Zeke's suspicions grew even stronger upon hearing Castro's sudden words.
'What kind of scheme is he plotting?'
Sensing the doubt in Zeke's gaze, Castro waved his hands and said, "Sir Zeke, I fully understand that it's hard to believe what I'm saying, coming from someone who came from the enemy camp."
Castro leaned forward slightly more and continued in a solemn voice, "But this is something I'm saying out of respect for you, Sir Zeke, the Knight of Salvation. There's not a shred of falsehood in it, so please believe me."
Zeke looked into Castro's eyes as he spoke in what seemed like a sincere tone.
'Castro Pollock, Knight of the Gemini Palace.'
As an extreme pureblood supremacist, Castro not only despised and looked down on other races but also judged humans by discriminatory standards.
Zeke, as a Pureblood Awakener of the Draker Family, fit perfectly into Castro's criteria for superior humans.
Recalling Castro from his previous life, Zeke remembered that he was the kind of person who would offer such advice, going beyond his position as a legion commander in the Rom Empire.
'He's following Azmun Barrios now, but Azmun isn't exactly the type who aligns with
Castro's pureblood ideology.'
The Barrios Family wasn't particularly prestigious within the empire, and Azmun himself had risen to legion commander through cunning schemes, which didn't sit well with Castro's disposition.
Zeke pondered Castro's words and slowly opened his mouth. "I, Zeke Draker, am moved by the sincere advice from Sir Castro."
For now, he decided to view the current situation as goodwill stemming from Castro's extreme purebloodism.
At Zeke's words, Castro exclaimed dramatically, "To think that Sir Zeke is moved—I'm thrilled, Castro! In this overwhelming emotion, allow me to recite a bard's song that suits the moment!"
With that, he suddenly stood up and began reciting a bard's song composed by Reyes, the Fisherman Knight, to a rhythm.
It was a song praising the heroic feats of the Hero King allying with barbarian tribes to drive out enemies.
Only after reciting the rather long song from beginning to end did Castro sit back down.
He looked at Zeke with shining eyes, as if asking what he thought of the poem he'd just recited.
"...That was a splendid recitation. I'm moved, Sir Castro."
Zeke knew nothing about bard's songs, but he complimented it first before changing the mood as he watched the satisfied Castro.
"But given the circumstances, it's hard for me to fully believe what you've said. Why do you think Azmun Barrios has set up a negotiation site only to lay a trap?"
Castro, in an even better mood after reciting the song, looked at Zeke and said, "Azmun is undoubtedly a skilled warrior and strategist, but his reputation isn't great. It's because his actions are so insidious, just like those snake people."
He was referring to how intelligent nagas were sometimes employed as strategists in legions.
As someone from a prestigious family who had gone through elite knight training, Castro seemed to dislike Azmun's underhanded tactics.
He continued slowly, "I don't know what excuse he's using to lure you to Rom, but
Azmun's intentions are surely not good."
Castro was openly criticizing Azmun, who served as the supreme corps commander.
Zeke pondered Castro's words deeply.
'It seems he doesn't know exactly what trap has been set. He just has no trust in Azmun Barrios at all.'
It was possible he hadn't even told Azmun about coming here today.
In his previous life, Castro Pollock often made sudden decisions based on his moods and emotions, so this visit likely stemmed from a whim.
Zeke looked at Castro Pollock and said, "I'll engrave Sir Castro's advice deep in my heart.
But won't this put you in a difficult position?"
At Zeke's words, Castro snorted and said, "Just knowing I've helped the Knight of Salvation is enough satisfaction for me. Though things have turned out this way... personally, I have no desire to cross swords with you, Sir Zeke."
In that moment, Zeke caught a certain emotion hidden in Castro's words.
'Castro is dissatisfied with following Azmun Barrios's orders.'
As someone from a long-standing prestigious family in the Rom Empire and an extreme pureblood supremacist, Castro took great pride in his lineage.
Given that, it was likely he felt strong aversion to taking orders from Azmun, who came from an unremarkable family and relied on sly schemes.
Zeke realized Castro's true intention in coming here.
'He's telling me not to go to Rom while planning to use my hand to strike at Azmun.'
In a situation where Siemens controlled Rom, even Castro would find it burdensome to directly confront Azmun Barrios.
But if Zeke struck Azmun and created an opening, Castro could exploit it sufficiently.
Zeke realized this wasn't just an impulsive visit on Castro's part.
'He means he won't intervene if I clash with Azmun Barrios.'
He wouldn't help Zeke, but he wouldn't strike from behind either—so handle Azmun for him. It was an indirect expression.
After some thought, Zeke lifted his head and looked at Castro. "I understand well what you mean, Sir. The trap Azmun Barrios has laid is something I anticipated as well. But if I avoid danger out of fear, the title of Knight of Salvation would be a disgrace." Castro immediately grasped the intent behind Zeke's words.
He soon put on a solemn expression and stood from his seat.
"As expected of the Knight of Salvation. Then, I shall pray to the Sun God from behind to help you achieve your will. May peace and serenity shine upon you, Sir Zeke." It was a greeting befitting a follower of the Sun God, who worshipped the sun deity.
After Castro left, Zeke called Felix to the office.
"You called for me, my lord?"
Zeke looked at Felix and said, "Prepare no more than ten members of the Black Spirit
Unit, including yourself."
"No more than ten?"
Zeke nodded. "Yes. I'll go to Rom with that number."
"Pardon?"
Felix looked bewildered at Zeke's words.
But he knew well what kind of person his lord was.
'He must have a plan, so that's why.'
Unlike his initial reaction, Felix bowed his head to Zeke with an understanding expression.
"Understood, my lord. Ah, but... does that include Lady Reina?"
