Chapter 63: I’ve Gone Easy On You.

Chapter 63: I’ve Gone Easy On You.

Damian twisted up the corner of his lip into a crooked smile. Unlike Cassadins cold attitude, Damian seemed to be enjoying this situation.

Tilting his head to the side in front of the man who had his sword trained at his throat, Damian then spoke.

Is it because you overestimate your skills that you say such things to an opponent you are unable to kill? Or

Eyes curving into an arch, he continued.

Is it for Aren?

When Arens name was mentioned once more by Damian, an attack that made all of his precious movements look like a childs play flew towards Damian.

The swinging sword barely grazed past Damians vital organ. Had Damian been even a bit lazy in his training, he would actually have been beheaded just then.

Ahahahahah!

Seeing Cassadin glare at him with an intent to rip him into shreds, Damian burst into laughter.

It was laughter that came from the gleeful joy of obtaining the weakness of the man standing in front of him.

The sounds of the two mens blades clashing rang throughout the arena. Their swordsmanship was something beyond the plane of normal human beings, as the movement of their swords was faster than what the eye could follow.

Countless people were watching this match, but the crowd was silent as if they had forgotten how to breathe.

Beneath the heavy silence, only two people were breathing and moving.

When the host then snapped back into his senses, he attempted to resume his commentary of the match, but bowed and shut his mouth after the Emperor gave him a silent look.

The first time Damians smile cracked was when Cassadins blade came into contact with his cheek.

Scratch!

At the same time, crimson liquid spewed out of his cheek, and the smile on Damians face disappeared.

Youre lucky to have your sword even touch me.

When an ugly wound was created on his porcelain skin, Damian scowled as he repositioned his grip on the sword and supported it with his other hand.

Now holding the broadsword with two hands, Damian swung the blade towards Cassadins throat. With the sharp sound of metal cutting through the air, his attack flew down towards Cassadin.

!

He was certain that the attack had made contact, but Cassadin was already gone. Damian glanced around himself hurriedly.

Just then, a sinister voice came from behind Damians back.

Do you truly think it is luck?

Damian swung his sword behind him towards the spot where Cassadins voice had come from.

Clang!

Cassadin had blocked Damians attack with just a single hand. Unlike Damian, who was using two hands to hold his broadsword, Cassadin was using just one.

After clashing swords with Cassadin once more, Damians eyes narrowed. Because he strove for perfection in his swordsmanship, he could also estimate the strength of the opponent when they collided head-on like now.

What kind of monster is this?

But Cassadin was currently overpowering his broadsword with a single dull sword. Even when he was no longer feeling the pain from his heart condition.

Not to mention that this man looked unbelievably indifferent even as he was overpowering him.

Damian didnt like that expression on his face. How dare a mere slave look down on him like that?

No matter how prestigious a noble Cassadin had been before, he was just a slave now.

So how could he dare look down on him with an expression that seemed higher than that of the Emperor?

Damian gritted his teeth. Seeing the mans crumpled expression, Cassadin remarked coldly.

Ive gone easy on you. As I am doing right now as well.

That single sentence solved all of Damians questions.

Ive come to suggest a deal with Your Grace.

He called it a deal to trick him. So the reason why he had asked to clash swords

On the day of the Founding Day Festival, may you hold a duel with me?

He was certain that Cassadin had lured him into this competition in order to display this dramatic moment where he won against Damian.

Feeling the puzzle pieces start to fit together inside his head, a fury that could not be described with words started to surge up within Damian.

Damned bastard. So this has been your plan all along.

Damians hands trembled from rage as he held onto the sword.

Why dont you lower that bloody pride of yours first?

Cassadins icy cold voice fell into Damians ears.

Above all, he couldnt accept the fact that Cassadins swordsmanship skills were superior to his. Because he had lived his entire life believing that there was no one else better than him, at least in sword fighting.

Damian felt his insides churn. The anger and envy of his inferiority were swallowing him whole.

And that was when Damians heart condition made its reappearance.

Finally arriving in front of Cassadin, the Emperor opened his mouth.

Raise your head.

At his command, Cassadin raised his lowered head. The Emperors golden eyes and Cassadins purple ones met together in the air.

Seeing Cassadins face up close, the Emperor seemed genuinely surprised. He had thought the man seemed handsome from afar, but from this distance, Cassadin seemed like he was created from the souls of Gods themselves.

Would the man who was being praised as the face of the Gods in his kingdom also be this handsome?

But no matter how he looked, he couldnt possibly be compared to the man who was standing in front of him now.

Staring at Cassadin with a pleased expression, the Emperor spoke.

Ive enjoyed your match. I must say that it was the most remarkable fight I have seen in all of the competitions I have watched.

It is my honor, Your Majesty.

Before I bestow upon you your prize, what is your name?

Keeping quiet for a moment at the Emperors question, Cassadin then answered him.

My name is Cassadin, Your Majesty.

Cassadin, you say.

The Emperor repeated his name, then realized something was strange. If he had recalled correctly, the man praised for having the beauty of Gods also had that same name.

That man, who had been brought into the Earls house as their son in the past as a gladiator slave. The Serkia Family, to be exact.

Are you the owner of the rumor that has been spreading throughout the Empire as of recent? The man who was adopted into the Earl Serkia family with the face of Gods?

That is incredibly flattering.

Hahahah!

The Emperor burst into laughter. He had been wanting to meet the man who had been causing such a ruckus among the people, but he didnt imagine that he would meet him in such a way.

But the rumors I have heard claimed your hair was silver, however, your hair is black.

Im afraid that is because I have intentionally used hair dye, as I did not want to alter the others insight of me through exaggerated rumors.

The Emperor could feel his lips curl up at Cassadins response. His swordsmanship skills were one thing, but every single word that this man uttered was just what the Emperor wanted to hear.

What is it that you wish for? Since you have won, you will be rewarded.

He smiled at Cassadin with a satisfied expression, telling him to say what he wanted. Cassadin then bowed and paid his respects before speaking.

Before I say what I wish for, I have one thing to tell Your Majesty.

What is it?

I am no longer part of the Earl Serkia Family.

!

The Emperors eyes widened at Cassadins announcement. This was his first time hearing this.

Does that mean you left the Earls family?

Yes, Your Majesty.

What was the reason?

It was in order to prevent any harm from being directed at the Earls family because of me. I could no longer burden those who took me in with my status as a slave.

Pausing on purpose, Cassadin then added,

Because I have left the family, I currently hold the status of a slave.

The Emperor was inspecting Cassadin with interest. He was clearly not an ordinary man. He was beginning to think it was too much of a shame for such a man to be left a slave.

Not to mention, he had just completely overpowered Damian, whom he considered a thorn in his side.

So, what is it that you want? A title?

Please give me the best thing that Your Majesty can provide.

It was the imperial knights who had been standing beside the Emperor who reacted to Cassadins request.

Look at this heathen! How dare he speak to His Majesty in such a way!

The one who stopped those knights was the Emperor. When the Emperor raised his hand as a signal for them to stop, the knights bowed their heads and retreated.

The best I can provide?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Oh, what is this now?

Eyes narrowing, he then asked Cassadin a testing question.

You are the first winner to request such a bold wish. If I give such things to you, what can you give to me in return?

To the Emperors question, Cassadin smiled as he answered.

Whatever it is Your Majesty wants, I will provide tenfold of what Your Majesty asks for.