A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 90

The Althara Casino, which Muhammad guided them to, was renowned as the largest and most splendid in the Dothra Republic.

Sieg and Feynon were escorted to a suite room in the Althara Casino Hotel.

"Sir Sieg, please make yourself at home,"

Muhammad said with a smile.

Then, he whispered to Sieg, "What you mentioned earlier has been taken care of."

Sieg expressed his gratitude to Muhammad.

The next morning, a person came up to the room where Sieg was staying. It was none other than the Black Yaksha, who had crossed from the south to the Dothra Republic.

Sieg had asked Muhammad to allow the unidentified Black Yaksha to enter the Althara Casino. Although identification was very strict due to the high status of the casino, Muhammad had obliged Sieg's request.

Sieg greeted Black Yaksha and said, "It's been a while, Black Yaksha. Or should I call you Boris now? How is the south treating you?"

Sieg addressed Black Yaksha by his new identity.

Boris replied with a tired face, "It's fine."

He looked more exhausted than when he was a continental criminal in Delpoir, possibly due to the grueling time under Simon. Sieg spoke to Boris, "I suppose you have a rough idea of the situation."

Boris nodded and said, "Yes. I heard there will be a transaction between the Empire and Abel Draker."

"Yes. Has there ever been a transaction of this scale before?"

Boris shook his head. "Not that I know of."

Sieg's expression changed. "That implies that Abel Draker's relationship with the Empire is extraordinary."

"It's more than that. Transactions like these are rare, even among allied countries."

It was astonishing that the Empire, which hardly dealt with other nations, was engaging in such a significant transaction with an individual like Abel Draker.

'It's likely not just Abel, but Zimmens is involved as well.'

Sieg was still concerned about Cain bearing both Zimmens' surname and that of the imperial family.

"Is there a connection between the Zimmens side and the imperial family?"

"I don't know about the imperial family, but I know quite a few joint ventures between Zimmens and the Empire."

"Hmm."

Sieg explained the operation plan to Boris.

"Starting tomorrow, there's going to be a celebratory banquet at the casino. You need to attend and blend in. Keep an eye out for anyone from the Empire."

"Understood."

With Boris joining the team, Sieg intensified his work. Feynon, along with Boris, set up surveillance magic arrays throughout the casino.

They ensured the security was layered to prevent Imperial mages from discovering them, which took considerable time.

The next day, the Zayed family hosted a lavish banquet at the casino.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Muhammad was a man who knew how to throw a party. He rented out the entire club in the hotel's basement, inviting all the young tycoons from within the Dothra Republic.

As the star of the banquet, Sieg socialized with them, drinking and having fun. Though he pretended to be drunk, his Healing Factor prevented any intoxication.

While mingling with the Dothra Republic's influential heirs, who sought his company, Sieg subtly monitored Abel and the Empire's movements.

On the second day of the banquet, Sieg received a report from Boris via communication magic that imperial intelligence special forces had appeared, causing him to become alert and scan his surroundings.

Using his Dragon Eyes brought several distinctly different individuals into focus. These special forces were elite agents trained within the empire's intelligence agency.

'Their presence means the empire's regents are making moves.'

Regents were some of the most powerful figures, directly leading the empire beneath the emperor. The imperial special forces only acted under these regents' commands.

'The transaction could be even bigger than I thought.'

Sieg maintained his composure, pretending not to care about the special forces presence while continuing to entertain the young tycoons.

* * *

"Sieg Draker is downstairs, I hear,"

William said to Abel.

To this, Abel looked at William and responded, "Do you think he's here because of our deal?"

William shook his head. "I heard he was invited by the Zayed family. Being the martial tournament champion, it makes sense."

Abel sat in front of William and spoke, "The Zayed family, huh. It's unlikely Sieg has the power to move that family. But Kali might."

William was taken aback by that statement.

"Impossible! Even if she's Kali Draker, it wouldn't be that easy to handle the Zayed family."

Abel shot William a look. "William, as I always say, you lack imagination. That won't do against Kali Draker."

William fell silent at Abel's words.

Abel tapped the desk while asking, "Is it possible to change the meeting location?"

William made a troubled face at that.

"Suddenly changing it would upset the empire. They might see us as unprepared."

Abel wished to change the meeting location, but, as William noted, the empire's disposition suggested they wouldn't take it well.

Indeed, the opponent in this deal was none other than the empire's most formidable regent, julius.

'Handling that stern old man is no easy task.'

As Abel wore a pained expression, William checked his watch and said, "Not much time left before the regent arrives. It's practically impossible to change the meeting location now."

Abel nodded at William's words.

"Proceed with the meeting as planned. Instead, increase the security personnel around us and have the mages conduct more thorough checks for eavesdropping devices."

Abel felt an unexplainable sense of unease.

Although it seemed reasonable for Sieg to be at the casino as the martial tournament champion, the timing of his presence was worrisome.

'It can't simply be a coincidence...'

It was at that moment.

"The regent has arrived."

The regent arrived earlier than expected. Abel and William headed down to the prepared meeting room.

There, accompanied by the special forces, julius soon entered.

In his robes characteristic of the empire, julius was an older man with a hooked nose and sharp countenance. Though aged, he had a large build and exuded an aura of authority.

Abel admired Julius at the sight.

'As expected of the empire's war hero.'

Julius wasn't a black knight but was a renowned grand general with exceptional strategy and leadership skills. He was also known as the only person capable of keeping the imperial family in check.

Julius approached Abel and offered his hand first.

"Pleasure to meet you. It is an honor to see Draker's Lion Sword in person."

Abel grasped Julius's hand and returned the greeting.

"I've heard much about your reputation, regent. It's an honor to meet a hero."

After exchanging polite remarks, the two sat down.

