A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 114

"Ah-ra-ra-ra-ra!"

With uproarious shouts, the warriors of the Avian Race appeared. Adorned with sturdy beaks, massive builds, colorful feathers, and ornaments, these warriors galloped on horseback.

Whoosh!

The Avian warriors threw the hand axes they were holding.

Crack!

The axes, propelled by immense strength, split the skulls of the horses that the knights rode.

"Damn!"

Realizing they faced Draker's knights, the warriors had aimed strategically at the horses, confident that the axes would be deflected otherwise. Meanwhile, the Avian warriors at the rear launched magical bombs using catapults.

Whizzz!

Combining their unique eagle-eye vision and their refined combat techniques, the magical bombs hit their targets accurately.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

True to their reputation, the Crimson Lion Knight Order quickly dodged to escape the blast radius of the magical explosions.

The newly arrived Avian warriors knew well how to handle knights, maintaining distance and throwing weapons from afar.

Among them, a few large, black-feathered warriors stepped forward.

Whoosh!

They swung traditional Avian iron clubs, unleashing fierce cries.

"Keee-yooo-ooooo!"

"Keee-yooo-ooooo!"

"Ah-ra-ra-ra-ra!"

The vicious cries reverberated across the wasteland, causing the knights to retreat hesitantly.

These warriors were from the Blackwing Tribe, known for their ferocity and strength among the Avian Tribes.

Each Blackwing warrior was as formidable as an aura-wielding knight.

The unexpected appearance of the Avian Squad shifted the Crimson Lion Knight Order's focus away from Sieg, forcing them into a defensive stance.

Assessing the situation, William shouted toward the nearest Avian warrior.

"We are the Draker Knight's Order! We are on a mission, so withdraw immediately!"

Hearing this, a relatively smaller figure stepped forward among the Blackwing warriors, although his sharp glare and intimidating presence were anything but ordinary.

He spoke fluently in the continent's common language.

"You have invaded our territory and desecrated the sanctuaries where our ancestors' souls rest."

Upon witnessing the ruins collapse, the Avian warriors seemed to grasp the severity of the situation.

William retorted to the Avian warrior, "That has nothing to do with us."

"Nothing to do? Hah."

He took another step closer, saying, "Your kind greedily covets the mysteries of our race. Ultimately, that greed devours humans and leads your kind to self-destruction."

Abel, who had been observing, interjected, "Avian Race, if you continue to obstruct our mission, you'll be considered an enemy of Draker."

At Abel's word, the Crimson Lion Knight Order pulled out their weapons, but the number of knights was visibly fewer compared to the Avian warriors, creating a tense standoff.

Then, a Avian warrior motioned to others behind him. Revealing their cloaks, the Avian warriors showed an overwhelming number of magical bombs strapped beneath their garments—enough to blow the entire area to pieces.

Abel frowned at the sight. It was not uncommon for Avian warriors to embrace death, charging with magical bombs strapped to themselves.

Grit faltered among the Crimson Lion Order's knights in the face of such suicidal resolve.

William quietly approached Abel and whispered, "Abel, there's no need to clash with the Avian Race here. It's a waste of resources."

Since the crashing ruins had obliterated any results from the excavation, there was no reason to squander valuable knight resources here. Understanding William's point, Abel addressed the Avian warrior.

"Very well. We apologize for intruding on your land. We have no intention of lingering here. However, that rogue killed our knights. Once we catch him, we'll leave this place immediately."

Sieg, observing the standoff between Abel and the Avian Race, was searching for a way to escape.

'The Avian Race...'

Suddenly, a thought crossed Sieg's mind.

'Blackwing Tribe... and a charisma capable of unifying other tribes.'

He recalled a famous warrior from the Avian Race in his previous life— the leader of the Beastmen Revolution Army that rose for the freedom of oppressed beastmen across the central continent.

The leader of the western revolution army was a Avian warrior with black feathers.

His name came to Sieg's mind.

'Song of Hidden Flame.'

If these were the warriors led by Song of Hidden Flame, the revolutionary leader, their skills would not be ordinary.

At that moment, the Hersion of Morgan, lying on the ground, began to disassemble.

'A chance!'

Sieg, seizing the chain, pulled the fallen Morgan to his feet and swiftly held his neck in a vice grip. With a mix of the northern dialect, he shouted out to the crowd in the common language.

"Draker bastards! Chase any further, and this man's life is forfeit!"

Bound by the Soul Constriction Technique, Morgan, gasping and unable to resist, was held captive.

An additional headache arose for Abel—partially dealing with the Avian threat, now compounded by Morgan falling hostage through Sieg's influence.

Rumble—

The ground began to tremble around Abel. His eyes had turned a fiery red. William, watching from beside him, appeared anxious.

"A-Abel, c-calm down."

Should Abel lose his cool and Morgan end up dead, the painstakingly forged ties with the Empire could dissolve in an instant.

Sieg observed the unexpected shift in Abel's demeanor keenly.

'What is this, Abel's power?'

It was a force distinct from aura that emanated from Abel.

Rumble—

William's words barely reeled Abel back from the brink, reining in his temper and stopping the tremor in the earth.

'Now's the time!'

In an instant, Sieg shoved Morgan toward the Hawksman warriors.

"Song of Hidden Flame! That guy's an Imperial Legion Commander! Deal with him as you will!"

Surprised yet quick to respond, the Song of Hidden Flame motioned for his warriors to seize Morgan as the latter landed near them.

Seizing the moment, Sieg dashed in the opposite direction.

Seeing Sieg escape, Abel shouted to his knights.

"Damn it! Capture that bastard!"

Unable to leave due to losing Morgan to the Avian, Abel was stuck. Not to mention, the enraged Avian warriors, learning Morgan's identity, might skin him alive.

