A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression – 270



Episode 270

Doo doo doo doo!

Zeke boarded a ship from the Southern Archipelago and came straight to the Southern Continent.

After disembarking at the port of Golfa a territory of the Kingdom of Cusco Zig ran straight towards the lawless area.

The border area connecting the Southern Continent and the Central Continent was truly a world of outlaws.

Among them Black Market City was a place where all kinds of lawbreakers flowed in regardless of whether they were from the North South Central Continent or even the Eastern Continent.

As a result things that were difficult to obtain in the outside world began to gather and the largest black market was formed within the lawless zone.

Zeke was now heading to Black Market City the center of the black market.

It was the very place where he had previously entered to help Karus escape only to be ambushed and forced to flee to Ishtar’s realm.

Zeke arrived at the entrance to the lawless area which was fenced off just like that and approached the guard post.

Men with grim faces were aiming crossbows at Zig from all sides.

Among them a man holding a toothpick in his mouth approached Zeke.

He showed Simon the cards he had received in advance. Then the man who came forward checked Zeke’s cards and spat out the toothpick he was biting.

“You came here because of an introduction from Vito’s gang? How do you know them?”

Zeke calmly gave his prepared answer.

“We met while working together on smuggling at the golf course.”

At those words the man made a clicking sound as if something was stuck in his teeth.

“Ha you’re from the Golpa side? I heard that these days since that area is part of the Kingdom of Cusco if you get caught smuggling your wrists get cut off.”

Zeke nodded as if he understood what the man said.

“That’s how civil servants like me make a living. If there’s anything you want to bring in from the golf course just let me know. I’ll give it to you.”

In the southern continent corrupt officials were as common as rocks on the roadside.

Perhaps that was why the man seemed to let his guard down at Zeke’s words.

I had heard that the newly rebuilt Kingdom of Cuzco was a bit different but I thought that since it was a place where people lived it would be natural for there to be corrupt officials and civil servants.

As a man it was difficult to imagine the existence of an honest civil servant.

The man looked at Zeke nodded and gestured to the people behind him.

Then the guards at the outpost opened the fence.

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Zeke quietly entered the lawless zone.

He entered a small town where he had previously stopped to help Karus escape.

As he entered the inn he had previously reserved and went up to his room a black figure suddenly appeared in front of him.

“It’s been a while boss.”

Shadia the first disciple of Salmakju appeared before Zeke.

It was a different face from the one I saw before.

Zeke spoke to Shadia.

“What is the situation in the Southern Continent?”

Shadia opened her mouth to answer his question.

“Although it is not apparent on the surface the religious groups are reaching out to small villages with little contact with the outside world.”

“Do you think they have some connection to the Abyss?”

“It is difficult to be certain but based on the information we have investigated it seems that way.”

As Zeke had expected the coffee producing regions in the southern part of the central continent where traces of the Abyss remained and the cult groups in the southern continent were connected.

‘The Abyss guys can be seen as the string that connects the Empire and Siemens Abel. If we catch them we can link the three together and turn the situation around.’

Zeke thought that the reason the cultists in the Southern Continent were taking a considerable number of children to Black Market City was because of black magic.

‘Black magic requires sacrifices. The best sacrifices are children. If they are connected to the Abyss it is likely that they sacrifice children and make a contract with the demons.’

It meant that if we knew where the children taken from the South had gone we could strike at the heart of the abyss.

Zeke asked Shadia.

“Is there any way to find out where the children are going in Black Market City?”

Shadia nodded at those words.

“I know someone who knows a lot about this stuff.”

“Who is that?”

“I am the leader of the Thieves’ Guild.”

Zeke was surprised by Shadia’s words.

“The leader of the Thieves’ Guild is in Black Market City?”

“There is no better place for thieves to hide than here.”

Zeke nodded at Shadia’s words.

‘That’s true. Anyway any items stolen from the Thieves’ Guild that are difficult to dispose of in the Central Continent will all flow in here.’

Zeke stood up from his seat.

“There’s no need to waste time. Let’s go meet up right away.”

* * *

The history of the Thieves’ Guild is long and deep.

Even older than the Nostra Family which boasts a long tradition was the Thieves’ Guild.

Whenever more than a few people gathered there was bound to be at least one thief among them.

Coveting and stealing other people’s things was almost instinctive.

Such thieves lived in hiding in the shadows of the city communicating in their own language and creating their own rules because they realized that this was the only way they could survive longer.

The leader of the Thieves’ Guild is often called the ‘King of Thieves’.

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The Thieves’ Guild deals solely with stealing and selling the stolen goods for profit.

The first rule of the guild was that if you were commissioned to commit murder you would be permanently expelled from the Thieves’ Guild.

Because of this the members of the Thieves’ Guild felt proud of their gentlemanly nature and hated being treated like lawbreakers.

A man who is the leader of a thieves’ guild and is called the King of Thieves.

Ankel Lombardi was a man who took great pride in being a thief.

He was a typical southern imperial man with his shirt unbuttoned and his chest hair exposed his neatly trimmed beard a lifeline.

Ankel who wore rings with gems on all ten fingers looked intently at Shadia who was sitting in front of him with her fingers crossed.

“I never thought I would see you in person the one called the Flower of the Desert. I can’t help but be amazed.”

As he put his hand behind his ear and brushed it away he suddenly found himself holding a red rose in his hand.

Ankel continued handing Shadia a rose.

“Shadia although it is nothing compared to your beauty I will pour my passion into this red rose.”

Shadia accepted the rose that Ankel handed her without any expression placed it on the table and then looked to the side.

