Chapter 366: Low Seat of Dawn [1]

Chapter 366: Low Seat of Dawn [1]



"

||

The Colosseum remained silent ever after Julien's departure. The medics quickly rushed onto the stage, helping the referee recover while Leon's body remained on the ground, twitching slightly.

He was not in great condition...

As this was happening, Karl, who had been quiet the entire time, suddenly asked a question that was in the minds of everyone present.

"So, who won?"

The match ended, and before the referee could even voice out his verdict, he fell for the rebound of their attacks.

Was it a draw?

Did Leon win?.... Or was it Julien that won?

At this very moment, everyone watching wanted to know the answer. There had to be one. There had never been a draw in the past, and this was the first time such a situation had occurred.

"....I'm not sure."

Johanna tactfully replied, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Although there is no clear announcement just yet, I don't believe it really matters." "Uh?"

"Both contestants are from the Nurs Ancifa Empire. There's no real conflict of interest between the two sides. Regardless of who won between the two, they were both members of the Empire."

"Ah."

Karl was suddenly enlightened.

"If you put it that way, it makes sense. But still... I would want to know if there was a winner. The fight was amazing, but a draw seems a little bit..."

|| ||

Johanna took a deep breath then and didn't answer.

Shifting her attention back toward the stage, her lips pursed together. Staring at the state Leon was in, and recalling the image of Julien leaving amidst the stares of everyone present she could only sigh.

Though the winner may not have been announced, his last moments had left an impact on those watching.

For he was the one who remained standing.

***

"... What do you think?"

The Empress glanced at the Emperor from the side, her expression rather stoic. Looking at Leon who was lying down on the ground, his body twitching, her heart pained a little.

However, it wasn't as though she could just rush down and help him up.

He also wasn't aware of his background. She couldn't just throw the truth all at once to his face.

"His injuries are bad, but not life-threatening. There shouldn't be anything to worry about. In a couple of days, he'll be back to his usual condition."

The Emperor replied, his eyes never leaving Leon's.

Though his tone was calm, his mind was anything but calm. The shock the fight had given him was immense.

'He's not had any of the resources that Amell has had since young, and yet he's this powerful? What sort of....'

In fact, he was a little horrified.

What sort of 'monster' was this son of his? No, not just him, but Julien as well.

'Could this be something related to the Evenus household?'

The Emperor had done his homework. He knew everything about Leon and thus was aware of the fact that he was currently working as Julien's knight. At first, he was a little apprehensive about the fact, but seeing how powerful Julien was, he wasn't so sure anymore.

The two most definitely benefitted from each other, making them grow into the monsters that they were now.

It was just that...

....It was a little hard to believe.

With so few resources, an oppressive regime that prevented training until a certain age, and duties to fill, Leon was able to become this strong.

"Hoo."

It was an unbelievable situation.

And yet...Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The truth was presented right before his eyes.

'Shocking.'

"What now...?"

Amell's words shook the Emperor out of his thoughts. Turning his head, he could see the complicated look on Amell's face as his gaze lingered on the injured Leon. He too seemed to have realized exactly what he was thinking.

However, as the Emperor looked into Amell, he couldn't really see any trace of jealousy.

No, what he saw was more akin to relief...

And that made him smile.

'It looks like my teachings weren't in vain.'

Talent was not to be envied or feared but nurtured. Amell knew this and thus didn't show any jealousy. Even if the subject in question was his own brother who had a chance at the throne.

"Father, are you going to reveal yourself to Leon?"

11

||

The Emperor shook his head.

"No."

"W-what?"

I almost sighed as I prepared to open my mouth and greet her,

"You fought well."

But my body froze upon hearing the voice.

Flicking my head up, a pair of yellow eyes met my gaze. Without even thinking, locks

appeared within my mind, sealing all my emotions.

The shock that was budding from deep within me stopped as a strange silence filled the room.

It was a silence that I soon broke.

"....Thank you."

"There's no need. I'm stating a fact. You fought extremely well and made our Empire proud."

|| ||

I nodded in acknowledgment.

The room fell silent once more after that.

Atlas moved forward and sat next to me. My heartbeat remained steady as he did so, and the

atmosphere turned serious.

Almost oppressive. "Phecda."

Phecda...

I turned my head to meet Atlas's eyes.

'It has been a while since someone has called me that.'

"Do you know why I'm here?"

"....To congratulate me?"

"A part of it."

Atlas smiled, his radiant yellow eyes seeming to pierce through me, blinding in their

intensity. But it was only an illusion; he hadn't moved a muscle, nor lifted a finger.

"You've been summoned."

Ba... Thump!

The chains within my mind rattled, and I felt the beat of own heart.

"...Our leader wants to meet you."

Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump!

My entire body grew tense as an impending sense of dread dug its way into the back of my

mind. My palms felt sweaty while jaw clenched together.

It was by a miracle that I was still able to keep myself composed.

"I waited until the end of your fight to inform you so that you wouldn't get distracted and

fully focus on what you had to do."

Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump!

His words were going on deaf ears.

I could hardly make out what he was saying as I felt a steady ring echo throughout.

"I know just how important one's state of mind is when entering a fight. Our leader

understands that too."

"....Oh."

I lowered my head, in an attempt to show gratitude.

The reality was that I just didn't want to show him my face. I could feel my body growing

weaker, but I could only forcefully keep myself composed.

This was not the time to break.

"Meeting our leader will definitely do you a lot of good, but..."

Atlas paused, and I raised my head up to look at him. His eyes were serious, unlike anything I

had ever seen before.

I felt a chill run down the back of my spine as the locks started to crack.

"You're not ready."

His deep voice carried through the room.

"....You're still not ready to meet our leader. First impressions are always the most important.

So I bought you some time."

Uh?

The sudden turn of events left me shook.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The locks in my mind shattered one after another as Atlas's eyes fixed on me.

"Let me make you ready."

He said, extending his hand my way.

"...Allow me to nurture you into the Low Seat of Dawn."