Chapter 195
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
Chapter 195: A Favor (2)
***
The official name of the empire was the Helios Empire. However, most people simply referred to it as “the Empire,” yet not a single person got confused.
The Helios Empire was the first and only empire to emerge since humanity began recording history.
It was the first empire in human history and possessed the most extensive territory.
If it so desired, it could easily unify all nations and bring the entire continent under one rule.
Even the Church, a powerful entity in its own right, paled in comparison to the empire in many respects.
“Even Dorugo feared the empire.”
Dorugo, known as the Archlich and the master of all dark mages, had hidden his existence for thousands of years, primarily because of the empire. Even he was like a candle in the storm when facing the empire.
“What’s with the sudden talk about the empire?”
Damien asked.
Liam Bluegreen scratched his forehead before responding.
“Haven’t you heard? The Helian Tournament is coming up soon.”
“Is it that time already?”
The Helian Tournament was a knightly competition held every four years in the empire to honor the first emperor.
Not only imperial knights could participate; knights from other kingdoms could also enter the tournament. Even non-human races could compete, making the Helian Tournament a significant event that transcended national and racial boundaries.
“You know that the Helian Tournament is a matter of national pride.”
Liam continued.
Even if a nation didn’t win, how far its knights advanced in the tournament reflected on its reputation. Many kingdoms placed great importance on the event.
“Our Apple Kingdom has never achieved notable results at the Helian Tournament. It has been a source of regret for many of our kings.”
Liam said looking visibly dejected. In an era where knights symbolized a kingdom’s strength, poor performance at such a significant tournament likely led to subtle derision from other kingdoms.
“So, His Majesty would like you to attend the Helian Tournament to bring honor to the Apple Kingdom.”
Damien hesitated. The journey from the Apple Kingdom to the empire was long and would be a significant burden. He also had his own goals to achieve: strengthening his body to reach the Master Class level. Yet…
“But the winning knight at the Helian Tournament receives a title from the emperor himself.”
Damien had not yet earned a title. While he had gained some fame quickly but he had no titles. Titles were significant, as they reflected who bestowed them and why. Receiving a title directly from the emperor at a continental event like the Helian Tournament intrigued Damien.
‘Well, I can train when I get to the empire.’ he thought. With his mind made up, he turned to Liam Bluegreen.
“I’ll participate.”
“Really? Ahahaha! Thank you! You’ve saved me from quite a bit of trouble with His Majesty!”
Lian Bluegreen grasps Damien’s hand ecstatically.
“Is there anyone else competing besides me?” Damien asked.
The Helian Tournament was divided into different classes for knights: Apprentice or squire, Low Class, Middle Class, High Class, and Master Class. Naturally, knights from one class couldn’t compete in another.
“Michael Ryanbloom will be competing in the Middle Class category.”
Liam replied. Damien nodded, knowing that Michael had the talent to perform well in that division.
“Anyone else?”
“No, no one else has been confirmed.”
Liam said with a hint of regret.
“To be honest, there aren’t enough qualified candidates. Many want to participate, but we can’t risk sending someone who might embarrass the kingdom.”
“Good point.”
Damien agreed, just as a shadow crossed the window.
Suddenly, the window shattered, and someone burst into the room. It was a woman with wild red hair, dressed in tattered clothing. The smell coming from her suggested she hadn’t bathed in a long time.
Both Damien and Liam were taken aback by this abrupt intrusion. The woman shouted at Damien.
“Damien Haksen!”
“If you changed your living place, you should’ve told me! I’ve been searching all over for you!”
She pulled out her twin swords from her belt, and a chilling aura filled the room.
“I’m here to kill you, as promised!”
She said with a wide grin.
It was Veronica Sánchez, a woman known in her past life as the “Killer Ghost.”
* * *
“……”
Damien stared at the broken window. He couldn’t help but think of his mother, who had poured her heart into decorating the castle.
“Why are you staring off into space?”
Veronica yelled, snapping him out of his thoughts. Damien, trying to suppress a growing headache and said.
“What are you going to do about that?”
“I’ll pay for it!”
