Only after he saw Abel speak in coherent sentences did Ramon's stern expression finally soften. He looked at the high priest and said, "So, once a being from the Demon Realm fully takes root in the host's mind, communication becomes possible."
"Based on the host's memories from life, it can mimic them, so yes, it's possible. However, this one only has Abel's memories from before the rite of consecration. And since we've forcibly revived the body through a ritual, there could be unexpected side effects."
Hearing the high priest's words, Ramon nodded as he watched Abel slowly revert from his demon-dragonkin form to his human form. "This should be sufficient. We'll minimize external exposure and only show his face when necessary." The problem was Arthur Draker.
It was questionable whether Arthur Draker would fail to notice Abel's current state.
Ramon furrowed his brow but soon lifted his head. He said to the high priest, "It seems we'll need to adjust the plan."
The high priest looked at Ramon and said, "You're not suggesting we advance the second consecration rite, are you? No matter how much you insist, that's impossible." Ramon shook his head at those words. "I know that. What I'm referring to is the Empire." The high priest fell silent at Ramon's words.
After a moment, he spoke again. "The Empire. So, you're planning to seize the emperor's vacant throne."
Ramon nodded. "Yes. In this state, it's impossible to entrust the Draker family matters to
Abel anyway."
There were still too many enemies in the Draker family.
Considering the rising Zeke Draker, Kali who had consistently been Abel's rival, and Arthur Draker who still wielded the greatest influence in the family, it was only a matter of time before Abel's secret was exposed.
But the Empire was different from Draker.
Ramon's eyes gleamed. "We'll... elevate Abel to emperor of the Empire."
At those words, the high priest looked down at Abel bound to the stone dais before turning back to Ramon. "We'll need more time to adjust the details."
Ramon replied with a sharp gaze. "The longer we delay, the more that fox-like Julius will eye the emperor's vacant seat. Whether he finds the second prince or props up another imperial relative and acts as regent, he'll find a way somehow."
Ramon said to the high priest, "I'll give you three days. In that time, restore Abel to a level where he can communicate normally. Otherwise, it will hinder the plans ahead."
Their original plan had been to use Abel to take over the Draker family, then merge with the Empire to naturally inherit the throne.
In that process, they would incite war, direct all arrows of blame for the continental invasion toward the mad emperor, and allow Abel to naturally strike down the emperor and Julius's faction, thereby grasping not only the Empire but the entire continent in his hand.
But in the current situation, targeting the Draker family first would be a reckless move.
Ramon decided to push Draker aside and seize the Empire first.
He looked down at Abel bound to the stone dais and said, "Abel, through you, the continent will usher in a new history."
*
Zeke followed Arthur into the hidden secret space of the Draker family.
"This place..."
The first thing that caught his eye was none other than the Sword God Statue.
The awakening rite that all Draker children had to undergo at age twelve.
Through that awakening rite, the Draker bloodline received the blessing of aura, allowing them to grow stronger far faster than other knights.
But Zeke actually knew through the system that the Sword God Statue served as a kind of class identifier.
However, since the Sword God Statue could only identify classes related to swordsmanship, Zeke, with his healer class, had been unable to awaken and suffered greatly in his previous life.
And now, before Zeke's eyes, there stood a statue similar yet different. It had the same form, but compared to the Sword God Statue used in the Draker awakening rite, this one was twice as large and stood in the center of the vast space.
Arthur Draker pointed to the Sword God Statue and spoke. "You know what this is."
Zeke nodded and replied, "Yes, it's the Sword God Statue used in the awakening rite. Though this one's much larger."
Arthur smiled and said, "Zeke, who do you think this statue depicts?"
At Arthur's sudden question, Zeke pondered for a moment before replying, "Isn't it the
Sword God from ancient times or something like that?"
Arthur shook his head. "Close, but wrong. This Sword God Statue is modeled after the progenitor of the Draker family."
"Pardon?"
At Zeke's response, Arthur grinned and said, "It's the likeness of Shattan Draker, the founder of the Absolute Sword House Draker family."
"...!"
Zeke was startled by Arthur's words.
It was not surprising that Arthur knew about the Absolute Sword House or Shattan Draker.
What shocked him was the identity of the statue.
And rightly so, for Zeke had once seen Shattan Draker's appearance in life, even if only as a spirit form.
The Shattan Draker Zeke had seen directly had a slender, boyish build, and the sword he wielded was thin, unlike a typical arming sword.
Yet no matter how he looked at it, the statue bore no resemblance to Shattan Draker.
With broad shoulders, a sturdy physique, and a massive sword the size of a bastard sword, the statue embodied the ideal knight—devoid of any trace of Shattan Draker.
"How is that Shattan Draker in any way?"
From the legend of the Dragon Slayer onward, he wondered just how much truth was in the tales passed down in the Draker family.
Seeing Zeke too stunned to speak upon hearing the statue was Shattan Draker, Arthur said to him with a hint of surprise, "You're more shocked than I expected. You're not one to be easily surprised."
At Arthur's words, Zeke debated how to respond before slowly opening his mouth.
"Until now, I only knew the founder of the Draker family was the Dragon Slayer Terakan
Draker... To think Shattan Draker is the progenitor. Is this the same noble knight Shattan I know?"
