The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 61 - That’s It?

Chapter 61: 61 - That’s It?

Days passed by...

I didn’t miss a single training session.

Damian started going with us to the training ground, and after my sparring with Viktor—he would ask me for a match as well.

This time, I’m willingly accepting his challenges. I’m helping him get stronger so he could be of use to me later on, if ever.

Rose, Jhamillah, and Jenna were training on their own back in the copper place—they’re doing pretty good, really.

Also, after three days of not seeing the four older gladiators...

The guards assigned to us entered our place and searched the area, and in Uban’s room—they saw him and his three lackeys tied up, starving and weak.

The guards were surprised and asked us to explain what happened... The six of us just feigned ignorance and told them we didn’t know.

But Uban told them it was my doing. Fucking snitch.

I thought I would be called into Jeff’s office for the fourth time, but it seems like he’s fed up with me, as he didn’t.

He probably doesn’t want to bother with such things too—no big casualty really happened, after all.

And so, I got away scot-free from the mess that I made. Viktor looked surprised, Rose and the others as well.

Especially... Uban and his three lackeys.

They all thought I had something going on with Jeff. Which isn’t really that far from what’s really happening...

Jeff and I have a deal. And right now—he’s letting me do whatever I want as long as I don’t cause big trouble. Right now, I’m like his goose that will lay him a golden egg in the future.

He’s investing in my potential.

Anyway, because of that—Uban and his group became wary of me. They started avoiding us and became really quiet.

Just like that... Peace came, and I continued on my routine.

I would train a bit as soon as I woke up, and after eating breakfast—Damian, Viktor, and I would go to the training ground.

We train our bodies there for a few hours, then Viktor and I would spar. Following him, I would also have a bout with Damian.

We would then eat lunch, and after a short rest... we’d start training again. Honestly, this is the only thing I can do here anyway, so might as well try my best.

When it starts to get dark, the three of us go back to the copper place. We would then find the girls finishing up their training too.

Rose, Jhamillah, and Jenna are improving well. They could probably hold off the four until the guards intervene, so we’re not really worried about leaving them.

’It’s also not like the four are always together.’

They always leave too, to train somewhere.

Moving on, after having dinner with them—I would get my daily protein supply from Rai and eat it in my room. Then there, I would train with the greatsword I got from Degula.

"Soon, I would be able to use this properly."

I mumbled to myself as I swung the huge lump of iron. It’s not hitting the ground as much as before.

And after swinging that heavy thing for a while—I would train my skill, [Intimidation]—until I got tired and fell asleep.

That’s the summary of my current situation.

And so, just like that... Two weeks passed like a breeze.

It was time for my fourth opponent.

*****

I just finished breakfast, and now—I’m currently waiting for the guard who will accompany me to the waiting room.

"Let’s do our best!"

Damian said, looking at me with a smile.

That’s right, he would be fighting in today’s event as well. His match is the opening, while mine is before the main event again.

’Does this guy have nerves of steel?’

I frowned a little bit, he’s too carefree for someone who will fight with only gloves and vambraces.

(Viktor gave Damian his old ones, he can’t afford to buy his own vambraces.)

"Good luck, you two. We’ll be watching."

Viktor said. And after him...

"We’ll be waiting."

"May the gods bless you."

"Do your best!"

Rose, Jhamillah, and Jenna followed in order.

"Thanks."

"Just watch us!"

Damian and I replied.

Then, not long...

"Kaiser and Damian, it’s time."

A guard arrived and called for us. We all exchanged short goodbyes, and with that—Damian and I left, following behind the guard.

*****

We arrived in the waiting room not long after, Damian and I are together as per our request.

"..."

I silently sat on the bench. My short sword and small buckler were right beside me. The javelin was already strapped on my back.

"Fuuuu..."

Then with a deep sigh, Damian sat on my other side.

"Hmm? You nervous?"

I asked, facing him.

He glanced at me, and slowly... he nodded his head.

"I just pretended to be calm earlier to appear cool in front of the girls, and to not worry them."

He mumbled, an awkward smile on his face.

’Oh, so he’s not that stupid, huh.’

I said in my head, then looked back in front of me.

"Don’t worry, just do what you’ve always been doing in our sparring and you’ll be fine."

I declared that.

"How? I even never won against you."

