Hero of Darkness

THE FOLLOWING DAY

Today, the next and the final match of the quarterfinals was to take place in one of the central districts of the capital. 

And it was going to be a match between two genius females of the empire. 

Kassandra Mikealson of the Neutral faction, a rumored prodigy and also the first one to breakthrough to semi-saint rank under the age of 30 in the past 20 years. 

And her opponent Vinerma Pakshi, a 28-year-old female semi-saint Tengu archer who was nicknamed as the Flying Rainstorm. 

Just like yesterday when Victor & Ezekiel's match happened, today's match also had the same hype towards the match. 

And after today, there would be 10 days of resting period for all the combatants before the semifinals would officially begin. 

As for Kahn who wanted to personally visit this match and gauge these opponents and their strengths as well as skills.. He had chosen not to go. 

And the main reason being a guest who was personally coming to visit their manor. This persona was an entity that very few people in the whole Rakos empire had a chance to get a glimpse of. 

Even other saints greatly feared this man given his title and strength. And as per rumors.. He was someone even the enemy empires avoided when it was a matter of full-scale war. In a way, the person who was visiting them today played as one of the pillars of the military defense of the whole empire. 

Even those from the rival factions had a sense of respect towards this individual given the title he had earned. 

The Emerald Swordsman, Stronoff Mikealson. 

A fourth stage saint swordsman who was also called the number one swordsman of the empire. 

And this grand figure who millions of people looked up to and wanted to get a glimpse had sent a messenger to Kahn's manor yesterday evening. 

And thus, instead of going to watch the match, Kahn and Albestros chose to stay and prepare to welcome their honorable guest instead. 

—————-

In the afternoon, the envoy of the Commander of the Mikealson clan finally came through a small flying ship and landed in the 5 acres green field of the area surrounding their manor. 

Kahn sent a carriage to receive their guest and waited at the main entrance door of his manor to welcome the guest as a host. 

A small group of 100 soldiers in white and blue battle gear that belonged to his side escorted the 21 individuals that came as part of the envoy. 

And when the last and most luxurious carriage finally stopped at their door front, an enigmatic and kingly personal donned in silver armor and an epic rank giantsword on his back appeared in front of the hosts. 

Everyone including Kahn bowed in respect towards this grand figure who even the batch of saints he met in his company couldn't compare to even if they were to fight together, stood with a calm demeanor on his face. 

"Greetings, your lordship. We humbly welcome you to my small abode. Please allow us to offer our hospitality." spoke Albestros like a true nobleman as he addressed the 2 kilometers wide and 3 kilometers long grand mansion that previously housed thousands of people of an entire clan as a 'small abode'. 

Stronoff gazed at the manor and its architecture a bit and nodded in approval. 

"Not bad. It's also built strategically to house many warriors and even has a training facility beneath the ground." spoke Stronoff in an appreciating tone. 

[Bloody hell.. He can even sense the whole facility which is that deep in the ground? How strong is a fourth stage saint in reality?] wondered Kahn because this place was hard to detect even by peak grandmaster mages who were proficient in magic formations, arrays and mana sensitivity. 

Yet the swordsman in front of him quickly found out about it with a single glance. 

After all the pleasantries were done and Stronoff along with the 20 peak grandmasters varying from middle-aged to elderly warriors of different genders and species were escorted inside the manor. 

A whole setup of a grand meeting was already prepared in the large hall of the manor that could hold a big party of thousands. 

Fragrant refreshments and aromatic food were already ready to be served by the queues of professional servants and maids and all these individuals were seated on round tables of their own. 

And obviously, Stronoff sat on the main table along with Albestros. 

"Why are you not sitting with us?" asked the gray-haired middle-aged man with a short beard. 

"Apologies, my lord. I do not qualify to sit at the same table as you." spoke Kahn in a courteous tone as he half bowed in front of the man who was the idol of hundreds of millions of people in the empire. 

Stronoff chuckled and spoke in a friendly tone. 

