Chapter 57: 57 Duel (2)
"Well if he told no lies then he must have a bit of confidence the information he could give us would be worth the bet. Some might see arrogance in his actions but I know the difference between that and confidence. His tone, his eyes tell so much that what he offers is of equal value." said the Duke as he watched his friend step forward to face the young Baron.
"I see, it seems I have been short sighted my lord." said the Damsel but there was something in her mind she wanted to say but was scared to speak out.
"You want to ask if I will honor my words should he win do you not?" said the Duke knowing the thoughts of his subject." I will still follow through as it would be interesting to see a knight defeat a man blessed by the lady herself." a smile escaped the mouth of the Duke thinking of the possibility of someone strong appearing in their Great Kingdom.
"But my lord, he might have been hired by the Elector Count of Marienberg to do this. He might be an enemy so why should we give him what he wants, he might have even staged this crowd to humiliate us my lord." Said the Damsel as she felt it was suspicious rumors already spread around making it hard for the Duke to refuse the challenge.
"The rumors spread is of no consequence, even if he wins we lose nothing. We have already retrieved what we came here for anyway, better that a Brettonian force us out of here rather than some wanna-be Emperor." The Duke was happy as he could not pull his forces out for no reason as he did not want his name be tarnished.
Some might start rumors if he went away just in time when another Elector Count declared himself to be Emperor and it was in Middenheim too which was very close for comfort for the Duke. He was a Brettonian Lord and he cared much for his image, holding Marienberg would be hard knowing the citizens were quite dissatisfied with their presence here.
"I do not understand My lord, sure we have finished what we are doing but we could still gain more for the Duchy if we hold this city for a few years." The Damsel was confused as she could only think of the various resources they could get using the ships and the trade routes available here in Marienberg.
"Resource, we have lots of those and we are currently not lacking any of it. Besides, even if we lose which I hardly could see but the possibility is still there. There is no way this young man here doesn't know of the strength a Grail Knight entails. But I still agreed, what would people of the Empire feel when their city was captured by Brettonians and was saved by a Brettonian?" the Duke chuckled as he finished speaking then focused on the two combatants drawing their sword. He was surprised at the large sword drawn by Mark.
The Damsel beside him was thoughtful at first but she was able to guess what her Lord was thinking. But before she could ask for confirmation of her guesses she was also stunned at the large Broad sword Mark drew out. She thought that the large cloth covered sword behind him was large but not that large. (A/N: That's what she said… to my flat screen TV, what you thought of something else there mate?)
[Mark's POV]
"Your big." I said to the 7'3" knight in full armor in front of me." But I've fought bigger." no I did not but I just wanted to sound cool. But he Minotaur is indeed larger than the guy in front so it could be technically true.
"I see." Quite soft spoken isn't he? But his stance is the real deal, he seemed to have a relaxed posture standing there but I could feel he has everything covered.
"A little warning, I know how to use magic so stay alert." I did not want to come out as a cheater if I said this too late and I could see the guy tense as well as take a more serious posture in front of me.
"Quite naïve to say your cards in front of an opponent." Said the guy but I just shrugged.
"I'd rather lose a duel knowing I did it with no trickery and deceit, than win the duel tricking an honorable knight such as you." I said it a very serious face but deep inside I'm cringing at how much of an eight-grade line I just said.
"It seems you really take me seriously kid, I was beginning to think you were crazy for challenging the Duke. And for that I will face you with all I have, En Garde!!" the Grail Knight made the first strike as he closed the distance between us.
*Clang!!* the sound of our swords clashing was heard all over the street which made the people watching become quiet as they watch us fight. Even with a larger sword made of titanium alloys I could still feel the heaviness of the Knights strike.
I parried as well as make a counter attack in a split second which was deflected by me adversary. I went for a relentless assault as I wanted to tire my enemy out but it was made aware to me how my strength was ahead and my speed ahead of my enemy but the sheer difference in skill made me realize how f*cked up this world is.
