Chapter 40: A Dream Apart (1)

Only after hearing his father’s words did the memories come flooding back.

Sophia Russell.

The eldest daughter of the Russell Viscount family and Damian Hassen’s former fiancée.

She was so beautiful that no one in the west was unfamiliar with her name.

‘She was too good for me.’

She was a woman that the mere ruffian Damian Hassen had no right to touch.

Nonetheless, the reason Sophia Russell and he were engaged was due to a promise made between their grandfathers.

The previous Viscount Hassen and Viscount Russell had decided to marry their children if they had any.

However, both children born were boys, so their promise was deferred to the next generation.

Thanks to this, Damian Hassen could easily pluck the flower that everyone coveted without much effort.

‘Unlike me, Sophia Russell hated it immensely.’

Sophia Russell did not welcome this engagement.

Damian Hassen had no redeeming qualities and his behavior was despicable.

Thus, even though they were engaged, their relationship did not improve at all.

‘Then, after the death of the previous Viscount Russell... they declared the engagement null and void.’

After the death of the previous Viscount Russell, the Russell family unilaterally announced the annulment of the engagement.

Upon hearing this news, Damian flew into a rage and stormed towards the Russell family.

And what he saw was...

Sophia Russell being affectionate with a stranger.

- Sophia, who is this man who is angry at us?

- He’s the fiancé I mentioned before.

- Oh, that ruffian?

The enraged Damian lunged at the man.

And he was beaten to the brink of death.

- You worthless fool, how dare you attack me?

- I was trying to send you away quietly for Sophia’s sake, but it seems that won’t work.

- I’ll make sure you never show your face to me or Sophia again.

The man was a formidable Low-Class warrior, even at a young age.

Damian Hassen, who could be beaten by ordinary people, was no match for him.

- Damian! What is going on here!

- L-Louise! Bring the potion quickly! Hurry!

Damian’s father confronted the Russell family about the assault on Damian, but received only mocking responses.

- This is all because you failed to educate him properly.

- Even insects know to choose their targets. What confidence did Damian have to attack?

- The thought of almost sending our Sophia to such a family makes my blood boil.

Viscount Hassen, in a fit of anger, wanted to confront the Russell family directly.

But his family dissuaded him, due to Sophia’s new lover.

The Hassen family lacked the ability to handle a powerful Low-Class warrior.

“During the jousting tournament, not only will Sophia Russell be there, but her new lover will also attend. If you see them and can’t control your anger, what will you do?”

His father said this with a serious face.

It wasn’t that they were worried about Damian getting hurt again.

Damian’s skills were such that he could easily kill a mere knight.

That was the problem.

Kill someone at an event hosted by the Copperhead Count?

The Copperhead family wouldn’t let that slide.

“Father, I no longer have any lingering feelings for Sophia.”

In fact, Damian could barely remember Sophia Russell’s face, let alone have any lingering feelings.

“Really?”

“Really. Please believe me.”

This part was true.

“Do you really have the confidence not to cause any trouble?”

“Yes.”

But from here on, it was a lie.

‘How dare he lay a hand on me?’

Even Damian himself knew he wasn’t a good fiancé. Even if he were in her position, he would think the same.

But that was one thing, and this was another.

‘And how dare they insult our family?’

What he couldn’t tolerate was the Russell family’s disrespect towards his father and family.

He couldn’t bear the insult to himself!

He could bear it even less when it came to his family!

For these reasons, Damian planned to bury those two this time.

“Even if I see them, I promise that the situation you’re worried about won’t happen.”

But regardless of his true feelings, he had to lie.

He needed his father’s permission to go to the Copperhead family.

“My dear, if Damian says so, we should believe him.”

“That’s right. Has Damian ever disappointed you recently?”

His mother and sister, who had been watching from behind, chimed in.

With their support, Viscount Hassen had no choice but to relent.

“Fine. I’ll allow you to participate.”

Damian’s face lit up at his father’s permission.

Hanging his arm around Abel’s neck, Damian said,

“Abel, did you hear that? We can go together. Isn’t that great?”

“What’s so great about it! I don’t care if you don’t come!”

“Brat, saying things you don’t mean.”

Viscount Hassen looked at the two brothers with a worried expression.

Unable to bear it, his wife poked her husband’s side and said,

“Really, Damian seems so unreliable to you?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

In response to his wife’s question, Viscount Hassen said with a serious face,

“Damian... hasn’t he become quite famous recently?”

