The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 50 - Kaiser Versus Degula [1]

Chapter 50: 50 - Kaiser Versus Degula [1]

"AH...!"

After snapping out of his stupor—

"BROCK—THE CRUSHER—WON THE FIGHT!!! IT WAS EXPECTED BY US ALL, BUT WE DIDN’T EXPECT THAT IT WOULD BE THAT EASY AND BRUTAL!!!"

The announcer declared that as he announced who the winner was.

"WHOOOAAAHHH!!!"

"BROCK, YOU REALLY DON’T DISAPPOINT!!!"

"I PLACED A BET ON YOUR OPPONENT, BUT THAT WAS AWESOME—YOU DESERVE THE WIN!!!"

The crowd revived again and started shouting cheers.

"Ugh... Another boring match."

Brock, on the other hand, was just disappointed. And with that apparent on his face—he started walking back here.

’His nickname was [The Crusher], huh... Is that because he literally just crushes his opponents with that blunt greatsword of his?’

Now I get it—why Brock’s weapon isn’t sharp.

Disbelief was still in my head because of how fast the fight went.

...

...

...

Brock got back to the waiting room not long after, Khan and Jin greeted him by the door and congratulated him on the fight and all.

But then—

"Heh."

Brock caught a glimpse of me and smirked.

Just seeing his expression put a frown on my face, I already knew what was coming. And just as I expected—

"Did you see me out there? That’s how strong I am, kid."

Brock started boasting at me, he was looking at me with an annoying grin on his face. Makes me want to punch him.

"Yeah, you’re really strong."

I simply said that just to make him shut up, and after hearing me say that—

"GYAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Brock started laughing maniacally as he proudly puffed out his chest while looking around.

I just ignored him.

Then after a few minutes...

"The next match is starting, let’s watch."

Khan said that. We immediately shifted our attention to the middle of the arena, and there—

We saw two men with pretty well-built bodies having a stare down. I missed their introductions because of how loud Brock was being earlier.

...

...

*****

After about more than 10 minutes... The match ended, one of them was lying on the ground with a stab wound on his chest.

"..."

I was silent.

"..."

Brock, Khan, and Jin were the same.

"..."

The crowd was silent too.

Are we feeling excited after watching the match? NO.

The reason why we’re not making any noise right now... is because the fight between them was ugly and so boring!

"God, that was boring as fuck."

Brock mumbled with a frown on his face.

"..."

Khan and Jin remained silent, but I can feel that they agree with what had just been said.

I agree with it too.

"Now, your job just got harder."

Jin said, glancing back at me. Khan then nodded his head before opening his mouth.

"Because of those two idiots just now, the crowd is bored... They’re all just waiting for the main match, so they’ll likely just ignore your fight completely."

He followed with an explanation.

"..."

I looked at the three of them. Then I opened my mouth.

But just as I was about to say something—

"WELL...! LET’S JUST MOVE ON TO THE NEXT MATCH!!!"

The announcer’s voice echoed throughout the place. The four of us turned to the arena.

In the next moment, the announcer shouted again—

"LET’S WELCOME—THE YOUNGEST GLADIATOR IN THIS COLISEUM... AND PROBABLY IN THE WHOLE EMPIRE—!!!"

And after a short pause—

"KAISEEEER!!!"

He called out my name. I stood up without hesitation and took my equipment.

The three old men looked at me with straight faces. I glanced back at them.

Then with my lips parting—

"I’ll be quick."

I went and declared that to them with a sly smirk on my face.

Their eyes widened and their mouths opened at my words, but before they could even respond...

Tap—

I stepped out of the waiting room while smiling.

*****

"Oh... It’s a kid."

"Another dull match, huh."

"JUST GIVE US THE MAIN FIGHT!!!"

Unlike when Brock, Khan, and Jin came out... I was greeted by a cold welcome.

I could tell that the crowd wasn’t expecting anything from me. I don’t really care, to be honest.

Actually, this works just fine for me.

’It’s silent... It’s peaceful. I can focus on the fight much better.’

I swung my short sword as I thought of that, I glanced at the javelin on my back as it might fall. I checked my buckler, vambraces, and boots too.

I was all set.

Then as I just got ready—

"NOW... WITH FIVE WINS UNDER HIS NAME—DEGULAAAAA!!!"

The announcer called out for my opponent this time.

And from the opposite side of the arena—

T A P—!!!

I saw a guy with a bear-like build come out from a waiting room! He had tattoos on his openly revealed arms that were bulging with muscles, he’s taller than two meters. He was bald too.

And the weapon that’s in his hands—

B O O M—!

IT’S A FUCKIN’ GREATSWORD SIMILAR TO BROCK’S!!!

"..."

A frown appeared on my face as I saw that. The scene of what Brock created with his greatsword was still lingering in my mind, making me unconsciously nervous as I stared at Degula’s weapon.

’Fucking hell.’

I shook my head to brush off some negative thoughts.

"GET READY, YOU TWO!!!"

Then I heard the announcer instruct that.

F W I P—

Degula raised his greatsword in front of him, it was a simple stance.

And me—

"Whatever."

I just crouched down and clenched my short sword as hard as I could. I also put the buckler in front of me.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The tension between me and Degula was rising. But the crowd remained uninterested and bored.

"JUST START IT ALREADY AND END IT!!!"

I heard someone from the crowd exclaim that. I just ignored it.

Though, all of a sudden, without warning—

"LET’S START THE MATCH!!!"

The announcer exclaimed that. And immediately—

"I’LL FUCKING TEAR YOU INTO PIECES, KID!!!"

Degula shouted.

B A M—!!!

And then he kicked off the ground and rushed toward me!

"..."

I just stared at the giant bear coming at me with a calm face.

’The fuck is that guy... How come he can move fast while holding a greatsword?’

Though, my thoughts are messy inside.

But still—I prepared myself to receive Degula’s attack.

And in just a few seconds... He reached me!

S W O O S H—!!!

And then he swung his greatsword vertically down at me!