Chapter 454
Chapter 454
Chapter 454
THUD!
The Sultan behind the curtains was the ruler who governed the largest territory across all continents.
As Zeke approached, the warriors guarding the Sultan showed their vigilance by placing their hands on their weapons.
Seeing their behavior, Hades who was floating in the air frowned.
"What is the meaning of showing hostility to guests after inviting them?"
Despite Hades' intimidating presence emanating dragon's dignity, Muruk's warriors did not back down and firmly held their positions.
Zeke inwardly admired such warriors.
'Although their training methods differ from the Central Continent's knights, it's impressive they can withstand Lord Hades' pressure. They must be at least Blue Knight level experts.'
Since dragons still remained in the Eastern Empire, Hades was openly radiating dragon energy to display his presence.
In the tense situation, a sharp voice was heard from behind the curtains.
"What are you doing in front of our honorable guests? Everyone, step back!"
An eunuch with face powder came forward and scolded the warriors.
Only then did the warriors retreat and return to their original positions.
Zeke observed this and tried to understand the Sultan's intentions.
'They wouldn't have shown such vigilance without the Sultan's orders in the first place. Is he testing what kind of relationship I have with Lady Yelin and Lord Hades?'
Although Yelin and Hades were invited as honored guests to enter the palace, he heard they hadn't met the Sultan directly yet.
This was their first formal meeting with the Sultan, so they were secretly exploring each other below the surface.
Just then, a familiar face appeared from behind the curtains.
It was the elf Omar Hidayet, who had come to find Zeke as the Sultan's messenger.
Omar Hidayet approached Zeke with a courteous posture.
"It's been a while, Sir Zeke. This is our first greeting since the Battle of Dorta."
Omar was a comrade who fought against the monster legion in Dorta with Luther.
Therefore, Zeke politely bowed to Omar.
"It's been a while, Lord Omar."
Omar welcomed Zeke and his party with a bright smile.
"This way, please. His Majesty is waiting."
Zeke, Yelin, and Hades climbed onto the platform following Omar's guidance.
On the platform, behind the curtains, dozens of eunuchs were seated.
The eunuchs, with powdered faces and bowed heads, began praising in their distinctive voices at Zeke's appearance.
"It's an honor to see the Divine Beast Guide."
"We heard you received the Fairy King's blessing. Please do tell us that story."
"We would also like to hear the legend of the Knight of Salvation who shook the Central Continent."
Omar politely moved aside the speaking eunuchs and led Zeke's group inside.
Going to the innermost area, the Sultan's elaborately decorated space appeared.
Soft silk cushions embroidered with gold thread were laid on the floor, and colorful soft fabrics swayed like waves above the ceiling.
While looking around those, something caught Zeke's eye.
A tiger with snow-white fur was looking at Zeke with glowing blue eyes.
Zeke, who had the titles Divine Beast's Grace and Forest Companion, immediately recognized the tiger's identity.
'A Spirit Beast?'
The Spirit Beast in tiger form rose and slowly approached where Zeke was.
It looked twice the size of a normal tiger, and it circled around him before carefully observing Zeke.
And moments later, surprisingly, it rubbed its face against Zeke's leg.
Yelin's eyes sparkled watching the Spirit Beast.
Having High Elf bloodline, Yelin also loved animals very much.
When she slowly tried to reach out her hand after seeing its reaction to Zeke, this time the Spirit Beast haughtily turned its head away.
Then it stayed only by Zeke's side, making Yelin look somewhat bewildered.
Zeke also curiously observed the Spirit Beast's behavior.
'Is this the effect of the title?'
Zeke reached out to the Spirit Beast showing affection towards him and stroked its nape.
Then the white tiger closed its eyes firmly and made a pleased expression at Zeke's touch.
Watching this while floating, Hades spoke in an incredulous voice.
"Huh, how did you immediately tame that haughty Spirit Beast?"
