595
Chapter 595
Zeke held up the royal seal of the Tantra Kingdom, engraved with three eyes, causing Shahrazad to show a surprised expression.
"That pattern... Could it be that the Three-Eyed Race, the legendary rulers of the Eternal Mountains, actually exist?"
Zeke nodded.
"They are the Three-Eyed Race, descendants of ancient Shambhala. Now we call it the Tantra Kingdom."
"The Tantra Kingdom. The seal being in your possession means you've conquered that kingdom?"
Zeke pondered before answering Shahrazad's question.
"'Conquered' isn't quite accurate... But it's true that I have legitimacy through inheriting the qualification of the Shambhala King, who was the origin of the Tantra Kingdom."
Shahrazad was speechless at Zeke's unfathomable abilities and background.
'It's impossible to guess just how many more astounding secrets this man is hiding.'
Zeke spoke to the dazed Shahrazad.
"You need not worry about the magical beasts beyond the Eternal wall anymore. I plan to build a defense line by uniting the races within the Eternal Mountains, centered around the Tantra Kingdom."
Shahrazad's expression showed even more surprise than before.
"You mean to go beyond the Eternal wall? Hmm... That place has been a den of monsters that hasn't allowed outsiders for thousands of years. Even for someone like you, going to that area won't be an easy task."
"After Shambhala's fall, the Tantra Kingdom maintained their secret kingdom within the Eternal Mountains for a long time. Using their power, pioneering the mountains is possible."
He had already planned to actively utilize the power of the Tantra Kingdom after releasing them from the blood seal that had bound them until now.
It would start with awakening the blood eyes of those with potential, like Titus and Ulina, to control the magical beasts and continuously expand the safe zones within the Eternal Mountains.
Additionally, establishing branches of Feinen Pharmaceuticals and Linehart Trading Company in the Tantra Kingdom would accelerate development by bringing in civilization from the Central Continent.
Shahrazad nodded in agreement after hearing Zeke's plans for the Eternal Mountains.
"Developing beyond the barrier centered around the Tantra Kingdom. What an impressive plan."
"For this, we'll also need the Muruk Empire's help. If you permit trade with the Linehart Trading Company, it will create a massive trade route connecting Tantra, the Muruk Empire, and the Central Continent."
Having maintained her position as Sultan for a long time, Shahrazad was an exceptionally shrewd woman.
She instantly calculated the benefits the Muruk Empire could gain if the trade route Zeke mentioned was completed.
'This would benefit the empire in many ways.'
Shahrazad nodded and said to Zeke.
"So you want me to prepare troops for these benefits. If Arthur Draker revives the Demon King and does something, creating such a large-scale trade network would be impossible."
"Correct. Trade can expect more active development when the continent is stable."
Shahrazad knew Zeke's words were sound.
After calculating various factors, Shahrazad nodded.
"Very well, Zeke Draker. If you can guarantee what you've said, I can sufficiently convince the ministers."
Zeke finally breathed a sigh of relief at Shahrazad's words.
Then Shahrazad clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"Actually, this would be much easier if you became my royal consort. You're certainly taking the difficult path."
"That would create its own problems."
Shahrazad, who knew better than anyone about the delicate relationship between the Central and Eastern Continents, understood well what Zeke meant.
She smiled slightly and said.
"I can't win against you with words. Anyway, now that we've resolved the urgent matter, let's enjoy the banquet at leisure..."
WOONG! WOONG! WOONG!
Before Shahrazad could finish speaking, a vibration came from Zeke's chest.
When Zeke took out the vibrating object, it was none other than the mirror Nabu had given him.
It seemed the communication network that hadn't reached inside the Eternal Mountains had reconnected once they arrived in the Muruk Empire.
Zeke immediately received Nabu's contact through the mirror.
"Hermit, I was just about to contact you..."
"Zeke! It's terrible!"
Nabu shouted to Zeke in an urgent voice.
"Damn it! Storm Castle! They've invaded this place!"
Zeke stood up abruptly from his seat with a hardened expression after hearing Nabu's words.
"What do you mean they've invaded Storm Castle? Who are you talking about? Don't tell me..."
"Arthur Draker! It's the people he sent! Harvey West, that bastard has joined Arthur Draker!"
Zeke frowned at hearing that Harvey West, who had survived, had joined forces with Arthur Draker.
'Harvey West and Arthur Draker.'
This was the worst-case scenario he could have imagined.
Nabu's voice rang out again.
"Damn it, most of the High Tables have already fallen to Arthur Draker! And in that gap, Harvey West led the outer species' magical beasts to attack this place!"
"Are they after the Black Star that's there?"
Nabu gritted his teeth and said.
"Zeke, listen carefully! the Book of the Dead is here at..."
CRACKLE! CRACKLE!
"is..."
CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!
The communication cut off before Nabu could finish speaking.
But Zeke clearly understood Nabu's last words.
'the Book of the Dead is at Storm Castle?'
As far as he knew, the Book of the Dead that sealed the Demon King's soul was in the Final Tower on the abandoned continent beyond the Dark Sea.
While he didn't know why the book, supposedly beyond the Dark Sea, was at Storm Castle, he could tell the situation there was becoming urgent.
Zeke put the mirror back in his chest and spoke to Shahrazad.
"Your Majesty, it seems I'll have to enjoy the banquet another time."
Having witnessed everything, Shahrazad shrugged and nodded.
"Very well, I understand. A hero is always busy. How can I help?"
After some thought, Zeke said to Shahrazad.
"Please convince the ministers. Tell them that Arthur Draker's advance isn't far off and we must prepare together."
