Episode 238

“Black Knight?”

At Ramon’s words, everyone gathered in the conference room murmured in disbelief.
Kali also looked at Ramon with an expression of disbelief.
Looking at the host Arthur Draker, he said,
“If Abel Draker’s promotion to Black Knight is proven, he will become the youngest Black Knight on the continent. This not only elevates the honor of the Draker family but also means that one more Black Knight belonging to the Draker family will be added. It can be said that it is a remarkable achievement for Duke Draker, who was a Black Knight in the past but lost his status as a Black Knight after a mission failure more than a decade ago.”

When Duke Draker was mentioned, some of the elders in the room coughed uncomfortably.
The elders who were uncomfortable with the mention were those who had directly or indirectly participated in the trial of Duke Draker in the past.
Ramon’s mention of Duke Draker’s past deeds, which were a stain on the Draker family, made them uncomfortable when brought up first by Ramon.
Arthur nodded as he listened to Ramon’s words.

“As Ramon says, if Abel Draker has been promoted to Black Knight, he is certainly qualified to receive the title of Guardian Knight.”

In an instant, Arthur’s gaze sharpened.
An intangible energy emanated from his body. The air in the conference room felt heavy.
Kali realized that Arthur Draker’s Astral Sword was aimed at the entire area.

“Even breathing feels heavy.”

If it were the true ability of a Black Knight, at any moment, everyone in the conference room could potentially die at his will.
Arthur Draker spoke to Ramon.

“But if it turns out that he has impersonated a Black Knight, then he should certainly pay the appropriate price.”

Invisible sparks flew between Ramon and Arthur.
Watching such a confrontation, Kali realized one thing.

“Even my father has placed a bet.”

Using Abel Draker’s promotion to Black Knight as an excuse to challenge Ramon Zimens, who was cornered into offering the position of Guardian Knight, was a way to pull him out. If it turned out that Abel Draker had not actually been promoted to Black Knight but had impersonated one, it would be a way to completely prevent him from scheming behind the scenes.

“Even if Abel has truly been promoted to Black Knight, it would still be a benefit for the Draker family. I can’t keep up with my father’s schemes.”

At that moment, news spread that the appointment ceremony was ready.
Arthur sheathed his Astral Sword, smiled warmly, and said,
“Well, let’s go. I look forward to the birth of a truly new Black Knight.”

* * *
The hall of Atumfel was splendidly decorated for the appointment of the new Guardian Knight.
Inside the hall, the heads and deputy heads of the major knight orders, as well as key figures of the blood alliances, were gathered.
The Draker family was the center of power leading the central continent.
As the Guardian Knight, who represented the power of the Draker family, naturally all blood alliance families and kingdoms of the central continent could not help but be interested in this.
Clang!
The door opened, and the host Arthur Draker, along with the participants of the conference, entered the hall.
It was a gathering of the true elites of the Draker family.
Kali sat in the seat prepared for the Guardian Knight and looked around the elaborately decorated appointment ceremony venue.
If it turned out here that Abel Draker had not been promoted to Black Knight, not only would he be embarrassed, but his honor and the honor of the Zimens family would undoubtedly be tarnished.

“But if Abel has truly been promoted to Black Knight…?”

According to Kali’s knowledge, it didn’t make sense.
Both she and Abel had been promoted to Blue Knights as pure-blood awakeners of the Draker family, and had risen to the level of Red Knights.
But becoming a Black Knight was on a completely different level.
Even among the famous knights who risked their lives with swords throughout their lives, most could not overcome the barrier of becoming a Black Knight.
The fastest person in history to be promoted to Black Knight was the current head of the Draker family, Arthur Draker, who was well into his forties when he was promoted to Black Knight.
For Abel, who was now in his thirties, to be promoted to Black Knight would be an unprecedented event in the history of the continent.
Then it happened.
Thud!
The door of the Atumfel hall opened, and someone entered.
A man entered, waving his red hair, wearing the Draker insignia.
He was Abel Draker, also known as the Lion Sword.
With confident steps, he approached the Dragon Throne where Arthur Draker was seated.
The Dragon Throne, made of dragon bones and skin, symbolized the head of the Draker family, the Dragon Slayer.
Arthur Draker welcomed Abel while seated on the Dragon Throne.
Abel bowed his head towards the head of the family.

“The head of the Draker family, the owner of the Atalas territory in the heart of Midland, and the Knight of Knights, the Dragon Slayer…”

As Abel was speaking, Arthur Draker raised his hand to stop him.

“Enough. Normally, I would have enjoyed hearing such flattery, but today that’s not what’s important.”

Arthur Draker stood up from his seat.
Then he addressed everyone in the hall.

“I’m sure many of you have been curious about the sudden appointment of the Guardian Knight today!”

Arthur Draker’s voice echoed throughout the hall.
Everyone focused on his words.
Arthur Draker continued.

“The position of Guardian Knight can be considered as a position representing the Draker family. Therefore, the qualification is rigorously verified, and the decision is made by combining the opinions of many elders! However…”

Arthur Draker raised his voice.

“If the one in front of me, Abel Draker! If he has been promoted to Black Knight, I believe he surpasses all those procedures and is qualified to receive the title of Guardian Knight!”

The words of Arthur Draker shocked everyone in the hall.

“Black Knight?”

“Goodness, is the Lion Sword really?”

As the hall became noisy, Arthur clapped his hands.
At the sound of his clapping hands resonating through the hall, the noise quickly subsided.
Arthur looked at Abel.

“Abel Draker. Can you prove your true identity as a Black Knight in this place?”

Abel met Arthur’s gaze and nodded shortly after.

