Chapter 650: Chapter 651: The Damon Way
The streets of Valerion were packed with onlookers as a path was opened in the center, knights acting as living barriers to keep the crowd off the broad road.
The sounds of hooves striking against cobblestone echoed through the air. Banners flew high, and hovering above were large floating pavilions, each pavilion reserved for a great house.
Surrounding these pavilions were knights mounted on flying beasts.
Large wyverns with wings that cast immense shadows circled the sky, alongside Pegasi and mighty griffins.
Each house had their own guardians, and higher still were great marvels of magical technology.
Airships floated in the clouds, releasing confetti and flower petals that rained down on the city.
The crowds on the streets chanted and screamed as a massive parade of warriors and knights marched proudly, their bright ceremonial armor glittering beneath the sun.
The flags of the great Valtheron Empire rippled in the wind.
However, none of these sights could compare to the figure leading the vanguard.
His steed was a powerful beast with silver fur, its hooves striking the cobblestone with thunderous rhythm, its horns glowing faintly yet menacingly. His features were hidden behind a dark hood.
Yet all eyes were drawn to this unknown, mysterious figure. His dark armor seemed to devour the light of the sun itself, and dark shadows surrounded him on all sides, following like a tide.
Where he passed, the screaming crowd of men, women, and children fell silent, caught between dread and awe. The world around him seemed solemn.
It was as if no one dared to make a sound when the tide of shadows swept past.
This darkness was not alone. As soon as he and the tide passed, a beautiful armored lady glowing in golden light rode on her steed, followed by knights carrying the banners of House Brightwater.
Only after they had passed did the screams of excitement resume.
Damon chuckled under his hood, his lips curling mischievously.
’I knew it was a great idea to use shadow control to aura farm...’
’It added to my mystic... yeah, hehehe, perfect. This is perfect... and to make myself even more mysterious, I’ll use shadow armor to make it look like my armor is alive.’
He held tightly onto the reins of his silver steed.
’I can’t wait to see how my images go down in the papers...’
Behind him, Evangeline did not know what frivolous thoughts were running through his head. Surely, he was treating this as seriously as he needed to. This was, after all, a great honor.
However, she was about to be disappointed.
While others may have considered this a sacred honor, Damon... did not. He was... well, there was no need to say it at this point.
The grand parade was a ceremonial event, and the only ones who joined were the people of Valtheron, nobody else.
The parade would stop at the area where the war games would take place, where everyone who wasn’t from Valtheron would already be waiting.
Damon was supposed to go through the grand square, passing beneath a large structural arc that resembled the teleportation gates. But after reaching it, Damon suddenly frowned.
The journalists didn’t really get a good enough image of him.
"They only got my right side... I need images of my left."
He decided to go one more round.
"I know what type of man you are. Don’t even think about it..."
Evangeline’s cold voice rang from behind him.
He cleared his throat slightly.
"What... I was heading to the arena... after one more round."
He suddenly felt a coldness from the visor of her helm pressing on him, which made him clear his throat again.
"Then I realized that was a waste of my time. That’s why I was actually heading to the arena."
Her presence lingered close behind him, her gaze sharp even through her helm.
"Now beat it, you’ll get in my shot."
She rolled her eyes beneath her helm.
"You’re the one who told me to give you a light."
He pulled the reins firmly, guiding his steed amid the cheers of the crowd.
"Now I’m telling you to screw off. You’re no longer needed here."
Evangeline gritted her teeth but held her silence. She didn’t want to cause a scene in front of so many witnesses, though she felt helpless.
"Why... why are you like this?"
Damon paid her no mind. Since he wasn’t going for another round, he might as well make a flashy entrance at the arena.
He was sure all the foreign nobles, royals, and dignitaries were already seated, waiting for the host nation.
Damon placed his hand on his chest, puffing out slightly.
"I have to show off for the glory of the empire... It’s not because I enjoy this... I do it for the people."
Evangeline could hear his muttering. She felt like crying, but all she could do was beg the goddess he didn’t go too far overboard.
All he had to do was go to the center of the arena, dismount, and raise the flag of the empire. That was all.
Damon raised his hand as soon as he reached within range of the arena. His eyes gleamed beneath the hood.
"I’ve never used my shadow control skill to its full potential... I think today is that day."
Those who were present would remember this day as the day shadows rose to the sky.
From every corner within the reach of Damon’s shadow perception, which stretched several kilometers at full output, he called upon all shadows.
From the crowd, gasps erupted. Some scrambled in fear, nearly causing a stampede.
The shadows flowed past the pavilions and through the knights until they formed towering black structures that reached for the heavens.
Damon’s head buzzed. His soul ached. His nose bled. His body felt faint.
But it was a small price to pay.
When his lone steed walked through the walls of shadows that blotted out the sun and covered the wide area of the arc entrance, the world seemed to hold its breath.
All eyes were fixed on the lone figure, mounted on his silver steed, standing beneath the flying flag of Valtheron.
The people of Valtheron were awed into silence. The crowd of onlookers, both locals and foreigners, were entranced as the shadows slowly faded, leaving Damon’s figure standing tall before the assembled military.
What... what a show of power.
Clap... clap...
The citizens of Valtheron were moved to tears.
Cheers erupted.
Damon stood with his face covered in blood, but it was all worth it, for no one saw his true face under the hood.
He was still mysterious.
Evangeline shook her head dejectedly. He had completely gone against ceremony, culture, and years of tradition.
Yet everyone seemed impressed.
"Why... why do you always do this to me... ahhh."