"Understood. Don't worry about that. I've already made up my mind during our conversation just now. Is there anything else you need?"
"Please relay my situation to Mycenae. I'll provide the details. And lastly..."
His eyes flashed as he spoke.
"Please lend me one ship. Preferably a sturdy one."
* * *
RUMBLE! RUMBLE! RUMBLE!
Zeke headed toward the Storm Island on the sailing ship provided by Shahrazad.
However, the ship's form was unusual.
Its surface was made of bone and ice, with a terrifying magical beast's skull decorating the bow.
Anyone who saw it might think it was a cursed ghost ship drifting at sea.
On the deck of what could aptly be called a monster ship, two Arch Liches were busily floating through the air.
The two were frantically repairing holes with summoned bone and ice when fierce waves struck the ship's sides, or driving away fierce sea monsters when they approached.
At the front, the Spirit Beast Nahuel was working hard to guide the ship through the turbulent waves.
ROARRRRR!
Suddenly, a massive sea monster rose up, trying to swallow the ship in one bite.
Surprised, Bane and Richmond immediately cast their magic.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The monster, its body frozen by Bane’s ice magic and pierced by Richmond's bone spear, sank straight into the sea.
Richmond spoke to Zeke with a desperate expression.
"M-Master, what kind of sea is this? It seems even rougher than before."
Zeke was leisurely drinking tea while blocking the splashing seawater with Shadow Armor, even on the rocking ship.
He replied to Richmond in a calm voice.
"Indeed, so work harder and check more thoroughly for any holes in the ship."
At Zeke's words, Richmond gritted his teeth and trembled.
'They said he became a Grand Duke in the demon realm, but he's become a real demon...'
"I can hear everything, Richmond."
"EEK! I-I didn't say anything. It was Bane who said that, Master!"
Richmond was trying to drag in the innocent Bane to save himself.
Leaving the cleanup to Richmond and Bane, Zeke looked at the storm-roughened sea while drinking tea.
'Richmond is right, the sea is much rougher than before.'
This wasn't a natural storm.
The sea that had been calm near Muruk was raging madly as they approached Storm Castle.
'This storm is related to Storm Castle.'
While it had boasted tremendous storms before, it was now incomparable even to that time.
As they were somehow making their way through the rough seas with the power of the two liches and Nahuel, Bane’s, floating in the air, shouted.
"Master! I see something ahead!"
Zeke stood up and enhanced his vision to examine the direction Bane was pointing.
His expression hardened.
Because he saw dozens of ships bearing a familiar mark.
'The Draker Black Corps.'
Ships bearing the Black Corps mark were gathered around Storm Castle.
On the surface, the Black Corps had currently sworn loyalty to Zeke along with Baron Draker.
But Zeke didn't believe that either Baron or the Black Corps were truly loyal to him.
If they were, there would have been no need to create a new intelligence organization called Nemesis centered around Boris.
'The current Black Corps is loyal only to Arthur Draker.'
If Arthur Draker had truly died, it might have been different, but since his death was revealed to be false, they were even less trustworthy.
'Just as the Hermit said, Arthur Draker seems to have attacked . The Black Corps being here proves it.'
Zeke narrowed his eyes and steered the ship toward where the Black Corps vessels were gathered.
Just then, he sensed something approaching his ship.
At first, he thought it was a sea monster, but the energy felt different.
'Outer species?'
As Zeke realized this, a horrific outer species beast covered in tentacles emerged from beneath the surface.
ROARRRRRR!
The massive worm-like beast with three heads writhed its tentacles, trying to wrap around Zeke's ship.
Richmond and Bane’s quickly cast their magic.
THUD ! THUD! THUD!
Hundreds of ice and bone arrows flew toward the beast, striking true.
ROARRRRR!
Hit by the bone and ice arrows, the beast seemed wounded and slowly retreated.
But soon, as if unwilling to end it there, it extended its tentacles again to attack Zeke's ship.
Seeing this, Zeke summoned creatures from the shadows.
Guardian Caligula and Ashvin appeared.
They were Guardians with supreme attacking power among Zeke's summons.
Caligula's three eyes flashed as he raised his black moon blade, while Ashvin spread his four wings and created a black spear made of shadows.
"Eliminate it."
At Zeke's command, Caligula and Ashvin flew up and unleashed their attacks on the outer species beast.
Caligula struck first, his black moon blade severing all the beast's tentacles.
While the beast hesitated from the sharp attack, Ashvin threw his shadow spear infused with wind power.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The wind-infused spear pierced through the beast's body, creating a massive hole.
GRRRRRR!
Under the Guardians' powerful attacks, the outer species beast could no longer regenerate and shrank back.
In that gap, something struck down from above.
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
BOOM!
Zeke, wielding the holy sword Ascalon, had struck the outer species with holy thunder.
CRACKLE! CRACKLE! CRACKLE!
Hit directly by hundreds of lightning bolts, the outer species beast sank into the sea, charred black without even a scream.
Richmond and Bane gaped at the power of Zeke's newly summoned Guardians.
'We're going to become fodder at this rate.'
'Surely Master won't turn me into a skeleton decoration because I'm no longer needed?'
Ignoring the two anxious liches, Zeke guided the ship toward where the Black Corps vessels were gathered.
Just then, a long-distance communication came in for Zeke.
CRACKLE! CRACKLE!
Zeke took out his crystal ball to check the communication.
"Greetings, Lord Zeke."
The one contacting him through the crystal ball was none other than Soma, the Right Wing Commander of the Black Corps.