A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 54

Simon pressed a blade against Sieg's neck.

"I never imagined you'd actually make it this far."

Despite the blade at his throat, Sieg showed no signs of tension as he spoke to Simon.

"I had an inkling, especially after seeing the trap involving a mage."

Simon, surprisingly, felt more on edge at Sieg's composed response.

Sieg continued.

"This must be Don Juan's doing. Ordering my elimination before things escalate."

Simon pressed the blade harder against Sieg's neck.

"The boss plans to bring down the Pavela Cartel. And that's not something a central lackey like you can solve by running wild."

"Ridiculous. If it weren't for me, you'd have lost your distribution network to the Pavela Cartel without even realizing it."

Simon opened his mouth slowly.

"The Syndicate will keep transferring the cartel's goods through the woman named Kay. Of course, only Mechain's goods will be moved. Just like it's been so far."

"So, you need the Syndicate's distribution network, but you don't need me. Is that it?"

It was exactly as Sieg had anticipated.

Don Juan liked to project an image of boldness and masculinity, but it wasn't in his nature. The moment he sensed even a hint of danger, he'd withdraw or preemptively eliminate the threat.

Of course, this cautious approach was precisely what had made him the top boss in the perilous world of cartels.

Sieg spoke to Simon.

"Then what's stopping you? Kill me already."

The boldness of his demeanor made Simon's hand, which held the blade, tremble slightly.

"Simon Sapatero. Or should I call you Shadowless Ghost?"

Simon was startled to hear that name come out of Sieg's mouth.

It was a name he had used during his outlaw days on the border, one that hardly anyone knew about anymore.

In a low voice, he asked Sieg, "Who the hell are you? How do you know that name?"

Sieg responded calmly.

"That's not the only thing I know. I also know why the Shadowless Ghost is serving under Don Juan."

"What are you talking about?"

"To protect the last bloodline of the Cusco Kingdom, is it not?"

For a brief moment, the tip of Simon's blade wavered.

Taking advantage of the opening, Sieg reinforced his neck with the Dragonscale Armor and grabbed Simon's arm, twisting it.

CRACK!

In an instant, Simon dislocated his own arm joint to escape Sieg's grip.

Now, both Sieg and Simon stood facing each other in the confined space, daggers drawn.

"Who the hell are you?"

Simon demanded again.

Sieg met his gaze and replied.

"My name is Sieg Draker. A direct bloodline of the Draker Household."

Simon's eyes widened in shock upon hearing Sieg's name.

"Could it be... the youngest Blue Knight on the continent?"

"Well, that's one way to put it."

As soon as Simon realized that Sieg was a Draker, his expression darkened.

No matter how powerful the Mechain Cartel was, if the Drakers decided to act in earnest, it was certain that the cartel would be wiped off the southern continent.

While it was impossible to eradicate every drug dealer in the South, cleaning up the Mechain Cartel was entirely within the realm of possibility.

Noticing Simon's troubled expression, Sieg spoke.

"You can put your worries to rest. The Drakers aren't involved in cartel matters. This is something I'm handling on my own."

Simon, still on guard, asked, "Why are you telling me your true identity?"

Sieg slowly lowered his dagger and answered.

"Simon Sapatero. Leave Don Juan and join me. If you do, I'll not only help protect the bloodline of Cusco you're safeguarding but also aid in the kingdom's restoration."

Simon's face reflected his surprise at the completely unexpected proposal.

"You want me to believe that?"

"Surely, I'm more trustworthy than a drug dealer like Don Juan."

Sieg gestured toward the window with his eyes.

"Look. The Pavela Cartel's men are already swarming this place like a hive of bees. Once you kill me on Don Juan's orders, how do you plan to get out of here? Did Don Juan promise you reinforcements to help you escape?"

Of course, there were no such reinforcements.

As always, Simon would have to rely on his own strength to survive.

Seeing Simon's silence, Sieg added.

"If you side with me, I promise to get you and your subordinates out of here safely."

"Even if we escape, Don Juan's pursuit will never end."

To this, Sieg smirked.

"You don't know me very well. Do you think I'm afraid of someone like Don Juan? Once we leave this place, my destination will be none other than Mechain itself."

