Hero of Darkness

Kahn openly declared his intentions after running pros and cons to the proposition made by the third princess, Venessa Hos Sigfreed. 

And although it had many merits… his current situation and the control he had over the Oakenshield company was hundred times more advantageous. Thus, he ended up rejecting the offer despite the consistent imploring by Venessa. 

A heavy silence ensued in the room after Kahn said no to the princess… something that no one would dare to do in the whole Vulcan empire. 

Just then, the first stage saint behind Venessa spoke with a grim tone. … 

"Aren't you acting way above your paygrade, human? 

The imperial princess is ordering you to join her side. Just accept it and think of yourself as a lucky person. 

This is many times better than someone of your commoner and human birth can ever get in our empire." he said in a threatening tone as if he wanted to beat Kahn to pulp the next moment. 

To this threat however, Kahn replied in a calm voice as if he wasn't bothered at all. 

"I still can't do it even if I wanted to." he declared. 

"Give me one good reason and I'll stop asking." spoke Venessa as she too was losing her patience with Kahn. 

"Because… I have made a commitment. 

And once I give my word… then I don't break them no matter how better alternatives I get later." spoke Kahn as he lied with a righteous expression. 

But to the charismatic aura that was oozing out of the halo of righteousness behind him… Venessa and the others were taken aback. 

"Alright. I won't pester you anymore. 

You may leave. Do not reveal anything about our meeting to anyone, not even to Oakenshield." she said and signaled her guards to escort Kahn out. 

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After Kahn left like having a walk in the park… Venessa and her retainers had complicated expressions. 

They knew that Kahn was lying to them about the whole commitment thing but they weren't that petty to drag on an argument with someone unwilling to join them. 

Because forced loyalty was always open to becoming treachery in the future. 

"Princess, you take him too high in regards. He's just an ignorant human who thinks too highly of himself.

I wonder if he'd be any help even if you made him in charge of the businesses under your name. 

Venessa then asks the third stage saint fireborne.

"What do you think of him?"

"During our conversation… the fact that he noticed how detrimental his involvement would be to your followers and supporters in case he joined… is enough to assure that he's someone who thinks many steps ahead." he said with a thoughtful expression. 

"And he outweighs the win and loss very clearly. Currently, your side is lacking in support and the future if he joined you looks bleak. 

If I was in a similar situation just like him… I wouldn't want to join our side either." explained the third stage saint. 

"Plus he's someone who sticks to his demeanor even under pressure. Anyone else would've agreed to join without resisting. 

Yet he was calm, focused and did not sway despite the situation." said the fireborne as he praised Kahn in his own way. 

However… unlike her previous appearance… Venessa's expression was now completely opposite to her approachable image.

Showing a completely different side compared to before when she was talking with Kahn. 

"Arrhhh!! How dare he?! I need something to punch really badly!" exclaimed Venessa as her face turned red while revealing her enraged face. 

"That bastard lives like a common employee. 

He doesn't even have his own house and lives in the quarters given by the old blacksmith. 

He doesn't have any money, social standing or any authority! 

He's basically a street beggar compared to me and yet he outright refused my generous offer without any fear in his eyes!" she shouted and cursed Kahn without holding back and releasing all of her killing intent. 

"No one had defied me this badly!" she let out a scornful expression as if she'd squash Kahn's head with her bare hands. 

This was the real Venessa and not the calm and collected princess who talked with Kahn using proper decorum and elegant words a while ago. 

"Maybe because he thinks it's too risky, your highness.

In that company… he will at least stay alive." spoke the 3rd stage saint as he tried to calm her down. 

Unlike the first stage saint… he wasn't surprised to see this side of Venessa as if this was not something that happened for the first time. 

"And we can't even force anything on Oakenshield such as firing this human either since he's bound to appear for the challenge. 

On top of it… if we mess up with Oakenshield company, the saint blacksmith will choose prince Hector as his official sponsor. 

After that… just a word from the old dwarf will destroy all our ways to gain a bigger following and supporters." he elaborated on why they shouldn't approach the matter violently. 

"Now that the church and dwarven race is also in shambles because of the Imperial Punishment announced by the Emperor… we are also getting a lot of people who want to join our side, the ones that want to secure their future. 

You're their number one preference because of the contributions during the imperial trial. 

But everything will be ruined if we make out an enemy of these two people. 

So I hope you can consider and control your anger for some time, your highness." spoke the fireborne as if trying to console his angry cat. 

"Fine… I'll hold back for now; until I'm announced as the crown princess that is. And after he loses the faceoff… I will pay him back for this insult." replied Venessa as she controlled herself and took deep breaths to retract her saint pressure. 

"But I have made my decision." she said. 

"What is it?" asked the 1st stage saint fireborne. 

"No matter what… either by hook or crook… 

Even if I have to make him kneel and beg in front of me…" she spoke with a battle intent lit in her eyes… 

"I will make him mine!"