Julius got straight to the point after sitting down, "I assume the Lion Sword is well aware of the situation. Concerns regarding Carus are growing."

To this, Abel nodded, "Indeed. Though Prince Carus and I share a deep friendship, I believe it's time for significant decisions to be made for the empire's safety and future."

* * *

While enjoying the banquet, Sieg signaled Muhammad.

Feigning inebriation, Muhammad led Sieg to the VVIP room.

In the VVIP room, there was a secret passage that allowed Sieg to return to his room without being seen by others.

'This should be enough of an alibi to avoid Abel's suspicions.'

Sieg, who returned to his room through the secret passage, listened closely to the wiretap devices with Feynon.

As Sieg listened to the transaction details, his expression grew increasingly serious.

The regent and Abel were discussing the empire's intricate power dynamics.

They talked about the issue of selecting the next emperor following the death of the current one.

The problem seemed to arise from the minimal vote difference between the first and second in line for the throne.

Moreover, the votes for the second-in-line, supported by Julius, were at risk of being split with Carus again. Consequently, Carus was a considerably troublesome figure for Julius and the second prince's supporters.

The complication lay in the fact that Carus held legitimacy above all other princes. If they directly attempted to eliminate Carus, a civil conflict might emerge within the empire, which led Julius to take risks and meet Abel for a transaction.

Feynon turned to Sieg with a hardened expression, stating, "Master, this... is no ordinary matter..."

Sieg gestured for silence, putting his finger to his lips to indicate Feynon should say no more.

'This is bigger than I anticipated.'

The intervention was directly from the imperial regent. The deal involved Abel taking charge of the empire's prince in exchange for the resources to persuade the Draker elders.

Exposing this information would undoubtedly lead to a major scandal.

Sieg swiftly asked Boris, "Has Prince Carus come here too?"

Boris responded, "I'm not sure it's the prince exactly, but there's a heavily guarded spot under the special forces."

In his previous life, Sieg recalled the third continental war.

'Carus did not die and led the battlefield with Abel.'

In the past, he had thought Carus was a madman driven by blood and frenzy. But this situation suggested the possibility that he had been captured and brainwashed by Abel and the Zimmens side.

He told Feynon, "Sir Feynon, take these records to Muhammad and go to Iason immediately. He arranged for protection with Agamemnon. These records must be personally delivered to Kali Draker."

"Understood. Is Master not going with me?"

"I intend to take Prince Carus."

Feynon's face turned grave at Sieg's decision. He sensed this matter could potentially disrupt the entire continent.

"Please be careful."

After Feynon left, Sieg contacted Agamemnon. He then stored Bahamut in his inventory and picked up other swords and a dagger.

Wearing a mask, he exited the hotel through a window.

Whiiiish!

Harnessing the power of the wind, Sieg descended the side of the hotel, searching with his Dragon Eyes for where Prince Carus might be held.

He found a VIP room where numerous special forces members were gathered.

'It looks like it's over there.'

Sieg climbed up to the location of the VIP room and slipped in through a window.

Using the concealment skill he gained from capturing the nation's contributor earlier, Sieg merged his body into the shadows, similar to when the state contributor had melded with darkness.

'I'm glad I consumed the nation's contributor.'

Stealthily sticking to the ceiling, Sieg bypassed the special forces and entered further into the room.

Soon, he heard loud noises from within.

"You insolent fools! Step aside immediately!"

Carus shouted at the special forces.

Nevertheless, the special forces members were preventing Carus from exiting. Grinding his teeth, Carus hurled objects at the special forces in agitation.

"How dare you obstruct me! Step aside this instant! Can't you hear the calls of the casino!"

He was throwing a tantrum about wanting to play games at the casino.

Sieg surveyed the layout of the room.

'I don't see any paths for escape.'

With the timing of Abel and the imperial regent's negotiation uncertain, there was no time other than now to flee with Carus.

Sieg calmed his breathing.

He awaited the opportune moment as the furious Carus moved inward.

"You insolent...! As soon as I return to the Empire, I'll immediately...!"

Whoosh!

Sieg, descending from the ceiling, seized Carus promptly. With his sword drawn, Sieg imbued it with power of metal and slashed at the wall.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

A large hole was created in the hotel wall.

Holding Carus, Sieg leaped through the hole.

"Agh!"

Carus, nestled at Sieg's side, screamed.

Whiiiish!

Utilizing the power of the wind to slow their descent, Sieg touched down onto the hotel garden.

"Boris! Set off the smoke bombs in the casino and head out!"

Following his command, Boris activated the pre-installed smoke bomb scrolls.

Whoosh!

The entirety of the casino and the hotel surrounding it was engulfed in smoke.

"Fire! Fire!"

Panicking, people mistook the smoke for fire and scrambled to exit.

Thanks to this, the special forces were also hindered by other patrons, unable to exit easily.

Masked, Sieg grabbed Carus.

"Who... who are you?"

"Your Highness, please heed my words. Julius and Abel are planning your assassination."

Shocked, Carus exclaimed, "Wha-what do you mean? Julius is my loyal retainer, and Abel my friend!"

"If that's what Your Highness believes, then why did the special forces hold you against your will?"

Carus's face hardened at Sieg's words.

He, too, had sensed something odd since arriving in Dothra.

Rather than feeling protected, he felt more like he was being detained to prevent his escape.

'Could Julius and Abel really be...?'

Sieg spoke to Carus in an urgent tone.

"If you remain, you'll either die or be brainwashed. We need to move to a safe location, so please follow me."

Though still incredulous, Carus decided to trust Sieg for now.

At that moment, Boris arrived with horses.

"Boss! We need to leave quickly."

As Sieg and Boris prepared to exit the hotel, knights waiting outside advanced toward them.

These were none other than Abel's knights.