"I will eliminate Zeke Draker to claim the position of Family Head?"
It was common among those in power to resort to fratricide for the sake of authority.
If Kali Draker had taken the initiative to decide on removing Zeke Draker first, it would have been a welcome development for Howard's side.
He seemed uncomfortable with Zeke Draker, who reminded him of the previous Family Head.
"If Kali Draker moves against Zeke Draker first, this will make things much easier." Howard, who had been deep in thought, cautiously opened his mouth.
"Sir Zeke's elimination... Are you truly resolved to do this?" Kali maintained her cold expression as she replied.
"The only candidate for Family Head who could interfere with me now is Zeke. Helen has already sworn her loyalty to me, and Abel and Bacchus are dead."
"That's true, but... eliminating Sir Zeke, who is a Black Knight and the Guardian
Knight of the Draker family, is no easy task. Behind him stands Duke Draker, a former Black Knight."
"Behind me stands the Sword King." Sword King Bernas.
With Arthur Draker dead, Bernas was now the strongest in the Draker family.
Duke Draker, who had long since lost his Black Knight powers and retired from the front lines, could not compare to the Sword King's renown.
Kali continued.
"The Ishtar side has agreed to assist in eliminating Zeke Draker." Her words startled Howard.
"The Ishtar are willing to help kill Zeke Draker? Why?"
Pondering the question, Howard soon arrived at the answer.
"The Ishtar must also be wary of him becoming Family Head."
Zeke Draker had shown unprecedented growth. If such a man became Family Head, he would turn into a monster even greater than Arthur Draker. From the perspective of a rival family like Ishtar, they had no choice but to be on guard.
Howard was certain that they had judged Kali Draker becoming Family Head to be preferable to Zeke Draker.
"With the Sword King backing her and even Ishtar lending their strength, the odds of success are high."
Howard slowly nodded and said to Kali.
"I understand your intent, Lady Kali. However, this is no simple decision. It involves tremendous risks..."
"I promise you the position of Director of Enforcement."
Just as Howard was about to broach the terms of the deal, Kali preempted him.
"Director of Enforcement?"
The Director of Enforcement in the Draker family held the central authority of the Four Seasons Star.
During Arthur Draker's time as Family Head, the position had remained vacant.
Arthur, who wielded absolute power, had taken on the role himself.
The Director of Enforcement could check the Family Head's authority and, in some cases, wield even greater power. Yet Kali's side was offering it first.
Kali looked at Howard and said.
"If you persuade the Council of Elders and create the opportunity, you will leave your name in Draker history."
Howard's heart fully turned to Kali's proposal.
"If we eliminate Zeke Draker and elevate Kali Draker, I can grasp not just Midland but the entire Central Continent in my hands." A plan formed clearly in his mind.
Howard concealed his inner thoughts, let out a sigh, and nodded reluctantly.
"If Lady Kali insists, I have no choice. For the future of Draker... it may be a necessary choice."
He paused as if in contemplation before lifting his head and speaking to Kali.
"However, before executing this plan, there is something I must confirm." "What is it?"
Howard looked at Kali and said.
"Arrange a direct meeting with the Ishtar side."
*
Whoosh—
Yellin's dagger sliced sharply toward Zeke.
Zeke read the trajectory of her incoming sword path and slipped into its gap.
Swoosh—
Before she could even close in, the flow of her sword path shattered, making it impossible for Yellin to continue her attack.
Whoosh—
Yellin flipped backward through the air to retreat.
Her face was covered in cold sweat, showing how exhausted she was.
Zeke looked at her and sheathed his dagger.
"That's enough for today."
At his words, Yellin collapsed to the ground.
"Haa. Haa."
She breathed heavily, and Himmel from the Black Ravens clan approached, handing her a towel and water.
"Are you alright, young lady?"
Himmel knew Yellin wouldn't tire from a spar like this under normal circumstances.
Of course, if it were an ordinary spar. But Yellin had asked Zeke to maintain the presence of a Black Knight during their bout.
A regular knight wouldn't have been able to move properly under Zeke's aura, but Yellin had even managed counterattacks, demonstrating remarkable skill.
Luther Zemben watched from the side with an impressed expression.
"As Sir Zeke said, the Ishtar family's martial arts seem based on ancient elf hunting techniques."
Luther Zemben had formally joined the Black Sword Knight Order and sworn to serve Zeke as his lord.
Having been a martial arts scholar to Sultan Serazade in the Murk Empire, he had knowledge of ancient martial arts from the Eastern Continent.
Zeke suddenly recalled something and said to Luther.
"When I was invited to the imperial palace, I had a chance to fight 'Duke of Butcheryʼ
Saladin. He used similar techniques."
Luther was startled at the mention of Saladin.
"S-Saladin? Is he still alive?"
"The Sultan wanted to win him over somehow. He's a stubborn warrior, so I don't know if he'll change his mind."
Luther nodded at Zeke's words.
"'Duke of Butcheryʼ demonstrated strength beyond human limits, so I understand why the Sultan wouldn't let him go easily."
"Indeed. The techniques he showed were impressive."
Zeke pointed to Yellin, who was resting across from him.
"I'd like Sir Luther to teach ancient elf hunting techniques to Lady Yellin and the Black Ravens unit."
Luther was surprised by Zeke's words.
"To the Ishtar mystics?"
The Draker and Ishtar were transcendent families that had been at odds for a long time, with almost no exchange between them.
There was no reason for Zeke, a Draker, to go out of his way to help the Ishtar.
But Zeke believed it was necessary. Strengthening the forces of the rival Ishtar family was to prepare for the war against Narak.
