Dragonslayer’s Class Regression Chapter 43

Chapter 43

Zeke’s words made Kei’s expression harden.

“A wa-warehouse?”

“Yes. The warehouse where they store Soma.”

“Why that warehouse?”

Zeke said with an expressionless face.

“To burn it.”

“What?”

Kei’s hands trembled for a moment.

The thought of burning the Mekein Cartel’s drugs was unimaginable.

Zeke looked at Kei and said.

“That’s what it takes to properly anger Don Juan, don’t you think?”

“Don’t tell me you’re planning to frame the Favela for burning down the warehouse?”

“That’s not all. I’m going to implicate the Syndicate’s executives too. That should be enough for Don Juan to send hitmen.”

Kei’s face turned pale at Zeke’s bold plan.

She said with a trembling voice.

“What if Don Juan finds out it was us?”

“We’ll have to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Kei took another drink at Zeke’s words.

She wiped her mouth and said.

“Since we’re already in this, we can’t back out now. Fine. Let’s do it. I’m trusting you on this.”

Zeke looked at Kei and said.

“Let’s do well, partner.”

* * *

Shortly after their secret conversation, fires broke out in various locations on the outskirts of cities in the Empire and Midland, including Atlas.

Fortunately, there were no casualties, but inside the warehouses was completely burned, leaving no traces.

The cause of the fires and what was stored in those warehouses remained unknown, and the case ended inconclusively.

* * *

Zeke leisurely read the news about the fires at his mansion.

“This should make that old man Don Juan quite bitter.”

He set major fires at several key Syndicate warehouses that Kei had mentioned.

He made time beforehand to activate portal points in each city via railway, then used the portals on execution day to travel between cities in one night to start the fires.

Though he lost a large amount of Karma Points because of it, there would be no traces left.

Even in the mage family Nirvana, people who could use teleport were limited, and teleport magic capable of inter-city travel didn’t exist in the current era.

Such distances were only possible with large portal devices operated by the Magic Tower.

Now that the seeds were planted, it was time to wait for them to sprout.

He planned to go south to face Don Juan during the Valhalla school break.

Zeke was specifically planning how to handle the cartels.

While he was deep in planning, someone entered his room.

“My disciple.”

Duke, who had been busy running around everywhere with no time to stay at the mansion, called for Zeke.

“It’s been hard to see you lately, Master.”

“Hmph. I don’t know why they keep giving work to a retired person.”

“It’s because you’re capable.”

“Cut the flattery. Pack your bags first.”

“What? Why suddenly pack?”

Duke said with a displeased expression.

“We’re going to the Four Seasons Castle. The head of the family has summoned us.”

* * *

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Zeke headed to the Four Seasons Castle by carriage with Duke and Andrei.

He was looking out the window with his chin resting on his hand.

Through the many people and magnificent buildings of Atlas, he could see the straight main road and well-maintained street trees.

Looking at the civilized city, Zeke recalled Bahamut’s words.

‘A city only for humans.’

Perhaps the future Bahamut worried about was a world like now where only humans exist.

Fairies only exist in legends, elves have disappeared, dwarves and halflings were driven to the northern continent, and beastkins were  scattered across the continent like wanderers.

Unlike the past, humans build cities only for humans, and even fight among themselves to create bigger cities and nations.

‘Perhaps such chaotic times require even stronger power.’

Duke asked Zeke who was looking out the window.

“What are you looking at so intently?”

Zeke turned his head toward Duke and said.

“The city scenery is fascinating.”

It was clearly different from the Atlas he saw in his previous life – much more peaceful.

No kingdom could exercise force in cities under the influence of the transcendent Draker family.

The cities only operated autonomously with their self-governing rights.

Though Midland wasn’t a kingdom, it held the center of the central continent with stronger unity than any kingdom.

And at its center was the Four Seasons Castle, the core of the Draker family.

While the Draker family’s main house was in the principality of Troy, all major facilities were in the Four Seasons Castle.

Zeke felt somewhat strange about visiting the Four Seasons Castle for the first time, a place he never went to in his previous life.

