Chapter 456
Chapter 456
Chapter 456
At Zeke's words, Shahrazad showed a surprised expression.
"A Sacred Covenant."
The Sacred Covenant was a type of oath passed down from the ancient Eastern Continent, based on trust and faith between the parties involved.
Those who made this covenant could never betray each other or speak falsehoods.
While similar to the "Oath of Promise" of the Central Continent, the Eastern Continent's Sacred Covenant differed in that it strengthened the bonds between parties beyond a simple contract.
This covenant would give the Sultan legitimacy in aligning with the Phoenix Guide, while Zeke could spread his reputation as the Knight of Salvation across the Eastern Continent and serve as a diplomatic bridge between the East and Central Continents.
Shahrazad looked at Zeke and said:
"I'm surprised you know of the Sacred Covenant. Hmm, though I find marriage with you more appealing."
"As I mentioned, that would complicate matters."
Shahrazad turned her head to look at Yelin beside Zeke.
Then she said to Zeke:
"Could it be that you rejected my marriage proposal because you have feelings for this beautiful High Elf descendant beside you? If you wish, I would allow her to be a concubine after our marriage."
Zeke shook his head at those words.
"If I were swayed by beauty, I would have accepted Your Majesty's proposal instead. I'm making the most rational proposal considering various factors."
At Zeke's casually thrown words, Shahrazad felt her heart skip a beat.
She was the Sultan who had lived for decades as the ruler and conqueror of the continent.
There were hundreds, thousands of men willing to dedicate their bodies and hearts to her if she desired.
Naturally, her five consorts all possessed outstanding looks, strong physiques, and excellent backgrounds.
But Shahrazad had never felt her heart flutter for any of those consorts.
Yet now she was surprised to feel such emotions for a knight from the Western Continent who was much younger than her.
Deliberately hiding her expression, she said to Zeke:
"It would be much easier if you simply married me and became Prime Minister without such complicated thoughts. You're making things difficult for yourself."
"This is just my innate personality. Please understand, Your Majesty."
Shahrazad smiled at those words and said.
"I cherish and like those who make efforts. Very well, Guide of Divine Beasts. However, if you truly wish to form a Sacred Covenant with me, you must overcome a suitable trial."
She proclaimed in a majestic sovereign's voice while seated on the golden fox.
"Zeke Draker, I shall personally prepare a 'Sacred Trial' for you!"
At the words ‘Sacred Trial’, Omar and all the surrounding eunuchs were startled.
Simultaneously, the banquet hall below the Sultan's platform became noisy.
"The Sacred Trial begins!"
"The Sultan bestows a Sacred Trial upon the Guide of Divine Beasts!"
As the surroundings grew chaotic, Yelin quietly asked Hades:
"Lord Hades, what exactly is this Sacred Trial the Sultan speaks of?"
"Think of it as similar to the Sacred Earth Law in your family."
When Zeke first met Yelin, he had fought a battle of honor according to the Sacred Earth Law.
And because he won that battle, he was able to nullify the crime of violating House Ishtar's expulsion order.
The Sacred Trial followed a similar procedure to this, but there was one difference from the Law of Earth.
The one bestowing the trial was not a god but the Sultan, who would determine the method of the Sacred Trial as God's representative.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
Soon came the sound of something entering the banquet hall.
Then muscular slaves were seen pulling in dozens of carts.
When the carts were moved to the center of the banquet hall and the slaves unfolded them, surprisingly, an arena was created on top.
RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
And then, the platform where Zeke's group was standing also vibrated and moved to a place with the best view of the arena set up in the center of the banquet hall.
When the slaves moved the Sultan's seat to the front of the platform, it instantly became the best VIP seat with the clearest view of the arena.
Then a few more carts came in and seats began to be created around the arena.
Zeke's group gaped at seeing a large arena being created in an instant.
'No way, how many duels do they have to hold to be able to create an arena of this scale in an instant?'
Sultan Shahrazad was deeply versed in martial arts and had great interest in various forms of combat.
In the Central Continent, each family focuses on cultivating their own Aura training techniques and family secrets while maintaining traditions.
Although not widely known, the basic foundation of the Aura training method first created by Sethon Draker remained almost the same even after thousands of years, despite branching into various forms.
As a result, the Aura training technique that was misinterpreted by Bahamut has been passed down until now.
Among these circumstances, the Draker family was the only one researching new secrets.
While the Aura training method itself had a fixed framework, they were far more progressive than other families in developing secrets into special techniques and registering them as family treasures.
From this perspective, Shahrazad's approach was innovative, maintaining separate martial arts researchers in the imperial palace to compare and study the Central Continent's Aura training methods and successor rituals.
