Chapter 486
Chapter 486
Chapter 486
The blood lineage of a pureblood Dragon Slayer blessed with the Aura.
For researchers of the Nostra family who studied bloodline ability users, this was their most desired research subject.
The two mages moved to the laboratory with blood drawn from Dohl, filled with anticipation.
The apprentice mages had already moved the box containing Zeke's corpse to the laboratory.
Upon arrival, the Head Mage said to the Senior Mage.
"Take out the pureblood Dragon Slayer's corpse."
At those words, when the Senior Mage opened the box with preservation magic, Zeke's clone that was crumpled inside was revealed.
At the Senior Mage's gesture, the waiting apprentice mages behind took out Zeke's corpse and placed it on the examination table.
The Head Mage approached the table and examined Zeke's clone.
"The preservation state is good. Seems recently deceased. Sufficient for various experiments."
The Senior Mage beside him spoke while looking at the Head Mage:
"But this knight... isn't he the famous Knight of Salvation? Though Howard's side will handle it... I'm worried about potential complications."
At those words, the Head Mage clicked his tongue and said to the Senior Mage.
"A true seeker of truth should be detached from worldly constraints. While alive, that's one thing, but once dead and before us, he's merely a test subject. Your mind and hands have grown dull don't be swayed by emotions like fear."
The Senior Mage nodded silently at the Head Mage's rebuke.
The Head Mage examining Zeke's corpse spoke:
"Before more time passes, we should examine the inside. I've been quite curious about the Draker pureblood's awakening and lower diantan formation process. I consider it one of the bloodline abilities ,what do you think?"
The Senior Mage responded with an agreeing expression:
"I think so too. The mana rejection response that appears only in purebloods can also be considered a type of bloodline ability."
The Head Mage nodded.
"Good, we'll have to see if we can extract that ability from this subject. It would've been better to bring him alive... but that would be too greedy."
They prepared to dissect Zeke's clone.
WHIRRRRR!
The Senior Mage stood forward holding a magically powered saw.
He spoke to the apprentice mages behind:
"Remove and store that uniform carefully. We'll need it when sending the fake corpse later."
Just as the apprentice mages quickly approached Zeke's corpse to remove the uniform.
TSSSSSSS!
Suddenly black smoke began flowing from Zeke's corpse.
"Huh?"
The apprentice mages enveloped in black smoke stepped back before rolling their eyes and collapsing.
Seeing this, the Head Mage and Senior Mage responded in panic, but too late.
"What is this?"
But before they could cast any magic, the black smoke soon enveloped the entire laboratory.
The Head Mage and Senior Mage also soon collapsed to the floor.
Zeke's clone on the examination table disappeared into smoke, and instead, Zeke who had been watching from behind revealed himself.
He looked down at the mages paralyzed by the power of shadows, unable to move.
The Head Mage rolled his eyes, looking at the living Zeke Draker in disbelief.
Zeke slowly approached him.
"A true seeker of truth. Is that how you've rationalized yourself?"
He smirked and placed his hand on the Head Mage's head.
"Let me personally verify how close you've come to truth."
WHOOOOSH!
The Blood King's power and dragon's wisdom spread together, thoroughly scanning through the Head Mage's mind.
Though his brain seemed to be destroying under that tremendous power, Zeke showed no concern as he rummaged through memories to find information.
Soon the Head Mage's eyes rolled back and drool flowed from his mouth.
But Zeke didn't let him lose consciousness.
He used amplified healing to wake his consciousness again, making him vividly feel the pain.
After extracting all information, Zeke stood up looking at the Head Mage whose eyes had completely lost focus.
"I've planted an eternal hell in your mind. The nightmare of being violated by those you've tormented will never end."
Zeke placed similar curses on the other mages and found the secret space storing research materials he saw in the memories.
After storing all materials there in his inventory, Zeke cut off the Head Mage and Senior Mage's hands, then stood before the black door again holding them.
RUMBLE-
The door opened revealing Dohl trapped in the glass tube.
A third eye emerged on Zeke's forehead.
『Descendant of the fallen god.』
When he conveyed his will through the third eye, Dohl who had been floating lifelessly in the glass tube slowly opened his eyes.
Zeke spoke to Dohl.
"I'll give you a chance for revenge. But there's one condition."
Dohl's eyes turned toward Zeke.
Zeke continued while looking into Dohl's eyes.
"Tell me the identity of Nostra Family's supreme boss. The one who imprisoned you here."
* * *
BOOM!
The massive door opened and Howard Draker entered the underground base.
He frowned at the gloomy atmosphere emanating from inside the base.
The Bloodline ability users guarding him showed no change in expression, seemingly used to it.
Currently, beside Howard were not only Bloodline ability users but also Draker's knights and Ishtar's mystic arts users.
This was because one of Ishtar's conditions for cooperation was to be introduced to the Nostra Family.
They were very interested in Nostra Family's chimera research and wanted to establish a cooperative relationship and trade through Howard.
From Howard's perspective, it was a beneficial deal as the stronger the relationship with Ishtar became, the more cards he could play.
Moreover, he expected that with Ishtar's mystic arts users present, Nostra Family's people wouldn't act recklessly.
'Though it's irritating to see these guys who used to be cautious during Arthur Draker's time suddenly acting so bold...'
As Zeke predicted, Howard was in charge of handling the dirty dealings between Draker and Nostra Family.
Arthur Draker, who had early on noticed Howard's true nature, gave him a council member position and put him in charge of these backroom dealings.
The sharp-witted Howard, to preserve his position, unhesitatingly joined hands with criminal organizations and proceeded with illegal activities as soon as he received Arthur's orders.
