Hero of Darkness

After Kassandra willingly forfeited the match in front of the audience, both Veronica and Isaac gave her a high-grade health and stamina recovery potion to drink. And without caring about the onlookers or their elders, both the swordswoman and the knight carried her profusely bleeding figure with steady steps.

With her accepting the defeat, Kahn officially won the competition. Yet there were no loud shouts or grand announcements of his victory even after a couple of minutes passed.

Everyone, let it be the normal people in the crowd or the ones watching the live broadcast, the influential figures and the top-ranking saints of the empire stood stunned on the spot, most were simply out of their wits.

The young swordsman with a million swords hovering above him stood like War God in front of the empire. His eyes full of dominance and sovereignty as if he was looking down upon everything under the sky were displayed to all the citizens through the broadcasting screens.

A minute later, Kahn waved his hand and after receiving his command, all the swords started returning to their respective owners as if he remembered exactly from whom did he borrow these swords.

Just then, Albestros who came with Kahn and watched this match from their side started running towards him.

[Tell them to be ready!] commands Kahn to his generals.

Tap! Tap!

Kahn, with his body that was still riddled with wounds and bleeding from many places, started walking towards the center of the arena with faltering steps.

Drops of blood trickled down from his chin and his arms as the young swordsman kept breathing heavily while all broadcasting artifacts were focused on him.

"You did it, kid. You've finally delivered on the promise you made." spoke the old grandmaster blacksmith as he supported Kahn's, who barely had the strength to stand at this point.

Kahn leaned onto the old man's body and spoke with an emotional and heavy voice.

Tears drop from his eyes as he looks towards the dark starry sky.

"Mother.. Father.. You can rest in peace now.

Your son will keep his promise. I will protect our people as long as I'm alive." spoke Kahn.

To the masses, these words came out of nowhere and all the citizens of the empire, who were still baffled but then after hearing Kahn's words.. They all become curious.

What promise? What people?

But before Kahn could speak and reveal furthermore, Allister Mor Vandereich descended upon the battlefield, he quickly restored the battlefield that was blown into smithereens with the tap of his right foot and signaled the announcer to declare Kahn's win.

"Ladies and gentlemen! We finally have our Victor.

Our new champion!

Our new Emperor's Chosen!

Winning with godly talent and skills.. The one who won with his heavy defying might!

Please cheer for our new Emperor's Chosen..

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Kahn Salvatore!!!" declared the announcer.

Dhang! Dhang! Dhang!

Drums started beating and celebratory music started in the background.

Fireworks after fireworks shone brightly in the sky and finally, the audience in the arena stood on their feet and started cheering for Kahn.

At this moment, the only people cheering for Kahn were the normal folks throughout the empire who bet their money on him and the people from seven deadly sins inside the arena.

It was already given that most of the populace had bet on Kassandra, the most famous and the strongest candidate in the competition.

Even the rival factions, business organizations and noble clans had bet quadrillions of money on her win. So the loss was massive and no powerful or ruling figure except for those who bet on Kahn had a happy expression.

Allister looked at Kahn with eyes full of approval. From Kahn's win.. The one to benefit the most was him and the Pureblood faction since the young swordsman was already their ally. And the immeasurable fortune they bet on him would be multiplied many times. So it was a win-win for them on both fronts.

Finally, Allister spoke with a content tone and declared in front of the empire.

"I, Allister Mor Vandereich, the general of the army; declare Kahn Salvatore of the Rukon District as the rightful winner of the 19th Emperor's Chosen competition!

His name shall be forever immortalized in the history of our great Rakos empire.

So people of our great empire, give him a loud cheer!" spoke the vampire faction leader in a grandiose gesture.

"Yahhh!"

"You're the best!"

"I knew it! He was the best!"

"He's the first commoner like us to win this competition!"

Soon, thousands and then millions and lastly, more than a billion citizens started cheering for a man who was said to be born into poverty and struggle just like them.

Kahn on the other end drank a potion to recover his health.

Allister, the old vampire turned his gaze to Kahn again and spoke in a benign tone.

"Congratulations, mister Salvatore. You have shown us an impeccable display of pure strength and talent to all of us.

It also stands as a testament to the bright future of our great empire if the young generation is filled with people like you.

You have my humble gratitude." said the faction leader who was simply trying to look good and kind in front of the normal populace.

"Now, as per the traditions… You can choose any area from the three remaining places of the empire that are allowed to be chosen as a fiefdom.

Out of which, the 5000 kilometers area of the Moriarty County is rich with natural resources such as rare metals, ores and diamond reserves.

While the Blackwood County is a 6 thousand wide plain with numerous gold, silver and even some Orichalcum mines.

All the cities, districts and everything under these places are yours to rule for the next 20 years as per our ancient law.

And just like the Imperial rule of the past.. You shall receive help for ruling by the government to rule.

Your authority shall be unquestioned and unparalleled as the people of these lands will be your subjects as well as your responsibility from now.

The only restriction is that you shall not change any laws that the citizens of this empire have as their birthright as per our Constitution.

So please, make a choice and take command of the Fiefdom you wish to rule." spoke Allister in his regal tone.

This was something that all of the ruling powers and the top three factions yearned for.

Currently, everything was divided and no one was truly in control of these areas because various government sectors ran by different clans and factions never let others have an upper hand.

But if the Emperor's Chosen decided to rule over any of these two places.. The one supporting them will be the final winner with unquestionable authority.

And this was exactly what Kassandra had warned Kahn about during their fight. Because one way or another.. He was going to become enemies with a lot of people if he won.

However, before the old vampire could continue, Kahn opened his teary eyes and the whole empire heard his response.

"Apologies, Lord Allister. If I do that.." spoke Kahn with a stern tone and continued..

"I'm afraid I'll get killed."

SHOCK!!

GASP!!

All the citizens were shocked by Kahn's reply.

"I have already been shown my place by the people from noble factions where does a commoner like me belongs.

That if I try to reach for something that's not allowed to someone with my background, our lives are easy to be taken and we can't even do anything." replied Kahn.

"Forget ruling a fiefdom, I'm afraid I'll be killed on my way there before I even assume the command." he said with a worried expression.

"And even if I somehow manage to live till that point, the government itself, which has only people from the three factions in higher positions, will soon take away their support and blame it all on me that I'm an incapable ruler.

After all, it's not about helping people but ruling them. And as a result, the innocent citizens will suffer.

The one who doesn't belong to any faction will never get any help or support from the government itself.

So I'm afraid choosing any area as my fiefdom is no different than inviting death."

[Stalin, Jeremiah!] called out Allister to his fellow seventh-stage saints who were also taken aback by Kahn's declaration in their respective VIP rooms.

The next second, both of their figures flickered and appeared in front of Kahn.

All three of them were people with vast experience and foresight. So they quickly understood that Kahn was trying to pull another stunt like he did in the semifinals.

[Allister! What the hell is this kid trying to pull now?! Didn't he join your side?] asked Stalin, the faction leader of the Neutral faction.

[Whatever it is.. We must not let him succeed. Because one thing I'm sure of. Whatever he's trying to pull…] he replied with an enraged tone in the minds of the other two saints..

[He's trying to fuck over all of us!]