A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 81

On the way back to the mansion after the preliminary rounds, Sieg's mind was filled with thoughts of Helen.

"Helen Draker participated in the Martial Tournament."

Helen was Sieg's immediate older sister, with only about a five-year age gap between them.

It hadn't been five years since she had been promoted to a Violet Knight, so she was eligible to participate in the Martial Tournament.

However, Sieg, who remembered Helen from his previous life, never imagined she would enter the competition.

"The Knight of Steel."

After the Knight of Platinum, Kali Draker, was killed by the Pirate King in the South Sea, the Draker family fell into turmoil.

Before Arthur Draker's death and Abel becoming the family head, the Drakers split into two factions, with Helen Draker, the Knight of Steel, being at the center.

After Abel became the family head and the Drakers merged with the empire, Helen formed a rebel faction intending to continue the legacy of the Drakers, holding a siege in the Troy Duchy.

The northern faction reached out to form an alliance with Helen Draker to fight against the empire, but she refused their offer.

She conveyed her intention to remain a pure Draker until the end. Eventually, Helen died fighting against the Empire led by Abel. Sieg, who was on another battlefield carrying out his mission, only heard of her death later.

"Still, Helen was one of the better Drakers. She had the true qualities of a knight."

Among the Drakers, who used every trick and scheme to gain continental power, Helen was closer to being an orthodox knight.

Thus, Sieg couldn't quite understand why she participated in the Draker Martial Tournament, where all sorts of schemes were rampant.

"Could there be a reason?"

Like Sieg, she might have participated under Arthur's orders. He felt there was a need to find out more about Helen.

Upon returning to the mansion, they found Katherine waiting for them, having arrived from Phantast.

She nodded at Sieg's words.

"Sir Sieg's prediction was correct."

"Without Katherine's help, we wouldn't have spotted Zimmens's shallow scheme."

Pharel laughed and addressed Katherine.

"Fortunately, all three of our members have made it to the main tournament."

In the Draker Martial Tournament, it was advantageous to have as many allies as possible. This advantage came because the event might include games requiring teamwork.

At that moment, Katherine smiled and said, "I found out the event for the first round. This time, it's definite."

Sieg and his group focused on Katherine's words as she slowly spoke.

"The event for the first round of the tournament is running."

Upon hearing that the event was running, Felix displayed disbelief.

"R-running? How can running be an event in a Martial Tournament?"

Then, Pharel, standing beside him with a grave look, explained, "Running... it is, in fact, one of the frequently chosen events in the Draker Martial Tournament."

Sieg recalled the Draker Martial Tournament manual and past events Pharel had given him and nodded.

"The odds that the first round of the tournament is a running match are about 64%."

Felix shook his head in disbelief.

"Running as a main event, it seems strange, master."

To which Sieg replied, "The running we're talking about here isn't just ordinary running, Felix."

"What? How is running not the same?"

Pharel explained to Felix.

"It's actually quite famous in the Draker side; it's called survival running. I'm not an academy graduate, but those from the academy seem to have experienced it at least once."

Sieg nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Sir Pharel."

Felix asked Sieg, "Survival running? What's so famous about it?"

"Survival running is a game where you have to reach the destination through running."

"Then isn't it just regular running?"

Sieg shook his head.

"There's just one difference. Any form of hindrance to opponents while running is allowed."

Felix's mouth gaped open at Sieg's words.

He realized why it's called survival running.

"If anything... is allowed..."

"You can ambush, poison, or even fight openly. As long as you reach the destination within the imposed time limit."

Liam and Felix came to understand why the Draker Martial Tournament was referred to as a microcosm of the power struggle.

If survival running was the first-round event as they suspected, having allies meant that gaining an upper hand in a survival competition was not only possible but also advantageous for the second round.

Sieg instructed Felix and Liam, "The tournament begin tomorrow. Take care of your condition."

Felix slumped away like a zombie back to his room, while Liam headed to the training room, indicating he needed more training.

Sieg returned to his room and settled into meditation. He sought to calm his thoughts and organize them.

'Reflecting on my past life, Helen Draker would have never sided with Abel. She was with sister Kali.'

Helen, after Kali's death, succeeded her power and acted as a guardian knight. Although he didn't know her current intentions, Sieg considered her Abel and the empire's interim adversary.

"I need to figure out what Helen Draker wants."

* * *

Whoom!

In the training room, Helen swung her sword repeatedly until she was drenched in sweat. At that moment, someone entered the room.

"Helen."

Helen lowered her sword and turned around. Kali Draker stood at the door.

Responding with a respectful bow, Helen greeted her.

"I greet lady Kali Draker."

Watching Helen, Kali shook her head.

"When we're alone, call me sister."

Despite repeated reminders, Helen never called her sister comfortably. It was unlike Sieg, who immediately referred to Kali as big sis once she suggested speaking informally.

Unlike Kali, who looked like a legendary Valkyrie with long, platinum blonde hair, Helen had a simple appearance with her short brown haircut. Kali asked Helen a question.

"What did you think of Sieg after seeing him in person?"

At that, Helen clenched her sword tightly.

Seeing this, Kali nodded.

"Sieg has something that sparks the spirit of competitiveness in people. It makes you want to test your skills as a knight."

Helen also nodded at Kali's words without speaking.

"The thrust he showed in the preliminary was incredible."

Dragonslaying Art: Dragonscale Thrust. Naturally, Helen, being a Draker, knew of this technique. However, the way Sieg executed the Dragonscale Thrust felt different.

