Chapter 264: Were You Impressed?

"I'm not interested..." 

Moulin's eyes narrowed. His tone was harsh and filled with ice. As he turned his head, the conversation ended before it has even started. 

Not expecting the abrupt refusal of the person in his eyes, Verun face was as blank and as pale as a sheet of paper. Marlov could only clear his throat as he suppressed the urge to comfort his foolish son. Well, his son doesn't stand a chance against the High Lord no matter how competitive Verun is anyway. Even if he tried, he would only walk down a painful road. With a sigh, he raised an eyebrow at his disappointed son, who finally snapped out from his daze. 

The two warriors smiled awkwardly as they shifted their attention elsewhere. Honestly, did they even have to witness the heir's shamefulness? They could only lament in their hearts.

Ignoring their expressions, Moulin turned to the male Veresyah warrior and said expressionlessly. "Care for a spar?"

As he finished his words, a daring sword of ice materialized within his grasp. A cold smoke rose from the surface of its shiny blade.

Unable to react quickly, the male warrior stammered in surprise. "U-Uh... I... O-Of course, young Lord." 

He tapped his foot, and with a rumble, a stone staff emerged from the ground beside his feet. With a swing of his arm, the warrior caught the staff. 

He hesitantly glanced at Verun, who was staring at him with intense eyes. Verun looked as if he didn't understand why the other had caught the attention of Moulin. Certainly, he was more appealing! Or is it because the young man hadn't recognized his position yet? With this, Verun calmed down. Yes, he must've confused the young lord. He will have to entice him. 

Verun smiled warmly as he turned to Moulin. "Perhaps, I could be-"

"Shall we?" Moulin narrowed his eyes at his opponent. 

Verun: ...

Marlov coughed with furrowed brows. Moulin gave Fhorg and the rest a look before they decided to watch farther away from the fight. Marlov dragged his son away, Fhorg and the female Veresyah followed after them. 

"Young Lord, I will  not go easy on you..." The warrior said. His face turned serious. 

"By all means..." Moulin nonchalantly said. He spun his sword as he lunged towards the beastman. He was quick, as fast an arrow. His unexpected and straightforward attack left the Veresyah with wide eyes. 

Moulin's expression remained expressionless as the edge of his sword sharply aimed for the man's exposed neck. 

Although he was flustered, the man raised his staff and blocked the sword's slash. The collision was so strong it made his arms shook. Gnashing his teeth, the man battled with strength, leaning forward. He was surprised that the sword of ice hadn't shattered already. At last, Moulin forcefully pushed hard, and the beastman was thrown a few meters backwards. 

With a gasp, the Veresyah managed to steady his footing before he fell. His eyes widened in shock as he gripped his staff. Clearly, the young lord doesn't have a strong body. Then where did that mighty strength come from? 

Moulin didn't give him enough time to think before he advanced with a sharp swing of his sword. His silver eyes looked fierce and relentless, as though he wasn't even trying to spar at all!

Grunting, the beastman hardened himself and forced himself to concentrate. He felt like he would lose his life in the next second. 

"Forgive me. It's been a long time since I've fought with anyone. I'm a bit... rusty." Moulin smiled faintly as he rained down slash after slash. His actions looked reckless, but they were brimming with power. 

The Veresyah wanted to curse out loud as he struggled to meet his staff with the quick blade and dodge every attack countless times. Is he toying with him?

From a distance, Marlov is as stiff as a statue as he watched the fight before him. The young lord clearly didn't look strong enough. Although he was already an adult, he looked weaker than their average Veresyah. And here he was, watching as the young man pushed one of his best men hopelessly. He was quicker and stronger. It was said that he had just reunited with his family here in Helios. What has the young lord experienced beyond the walls of Helios for several years?

Beside the Veresyah Lord was his son. Verun had gone silent. His eyes were quick as they carefully followed Moulin's movements. He had never seen anyone fight so ruthlessly and yet so elegantly. There was a twinkle within his eyes, and his heartbeat quickened. 

"Lord Marlov..." 

Fhorg's voice interrupted Lord Marlov's thoughts. When the beastman turned his head and followed Fhorg's gesture, his eyes widened. 

"Ah, you've arrived earlier than I thought." 

Finned ears and webbed hands, the man strode gracefully towards Lord Marlov. His pure-white robes ended just above his ankles, and his smile was breathtaking. The merfolk Leader greeted Marlov. "I hope I didn't miss anything entertaining."

