The Ashen Dominion
Chapter 71 - Hardwork [1]

Chapter 71: 71 - Hardwork [1]

(Kaiser’s POV)

Tap-

I stepped out of my room.

Swoosh~

The air felt different today—tense, but not unpleasant. It was fight day, after all.

Anyway, just a few steps ahead, I saw the others.

Rose was tightening the straps of her shield, expression calm and composed like always. Jhamillah is inspecting her spear, muttering something under her breath. Jenna was counting his arrows and trying out the string of his bow. And Viktor... well, Viktor just looked excited, like a kid about to open a birthday gift.

Anyway, they’re like this because they’ll be fighting in today’s event as well. The three girls will be the opening fights, while Viktor will be the second to last.

Now far from them, I saw Damian sitting nearby, resting against the wall... He’s just casually watching everyone.

He didn’t say a word—probably a little jealous he wasn’t part of today’s line-up.

’I trained with him for the last two weeks after his first fight, I can tell he’s very much ready and excited for his next match.’

Moving on... I walked toward where they were and and casually waved my hand.

"Morning."

I said.

They all turned to me at once.

"Ah, hello."

"Oh hey, good timing."

"Looking sharp."

Jhamillah, Jenna, and Rose greeted me back in order. They’re not as energetic as usual... But I get them, this will be their debuts after all.

"Are you ready for today’s event?"

Viktor asked me that with a grin.

"Yeah, I’m excited."

Then I answered with a smile.

I meant it.

*****

A bit soon after I came out, breakfast arrived, and we all quickly took our portion.

We all made our way to the usual spot for breakfast. The same hard bread with a slice of meat, and the same bitter black coffee. Nothing had changed from yesterday.

Except the atmosphere.

"..."

"..."

"..."

It was quiet—too quiet. The usual chatter that filled the mornings was missing today. Rose ate slowly, her eyes fixed on her coffee. Jhamillah barely touched her food, lost in thought. Jenna was chewing, but it was more mechanical than anything. You could practically feel the nerves coming off them.

Viktor, being Viktor, tried to lift the mood.

"Hey."

He called for attention, glancing around with a crooked grin.

"You all look like you’re about to face a dragon or something. Don’t worry, your enemies might just trip and die, just like mine, haha..."

That got a small chuckle out of Jhamillah. Jenna smirked. Even Rose cracked the slightest smile.

And seeing their mood lighten up—

"We’ve all trained hard. Just trust your body. It’ll remember what to do."

Viktor added that confidently.

His words helped. A little, at least.

He’s doing a good job in calming the three down.

i could’ve helped too, but I didn’t join in with their conversation.

"..."

I stayed quiet, eyes locked on my half-eaten bread. I wasn’t nervous like them. I was just... focused.

Focused on the match ahead. Focused on Edmar. Dual swords, agile, fast. I’ve ran a few scenarios in my head of how our fight will go, I thought of many possible counters. This wasn’t the time for me to talk—it was time to lock in.

And then, not long—

Tap! — Tap! — Tap!

Someone with heavy boots approached.

A guard appeared outside the metal bar gate, holding a big-ass wooden club lazily across his shoulder.

"You five."

He called out, voice firm.

"It’s time. Let’s go."

And then he followed.

Fwoosh~

We all stood up without a word after hearing that. We didn’t finish out breakfast anymore, it’s not like we’re in the mood to eat.

And as the five of us we’re walking toward the gate...

"Good luck everyone! I’ll watch all of you, then wait here after tou guys finished!"

We heard Damian shout that behind us.

The girls looked back at her and thanked him. Viktor and I just waved out hands as a response, not saying anything.

’I don’t even know what to say, really... Too lazy to talk too.’

I thought to myself.

...

...

*****

Rose, Jenna, Jhamillah, Viktor, and I stepped out of the copper place together. The air was warm, dry, and heavy with dust—it’s always like this, really.

Anyway, after that—

"Let’s move."

The guard led us through the familiar path, silent except for the rhythmic clinks of our steps.

Viktor and the three girls had some small talks here and there.

Then eventually... We reached the hallway behind the arena, and the guard stopped at one of the doors lined up.

"Get in, the event will start soon."

He said to us.

We nodded our heads without a complain. Then we entered inside the room he’s pointing at.

TAP—

The five of us had requested to be in the same waiting room. Normally, each fighter would get their own, but we figured it would be better this way—less time to overthink things, more time to stay grounded.