Veronica opened the leather satchel she was carrying on her back, revealing it to be filled with gems and gold coins.
“I collected this while traveling! Take it all!”
she said with tossing the satchel to Damien. He caught it with a frown; it was more than enough to cover the cost of a broken window.
“Now that I’ve paid, we can get on with it, right?”
Her voice was excited. She activated her aura, and the twin swords she wielded were enveloped in a blood-red glow.
The room felt like it was filled with a sharp, menacing presence, as if a razor blade was slicing through the air.
‘That’s one sharp aura.’
Damien thought
Aura strength varied depending on a knight’s skill level. Despite having a Middle-Class knight’s strength, her aura’s sharpness was comparable to a High-Class knight’s.
‘But there’s no scent of blood.’
The first time he met Veronica, her aura carried a distinct smell of blood. But now, there was none. It seemed she had kept her promise not to kill anyone during her travels.
‘I’m glad I let her live.’
Veronica Sánchez, in her previous life, was a notorious killer who had eventually ascended to the Master Class. She wasn’t aligned with the dark mages, but she wasn’t on humanity’s side either. She was just a dangerous force of chaos.
When Damien first met her, he had considered whether to end her life, given her propensity for violence.
But her talent had made him hesitate. At the time, she hadn’t yet killed any innocent people, so he decided to give her a chance at redemption.
And it seemed his efforts weren’t in vain; Veronica’s aura no longer reeked of death.
“Good. You should come with me.”
Damien said. Despite her quirks, Veronica was a remarkably talented swordswoman, only slightly behind Michael Ryanbloom, whom Damien considered a genius among geniuses.
It would be good for Veronica to compete in the Helian Tournament. It would be a valuable experience for her and would keep her on the right path.
“Eh? Where are we going?”
Veronica inquired, her face changing from confused to curious.
“Have you heard of the Helian Tournament?”
Damien replied.
“Nope.”
Veronica said without hesitation, her boldness catching Damien off guard for a moment.
“The Helian Tournament is…”
Damien started to explain, but Veronica cut him off with a frown.
“You’re saying we’re going to the Empire? No way! Why would I go there?”
Unsurprisingly, Veronica rejected Damien’s proposal outright. He was prepared for this response, though, and quickly moved on to Plan B. He opened a subspace and pulled out a large club.
The sight of the club made Veronica flinch and step back in alarm.
“Hey, hey! Why are you bringing that out?”
She asked, her voice suddenly wary.
“To ‘convince’ you.”
Damien said nonchalantly.
“You’re going to hit me again, aren’t you!”
She exclaimed, backing away further.
“Oh, come on, ‘hit’ is such a strong word. I prefer ‘convince,'”
Damien replied, tapping the club against his palm.
“That’s not convincing! That’s just violence!”
“I don’t mind if you don’t understand. You’ll ‘get it’ soon enough.”
Damien said, lifting the club higher.
“Do you think I’m going to take this lying down? No way! I’ll cut you down this time!”
Veronica shouted, drawing her twin blades.
Her aura flared, filling the room with a menacing pressure. She lunged at Damien, swinging her swords with deadly intent.
But her strikes never reached him. Each attack seemed to veer off course at the last second, leaving Damien untouched.
“…Huh?” Veronica stared in confusion as her own aura missed its mark. Damien raised the club and swung it down hard on her head.
“First, the head.”
The club struck her on the chead, then moved to her side, her shins, and her shoulder, each hit landing with precision.
Veronica tried to resist, but the continuous barrage left her with no chance to fight back.
“Will you go, or not?”
Damien asked as he readied the club for another strike.
“I’ll go…”
she muttered weakly.
“I can’t hear you.”
“I said I’ll go!”
She shouted, finally conceding.
Only then did Damien put the club back into the pocket dimension.
“Just so you know, if you try to run, I will really kill you.”
Damien warned, causing Veronica to flinch. She might have been thinking of running, but that thought quickly vanished after his words.
“Sir Liam, I’ve recruited one more participant.”
Damien said, turning to Liam Bluegreen.
“O-okay… Good job, I guess.”
Liam replied, his face full of mixed feelings.
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
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