Whoooosh—
As the intense flash faded, Daria slowly turned her head.
'Did it work?ʼ
She had activated the final hidden feature of the Inmagung Hercion she wore:
Gorgonʼs Eye.
This secret device unleashed thousands of arrowheads at once and could only be used in the final moments.
Upon hearing Abelʼs words—regardless of their truth—Daria had instinctively sensed that Zeke Draker posed a threat to the Empire. She had pretended to be captured on purpose while preparing this hidden card.
Daria prized chivalry above all else.
That was why no one would have suspected her of resorting to such a trick, making it a perfect trump card.
She rose from her spot and glanced to the side. Arrowheads had embedded themselves all over Zekeʼs Hercion.
With thousands of tiny arrowheads raining down, even armor couldnʼt fully protect the gaps, rendering it useless.
Daria slowly approached the fallen Zeke.
She switched her bow for a spear and prodded him lightly.
'Is he dead?ʼ
Dodging the eyes of Argos would have been nearly impossible.
Still, to be sure, Daria thrust her spear toward Zekeʼs heart.
Clang!
Her spear couldnʼt pierce Zekeʼs Hercion.
'The armorʼs durability is incredible.ʼ
It seemed difficult to recover Zeke Drakerʼs body until she disarmed his full plate armor. Just as Daria was about to order her knights to carry the body inside— Whoosh!
A massive fireball hurtled toward the prone Zeke.
Daria recoiled in surprise as the flames enveloped him in an instant.
'What is this?ʼ
As she turned, another massive fireball flew toward Zeke in quick succession.
Boom! Boom!
The blaze whipped up a storm, engulfing Zeke and his surroundings.
It was Abel, who had vowed to protect the prince, emerging with the Red Dragon Sword in hand, his red eyes gleaming.
He stared intently at the raging inferno.
Daria rushed toward him and shouted.
"What do you think youʼre doing?!"
Abel turned to her with a satisfied smile.
"Corps Commander. That was an impressive move."
He had been watching the fight between Zeke and Daria from hiding.
As Abel had predicted, Zeke possessed power beyond that of a red knight.
Even accounting for Dariaʼs deliberate retreat to activate Gorgonʼs Eye, Zeke had consistently pressed her with black sword qi.
In a fair duel, Zeke would surely have won.
But as history proved, superior knights didnʼt always emerge victorious.
Abel glanced at the burning Zeke, then turned back to Daria.
"Well done, Corps Commander Daria. Iʼll handle the cleanup from here. You can head back now…"
Screeech—
In an instant, Abel leaped back.
Clang!
Three gashes marred his chest.
Daria, standing behind him, was frozen, caught in shadow domination.
Zeke slowly emerged from the flame storm.
He approached Daria and subdued her with his Blood Eye.
Seeing Zeke in his Hercion, Abel grinned.
"Interesting."
Abel pointed his sword at Zeke and said.
"Zeke, killing you like this wonʼt be easy."
Zeke deactivated his helmet and faced Abel.
"Youʼve finally shown yourself, Abel."
Until then, the two had maneuvered against each other without direct confrontation.
And now, at last, they faced off here.
Abel smirked at Zeke.
"I knew this moment would come ever since I realized you killed Cain."
Zeke frowned at Abelʼs words, his expression questioning how he had discovered it.
Of course, Zeke already knew of the connection between Abel and Cain from Williamʼs memories.
'Abel and Cain were twins, and Ramon Siemens had been using them for some purpose.
When Cain died, he consecrated Abel instead.ʼ
From Airenʼs memories, Zeke knew Cain held an important position in the Siemens family.
Yet Ramon Siemens had hidden Cainʼs true identity as Abelʼs twin from him.
But Abel had uncovered it himself and was now scheming to seize control of everything —from Ramon to the Draker family and the entire Rom Empire.
'Heʼs no different from his past life. Just a bit ahead of schedule this time.ʼ
In his previous life, Zeke hadnʼt killed Cain, so Abel likely received the consecration instead.
But in this life, due to Zekeʼs interference, Abel had been consecrated, allowing him to reach the black knight realm much faster than before.
Abel pointed his Red Dragon Sword at Zeke.
"Whether it was with Kali or now… youʼve been meddling in my affairs. But that ends today."
Flames wrapped around Abelʼs sword.
Among the Draker family, only Abel could fully wield the Red Dragon Sword, said to produce dragon fire.
As the master of the demonic sword known as the Red Dragon Sword, Abel was undoubtedly one of the Draker familyʼs top geniuses.
Zeke gripped Bahamut and aimed at Abel.
Abel shook his head at Zeke.
"Zeke, I admit youʼre strong. Impressively so. But youʼre still no match for me."
"You talk big after receiving Narakʼs consecration and gaining the power of a black knight."
Abel chuckled at Zekeʼs words, amused.
"You even know about the consecration? You keep surprising me in every way. But thereʼs something youʼve got wrong." Abelʼs eyes began to change.
The color remained red, but the shape shifted.
His pupils narrowed into reptilian slits as he glared at Zeke.
Zeke was startled by Abelʼs eyes.
'Dragon Eye?ʼ
From Williamʼs memories, Zeke knew Abel possessed some other power, but he hadnʼt expected it to be dragon-related.
In an instant, the flames from the Red Dragon Sword intensified, enveloping Abelʼs body.
Surrounded by fire, Abel looked down at Zeke with arrogant eyes.
"Did you see that, Zeke? Black knight, red knight—none of that matters. I… have transcended human limits and become something entirely different."
Suddenly, Abel swung his sword at Zeke.
A fierce flame storm engulfed him.
Zeke swung Bahamut, dispersing the flames Abel unleashed.
'Itʼs no ordinary fire. This is an Authority.ʼ
The flames born from draconic Authority were on another level from regular fire magic.
