"Destroyed because they received the love of the gods?"
Zeke struggled to understand what Arina meant.
Arina explained in more detail to the puzzled Zeke.
"When we talk about history, we refer to the period after the War of Liberation as the
Golden Age, and the era of Hero King Kaisir as the Heroic Age. But the time when
Carcosa existed could be called the Age of the Constellations."
"The Age of the Constellations..."
"It's said that back then, there were far more races and cities than there are now.
Among them, Carcosa was the city that received the love of the most constellations."
"The love of the constellations?"
"Yes. At that time, constellations could intervene in the Phenomenal World, and it was freely possible for them to grant their authorities to those they favored." Zeke recalled hearing something similar from Arataso.
'The Constellationʼs Chest. It was said to be support given by constellations to their avatars.'
Arina continued.
"Solomon was the king of that Carcosa. As the king of a city loved by the gods, the power and authorities he wielded must have been incomparably greater than those of today's kings."
Zeke thought of Blanca, the Golden City where Hades had been imprisoned.
Blanca was a city that could handle karma on its own, and it had even been used to subjugate dragons.
If Carcosa was a city with even greater power than Blanca, then King Solomon, who ruled it, would have been able to wield near-omnipotent authorities.
Arina glanced at the book in Zeke's hand and continued.
"In the Apocrypha, King Solomon was described as extremely wise and possessing immense power. He was even portrayed as being on par with the constellations themselves."
"On par with the constellations?"
Hearing Arina's words, Zeke recalled the Ring of Solomon.
'If he could wield karma through the city's power, seal demons in the ring to subjugate them, and freely use their authorities... then yes, it makes sense.'
"The problem arose after the wise and powerful King Solomon died."
"What kind of problem?"
"Because the constellations' interventions became too excessive, those who received their love began using that power recklessly to satisfy their own desires, plunging the Phenomenal World into chaos. The grandest and most beautiful city among those that existed, Carcosa, came to be known as the City of Corruption."
"The City of Corruption..."
"And the horrific atrocities committed by its worshippers in their blind pursuit of the constellations' attention are described as beyond words." She went on.
"In the end, the vicar of the Creator God, unable to bear Carcosa's corruption any longer, erased it over seven days with the Primordial Light."
"The city was erased?"
"Yes. After that, it's written that the Phenomenal World lost Carcosa's shining civilization and had to start over from the beginning. However, theologians outright deny the existence of such an ultra-ancient civilization as Carcosa, so this isn't recorded in the current holy scriptures."
Carcosa was a city that could wield karma.
For such a city to vanish entirely, an entity at least as powerful as an Elder Dragon—or greater—must have intervened.
Zeke recalled the Godslayer that Tyr had mentioned before.
'The Godslayer who killed gods that intervened too much in the Phenomenal World. Later, he fell and became the king of the fallen constellations.' Zeke asked Arina about the Godslayer.
"By any chance, is there anything about the Godslayer in the Apocrypha?" Arina shook her head at Zeke's question.
"The Godslayer? I've never heard of such a thing."
It seemed there was no mention of the Godslayer even in the Apocrypha.
At that moment, Arina clapped her hands.
"Ah, there might be something about that in there."
"Where?"
"In Lauraʼs Notebook. I know it contains various things I've never heard of."
'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 vaguely remember her once mentioning in passing that she had a hideout in the Himonas region in the north. She might have left the notebook there." Zeke mulled over the name Himonas.
'Mother in Himonas?'
At that time, the monster legion advanced toward Himonas, crossing the Ice Mountain Range in the northern continent.
If Himonas fell to the monster legion, then the records left by Laura Agamemnon could disappear as well.
For Zeke, this gave him one more reason to head to Himonas.
After a bit more conversation, sharing information with Zeke, Arina checked the time and stood up.
"Sir Zeke, I'll head back to the Academy in the Southern Archipelago."
Arina had established an academy in the Southern Archipelago to care for not only the Rubern bloodline but also the children rescued from the merman tribe who had relocated and the slave traders.
She wanted to teach and protect the children there, helping them become independent as adults, so Zeke had made it possible.
The facilities were still rudimentary, but they planned to expand gradually. "Are you comfortable there? If you wish, I can establish the academy in Mycenae." Arina shook her head at his words.
"No, the island we've settled on is spacious, and the children like it. It's comfortable for me too, so I prefer it this way."
Arina had spent her life being chased by the Empire and the Holy Kingdom.
For her, the Southern Archipelago was like a peaceful resort where she could finally relax.
Zeke nodded in understanding and said to Arina. "If you need anything, just let me know anytime." Arina bowed politely to Zeke.
"Thank you, Sir Zeke. For everything you've done for us. May the God of Light shine brightly on your path ahead."
A few days after Arina left, contact finally came from the Four Seasons Star.
It was the Draker Family's official announcement regarding Zeke's appointment to the Guardian Knight Seat.
*
Thud thud thud thud!
Zeke rode in the carriage toward the Four Seasons Star.
Sitting across from him was Duke, dressed neatly in the Draker uniform for the first time in a while.
Duke looked at Zeke and asked.
"Nervous?"
Zeke shook his head.
"Surprisingly, not really. What about you, Master?"
Duke pulled a bottle of liquor from his pocket and took a swig.
"I'm nervous. Damn, my disciple is getting the Guardian Knight Seat. I never got one myself."
Not all Black Knights ascended to the Guardian Knight position.
Conversely, one did not have to be a Black Knight to receive the Guardian Knight Seat.