Simon's face stiffened at Sieg's declaration.

"You can't mean... you're targeting Don Juan?"

"My goal is to set Mechain and Pavela against each other. I've already wounded Pavela. Now it's Mechain's turn."

Simon was overwhelmed by Sieg's words.

The Mechain Cartel, which had seemed untouchable, was now being played by a single man.

Sieg addressed Simon once more.

"Simon, I'm serious. I'd like you to join me."

In his previous life, when Sieg had operated in the cartels, Simon was the only person who had shown him any semblance of human decency.

While their relationship couldn't be called that of a master and apprentice, Simon had been a trustworthy companion.

Simon, who had been the last captain of the Cusco Kingdom's royal guard, fled the country with the infant princess when the palace was attacked during a civil war ten years ago.

He hid with the infant in the harsh, lawless borderlands of the southern continent, beyond the reach of the soldiers. There, he survived as a contract killer while protecting the bloodline of Cusco.

Simon's ultimate goal was to gather enough funds and forces to restore the princess to her rightful place before she came of age.

To achieve this, he became a hitman for Don Juan, securing resources and building connections.

In his previous life, Simon had revealed all these circumstances to Sieg before his death, entrusting the princess's safety to him.

However, Don Juan had already uncovered Simon's past.

By the time Sieg went to protect the princess, Don Juan had already betrayed Simon. He had sold the princess to the Cusco rebels for ransom, and she was executed as the last member of Cusco's royal bloodline.

Knowing this tragic sequence of events, Sieg was determined to pull Simon out of the cartel.

Simon lowered his dagger slowly.

"Can you swear to keep your word?"

Sieg nodded firmly.

"I swear on the honor of a knight."

At that, Simon knelt before Sieg.

"Simon Sapatero, Captain of Cusco's royal guard, greets my lord, Sieg Draker."

Simon immediately pledged his loyalty to Sieg.

Sieg nodded and helped Simon to his feet.

"Let's save the details for after we escape. Where are Matteo and your subordinates?"

"Matteo is being held over there. As for the subordinates, they're on standby to activate the explosive scroll and scatter to the escape points upon receiving the signal."

"Can you summon all of them now?"

"If I give the signal, it can be done."

"Good. I'll take care of Matteo. You send the signal and prepare for the others to retreat back through the sewers we entered from."

"Understood."

As Simon moved to carry out the plan, Sieg walked toward the inner room where Matteo was being held.

Matteo sat there, bound hand and foot, with a gag in his mouth.

Sieg removed the gag.

"You damn bastards!"

The moment the gag came off, Matteo started shouting. Without hesitation, Sieg's fist slammed into his face.

Thud!

"Urgh!"

With just one punch, Matteo's face caved in.

Sieg looked down at him and spoke coldly.

"Where's the ledger?"

Even with his face crushed, Matteo attempted to spit at Sieg.

Unfazed, Sieg drew his dagger, channeling the Electric Shock skill into it.

Crackle!

The electrically charged blade coursed with energy, sending shocks through Matteo's body.

"Aaargh!"

Matteo screamed in agony.

Matteo trembled in pain.

Sieg, emanating Dragon's Majesty, threatened him again with a cold voice.

Terrified, Matteo stammered as he revealed the location and code of the secret vault.

"This is the cartel's end. Go rot in hell."

As soon as Sieg finished speaking, he swiftly beheaded Matteo in one clean stroke.

He then carved Mechain's mark into the forehead of Matteo's corpse using a dagger.

Given how many atrocities Matteo had committed, killing him was a greater service to the world.

Placing the body where it would be easily seen, Sieg stood up and set off to find the secret vault.

Click!

Inside, he found cash, ledgers, precious metals, and various items, all piled high.

After sweeping everything into his inventory, Sieg returned to Matteo's office, where Simon was waiting for him.

"Boss, the signals have all been sent. The explosions will start in ten minutes."

"Good. Let's move."

Sieg and Simon, masking their presence, exited Matteo's room.

But by then, cartel members had already begun gathering in droves.

"An intruder!"

"Shoot them, now!"

The cartel members, armed with rapid-fire crossbows from who-knows-where, unleashed a storm of bolts.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Dozens of crossbow bolts rained down on Sieg and Simon in an instant.