Zeke realized that Abel, having become dragonkin, could now wield the draconic Authority sealed within the Red Dragon Sword.
Abel said to Zeke.
"Watch closely, Zeke. See the fate of those who defy me." A massive blaze erupted from Abelʼs body.
He hurled it toward the secure zone.
It felt like a giant meteor crashing down.
Zeke realized Abel was now rampaging without restraint, unlike before.
'Itʼs no ordinary flame. I have to block it.ʼ
He immediately unleashed the Chamber of Wind Power.
Elemental Sword
Chamber of Wind Power
Storm Sword
A massive storm rose from Zekeʼs sword.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The powerful gale wrapped around the descending Authority flames, neutralizing them.
The flames, mixed with the storm, splintered into streams and rained fire onto the wasteland.
Seeing this, Abelʼs expression turned to genuine surprise.
"A power that can block the Authority of Flame… It seems youʼre hiding secrets I donʼt yet know, Zeke."
Suddenly, Zeke launched a sword strike at Abel.
Boom!
Abel dodged and laughed maniacally, gripping his sword.
"This much wonʼt do it! Come at me stronger! Iʼll test my power on you!"
After trying to kill Zeke through Daria, now he wanted to test his strength on him—it made no sense.
Zeke sensed even greater madness in Abelʼs red Dragon Eye than in his previous life.
'He was always mad, but heʼs even madder now.ʼ
Becoming dragonkin through Narakʼs consecration couldnʼt have been a normal process.
His mind must have been further corrupted during the rite.
Abel conjured flames again and swung at Zeke.
Four massive fireballs hurtled toward him.
Whoosh!
Zeke rolled aside, dodging the fireballs.
But they changed direction, pursuing him relentlessly.
It was as if the fireballs were alive.
'Magic flames and Authority flames are definitely different.ʼ Zeke gritted his teeth and unleashed Dragonʼs Claw at the fireballs.
Slash!
One fireball, shredded by the Dragonʼs Claw, vanished.
Abelʼs eyes widened in disbelief.
"Flame Authority canʼt be dispelled by ordinary means. Impressive."
From this, Zeke realized that even as dragonkin, Abel couldnʼt use dragon race skills.
'He canʼt access the system window?ʼ
The only dragonkin Zeke had seen was Hoshgar, who could use the system.
Not all dragonkin could access it, apparently. 'If he canʼt use the system, I have a huge advantage.ʼ Zeke began to gauge the extent of Abelʼs power.
Abel swung his sword at the approaching Zeke and shouted.
"Whatever power youʼre hiding, it doesnʼt matter! Iʼve already transcended humanity! Iʼll uncover all your secrets!"
Abel didnʼt even consider the possibility of defeat.
Having been consecrated, he believed he had surpassed human limits.
Thus, he was convinced Zeke couldnʼt surpass him, even with hidden powers.
'Iʼll exploit that gap.ʼ Slash!
Zeke activated Dragonʼs Claw again, eliminating the pursuing fireballs.
"Hah!"
Immediately after, Zeke assumed the black sword qi stance, swung Bahamut, and charged at Abel.
Abel swung his Red Dragon Sword at Zeke.
Clang!
Bahamut clashed with the Red Dragon Sword.
Creeeak!
Abel met Zekeʼs gaze and smirked.
"You think you, a mere red knight, can beat me?!" He exerted force, pressuring Zeke.
At the same time, he swung his sword, pushing Zeke back.
As he prepared to use Astral Sword— Whoooosh!
Zeke levitated with Dragonʼs Wings, assuming the Infinite Sword Art stance.
In that moment, formless power emanated from his body.
Abelʼs eyes widened in shock.
By the time he realized Zekeʼs aura had completely surpassed red knight level, it was too late.
Rumble!
Zekeʼs sword unleashed Astral Sword faster than Abelʼs.
He executed Infinite Sword Art toward the overconfident Abel.
Whoooosh!
The source-severing Astral Sword dwelled in Zekeʼs blade and flew at Abel.
Infinite Sword Art Secret Art
First Linked Form
Sun-and-Moon Severing Strike Zeeeeeng!
As Zekeʼs Infinite Sword Art struck head-on, Abel hastily summoned his own Astral Sword.
But it was already one step too late.
Zekeʼs Astral Sword sliced through him the instant it entered his domain.
Crack!
The Red Dragon Sword in Abelʼs hand shattered, and Zekeʼs strike hit him squarely.
"Urk!"
Abel flew back from the impact of the direct hit.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The building he crashed into collapsed under the shockwave.
Rumble!
A massive dust cloud rose.
Zeke rushed toward the rubble where Abel was buried.
'Where is he?ʼ
A direct Astral Sword hit should have caused severe injury.
With him badly wounded now, Zeke needed to finish it here.
As Zeke scanned the area with his sword raised— Zeeeeeng!
A strong wave swept over Zekeʼs body.
'This is…ʼ
It was the mana field distortion caused by the pureblood Draker trait of mana rejection.
Sparks flew from Zekeʼs Hercion.
The distortion had affected the drive plate.
Zeke retreated while using a mana suppression technique to counter Abelʼs distortion field.
His Hercion returned to normal operation.
Rumble!
Right after, debris from the collapsed building flew aside, and Abel slowly emerged from within.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The reappearing Abel wore a Hercion Zeke had never seen before.
It was pitch-black with red tinges, etched with a grotesque magical beast on the cuirass —an unfamiliar design.
'Itʼs not standard Imperial Hercion.ʼ
Like Theiaʼs, it seemed to be an artifact excavated from ancient ruins.
Abel tossed the broken Red Dragon Sword to the ground.
"Zeke, so youʼre a black knight too…"