Hero of Darkness

Kahn was surprised as soon as Venessa revealed a very important fact about herself. That while being a first stage saint, she had the ability to kill a third stage saint. 

Although Kahn himself could do the same while using all of his buff skills that would enable him to fight a third stage saint on equal footing and then his dimensional law divine ability giving him an advantage in an open battle… He was a chosen Hero was Venessa was only a descendant of a rare bloodline. 

[Just how powerful is this bloodline that could allow her to fight above two ranks directly?] wondered Kahn. 

Because even someone like him needed the War Deity Body and Chamber of Exaltation to become physically as strong as a second stage and then rely on his plethora of skills to fight two ranks above him. 

[Boy… the Firebornes aren't the kind you can mess with easily. Even back in my time… their small numbers were enough to overpower forces that were three times more than them. 

On top of it, she's an imperial princess. The bloodline purity in the imperial family is supposed to be the highest.] informed Rathnaar. 

[Only if I could shake hands with her… the system would've been able to scan her body and tell me how much bloodline purity she has.] thought Kahn in just a couple of seconds and came back to the present moment. 

"But why are you telling me this, your highness? 

Isn't this supposed to be some big secret even among the imperial clan?" asked Kahn curiously. 

"Because I want you to understand that I have a better chance at becoming the empress when the time comes." spoke Venessa as she drank a glass of samsara wine. 

"But what exactly do you want me to do? I still don't understand why you even approached me." said Kahn as he was clueless about what kind of redeeming qualities did Venessa see in him. 

"Manage all my businesses and everything that's under my name." replied Venessa in a commanding voice. 

"Heh?" 

Kahn was taken aback by this revelation because it was truly unexpected. 

Neither was Venessa suspicious about him nor did she care what kind of background he had. But the proposition he was offered was regarding a completely different manner. 

"My brother won't acknowledge it because you're a human. But that day… When you were explaining the business strategy and basically solved a big hurdle for me… I felt like I found a diamond in the rough." explained Venessa. 

"It hasn't even been 2 days since we received the first batch of weapons and armors from master Oakenshield… yet, we have already received a favorable response from many of the people. 

And too many people are under the impression that I am the only sponsor of the company. 

With time, I'm certain things will go just as you elaborated that day." she iterated with a happy smile. 

"And I think it'd be a waste to let go of someone talented and farsighted like you. 

That's why I want you to join my side." said Venessa as she gave Kahn a clear picture. 

[Phew! Good thing that she's after my brain and not my handsome looks or my body.] thought Kahn as he let out a sigh of relief. 

[What looks? You look like an ape, just with less hair.] taunted Rudra. 

He had been silent for quite a while after Kahn gave him the body of the jatvuarym to eat and imparted the bloodline to Omega a month ago. 

"In other words… make me more money." she finished her pitch. 

"You do realize that I have a big competition coming, right? 

If I lose, Master Oakenshield will lose the company. The one you've invested in." spoke Kahn in a serious tone. 

"That's not a big matter. We already know that you'll lose. 

We'll just have to pull out all our funds and separate all the branches and warehouses that are in the company's name. 

Although the dwarf will lose some reputation… we will just open another company for him and rebrand it. 

But I'm sure you already thought about that, am I right?" asked Venessa in a coy tone. 

Kahn sighed in defeat. 

"Yes. But I'll be honest with you, your highness. 

I'm but a humble and weak man. 

I have no aspirations to make it big or get into the center of attention for anybody… let alone the top figures of the empire while I'm dragged into a race for the title of the crown prince or princess. 

Even with the situation for the human race changed… it will take a decade for the normal citizens of the empire to finally accept it and treat humans equally." he explained one of his reasons to refuse. 

"And given your situation… if a human is one of your followers… it will also lead to misgivings by many of your supporters. 

My presence in your group alone will bring more harm to you than what I'm bringing to the table." iterated Kahn as he already knew what was to happen if he got entangled in this matter of the imperial family. 

Kahn then looked at the 3rd stage saint fireborne who stood behind Venessa. 

"Sir, don't you feel the same? That it's not worth the trouble." 

The Fireborne saint on the other end nodded in affirmation and spoke. 

"I was also against this decision. But her highness does not wish to take my advice."

To the words of one of her loyal retainers, Venessa was thoroughly annoyed. 

"What is this? Are we in some kind of romantic relationship that you're rejecting me for my own sake?" she asked with no sense of fear. 

"I want you to work for me as everyone else… you also know that you're more fitted to be a business advisor than a blacksmith. 

Plus you're too weak compared to that Helsi guy. Even with the resources given by master Oakenshield… 

I doubt that you'll be able to even become a peak grandmaster in a year and a half." she revealed her honest thoughts. 

"So stop wasting time and just join my side. I promise you'll find it worth the trouble." she said in an intimidating voice. 

Kahn then gave the issue some more time and took ten minutes and finally declared his honest decision as if he was tired and could no longer refuse the princess… 

"My answer is still no."