Chapter 455
Chapter 455
Chapter 455
'Royal Consort?'
Zeke's eyes wavered at the Sultan's sudden words.
The Sultan of the Muruk Empire had just offered Zeke the position of consort that had been vacant for decades.
Shahrazad spoke while looking at Zeke.
"This should not be a bad proposal for you. Second only to me, above all others in the world. Is this not an opportunity to stand above everyone except myself?"
How many people in the world could speak this way to Zeke, who was a guardian knight of the central continent's apex Draker family, heir to the dominant Agamemnon family of the central region, and renowned as the Knight of Salvation?
However, Shahrazad, Sultan of the Muruk Empire, was truly a ruler who looked down upon the world. She was certainly qualified to make such a proposal.
While Zeke was momentarily flustered by Shahrazad's proposal, he quickly regained his composure. Rather, it was Yelin beside him whose expression changed with even greater surprise than Zeke himself.
'Sir Zeke becoming the Sultan's Royal Consort?'
Yelin couldn't help but be bewildered by this completely unexpected situation.
She too had an impressive background as the heir to the Ishtar family, one of the three transcendent families of the central continent.
But the other party was the Sultan of the Muruk Empire, ruler of the eastern continent.
Moreover, even to Yelin's eyes, Sultan Shahrazad was a woman of remarkable charm and allure.
Because of this, Yelin couldn't help but feel tense, despite Shahrazad being at least twice Zeke's age and already having five consorts.
She remembered what Zeke had said when she asked him about marriage between them.
'If you and I were to marry, it would be the first union between direct lines of Draker and Ishtar, which would cause quite a stir in many ways.'
Marriage with the Sultan of the Muruk Empire would undoubtedly cause an even greater stir than marriage with the Ishtar family.
Therefore, Yelin watched anxiously to see what choice Zeke would make.
Hades, floating behind them, was also watching the situation with an interested expression.
Everyone held their breath waiting for Zeke's answer.
After remaining silent in response to Sultan Shahrazad's bombshell statement, Zeke slowly opened his mouth.
"Thank you very much for this precious offer, Your Majesty. However, there are several difficult issues preventing me from becoming the Muruk Empire's Royal Consort."
Shahrazad showed a surprised expression at Zeke's answer.
"Hmm? Difficult issues, you say. Tell me what they are."
Zeke spoke in a calm and clear tone.
"The first is the reaction from my Draker family and the central continent. Although things have improved much from before, the central continent still remembers the Muruk Empire's invasion and the knights sacrificed on those battlefields. I expect there will be opposition when I become the Muruk Empire's Royal Consort."
Shahrazad waved her hand dismissively at those words.
"I fail to understand how that could be a problem. Any complaints from others will quickly subside after hosting lavish, enjoyable banquets for several weeks and bestowing gold and treasures. This is not something for you to worry about."
This was an answer only the ruler who held the eastern continent in their hands could give.
Though an extravagant solution, it was indeed the surest way to appease those who would be dissatisfied.
Since emotions are momentary but wealth remains forever, most people tend to choose the latter.
Zeke continued speaking.
"The second is opposition within the Muruk Empire."
Shahrazad smirked at those words.
"That, of all things, seems like it wouldn't be a problem at all. Who would dare oppose the Royal Consort I have chosen?"
At the Sultan's arrogant answer, Zeke looked at her intently and spoke.
"I believe your warriors, the long-standing successor families, and the imperial citizens won't oppose. However, considering Your Majesty's current consorts and the Caliphs of each tribe standing behind them... especially the Talas tribe, do you believe they will give unconditional approval?"
The Sultan's expression slightly hardened at Zeke's words.
Seeing this reaction, Zeke confirmed he had precisely struck the Sultan's weakness.
'I never expected to use the Clairvoyance power received from the Great Sage like this.'
Before meeting the Sultan, Zeke had used Clairvoyance to access the Akashic Records and examine information about the current overall political situation of the Muruk Empire.
Though he couldn't know all the in-depth information, he could grasp the general situation.
'Currently, all five of the Sultan's consorts are heirs representing their tribes.'
The Muruk Empire took the form of a union integrating numerous vassal tribes.
Among them, six particularly powerful tribes supported Muruk, with the strongest being the Anatolia tribe to which the current Sultan Shahrazad belonged.
And the second was the Talas tribe, who believed Shahrazad would bear a child with the consort from their tribe.
The Talas tribe was particularly powerful compared to other tribes, and Shahrazad's first consort was the heir of the Talas tribe.
They were convinced that Shahrazad would bear a child with Talas bloodline, and that child would become the next Sultan.
In such a situation, it was obvious what reaction would occur if Shahrazad took a knight from the central continent - especially from the infamous Draker family - as Royal Consort.
Shahrazad looked at Zeke with curious eyes and said.
"How fascinating that a knight from the western continent knows all this."
She leaped onto the golden fox's back and spoke with an arrogant smile.
"The Talas tribe. True, their nagging is troublesome. But that's all. They dare not obstruct my will."
"I don't think the Caliphs of the five tribes can stop the great Sultan's will. However, when combined with the final issue I'm about to mention, these internal factors could become a major threat to the entire Muruk Empire."
Zeke continued while looking at Shahrazad.
"What will you do if the Caliphs target Your Majesty from behind when magical beasts from beyond the Eternal Wall threaten the empire?"
In the north of the eastern continent, there exists a massive mountain range crossing from west to east.