"Reina isn't part of the Black Spirit Unit, is she?"
"That's true, but she insisted on going with the Black Spirit Unit during the advance."
Zeke thought for a moment and then nodded. "Include her if she wants to."
"Understood, my lord."
As Felix left, Zeke, now alone in the reception room, rested his chin on his hand and fell deep into thought.
'Azmun Barrios. I don't know what trap you've set, but it won't go as you intend.' Like a beast eyeing its prey, Zeke's eyes gleamed sharply.
*
Thud thud thud!
Zeke rode down the highway from Heli toward Rom, accompanied by ten members of the Black Spirit Unit.
Not only Felix and Liam, but also Diego, Rick, Aster, and even Reina—four of the Five Star Knights from his previous life—were with Zeke.
Behind them followed Xeros and Jason the mages, Arin, and Claire the archer.
Though only ten in number, they possessed the strength to rival an entire knight order.
Zeke headed to the negotiation site in Rom with this small group of Black Spirit Unit members for his talks with Azmun Barrios.
This was because Arthur Draker, the head of the Draker Family, had given Zeke the mission to retrieve the golden tome containing Terakan Draker's secrets from Azmun Barrios.
When the family head issued an order, it was the Draker way to fulfill it without fail.
As they passed the highway leading from Heli into Rom, a checkpoint garrisoned by Rom Empire forces came into view.
Liam, holding the Black Sword Knight Order banner, stepped forward first.
Then, an imperial knight rode out from the checkpoint and called out to Zeke's group.
"State your identity!"
At the imperial knight's words, Liam stepped forward and shouted loudly, "It is Zeke
Draker, Guardian Knight of the Draker Family! Pureblood Awakener! The Knight of
Salvation who has made his name across the continent! We seek passage here to enter
Rom at the invitation of Azmun Barrios, Captain of the Knight Order of the Capricorn
Palace and one of the thirteen legion commanders of the empire!"
Liam's deep voice, infused with aura, boomed resonantly, overwhelming the imperial knight as if asserting dominance.
It seemed unbelievable that the still-young-looking Liam possessed such prowess and presence.
The imperial knight cleared his throat awkwardly and turned his gaze to Zeke behind Liam.
He then waved toward the checkpoint.
Soon, the firmly shut gate began to open slowly.
Rumble rumble rumble!
As the massive gates parted to the sides, Zeke, mounted on Bucephalus, advanced first. The ten Black Spirit Unit members followed behind Zeke.
Zeke entered the checkpoint without hesitation, where hundreds of imperial soldiers and knights stood ready.
The 'rank' emanating from Zeke's body overwhelmed the hundreds of imperial troops.
The imperial knights and soldiers couldn't move a single step until Zeke passed through the checkpoint and exited the opposite gate.
The knight managing the checkpoint could only swallow dryly repeatedly as he watched Zeke's dignified figure.
'Zeke Draker, the Knight of Salvation. He's even more fearsome than the rumors.' It was then.
As Zeke and the Black Spirit Unit entered through the checkpoint, someone came rushing toward them, kicking up dust.
Whoosh!
A knight in light armor landed swiftly from his horse and immediately knelt on one knee before Zeke.
"Greetings to Zeke Draker, the Knight of Salvation. I am the herald sent by Legion
Commander Azmun."
Zeke halted Bucephalus and looked down at the kneeling herald.
The herald raised his head and said to Zeke, "The legion commander awaits Zeke Draker.
I shall guide you, so please come with me."
Zeke gave no reply to the herald's words.
After gazing down at him silently for a moment, Zeke turned his head toward Liam behind him.
"What do you think I should do, Liam, Felix?"
At Zeke's words, Liam, holding the banner, glared at the herald below with a serious gaze and said, "Sending a herald so suddenly to guide us is suspicious. It could be a trap, so we should capture him and extract the truth."
Then Felix, standing beside him, stepped forward and said to Zeke, "Since we've agreed to negotiate, perhaps Azmun sent the herald to show courtesy. We can follow him, but if anything feels off, I'll cut his throat immediately."
The herald's face paled at Liam and Felix's words.
Having heard the two, Zeke nodded and then looked back at the herald.
The herald bowed his head deeply and cried out, "S-Sir Zeke! I have no intention of deceiving you! I came only to escort you on Legion Commander Azmun's orders!"
Zeke stared at the herald wordlessly before finally speaking. "Rise."
At Zeke's irrefutable voice, the herald trembled slightly as he stood from his position.
Though no further orders were given, the herald, as if entranced, remounted his horse and began leading Zeke's group to where Azmun Barrios was.
Thud thud thud thud!
Following the herald, Zeke and his group soon arrived at Rom, the empire's capital and one of the largest cities on the Central Continent.
The entrance to Rom was guarded by knights and soldiers.
When the herald waved to them, those guarding the entrance greeted Zeke with highly tense expressions.
Rumble!
Zeke and the Black Spirit Unit followed the herald, passing boldly between the knights and soldiers guarding Rom.
Among the imperial troops, some looked at the infamous Zeke Draker with eyes of awe.
Zeke naturally accepted such gazes as he entered Rom.
And shortly after entering Rom, he furrowed his brow.
'The smell of blood.'
The thick scent of blood that lingered in the air irritated Zeke's nerves.
Rom's landscape was as he remembered, but there were no signs of people, and the smell of blood wafted from everywhere.
It felt even more eerie than Heli, which had turned into a ghost town.
It was then that someone approached Zeke.
"Welcome, Knight of Salvation!"
Atop the horse sat a burly man with a commanding presence.
Zeke immediately recognized his face.
'Azmun Barrios.'
Finally, he was face-to-face with the sly schemer.