“I will follow the orders of my lord.”

Abel turned his body away from the Dragon Throne towards the people in the hall.
Then he pointed to one of the people gathered.

“I would like to request a duel with Commander Dritan.”

Commander Dritan Turun stood up in response to Abel’s request.
As a commander, his stature was much larger than that of ordinary knights.
With a fierce gaze and scars covering his face, he glared at Abel.

“What is your request?”

Abel smiled slyly and said,
“I have wanted to spar with Commander Dritan for a while. Will you give me that opportunity today?”

As Abel spoke, Dritan’s eyebrows twitched.
Although he seemed polite, ultimately it was a request to become a stepping stone for proving his promotion.
Dritan, who had been silent, stood up.
Thud!
As Dritan moved, the entire hall seemed to tremble.
Dritan Turun was known for his strength and rigidity even among the knights of the Turun family.
Furthermore, he was one of the Red Knights of the Draker family. If he had received the Draker title, he would have been on par with Garett Draker, who had received the title of Guardian Knight.
However, Dritan had been holding the position of the Commander of the Turun family’s elite guard for ten years.
Because of his reputation, Dritan had no intention of losing to Abel.
Drawing his sword from his back, Dritan raised it.
Swish!
It was a large and rugged greatsword that was more like a club than a sword.
Dritan raised his sword and charged towards Abel.
Swish!
Dritan’s attack using the Turun-style Dragon Slayer technique was concise and vigorous.
Handling the seemingly rough greatsword perfectly, he sent a series of quick strikes towards Abel.
Clang! Clang!
Abel deftly blocked Dritan’s attacks with his Lion Sword.
Dritan felt that Abel’s sword, which blocked his attacks, was surprisingly sturdy.
He then grabbed his sword again and charged forward.
Swish!
Dritan’s greatsword aimed for Abel’s waist.
A clean sword technique that was almost unbelievable in its precision unfolded.
Swish!
At that moment, Abel leaped into the air, landing on Dritan’s greatsword.
Seeing Abel’s graceful move, everyone in the hall was surprised.
Most of them were knights, so those in the hall knew how impressive Dritan’s swordsmanship was and understood that completely thwarting his attack and landing on the sword was an incredible feat.
As Abel rushed forward on the greatsword, he swung his Lion Sword towards Dritan.
Swish!
Dritan quickly swung his greatsword, deflecting Abel’s attack and dodging the Lion Sword.

“Hoo.”

Dritan, who had stumbled on the ground, regained his stance, raised his greatsword again, and prepared for the next move.
Abel, standing calmly on the other side, looked at Dritan without any signs of being perturbed.
He spoke to Dritan.

“I want to see Commander Dritan’s true skill.”

At Abel’s provocation, Dritan furrowed his brow.
He then regained his stance, gripped his sword, and assumed the Turun-style Dragon Slayer stance.
Dritan, known for his stubborn and rigid personality to the point of being stubborn, always tried to adhere to the basics.
Rex Turun always praised this as Dritan’s greatest strength.
Seeing Dritan, for a moment, Abel smiled coldly.

“Is that how you’re going to come at me?”

Krrrrrr!
A different energy emanated from Abel’s body.
Everyone in the hall felt a tingling sensation as if thousands of needles were piercing their skin.
Dritan, who received Abel’s energy head-on, felt his whole body being crushed by the intangible pressure.
‘This energy is like…’
He didn’t want to admit it, but it felt exactly like the pressure he had felt when Rex Turun unleashed the power of a Black Knight.
Abel, holding the Red Dragon Sword, slowly approached Dritan.
Most knights would have kneeled just from the pressure, but Dritan was not an ordinary knight.
Instead, he shook off the pressure and advanced with his sword raised.

“Haah!”

With a shout, Dritan, who had shaken off the pressure, unleashed the Turun-style Dragon Slayer technique towards Abel.
Whooosh!
The greatsword, filled with an overwhelming aura as if a raging bull was charging, came down towards Abel’s head.
Kiiing!
At that moment, a sharp sound rang in everyone’s ears.

“What, what is this?”

As others were distracted by the sharp sound, Abel brushed past Dritan’s body.
Simultaneously, Dritan’s greatsword was cut and fell to the ground, and blood spurted from the wounds that had suddenly appeared all over his body.
Thud!
Dritan fell to the ground.

“Commander!”

The Turun guards rushed forward, examined Dritan’s wounds, and then carried him out of the hall.
Everyone in the hall was shocked that the commander of the Turun family, who was said to never fall, had collapsed without even being able to touch Abel’s sword.
Abel sheathed his Red Dragon Sword and turned to look at Arthur seated on the Dragon Throne.
However, Arthur remained seated on the throne with a stern expression and said nothing.
Abel slowly approached Arthur and then spoke to him.

“I will do my best not to tarnish the honor of the Guardian Knight despite my inadequate skills.”

Before Arthur could acknowledge his promotion, Abel had taken the initiative.
Arthur stood up from the Dragon Throne.
Addressing everyone in the hall, he said,
“The Draker family has given birth to its sixth Black Knight!”

Arthur’s words shocked everyone in the hall.
By personally acknowledging Abel Draker as a Black Knight, he was officially recognized as a Black Knight of the continent.
Arthur continued.

“I hereby bestow the title of Guardian Knight of the Draker family upon Abel Draker, the sixth Black Knight of the Draker family.”

Arthur personally pinned a golden badge on Abel.
Clap! Clap!
Ramon, who was sitting, started clapping first.
Soon, applause and cheers filled the entire hall.
Abel waved to the crowd, smiling.
Kali’s eyes, watching Abel, shook with unease.