A Dragonslayer’s Peerless Regression

Chapter 63

Commander Ingrid paced nervously inside the tent, his face filled with anxiety.

Just then, the crystal ball flickered.

He received a message through the crystal ball.

"So, how did it go?"

From the other side, they relayed the current situation of the detained Sieg.

"Did that scoundrel Feynon reject the Draker's proposal?"

His expression brightened.

With Black Yaksha on the run, Sieg was short on evidence to report anything to the higher-ups at Delfoa alone.

Even though he could protest to the Delfoa side through Draker, it was impossible to reveal that something had occurred between him and Black Yaksha without evidence.

Moreover, the higher-ups wished to maintain this unit continuously.

Ingrid didn't want to miss out on a beneficial position that allowed his to accumulate money and experience at the same time.

"If I hold on for just one more year, I can move up to central; if luck follows, I can even run as a candidate for the Magic Tower master."

Ingrid began to dream of his rosy future upon hearing Feynon had rejected Sieg's proposal.

While he was lost in his thoughts, a lieutenant entered the tent.

"Commander, what will you do about the attack on the fortress?"

He put away the crystal ball and spoke.

"Make a few loud explosions and then retreat."

As his lieutenant was also involved in this corrupt relationship, he didn't question the commander's orders. He exited the tent promptly.

Ingrid smirked and began preparing for battle.

"I should consider calling back that Black Yaksha brat after this situation. Make him hold out until the end of this year and then have him relocate elsewhere."

A long tail was bound to be caught eventually. Considering this incident, it could become even more dangerous.

Once he had acquired the necessary experience, he intended to end things completely.

Ingrid promptly organized the mage unit and led them toward the fortress, just as he had ordered the lieutenant.

He planned to send a few flashy spells toward the fortress, make it seem like they were losing, and then retreat gracefully back to the barracks.

"I'll let Jorge take the responsibility."

After positioning the unit as usual, Ingrid commanded the mage unit to use magic.

Fwoosh!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The magic shot towards the fortress, resounding loudly and brilliantly.

However, the attacks were cleverly directed to avoid causing any direct damage to the fortress.

After launching a few attacks, Ingrid gave an order to the troops.

"Retreat!"

It was about time for the fortress side to retaliate.

Yet, arrows or stones, as usual, did not come flying.

"What's going on?"

Ingrid was perplexed by the lack of response from the fortress.

That's when the fortress's front gate opened.

"Co-Commander!"

The lieutenant beside him called out, equally surprised.

And someone stepped out of the front gate.

Ingrid squinted his eyes wide open.

"Y-You!"

To his shock, Sieg emerged riding a horse, leading a group. Behind him were his companions and even Feynon.

Pointing at Feynon, Ingrid stammered his words.

"Fe-Feynon! How did you— You were supposed to...!"

Then Sieg interrupted Ingrid's words.

"What, surprised by a result different from what you overheard?"

Ingrid was at a loss for words.

Sieg had already been aware of their surveillance and wiretapping of their quarters.

Thus, when he spoke with Feynon, they used a magic scroll to prevent eavesdropping.

Realizing the corruption of Ingrid and the mage unit, Feynon had decided to cooperate with Sieg.

"In that case, you won't be able to continue building your career in Delfoa."

"It's better to abandon a disgraceful career."

Unlike his gentle appearance, Feynon was resolute and determined.

Pretending to refuse Sieg's proposal, he had quickly informed the higher authorities about the corruption.

It wasn't long before someone appeared behind Feynon.

Ingrid paled upon seeing the insignia on their robes.

"A scale and a sword. In-Inspection Squad...!"

Delfoa wasn't a continent tainted by corruption and injustice like the southern continent.

The presence of a powerful inspection organization was the reason.

Delfoa's Inspection Squad was notorious for its rigorous investigations and punishments.

The leader of the inspection squad stepped forward and apprehended Ingrid.

"Ingrid Haksen, you are arrested for collusion and criminal activities with public enemies."

Mana restraining cuffs were placed around the hands of Ingrid and the mages of the mage unit.

He shouted at the leader of the Inspection Squad.

"This is false accusation! I've never colluded!"

The leader glared at him with sharp eyes.

"We have already secured evidence of collusion inside the fortress. Give up any thoughts of denial."

Realizing he was utterly cornered, Ingrid screamed with rage.

"Damn it! You think I'll go down alone if caught? How many higher-ups have I dealt with! If I open my mouth, everyone will be impacted! Delfoa will be in an uproar!"

At that moment, Sieg stepped up to Ingrid and slapped him across the face.

"Ugh!"

With a single blow from Sieg, Ingrid's mouth was severely injured.

He spat out several teeth along with blood and yelled furiously.

"You, you scoundrel!"

Sieg gazed down coolly at Ingrid and spoke.

"All of you, as well as the other scumbags you're associated with, will end up behind bars. You have connections? Use them all you like. I am of the direct bloodline of Draker and a pureblood awakener, as well as the disciple of the once black knight Duke Draker. It will be amusing to wager and see whose connections run deeper."

In response to Sieg's words, Ingrid's face turned pale.

Only then did he realize the identity of the person he had antagonized.

Ingrid collapsed before Sieg and began to plead on his knees.

"I-I was wrong! I made a mistake! Please! F-Forgive me...!"

Sieg glared at Ingrid and stated.

"Ask forgiveness not from me, but from the knights who died pointlessly because of you, you piece of trash."

Ultimately, Ingrid was dragged away by the Inspection Squad with a blank expression.

The leader of the Inspection Squad approached Andre and expressed his gratitude.

