The very next day, the mansion was swarming with visitors.
The number of people arriving was incomparable to when Damian had secured his first victory at the Helian Tournament. It wasn’t just the sheer volume of visitors that was astonishing; the caliber of the guests had also significantly elevated.
“We’re from the Willoughby Count’s estate. We have a letter for Lord Damian…”
“I am a knight from the Corsaca Marquisate. I wish to meet Lord Damian in person.”
Even the most influential families of the empire were seeking out Damian. These were families with solid standing, having long pledged their loyalty to the empire. Not even the name of the Lichteauer Duchy could easily turn them away.
As a result, Damian had no choice but to step outside and greet the guests himself.
Among the visitors, there was a familiar face.
“Lord Damian, thank you for sparing the time…”
It was none other than Bradley Heath. Unlike their first encounter, Bradley seemed utterly deflated, like a great bear with its fur flattened and shoulders hunched.
Damian glanced at Bradley’s abdomen, which was heavily bandaged.
“Is it wise for you to be moving around with such an injury?”
“I couldn’t just lie around without expressing my gratitude.”
Bradley bowed his head deeply.
“Thank you for saving me. If it weren’t for you, I’d be meeting my ancestors in the afterlife by now.”
His voice trembled slightly.
“To think you helped someone who was so rude upon first meeting… You are truly the epitome of a knight. I will never forget this debt!”
Damian could only manage a wry smile. The reason he had saved Bradley Heath was simply because it would have been a waste not to. Despite the poor first impression and the irritation he felt, he couldn’t just let someone known as the ‘Sword Emperor’—a man of great achievements—die.
‘It would have been better if I could have saved the other two as well.’
The modifications were unpredictable until experienced firsthand, which made it difficult for Damian to gauge the true danger of Evaris. He hadn’t anticipated that the empire’s master-class warriors would fall so easily to a single swift strike. These factors contributed to his inability to save the two who perished.
“Please visit the Heath Marquisate. You will always be welcome.”
“I’ll try to make time.”
“Please, I insist.”
Bradley clasped Damian’s hand tightly, repeating his request several times.
“Then, I’ll take my leave. And Miss Rachel…”
Bradley turned to Rachel, who had been sitting quietly beside them. As the lady of the house, she had been present throughout the conversation.
“Yes, what is it?”
Rachel asked, her tone curious. Bradley looked at her silently.
“If you start saying strange things again, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Sensing the conversation taking an odd turn, Rachel spoke with a hint of caution. Suddenly, Bradley burst into tears, large drops falling like pearls from his eyes.
“Oh, I wish you a beautiful love from afar!”
With that, Bradley shouted and dashed out of the drawing room.
Damian and Rachel exchanged bewildered glances at the door.
The stream of visitors finally ceased by evening.
“It seems all the notable families have paid their visits.”
“That’s a relief.”
Damian spoke with genuine relief. Entertaining guests was not his forte, and it had left him quite exhausted.
“From tomorrow, could you handle them on your own?”
Rachel looked at him, puzzled.
“Damian, do you really dislike building connections that much? Knights from other kingdoms are always eager to meet nobles when they visit the capital.”
Many knights from other kingdoms aspired to join the empire, seeking any opportunity to connect with its nobility.
“I’m not planning to live in the empire, so why bother?”
Damian replied, disinterested. He had no particular fascination with the empire. As long as they could cooperate against Pandemonium, that was enough. Besides, his family was in the Kingdom of Apple, and he couldn’t imagine settling in another country.
“You don’t plan to stay in the empire?”
Rachel asked, visibly shocked.
“When did I ever say I would?”
“You didn’t. But most knights dream of it, so I assumed you would too.”
Rachel’s voice carried a hint of disappointment.
“I’ll miss you when you return to the Kingdom of Apple.”
A wistful smile played on Rachel’s lips. Damian looked at her for a moment before speaking.
“Because you won’t be able to learn any more techniques from me?”
“Oh, how did you know?”
“You constantly bombard me with questions. How could I not?”
During his stay at the mansion, Damian had diligently taught Rachel, preparing her for the potential war of annihilation.
“The Lichteauer family must have plenty of master-class warriors. Learn from them.”
“I prefer your teaching.”
“That’s only because you haven’t learned from them yet.”
At that moment, the door to the drawing room opened, and David, Rachel’s personal attendant, entered.
“Miss, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor at this hour? Send them away.”
It was nearly dinner time, and she couldn’t entertain guests so late, even if they were high-ranking nobles.
“Well…”
David looked troubled.
“Who is it?”
“The First Prince has come to visit.”
Both Damian and Rachel’s eyes widened in surprise.
“What should we do?”
”…Invite him in.”
Shortly after, a young man entered the drawing room with a female knight in tow.
“Thank you both for agreeing to meet with me!”
The young man exclaimed with a hearty laugh. With his robust build, handsome features, and infectious laughter, First Prince Kael Adelaite was a figure who naturally drew people’s favor.
“This is my escort knight. Please, introduce yourselves.”
