Zarin was exhausted after the long trip. Not his body, but his mind. He had never had to endure to just sit on a horse and go on for days. How did people travel like that? He was thankful he could just teleport. If it wasn't for Heaven, he wouldn't be doing all of this, and she didn't even pay attention to him during their journey. She treated him like any other guard.
And then he had to sleep with all the other guards in a strange hall. The beds were so small he could barely sleep. But it didn't matter. Once everyone fell asleep, he decided to leave and see if his plan was successful.
He teleported himself to the most famous brothel. Only wealthy men could afford the prostitutes here, and Zarin had asked for the most expensive one. He was going to offer her to an ancient demon after all.
"Lord Zarin. Welcome." The owner greeted.
"Thank you. Any information." He asked eagerly.
"Rose has completed her mission, and she was successful. He was very pleased and even payed her. A generous amount." The owner told him.
He knew it. That man had no real love for Heaven. He was just using her. He couldn't wait to expose him.
With that information he went back to Valish, feeling relieved that he would get rid of that ancient demon soon. He might have blinded everyone, but not him. He could see through his disguise.
Now sleeping in the small bed felt less uncomfortable.
"Zarin! Zarin! Wake up!"
Annoyed, Zarin opened his eyes. Callum towered over his bed with his serious expression.
"It is morning." He said.
"It is early."
"Guards, wake up early." Callum told him.
Oh, right? He was a guard now. He forced himself out of bed with a yawn.
"We are going to Princess Heaven's room and escort her." Callum explained.
"Where?" Zarin asked.
"Her Highness will fight the most skilled swordsman in Valish. We will escort her to the fighting pit. Many people will be there, so we need to be on our watch and protect her. You demon abilities could be useful."
Zarin was confused. Why would Heaven fight a swordsman?
Getting dressed, he followed Callum and Oliver to where Heaven was staying. They waited outside the room for a while and then Heaven came out dressed in an armor with hair tied up in a ponytail.
"Good morning, Your Highness." Both Callum and Oliver bowed.
Zarin hesitated. Was he supposed to bow?
"Good morning." He greeted, bowing hesitantly.
Heaven smiled at him, amused. He felt silly.
When they started to walk, Zarin hurried to her side. "Why will you fight?" He asked.
"King Rufus promised to trade with us if I defeated his strongest man." She explained.
Zarin wasn't worried, unless the man used some dirty tricks. Heaven would easily defeat him.
When they arrived at the fighting pit, Zarin was surprised by the amount of people who came to watch the fight. King Rufus was sitting separately from the crowd while his guards stood beside him.
When they escorted Heaven inside to the pit, the crowd cheered. Once she was provided with a sword and a shield, they left her side but didn't go far. They stood in a corner, closer to her than anyone else.
The crowd cheered again. This time because the skilled swordsman walked into the pit. He lifted his arms in the air, waving for everyone to keep cheering him on. This man was gloating, but soon he would have his ribs broken. Even breathing would become painful.
Heaven stood confidently, looking relaxed while she waited for him to finish embarrassing himself.
Zarin grimaced thinking of how badly stained this mans reputation would be after this fight. The most skilled swordsman was beaten by a woman.
The man turned to Heaven and showed her with his hand that he would slice her throat. Zarin got extremely annoyed by his behavior. How he would enjoy seeing him get beaten.
And what was he doing now?
He growled and started hitting his chest. The crowd cheered louder.
Really?
Zarin almost rolled his eyes.
He turned to Callum and Oliver. While Oliver seemed excited, Callum just stood with his arms crossed over his chest. But he could see the deadly stare in his eyes.
"You just want to kill him. Don't you?" He asked him.
"He will wish he was dead soon." Callum replied.
The man's name was Brody. The crowd chanted his name as the fight started, but once he missed a strike, the chanting lessened and when he missed three strikes; it became quiet. It looked like he never missed before, but Heaven was smaller and quicker than him. She easily stepped away from each strike with little effort.
Brody frowned. His face hardened. He tightened his grip on the sword and made himself ready to attack, this time showing no mercy. But he could still not even hit her once. Zarin knew Heaven was provoking him on purpose. Warming him up, while entertaining the crowd. She could easily finish him, but there was no fun in that.
Zarin looked up to see where King Rufus sat. He tried to remain calm, but Zarin could see the worry in his eyes. He should not have bargained with a fight.
When Brody became a little tired, Heaven began to attack. Her sword hit his shield with such force that he stumbled a few steps back. Gasps came from the crowd. Brody was shocked, but Heaven didn't give him time to think. She swung her sword at him again and again. Each time hitting the shield harder, causing Brody to crumble to his knees. Heaven stepped back and gave him a chance to get back on his feet.
Zarin knew she could strike the right place if she wanted to. But she had to look human and not expose her power.
Brody was panting. He was baffled by her strength, and now he looked afraid. With one swing of her sword, Heaven knocked the shield out of his hand, while causing him to stumble back again.
More gasps came from the crowd. Everyone watched intently, surprised by this woman beating this skilled swordsman.
Heaven threw away her shield. Now they would only fight with their swords only. Brody became impulsive and started to attack viciously, only tiring himself. After a while Heaven had enough. Stepping away, she went behind him and elbowed him in the back of his neck.
Oliver grimaced. "That looks painful." He said.
Brody lost his balance and fell on his hands and knees. Heaven kicked him in the stomach and he rolled over on his back with a groan. She stepped on the hand in which he held the sword until he released it. Then she kicked the sword away. When he tried to get up, she placed the sharp tip of her blade on his throat.
Zarin wanted to clap, but he wasn't completely satisfied. This man was getting away easily after all the bragging and threats. She could at least cut off his tongue and feed it to him. But Callum was right. A lot of shaming was awaiting him. Humans could be very cruel.