Arthur nodded at Zeke's words. "Yes, that's right. The noble knight Shattan, first knight of Hero King Kaisir and one of the knights of the clock tower. Well, since little is known about him publicly, it's understandable you'd be surprised."
The founder of the Draker family was known as the Dragon Slayer Terakan Draker.
In truth, the Draker family had never officially declared this.
It was simply that the legend of the Dragon Slayer was so famous that everyone believed it.
Even within the Draker family, few knew the history before Terakan Draker, save for a select few.
Arthur looked up at the Sword God Statue and said, "The most important unknown fact about Shattan Draker is that he was the first to create the aura training method." Zeke feigned surprise, though he already knew this.
Shattan Draker had devised the aura training method out of a desire for humans to rise independently without relying on dragons.
He had also created the True Dragon Sword Technique, the origin of dragon slaying arts, leading to the current era of knights.
Arthur Draker calmly explained Shattan Draker's achievements.
As Zeke listened quietly, he realized one thing. "He doesn't know—or perhaps he's omitting—that Shattan Draker created the True Dragon Sword Technique. Or maybe he knows but chooses not to mention it."
Having gauged Arthur's ways to some extent, Zeke noticed he often restricted information based on the situation to maneuver others toward his intentions. Thus, there was undoubtedly some purpose in this explanation.
While Zeke thought this inwardly, Arthur continued, explaining how Shattan Draker succeeded to the throne of the Kingdom of Chronos after Hero King Kaisir departed, then left the kingdom due to some incident.
Seeing that he omitted the events involving Siemens Apollyon, it seemed he either did not know the related details or was deliberately limiting the information.
"Shattan Draker wandered the continent after leaving the Kingdom of Chronos. From the central continent to the northern and southern continents, and even as far as the eastern continent, traveling everywhere."
Curious about how far Arthur would go, Zeke looked at him and asked, "Why was that?
It doesn't seem like mere wanderlust."
"As I mentioned earlier, Shattan Draker was the first to create the aura training method.
Back then, no one even knew what aura was. He devised a way for humans to train in aura and grow strong to protect themselves."
Zeke nodded as if impressed by Arthur's words.
Seeing this, Arthur smiled in satisfaction and continued. "In the end, after completing the aura training method, Shattan Draker returned to the central continent to spread it, attempting to pass on the knowledge to other knights. But the knights of that era were already accustomed to artifacts and rejected the arduous aura training. After much deliberation, Shattan made a decision."
He paused briefly before speaking again. "To establish his own family."
Zeke, unaware of how Shattan Draker founded the Draker family, focused intently on Arthur's words, unsure of their full truth but intrigued nonetheless.
Arthur beckoned to Zeke. "Come this way."
He moved behind the Sword God Statue to an arched door in the wall and entered.
There, astonishingly, countless swords were embedded in the floor.
Arthur looked at the swords stuck in the ground and said, "Zeke, these are the swords used by successive heads of the Draker family."
Zeke finally understood why there were so many old swords.
Seeing the myriad swords of various forms popular in their eras embedded in the floor, the place felt like a sword grave.
Arthur walked past the numerous swords embedded in the floor to the deepest part.
He pointed to the sword stuck in the farthest spot. "This sword is the one used by the progenitor, Shattan Draker."
The sword Arthur indicated was astonishingly a claymore form very similar to Zeke's Bahamut.
Since Zeke already knew what sword Shattan Draker used, he could not help but feel puzzled by the form of the indicated sword.
"It's too different from what I saw."
The swordsmanship of Shattan Draker that Zeke had directly clashed with did not suit such a claymore form at all.
For the swift and ever-changing swordsmanship of Shattan, a thin, slender one-handed sword would have been more fitting.
Arthur looked at Zeke and said, "Zeke, try pulling this sword."
At Arthur's sudden words, Zeke was taken aback. "This sword?"
"Yes. Long ago, when I came here with the previous head, I heard the same thing. What do you think happened?"
"I'm not sure."
"I put all my strength into trying to pull it out. But it was impossible. The sword did not budge, as if glued to the floor."
Arthur paused before looking at Zeke and saying, "Zeke, take hold of this sword and pull it out."
Zeke sensed the subtle anticipation hidden in Arthur's words.
"Why ask me to pull this sword?"
With various questions in mind, Zeke slowly extended his hand toward the sword.
He grasped the hilt.
"Hm?"
The moment he gripped it, Zeke immediately realized. "This sword... it's made of adamantium."
A sword forged from godslayer stone, capable of slaying gods.
Like the holy spear he had found in the holy king's ruins this time, it was a blade imbued with godslaying power.
Adamantium, known as godslayer stone, could only be wielded by those with the power of immortality.
Zeke, with his immortal class, instinctively felt he could pull this sword.
At that moment, he sensed Arthur's gaze focusing on him with chilling intensity.
"This is..."
As a grandmaster, Arthur would see through any attempt to feign inability to pull the sword right before him.
Feeling an inexplicable dread, Zeke could not understand why Arthur wanted him to draw this godslaying sword.
"Backing down now would only arouse more suspicion." With no choice, Zeke gripped the sword and slowly lifted it.
But then, something astonishing happened.
"It won't come out."