Building An Empire Starting From The Labor Camp In Exile-Chapter 292: Festival

The Soryu Clan, the direct bloodline, has made sure they keyed themselves into everything that was important. Like the wall of the eastern army, the defensive formation of the Capital, and all the special artifacts that were important.

So in the end, a Soryu will always be the Clan leader. The issue of whether they would be a figurehead or not is another matter entirely.

So Svenjar, who was one of the numerous children of the Clan leader of the Akatsuki, was here as an Errant Knight to prove his worth to his Clan by defeating Atrox.

How could that not make him laugh? Svenjar was likely one of those who had already lost favour and hoped that they would ever become the Clan leader of Akatsuki.

But he saw a chance that could change his father’s mind. If not as a Clan leader, then to give him a suitable position.

All Atrox felt was pity and amusement. ’...No wonder he’s been disrespecting me all the while... Very stupid though. His father likely let him come here because he was hoping I would kill him and give him a chance to declare war quickly...’

Atrox clasped his hands together. "You want to fight me?"

Svenjar snorted out a laugh. "Yes. I’ve read about your stories, how you have been training since you were a kid and eventually sent to the Rift. How you were victorious there and now you are wearing a crown!

"But to me, you are still a chick, protected behind the walls. Unlike me, who’s a hawk. I’ve been fighting since I was born. Real war. The Clans under the Akatsuki are as stubborn as desert goats. We have to go to war with them all the time. Fights of assassination and such.

"Do you dare compare yourself to me?" Svenjar asked as he looked at Atrox.

Atrox shook his head and said solemnly, "Your strength is what kept you alive."

And Atrox meant it. To him, Svenjar was stupid, and the way he described the Akatsuki territory, it was even more dangerous than the Soryu. The Akatsuki must fight for every resource, and the only way to survive must be through true strength.

For Svenjar to survive for that long must have been the work of his power. He must be really strong. But it must have lowered his intelligence, because his father clearly didn’t value him.

Suddenly Atrox sat up with a frown. ’...Or he’s just the weakest of their young Masters... One of the weakest at least...’

Atrox felt a slight headache coming in when he thought about it. The Akatsuki Clan must be even more difficult than they predicted. He’s not really looking forward to fighting them for now.

Svenjar saw the way Atrox’s expression had soured, and he laughed. "You came to the same realization as well, right? You might be a freed chick now, but you’re still not tempered like I am!"

Atrox frowned. "Is that really why you are here? To fight me?"

Svenjar smiled. "Why else would I be here? You have named yourself as the strongest Errant Knight. It’s only natural that people come and challenge that."

"Ahm... I don’t remember when I proclaimed that." Atrox rubbed his face. His eyes were slightly rimmed with redness, and lines had already formed on his forehead because of all the thinking he’d been doing when he stared at papers. It seems all Atrox had been doing since he took the seat was stare and stare at papers.

Svenjar grunted. "Your deeds have spread far and wide. That of you and your brother!"

Slya snickered and said in a whisper, "Just fight him, Atrox. He’s asking for it."

Tiber shook his head. "It’s beneath a Clan leader to do such. The position you hold, Lord Atrox, is one that must be treated with dignity. Nobody should just come and try to fight you. And besides, we are in a tense position with the Akatsuki. It’s not wise to do anything that might lead to provocation."

Atrox heard them both, and he relaxed. He watched Svenjar, and he frowned even more heavily. "Young Master Svenjar, what will you give me if I win?"

Svenjar blinked. That was something he wasn’t expecting. He stammered, "We... well. What do you want?"

Atrox leaned forward. "The Akatsuki. Tell me about them."

Svenjar flinched, and some of his arrogance slowly melted away. "Although I’m not that smart, one thing has been beaten into my body since I was small: tell no one about the Akatsuki! Anyone that asks about it shouldn’t have the right to know about it then!"

Atrox flashed a smile like a wolf smiling. "Then you really aren’t interested in fighting me. Did I ask you to tell me about your Clan’s secrets? Just how it is. You don’t have to tell me anything that will lead you into trouble.

"Or... are you too afraid?"

Svenjar stiffened. He slowly turned to look at the Master Knight woman, but then his face hardened. "I agree. And if I win, then you must allow yourself to be dragged before my father!"

Atrox smiled. The worry lines on his forehead melted away a little. "I agree, Young Master! How about this? We should do it in three days. I want to make it public. My people haven’t seen me fight, after all."

Svenjar leaped up. "Alright, Clan Leader Atrox! You are the real deal! We will fight with no artifact and enchanted tools! Very well then! I will use your blood to paint my name to the world!"

Then, without regard, he turned and began to walk away. The Master Knight woman, who was behaving so much like a slave, turned to stare at Atrox curiously without expression. Then she too turned and followed him.

Valtor bowed to Atrox, and then he hurried away.

"Why do you do that, my lord?" Tiber asked.

Atrox sighed. "Although I’ve not seen it myself, I have received reports that everyone in my Clan is tense. I will provide them with a little distraction. Besides, it won’t be bad to fight."

"You’ll only be making things worse if you lose," Slya pointed out.

Atrox grumbled, "Do you think I’ll lose, Slya? The strongest Errant Knight? That’s not a bad title. Come, Tiber. Spread the news and create a betting system for this. Let’s make it a festival!"