Because of this abrupt duel, the focus of the banquet shifted entirely. Soon, everyone had gathered in the outer courtyard of the estate, forming a circle on the vast lawn to watch.
Sister Helen, as the highest-ranking monastic currently at this Sanctuary district, had been savoring the lingering atmosphere in her cabin, but now she had to painfully apply a healing spell to reduce the swelling and arrive at the scene.
"Has Prince Faust actually come into conflict with Alexander?"
The blonde-haired, golden-eyed nun frowned upon hearing this, not expecting Faust to have stirred up such a major incident without a sound.
Having heard the full description of the events, and given her understanding of the two parties involved, it was undoubtedly Faust who was picking a fight. That went without saying.
"Sister Helen, should we intervene now?"
A Sanctuary monastic asked. As the hosts of the banquet, it was only proper to stop an altercation between important guests, but the status of a 【Brave One】 candidate was not ordinary. They would only dare to suggest intervention if someone of Helen’s level gave the word.
He looked up to observe the nun’s expression and suddenly gave a puzzled "eh."
Why did it seem like there was curved, short fur on Sister Helen’s face?
But in the blink of an eye, Helen gently stroked her cheek, erasing the disharmony on her fair skin, and said indifferently:
"Forget it. Since it has already developed into this situation, we can only maintain order for the duel. Fortunately... this is the direction we had hoped for all along."
Strictly speaking, as the host, she should have stopped the premature struggle between the candidates, as it was far too unstable. However, out of her own bias toward Faust, Helen did not intend to ruin the prince’s fun.
With the directive given by their leader, the staff of the Sanctuary district began to formally intervene to maintain order.
Before stepping onto the dueling ground, Faust had a brief chat with the maidens.
The beautiful girl with long, straight black hair smiled at the prince:
"A duel for my sake? I never thought I would get to enjoy such treatment."
Faust pressed a hand to his chest and bowed: "After all, I am still your guardian knight; that has never changed."
"Hmm... that’s not the only reason, is it?"
Selena nodded with satisfaction and smiled.
Just as the prince of Qingxi was pondering, Viviana pulled up her hood and explained for Faust:
"I think, Your Highness simply does not allow others to covet his women. Whoever dares to take an extra look, he will dig out their eyes and break their legs. The flesh and blood, soul and spirit of a lover are treasures that belong exclusively to one another. He will never forgive anyone who violates this law!"
No, Vivian, it’s fine that you’re making things up for me, but why is it getting so exaggerated? Do you really see me as that kind of person in your heart?!
Well... actually, that’s not entirely wrong.
The prince’s gentleness was reserved only for those close to him, but for enemies, one had to adopt the tactics of a strong team.
Take the initiative, step on their heads, bully them, and establish authority. Any existence that dared to bare its fangs or hiss at him would have its spine shattered!
Having spent too much time with the witches, he had truly forgotten that his own nature was to be an absolute overlord.
Thinking this, Faust nodded: "...That’s about right."
"Although it’s still a bit strange, I prefer to think that you just don't like the look of him, or you're in a good mood and want to vent. Regardless... I am very happy. This is a reward for the warrior before the battle."
Selena reached out to wrap her arms around Faust’s neck, pulling him toward her to kiss his cheek.
Viviana’s face, always melancholic and quiet, also lifted, and she pursed her lips as she said:
"Me too, Your Highness. Although I should be acting as your most loyal guard to block any challenges for you, at this moment, I wish to be protected by you. Please forgive my selfishness."
"Kiss me, and I’ll forgive you."
Such a request was essentially a reward, and the light-blonde girl immediately left a lipstick mark on Faust’s other cheek.
Alexander was already standing at the other end of the courtyard, the strangely shaped broadsword at his waist shimmering with a primitive, faint light.
Gems of various colors floated slowly near the hilt, like a ring of miniature stars rotating silently around the blade.
He stood with his arms crossed, watching as Faust received kisses from Selena and Viviana on both sides, his bronze-colored face filled with suppressed anger.
He did not understand.
It was supposed to be a perfectly normal introduction, so why had it devolved into a duel?
He had done nothing wrong, so why was he being so distorted by the other party? And those two women, who seemed so elegant and rational, why would they indulge such a... such an unreasonable man?
He watched helplessly as Faust finished his pre-battle encouragement and took his position at the other end of the plaza.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Prince Faust."
Alexander gripped the 【Blade of Praising Gods】 and said:
"Before we begin, I must clarify. Perhaps I do not have as much experience on the path as you, but I have been fortunate enough to gain the recognition of an artifact from the Age of Gods, thereby achieving great merit."
"My divine artifact can absorb stored 【hymns】 to grant myself various blessings."
Telling one's tactics and techniques before a duel was the standard style of an occult noble.
How many days have you been in the occult noble circles? You’ve already learned the rules so thoroughly?
Faust could not help but sigh at how warm the embrace of the occult noble circle was; no matter what one’s background was, joining it meant immediate assimilation.
Since the other party had made an introduction, Faust naturally would not be rude.
The prince of Qingxi drew his sword, and clear, golden thunder wrapped around it, instantly condensing into a sword-spear with the blade as its core.
"I use a unique thunder spell, one granted by the blessing of a fairy. In addition, it also incorporates the techniques and experience of the White Court martial saint."
"A fairy's blessing... and a White Court martial saint..."
Although not as exaggerated as an artifact from the Age of Gods, this combination was enough to prove that Faust’s strength was not merely for show.
Alexander took a deep breath, then held up the 【Blade of Praising Gods】 and shouted:
"I praise... the heroic soul!"
Accompanying a suddenly erupting, impassioned hymn, a bright red gem stopped its floating state and instantly merged into the hilt.
"Boom——"
The primitive-looking broadsword underwent a drastic change; the blade widened slightly, revealing a groove engraved with mysterious runes.
A flood of magic power, red as fire, washed into the groove, flowing as if it were physical.
And Alexander’s own aura surged, exploded, and increased in intensity along with the transformation of the blade!
One second he was a common farm youth, and the next, he was a terrifying, pure warrior.
【Heroic Hymn: By chanting this hymn, the holder will attain the form of a warrior favored by the gods. Their physique, magic power, and techniques will all be elevated to the level of a legendary hero.】
【Faust, with your current standard strength, I have a feeling you are going to take a heavy hit...】
Before Mephistopheles could finish his explanation, Alexander moved.
He sank his knees and exerted force at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
"Bang——"
A dull explosion erupted as the ground beneath Alexander cracked. He charged in front of Faust and struck down with all his might.
Faust, who was essentially half a 【martial saint】, reflexively raised his hand to block.
The sparks created by the longsword and the sword-spear were incredibly bright as they clashed.
One weapon was an artifact from the Age of Gods, and the other was a blessing from a fairy. In terms of rank, the former was undoubtedly a tier higher. Alexander had more than just that advantage, and Faust knew it the moment they clashed.
The opponent’s stats were higher than his own.
Rate on N.U.
