Chapter 94 : The Warrior's Bloodline (1)
Chapter 94: The Warrior's Bloodline (1)
'As expected... he's incredible.'
Leon stared at Zeke with sparkling eyes.
'To undergo Rebirth Through Bone and Flesh Transformation twice, when most people can't even experience it once. As expected of Elphrel's greatest warrior.'
To think this man was his father.
He couldn't have been prouder.
At the same time, the flames of ambition began blazing within Leon's heart.
One day, Leon intended to become Elphrel's greatest warrior.
Which meant that someday—
He would have to fight Zeke.
An ordinary person would have lost all confidence.
Naturally so.
Before becoming Elphrel's greatest warrior, Zeke was already renowned as the Conqueror.
On top of that, Leon had just witnessed him undergo Rebirth Through Bone and Flesh Transformation once again.
Anyone without extraordinary mental fortitude would have had their spirit crushed.
But instead—
Leon's competitive spirit burned even brighter.
'I always knew becoming Elphrel's greatest warrior would be difficult.'
More than anyone else, Leon understood just how pitiful his own talent was.
If he had possessed mediocre talent and overestimated himself, things might have been different.
But Leon had long since engraved his own shortcomings into his very bones.
From the very beginning, he had pursued an impossible dream.
Something like witnessing one or two more Rebirth Through Bone and Flesh Transformations would never discourage him.
Fire burned within Leon's eyes.
A gaze where admiration and competitive spirit coexisted.
A look that carried both the resolve to surpass him one day—
And the acknowledgment that he truly was extraordinary.
Watching Leon, Reinhardt's gaze became complicated.
How strange.
Ordinarily, he would have rebuked Leon for his ignorance.
After all, Leon was still a mere youngster who hadn't even crossed the Barrier.
A mere child who couldn't even wield Force.
What right did he have to burn with competitive spirit?
Even Reinhardt himself, who had already crossed the Barrier, was suffering from emptiness.
The endless path of martial arts stretched onward without end.
If only he knew there truly was an end—
He wouldn't have felt so despondent.
Because if there were an end, then continuing to walk would eventually lead there.
He could have devoted himself to training every day with peace of mind.
Yet Zeke, who had reached an unprecedented realm, had said it himself.
He still hadn't reached the end of martial arts.
Though he hadn't shown it outwardly, Reinhardt had been shaken by those words.
Even the greatest genius in human history suffered before the endless path of martial arts.
Could someone like himself, who hadn't even reached Zeke's feet, truly walk that path to its end?
Doubt crept into his heart.
Would he truly be able to continue walking without breaking?
And yet—
For some reason—
Looking into Leon's eyes gave Reinhardt comfort.
That ignorant determination.
That competitive spirit born from not yet knowing how endless the path truly was.
It filled him with inexplicable warmth.
'Is it because he's walking the same road?'
'Or perhaps... because I want to learn from that child's mindset.'
Maybe it was both.
He could feel his sunken spirit slowly reviving.
“You're here.”
At that moment—
Chelperston, who had been observing the situation from afar, approached Zeke.
“I am Chelperston. By His Majesty the Emperor's command, I have come to offer you assistance.”
“The Empress herself sent you?”
“…Please mind your words. Even if you are the King of Elphrel, I cannot overlook disrespect toward Her Majesty the Empress.”
“My apologies. I was simply so surprised that it slipped out.”
Zeke answered without hesitation.
Chelperston looked genuinely taken aback.
Seeing that, Zeke asked,
“What is it?”
“You're quite different from what I expected. I see... the rumors don't paint the full picture. It seems I approached you with preconceived notions.”
“Don't worry about it. I did the same. The Empress sent someone with a proper head on his shoulders.”
“This matter is simply too important.”
Chelperston glanced at the destroyed buildings before continuing.
“First of all, please don't concern yourself with the aftermath. The Empire's Intelligence Division is already moving. Before tonight is over, the truth will be made public.”
“You even mobilized the Intelligence Division. To use such valuable personnel for my sake... What does the Empress want in return?”
“…Custody of the Saint.”
“Oh?”
Zeke's eyes curved into crescents.
At first glance, he appeared pleased.
But everyone present could tell—
He wasn't pleased in the slightest.
“The Saint's custody... That's asking far too much for payment.”
“Her Majesty believes it will also work in your favor, Conqueror.”
“Is that a threat?”
“I merely stated the truth. The Holy Kingdom despises the warriors of the North even more than the Empire does. Even if it is officially announced that the Conqueror saved the Holy Kingdom, there's a high chance they won't accept it.”
“So if we also keep custody of the Saint, the situation could become much worse?”
“The Saint's accomplishments until now were never lies. Although he submitted to the Demon Race, the followers he gathered over the years won't simply disappear. By one means or another, they'll seek to harm you... or rather, Elphrel.”
“And you're saying handing over the Saint will resolve all of those problems?”
“Yes.”
“I see. Then I'll come with you.”
“…Pardon?”
“Didn't you hear me? I said I'll come as well.”
Zeke smiled dangerously as he looked toward the Saint.
The Saint flinched under that gaze.
“There are things I need to learn from him as well. This isn't the proper place to question him. I'll accompany you to the Empire.”
“…Please wait a moment.”
Chelperston stepped away.