He asked me. I just shrugged after hearing his question.

’Of course you wouldn’t win against me, that’s so obvious.’

But apparently, new fighters are going to face new fighters too. I was just an exception before because I was supposed to die on my first match as a punishment.

Anyway, if Damian is going to fight a newbie too—then I can confidently say that he’ll win against most of them. Viktor and I trained with him, we know.

’But telling him that might make him too complacent. I’ll just keep silent.’

So, opening my mouth...

"Just do your best, trust me."

I casually said that.

"..."

And Damian beside me became all silent. I don’t know what’s going on in his head right now.

...

...

...

After a few minutes, the event started.

I could hear a lot of people outside, cheering.

The announcer’s voice was as loud as ever.

And a little more later—

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...! LET US WELCOME OUR FIRST FIGHTERS—DAMIAN AND RUST!!!"

He called for the fighters.

"BOTH OF THEM ARE GOING TO MAKE THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE TODAY...! GREET THEM WITH A WARM WELCOME!!!"

He added, and after that—

"WHOOOOOOOAAAAHHH!!!"

"AT LEAST GIVE US SOMETHING TO LAUGH AT!"

"DON’T DIE OFF FAST!!!"

The crowd outside started shouting.

"..."

I saw Damian stand up beside me with a serious expression on his face, massaging his fists.

"Good luck."

I muttered.

Then, glancing back at me, he nodded his head.

"Thank you."

And with that... he came out of the waiting room toward the arena.

"..."

I just hope he doesn’t mess up.

*****

(Damian’s POV)

"..."

I stood in a wide oval open arena. A lot of eyes were on me, it was so noisy. My ears were ringing.

Thump— thump— thump—

My heart was beating really fast, I was nervous.

But remembering Kaiser’s words, I just shook my head and forced my head to calm down.

Looking at the opposite side of the arena... I could see my opponent.

’Was it Rust?’

I observed him.

And upon paying closer attention—

"Huh?"

I noticed that he’s the same as me... Nervous.

I could see that he was shaking a bit, and that he wasn’t really standing in a proper stance.

’I see...’

I’m fighting a human too. We’re both inexperienced.

It’s not impossible...

’I can win.’

Fwip—

I clenched my fists and took a fighting stance. Then, I immediately studied my opponent.

The nervousness in me slowly faded away.

My opponent is older than me, and he’s using an iron sword.

’It seems like his weapon is a bit heavy for him.’

He was holding the sword with both hands, and his grip on it was a bit loose.

"..."

I focused myself. The noise around me was drowned out as I entered a short trance.

...

...

But snapping me out of that—

"START THE MATCH!!!"

"YEAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

Was the announcer’s loud voice and the crowd’s shout!

"...!"

My eyes widened.

Then in that moment—

"HAAAAAAAAA!!!"

Bam!

Rust rushed at me while shouting!

"...?"

I tilted my head a bit, I was confused.

He was slow and looked super desperate.

I just stood in place and waited for him, and after a while... he did reach me.

Swoosh!

He carelessly swung down his sword vertically.

"...?"

It was slow as fuck.

TONK!

I just turned to my side and avoided his attack, his blade hit the ground and made a weird sound.

’He might be baiting me, I need to be careful.’

And with that in mind—

BAM!

I sent a light straight to his face with my right to test the waters.

"GAHHH?!!"

But to my surprise, he ate my punch whole, his face cringed in pain as he screamed. His nose was bleeding, it might be broken.

And now... his whole body was defenseless.

’Is he doing this on purpose?’

I asked in my head, frowning.

But ignoring that—

’WHATEVER!’

I just followed up with a heavy left hook. And my fist...

BAM!!

It hit him right on his temple!

Rust’s head shook violently and I saw his eyes turn all white.

But I’m not done yet!

BAM—!

I threw an overhand punch with my right that I learned from Kaiser, the metal bumps on my gloves hit him on the mouth!

I continued with a fast left jab after that, though...

WHOOSH—

"Huh?"

My fist hit nothing this time but air. I panicked.

THUD—

Then I heard something falling. I looked down...

"..."

And I was left speechless seeing Rust there lying on the ground, unconscious.

"Huh...? That’s it...?"

I asked dumbfoundedly. My arms are still up, guarding my face.