Hero of Darkness

While everyone around him was befuddled, Kahn was inwardly happy because finally, he unveiled all the culprits after his subordinates finally noticed the changes in their faces as soon as he asked to swap positions with Helsi.

Unlike others, these seven people didn't have an expression of surprise but extreme worry since their interests were at stake. Their aghast expressions gave away their involvement in providing Kahn with trash-quality materials.

If Kahn had been hasty, he wouldn't have even been able to find the real culprits. And the biggest one of them all he hadn't even expected.

The first prince Hector was also part of this scheme for some reason.

Kahn quickly racked up his brain and deduced some possible reasons that could've caused the first prince, who was also one of his master's backers to take part in this ploy.

[Don't tell me… he…] thought Kahn and looked towards Throk sitting under a pavilion.

Normal people wouldn't understand the long game. But Kahn certainly did after weighing the benefits Hector could achieve in case Kahn lost the blacksmithing duel.

If he lost, Throk would lose the company and all his assets would be gone as per the bet they made. It was already common knowledge to the whole Vulcan empire at this point.

And because of Kahn's actions a year and a half ago when they orchestrated a plan to take out Rogis, the Second Prince who was now locked up in a cell… allegedly. It involved getting Hector and Venessa backing Throk and becoming his official sponsors.

Just having a Saint Blacksmith at his disposal had already cemented his follower base and helped him gain tremendous support from influential people around the empire.

Hector had already seen through the merits of having a saint blacksmith associated with his force. And in case Kahn lost… Throk would be penniless soon and then won't be able to recover the same level of respect in the field or create another company anytime soon.

Later, Hector could simply extend a helping hand and make Throk work for him instead with the promise of riches or helping him in restoring his lost reputation.

And through planning and schemes, he'd be able to put Throk under his thumb, making him one of his pawns in a few years.

This was the only plausible reason that could explain why someone like the first prince had gotten involved in petty espionage.

Why was Kahn so adamant about this being the main reason?

Because if Kahn was in Hector's position…

He would've done the same.

But before the judges could ask more questions, Kahn quickly turned his gaze and walked towards the direction of a particular person sitting on the platform above the seats for the judges.

Kahn stood in front of the Pope himself and quickly kneeled as he pleaded.

"Your holiness… Only you can bring me justice." he spoke in the voice of a man who had been greatly wronged.

"What do you mean?" asked Demiurge, the pope who was slightly taken aback after being brought into the limelight.

At this moment, Kahn went to the Pope because they were also the part organizers of the duel. But the culprits were Tawerik, the Dwarven Council and the First Prince.

Among all the people present here, the only person who had authority and prestige above them was the Pope himself.

The Dwarven Council had no authority over the people other than the dwarven race while the imperial prince couldn't do anything other than exerting some authority using the imperial clan because of his heritage.

In the Vulcan empire, because of its religious structure, the Pope was only below the Emperor.

Kahn already knew that the Church had nothing to do with this, so they were the best choice to use as a shield and an axe to deal the final blow on his behalf.

"The materials I received in this round have been tampered with." said Kahn in an obedient tone.

"Lies! This human is lying!" suddenly, one of the high elders burst out in rage. Kahn laughed hysterically in his mind.

"This is a big accusation, young man. You better not be messing with us!" said another one of the high elders.

"Prove it." said the Pope with a stern gaze. As if he had no time to spare for any of these small quarrels and had to go somewhere important.

Kahn simply walked towards his end and threw down the container of materials that he was given for this round.

"If the judges would be so kind." said Kahn and looked at the Trinity.

The saint blacksmiths didn't waste another moment and quickly used their auras and senses to quickly check the materials.

Druvagar simply pulled the materials and crushed a few metal ores with his bare hands.

Ivaldi and Fili did the same with the samples and used their respective methods to check their quality.

"These materials have been adulterated. Too many low quality ores have been mixed. Completely unsuitable for forging!" spoke master Fili as he used his saint pressure and turned a block of metals and ores into dust within a few seconds.

Soon, an argument started from the dwarven council and Tawerik's side that it might have happened by mistake for this round.

[Bingo!] said Kahn inwardly and right in front of the whole empire that was watching this current predicament… he walked towards his forging and assembly table.

"Then what about these?" loudly asked Kahn.

One by one, he took out four objects and placed them in front of the tables.

Gasp!

Shock!

The High Elders of the Dwarven Council, Tawerik and his people and even Hector had grim expressions.

Because what Kahn presented in front of the judges at this moment were…

The materials from the first four rounds!

Kahn purposely said that the materials were tampered with for the last round only when he pleased the Pope, knowing that the Dwarven Council would use the most obvious excuse first.

Ivaldi, Druvagar and Fili didn't spare another moment and quickly assessed the quality of these materials too. And instantly, their faces turned furious.

Kahn on the other hand gave a smirk towards Tawerik whose forehead was full of sweat already. This final move was something he already planned ahead.

Because of his meticulous planning from the very first round, all of the conspirators had fallen into his trap.

And now he was awaiting on the most crucial part of the plan that he was expecting…

The Results.