“Yes, every time I go to a gathering, everyone asks about Damian.”

Viscountess Hassen often gathered with other noble ladies to chat.

Through these gatherings, she knew how much of a topic Damian was.

“But he became famous too quickly, and he’s never shown his face at any social events, right?”

“Yes.”

“So, isn’t this his debut?”

“Well, I guess so.”

“Then, won’t the other nobles react?”

“Oh.”

Viscountess Hassen finally understood what her husband was worried about.

* * *

Viscount Hassen immediately sent a letter to the Copperhead family.

The letter congratulated Lady Olivia on her birthday and expressed his desire to participate in the upcoming jousting tournament.

A few days later, the Copperhead family sent a reply welcoming his participation.

Damian Hassen’s participation in the jousting tournament hosted by the Copperhead family!

This news spread rapidly throughout the west.

It didn’t matter who spread it. All eyes in the west were on Damian Hassen.

Recently, whenever the western nobles gathered, they talked about Damian Hassen.

“Did you hear? Sir Damian Hassen is participating in the Copperhead family’s jousting tournament!”

Noble women, whenever they gathered in groups, always talked about Damian Hassen.

“Isn’t Damian Hassen the knight who made the heir of the Lionbloom Marquess family submit without drawing his sword?”

“The heir of the Lionbloom Marquess family is known as a genius among geniuses. To make such a person submit?”

“That’s why it’s so impressive. Isn’t he amazing?”

There was no better topic to excite noble women than a young and capable knight.

“According to the information I gathered, he’s also quite handsome.”

“Oh, my.”

Being handsome only added to the excitement of the noble women, who gossiped about Damian Hassen with great enthusiasm.

“Why didn’t he stay with the Goldpicks Duke family if he’s so excellent?”

“Perhaps it’s because he hasn’t found a lady to whom he can pledge his loyalty. That’s why he’s wandering the world.”

“Oh, my.”

It was a ridiculous fantasy, but it didn’t matter.

The women let their imaginations run wild.

In their fantasies, Damian Hassen had become a lonely and solitary wolf, despite his remarkable abilities.

“So, is the reason he’s participating in this jousting tournament...?”

“No doubt. He’s going to propose to Lady Olivia.”

At the mention of Lady Olivia, the noble women became disheartened.

Olivia Copperhead was a woman of such beauty that she was called the flower of the west.

Add to that the powerful background of the Copperhead family.

She was a woman any knight would desire.

“There’s no guarantee they will become a couple. Don’t we have a chance too?”

At this, the women’s eyes lit up.

“That’s true. You never know how things will turn out.”

“Lady Olivia is beautiful, but she might not be Sir Damian’s type.”

The women began to discuss enthusiastically about how to win over Damian Hassen.

* * *

Of course, not all reactions to Damian Hassen were positive.

“Damian Hassen is participating in the jousting tournament!”

“That ruffian is coming?”

Among the western nobles, many had investigated Damian Hassen and learned about his past.

“Until recently, he was getting beaten up and chased out of taverns.”

“He was even dumped by his fiancée’s family for being beyond redemption.”

“Is it even possible for such a person to defeat the heir of the Lionbloom Marquess family?”

Those who learned about Damian Hassen’s past couldn’t help but doubt whether he was truly an exceptional person.

“We’ll use this opportunity to uncover the truth about him!”

“If he’s a fraud, we won’t let him off!”

Thus, the western nobles began to flock to the jousting tournament.

All because of Damian Hassen.

***

The small town of Rivercross.

A high-end tavern located there.

“Jackson, A~”

A young woman offered a piece of fruit with her fork.

A man with a sharp nose opened his mouth to accept the fruit.

“Mmm, sweet and refreshing. It tastes even better when you feed it to me, Sophia.”

“Oh, you think I’ll be pleased by such a cliché line?”

The woman, Sophia Russell, burst into laughter as she sat on the man’s lap.

“What would you like next? Grapes? Apples? Just say the word.”

“Actually, Sophia, have you heard the news?”

“What news?”

“The Copperhead family is hosting a jousting tournament.”

The man, Jackson Cutter, said. Sophia Russell tried to recall. She thought she had heard the noble women in the city talking about it.

“Oh, I think I’ve heard of it. They’re holding a jousting tournament to celebrate the eldest daughter’s birthday, right?”

“There’s also a rumor that it’s to find a suitor for the eldest daughter.”

