Chapter 362
“They were destroyed because they received the love of the gods?”
Zeke couldn’t quite understand Arina’s words.
Arina began explaining in more detail to Zeke.
“When we talk about history, if we call the period after the Liberation War the Golden Age, and the era of Hero King Kaisir the Heroic Age, then the era when Carcosa existed could be called the Constellation Age.”
“The Age of Constellations…”
“They say there were more races and cities then than there are now. Among them, Carcosa was the city most beloved by the constellations.”
“The love of the constellations?”
“Yes. Back then, the constellations could intervene in the physical world, and they were free to bestow their powers on those they favored.”
Zeke remembered hearing something similar from Arataso.
‘The Constellation’s box. They said it was sponsorship given by constellations to their avatars.’
Arina continued.
“Solomon was the king of this Carcosa. As the king of Carcosa beloved by the gods, his power and authority would have been incomparably greater than the kings of today.”
Zeke thought of Blanca, the golden city where Hades was imprisoned.
Blanca could manipulate karma within the city itself, and using this, could even subjugate dragons.
If Carcosa was assumed to be a city with even greater power than Blanca, then King Solomon who ruled it would have been able to wield absolute authority.
Arina gestured toward the book in Zeke’s hand and continued.
“In the apocrypha, King Solomon is described as very wise and possessing great power. He was even described as being comparable to a constellation.”
“Comparable to a constellation?”
Hearing Arina’s words, Zeke thought of Solomon’s ring.
‘If he could manipulate karma with the city’s power, seal demons in the ring to subjugate them, and freely use their powers… it would certainly have been possible.’
“The problems began after the wise and powerful King Solomon died.”
“What kind of problems arose?”
“The constellations’ intervention became too great, and those who received their love used that power arbitrarily to fulfill their own desires, eventually throwing the physical world into chaos. Carcosa, which had been the largest and most beautiful of existing cities, came to be known as the City of Corruption.”
“City of Corruption…”
“The horrible atrocities committed indiscriminately by worshippers to gain the attention of the constellations are described as being beyond words.”
She continued.
“Finally, the Creator’s agent, who could no longer bear to watch Carcosa’s corruption, erased Carcosa over seven days using the primordial light.”
“Erased the city?”
“Yes. After that, it’s written that the physical world lost Carcosa’s brilliant civilization and had to start over from the beginning. However, since theologians deny the very existence of the ancient civilization of Carcosa, this content isn’t included in current scripture.”
Carcosa was a city that could manipulate karma.
For such a city to be completely erased, it must have involved the intervention of a being as strong as or stronger than an Elder Dragon.
Zeke recalled the God Slayer that Tyr had mentioned before.
‘The God Slayer who killed gods who intervened excessively in the physical world. Later, they say he became corrupted and became the king of fallen constellations.’
Zeke asked Arina about the God Slayer.
“Was there anything about the God Slayer in the apocrypha?”
Arina shook her head at Zeke’s question.
“God Slayer? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
It seemed information about the God Slayer wasn’t written in the apocrypha either.
Then Arina clapped her hands.
“Ah, maybe that information might be in there.”
“Where?”
“In Laura’s notebook. I know it contains various content that I haven’t heard about.”
‘Mother’s notebook?’
Zeke asked Arina.
“Do you know where mother’s notebook is?”
Arina shook her head with a regretful expression.
“After Laura entered the Draker family, contact was almost completely cut off. However… I remember her mentioning in passing once that she had a hideout somewhere in Himonas in the north. Perhaps she left the notebook there.”
Zeke mulled over the word Himonas.
‘Mother was in Himonas?’
Currently in the northern continent, monster legions were marching towards Himonas after crossing the Ice Mountains.
If Himonas fell to the monster legions, the records left by Laura Agamemnon could disappear.
For Zeke, this meant he had one more reason to go to Himonas.
After sharing more information with Zeke through further conversation, Arina checked the time and stood up from her seat.
“Sir Zeke, I will return to the Academy in the Southern Islands.”
Arina had established and was managing an academy in the Southern Islands for the children of the Lubern bloodline, relocated Fishermen m, and those rescued from slave traders.
Zeke had created it for her as she wanted to teach the children, protect them, and help them become independent adults.
Although the facilities were still basic, they planned to gradually complete and expand them.
“Are you comfortable there? If you wish, I could build the academy in Mycenae.”
Arina shook her head at those words.
“No, the island where we’ve settled is spacious, the children like it, and I feel at peace there.”
Arina had spent her whole life being chased by the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.
For her, the Southern Islands were like a retreat where she could be at peace.
Zeke nodded in understanding and said to Arina.
“Please let me know if you need anything.”
Arina bowed respectfully to Zeke.
“Thank you, Sir Zeke. For everything you’ve done for us. May the God of Light shine brightly on your future.”
Several days after Arina left, news finally came from the Four Seasons Castle.
It was the official announcement from House Draker regarding Zeke’s appointment as Guardian Knight.
* * *
THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!
Zeke sat in the carriage heading toward the Four Seasons Castle.
Sitting across from him was Duke, wearing the neat Draker uniform after a long time.
Duke looked at Zeke and asked.
“Are you nervous?”
Zeke shook his head at those words.
“Surprisingly, not really. How about you, Master?”
Duke pulled out a liquor bottle from his chest and took a sip.
“I’m nervous. Damn, my disciple receiving the Guardian Knight title. I never even received that.”
Not all Black Knights rise to the position of Guardian Knight.
Conversely, one didn’t have to be a Black Knight to receive the Guardian Knight title.
