Chapter 369 From the past 4
"It is over."
As those words left Callius' mouth, everyone who was watching the scene couldn't help but admire the resolution he had shown.
The way that duel progressed made the previous one fall short, as the name Lucius Montgomery was already forgotten.
No words left their mouth; they simply watched everything in a daze. Even the words that were spoken by Callius seemed to enter from one ear to another.
They only had one thing in their minds.
'Overwhelming.'
The sword that had just moved was almost perfect, completely destroying the opponent and not giving him a chance. Even some of the talent recruiters for Sword Families couldn't utter a word.
"Grr…."
The young senior, kneeling on the floor, gritted his teeth.
"Y-you…."
The pain on his shoulder was evident from his face, as the sword Callius was holding was still there.
That was the same for Emma, Celia, and a newly arrived tanned girl who was watching the scene with a clear smirk on her face. Her pitch-black eyes contained a clear desire locked at the boy as a small droll was slipping from her mouth.
"Eren Morton." Callius slowly pulled his sword back as he recited his opponent's name. "Will you acknowledge it on your own, or should I expose it?"
The meaning behind his words was evident, and from the expression on Eren's face, it seemed he understood it as well.
Eren Morton, now aware of his vulnerable position, looked up at Callius. The pain in his shoulder seemed to pale in comparison to the humiliation he was enduring. He was caught in a dilemma, torn between preserving his pride and revealing the truth.
Sweat trickled down his forehead as he grappled with his options. He had a reputation to uphold, a name to defend, and, most importantly, a society to which he belonged.
Admitting defeat and acknowledging Callius was a bitter pill to swallow, especially after the arrogance he had displayed earlier.
However, he wasn't blind to the potential repercussions if he chose to remain silent. He knew how Callius Augustride before him handled things and how much more of a humiliation he would need to endure.
'He is good with words.'
Let alone swords, magic, or other things, the most important aspect of Callius right now was how he used his words to instigate people and change their whole perspective.
"Eren Morton," Callius spoke again, the weight of his words hanging in the air, "make your choice."
The thought of refuting him didn't even cross Eren's mind for a second as his eyes briefly locked on those burning crimson eyes for a second.
FLINCH
Chill enveloped his whole body as the wound on his shoulder hurt more and more. It was as if his whole body was screaming at him not to go against this person before him, and even more, he could swear he saw the silhouette of a dragon behind him for a second.
In the silence that followed, the spectators sensed the impending revelation. The tension was palpable, the atmosphere thick with curiosity and anticipation. What could be so significant that Eren was willing to risk his pride to keep it hidden?
Eren clenched his jaw, a battle waging within him. Then, as if surrendering to the inevitable, he let out a defeated sigh. The truth was a heavy burden, and he knew he could no longer carry it alone.
"Fine," Eren muttered, his voice laced with frustration. "I'll acknowledge it."
The words sent a ripple through the crowd. Whispers and gasps spread like wildfire as the truth hung in the air, waiting to be revealed.
"Eren Morton," Callius said, addressing the onlookers, "admits that he and his club, [Sharpened], cheated during this duel. They manipulated the conditions to gain an unfair advantage."
The revelation was like a shockwave. Gasps and murmurs erupted, disbelief written on the faces of those present.
Eren's face contorted with anger and shame, exposed in a way he had never anticipated.
But Eren swallowed his pride, finding the courage to continue. He didn't do it for the sake of himself but for the sake of his family.
"And that's not all. The bracelet I used was altered. My strength wasn't fully limited."
The words hung in the air like a heavy fog, spreading through the crowd. Shock and disbelief now mingled with outrage. The truth was a bitter pill for the spectators to swallow. Eren had not only cheated in a duel but also tainted the integrity of a renowned event.
In fact, people who knew how the swords worked and who were familiar with the noble circle knew this fact firsthand, but they were waiting and bidding their time to use this fact for later times.
However, with Eren's revelation, their plans crumbled slightly. There were still some those who wished for a piece of that cake.
In the midst of the rising uproar, a courageous voice emerged from the crowd, seeking clarity amidst the chaos.
"Will the Horton Family take responsibility for these actions?" a stern voice demanded.
Eren Morton, although cornered and exposed, held on to his last shred of pride. "This has nothing to do with my family. I acted on my own accord," he retorted, his voice strained with frustration and humiliation.
Of course, that wasn't all there to it. Some of the people in the crowd immediately recognized the two beautiful girls standing there watching the scene. And, immediately, they smelled the opportunity.
Callius was one of them.
"Are you sure? Doesn't the Norton Family serve under the Augustride Family?" Callius asked, his gaze turning to the crimson-haired girl in the crowd. "Shouldn't we ask the lady of the Augustride Family?"
Looking for it like that, both Emma and Celia could see the smirk on Callius' face as if he won the battle. Emma knew the Horton family was linked with hers. Thus, she understood she needed to step up. Even though she was not the type to engage in political conversations and hated them, she had the necessary education from the start.
"Sigh….This will get troublesome…" Emma mumbled as she raised her head and fixed her posture. All of the eyes were now on her, and she was feeling a different type of pressure for the first time.
"Indeed," Emma began, her voice unwavering but tinged with discomfort.
'Remember the times of the past; don't show any weakness, Emma.' She repeated to herself inside as her brain worked rapidly, trying to come up with words.
"As an individual representing the Augustride Family, I must emphasize that Eren Morton's actions were his own and do not represent the values or intentions of our family."
Eren shifted uncomfortably, realizing the gravity of the situation. He was being publicly abandoned by his own aristocratic connections.
"Will you intervene?" Celia asked Emma with a look of understanding, her voice a tiny whisper.
"I need to."
"I see…Good luck then."
Emma continued her words not as polished but carrying authority. "Our family believes in the principles of fairness, honor, and integrity. However, Mr. Morton's actions go against these principles, and as an individual, he won't be supported by the Augustride Family in this matter."
The audience listened intently, absorbing the implications of Emma's words. Eren, on the other hand, felt a cold realization settle within him. His actions had isolated him, severing ties that once held promise and privilege.
As his eyes turned to the person who put him in this position, he was met with cold crimson marbles locked on the crimson-haired girl.
The two were in a staring contest, completely regarding him.
"I knew you would speak like that." Eren picked up the words from Callius's mouth as he mumbled silently. Then, those cold eyes turned back at him, peering right through his face.
"How does it feel, Eren Morton…..Being completely abandoned by your owner…"
He was now an abandoned dog, and he realized that immediately, the coldness of the world hitting him up. However, that wasn't all.
Suddenly, he felt an immense amount of bloodlust and killing intent directed at him, his body shivering in response. Before, his face was the one he once looked down on and mocked,? blood-colored crimson eyes locked at him.
"Don't worry, though; this is just the beginning... I will make sure you and those who disregarded me will eat the dirt in their lives….." With each of his words, chill crept upon him as he felt himself getting smaller and smaller.
"Make sure to tell this to that woman…..Next time I meet her, she will bleed….."
Silence fell over the crowd as the weight of Emma's declaration settled. The Sword Parade, once a stage of competition and honor, had now become a platform for exposing deceit and upholding the values of true nobility.
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