"There's no need to be so formal. One of the reasons I came here was actually to meet you in person." 

"What?!" exclaimed Kahn in surprise. 

But before the man could reply, Kahn spoke again hurriedly. 

"If it's about the match I had with Lady Veronica, I wholeheartedly apologize for going that far." 

This time, it was Stronoff and his group who were taken aback. 

"Pfftt!!.. Ha ha!" 

"Is that why you think I came here?" asked Stronoff as he and the other members of his envoy laughed. 

"Then? What is it if I may ask?" asked Kahn with an intentionally created 'surprised' expression. 

"We Mikealsons embrace even death as long as it is honorable. 

You won the match fair and square. So you don't need to worry about that matter.

There are 3 reasons why I have come to meet you and master Albestros here." said Stronoff. 

"What is it, sir Stronoff?" asked Albestros in his elderly and regal tone. 

"Can I see your sword first?" he asked. 

Kahn took out Lucifer and handed it to the saint. 

He wasn't being cowardly in front of the powerful but he wasn't an idiot either to act aloof or high and mighty in front of a respectful person that was indeed worth admiring… and who could also kill him with a sneeze if provoked. 

SHRILL!! 

A loud shrill filled the entire hall as soon as Stronoff held Lucifer in his hands and started inspecting it. 

"Blood-bind ritual. It is linked to your soul and cannot be used by anyone else even if you were to die." he spoke with a thoughtful expression. 

"A true gem of work indeed, Master Albestros. Even other peak grandmaster blacksmiths I met have failed many times to perform this ritual successfully." he looked at the peak grandmaster blacksmith with eyes full of respect. 

"If I'm not wrong.. It's made from the fangs of a drake. So it was indeed you who cleared that dungeon as suspected by our informants.

This indeed shows the level of your talent and strength." he said in an approving voice. 

The next moment, both Kahn and Albestros were rooted on the spot. Their secret was already known to this man. It also showed that he had done thorough research on them beforehand. 

"May I see the armor?" he asked. 

However, Kahn shook his head and responded. 

"Apologies, your lordship. But this is not a suitable place for it." he said without hesitation. 

However, neither Stronoff nor his people felt offended by this refusal. 

All of them were seasoned warriors who knew how to respect and care for their weapons and armors as if they were part of their own bodies. 

Forcing Kahn to reveal it would be an unfitting act for people of their caliber. 

As for why Kahn didn't want to reveal it.. Because it was one of his trump cards. And the man in front of him belonged to the side of one of the potential rivals in the competition. 

"No problem. I hope to see it someday. 

And if I'm not wrong.. That will be worth the wait." spoke Stronoff. 

"As for the second reason.. I wanted to offer Master Albestros and his company to be one of our main suppliers for the armory of our clan. 

I'm aware of your deals with the Vandereich clan and the pureblood faction but please know that we will not intervene in your business with them. 

And also I give my word that regardless of the outcome of the Emperor's Chosen competition.. It shall not affect our agreement in any way." he said in a firm and chivalrous tone. 

[I see.. So that's why he personally visited us. 

This deal will surely be bigger than what we have going on with the pureblood faction since we're bigger and more prestigious now.] thought Kahn and gave Albestros an understanding gaze. 

"And the 3rd is something I wanted to talk about in private. Just between the three of us." said Stronoff as he spoke in a serious tone. 

There was no malice or authority in his words but both Kahn and Albestros quickly understood the gravity of the situation. 

Even Kahn had anticipated what this third reason could be after they suddenly received the message yesterday. 

He quickly took an epic-grade space domain artifact out of his space ring and activated it. All three of them, including the table, were isolated from the outside world in a second. 

"What is the reason you speak of, your lordship?" asked Kahn in a respectful tone. 

The next moment, Stronoff slightly revealed his aura. There was no suppression or threat in it but Kahn was shaken to his core as soon as he heard the words. 

The fourth stage saint swordsman, the number one swordsman of the whole empire spoke in a majestic and domineering voice. 

"I want you to join the Mikealson Clan!"