Dragonslayer’s Class Regression Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Whoosh!

Felix, who had been swinging his sword as if pouring it out, soon stopped his sword.

“Whew.”

Zeke spoke to Felix.

“You said you completed the Swordsmanship Guild course, so how do you know the Paladin’s inherited swordsmanship?”

Felix’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at Zeke’s words, then he soon nodded.

“Somehow I thought Sir Zeke would recognize this swordsmanship.”

Paladin refers to the knights of the Holy Kingdom’s Holy Knight Order, which is extremely restricted from external contact even within the Holy Kingdom.

Since it was a secret swordsmanship passed down only to them, not only were there few people who could perform it, but there were also few who could recognize it.

However, Zeke recognized just from the sword form that this swordsmanship was the Paladin’s inherited technique.

Felix felt that Zeke was different from other Draker knights.

“I showed this swordsmanship to show you everything about myself without hiding anything from Sir Zeke.”

Zeke looked at Felix with sharp eyes and said.

“Continue speaking.”

Felix took out the necklace he was wearing and showed it to Zeke.

Zeke knew the identity of Felix’s necklace.

‘An official Paladin emblem. Quite worn out.’

The sun emblem symbolizing the Holy Kingdom is given only to Paladins who pass strict tests.

Felix put the emblem back inside his clothes and said.

“My grandfather was a former Paladin.”

“I thought Paladins were celibate.”

Felix nodded.

“Your words are correct, Sir. My grandfather… was defrocked.” [TL/N: Removed from holy order]

“Hmm.”

Originally, defrocked Paladins had to live in monasteries for life, praying to God for their sins within strict regulations.

Naturally, it was impossible to marry outside the Holy Kingdom and live like ordinary people.

‘Did he run away from the Holy Kingdom after breaking the precepts and live in hiding?’

Then Felix clenched his fist and said to Zeke.

“Sir Zeke. My grandfather was falsely accused after being caught up in internal strife within the Holy Kingdom and was defrocked.”

Zeke was slightly taken aback by Felix’s sudden words.

‘This story is getting a bit complicated.’

Felix continued.

“My grandfather, who was risking his life fighting internal enemies to expose corruption within the Holy Kingdom, was eventually falsely accused and defrocked. Afterwards, he was in danger of being executed dishonorably, but with the help of his colleagues, he barely escaped the Holy Kingdom and lived in the Principality of Troy while hiding his identity.”

Felix clenched his fist, seemingly overcome with emotion.

He looked at Zeke and said.

“Before he died, my grandfather told me what he couldn’t correct in the Holy Kingdom, and passed down this swordsmanship to me.”

Zeke had one question after hearing Felix’s words.

“Felix.”

“Yes, Sir Zeke.”

“Did your grandfather attempt an Aura transmission before he passed away?”

Felix tilted his head.

“Aura transmission? What, what is that?”

Zeke approached Felix.

“Hold out your hand.”

Just as Decker had checked the Aura state in Zeke’s body before, Zeke also wanted to check Felix’s Aura.

It was an action that should never be allowed without complete trust, as it involved accepting external Aura without resistance.

But Felix held out his wrist to Zeke without any doubt.

‘Seeing things like this makes me think he might not be a spy.’

Zeke grabbed Felix’s wrist and slowly infused mana.

Zeke’s mana stirred inside Felix’s body, examining his condition.

‘As expected. His Aura conductivity is high compared to his skill level. His Aura circuits are also opened.’

Zeke removed his hand from the wrist after examining Felix’s body condition.

Felix looked at Zeke and said.

“Si-Sir Zeke, is something wrong?”

Zeke shook his head.

“On the contrary. Felix, be grateful to your late grandfather.”

“What? What do you mean suddenly?”

“Your grandfather seems to have been an Arch Paladin.”

“Arch Paladin? Is there such a thing?”

“Yes. It’s equivalent to a Black Knight level for knights.”

“Gasp! Is that true?”

Zeke continued his explanation.

“The Paladins of the Holy Kingdom have a unique technique that has been passed down since the Empire era, and that is Aura transmission. It’s a technique that allows faster achievement by passing down one’s Aura to their disciple.”

“So that’s why you asked about Aura transmission earlier.”

“Yes. However, your grandfather didn’t just perform Aura transmission, but also opened your Aura circuits to increase your body’s Aura conductivity. This is a technique only possible for Arch Paladins.”

“I-I had no idea about that at all.”

Zeke observed Felix’s reaction.

He had an expression that suggested he really didn’t know.

‘It’s hard to tell whether he’s a specially trained spy or really an Arch Paladin’s successor. Maybe he’s both.’

Zeke asked Felix.

“Felix.”

“Yes! Sir Zeke.”

“Is the reason you said you wanted to become my subordinate because you want to clear your grandfather’s unjust situation?”

Felix showed a subtly complex expression.

“Th-that. Of course, that’s one of the reasons. But more than that, I want to serve by Sir Zeke’s side.”

“How can you make such a sudden decision when you’ve barely seen me?”

