Reborn as the Last van Ambrose

The royal box fell silent as the last echoes of the crowd’s reaction faded. Empress Alexia remained seated, her expression carefully neutral despite the spectacle they had just witnessed. Chancellor Levenhart stood at her right hand, while Marcus was to her left.

"That was... excessive," Marcus said finally, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "A display of power that borders on sedition, given how close that attack came to Your Majesty."

"I believe it was a message," Chancellor Levenhart observed. "One delivered with typical Ambrose subtlety. Which is to say, none at all."

Empress Alexia’s delicate fingers tapped once on the armrest of her throne-like chair. "It was certainly effective as such," she replied, her voice betraying nothing of her thoughts. "He wishes us to know that he has mastered his great grandfather’s technique."

"And that he has no intention of adhering to tournament etiquette," Marcus added, his voice hardening. "Death is permitted, yes, but there is an understood code of conduct. One does not simply... butcher an opponent like livestock."

"The Ambrose clan never cared much for codes of conduct. It only changed after Caius died." Levenhart said with a slight curl to his lip. "It seems Grim upholds that tradition, if nothing else."

"He’s here to reclaim what he believes is his," Liona said. "And to settle old scores."

A moment of silence followed her words as the implications settled over the group.

"Then his timing could not be worse," Chancellor Levenhart said grimly. "With the tensions between the houses already near breaking point...."

"Dangerous enough to justify intervention?" Marcus asked, his meaning clear.

The Empress’s gaze shifted to the arena floor below, where servants were still cleaning the blood and remains of Jin Tao. "Not yet. Let him play his game for now. The tournament continues as planned."

Liona took a step forward. "Mother," she said, her voice steady but intent. "Give me the key."

All eyes turned to her in surprise.

"Absolutely not," Chancellor Levenhart objected immediately. "The royal vault key is not to be—"

"Not that key," Liona interrupted, her eyes never leaving her mother’s. "The other one."

Understanding passed between mother and daughter, a communication beyond words. The Empress’s face revealed nothing, but something shifted in her eyes. freewёbnoνel.com

"He is dangerous, Liona," she said quietly. "More dangerous than you realize."

"Grim won’t harm me," Liona insisted with absolute certainty. "And I need to see it for myself. Before things progress further."

"I must advise against this, Your Majesty," Marcus interjected. "Whatever the princess is requesting—"

"Your advice is noted, Lord Luminaris," the Empress cut him off smoothly. Her attention remained fixed on her daughter. After a long moment, she reached for a thin chain around her neck, hidden between her beasts. From it hung a small golden key in the shape of a sword.

She lifted the chain over her head and held it out to Liona. "Use it wisely," she cautioned as her daughter accepted the key. "And remember that knowledge, once gained, cannot be unlearned."

"I understand," Liona replied, closing her fingers around the key. She bowed slightly to her mother before turning to leave the royal box.

As she departed, Marcus turned to the Empress, his expression troubled. "What exactly have you just authorized?"

"The pursuit of truth," Empress Alexia replied enigmatically. "Something we may all need more of before this tournament reaches its conclusion."

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Lianna found Grim in one of the private preparation chambers reserved for top-ranked contestants. He had changed out of his blood-spattered white robes and into a simple dark black outfit. Echo lay before him on a wooden table as he methodically cleaned the blade, though no trace of blood remained visible on its gleaming surface.

"You know you just made yourself the most discussed man in the Empire," she said by way of greeting, closing the door behind her.

"Good," Grim replied without looking up from his work. "Saves me the trouble of making a formal announcement."

Lianna rolled her eyes, taking a seat across from him. "And what did you announce, exactly, besides your flair for the dramatic?"

"That I’m not here to play political games," Grim said, holding Echo up to the light to inspect its edge. "That I’m not bound by the same artificial constraints as the rest."

"And that you’re willing to split a man in half in front of thousands of witnesses," she added dryly. "Including the Empress herself."

A ghost of a smile crossed Grim’s face. "A beneficial side effect."