Finding a secluded spot, he took something out and appeared to converse with someone in real time.
Soon he returned.
“Understood. We'll escort you whenever you're ready. Simply tell us when it is convenient.”
“You've done well.”
Zeke lightly patted Chelperston's shoulder.
Looking at him through narrowed eyes, he chuckled.
“It seems the Empress is serious this time. She sent someone quite capable.”
“Her Majesty has always been sincere.”
“So it seems.”
With that, Zeke turned away.
-Follow me.
At that moment, Leon's eyes widened as a voice echoed inside his mind.
It resembled a mage's telepathy—
Yet felt fundamentally different.
'This... is Voice Transmission?'
Leon instinctively turned toward Zeke.
Until now, no one in this world had ever used Voice Transmission.
Voice Transmission was also a martial art.
Derived from Sound Arts, it was something impossible to master without the teachings of one's predecessors.
Naturally, Leon's gaze settled on Zeke.
Without someone to teach it, Voice Transmission was almost impossible to comprehend independently.
It was only natural to suspect someone with talent on the level of a Grandmaster.
Talent that transcended common sense always produced unimaginable results.
As expected—
Zeke showed no surprise when Leon looked at him.
As though admitting he had been the one who sent the Voice Transmission.
He simply nodded before signaling with his chin for Leon to follow.
Leon immediately went after him.
Beyond the capital's gates.
Under the dark night sky, Leon and Zeke climbed through the forest.
“Leon, travel the world for a while.”
Zeke spoke first.
His tone remained as calm and emotionless as ever.
“This time, don't travel with anyone else. And don't think about rejoining the Black Dragon Mercenary Corps.”
“Please explain.”
“You need to become stronger. Quickly.”
Zeke looked steadily into Leon's eyes.
Within those calm, tranquil eyes—
Leon forgot to breathe.
“Leon.”
This time, Zeke's voice was unusually heavy.
“The world is changing rapidly. During the year you devoted yourself to training, many things changed. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be sending you away alone this early. As the King of Elphrel, I've made countless enemies who would gladly target you.”
Leon looked at him in astonishment.
Never before had he seen Zeke appear shaken.
Naturally so.
Nothing surpassed the Conqueror.
Not the Emperor of the Empire.
Not even his brothers of Elphrel.
Not even the Demon Race.
Zeke himself was far too powerful for anything to disturb his tranquil heart.
Yet now—
He was wavering.
Because of something outside himself.
“As you already know, you possess no martial talent. Honestly speaking, it's a miracle you've become this strong.”
Leon nodded.
It wasn't something he could deny.
Perhaps because he accepted it so readily—
Zeke averted his eyes as though carefully considering Leon's feelings.
“But that's still not enough. The crisis that's coming will destroy you before you're even able to resist.”
“Please explain.”
“Luseus is dead.”
“……!!!”
“Fortunately, he successfully passed the seal to his successor. As long as I remain alive, the seal won't be broken. But... we have far too many enemies.”
Monsters.
The Demon Race.
The Demon Gods.
And even among humanity—
There was Flower, the organization that worshipped the Evil God.
Any ordinary nation would struggle against even one of them.
Yet Zeke had to face every single one.
“Flower and the Demon Race can somehow be held back by the other warriors without me. The casualties will be severe, but Elphrel itself won't disappear.”
“The real problem is everything else.”
“You mean the Demon King's Seven Apostles?”
“That's right. I don't need to explain why. You've already begun to realize the power sleeping inside you.”
Leon's expression grew complicated.
Recently, something unusual had happened to him.
Whenever a warrior's Crimson Mana merged with the Four Seasons Star Cloud Technique—
It produced an energy remarkably similar to Force.
He still hadn't given this power a name.
Yet in terms of raw destructive power, it surpassed Force itself.
But—
He had never told anyone about it.
So how did his father know?
As though answering his thoughts, Zeke spoke.
“I can use the same power.”
“…!!! Is that true?”
“I have no reason to lie. Though my version is weaker than yours. If I had to describe it, it's merely an imitation.”
“An imitation?”
“You've investigated our bloodline, haven't you?”
“The story of Grand Warrior Leon.”
“…….”
“Judging by your reaction, I was right.”
“There is a special power sleeping within our bloodline.”
“I don't fully understand this power either.”
“But one thing is certain.”
At that moment—
A familiar energy flowed from Zeke's body.
The fusion of a warrior's Crimson Mana and the Four Seasons Star Cloud Technique.
More precisely—
The energy emanating from Zeke was slightly inferior to Leon's.
“This power has many names.”
“The Power of Godslaying.”
“The Supreme God Solar's Blessing.”
“But its purpose is only one.”
“…A power created to kill the Demon Gods.”
“Exactly.”
Zeke nodded.
“A special power sleeps within our blood.”
“And only you and I have awakened it.”
“Don't Adam and Elsa possess it?”
“They don't.”
“To be precise, it originally existed only within you.”
“I only awakened it just now.”
“…What?”
“Didn't you watch me undergo Rebirth Through Bone and Flesh Transformation?”
“That was when I awakened the same power.”
“As expected of a power bestowed by a god, it was extraordinarily difficult.”
“I still haven't reached the exact same level as yours.”
Hearing those words—
Leon stood there, completely dumbfounded.