Hero of Darkness

The fifth and the final round began under the discerning eyes of all the population of the Vulcan empire. The powerful, rich, poor and middle class… all of them paid their full attention to this last bout of skills that would decide the final victor of this duel. 

At this moment, Helsi is under extreme stress as he was still unable to accept the fact that Kahn, who trained under Throk was already a Saint Blacksmith in just a year and half. This revelation by his opponent was simply too mind-boggling. 

Kahn made sure that his words were heard by no one else than Helsi so even the judges were still under the impression that both the challengers were of equal rank. 

[How did this happen? This is impossible! 

I have been training in this craft for more than 37 years and even I am only a semi-saint blacksmith. 

What kind of freak is Kahn? He clearly wasn't even a saint when I first met him that day.] he kept questioning himself again and again over and over because he just couldn't wrap his head around this information. 

What did it mean if Kahn was a Saint Blacksmith? 

Wouldn't it be enough for Kahn to win the final round as well? 

And what would happen to Helsi if he lost? 

The entire dwarven race and all the people of the empire were looking at him as their representative and fully supported him since the first round. 

But if he lost this duel? His entire life would be completely destroyed as a result. A dwarf blacksmith who lost to a human in a duel… he would be the first one to shame all his ancestors in the history of this empire. 

On top of it… he joined Tawerik and had plenty of people who invested in his training. He had made a lot of connections in the past one and half year, something that Throk hadn't been able to offer. 

Thus, he also had a lot to lose compared to Kahn and seeing that his loss was eminent… Helsi was extremely nervous to the point he couldn't even hold his hammer without his hands shaking constantly. 

But unbeknownst to him… there were billions of people who were in a similar situation as him. Even in the colosseum, no one is even dared to breathe loudly, cheer for the dwarf or even discuss anything among themselves. 

This created a huge mental pressure on people who were eagerly waiting for Kahn's loss, wanting to feel good about themselves and had the halo of superiority compared to the human race. 

The nobles, the fireborne clan members, the dwarven race people… Even Tawerik and his people; everything had completely quieted down at this point.

Because if Kahn won the last round… then Tawerik will lose the company and everything he built over the past 100 years of his career in this trade. 

Throk only had his company to lose. 

But Tawerik had an entire corporation that not only made weapons but traded in many other sectors. He had 100 times more wealth and influence to lose than Throk. 

And now all of it was risked because of his overconfidence and just because he wanted to destroy his long-time rival blacksmith. 

[Alright then… let's start!] Kahn suddenly stopped forging and walked into the middle of the arena. 

"I have a favor to ask to the judges." spoke Kahn loudly, his voice instantly echoing in the colosseum. 

"What is it?" asked master Druvagar. 

Without wasting a second, Kahn looked at Helsi and pointed his left forefinger at him… 

"Let me switch positions with him." 

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The entire audience had their mouths agape and even the judges were bamboozled after Kahn made this request. No one had any idea why he wanted to switch places with his opponent. 

"No!" suddenly, Tawerik shouted. And at this moment, Kahn's subordinates also noticed 6 more surprised faces who seemed to be aware of the fact that he was given trash quality materials. 

Out of the 6 other people, five belonged to none other than the High Elders dwarven council. 

[It was like that. Tawerik must have made some inside deal or the Dwarven Council itself wanted me to lose. 

Given the fact that they're one of the organizers… they fully had control over the forging materials given to both of us.] thought Kahn. 

He had finally found out the main perpetrators. Although it was the first place he should've looked… Kahn's plan was more elaborate and diabolical than just saying the duel was rigged. 

Kahn already predicted that it could be Tawerik who could be behind it. But the High Elders of the Dwarven Council also being involved was unexpected. 

Nevertheless, till this very round… he had already set a perfect trap for the main culprits regardless of who they were and now… it was time to expose them in front of the whole empire. 

Kahn didn't care if it was Tawerik or the whole fucking Dwarven Council. 

He was already well experienced in screwing over authority since his time in Rakos Empire. And he still remembered one of his mottos in this new life. 

That he will not mess with random innocent passersby. But if someone threw stones at him… 

He'd throw a fucking mountain on them! 

Since these people were trying to screw him over for their personal gains… he would fuck over them ten times more. And boy Kahn was a very vengeful man. 

All of these thoughts only took a second in real-time and Kahn formed another strategy on the spot. 

Because he was fully capable of dealing with Tawerik and the Dwarven Council as per his previous plans. 

But the biggest surprise that he didn't expect in the slightest was the identity of the 7th culprit. 

Never had he thought that this person would also have joined hands with the people who wanted to see him fail and Throk lose his company. And the final main culprit was none other than… 

Hector Hos Sigfreed, the First Prince.