Tamed A Blackened Slave Man

Chapter 62: Founding Day Festival (4)

This is the first time Ive seen a participant without a weapon. Not to mention that he won.

The Emperor was watching Cassadin with interest. But I wasnt able to celebrate this situation as it was. I nodded in agreement to the Emperors comment on the outside, but internally, I was concerned about Cassadin.

What is he thinking?

I could understand him participating in the event without telling me, but this was crossing the line.

We had only confirmed each others feelings last night, and he was just casually doing all of these dangerous things.

I wouldnt have thought this if he had even a sword in his hand. But fighting without any weapon? What if he got hurt?

Looking at how remarkably superior his movements are compared to the other competitors, this fighting competition seems to have quite a few skilled participants.

The Emperor must have taken a liking to Cassadin, as he was looking down at him with a pleased expression. On the other hand, I was watching Cassadin with a grim expression.

Cassadin was talking to the host for some reason, and the crowd was chanting Black Robe as they cheered him on.

I had been quietly watching Cassadin with my hands gathered together on my lap, but then I saw the knight who received the Emperors order running our way.

Your Majesty.

Ah, youve come. Well then, why has the Grand Duke participated in this event?

That is, Your Majesty

Trailing off as if it were a difficult topic to explain, the knight then seemed to make up his mind and opened his mouth.

There is no reason.

There is no reason he participated?

Yes, Your Majesty. The Grand Duke didnt write a reason for his participation on his application form

Hah.

The Emperor chuckled with exasperation.

He must be certain that he will win the competition.

The Swordsmanship Competition must not be enough for him, so now hes trying for this fighting competition that is the only method of rising up in status for others. What a greedy man the Grand Duke is indeed.

The Emperor scowled as if that fact made him displeased.

And I could see that the Emperor greatly disliked Damian from that expression. He must not have liked him from the start, but Damian suing the imperial house must have definitely created a large chasm between the two of them.

Though Damian had revoked the lawsuit, it had been long after the imperial houses prestige had fallen to the ground. Not to mention that they were unable to find the culprit of the poisoning incident, so the Emperors frustration must be on the verge of bursting at this point.

Because Damians father had withdrawn from the heritage battle, Damian didnt have the right to claim the throne, but that didnt make Damian any less of a threat to the Emperors crown.

I do feel bad for the Emperor, but its a good thing that Damian participated in this event for me.

Because Damian had participated in this fighting competition, the Emperors distrust in Damian will now grow even further. However, I still didnt understand why that germophobe was participating in this event.

I would have to ask Cassadin later. He must know something.

That reminds me

With his eyes still narrowed, the Emperor turned his head towards me.

I have heard news that the Grand Duke has been sending gifts to Milady.

.

The Emperor had known this since the start, so he sat me down next to me on purpose in order to test me.

To see whether Im on his side or on Damians.

Not to mention that he has given Milady tickets that only royalty is permitted to buy.

Then, the Emperors eyes narrowed even further as he gazed at me. His eyes glimmered with the same golden hue as Leons.

Since when has Milady become so close with the Grand Duke? Or perhaps Milady has feelings for the Duke?

He questioned me in a testing tone.

In response to the Emperors prying question, I wordlessly peered down at Cassadin.

The Crown Prince of the fallen Hyran Kingdom that I had once tried to tame.

A man I forcefully claimed as my younger brother, who had the unfortunate fate of becoming a gladiator slave.

How could I ever hate you? From the start to the end, you have always been my savior.

Even knowing everything, you called me your savior.

Then, since when have I liked you? Was it when you broke our masks as a family and confessed to me? Or much before then, when you stared at me with those crazed eyes?

But what I was certain of was that As you have called me your savior, you were also my savior when I had been chained to the shackles of my past.

Your twisted ways reminded me of myself. So in the end, we were each others saviors.

Youve shown me your courage, so it is now my turn to show mine.

With a faint smile on my face, I gazed back at the Emperor and answered him,

I am afraid to say this, but I already have someone else in my heart, Your Majesty.

The one who had reacted to my answer was not the Emperor, but my father.

What? Aren? Wh-what did you just say?

.

Say that again. Who is that bastard?!

Only then, realizing that we were in the Emperors presence, did Father apologize to the Emperor for causing a scene.

Its alright, Earl Serkia.

Though the Emperor was smiling kindly, there was still a hint of suspicion in his eyes as he gazed at me.

What relieving news that is to hear. That you have someone else you love.

But that person doesnt happen to be my Leon, is it?

The Crown Prince? Im sorry, but I was the one who wanted to turn him down.

But if I said that, then the Emperor might lock me up for defaming the imperial family. So I said the following instead,

Your Majesty, I am well aware of my place.

Haha! Hahahah!

