghost city.
That's when someone approached Zeke.
"Welcome, Knight of Salvation!"
A giant with an imposing physique sat on horseback.
Zeke immediately recognized his face.
'Azmund Varios.'
At last, he came face to face with the sinister schemer.