A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 62

"Stimulants?"

Sieg recalled the mercenaries who had charged at the knights, their eyes wild.

"So they weren't just mere soma addicts."

"Yes, it was made using soma compounds."

"For what reason was this stimulant created?"

"To forge warriors who know neither pain nor fear."

Upon hearing the words of the Black Yaksha, Sieg realized that this too was a form of human experimentation conducted by the Empire.

'So, while engaging in a war of attrition with Delfoa for several years, they've been experimenting with the battle forms of mercenaries under the influence of the stimulant.'

Simultaneously, Sieg recalled how the Black Yaksha had been holding the fortress for three years, absorbing bandits and mercenaries in the process, and expanding the organization's size.

He had often wondered how such things were possible from the remote corner of Delfoa, but it was plausible with the Empire's backup.

'What kinds of schemes are the Empire's scoundrels carrying out across the entire continent?'

Sieg spoke to the Black Yaksha.

"You know that, as things stand, you'd be killed by the Empire first."

The Black Yaksha gritted his teeth before responding.

"... Since I answered honestly, grant me mercy and kill me now."

Sieg shook his head.

"What if there was a way to survive?"

The Black Yaksha's eyebrows twitched.

"There's no escape from the Empire's intelligence agency."

Sieg told him, "What if Draker's power could shield you?"

The mention of Draker made the expression of the Black Yaksha change.

It was the only group that surpassed the Empire's intelligence agency on the continent.

"... Draker? What do you mean by that?"

Sieg removed his gloves deftly while using his mana-reflecting skills. Consequently, the mana lamps he had left on began flickering.

The Black Yaksha looked at Sieg with a hardened expression and asked, "A pureblood awakener of Draker?"

"Yes. I've been officially appointed above the knights of the family."

Rapid calculations occurred in the Black Yaksha's mind.

Though an intelligence operative, he didn't want to die.

After taking on filthy tasks, much of his patriotism had faded.

If he ended up unable to die and it was discovered that he had leaked information, the Empire's intelligence agency would undoubtedly ensure his most excruciating death.

In that case, seeking protection from Draker and becoming a key witness seemed a better choice.

The Black Yaksha asked Sieg, "Can you completely guarantee my identity will be changed?"

"You have a better option,"

Sieg said as he looked at the Black Yaksha. "I'll even introduce you to a new job. With a background in the 13th branch of the intelligence agency, there would be many places to put you to use."

For some reason, the Black Yaksha felt an inexplicable chill at Sieg's smile.

* * *

Hiding the Black Yaksha in a cave and then returning to the fortress, Sieg sensed that something was amiss.

'Haven't they captured the fortress?'

Without the Black Yaksha, a fortress with only bandits and mercenaries could have been easily subdued even by Andre and his group.

However, tension still filled the area in front of the fortress.

Sieg first left the fortress and returned to the camp where the Knight Order was stationed.

As soon as he arrived, the mages pointed their staffs at Sieg.

Sieg, glaring at the mage corps, spoke.

"What are you doing?"

Then the commander of the mage corps stepped out from among them.

He yelled at Sieg.

"Sieg Draker! Because of you, the Black Yaksha escaped. I will hold you accountable and take you to the barracks!"

The idea that Sieg caused the Black Yaksha to escape was nonsense.

Sieg asked the commander, "Why do you say the Black Yaksha escaped because of me?"

The commander scowled and shouted, "Isn't it because of your inept assault that the Black Yaksha we had captured got away from the fortress! You fool!"

Sieg tilted his head and asked the commander, "Did you confirm that the Black Yaksha wasn't in the fortress? From the lookout, the fortress still seemed well-defended."

At his words, the commander hesitated before speaking again.

"Shut up! I already confirmed it with another. They said someone hurriedly left the fortress."

"It could be someone dispatched to call for reinforcements. What evidence do you have to claim it was the Black Yaksha?"

Sieg's logical rebuttal caused the commander's face to turn beet red.

Seeing the commander's reaction, Sieg became sure.

'This scoundrel must have tipped off the Black Yaksha and allowed him to escape.'

This was a person who, for three years, waged a war of attrition here and reaped only personal gains.

Though he might not have realized that his actions aided the Empire's experiments, it didn't change the fact that he was trash.

With his staff pointed at Sieg, the commander spoke again.

"Stop resisting and come along. I'll ensure every detail of your crime reaches the higher-ups. Don't expect leniency just because you are from Valhalla."

Sieg decided to comply with the commander's request for the moment.

When the mages led him to the tent area, he saw Jorge and the other eight knights bound and kneeling on the ground.

Sieg looked toward Jorge and asked, "Why have they been detained?"

The commander, visibly frustrated, shouted, "Shut up! I'll cast a spell to seal your mouth shut if you say one more word!"

Of course, no combat spell could do such a thing.

Sieg clicked his tongue at the commander's hysterical response.

Just then, Jorge stood up and shouted, "Sir knight! We do not regret helping you! We also want to remain honorable knights!"

The other knights stood up, echoing Jorge's words.

Gnashing his teeth, the commander gestured to the mages.

Bzzzzt!

Immediately, the mages surrounding them channeled electric magic into the chains binding the knights.

"Arghhh!"

Electrocuted, the knights writhed in agony.

Witnessing this, Sieg addressed the commander.

"Isn't it too much to treat allies this way? Surely, you wouldn't even treat prisoners like that."

Unable to stand it any longer, the commander approached Sieg.

"If you utter one more word... I'll execute you on the spot!"

Then it happened.

Crash!

A tent was completely destroyed as Andre burst out with his sword drawn.

Behind him stood Aster and Diego, who immediately aimed their weapons at the mages.