Sieg held up his sword sheath and pressed a button. With a sharp snap, it unfolded.

Ting! Ting! Ting!

The shield crafted by the dwarven artisan Golyn shone brilliantly, deflecting every single bolt.

With the shield up, Sieg gripped his sword and activated the Energy of Fire.

Whoosh!

The corridor was instantly engulfed in flames.

Simon, standing behind Sieg, was taken aback as he saw the fiery sword in action.

"A... magic sword?"

A magic sword capable of emitting such intense flames was worth a fortune—nearly impossible to acquire, even with gold.

Wielding the blazing sword, Sieg cut through the enemies, clearing a path.

And then—

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions erupted throughout the mansion. The explosion scrolls Simon's subordinates had planted had been triggered.

Sieg turned and called out to Simon.

"Simon! Grab onto me."

Though utterly bewildered, Simon instinctively obeyed and grabbed Sieg.

Without hesitation, Sieg dashed toward the window and leapt out.

The building was several stories high, and falling from such a height would surely result in injuries.

But just as they plummeted, Sieg activated the Energy of Wind.

Whoooosh!

A cushion of air formed, allowing Sieg and Simon to land safely.

Simon's eyes widened further as he saw Sieg's sword emit not only flames but also wind.

Fweeeet!

The sound of alarm whistles echoed from all directions.

"Catch the intruder!"

"The fire is spreading! Put out the flames first!"

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The scrolls continued to detonate in staggered intervals.

While the cartel members were floundering in confusion, Sieg and Simon made their way down to the underground sewer system.

Fortunately, all of Simon's subordinates had managed to escape unharmed.

Seeing Simon arrive with Sieg, the subordinates immediately sensed that the plan had undergone some changes.

Simon addressed them.

"Pay your respects. This is our new boss."

Simon's unit consisted of knights who had secretly joined forces with him to protect the Cusco Kingdom.

At Simon's words, they bowed to Sieg without any resistance.

"Greetings to our new master!"

Sieg nodded in acknowledgment, accepting their greeting.

"Let's save the celebratory drinks for after we get out of here safely."

Although their escape plan involved using the underground sewer system just as they had entered, with the heightened security, a slight delay could result in the area being locked down.

Escaping quickly was crucial.

Sieg reopened the map and began navigating through the underground sewers.

After hours of wading through filth, they neared the edge of the city.

Woof! Woof! Woof!

The sound of dogs barking echoed in the distance.

Sieg signaled for them to halt.

Activating Dragon's Eye, he scanned the area and saw that pursuers had already spread out.

He turned to Simon and said, "I'll act as a decoy. Take your men and get out of here. Don't head for Mechain—go to the central continent and join Kay of the Syndicate."

Simon shook his head. "I can't do that. The princess is still in Mechain."

"Don't worry. I've already arranged for her to be evacuated by someone else."

Sieg had contacted Reinhardt earlier, instructing the Gorka Rangers to ensure the princess's safe escape.

Simon was stunned.

"You... anticipated this situation?"

"Why do you think Don Juan sent you and me here together? Don Juan knew everything. He planned to eliminate the troublesome Cusco knights and hand the princess over to the rebels."

At this revelation, Simon and his subordinates clenched their teeth in anger.

"That bastard Don Juan... we'll—"

"I'll protect the princess with my life, so don't worry and just go."

Simon nodded.

"Boss, don't die. I have too many questions to ask you."

"Got it. Now go!"

Sieg dashed forward.

The scent drove the tracking dogs into a frenzy as they bolted toward him.

Sieg shouted at his bracelet.

"Bucephalus!"

As the dragon horse was summoned, Sieg mounted it and began luring the pursuers away.

Woof! Woof! Woof!

The hounds, along with torch-wielding pursuers, chased him relentlessly.

Confirming that their attention was solely on him, Sieg adjusted Bucephalus's speed, ensuring the gap between himself and Simon's group widened.

Once he had created sufficient distance, Sieg brought Bucephalus to a halt and drew his sword.

The tracking dogs and pursuers charged at him, weapons drawn.

A massive storm erupted from Sieg's blade.

With a sly grin, Sieg muttered, "Alright, let's have some fun."