A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression – 426



Episode 426

Castro’s sudden words made Zeke even more suspicious.

‘What are you trying to do?’

Sensing the suspicion in Zeke’s gaze Castro waved his hand and said.

“I fully understand that it is difficult to believe what I am saying coming from the enemy camp.”

Castro continued speaking in a serious voice leaning forward a little further.

“But this is what I say to you out of respect for Sir Zeke the Knight of Salvation. Please believe me for there is not a single lie in it.”

Zeke looked into Castro’s eyes as he spoke in a voice that was genuine in its own way.

‘Knight of the Gemini Castro Pollock.’

Castro Pollock an extreme purist not only ignored and despised other races but also judged humans by discriminatory standards.

Zeke was a pure-blooded Awakened member of the Draker family and thus was an excellent human being who met Castro’s differential standards.

If you think back to Castro in his previous life he was someone who could have given you such advice even beyond his status as a commander of a legion under the Roman Empire.

‘He is now following Azmoun Barrios but he does not fit the Castro’s purist ideals.’

The Barrios family was not a particularly prestigious family within the empire and Azmun himself had risen to the position of general through trickery so it was true that he did not fit well with Castro’s disposition.

Zeke opened his mouth slowly after hearing Castro’s words.

“I Zeke Draker was touched by the heartfelt advice of Lord Castro.”

He decided for the time being to consider the current situation as a favor born of Castro’s extreme purism.

Castro responded to Zeke’s words with a bang.

“I am so touched that Sir Zeke was moved! I will recite a poem that suits my overwhelming emotion!”

Then he suddenly got up from his seat and began to sing a rhythmic verse of a verse written by the fisherman knight Reyes.

It was a minstrel poem that sang of the heroic aspect of the hero king joining hands with barbarian tribes to drive out the enemies.

Only after singing a fairly long poem from beginning to end did Castro sit down.

He looked at Zig with shining eyes as if asking him what he thought of the poem he had recited.

“…It was a wonderful reading. I am deeply moved Mr. Castro.”

Although he knew nothing about minstrelsy he changed the mood by complimenting Castro and seeing him look satisfied.

“But given the circumstances it’s hard to believe everything you’ve said. Why do you think that General Azmun Barrios set up a negotiation table and set a trap?”

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Castro who was reciting a poem and feeling better than before looked at Zeke and said.

“Although Commander Azmoon is certainly a great warrior and strategist his reputation is not all that great. It’s because his actions are just like those shady snake men.”

This was said about the fact that intelligent Nagas were often recruited as strategists for the legion.

Castro who was born into a noble family and had gone through an elite knighthood seemed to be displeased with Azmoun’s dark schemes.

He continued speaking slowly.

“I don’t know what excuse he’s using to bring Sir Zeke to Rom but Commander Azmoon’s intentions are not good.”

It was Castro who openly criticized Azmoun who was in charge of the military corps.

Zeke listened to Castro’s words and thought deeply.

‘I don’t think they know exactly what kind of trap they’re setting. It’s just that they don’t trust Azmun Barrios at all.’

It was possible that he hadn’t even told Azmun about coming here today.

In his previous life Castro Pollock sometimes made sudden decisions based on his mood and emotions so this visit also seemed to have been an impulsive decision.

Zeke said looking at Castro Pollock.

“I will take your advice to heart Sir Castro. But won’t this cause you trouble?”

Castro snorted at Zeke’s words.

“I am satisfied that I was of any help to the Knight of Salvation. However the situation has come to this… I personally have no desire to cross swords with Sir Zeke.”

For a moment Zeke could read some emotion embedded in Castro’s words.

‘Castro is unhappy with Azmoun Barrios’ orders.’

Coming from a long-standing noble family in the Roman Empire Castro was an extreme purist and took great pride in his family line.

Given that Castro was from an insignificant family and had a tendency to resort to shady schemes it is possible that he felt a strong aversion to taking orders from Azmun.

Zeke noticed Castro’s real intentions in coming here.

‘You tell me not to come to Rome but you’re trying to use my hands to strike Azmun.’

With Siemens holding the ROM even Castro would have been reluctant to directly attack Azmoun Barrios.

But if Zeke hits Azmun and an opening is created Castro can easily exploit it.

Zeke realized that Castro had not come here simply on impulse.

‘When I clash with Azmoon Barrios he means that he will not intervene.’

A roundabout way of saying that he won’t help Zeke but he won’t attack him either so please take care of Azmun.

Zeke hesitated for a moment then raised his head and looked at Castro.

“I understand what you mean Your Majesty. I also expected the trap set by Azmun Barrios. However if I avoid it simply because I am afraid of danger wouldn’t it be a disgrace to the name of the Knight of Salvation?”

Castro immediately understood what Zeke meant.

He quickly got up from his seat with a serious expression on his face.

“As expected the Knight of Salvation is different. Then I will pray to the Sun God behind you so that you can achieve your goal. May the sun of peace and tranquility shine upon Sir Zeke.”

It was Castro who gave a greeting befitting a sun worshipper.

After he left Zeke called Felix into his office.

“Did you call my lord?”

Zeke said looking at Felix.

“Prepare no more than 10 members of the Black Spirit Corps including you.”

“Less than 10 people?”

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Zeke nodded.

“Yes I will go to Rome with those people.”

“yes?”

Felix looked dumbfounded at Zeke’s words.

But he knew very well what kind of person his master was.

‘I guess you must have some plans.’

Felix bowed his head to Zeke and spoke with a convinced expression contrary to his initial reaction.

“Understood my lord. Oh but… does that include Lord Reina?”