The female knight gave a curt nod, her expression stern.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I was at the coliseum on the day of your remarkable performance, Lord Damian. I watched from my father’s side.”
The First Prince showered Damian with praise the moment he saw him.
“Your refined swordsmanship! Your agile movements! Truly unforgettable!”
“You’re too kind.”
Damian’s response was lukewarm at best. The female knight accompanying the prince frowned, clearly displeased with Damian’s demeanor.
“So, you’re a man of few words.”
Unlike the knight, the First Prince showed no sign of offense.
“Let’s get straight to the point. I have a very important request for you.”
The First Prince’s expression turned serious.
“Would you consider rising to the pinnacle of the empire with me?”
Upon hearing the First Prince’s proposal, Damian paused to think.
‘Rachel was right. The succession isn’t settled yet.’
Before the prince’s arrival, Rachel had warned Damian.
The First Prince will likely try to recruit you.
The empire is currently embroiled in a fierce battle for the throne between the First and Second Princes.
Both factions are evenly matched, so they’re desperate to gain any advantage.
Right now, you’re practically a hero in the empire. You’ve restored its prestige by swiftly dealing with the villain from Pandemonium who disrupted the tournament.
You must refuse. Getting involved in such a complex struggle will bring you nothing but trouble.
When Damian first heard this, he was taken aback. In his previous life, the First Prince had already been named the crown prince long ago.
‘So I was skeptical, but… it turns out to be true.’
For Damian, this was welcome news. The First Prince was notoriously incompetent. During the war of annihilation, his reckless commands led to the needless sacrifice of countless soldiers and knights. In the end, he even sold out crucial imperial secrets to save his own skin, revealing the Sword Saint’s next operation location. This betrayal led to the Sword Saint and the Demon Slayer Corps falling into a deadly ambush.
‘But why has the future changed?’
Damian was puzzled. Had he done something that could have influenced the imperial succession?
“Lord Damian, you seem troubled.”
The First Prince observed Damian closely.
“It’s nothing. So, you wish for my support?”
“Indeed. With you by my side, there’s nothing to fear. Even my detestable brother…”
“I’m sorry, but I have no interest in getting involved in the empire’s affairs.”
Damian’s sole focus was the annihilation of Pandemonium. He had no intention of entangling himself in the empire’s power struggles, especially not in support of someone like the First Prince.
”…I didn’t expect this. It’s quite surprising.”
The First Prince admitted, looking slightly embarrassed.
“Is it because the terms are unclear? If you support me, I promise you’ll have my right hand.”
“No, that’s not the issue. I simply don’t wish to involve myself in Your Highness’s affairs.”
The First Prince’s expression hardened slightly at the cold rejection.
“Sir Damian, I am a prince of the empire.”
“I’m aware.”
“By joining me, you could gain immense power.”
“That’s likely true.”
“But if you refuse my request… you might face consequences.”
Rachel bristled at what was essentially a threat.
“Your Highness! Sir Damian is a guest of the House of Lichtauer! Please mind your words!”
“My apologies. But we must be clear on this.”
The First Prince fixed his gaze on Damian and asked, “Sir Damian, are you prepared to oppose me?”
He was demanding a decision—friend or foe.
Damian chuckled softly. “Save such threats for when you actually sit on the throne.”
The First Prince’s face immediately darkened.
Damian had just openly mocked him, implying that the words of a mere prince held no fear for him.
“How dare you speak so insolently to His Highness!”
The knight beside the prince erupted in anger.
“Such arrogance from a mere knight of a minor nation! I’ll have you kneel before His Highness right now—”
“Enough.”
The First Prince raised a hand, silencing the knight.
“If you have no intention of joining me, then there’s nothing more to discuss. I’ll take my leave.”
As he rose, he added, “But remember this: from today, you and I are enemies.”
Without a backward glance, the First Prince left the room.
The knight shot Damian a murderous glare before following the prince out.
“Ha…”
As soon as they were gone, Rachel let out a deep sigh.
“Damian… did you really have to say that?”
“I can’t stand being annoyed.”
“But he’s a prince.”
Despite Rachel’s concern, Damian just smiled.
In this world, one absolute truth prevailed: the strong are treated accordingly.
The Empire’s greatest swordsman and the Sword Saint were beyond even the emperor’s reach because of their strength.
And Damian was confident he would soon join their ranks.
“Let’s see if he can act the same way later.”
“That damned country bumpkin!”
The moment he returned to the palace, the First Prince exploded in rage.
“What? Telling me not to be rude? Who does he think he is to lecture me?”
He raged, throwing objects around. The knight waited patiently for the prince’s anger to subside.
“If you wish, I can bring you his head.”
The knight spoke with unwavering conviction, but the prince shook his head.
“No, there’s no need. I’ll deal with him myself. I’ll show him exactly what it means to incur the wrath of the imperial family!”
At that moment, the First Prince vowed to use all his power to destroy Damian Haxen.
But his plans crumbled within a week.
On the day Damian Haxen was invited to the palace by the emperor, the emperor knelt before him.