“A-actually, I secretly watched Sir Zeke fighting. Although I haven’t seen many knights, I’ve never seen anyone like Sir Zeke! If you would allow me, I would like to serve by your side even as a servant, no, even as an attendant!”

Zeke contemplated while looking at Felix.

‘If he’s a spy, I can keep him close and figure out who my enemy is, and if he’s not a spy, I suppose it could count as taking in a promising subordinate.’

In truth, Zeke had grown to like the sharp and efficient Felix during their few days together.

He was too valuable a talent to simply turn away.

After contemplating, Zeke said to Felix.

“Following me won’t be easy.”

“I-it’s fine! I’ll jump into hell’s fire if I have to!”

“Don’t exaggerate. We’re returning to Atlas tomorrow, so prepare yourself.”

At those words, Felix bowed deeply to Zeke.

“Th-thank you, Sir Zeke! I will serve you with absolute loyalty.”

Zeke decided to take Felix as his subordinate and returned to his lodgings.

‘Felix Valencia. I should investigate him properly.’

* * *

The next day, Zeke returned directly to Atlas. Before returning to Valhalla, he said to Felix.

“Felix. I’ll inform the Atlas Guard, so prepare to move your residence.”

“Yes! Understood!”

After sending Felix away, Zeke went up to the Principal’s office to see Flaubert.

However, at that moment, he encountered Diego and Aster coming out of the hallway to the Principal’s office.

Both of them looked terrible.

“What kind of mission did you two receive to end up looking like this?”

Diego responded with a dying voice.

“Ugh, don’t even ask! We’ve been doing nothing but snow removal work with the Northern Border Guard the whole time!”

Aster also spoke while trembling.

“I realized that snow is scarier than monsters, Master.”

In war, there are things that are actually harder to endure than enemies or monsters.

That would be the environment.

The humid climate and insects of the jungle, the cold of the north, the intense heat and sun of the desert.

These are things knights often overlook.

Zeke realized that Flaubert’s test had given the two of them valuable experience.

‘Now I understand why the Head of Draker put old man Flaubert as the Principal of Valhalla.’

Zeke nodded and stood up.

“I’ll take my leave first, Principal.”

“Alright. Come visit often.”

Zeke followed Andrei and boarded the Draker carriage that would take them to the Four Seasons Castle.

He asked Andrei.

“Do you happen to know why I was called to enter the castle?”

Andrei shook his head at Zeke’s question.

“I don’t know the exact reason either. Maybe it’s to congratulate you on your graduation, something like that.”

“It’s hard to imagine the Head of Family congratulating me on graduation.”

“Well, you did achieve the remarkable feat of graduating from Valhalla in just two years.”

“Whatever it is, I hope it’s nothing serious.”

The carriage carrying Zeke and Andrei quickly crossed through Atlas city and entered the Four Seasons Castle.

Andrei waited outside while only Zeke entered the Summer Castle where the Head of Family’s office was located.

The Four Seasons Castle was where all matters related to Drakers spread across the entire continent were comprehensively managed.

Perhaps because of this, knights, administrative staff, and family-affiliated mages were all busily moving about, focusing on their respective tasks.

“What happened with the northern issue?!”

“J-just a moment. There’s an incident in the South Sea right now!”

“Argh! Damn it, who’s in charge of this budget report?!”

The entire office was in turmoil.

‘Field work might be better than this.’

Zeke quickly passed by the headache-inducing office work area and made his way to the Head of Family’s office.

When he reached the office, a secretary verified Zeke’s identity.

Only then was he allowed to enter.

Arthur Draker’s office was more modest than expected.

Bookshelves lined the walls densely packed with books, and in front of a large window with good lighting, there was only an office desk and reception sofas with a table.

Just then, the door to the side room opened, and Arthur Draker appeared holding a teapot.

“Oh, you’re here. Please sit down.”

Arthur Draker sat across from him and personally poured tea into a cup for Zeke.

“Zeke, I specially obtained this tea from the Eastern Continent to give to you when you came. Try it.”

Zeke drank the tea Arthur gave him.

It certainly had a different aroma and taste from ordinary tea.

“I heard Eastern tea is of good quality, and it’s truly excellent.”

“I’m glad you like it. I’ll prepare some for you to take when you leave.”

Eastern Empire tea was more expensive than the same weight in gold.

Zeke expressed his gratitude to the Head of Family.

Arthur looked at Zeke and said.

“You must be wondering why I called you.”

Zeke nodded.

“Yes, Head of Family.”

“I called you to see your face after a long time and to congratulate you on your graduation.”

“Thank you, Head of Family. It’s all thanks to the family’s teachings.”

Then Arthur grinned and said.

“You don’t need to act like a model student in front of me like you do with old man Flaubert. The Drakers don’t want exemplary knights that old people would approve of.”

As expected, Arthur Draker was sharp.

He looked at Zeke and said.

“Zeke, I’m thinking of sending you to this Draker martial arts tournament.”

He continued.

“And I would like you to win there.”