Inside, the room was bare. A long bench lined one wall, a pitcher of water with a few wooden cups sat on a crate in the corner, and that was it. No windows. Just a narrow vent high on the stone wall that let in a little light and air... Then a metal door leading toward the arena.

We all took our places around the room. Rose sat down and leaned forward, hands clasped between her knees. Jhamillah lay back, her eyes closed, breathing slow and deep. Jenna stood, pacing a little, arms crossed. Viktor sat against the wall, tapping his foot in rhythm and humming.

And me—

I just sat, elbows on my knees, eyes fixed on the floor.

"..."

Minutes passed. Then more. The silence stretched. Time became strange in that room. Long and slow. My fingers itched, not from nerves—but from anticipation.

And finally—

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!"

A booming voice echoed from the outside, muffled but clear. It was the same announcer from all my previous fights.

"Ah...!"

"Hmm?!"

"Oh..."

"..."

"..."

The room snapped to attention at his loud voice.

"WELCOME TO TODAY’S MATCHES IN THE GRAND COLISEUM!"

The announcer’s voice echoed throughout the area.

"WITHOUT FURTHER ADO—LET’S GET THE FIGHTS STARTED!!!"

And then he declared that without beating around the bush.

...

...

*****

"NOW FOR OUR FIRST MATCH OF THE DAY....!"

The announcer’s voice thundered across the coliseum, rising above the crowd’s restless murmur.

"YEAAHHHHH!!!"

"START ALREADY!!!"

"COME ON!"

The spectators became excited, hearing him.

And so, the announcer opened his mouth without hesitation.

"FROM THE COPPER RANKS—JHAMILLAH! VERSUS—LYLA!"

Then he exclaimed that.

"THIS IS BOTH THEIR FIRST FIGHT, LET’S WELCOME THEM WARMLY!!!"

He added.

And after that—

Tap-

Jhamillah came out of the waiting room and stood on the end of the arena.

"..."

On the other side, Lyla did the same.

"...?"

"Huh?"

"Two girls?"

"Whoa...!"

A surge of whistles and jeers erupted from the audience the moment it became clear that two girls were going to fight.

"Don’t break a nail!"

"Make it a pillow fight instead!"

"Show us some real action, girls!"

Laughter followed the scummy remarks, mostly from drunken nobles in the higher balconies. The rest of the crowd buzzed in anticipation, some excited, others just eager to see blood.

"Fuuuu..."

Fwip-

Jhamillah ignored them and took a breath, gripping her spear. Her expression didn’t change. She’d been preparing for this. She’d heard worse.

Lyla, on the other hand, hesitated slightly. Her grip on her sword was tight, and she looked away from the crowd. But the catcalls clearly rattled her, a flicker of discomfort flashing in her eyes.

But not caring about what the two of them are feeling—

"START RHE FIGHT!!!"

The match began!

"Ugh...! Whatever!"

Bam!

Lyla moved first, charging in quickly, trying to end it fast. Her nerves were making her sloppy.

Swoosh— Slash— Swish—!

She swung with more emotion than precision, hoping to catch Jhamillah off guard.

"..."

But Jhamillah didn’t panic.

’Remember what Rose, Jenna, and Viktor taught you!’

She told herself internally.

Bam-

Then she stepped back and used her reach advantage!

Fwoosh~

"Wha—?!"

She used her spear to keep Lyla just far enough that the sword couldn’t hit her!

And with that, Jhamillah waited. Watched.

Step.

Tap-

Parry.

TING!

Push.

FWOOSH!

Retreat.

SWOOSH—

She was calm, methodical. Unlike her opponent, Jhamillah had spent every day of the past weeks drilling these moves into her bones with the help of others.

Meanwhile, because her attacks aren’t hitting—

"Get hit!"

Whoosh!

Lyla grew frustrated, her attacks more erratic.

Then—

"DIE!!!"

SWOOSH!

Lyla unleashed a wide, heavy vertical slash.

"...!"

And that’s when Jhamillah moved in!

Swish~

She sidestepped and avoided the attack.

Then, looking at the defenseless right torso of Lyla—

"Sorry...!"

Jhamillah said that.

PHUCK—

"GRRGH?!!"

Then she drove her spear through Lyla’s ribs, all the way to her organs.

"...!"

Lyla looked at Jhamillah with bloodshot eyes, with literal blood dripping from her mouth.

Tink-

Her sword fell onto rhe ground.

THUD!

And then, her body followed. A pool of blood formed under her.

"..."

Jhamillah just stood there for a few seconds.

SHIIK—

And then she pulled out her spear from Lyla’s dead body.

She won the fight that easy.