Duke picked his ear and said.

“Honestly. That Arthur fellow. I wondered what he was up to right after returning, and now suddenly there was a promotion celebration party.”

The reason Zeke was summoned to the Four Seasons Castle was for a party celebrating his promotion to Blue Knight.

In most major blood-allied families of the Drakers, they hold promotion celebration parties when their children become Purple Knights.

Even then, since it was mostly beyond the standard age, it was also called a Draker-style debutante.

However, in Zeke’s case, the gravity was different as it was a party celebrating his promotion to Blue Knight, not Purple Knight, at the age of fifteen.

In fact, many nobles and prominent figures from the Central Continent gathered at the Four Seasons Castle to attend Zeke’s promotion party.

Since ‘Spring Garden’ was the only place in the Four Seasons Castle that could be opened to the outside, the party was also scheduled there.

Andrei, who was standing next to him, said.

“We’ll arrive soon.”

Zeke opened the window and looked outside.

In the distance, the massive walls of the Four Seasons Castle could be seen.

The carriage carrying Zeke quickly entered the castle.

* * *

Spring Garden, which maintained the classical style of the Central Continent while only modernizing its facilities, was a building where classical beauty and modern sophistication harmonized together.

In the massive hall set up in such a building, not only the children of prestigious families invited from all over the Central Continent but also high-ranking politicians and key figures participated in the party wearing ceremonial clothes symbolizing each family.

Arthur Draker, as the host of the party, greeted guests wearing ceremonial clothes engraved with the dragon-slaying crest.

Then someone approached Arthur Draker.

“Father.”

It was none other than Abel Draker.

With his red hair neatly tied and wearing ceremonial clothes, Abel exuded a noble aura.

Arthur greeted Abel with a splendid smile.

“Abel. Welcome. You’ve come to congratulate your youngest brother’s achievement. Well done.”

Arthur and Abel smiled similarly and hugged each other.

Abel looked around and said.

“This is the first time I’ve seen a promotion party with so many dignitaries gathered.”

“Indeed. Since he’s the continent’s youngest Blue Knight promotion, everyone must be curious about Zeke.”

Abel smiled at Arthur’s words.

Before Zeke’s promotion to Blue Knight, the continent’s youngest Blue Knight promotee was Abel himself.

However, as Zeke broke that record, Abel was left as an ordinary promotee.

Arthur soon left Abel’s side and exchanged friendly greetings with politicians from other kingdoms.

Watching Arthur, Abel gritted his molars.

“Control your expression, Abel.”

His cousin, William Jiemens, approached his side.

“What’s wrong with my expression?”

“If you’re going to smile, smile properly, and if you’re going to be annoyed, be properly annoyed. Trying to do both doesn’t make sense.”

At William’s words, Abel erased the smile from his face.

Then William clicked his tongue.

“Why do you immediately do that? Today your role is to be the wonderful brother who generously congratulates his youngest brother.”

Just then, a fanfare sounded from above.

Everyone focused on one side.

The door opened and someone appeared.

The continent’s youngest Blue Knight promotee and Draker’s pure-blooded awakener.

Zeke Draker made his appearance.

“Goodness, really a Blue Knight at that age?”

“I can’t believe it.”

“It would have been hard to believe even if it was a Purple Knight promotion party.”

Zeke slowly walked down the red carpet from the second floor, receiving many people’s gazes.

This kind of party was his first, and being unfamiliar with noble etiquette itself, Zeke felt extremely awkward.

‘I understand some performance is needed, but this really isn’t worth doing.’

Zeke walked on the carpet towards where Arthur Draker was standing at its end.

He knelt on one knee before Arthur Draker, bowed his head, and spoke in a solemn voice.

“I, Zeke Draker, declare to the esteemed Lord Arthur Draker, who leads the great Dragon Slayer family, that I wish to take my first steps as an honorable knight. I also swear to not tolerate injustice and bring peace to this land by helping the weak.”

Then Arthur Draker drew the sword he was wearing.