Approaching the commander threatening Sieg, Andre spoke.

"Delfoa Magic 8th Battalion Commander Ingrid Haksen. Your actions can be perceived as a threat to the life of Sieg Draker, an official knight of Draker. In this case, as of now, Draker will switch to a wartime response stance against Delfoa, and I, Andre Draker of Draker, inform you of this immediate response."

At Andre's words, the commander's face turned pale.

This was a warning, not from anywhere else, but directly from Draker.

Moreover, it wasn't just against him, but against the entire Delfoa—a switch to a wartime response stance.

Sweating profusely, he stepped back nervously.

"Hey, hold on! Isn't this an overreaction, suddenly switching to a wartime response stance?"

Staring coldly, Andre said, "Ingrid Haksen, listen closely. The name of Draker is never to be taken lightly."

The commander gulped.

In truth, he had never truly felt the weight behind the name of Draker until now.

Every time other commanders trembled at the mention of Draker, he inwardly mocked them.

But experiencing the aura of a knight firsthand, his legs trembled.

"W-Wait a moment. There seems to be some misunderstanding."

The commander, stepping back from Andre, tried to calm the situation.

He quickly continued his words.

"W-What I meant was that I misspoke. I've been on edge due to the ongoing battles. All I meant was to ensure a thorough investigation by taking him to the barracks."

Andre glanced at Sieg.

Sieg nodded as if to say it was alright.

Andre withdrew his aura and sheathed his sword.

"It appears there was a mutual misunderstanding."

Heaving a sigh of relief, the commander, seeing Andre back off, gestured to the mages who had stepped forward defensively to stand down.

Sieg then addressed the commander.

"May I speak with my comrades for a moment?"

The commander replied through gritted teeth.

"... You have about 20 minutes."

Sieg nodded in agreement.

Then, accompanied by Andre and the rest of the group, he entered a tent led by the mages.

Inside the tent, he immediately removed his gloves and executed the mana-reflecting skill.

Zzzzzt!

The magical devices surrounding the tent malfunctioned with a sound.

Sieg spoke to Andre.

"I've captured the Black Yaksha."

Andre, surprised, asked again, "Are you saying you caught the Black Yaksha alone?"

"Yes. He used poison, so I feigned carelessness and ambushed him."

Andre's mouth fell open.

Although the Black Yaksha was originally an outlaw, he had become a continental felon due to the serious crimes he committed while wandering the continent for a long time.

Hearing that Sieg had apprehended such a difficult opponent alone, Andre was genuinely astonished.

Keeping the Black Yaksha's real identity hidden, Sieg explained the covert connection between him and Ingrid.

Upon hearing this, Andre's eyes widened with surprise.

If this involved corruption among Delfoa's higher-ups, it could become very complicated.

"What do you plan to do?"

Sieg stood up.

"It's best to leave Delfoa's matters to Delfoa to resolve on their own."

He provided Andre with the necessary information before exiting the tent.

He was then placed in a carriage and taken down to the barracks.

Upon arrival at the barracks, the mages didn't hold Sieg in a regular detention cell; instead, they emptied out an officer's quarters to imprison him there, posting guards at the entrance.

What was surprising was that knights more skilled than Jorge and the other knights were responsible for guarding the mages within the barracks.

'If there's such a force, they should've deployed them for the fortress assault.'

Sieg lay inside the quarters with a bored expression.

He lay there some time until there was a knock, and someone entered the room.

"Sieg."

It was Professor Feynon, coming to Sieg with a grave expression.

'I knew it.'

Sieg had anticipated Professor Feynon since things turned like this, so he wasn't surprised.

Feynon approached Sieg.

"Sieg! What on earth happened?"

"It was the result of not heeding the professor's warning, perhaps."

"My goodness."

Feynon actually was already aware of Commander Ingrid's corruption.

Moreover, the senior mage officers were aware, albeit tacitly.

To become high-ranking in Delfoa's magic circle, one must have military experience.

Sieg had thought it was a failure to balance, but Feynon had volunteered for the military after sensing the limitations of a civilian research position.

Moreover, his transfer to the unit was courtesy of the director of the Royal Research Institute, who had a vested interest in him.

As it turned out, the unit was famous for allowing one to gain military experience without much hassle.

Despite being on the front lines against the continentally wanted criminal, the Black Yaksha, the mage corps saw almost no damage, making it the perfect condition for gaining experience and leaving.

Being privy to such facts, Feynon had issued a separate warning to Sieg.

Sieg now spoke to Feynon.

"There is something I'd like to ask of you, professor."

"What is it?"

Sieg then whispered the information he had obtained about the Black Yaksha into Feynon's ear.

"My goodness...!"

The empire's stimulant experiments shocked Feynon to his core.

If it was true, they could no longer leave this place unattended.

Speaking in a low voice, Sieg said to Feynon, "Exposing this corruption is just, but I am certain the Delfoa mages will voice objections."

Feynon also agreed with Sieg's words.

Reporting corruption within the community was taboo in the Delfoa mage society.

Even if it was deemed just, achieving a high-ranking status like Wizard might have to be abandoned.

Sieg addressed Feynon.

"I leave the choice to you, professor."

Feynon fell into deep thought at Sieg's words.

He slowly raised his head, looking at Sieg and said, "Sieg, I'm truly sorry... but I can't do that."

"Is it because of the power of being a mage?"

Feynon shook his head.

"The power... it might be because of that. In order to pursue my research, I need the title of a high-ranking mage, a wizard."

Finishing his words, Feynon slowly stood up.

"I am truly sorry, Sieg."

Feynon then left the room in a rush, almost like he was running away.