Reborn as the Last van Ambrose-Chapter 73: He Was Already My Enemy

A week had passed since Liona’s visit. The Ambrose estate already showed signs of repair. Scaffolding climbed the exterior walls, workers cleared overgrown pathways, and the sounds of construction filled the once-quiet grounds.

The tournament, meanwhile, had progressed to the next step. Each day brought new eliminations, new injuries, and occasionally, new deaths. The spectacle had grown more intense with every match, drawing larger crowds and more fervent reactions.

Today, as Grim took his customary place in the competitors’ section, a hush fell over the arena. An announcer stepped to the center of the fighting area, his voice magically amplified to reach every corner of the massive structure.

"Honored guests, noble houses, and citizens of the Empire," he announced, arms spread wide. "We have reached the quarterfinals of the Imperial Tournament!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, stomping feet creating a thunder that Grim could feel through the stone beneath him.

"From 1,024 competitors, only eight remain." The Tournament Master paused for dramatic effect. "32 have paid the ultimate price for glory. 18 suffer injuries that have ended their participation. The rest have surrendered or been defeated."

Murmurs rippled through the audience.

"The format now changes," the Tournament Master continued. "From this point forward, matches will be held one at a time, for all to witness. The quarterfinals will take place in two days, all four matches on a single day. The semifinals will follow two days after that, and the final match two days later."

Grim looked at the remaining competitors, Max Luminaris, the petite girl whose match he watched before, a hooded figure that was large and imposing, and 4 other competitors he wasn’t familiar with.

As the announcement concluded and the crowd began to disperse, Grim made his way toward the exit. His next opponent would be announced tomorrow, giving him a single day to prepare. The thought didn’t concern him. With each match, his connection to Echo had strengthened, and the training regimen. freewebnøvel.com

"Van Ambrose."

The voice stopped him just before he reached the competitors’ exit. Grim turned, unsurprised to find Max Luminaris standing there. Unlike his father, Max preferred to handle confrontations directly. A trait Grim might have respected under different circumstances.

"Luminaris," Grim acknowledged, his tone neutral despite the surge of emotion the name now triggered. A combination of emotions stirred a mix of rage and something more complicated.

Max was dressed impeccably, as always, his tailored garments bearing the Luminaris crest and colors. He was a trained fighter, rumored to be the most skilled of the younger generation of nobles.

"I’ve been meaning to have a word with you," Max said, his voice pitched low enough that nearby competitors couldn’t overhear. "Away from the arena, preferably."

"Say what you have to say," Grim replied, making no move to accommodate the request. "I have matters to attend to."

A flash of irritation crossed Max’s handsome features. "Very well. I’ll be direct. Why was my fiancée at your estate last week?"

[He doesn’t know about the key,] the voice noted. [Interesting that Liona hasn’t shared that information with him.]

Grim allowed a cold smile to touch his lips. "Princess Liona is free to visit whomever she chooses, is she not? Or does your betrothal come with a leash?"

Max’s eyes narrowed. "Don’t play games, Ambrose. You marked my father for death, then entertained private visits from my future wife. If you’re attempting to provoke me, you’re succeeding."

"If I wanted to provoke you, I’d tell you how ok the intimatemoment we shared," Grim said, his tone deliberately goading. "Or how she spoke of lighting memorial lanterns for me year after year. Did she ever light one for you, I wonder? Or were you merely a convenient political arrangement?"

Max’s hand moved to his sword hilt, his knuckles whitening with restrained fury. "You dare..."

"I dare many things," Grim cut him off. "Including speaking the truth that everyone whispers behind your back: House Luminaris rose to prominence over the bones of better families. Your father’s hands are stained with Ambrose blood. And now you seek to legitimize your ill-gotten position by marrying into the royal line."

"You know nothing about my family," Max hissed, genuine hatred burning in his eyes. "The Ambrose legacy is a lie built on ancient superstition and unearned privilege. My father did this empire a service by helping remove your family from power."

[He believes what he’s saying,] the voice observed. [Or has convinced himself of it.]

"Is that the story he tells you?" Grim asked, his own anger rising now. "That House Ambrose deserved destruction? Ask him sometime about Malaxis. Watch his reaction carefully."

A flicker of confusion crossed Max’s face, quickly masked by renewed anger. "More Ambrose nonsense. Mythical beings and conspiracy theories to explain your family’s fall from grace." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Stay away from Liona. Whatever shared history you think gives you claim to her attention is in the past. Her future is with me."

Grim laughed, the sound entirely without humor. "You think this is about Liona? Your family tried to poison me, your father is marked for death, and you’re concerned about your wounded pride?" He shook his head. "Your priorities are as misplaced as your family’s honor."

Something dangerous flashed in Max’s eyes. "The tournament may prevent me from challenging you directly, but there are other ways this can be settled. You won’t always be under the protection of these rules."

"I look forward to the day when rules no longer constrain us," Grim replied, his voice deadly quiet. "But unlike your father, I prefer to handle my affairs face to face, not through poison and shadow games."

A tense silence stretched between them, broken only when another competitor brushed past, heading for the exit.

"This isn’t finished," Max said finally, stepping back. "Not by far."

"On that," Grim agreed, "we are in perfect accord."

As Max turned and walked away, the voice spoke up again.

[That was perhaps unwise. You’ve made a dangerous enemy in a son desperate to protect both his father and his claim to Liona.]

"He was already my enemy," Grim murmured, continuing toward the exit. "And now he knows it."

Behind him, the arena stood empty, waiting for the blood that would flow in two days’ time.

Above, in the royal box where officials still lingered, a pair of eyes had watched the confrontation with growing concern.

Liona turned to her mother. "This is getting out of hand."

"No," Alexia replied, her gaze still fixed on Grim. "This is proceeding exactly as expected."