"We will formally send a letter of thanks to the Draker family and Valhalla for your assistance."

"Thanks to the swift response from the Delfoa side, we were able to conclude this peacefully. Thank you."

The Inspection Squad apprehended the Black Yaksha group and the mages from the fortress and tidied up the scene.

While they watched, someone approached Sieg's side.

"Sir Knight."

It was Jorge and the 8th knight order.

Their involvement in the corruption was cleared thanks to Sieg's testimony, so they weren't subjected to inspection.

However, without the mage unit of the 8th division, the affiliated knight order couldn't exist.

Therefore, unless another mage unit recruited them, the 8th knight order would have to disband.

Yet, there weren't any places willing to accept knights branded as having betrayed their mage unit.

Sieg looked at Jorge and spoke.

"Do you regret it, Jorge?"

Although it was a casual tone of familiarity, Jorge accepted it naturally, scratching the back of his head as he replied.

"There's nothing to regret. I just feel sorry for our comrades who died unjustly. All because of an inept commander..."

Moved to tears, Jorge's statement choked him, and the other knights also shed tears.

They looked rugged enough to intimidate mountain bandits, yet they were quite tearful.

Watching them, Sieg spoke to Jorge.

"If you are willing, I would like to offer you a new job."

Jorge was startled.

"A new job, you say?"

Sieg pulled out a contract from his pocket.

Jorge's mouth dropped open as he received the contract.

"Sir Knight, these terms... This seems too good to be true. Surely, there's an error in the figures?"

"To work with me, you should expect this level of compensation."

"Are you saying you want to work with us, Sir?"

"Yes. I've established a new trading firm. We need guards, and I'd like you all to take on that role."

"Are you intending to employ our entire knight order?"

"Is that an issue for you?"

Jorge shook his head fervently.

"Not at all! Everyone, bow to our new lord!"

Jorge and the knights of his squad uniformly knelt before Sieg.

Sieg clicked his tongue and spoke to Jorge.

"There might not be only good times ahead. There's a scary instructor there."

Sieg planned to send them south for a while and have Simon take charge of their training.

And to task them with guarding the newly constructed factory.

After determining the fate of the 8th knight order, Sieg spoke to Feynon.

"Once matters in Delfoa are settled, please come to Atlas. There is much work to be done together."

Feynon nodded in agreement.

"Understood, master."

From professor and student, Sieg and Feynon evolved into a new master-servant relationship.

Sieg concluded his business in Delfoa and returned to Atlas with his party.

The result of the special graduation mission took an unexpected turn, so the evaluation was uncertain.

* * *

BOOM!

In a secret location within Central Continent, individuals dressed in black uniforms had gathered.

The uniforms they wore were similar to those of Draker, except they had dual black wings instead of a dragon-slaying emblem.

They were Draker, but they weren't. Nevertheless, they were the most Draker-like, known as members of the Shadow Corps.

Around a round table sat the head of the Shadow Corps, with deputy commanders seated on both sides.

All the principal members of the Shadow Corps were present for the meeting.

The Shadow Corps commander, with a stern appearance lacking hair and eyebrows, fiddled with the black gloves of a pureblood awakener and spoke.

"Sorry for calling everyone when you're busy."

Baron Draker.

He was the only one within the Shadow Corps authorized to bear the Draker name.

Addressing the executives of the Shadow Corps, he said.

"I trust you all to handle minor problems on your own. Let's address only the major issue."

His gaze shifted.

"The southern continent has been rather noisy lately."

The deputy commander on his left spoke up.

"Commander, they're just drug-dealing thugs. There's no need for excessive concern."

The leftwing of the Shadow Corps typically dealt with combat operations.

Given their combat prowess, cartels were no more than trivial thugs.

The rightwing deputy commander then spoke up.

"The southern cartels have expanded rapidly in a short time. Someone like Don Juan of the Mechain cartel, for instance, seized control of the region, monopolized the production, manufacture, and distribution of Soma, and amassed immense wealth. They shouldn't be underestimated."

Unlike the leftwing, the rightwing of the Shadow Corps was responsible for intelligence, gathering, and analysis.

The commander of the Shadow Corps then spoke.

"Don Juan is dead."

Every deputy commander was shocked.

It was inconceivable that among those who grasped all continental information, none of the Shadow Corps members were aware of this.

The rightwing deputy commander composed himself and spoke.

"Commander, currently Don Juan is presumed to have gone into hiding to evade the offensive from the Pavela cartel."

The Shadow Corps commander spoke slowly.

"Since Don Juan disappeared, the Mechain cartel has shattered into pieces. Similarly, Pavela is in chaos with most of its bosses dead. Given the circumstances, isn't it strange that Don Juan hasn't resurfaced?"

The commander's statement silenced the rightwing deputy commander.

He hadn't given much thought to the southern cartels, assuming Don Juan was just in hiding.

The commander placed his hand on the table, causing a magical projection to appear.

"This footage was captured a month ago on the Pavela side."

The footage showed masked figures in black.

He turned to the next scene.

"And this one was captured from the Mechain side."

The images showed similarly masked figures.

The commander spread his hand, causing multitudes of masked figures' photos to be arranged,

He pointed at the display and said.

"The person in the middle there. It's this guy who has been maneuvering between Mechain and Pavela, dismantling both cartels. However, no one has yet managed to identify his identity."

With sharp eyes, the commander looked at the projection and spoke.

"From now on, find this individual. Discover what his identity is and why he's disrupting major cartels in the south."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Shadow Corps members in the room stood up.

As the continent's most formidable intelligence organization, the Draker Shadow Corps began tracking Sieg.