He lightly touched the sword to Zeke’s shoulder and opened his mouth.

“I bless Zeke Draker’s path forward as an honorable knight in the name of Draker.”

With the family head’s blessing, Zeke was officially recognized as promoted to Blue Knight.

Just as Zeke was about to rise from his position.

Arthur spoke again.

“Furthermore, I hereby appoint Sir Zeke Draker as an official knight of the Draker family and bestow upon him the formal knighthood.”

Many people, including Zeke, were surprised by Arthur’s words.

It was unprecedented for someone to be promoted to Blue Knight at fifteen and receive formal knighthood at sixteen.

Moreover, since it was the formal knighthood of the Draker family, known as the knight of knights, the shock was indescribable.

Zeke was flustered by Arthur’s sudden conferment of rank but regained his composure and recited the appointment oath.

“I, Zeke Draker, swear to devote my loyalty and dedication as an honorable knight of the Draker family.”

Arthur listened to Zeke’s oath and seemed satisfied as he removed the sword that had been placed on his shoulder and sheathed it.

Then he personally helped Zeke stand up and introduced him to the many people attending the party.

“I am overjoyed to introduce my youngest son to all the distinguished guests who have gathered here. Sir Zeke Draker is an exceptional knight who has inherited the Draker bloodline more strongly than anyone else. Let us bless the future of this talented young man and pray for the peace and wellbeing of the continent.”

When Arthur raised his glass, others also raised their glasses high.

Everyone joyfully toasted in response to Arthur’s speech.

Not only was the party sudden, but the unexpected conferment of knighthood as well.

Zeke still had a bewildered expression.

“I am proud of you.”

Arthur said while patting Zeke’s shoulder.

Zeke looked up at Arthur.

It was an expression of Arthur’s that he had never seen in his previous life.

Zeke bowed his head.

“Everything is thanks to the head of the family.”

“Why so formal? When it’s just the two of us, call me father.”

He said to Zeke in a gentle voice.

“So, how is that plan going to become the strongest on the continent? It seems to be going well, seeing as you’ve become the guest of honor at today’s party.”

Zeke answered in a calm voice.

“I’m working on it.”

Arthur smiled as if amused.

Then suddenly Arthur Draker’s voice changed.

“I heard you met Kali.”

For a moment, Zeke felt as if a sharp knife had been placed against his neck.

‘I must not allow even a moment’s weakness.’

Zeke nodded.

“Yes. Sister came to give a special lecture at Valhalla, and I happened to attend the lecture and had tea with her.”

“Oh. Is that so. Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since I saw Kali too. We’re both so busy, you see.”

Arthur placed his hand on Zeke’s shoulder and said.

“We should have a family dinner together sometime. More than that though, I’d like to give you a gift to commemorate your promotion.”

Arthur smoothly took something out of his pocket.

Zeke examined what Arthur had taken out.

Surprisingly, what Arthur took out was an ordinary piece of paper.

However, the content written on it was far from ordinary.

-Draker Family Treasury Exchange Ticket (1 Use) 

He handed the piece of paper to Zeke and said.

“Go into the family treasury and choose one thing you want to take.”

Arthur put his arm around Zeke’s shoulder, drew close, and said.

“Keep your eyes wide open and look carefully. Among those numerous items, there are treasures mixed in with completely useless trash.”

Zeke nodded at Arthur’s words.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Arthur smiled, stepped back to create distance, and patted Zeke’s shoulder.

“Good, now go enjoy the party. A true knight should shine even at parties.”

With those final words, Arthur left Zeke’s side.

Though they had only exchanged a few words, extreme fatigue washed over him.

‘Arthur Draker. I cannot let my guard down for even a moment.’

As he was internally sighing, someone approached Zeke’s side.

“Sir Zeke Draker.”

Zeke turned his head.

It was an elegant-looking woman wearing a dress that appeared simpler compared to other noble ladies.

She said to Zeke.

“This is our first time meeting. I am Melissa Allensia, First Princess of the Allensia Kingdom.”​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​