Sieg enveloped himself in Will of Haste(速) and bolted across the wasteland. A few Crimson Lion knights chased after him.

'Perfect.'

He darted towards them and hurled chains at random towards the Crimson Lion Order.

"Guhk!"

A knight tangled in chains fell off his horse. Sieg jumped into the air, landing deftly atop the horse ridden by the fallen knight.

Drawing his sword, he cut down the other knights in his path.

"Aaah!"

After blessing the horse with a healing buff, Sieg outpaced the Crimson Lion Order, galloping toward the bordering territory.

* * *

"Master!"

Liam and Felix greeted Sieg as he returned to the border headquarters, finally having evaded the pursuing knights. Sieg appeared visibly fatigued.

Liam, wearing a concerned look, asked, "My lord, are you alright?"

"... Can't say that I am. Liam, fetch me a cup of tea."

Liam promptly brewed and served tea before Sieg. Evading tracker teams and Night Killers, Sieg had traveled back and forth across the wasteland for days to cover his traces.

Sipping the warm tea relaxed his body, making him fully grasp the completion of his mission.

Then Felix approached Sieg.

"Master, where were you for several days? The princess has been searching for you."

"The princess? What for?"

"I heard the Imperial garrisons are withdrawing."

"Ho."

According to Sieg's plan, the Song of Hidden Flame must have negotiated well using Morgan as a hostage. From the Empire's standpoint, with the ruins already destroyed, targeting the ineffective Avian ghettos held no merit. Sieg nodded in satisfaction.

"That's good news."

Right then, Princess Melissa came into the room, having heard the news.

"Sir Sieg!"

She rushed toward Sieg, embracing him. Observing this, Felix and Liam quietly exited the room. Upon realizing her actions, Princess Melissa was taken aback, hurriedly stepping back from Sieg.

"S-Sorry. I was just so worried something might have happened to you...."

"It's fine. I heard the imperial garrisons have withdrawn."

Melissa quickly changed her expression and conveyed the situation.

"Yes, for some reason, commander Morgan suddenly ordered a retreat. It doesn't seem to be due to the duel we had. Something else is going on."

Sieg chose not to mention the ruins to Melissa. Though allied, there was no obligation to share all their insights.

'The information about conducting grotesque experiments using the blood of the demonic beasts is something only I should know for now.'

Then Melissa said to Sieg.

"Oh, Sir Sieg, there's more good news."

"And what might that be?"

"The supply of medicine for the Crimson Blossom Disease is flowing smoothly again. Consequently, the disease's spread in the border region has significantly slowed."

It seemed that the laboratory collapse also put an end to the experiments on the Crimson Blossom Disease.

'Even if the research might be ongoing elsewhere....'

Sieg kept that thought to himself and responded warmly to Melissa.

"That's fortunate. The Crimson Blossom Disease at the border might be eradicated soon."

"It's all thanks to you, Sir Sieg. On behalf of Alencia, I sincerely thank you."

Sieg nodded humbly to Melissa's gratitude and then slowly stood up.

"Well, I'll rest a bit before I take my leave."

Startled by Sieg's unexpected words, Melissa asked.

"L-Leave? Where to?"

Sieg tilted his head, explaining, "Back to Atlas, of course. Isn't the princess also returning to Alencia? You must be busy."

Melissa had taken it for granted, based on their shared conversations and Sieg having come all the way here, that he would accompany her back to Alencia.

Having grown deeply fond of Sieg, Melissa had looked forward to touring Alencia's famous spots with him and discussing forthcoming projects amicably.

At twenty-nine, Melissa had lived so dedicatedly to her duties that she never had a proper romantic relationship, making it hard for her to express her emotions.

Sieg, meanwhile, disinterested in romantic pursuits, deemed such feelings as luxury unnecessary to his life.

With the border issue resolved, Sieg saw no reason to linger in Alencia and planned his departure.

Struggling with how to keep Sieg from leaving, Melissa was caught in a dilemma.

Just then, someone entered the room.

"M-Master."

An embarrassed expression marked Felix, fearing he disrupted the moment. Sieg turned to face Felix with an indifferent expression.

"What is it, Felix?"

"S-Sorry to interrupt your good time. A pressing call has arrived...."

"Get to the point."

"W-Well, an invitation to the Four Seasons Castle has come for you."

"From the Four Seasons Castle? What for?"

"They're scheduling a formal knight induction ceremony, and you are requested to attend."

Once conferred the title of a knight, a Draker knight underwent several years of probation and training. Upon completion of the probation, knights would partake in an induction ceremony, earning the opportunity to choose the knight order they would join.

The formal ceremony marked the final step to becoming a true knight of Draker and was one of the most critical events among Draker's various ceremonies.

Sieg turned to Melissa.

"No time for leisure, it seems. I must depart at once. Farewell, Princess."

With a fixed smile, Princess Melissa, though tense, managed a bright farewell to Sieg, "Of course. But next time, I do hope you can see Alencia with me."

"I look forward to it, Princess."

Even in response to Sieg's formal answer, Melissa's face lit up with optimism.

Bringing along Felix and Liam, Sieg left the border headquarters just as suddenly as he'd arrived, heading back to Atlas.

* * *

Days later, at the Four Seasons Castle, Autumn Fell, where Draker's formal knight induction ceremony was held, the family head, the household elders, guardian knights, and members of the Draker Knight Order all gathered.

The vast hall of Autumn Fell brimmed with Draker knights, yet their expressions bore tension.

Breaking a long silence, Arthur Draker, the family head, addressed Sieg.

"Let me ask again. Sieg Draker, which knight order will you choose?"

To which Sieg confidently responded with a clear voice.

"My answer remains unchanged. I choose none."