Lianna watched him for a moment, noting the careful precision of his movements, the practiced ease with which he handled the sword. He had changed in more ways than just physically, she realized. The reckless boy she had known had been replaced by something more controlled, more deliberate. And yet undeniably more dangerous.

"What’s your next move?" she asked finally.

Grim sheathed Echo with a soft click. "To collect a debt that I’m owed."

"From your duel, yes," Lianna nodded, understanding immediately.

As they spoke, Grim’s thoughts drifted momentarily to his real purpose in returning to the Empire. The tournament was merely a means to an end. A way to announce his presence publicly while establishing his position among the elite fighters of the realm. And to gain his desire made real by the Empress

"You’ve gone quiet," Lianna observed, studying his face. "What are you really planning, Grim?"

He met her gaze steadily. "To finish what my great grandfather started."

"And what would that be?"

"Hunting down Malaxis," he said simply.

Lianna’s expression changed, a mix of shock and concern. "The shadow mage? The one from the old stories? You can’t seriously believe—"

"He’s real," Grim cut her off. "And he’s here, in the Empire."

"How could you possibly know that?"

Grim’s face darkened. "Because he’s wearing my father’s body like a suit."

The statement hung in the air between them, heavy with implication. Lianna stared at him, clearly trying to determine if he was joking. When she realized he wasn’t, her hand instinctively moved to the small dagger at her belt.

"That’s... not possible," she said finally. "Your father died twelve years ago. Everyone knows that."

"Everyone is wrong," Grim replied flatly. "I saw it happen. Watched Malaxis take control during that last confrontation. My father’s body lives, but his mind is trapped while Malaxis contorls his body."

Lianna leaned back in her chair, processing this revelation. "So that’s why you returned. Not for the tournament, not for your inheritance, but for... revenge?"

"Justice," Grim corrected. "And to finish what Caius couldn’t."

"And you think you can stop him?" Lianna asked, incredulity clear in her voice. "If your great grandfather couldn’t—"

"Caius came close," Grim said. "But, i need to learn the rest of his Sword Dao’s if i want to crush him."

Grim turned to face her, his expression grim but determined. "He’s been hiding in the shadows for too long. It’s time to bring this fight into the light."

Lianna rose as well, moving to stand before him. "You’re playing a dangerous game, Water Boy. You havent mastered the techniques, but you want tondraw him out."

"You didn’t witness what I did. My Master used Aurora Flash Sword Dao, and he almost killed Malaxis. But being the Last Ambrose with their mind intact. It’s up to me to end it."

"Besides, it’s the only game that matters," he replied softly. "Everything else... The tournament, the politics, the grudges between houses... It’s all meaningless if Malaxis succeeds in his plans."

"And what exactly are his plans?"

Grim’s eyes met hers with an intensity that made her almost step back. "To end the empire, and end the Ambrose Line."

Before Lianna could respond, a tournament official appeared at the door, announcing that the next round of matches had been scheduled. Grim would face his next opponent tomorrow at midday.

As the official departed, Lianna placed a hand on Grim’s arm. "If what you’re saying is true—"

"It is."

"—then you can’t face this alone," she finished.

Grim studied her for a long moment. "I never planned to face him alone," he said finally. "That’s why I’m here. To gather allies for the true battle ahead."

"And am I one of those allies?" Lianna asked, a challenge in her voice.

A small smile touched the corner of Grim’s mouth, the first genuine one she’d seen since his return. "That depends. Can you still control those flames of yours without burning down the entire palace?"

Lianna’s answering smile was equally genuine. "Better than you can control that mouth of yours, Water Boy."

As they stood there, the weight of what lay ahead settled between them. Not just the tournament, but the greater, darker battle that loomed on the horizon. A battle that had begun generations ago and now fell to them to finish.

"Tomorrow, then," Grim said. "One match closer to my real target."

"Tomorrow," Lianna agreed. But as she turned to leave, her expression sobered. "Just remember. If Malaxis truly wears your father’s face, are you prepared to do what might be necessary?"

Grim’s answer was simple but weighted with twelve years of preparation.

"I am."