So it wasn't strange that she had built this arena and system.
BOOM! BOOM!
While Zeke's group was marveling at this situation, slaves appeared beating drums to heighten the atmosphere.
The Sultan, reclining on soft cushions with three beast kings, looked down at the arena with interest.
Then she raised her voice.
"Warrior Krashnev! Step forward!"
At Shahrazad's command, one of the warriors guarding the platform leaped onto the arena with swift movements.
WHOOSH!
As Krashnev stepped onto the arena, Shahrazad spoke to Zeke.
"Sir Zeke Draker, I shall bestow upon you a sacred trial. You must defeat three warriors I have selected in this duel."
Zeke nodded at Shahrazad's words.
"Understood, Your Majesty."
"If you win the duel, you can form a covenant of faith with me. If you wish, I will also permit you to share my bed."
At the Sultan's bold words, Yelin's face turned bright red as she listened.
As the successor to the relatively conservative Ishtar family, she struggled to keep up with the Sultan's boldness.
Hades, standing beside her, found Yelin's reaction amusing and laughed holding his stomach.
"You might end up like a puppy chasing chickens at this rate. Try to be more ambitious."
Hades teased her mercilessly, unaware of how mortified Yelin felt.
With a light swing, Krashnev's left hand was nearly shredded.
Zeke couldn't help but be amazed at the Leviathan in his hand.
'With Bahamut's seal completely released and evolved... its power is no joke.'
He felt that he could easily be overwhelmed by the sword's power if he wasn't careful.
Krashnev quickly tore his clothes to wrap his left arm and held his sword with his right hand again.
Even in this situation, Zeke could sense the eastern warrior's unique strong will as Krashnev continued to fight.
But then something strange happened.
TZING! TZING!
Aura began pouring out from Krashnev's sword, enveloping his entire body.
WOONG
Krashnev's presence, drawing out the magical spirit power sealed in the weapon, was completely different from before.
Krashnev raised his sword and charged toward Zeke.
WHOOSH
He soared through the air like a gust of wind, flying quickly.
"HAAAT!"
Like a storm descending, Krashnev's sword struck at Zeke from all directions.
Zeke blocked Krashnev's wind-imbued sword strikes with Leviathan.
As he directly blocked Krashnev's relentless sword attacks, Zeke realized something.
'I can feel a faint elemental power here?'
Originally, humans couldn't use elemental power due to their physical structure.
But the eastern successors were those who overcame physical limitations to handle the magical spirit power sealed in weapons. They seemed to be handling that power indirectly.
'If you can't handle elemental power yourself, then you can handle beings that can control that power.'
The eastern magical spirits sealed in weapons were spirit beings called djinn, so these spirits could fully handle elemental power.
WHOOSH
As Zeke observed this carefully, the wind flowing from Krashnev's sword grew stronger.
'So that weapon must have a magical spirit with wind power sealed in it.'
Zeke stepped forward while blocking Krashnev's wind with Leviathan.
Though he wanted to examine the eastern successors' power more carefully, he still had two more opponents to face. He couldn't afford to be too leisurely.
Zeke took the Dragon Slaying stance with Leviathan.
WOONG!
As his sword rang with a strong resonance, Zeke stepped forward and activated Dragon Slaying technique.
Dragon Slaying Technique True Dragon Sword Style
Chapter 4 Verse 1
Full Moon Slash
CRASH! CRASH!
Zeke's sword strike created a full moon and split Krashnev's storm.
The reversed storm caught Krashnev, and he was swept up in his own power.
"ARGHHHH!"
It wasn't that Krashnev's ability was weak, but rather that Zeke's power was too strong.
Unable to endure any longer, he was swept up in the reverse wind and tumbled down from the arena.
THUD!
In contrast, Zeke landed steadily in the arena.
THUD!
The nobles of the Muruk Empire were shocked to see Zeke defeat the strong warrior Krashnev with such ease.
The spectator seats buzzed with chatter, as they hadn't expected such a one-sided match.
Shahrazad wore a satisfied expression watching Zeke claim victory proudly.
Then she stood up and called out.
"The second trial warrior is Saladin!"
When Saladin's name was called, the entire banquet hall fell into silence.
Even the nobles who had been cheering excitedly turned pale at hearing that name.
Hades and Yelin, watching from the VIP seats, noticed something strange about this reaction.
And shortly after.
CLANK! CLANK! CLANK!
The banquet hall doors opened, and a man completely bound in chains was led onto the arena by over a dozen slaves.
THUD!
The slaves pulled the chains, forcing the man to kneel on the ground.
Seeing the man, Shahrazad spoke with an alluring smile.
"The Massacre Duke Saladin. He is your second trial."