I am already in peak human strength with over two tons of lifting strength and fast reflexes yet here I am fighting toe to toe against a knight that was given power by a goddess. And to think there was a possible hundreds of these guys in Brettonia alone, each country or faction has things made to fight these guys.
He could just imagine a hundred of these guys leading a charge towards enemy lines with horses specially bred to become their steeds. Hundreds of Duper soldier level knights, sure Captain America might be able to beat some but against a dozen of these even he might fall under their sword.
Mark was sweating hard as he fought to match the ferocity of the knight in front of him. As times goes by the audience were gobsmacked at the speed our swords clashed against each other's. It was then I realized this was a chance for me, so I slowly observed and slowly improve my swordsman ship as I fought with the man before me.
Not once have we gotten a wound or anything but our swords told the intense battle we were having. Just with my peak human physique it is indeed hard to fight a knight of this level but I knew if there were any cases that I might not be able to use the Omnitrix then practical skills like these could be essential.
I observed every small movement he made, every step he did and adjustments in his posture which made his sword as dangerous as it is. I was locked in a trance as we danced in the middle of the street with our blades aiming to defeat the other.
I might have said I know how to use magic but this is a rare occasion I could fight a man with such skills so I am making sure to use this opportunity as much as I can. What seemed like hours were only about ten minutes of use fighting but that ten minutes made the audience silent in awe.
[Third person POV]
The Duke was silent as well as his entourage, even the commoners all around was silent too as the clashing of swords rang in the street. People unconsciously widened the field where the two warriors battled.
They were mesmerized by this dance between two warriors, a dance of death which could lead into a fatal fate. But as what thought to be a crude and brutish by most, became graceful and eye-catching to the two knights. Their hearts stopped in their throats as the two who fought non-stop separated from each other.
"Let's bring this up a notch!" Mark shouted as he poured mana into his sword, something he learned to do with studying how me could manipulate man using the Mana arrow skill. This was only reinforcing the sword making it stronger and sharper but it was enough for Mark.
"Agreed, may the Lady guide my sword!! Let me strike with true and judge my foe if he may be worthy!" The Grail Knight said as he placed his sword in front of him as he chanted his prayer. Soon his sword gained a golden hue as he charged towards Mark who also answered with equal valor.
Soon their fight made the place look crowded, even the roof tops were full of people wanting to see the duel. Most fights would have ended by now with one getting exhausted but never have they seen such two relentless monsters in human form.
[Duke of L'Anguille POV]
'Praise the Lady!! We have a warrior worthy of Brettonia'a name!!' The Duke was so excited inside as he watched the fight of Mark and his friend. He knew that even in the ranks of Grail Knights his friend was one of the best there is.
"By the Lady!! He has magic in his veins!!" The Damsel was also stunned as she thought of how this boy was not discovered by her sisters seeing the pure magic pulsating within the young man.
"*sigh* It seems the young blood of this generation has made a mountain too high for the others to climb. Even my son that is just a bit older is no match against this young man in battle." The Duke smiled as he could feel no dark powers at the presence of Mark. This meant that the monstrous strength he has was something he only have.
Only he could see the fact that his friend is outmatch in speed and strength, just the years of experience is keeping him on his toes yet that was beginning to wane as the skills of the young man was getting polished as time passes by. Every strike and every slash was getting sharper by the minute.
"What a monster, it seems we have to move out soon. Haha…" The Duke chuckled as he waved for the captain of the guards and whispered in his ear. The guard captain's face was shocked but he still nodded and left after taking a small complicated look towards Mark.
"So we will leave just like that my lord?" the Damsel also knew what he whispered as she could see Mark gaining the advantage slowly in the battle.
"I am still a man of my words, and besides it is worth it being able to meet his young lad." The Duke smiled as he could see his friend even struggling. But a Grail Knight is his friend was so the fight still went on.
"At least I could get out of this place and go back home. This way the Elector Count will be indebted to the young man, not some Emperor candidate wanting to gain the favor of the Baron of Westerland."
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