"It had a primal energy to it. That stab seemed like it could actually slay a dragon."

Helen had been promoted to a Blue Knight a year ago. Even though they were both Blue Knights, she thought with her greater experience, she had an edge over Sieg, but when Helen saw Sieg for herself, she discarded such thoughts.

"He's by no means below me."

Kali, seeing Helen lost in her thoughts, approached and patted her on the shoulder.

"Sieg will be a great asset for us. Helen, test him with all your might until you can acknowledge him."

Helen nodded at Kali's words.

The family was soon to discuss awarding Abel his guardian knight position.

The Drakers were quickly evolving day by day.

Helen, being next to Kali, felt that even as a Blue Knight, just swinging her sword wouldn't achieve much.

But she couldn't just stop wielding her sword.

As she swung her sword again, Helen thought about Sieg.

"Sieg, I look forward to your skills."

* * *

The first round of the tournament took place in Marake City, not far from Atlas. True to Katherine's information, survival running was the first-round event.

Once again, Gareth delivered the event-related announcement to the participants.

"Nothing special. Just arrive at the destination on the peak of Atlas Mountain within 48 hours."

Upon completing the announcement, Draker's knights handed each participant a backpack and a dagger. Only these items could be used in the competition.

Sieg, Liam, and Felix each strapped on their designated backpacks and stood at the starting line. After a while, once all participants were prepared, the adjudicator raised his arm high and shouted.

"Begin!"

The 48-hour countdown had started.

About a hundred participants quickly set their course towards Atlas Mountain.

Aware that survival running was the event, most participants had already planned their route up the peak. Many moved with their allies.

Sieg told Felix and Liam, "Let's move."

Without delay, Sieg chose the most challenging path. Atlas Mountain was renowned for its rugged nature, and Sieg picked the steepest route.

Edward, watching Sieg and his group, chuckled.

"Tsk tsk. They seem clueless about survival running."

With confidence, he opened the front pocket of his backpack. Unlike other participants, his pocket contained a map.

The map detailed the locations of traps and essential supplies.

Grinning, he thought, "Struggle all you want, fools."

Edward, leading other participants who followed the Zimmens family, moved according to the mapped route.

* * *

"Liam, Felix, empty everything from your backpacks."

After climbing a considerable distance, Sieg instructed Liam and Felix.

The backpacks contained only one bottle of water, dry rations, and rudimentary camping gear. Sieg sampled the water and food.

『Traces of red clown mushroom poison detected.』

『The effects of your constitution's 'Immunity to Hundred Poisons' negate any influence from the poison.』

Just as he expected, the water and food were poisoned.

"Not lethal, but it'll require a week's rest if consumed."

Even a Violet Knight would be helpless against such poison. Sieg, clutching the golden mask of Agamemnon retrieved from his inventory, activated his purification skill.

『The power of purification removes the poison.』

Though he couldn't use the Greater Purification without wearing the mask, the purification skill sufficed.

After securing the purified water and food, Sieg displayed the map's route and checked it using the navigation function. He then examined the traces on the ground.

"Judging by the droppings and footprints, they're over there."

Deliberately, Sieg delved deeper into the mountain. He located a hidden cave within its depths and pointed Felix inside.

"Euuugh!"

Felix, upon entering, quickly ran out, startled.

"Grraaa!"

Soon after, a gigantic Grizzly Bear emerged from the cave.

As Felix waved his dagger in panic, Sieg skillfully threw his dagger, hitting the Grizzly Bear squarely between its eyes.

Thud!

The bear fell instantly, its massive size making it seem like a small hill. Retrieving the dagger from the bear's forehead, Sieg addressed Liam and Felix.

"Liam, grab that side. Felix, gather some fresh branches. We're going to skin and tan this."

With dexterity, Sieg used the dagger to skin the bear.

He divided the bear's hide into three pieces, prepping the branches and smoking the pieces above the flames.

Observing, Felix asked Sieg, "M-Master, what are you doing?"

Sieg inquired back with a question for Liam and Felix.

"Have either of you been up Atlas Mountain before?"

Both Liam and Felix shook their heads.

Recalling his past life, Sieg reflected. He had underestimated Atlas Mountain, ascending it lightly and nearly losing his limbs to frostbite.

"Without the healing skill, I'd have been doomed."

Atlas Mountain might not be chilly at the base, but temperatures plummet sharply as one climbs. Although snow covered the summit year-round, people usually think they can prepare near the peak. However, the cold struck even before reaching the top.

Noticing there were no cold-weather supplies in the backpack, Sieg immediately killed the bear and prepared warm gear from its hide.

"You won't make it by just climbing."

Moreover, "those things" were dwelling above Atlas Mountain.

Sieg coated the smoked hide with bear grease, proceeding with its tanning process.

"What are you doing? Get on with it, Felix."

Aligned in a row, the trio busily tanned the bear's hide.

* * *

Atlas Mountain was a notoriously rugged and high mountain. Yet, for trained knights, climbing wasn't much of an issue.

Reina ascended with the participants following the Turunn family, utilizing a pre-planned route up the mountain. As the cold approached, they donned prepared winter clothing stashed mid-route and continued upward.

Despite their preparations, as they ascended, they came across an unexpectedly sprawling snowy field, momentarily startling the group.

Though they had anticipated it, experiencing it firsthand was disconcerting.

The chill pierced through even their winter clothing.

At that moment, something approached Reina and her group across the snowy expanse.

"What is that...?"

Realizing what it was, Reina gasped in shock.