At Hades' words, Zeke shook his head.
"I didn't particularly tame it. The Spirit Beast just allowed me to touch it."
Though Zeke spoke as if it was nothing, the white tiger was so pleased with his touch that it completely rolled over and started playing cute by stretching its front paws in front of Zeke.
But just then.
"That fickle creature is single-handedly bringing shame to our continent's Spirit Beasts."
A melodious voice was heard from behind the hidden curtain.
Zeke and Yelin looked up ahead.
Female warriors in armor emerged from behind the curtain and began to line up.
Then slowly, the curtain was drawn back.
The Sultan's figure, previously only visible in silhouette behind the curtain, finally revealed itself.
But surprisingly, what sat on the cushion wasn't human.
GROWL
A completely black lion sat proudly, glaring at Zeke's group with yellow eyes.
Zeke immediately recognized that the black lion was also a Spirit Beast.
The black lion made eye contact with Zeke and suddenly stood up.
GROWL
Then it moved its heavy body nimbly and leaped to pounce on Zeke.
When Yelin became startled and tried to be cautious, Zeke raised his hand to stop her.
While Yelin was bewildered by Zeke's restraint, the black lion that had jumped through the air had already reached Zeke, rolled over alongside the white tiger, and began playing cute by raising its front paws.
It had fallen for Zeke at just one glance.
Hades clicked his tongue while watching the two Spirit Beasts playing cute in front of Zeke.
"What a sight. What a sight indeed."
Just then.
"You've spoken my thoughts exactly, Sacred One."
Looking toward the source of the voice, they saw a woman sitting on the back of a nine-tailed fox with golden fur.
She wore Muruk Empire's distinctive silk clothing and elaborate ornaments.
The Sultan, with brown skin, deep eyes, and a toned body, appeared noble and elegant, yet somehow wild as well.
The revealed Sultan looked somewhat like an Easterner, yet also resembled someone from the Central Continent, Northern Continent, or the South.
With mysterious and profound beauty, her slightly upturned eyes appeared fierce, but this rather enhanced her uniquely proud and elegant atmosphere.
Zeke immediately recognized her identity.
'The Sultan of the Muruk Empire. Shahrazad Anatolia Shulrate the Great.'
Historically, the Sultans of the Muruk Empire had always been male.
In the empire's history, Shahrazad was the first female Sultan and held the title of Great Emperor.
She had suppressed the chaotic tribal chiefs of the Muruk Empire to establish the strongest centralized authority, and with this power, she was the one who waged the historic campaign to conquer the Central Continent.
Even now, 25 years after the invasion war, Shahrazad had only taken five concubines without formally taking a primary consort, and had not yet produced an heir.
Looking at the Sultan sitting on the Spirit Beast golden fox, Zeke thought he understood why.
'Just by appearance, she looks about the same age as me.'
She emanated a mysterious charm while maintaining a youthfulness that seemed frozen in time.
The Sultan dismounted from the fox's back and spoke to the white tiger and black lion still playing cute in front of Zeke.
"You two, that's enough, come here now."
At the Sultan's words, the white tiger and black lion reluctantly rubbed their faces against Zeke's body one last time before trudging back to the golden fox's side.
The golden fox was also looking at Zeke curiously, but fortunately didn't rush at him like the white tiger and black lion had.
The Sultan shook her head and spoke.
"Sigh, I was trying to create an impressive scene in front of the Divine Beast Guide, but those two ruined it all."
The Sultan approached Zeke while her attractive brown eyes sparkled.
Her golden earrings made clear sounds with each movement.
The Sultan came close and smiled at Zeke.
"Divine Beast Guide. Zeke Draker. Do you know that I have been waiting quite a while to see you?"
To Shahrazad's confident words, Zeke calmly bowed his head and replied.
"I heard from your messenger, Lord Omar. It is an honor to meet you in person, Your Majesty."
Shahrazad showed a surprised expression at Zeke's polite Eastern-style greeting.