Ankel who had been staring at Shadia intently turned his head to follow her and frowned at Zeke.

“So who on earth are you who came like a desert flower?”

Zeke had his face changed by wearing a shape-shifting cloak.

He said looking at Ankel.

“I want to know where the children brought from the Southern Continent are going.”

Ankel’s eyebrows twitched at Zeke’s words.

Soon he turned his head towards Shadia and spoke kindly.

“Signorita. Instead of doing this here why don’t we go out and have a nice meal? There’s a place that serves a wonderful roast veal that you can’t find anywhere else and it’s cooked perfectly. I have some really good wines and we’ll have a nice evening together there…”

In that moment Shadia pulled out her dagger and stabbed the rose that Ankel had given her.

The dagger was instantly embedded deep into the solid table leaving only the handle visible.

Then Angela waved her hand and said

“Signorita! I did it with a good heart. Don’t be angry! A beautiful person is a work of art in itself. We are people who deal with art! We respect art!”

Then Zeke who was standing next to me opened his mouth.

“That’s amazing.”

At Zeke’s words Ankel looked at him with a displeased expression again and asked.

“What are you talking about?”

“It was strange to see the red knight acting like a thief and talking nonsense.”

At Zeke’s words the look in Ankel’s eyes changed for a moment.

Although Ankel seemed to be an extremely frivolous man based on his words and actions he was the king of thieves and the leader of the Thieves’ Guild.

But most people were fooled by Ankel’s easygoing appearance and failed to recognize his true abilities. And that was Ankel’s modus operandi.

However the man from the Central Continent in front of him seemed to immediately notice his skills.

‘The man brought by the Desert Flower. He seems to be no ordinary man.’

Zeke looked at Ankel and said.

“I originally just wanted to take the information but I changed my mind.”

He took off the shape-shifting cloak he was wearing. Then Zeke’s true form appeared.

For a moment Ankel’s expression distorted.

The moment I saw Zeke’s face I knew who he was.

He gestured hastily to those standing behind him.

As the beckoned men left only Ankel and Zik Shadia remained in the room.

Zeke said looking at Ankel.

“I see you know who I am.”

“Ankel said swallowing his sigh.

“Zeke Draker a direct descendant of the Draker family and a pureblood Awakener. The youngest red ascendant on the continent and a knight of the sea etc.”

“Okay you know it well.”

Zeke said to Ankel.

“I would like to make a formal request.”

To that Ankel answered in a low voice.

“Are you asking for a favor as Zeke Draker?”

“That’s right. The Thieves’ Guild doesn’t accept Draker’s requests?”

“Ankel said slowly leaning forward.

“Not really… I’m sorry but I think it’s going to have to be that way this time. I don’t want to get involved in something complicated and see unnecessary bloodshed.”

“It’s complicated. Are you talking about the issue of Drake’s successor?”

Ankel shut his mouth at Zeke’s words.

The Draker family that dominates the Central Continent.

One of the candidates for succession to that family was none other than Zeke Draker who was right in front of him.

If information leaked out that he had joined hands with Zeke Draker he didn’t know what kind of retaliation the other faction would take.

Maintaining neutrality no matter what happens.

That was the second rule of the Thieves’ Guild.

Zeke looked at Ankel and shook his head.

“I know what you’re thinking but this has nothing to do with the succession.”

“That doesn’t matter. Anyway the moment they accept your request the other side won’t think that way regardless of the purpose of the request.”

“Are you worried that Abel might retaliate against the Thieves Guild?”

When the subject of Abel came up Enkel became silent again.

The reason the Thieves’ Guild was able to maintain its existence for so long was because they were always careful.

Zeke smiled and said to Ankel.

“Okay I like it better. Show me the Shadia data.”

Shadia handed over the materials she had brought to Ankel.

“What is this?”

“That’s what I’m requesting.”

Ankel quickly scanned the report.

As he read the contents inside Ankel’s expression gradually changed.

“This is…..”

“Circumstantial evidence suggests that they are trying to capture those children and use them as sacrificial offerings for their black magic. Those black magicians are connected to the Empire and Siemens Abel Draker.”

Ankel hearing Zeke’s words glared at him and said.

“Then it has more to do with Abel Draker.”

“In the end yes.”

Angel closed his eyes and thought about it for a while then shook his head and slowly got up from his seat.

“…Get out. I won’t accept any requests.”

Then Zeke looked at Ankel and said.

“The third rule of the Thieves’ Guild: Never trade in children.”

Ankel’s eyes shook at Zeke’s words.

He continued speaking looking at Ankel.

“The Thieves Guild only moves things not people. And children especially. Right?”

“…How do you know the guild rules?”

“That doesn’t matter. What matters is that if we don’t stop these guys more children will be sacrificed.”

Most of the members of the Thieves’ Guild are orphans.

There were many cases where children were abandoned by their parents for various reasons such as war poverty or no apparent reason and ended up wandering and eventually stealing to survive.

The Thieves’ Guild accepts as guild members those children who are particularly talented.

And he uses some of the stolen money to buy bread for street children.

Because of this at least in cities where there were thieves’ guilds there were no children starving to death on the streets.

Ankel was also an orphan who wandered the back alleys of a city in the southern part of the empire.

Zeke said looking at Ankel.

“Please help me stop them.”

Ankel looked into Zeke’s eyes which were filled with firm determination.

After thinking for a while he sighed and shivered slightly. Then he slowly opened his mouth.

“Salt mine.”

Ankel said looking into Zeke’s eyes.

“They took the children to the salt mines.”