"The wars ahead will only grow more intense."
It was impossible to face Narak and the demon king's army they summoned with human armies alone.
Just as in the era of the Hero King and the War of Liberation, everyone on the continent would need to unite their strength to fight the demon king's army.
Zeke looked at Luther and said.
"Don't worry—teach them everything you know. Even if they use the elf hunting techniques they learn from you to stab me in the back, I won't hold it against you." Luther nodded, understanding, as Zeke had put it so plainly.
At that moment, Yellin approached Zeke.
"Sir Zeke, one more round, please."
Even though her stamina hadn't fully recovered, she was asking for another spar.
Zeke looked at her and said.
"No more spars after today. Instead, Sir Luther here will teach you ancient elf hunting techniques."
Yellin and Himmel were surprised once that a human like Luther knew ancient elf hunting techniques, and again that he would teach it to them.
Zeke looked at the surprised Yellin and said.
"It's not exactly a condition, but I do have a favor to ask of you, Lady Yellin."
"What favor?"
Zeke rarely asked favors of others, so Yellin perked up her ears.
Zeke felt the gazes of the others watching their conversation with interest and turned his head, speaking quietly.
"How about we talk while taking a walk?"
Zeke and Yellin left the others' gazes behind and headed to the garden behind the mansion.
The place where he was staying was one of the safehouses on the outskirts of Atlas, out of sight from the Draker Council of Elders or the Black Stage.
Zeke strolled leisurely through the garden prepared behind the mansion with Yellin.
But Yellin, walking beside him, was far from relaxed.
"Why is Sir Zeke suddenly asking such a favor and dragging this out?" All sorts of thoughts swirled in Yellin's mind.
Unlike the calm Zeke, Yellin fretted on her own.
Zeke pointed to a bench in the garden and said.
"Let's sit here for a moment."
Yellin sat side by side with Zeke on the bench.
It was something she had longed for, but now that they were alone together, her mind was a mess about what to say.
In truth, it was Zeke who had the favor to ask, so there was no need for her to speak first, but with all sorts of words swirling around, Yellin unwittingly blurted out.
"Th-that time with the Sultan, wh-what happened?" Regret flooded her the moment she spoke.
"What did I just say...!"
Yellin had been bothered by Zeke and Serazade meeting alone after the trials.
After drinking and getting emotional enough to perform a sword dance, she had kicked off the covers in agony the next day.
Yet she had made another mistake, and Yellin wore a gloomy expression.
On the other hand, Zeke pondered her words briefly before replying.
"I formed an Oath of Sincerity with the Sultan."
"J-just the oath?"
Yellin regretted her words again after saying them.
Zeke nodded nonchalantly at her question.
"What else besides the oath... Is there something you're curious about regarding the Sultan?"
"N-no, nothing in particular..."
Zeke had no idea what was on Yellin's mind.
Hearing that Zeke had entered the same room as the beautiful Sultan and come out unscathed, Yellin unwittingly let out a sigh of relief.
Then she startled herself at her own reaction.
"Get a grip."
Yellin had once resolved to spend her life with martial arts.
But after meeting Zeke, that resolve had crumbled at some point.
Zeke watched Yellin's expressions change rapidly, finding it intriguing.
He hadn't realized before that Yellin had such varied expressions.
Just watching her face, sculpted as if from the essence of beauty, shift in so many ways had never been boring.
Zeke gazed at her quietly before speaking.
"Before I ask the favor, there's something I'd like to give you, Lady Yellin." He pulled something from his inventory.
A dagger with a black blade.
It was Anexi's dagger.
Yellin said in surprise.
"Isn't this the token of the Black River?"
The dagger once held by Anexi, the Dark Elf chieftain of the Black River tribe.
It had also been the token of the oath that bound the Ishtar family to the border region.
Zeke looked at Anexi's dagger and said.
"With the oath dissolved, it no longer holds power as a token, but this dagger has indestructible properties. You can use it effectively, Lady Yellin." Yellin received the dagger from Zeke with trembling hands.
It fit perfectly in her grip, as if it had been made for her.
"Is it alright to give such a precious item to me?"
Zeke already had the holy sword and the black darkness sword, so Anexi's dagger wasn't particularly necessary for him.
It was far more beneficial for him if his ally Yellin grew stronger.
"If you use it well, that's enough for me."
Yellin's mind filled with all sorts of thoughts at Zeke suddenly giving her such a precious gift.
"Could it be that Sir Zeke is finally going to pro-propose to me...?" Her heart pounded fiercely, as if it would burst.
Yellin pondered how she would respond if Zeke proposed.
Her mind had already progressed to sharing a bridal chamber with Zeke, going on a honeymoon martial pilgrimage together, and even deciding where to set up their new home after returning.
But the words from Zeke's mouth were completely unexpected.
"I'd like to learn spirit arts from you, Lady Yellin."
"I-I'd be happy to."
The two looked at each other.
"Pardon?"
"Ah?"
Zeke nodded at Yellin's words.
"I didn't expect you'd be so pleased to teach spirit arts." Yellin's face flushed bright red at his words.
She bowed her head, forcing a smile as she replied.
"Y-yeah. Haha."
With an awkward laugh, Yellin slowly regained her composure.
She looked at Zeke with a deflated expression and said.
"But Sir Zeke, spirit arts cannot be learned by humans. Even among elves, only those with high spirit affinity can..."
Woooong!
Suddenly, a white light shimmered from Zeke's body.
When the light faded, Yellin gaped at Zeke.
"S-Sir Zeke?"
Within the halo of light, Zeke had transformed into an elf.