"Oh? You feel somewhat different from the Western knights I usually deal with. The knights in my memory give off a more rough impression."
"Most knights spend their youth learning only to swing swords and charge forward, so they tend to be slightly lacking in refinement."
At Zeke's words, Shahrazad clapped her hands in amusement and laughed heartily with her mouth wide open.
"HAHAHA! You're the most interesting Westerner I know. I like people with humor."
After laughing joyfully, she turned her head to look at Yelin.
"Distant descendant of the High Elves. I hope your stay in my palace has been comfortable."
When the Sultan suddenly addressed her, Yelin was startled but quickly replied in a polite voice.
"I've been very comfortable, Your Majesty. The food was delicious and the bed was comfortable."
Seeing Yelin's tension, Shahrazad waved her hand.
"Oh my, no need to be tense. Descendant of High Elves. Though distant, you and I share the same blood."
Yelin asked in surprise.
"Your Majesty also has Elven blood?"
To this, Shahrazad smiled and said.
"I'm not of pure Elven lineage. My ancestors were a mix of many different races. High Elves, Night Elves, Druids, the now-extinct Unicorn clan, and more - including blood from races unknown to the world."
At Shahrazad's words, even Hades who was floating in the air was surprised and joined the conversation.
"Huh? Is it possible for blood from so many different races to mix?"
To this, Shahrazad answered Hades' question.
"Sacred One. The royal family of the Muruk Empire has a unique bloodline ability. We can mix blood with any race."
Hades showed an expression of admiration at Shahrazad's response.
"Oh, what a fascinating ability. True, there have been studies showing that Half-Elves' reproductive capabilities decrease with each generation. But if interbreeding with different races is possible without such limitations, one could produce increasingly powerful descendants over generations."
Hades looked eager to immediately investigate Shahrazad's bloodline. Noticing this, Zeke telepathically stopped Hades before he could get carried away and changed the subject with Shahrazad.
"Your handling of divine beasts seems to be part of that ability."
Shahrazad nodded.
"It is an innate talent I was born with. Well, it must be a manifestation of one of my ancestor's abilities. Animals have always been particularly drawn to me since childhood. Speaking of which, may I see the divine beast you guide?"
Zeke's warm welcome was ultimately thanks to Raven.
He called for Raven, who was outside pretending to be impressive while receiving awestruck gazes from Muruk's nobles.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
At his call, Raven appeared on Zeke's shoulder through a dimensional gap.
Seeing Raven spreading its magnificent feathers and letting out a phoenix cry, Shahrazad exclaimed in admiration.
"A real phoenix! This is truly remarkable!"
Seeing Shahrazad's amazed reaction, Raven gave Zeke a look as if to say 'finally someone recognizes my true worth.'
'This guy, getting so full of himself.'
To Zeke, it still just looked like an oversized chicken with fancy feathers, but Shahrazad's expression was like she was looking at the world's most precious jewel.
She carefully asked Zeke.
"Guide, may I have the divine beast perch on my arm?"
Zeke nodded at Shahrazad's words.
"This one particularly likes beautiful women, so it will probably prefer Your Majesty over me."
When Zeke gestured, Raven flew up gracefully before landing on Shahrazad's arm, putting on airs.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
Raven, now perched on Shahrazad's arm, seemed quite pleased with the situation, holding its feathers even more erect than when with Zeke while trying to look impressive.
Though to Zeke, Raven's behavior looked quite unsightly.
'Right, Raven, when else would you receive such treatment? Enjoy this moment.'
Shahrazad looked at Raven on her arm with an expression as if she owned the world.
After gazing at Raven for a while, she pondered briefly before turning to look at Zeke.
Then she slowly spoke.
"I have made an important decision today."
Shahrazad looked intently at Zeke and said.
"Sir Zeke Draker, Guide of Divine Beasts. How would you like to become my Royal Consort?"