In the case of Gareth, the Knight of Scars, although he was a Red Knight, he received the Guardian Knight title considering his influence within the family as the commander of the Black Wolf Order, one of House Draker’s three knight orders, and his achievements.
The Guardian Knight title of House Draker was awarded considering not only one’s capacity as a knight but also their qualities as an executive who could lead the family.
The carriage carrying Zeke and Duke entered the Four Seasons Castle.
When they got out, knights of the family were already lined up from the front of Autumnfel hall.
The sight of dozens of Draker knights in uniform standing in formation was magnificent.
When Zeke got out, all the knights bowed their heads to welcome him.
The fact that they showed such courtesy even before the title was bestowed showed how the family viewed Zeke.
Zeke tried to enter Autumnfel’s hall with Duke through the lined-up knights.
However, a guide approached them and said.
“Lord Zeke, I apologize, but the appointment ceremony location is not in the hall.”
Most of the family’s major events take place in Autumnfel.
But the guide led the two to the Grand Training Ground outside.
And at the Grand Training Ground, Zeke understood why they changed the event location.
A huge crowd had gathered to watch Zeke’s appointment ceremony, filling the vast training ground.
There were far more attendees than when Abel received his Guardian Knight title, including powerful figures and famous knights from each kingdom.
And surprisingly, among the attendees was Sword King Bernas Draker, who rarely showed himself at official events.
Seeing Bernas participating in the event, Duke whispered to Zeke.
“Huh, what’s he doing here? He did say to come play when bored, but I didn’t expect that stubborn old man to actually come.”
Since Duke was close to Bernas, he found his attendance even more puzzling.
But Zeke seemed to know why Bernas had come here.
His gaze turned to the platform installed at the front of the training ground.
There he saw Kali sitting in silver armor.
Kali faced Zeke with a stern expression.
Although not widely known, the Sword King Bernas was Kali Draker’s master.
‘I’m not sure if the Sword King’s appearance will be beneficial or harmful to me.’
Zeke slowly walked across the great training ground towards the platform.
The presence of Zeke Draker, the most renowned knight in the Central Continent, was incomparable to other knights.
At his appearance, everyone momentarily stopped whispering and focused on him.
Zeke walked confidently to the platform and looked up at Arthur Draker sitting there.
Then Arthur Draker slowly rose from his seat.
“I thank all the distinguished guests gathered here today!”
After the ceremonial greeting, Arthur Draker brought up the main content.
“Therefore, the Council of Elders, the Cross Society, and the Guardian Knights of Draker have decided to grant Zeke Draker the qualification of Guardian Knight!”
From Arthur Draker’s mouth came the official announcement appointing Zeke Draker as Guardian Knight.
Everyone attending the ceremony applauded towards Zeke Draker and offered words of blessing.
“Knight of Salvation!”
“Glory to House Draker!”
The knights of the Black Sword Order also cheered in joy at Zeke’s appointment as Guardian Knight.
Felix whistled and climbed onto Liam’s shoulders, shouting.
“My lord! You’re the best! It’s an honor to serve you!”
Everyone smiled brightly at Felix’s boisterous celebration.
But then.
BANG!
The Sword King Bernas, who had been quietly watching the ceremony, suddenly walked towards the platform.
An elderly man with a massive build wearing thick leather clothes, with a long scar running from his forehead across his jaw.
Emitting tremendous pressure, Sword King Bernas stood before Zeke.
Then he suddenly drew his sword.
The observers of the ceremony were startled for a moment.
When other knights tried to stop Bernas, Arthur raised his hand to halt their actions.
Arthur watched with an interested expression to see how Zeke would respond.
Bernas opened his mouth towards Zeke.
“Draw your sword, youngster.”
At Bernas’s words, Zeke took out the black sword Bahamut from his inventory and gripped it.
At Arthur’s gesture, the surrounding knights lined up to form a temporary arena around Zeke and Bernas.
In an instant, a temporary arena was created for the confrontation between Bernas and Zeke.
Zeke couldn’t understand why Bernas had pointed his sword at him.
But he had no intention of backing down from this fight either.
‘Sword King Bernas, one of the strongest in the continent.’
Zeke dreamed of becoming the strongest on the continent to be free.
And now one of those strong people he dreamed of was right in front of him.
It was a good opportunity to test how close he had come to the strength he dreamed of.
The sword in Zeke’s hand rang out.
WOOOONG!
Hearing Bahamut’s sword cry, Bernas lowered his sword.
What he held was an ordinary-looking worn sword.
Far from an Aura Blade, nothing could be felt from it at all.
Zeke charged first towards Bernas, who stood quietly like a noble tree holding his sword.
WHOOSH!
“HAAAAAH!”
Dark energy enveloped Zeke’s sword.
Zeke’s special technique, the Dragon-Slaying Black Sword technique, was unleashed.
Zeke’s sword strike imbued with dark energy fell towards Bernas’s head.
SLASH!
But surprisingly, Bernas’s sword cut right through Zeke’s sword strike.
‘What is this?.’
Although Zeke had faced many strong opponents, this was the first time the energy of his sword had been cut away.
Instead of following up with another attack, Zeke withdrew his sword and stepped back.
Bernas stood still in exactly the same stance as before.
Zeke couldn’t feel any energy from him at all.
‘It’s not an Aura Blade, and it’s not an Astral Sword either. He really just cut it with a normal sword.’
Although it was hard to believe that an Aura Blade could be cut by just a normal sword, the Sword King had done exactly that.
When Zeke hesitated to approach, this time the Sword King moved first.
BANG!
He took a step forward and swung his sword.
It was literally just an ordinary horizontal slash.
But then something unbelievable happened.
Zeke’s body was completely cut through by the Sword King’s blade.