Higher and more treacherous than the Giant Mountains of the central continent, this range is called the Eternal Mountains in the east.
And periodically, magical beasts cross over from beyond the Eternal Mountains, so the Muruk Empire built a massive wall to stop them.
That was the Eternal Wall.
Shahrazad responded to Zeke's words with a dismissive expression.
"That's quite a leap. First, magical beasts cannot cross the Eternal Wall. Moreover, the Caliphs, including the Talas tribe, don't have the guts to strike at my back."
Currently, all real power in the Muruk Empire was in Shahrazad's hands.
If any tribe showed even the slightest sign of threatening the Sultan's authority, those involved would be brutally executed without the possibility of resistance.
While Shahrazad wasn't a cruel tyrant wielding arbitrary despotism, she also wasn't a soft ruler who would simply let those who threatened her be.
To Shahrazad's words, Zeke spoke in a calm voice.
"Are you truly certain of that?"
Zeke turned to Omar and asked.
"Lord Omar, you fought alongside us against the magical beasts that invaded the Dorta Republic. What do you think? In a similar situation, do you believe they couldn't cross the Eternal Wall?"
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
When Zeke suddenly turned attention to him, Omar, standing beside the Sultan, tensed up.
The Sultan turned to look at Omar and said.
"Omar, speak honestly about what you saw and felt."
At her command, Omar bowed his head and slowly spoke.
"Your Majesty, based on my direct combat experience... if faced with a similar situation, the Eternal Wall would likely be useless."
The eunuchs beside them whispered in shock at Omar's words.
Shahrazad raised her hand with an indifferent face.
"Everyone be quiet. Omar, I respect your courage and wisdom gained from much battlefield experience. Tell me honestly why you think so."
Omar raised his head at her command and answered.
"The magical beasts that invaded the Dorta Republic didn't appear by normal means. I saw a massive portal open with thousands of magical beasts and monsters appearing right in front of the walls."
In fact, one of the main reasons the Eternal Wall had long stopped magical beasts was because of the treacherous Eternal Mountains standing guard.
If a gate opened in front of the Eternal Wall without crossing the Eternal Mountains and magical beasts poured through, it was clear that no wall, however high and solid, could withstand it.
Shahrazad pondered Omar's words.
Then she asked Omar again.
"If you thought this, why didn't you report it to me?"
To Shahrazad's question, Omar calmly answered.
"Lord Hades told me that special power was needed to create such a massive portal. I heard those who invaded the Dorta Republic had enemies in the central continent, so I judged it wouldn't affect the Eternal Wall."
Shahrazad nodded as if satisfied with Omar's answer.
Then she looked at Zeke and said.
"I see. If Omar's words are true, wouldn't it be impossible for magical beasts to appear in the first place?"
Zeke nodded at Shahrazad's words.
"That may seem true for now, but it's wrong to say those who control the magical beasts are only targeting the central continent."
Shahrazad frowned and flashed a sharp gaze.
"Are you saying they will invade our empire as well?"
Zeke looked at Shahrazad and said:
"They are called the Abyss. Their goal is... none other than the revival of the Demon King."
When the words ‘Demon King’ left Zeke's mouth, Shahrazad's expression went blank for a moment.
Not just Shahrazad, but Omar and the surrounding eunuchs had the same reaction.
Shahrazad, who was the first to regain her composure, asked Zeke:
"Did I hear that correctly? The Demon King... you mean the one from the legends?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. They are trying to resurrect the Demon King, and they have already summoned demons through unholy methods to create a Demon King's army, invading various parts of the Central Continent."
Shahrazad made an expression of disbelief at Zeke's words.
"To think I would hear the word 'Demon King' directly in this era. How surprising."
"It may sound strange, but it is an undeniable fact. Moreover, I heard about the signs of doom directly from the Fairy King."
The atmosphere changed instantly at the mention of the Fairy King.
The eunuchs whispered among themselves about the Fairy King.
While Zeke found it curious that they were skeptical about the Demon King but had a different attitude toward the Fairy King, it wasn't a bad thing for him, so he quietly observed the situation.
After silencing the eunuchs, Shahrazad asked Zeke.
"Did the Fairy King prophesy about the end?"
"Yes. He said the Demon King will be resurrected and will stain all continents with blood. When he said all continents, that includes not only the Central Continent but the Eastern Continent as well."
Zeke embellished the content using the Fairy King's name as an excuse.
Unlike before, Shahrazad's expression hardened.
After pondering for a moment, she looked directly at Zeke and asked.
"Are you saying we need to prepare for when the Abyss crosses the Eternal Wall and invades with demon beasts?"
"Yes. If I become the Prime Minister of Muruk, there will likely be various internal conflicts when preparing for this. When dealing with demon beasts, the greatest threat comes from enemies within."
This was something Zeke had painfully experienced in his previous life.
During his time as a Highlander, the most difficult thing was dealing with the schemes of humans who tried to use demon beasts for their own profit.
Zeke looked at Shahrazad with sincere eyes and said:
"That is why I would like to make a proposal to Your Majesty."
Shahrazad nodded while reclining against the back of the golden fox.
"Tell me what kind of proposal it is."
Looking at her, Zeke revealed his true purpose for coming here.
"Your Majesty, how about forming a 'Sacred Covenant' with me, Zeke Draker, the Guide of Divine Beasts and Knight of Salvation?"