When Arthur Draker died, he actively utilized the advantage that he was the only connection between Draker and Nostra Family.
Howard headed deep into the underground base with his loyal followers, Himel's Ishtar mystic arts users, and the Family's Blood Contract ability users.
Upon arriving at the reception room inside, a man in an expensive suit greeted Howard.
"Howard! My old friend. Welcome!"
The one who warmly extended his arms was a middle-aged gentleman named Peter Olson.
He was a nobleman from the central region who ruled over a small territory.
However, this was just his surface identity; in reality, he was one of the executives of Nostra Family who controlled the underworld.
"Peter, it's been a while."
Howard exchanged greetings with Peter and introduced Himel beside him.
"This is Ishtar's successor, Lady Himel Ishtar, whom I mentioned. Lady Himel, this is Peter Olson, the practical operator of Nostra Family."
At Howard's words, Peter laughed loudly and patted his shoulder.
"My friend, you're saying dangerous things."
Peter bowed to Himel with elegant and restrained gestures befitting a central nobleman.
"Welcome, successor of Ishtar. It's an honor to receive you."
He tried to kiss her hand as one would with a regular lady, but Himel didn't offer her hand and only glared at Peter with sharp eyes.
Peter straightened up with a slightly embarrassed expression and offered seats.
Howard, Peter, and Himel sat at the round table.
Soon, servants brought wine.
Holding a wine glass with noble gestures, Peter spoke while looking at Howard.
"Your expression is excellent now that things are going well."
Howard nodded.
"Ishtar's help was significant. The poison of mystic arts users is indeed frightening. Even Black Knights fall instantly if they let their guard down. Of course, your help was great too. We caught Zeke Draker with the Bloodline ability users' power to amplify gravity fields."
Peter clicked his tongue and said.
"For us too, Zeke Draker was a thorn in our side, which is why we provided special-class ability users. Even I was surprised when the supreme boss made that decision. It means they were that concerned about him."
Howard was startled as Peter's words were unexpected.
"I didn't know even the supreme boss would step in to catch him. Zeke Draker, if we had left him alone, he might have become an even greater monster than Arthur Draker."
Peter winked while holding a glass of blood-red wine.
"Anyway, it's fortunate we caught him. Come, let's make a toast to Zeke Draker's death and the soon-to-be reborn Draker family."
Peter and Howard clinked their glasses, but Himel remained still without raising hers.
After taking a sip of wine, Peter looked at Himel and spoke.
"I'd like to ask why the successor of Ishtar wanted to meet with us."
At his words, Himel took something out from her chest.
A bottle containing black liquid.
It was an enhancement drug made using corrupted holy blood, which had belonged to Rahim, the leader of Six.
Himel spoke haltingly in Central Continent language.
"Need this. Drug. Ishtar."
She meant that the Ishtar family needed the enhancement drug made by Nostra Family.
Peter showed a surprised expression upon hearing Himel's words.
"Oh, I didn't know Ishtar would be interested in this. No, I'm more curious about how you obtained this in the first place."
The black drug was top secret even within Nostra Family.
It was questionable how a drug that couldn't be leaked externally ended up in Ishtar's hands.
Himel continued with sharp eyes.
"Decide. Deal. Or death."
A deal or death.
It was a choice befitting the transcendent Ishtar family.
At Himel's words, Peter showed a surprised expression before shaking his head and laughing.
"Haha, as expected of the Ishtar family. Even I don't want to become a target of mystic arts users."
He put down his wine glass and spoke to Himel.
"We also welcome any trade with Ishtar. However, there's a condition."
Himel put the black drug back in her chest and said.
"Speak. Condition."
Peter smiled and slowly opened his mouth.
"We need test subjects."
Suddenly, killing intent rose from Himel's body.
In response, the Bloodline ability users behind them became alert, and Ishtar's mystic arts users drew their swords.
As the atmosphere grew tense, Howard intervened to mediate.
"Bloodshed during negotiations is unwelcome. Let's calm down and resolve this through dialogue."
At those words, the Ishtar side's atmosphere softened slightly, and Peter gave Howard a grateful look before speaking to Himel.
"If you're going to use that enhancement drug, you'll need clinical trials anyway. The Ishtar family has elven bloodline, so we don't know how the black drug made for humans will react. If you provide test subjects, we'll give you both the experimental data and improved drug."
Nostra Family already knew that the Ishtar family had elven bloodline.
Himel frowned and glared at Peter before gesturing to the mystic arts users behind her.
The mystic arts users completely sheathed their swords and stepped back.
Himel spoke to Peter.
"No test subjects. Speak. Different condition."
At those words, Peter shook his head.
"It's difficult for us to offer different conditions. If it's money, we have plenty too. Isn't information what's really important?"
At Peter's glib words, Himel pondered before nodding as if having no choice.
"Understood. Agree to condition. But have different condition."
Peter smiled and lifted his wine glass.
"Good. Let's hear what condition it is."
Himel raised her hand and held up three fingers.
Then she lowered them one by one.
Peter and Howard tilted their heads at her incomprehensible action.
When all three fingers were lowered.
BOOM!
A huge explosion was heard from outside.
As Peter and Howard tried to stand up in surprise, they realized their bodies were stiff and couldn't move.
'Po-poison?'
The Bloodline ability users and knights behind them had already been subdued instantly by Ishtar's mystic arts users.
One of the mystic arts users removed their mask.
Yelin, the real successor of Ishtar, revealed her face.
She spoke while looking at Peter and Howard.
"There's one new condition. The heads of trash like you."