The Emperor burst into laughter at my response. With an incredibly pleased expression, the Emperor stroked his beard as he opened his mouth.

Hearing Miladys answer truly brings me relief.

Indeed, these so-called royal seats were glorified interrogation chairs set up for the Emperor. Then, wishing for time to pass quickly, I turned my gaze back to the arena.

Feeling Fathers resentful gaze next to me, I smiled sheepishly.

---

The matches for Round 2 will now commence!

The more the number of participants lessened, the time it took for each match to end also quickened. From twenty-five contestants to thirteen, thirteen to seven, then seven to four.

Starting in the second round, Cassadin started to use a sword. But even then, Cassadin had chosen the most worn-down sword that had been inside a box provided to each participant.

However, Cassadin fought perfectly fine with that dull sword. There was a saying that only an incompetent worker blames his tools. And Cassadin was proving just that.

While the other competitors fought with powerful weapons such as massive maces, dual swords, and crossbows, only Cassadin competed with his dull sword.

Because of that, Cassadins popularity rose as much as Damians.

Everyone must have been yelling too much, as the people in the crowd were all yelling with raspy voices.

Whether it was by chance or on purpose, Damian and Cassadin hadnt fought once during the competition.

Which was why the two men met at the final match.

Now, this is the final match, the final round. Its now the mysterious Black Robe versus the Master of Swordsmanship, Grand Duke Damian.

Even the host must have felt anxious, as he swallowed loudly. And the rowdy audience had become deathly quiet.

It was as if they didnt want to lose a single moment of this match and that their cheers would hinder the match.

So, Cassadin and Damian entered the arena. For some reason, Damian had his lips curled up into a grin. And Cassadin returned the mans gaze with an expressionless gaze.

When the two men grabbed hold of their weapons, the host swallowed one last time before speaking up with a trembling voice.

L-Let the match begin!

The match started, but the two men remained completely still. With his hands grabbing hold of his broadsword, Damian then opened his mouth.

I believe you told me not to go easy on you.

So I will take your word and do just that.

Cassadin bowed his head down in response as he spoke.

It is my honor.

The one to move first was Damian.

Clang!

The sharp sound of two blades colliding filled the arena. But even with a large broadsword in his hand, Damian moved smoothly as if there were nothing in his hand.

Damians title as the greatest swordsman was not an exaggerated statement. Though his movements were graceful, his powerful blows caused peoples mouths to fall open as they spectated the match.

His attacks were ones that ordinary people would have been unable to avoid, but Cassadin was able to block his swings with his rusty sword. Then, a smile spread across Damians face. It was because of his pure interest in Cassadin that he was able to parry his attacks.

Clang! Clang!

Damian poured an endless rally of attacks onto Cassadin. His blade arced specifically into attacks that were targeted at the opponents vital points. His attacks were rough but also graceful.

Cassadin blocked every attack coming towards him without a single change of expression.

Maybe it was because this was the final match, but the host was enthusiastically commentating on the two mens battle from a distance.

Ah! The mysterious Black Robe seems to be busy defending! Is it inevitable that the Grand Duke takes the victory?

Maybe I had been wrong.

Damian spoke to Cassadin with a disappointed expression. Twisting his swords trajectory, Damian aimed the blade at Cassadins throat.

Clang!

But yet again, Cassadin parried away the attack with his dull sword. However, blocking the attack must not have been enough, as Damian raised an eyebrow.

I thought you wouldve shown me more than this.

Cassadin merely stared at Damians face without responding.

His jet-black hair was an exact replica of the moonless night sky. His light green eyes under them were angled up at a sharp slant.

The man resembled an aggressive serpent. Just as expected from the son of the man who destroyed his kingdom, the man looked evil.

No matter how well he wrapped up his exterior, the mans evil nature was imprinted clearly on his face. That was what Cassadin was thinking as he looked at Damians face.

At least your sister had been interesting.

Damians final remark caused a crack to appear in Cassadins expressionless mask. His deep violet eyes turned cold, as if they had become frozen.

I see you react immediately to anything regarding your sister.

I heard you ran away from your house without any notice.

Which means Aren is no longer your sister. Am I correct?

As soon as Damian mentioned Arens name, Cassadin grabbed hold of his sword with his other hand and aimed it at Damians throat.

Clang!

But just as Cassadin had blocked Damians attack, Damian also blocked Cassadins attack.

So youve been hiding your true strength after all.

Damians eyes curved as he smiled. His sharp eyes arched joyfully into crescents.

I ask you not to mention that name so rashly.

Cassadins icy voice reached Damians ears.

The people watching couldnt hear the two mens conversation. They could only see their swords clash. Whatever the two men said to one another, the others couldnt hear them.

If you speak that name one more time

Then Cassadin pushed his blade towards Damians throat as he added,

I will kill you on the spot.