Episode 195: A Request (2)
The official name of the empire was the Helios Empire.
Yet, most people simply referred to it as “the Empire.” Despite this, no one was ever confused.
This was because, since the dawn of recorded history, the Helios Empire was the only empire to have ever existed.
It was the first empire in human history and boasted the most expansive territory.
If it so desired, it could easily unify all nations and bring the continent under one rule.
Even the powerful Holy Order paled in comparison to the Empire in many respects.
“Even Dorgo feared the Empire.”
The primary reason Dorgo had concealed his existence for thousands of years was the Empire.
Dorgo, known as the Archlich and the master of all dark wizards, was like a candle in a storm before the Empire.
“Why the sudden interest in the Empire?”
At Damian’s question, Liam Bluegreen scratched his forehead and replied.
“Perhaps you haven’t heard. The Helian Tournament is about to take place.”
“Is it that time already?”
The Helian Tournament was a knightly competition held every four years in honor of the Empire’s first emperor.
Knights from not only the Empire but also other nations could participate in the Helian Tournament.
Even non-human races were welcome to compete.
Thus, the Helian Tournament was regarded as a grand event that transcended nations and races.
“As you know… the Helian Tournament is a matter of national pride.”
Even if a country didn’t win, the performance of its knights—how far they advanced—affected its prestige.
Many nations staked everything on the Helian Tournament.
“Our Apple Kingdom has never fared well in the Helian Tournament. It’s been a source of regret for our past kings.”
Liam Bluegreen wore a troubled expression.
In an era where knights symbolized national power, failing to shine in such a significant tournament was a blow to a nation’s reputation.
Though he hadn’t witnessed it firsthand, Damian could imagine the subtle disdain from other countries.
“His Majesty hopes you will participate and bring honor to the Apple Kingdom.”
Damian found himself deep in thought.
The journey from the Apple Kingdom to the Empire was long and arduous, making the request a burdensome one.
Moreover, Damian had his own priorities. He needed to train diligently to reach the Master Class as soon as possible.
“But… the emperor personally bestows a title upon the tournament’s champion.”
Damian had yet to earn a title.
Though people had given him various nicknames, none had stuck due to his rapid rise to fame.
The origin and manner in which a title was bestowed were of utmost importance.
A title granted by the emperor at a continent-wide event like the Helian Tournament?
As a knight, Damian couldn’t help but be intrigued.
“Well, I can train in the Empire.”
Having made up his mind, Damian turned to Liam Bluegreen.
“I’ll participate.”
“Really? Ha ha ha! Thank you. His Majesty will be pleased!”
Liam Bluegreen shook Damian’s hand enthusiastically.
“Is there anyone else participating besides me?”
The Helian Tournament was divided into categories based on a knight’s rank.
Junior Knight, Low Class, Middle Class, High Class, and Master Class.
Naturally, a High Class knight couldn’t compete in other categories.
“Michael Ryanbloom will be competing in the Middle Class.”
Damian nodded at Liam Bluegreen’s words.
With Michael Ryanbloom’s talent, he had a good chance of winning in the Middle Class category.
“Is there no one else?”
“No one else has been decided. To be precise, we lack suitable candidates.”
Liam Bluegreen added with a hint of regret.
“Many wish to participate, but sending someone unqualified would be a disgrace.”
“You’re right.”
As Damian agreed with Liam Bluegreen, a shadow suddenly appeared at the window of the drawing room. Moments later, someone crashed through the window and entered.
The intruder was a woman with fiery red hair.
Her hair was disheveled, and her clothes were tattered, as if she hadn’t bathed in ages. A foul odor emanated from her.
Damian and Liam Bluegreen stared at her in shock.
“Damian Haxen!”
The woman shouted at Damian.
“You should’ve told me you moved! I’ve been searching everywhere for you!”
She drew the twin swords from her waist, and a chilling aura filled the room.
“I’ve come to fulfill my promise to kill you!”
Veronica Sanchez.
The woman once known as the Reaper in a past life grinned widely as she shouted.
”…”
Damian stared at the broken window, recalling his mother’s fondness for decorating the castle.