“Isn’t Reina a member of the Dark Spirits?”

“But he said he would go with the Black Spirits when they advance.”

Zik hesitated for a moment then nodded.

“Include it if you want.”

“Understood my lord.”

After Felix left Zeke was left alone in the living room resting his chin on his hand and lost in thought.

‘Azmun Barrios. I don’t know what trap you’ve set but it won’t go as planned.’

Zeke’s eyes flashed and shone like a wild beast hunting its prey.

* * *

Doo doo doo!

Zeke and ten of his Dark Spirit operatives raced down the road from Heli to Rom.

Four of the Five Star Knights from his previous life were with Zeke including Felix Liam Diego Rick Aster and Reyna.

They were followed by the wizard Zeroth Jason Arryn and the archer Claire.

Although they were a small group of ten they were skilled enough to take on a decent knight order.

Zeke led only a small group of Dark Spirits to the negotiation site in Rom to negotiate with Azmun Barrios.

This was because Arthur Draker the head of the Draker family had given Zeke the mission to retrieve the forbidden book containing the secrets of Terracan Draker from Azmun Barrios.

It was Draker’s code that when the order of the lord was given it had to be carried out without fail.

As we passed the road from Heli to Rom a gate appeared where the Rom Empire’s troops were stationed.

Liam who was holding the banner of the Black Sword Knights stepped forward first.

Then an imperial knight came out on horseback from inside the gate and spoke to Zeke and his party.

“Identify yourself!”

Liam stood up and shouted at the Imperial Knight’s words.

“Guardian knight of the Draker family! Pure-blooded Awakened! Lord Zeke Draker the Knight of Salvation who has made a name for himself on the continent! I am passing through here to enter Rom at the invitation of Lord Azmun Barrios the Knight Commander of the Magar Palace and one of the commanders of the 13th Legion of the Empire!”

As Liam’s deep voice filled with aura rang out the eyes of the Imperial Knight wavered as if he had been subdued.

It seemed hard to believe that Liam who still looked young had the skills to display such momentum.

The Imperial Knight cleared his throat and turned his gaze towards Zeke behind Liam.

Then he waved his hand toward the gate.

Soon the gate that had been tightly closed began to slowly open.

Kookookookookook!

As the huge doors opened on both sides Zigg riding on Bouquet Palos stepped forward first.

Ten Dark Spirits followed behind Zeke.

Zeke entered the gate without hesitation where hundreds of imperial soldiers and knights were waiting.

Hundreds of imperial troops were overwhelmed by the ‘force’ emanating from Zeke’s body.

The Imperial knights and soldiers did not move an inch until Zeke passed through the gate and out the other door.

The knight in charge of the gate could only swallow dry saliva upon seeing the majestic appearance of such a zebra.

‘Zeg Draker the Knight of Salvation. He is more fearsome than the rumors say.’

That was when.

As Zeke and the Black Spirits entered through the gate someone ran towards them kicking up dust.

Whee!

A knight in light armor who had landed quickly on his horse knelt down on one knee before Zig.

“Greetings to Lord Zeke Draker Knight of Salvation. I am a messenger sent by the Commander of the Azmoon Legion.”

Zeke stopped Bucephalus and looked down at the messenger kneeling before him.

The messenger raised his head and spoke to Zeke.

“The Legion Commander is expecting Ser Zeke Draker. Come with me and I will show you the way.”

Zeke made no reply to the messenger’s words.

Zeke who had been looking down at him for a moment turned his head towards Liam who was behind him.

“What should I do Liam Felix?”

Liam who was holding the flag said with a serious look in his eyes to the messenger below.

“It is suspicious that a messenger was suddenly sent to give guidance. It could be a trap so we must catch the author and find out the truth.”

Then Felix who was standing next to him stepped forward and spoke to Zeke.

“Since we have decided to negotiate I think Azmun sent a messenger to show his respect. Follow him but if you sense anything strange I will immediately cut off his head.”

The messenger’s face turned pale after hearing Liam and Felix’s words.

After hearing the two people’s words Zeke nodded and then looked back at the messenger.

Then the messenger bowed his head deeply and shouted.

“Your Majesty Sir! I will never deceive you! I have only come to fetch you by order of the Azmun Corps Commander!”

Zeke looked at the messenger in silence then opened his mouth.

“Get up.”

The messenger stood up from his seat trembling slightly at the irresistible voice of Zeke.

Although there were no specific orders the messenger returned to his horse as if possessed and began to lead Zeke and his party to where Azmun Barrios was.

Doo doo doo doo!

Following the messenger Zeke and his party arrived at Rom the capital of the empire and one of the largest cities in the central continent.

The entrance to Rome was guarded by knights and soldiers.

As the messenger waved his hand towards them those guarding the entrance greeted Zeke with extremely tense expressions.

Kookung!

Zeke and the Black Spirits followed the messenger and confidently cut through the knights and soldiers guarding Rom.

Among the Imperial forces there were those who looked on in awe at the sight of the much-rumored Zeke Draker.

Zeke entered the room naturally receiving such gazes.

And not long after entering Rome he frowned.

‘The smell of blood.’

The thick smell of blood floating in the air grated on Zeke’s nerves.

The view of Rome was the same as he knew it but there were no human figures and the smell of blood was everywhere.

It felt even more eerie than Heli which had turned into a ghost town.

Just then someone approached Zeke.

“Come knight of salvation!”

On the horse sat a giant with a massive frame.

Zeke recognized his face immediately.

‘Azmun Barrios.’

Finally we come face to face with the sinister schemer.