In the case of Knight of Scars Gareth, who was a Red Knight, he had earned it through his influence in the family as the captain of the Black Wolf Unit—one of the Draker Family's three great knight orders—and his accomplishments.
The Draker Family's Guardian Knight Seat considered not only a knight's abilities but also their qualities as a leader to guide the family.
The carriage carrying Zeke and Duke entered the Four Seasons Star.
When they got out, knights of the family were already lined up in front of Atempfel.
The sight of dozens of Draker knights in uniform standing at attention was impressive.
As Zeke descended, the knights bowed their heads and greeted him.
This kind of ceremony before the position was even officially bestowed showed exactly how the family viewed Zeke.
Zeke and Duke walked through the ranks of knights toward the hall in Atempfel.
But the guide approached them and said.
"Sir Zeke, I'm sorry, but the investiture ceremony is not in the hall." Most major family events took place in Atempfel.
However, the guide led the two to the Grand Training Ground outside instead.
Only when they arrived at the Grand Training Ground did Zeke understand why the venue had been changed.
A massive crowd filled the vast training ground, all gathered to witness Zeke's investiture.
There were far more people than when Abel had received his Guardian Knight Seat, including prominent figures and famous knights from various kingdoms.
And surprisingly, among the attendees was Sword King Bernas Draker, who rarely appeared in public.
Seeing Bernas there, Duke whispered to Zeke.
"Huh, what's that old man doing here? I did tell him to drop by if he was bored, but I didn't think that heavy-bottomed geezer would actually show up."
Duke, who had a longstanding friendship with Bernas, was even more puzzled by his presence.
But Zeke had a rough idea why Bernas was there.
His gaze turned to the dais at the front of the training ground.
There sat Kali, clad in her white-silver armor.
Kali met Zeke's eyes with a stern expression.
Though not widely known, Sword King Bernas was Kali Draker's master. 'Whether the Sword King's appearance benefits me or harms me, I can't tell.' Zeke slowly crossed the Grand Training Ground toward the dais.
The presence of Zeke Draker, the most renowned knight on the Central Continent, was incomparable to the others.
At his entrance, the murmurs that had filled the air suddenly stopped as everyone focused on him.
Zeke walked confidently to the front of the dais and looked up at Arthur Draker, who was seated there.
Arthur Draker slowly rose from his seat.
"I extend my thanks to all the esteemed guests gathered here today!"
After the formal greeting, Arthur Draker got to the main point.
"Thus, the Draker Council of Elders, the Cross Order, and the Guardian Knights
Corps have decided to bestow upon Zeke Draker the qualifications for the Guardian Knight Seat!"
From Arthur Draker's mouth came the official declaration appointing Zeke Draker as a Guardian Knight.
Those in attendance applauded Zeke and offered words of blessing.
"Knight of Salvation!"
"Glory to the Draker Family!"
The knights of the Black Sword Knight Order also cheered joyfully at Zeke's appointment as a Guardian Knight.
Felix whistled as he climbed onto Liam's shoulder and shouted.
"My lord! You're the best! It's an honor to serve you!"
Everyone smiled brightly at Felix's boisterous celebration.
But then— Thud!
Sword King Bernas, who had been quietly watching the ceremony, suddenly stepped forward toward the dais.
The elderly man with a long scar running from his forehead across his jaw, dressed in thick leather garb and possessing a massive build, exuded an immense pressure as Sword King Bernas stood before Zeke.
Then, without warning, he drew his sword.
The onlookers panicked for a moment.
As other knights moved to stop Bernas, Arthur raised his hand to halt them.
Arthur watched with an intrigued expression to see how Zeke would respond.
Bernas spoke to Zeke.
"Draw your sword, kid."
At Bernas's words, Zeke pulled Black Sword Bahamut from his inventory and gripped it.
At Arthur's gesture, the surrounding knights formed ranks, encircling Zeke and Bernas.
In an instant, a makeshift arena for their duel was created.
Zeke could not fathom Bernas's intentions in challenging him like this.
But he had no intention of backing down from the confrontation.
'Sword King Bernas, one of the continent's strongest.'
Zeke dreamed of becoming the continent's strongest, free in his power.
And now, one of the very powerhouses he aspired to be stood before him.
It was a perfect opportunity to test how close he had come to that dream.
A sword resonance rang from the blade in Zeke's hand.
Whoooong!
Hearing Bahamut's resonance, Bernas lowered his sword.
The weapon he held was an ordinary, worn-looking blade.
There was no aura blade, nothing at all.
Zeke charged first at Bernas, who stood silently like a noble tree, sword in hand.
Whoooosh—
"Chaha!"
Dark energy enveloped Zeke's sword.
Zeke unleashed his special technique, the Dragon Slaying Technique: Black Sword Qi.
The dark energy-clad sword strike fell toward Bernas's head.
Slash—
But astonishingly, Bernas's sword cleaved Zeke's strike in two.
'What is this?'
Zeke had faced countless strong foes, but this was the first time his sword energy had been severed like this.
Zeke withdrew without following up, pulling back his sword and retreating.
Bernas stood in the exact same stance as before, unmoving.
Zeke could not sense any energy from him at all.
'No aura blade, no astral sword. He really just cut it with his actual sword.'
It was unbelievable that an aura blade could be severed by a mere sword, but the Sword King had done it.
As Zeke hesitated to advance, this time the Sword King moved first.
Thud!
He stepped forward and swung his sword.
It was literally just a plain horizontal slash.
But then, something unbelievable happened.
Zeke's body was completely bisected by the Sword King's blade.