“Why are you daydreaming?”
Unaware of Damian’s thoughts, Veronica Sanchez shouted again. Damian, suppressing a throbbing headache, replied.
“What are you going to do about that?”
“I’ll pay for it!”
Veronica Sanchez opened a leather pouch slung over her back. It was filled with jewels and gold coins.
“I collected these on my travels! Take them all!”
Without hesitation, Veronica tossed the pouch to Damian.
Damian caught it with a bemused expression. It was far too much compensation for a single window.
“Now that I’ve paid, let’s fulfill our promise, shall we?”
Veronica Sanchez summoned her magic. Blood-red aura enveloped her twin swords.
In an instant, the room was filled with a menacing energy, like a razor blade scraping against skin.
“Such a sharp aura.”
Not all auras were equal. A knight’s skill and level determined the sharpness and intensity.
In that sense, Veronica Sanchez’s aura was at an impressive level.
Though her rank was Middle Class, the sharpness of her aura rivaled that of a High Class knight.
“But there’s no scent of blood.”
When Damian first met Veronica Sanchez, her magic and aura reeked of blood.
But now, there was no such smell. It meant she hadn’t killed anyone, as she had promised Damian.
“Good thing I spared her.”
Veronica Sanchez was a deranged woman who became a Master Class by reveling in murder.
She wasn’t aligned with the dark wizards, nor was she on humanity’s side. She was simply a terrifying villain.
When Damian first encountered her, he had debated whether to end her life.
She was a dangerous individual, and it seemed prudent to nip the threat in the bud.
Yet, her talent was too valuable to waste. Moreover, at the time, Veronica hadn’t harmed any innocents.
In the end, Damian decided to spare her and attempt to reform her.
Judging by the lack of blood scent in her aura, it seemed Damian’s efforts hadn’t been in vain.
“Great. You’re coming with me.”
Though a bit unhinged, Veronica Sanchez was an exceptionally talented swordswoman.
Even compared to Michael Ryanbloom, whom Damian considered a genius among geniuses, she was only slightly behind.
Participating in the Helian Tournament would be a valuable experience for her.
“Huh? Where are we going?”
“You’ve heard of the Helian Tournament, right?”
“Nope.”
Her confident response left Damian momentarily speechless.
“Well, the Helian Tournament is…”
Damian explained the details to Veronica. As she listened, her expression soured.
“Go to the Empire? No way! Why should I go there?”
As expected, Veronica Sanchez rejected Damian’s proposal.
“If you don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
Anticipating her reaction, Damian calmly moved to the next step. He opened a spatial pocket and retrieved a hexagonal club.
The moment she saw the club, Veronica Sanchez flinched and backed away.
“Why are you bringing that out?”
“To ‘persuade’ you, of course.”
“You’re going to hit me again, aren’t you?”
“Now, now, it’s persuasion, not hitting.”
“Don’t give me that nonsense! How is that persuasion?”
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand. I’ll make sure you ‘understand’ soon enough.”
Damian tapped the club against his palm as he spoke.
“You think I’ll just let you? No way! This time, my swords will cut you down!”
Veronica Sanchez swung her twin swords at Damian.
The aura, charged with killing intent, attacked Damian from all directions.
But the aura missed him entirely.
”…Huh?”
Veronica’s face went blank for a moment. Damian raised the club and spoke.
“First, the head.”
The club struck Veronica’s crown.
“Next, the side, then the shin, and finally the shoulder.”
Damian swung the club relentlessly.
Veronica initially resisted but soon found herself defenseless against the onslaught.
“Are you going or not?”
”…I’ll go.”
“I can’t hear you.”
“I said I’ll go!”
Only after receiving her confirmation did Damian return the club to the spatial pocket.
“Consider this a warning. If you try to run, I won’t be so forgiving next time.”
Veronica Sanchez flinched at Damian’s warning. It seemed she really had been contemplating an escape.
“Sir Liam, we’ve recruited one more participant.”
“Ah, yes… well done,” Liam Bluegreen replied, his expression a mix of reluctance and surprise.