“Oh, that’s why so many nobles are gathering at the blacksmiths and tailors.”

Olivia Copperhead.

The eldest daughter of the Copperhead family was known for her exceptional beauty, making her the flower of the west.

Add to that the powerful background of the Copperhead family.

It was a combination any man would desire.

“But why are you talking about another woman in front of me?”

Sophia Russell said with a pout.

Jackson Cutter waved his hands in defense.

“I’m not talking about her. I heard that Damian Hassen is participating in that jousting tournament.”

At this, Sophia Russell’s expression darkened for a moment.

Damian Hassen? She knew only one Damian Hassen.

“Surely... that ruffian is participating in the jousting tournament?”

Sophia Russell’s reaction was one of disbelief.

In fact, until recently, Sophia Russell had completely forgotten about Damian Hassen.

To be precise, she had been trying to forget him. He was that insignificant.

“What, that fraud is participating in a jousting tournament? It’s ridiculous.”

For a while, rumors about Damian Hassen began to circulate.

About how he had defeated a black mage, dismantled a large organization in Landwalk City, and made the heir of the Lionbloom Marquess family submit.

Sophia Russell didn’t believe a single one of these rumors.

Because they were too far-fetched?

Partly, but the main reason was that she knew exactly what kind of person Damian Hassen was.

The Damian Hassen she remembered was a completely insignificant person with no redeeming qualities.

Sophia Russell was certain that Damian Hassen had spread fake rumors.

“Of course, you think so too, right? I feel the same way. When I heard these rumors, I was speechless.”

Jackson Cutter laughed bitterly.

At that moment,

“Ugh, ugh...”

A groan came from the floor. Jackson Cutter looked down.

Surprisingly, more than five burly men were lying on the floor.

The calluses on their palms and the swords at their waists indicated they were not ordinary men.

They were clearly knights.

“You... you bastard...”

One of the knights lifted his head and glared at Jackson Cutter.

“What is this! Why did you attack us!”

“Why did I attack? You were the one who hit on Sophia first.”

Jackson Cutter pulled Sophia Russell closer. Sophia didn’t resist his touch.

“Hit on her? Hit on her?”

The knight ground his teeth.

“What do you mean by hitting on her! I just bumped into her on the street and apologized, that’s all! How is that hitting on her!”

“Sophia, did you hear that? He’s making excuses after deliberately bumping into you?”

“Hmph, it’s even more pathetic that a useless man like him is lying.”

The knight was speechless at their conversation.

“Do you dare to insult me like this? Do you know who I am? I’m from the Dolphin Viscount family...”

“Ah, no need to say. Why would I remember a weakling like you?”

“Hey, weakling? Just because you have a big mouth... ugh.”

Jackson Cutter stepped on the knight’s hand, making him groan.

“You’re a Low-Class warrior, right? The others are squires? You five attacked me, and now you’re being loud? You should be ashamed.”

Jackson Cutter pressed harder on the hand. The knight’s groans grew louder.

“Let me ask you one thing. Do you know who I am?”

“How would I know who you are!”

“Don’t just say that. Look closely. You should recognize me.”

Jackson Cutter grabbed the knight’s hair and lifted his head.

The knight had no choice but to look at Jackson Cutter’s face.

“Let go of me now! I’ll tear you to pieces!”

But the knight only spouted curses and didn’t recognize Jackson Cutter.

Jackson Cutter sighed and let go of the hair.

“Sophia, does this make any sense? No one recognizes me.”

“Jackson... no. That man is just a fool.”

Sophia said with a pitying look.

In fact, Jackson Cutter wasn’t completely unknown. He had a title.

Ogre Slayer.

It was a title given to him for hunting an ogre, known as the King of the Forest, alone.

Hunting a dangerous monster like an ogre alone was a remarkable feat.

However, the title of Ogre Slayer wasn’t very well-known.

Hunting monsters didn’t capture people’s interest.

“Look at Damian Hassen. Unlike me, everyone knows him. They’re talking about him without even knowing who he really is.”

Like Sophia Russell, Jackson Cutter didn’t believe the rumors about Damian Hassen.

He had met Damian Hassen in person.

Not just met, but even fought with him.

“I can’t stand this. I need to talk to my master.”

“What? What do you want to tell him?”

“I need to participate in the jousting tournament. I’ll go there and show everyone how great I am as a knight. And...”

Jackson Cutter’s eyes were filled with determination.

“I’ll show them how worthless Damian Hassen really is.”