"We did not come here to sate your hunger for entertainment, father." A younger man spoke behind him. Stepping out behind his father, Yeiner bowed his head to Marlov. "Hello, My Lord."

Fhorg eye twitches. This was the youngster who dared who aimed to kick Moulin out from the meeting yesterday. Why is he here?

"Ah, I see you've brought your son." Marlov nodded and took a glimpse at Verun, who was dazedly entranced by the fight before him. Marlov sighed.

The Merfolk Lord smiled. "Ah, he wanted to accompany me. We are quite curious about our High Lord's beloved. I'm looking forward to more surprises from him. "

Marlov suddenly revealed a grin. He gestures his arm to the fight before him, "See for yourself."

When his words ended, Yeiner and his father turned their gaze.

The blade gleamed brightly. It left a white trail in every swing and stab. Slicing through the air, the sword of ice ruthless chased after the retreating figure of the male Veresyah. Moulin was breathing steady, calmly, Whereas the Veresyah felt as though his lungs barely have the time to take in some air before the next strike aimed for his heart. His heels skid across the dusty ground as he blocked and dodge. 

What the hell is this type of fighting? He could not help but complain in his heart. 

"Agh!" He grunted as he felt his arms go weak from the vibration of his staff.

Crack!

The sound alarmed him. His staff was breaking!

For the first time during the fight, Moulin's expression changed. A smile curled on his lips, and he gripped his sword. 

Feeling as if he no longer has anything to lose, with a roar, the Veresyah warrior powerfully swung his staff. Moulin instinctively leaped backwards, and seizing the opportunity, his opponent charged towards him, thrusting the tip of his staff towards Moulin's stomach. 

Fhorg finally flinched. 

Watching as the staff drive towards him, the smile on Moulin's lips didn't fade away. He side-stepped, and with a whoosh, the beastman ran through empty air. Moulin spun his sword, and he extended his foot, causing his opponent to trip. Finally, he slashed his sword upwards with full force.

Crack!

The staff crumbled, and a heavy mist of ice spreads out from the intense collision. Moulin sharply jabbed the hilt of his sword on the man's back. A loud thud fell before his feet.

The mist remained shortly, evaporating into the air in seconds. 

Stabilizing his breathing, Moulin glanced at the groaning beastman on the ground before shifting his gaze towards the group of people carefully watching him from afar. 

Did more people come? Moulin adjusted his collar. Sweat drenched his front and back, but he cared less about it. The sword in his grasp disintegrated into a flurry of snowflakes, swept by the wind like fluttering flower petals. 

"Truly... Admirable..." The Merfolk lord muttered. "He's got the fierceness of a warrior." 

He was oblivious of his son's condemning expression that he was struggling to conceal.

Lord Marlov nodded. "indeed, it is a waste to let him stay and not use his skills and abilities for tasks beyond the walls of Helios." His gaze, fixed on the young man pulling his opponent on his feet. 

"His brothers would decline." 

"So will the High Lord. However, it will not belong. Word will spread, and he will have to concede and engage with the missions beyond the borders..." Marlov sighed. "I only hope he will be easy to convince..."

Verun was listening to the two men's discussion, and he couldn't help but wonder. Every person living within Helios cannot stay if they reject the task appointed to them. Why was his father worried about the brothers of the young lord's refusal? Why would the High Lord decline as well? With such skills and capabilities, Lord Moulin was a valuable figure. He will be needed. 

Moulin thanked and praised the male Veresyah for the brief battle. The beastman wore an embarrassed expression and said that it was an honor to spar with him. Revealing a smile, Moulin, in a bright mood, walked towards the group of people.

The Lords prepared to greet the approaching aphrodite maeruthan with fawning smiles. However, before they opened their mouth, Moulin paused his steps. 

..?

Blinking, Moulin stared. 

Suddenly, he grinned. 

"Were you impressed?"

Verun's eyes brightened. His heart drummed enthusiastically. He pushed away Yeiner, who was slightly blocking his sight, and spoke, "Young Lord, you are truly exquisite-"

"Move."

A threatening voice ordered. His tone was laced with the deadliest poison. It was only one word, but it brought pitch-black fear upon the rest of the vicinity. 

They all turned to look behind them and froze.

"L-Lord Hadrian..." Marlov's eyes widened in shock. 

Golden eyes pierced through their souls. Hadrian didn't respond. He was only standing. Waiting. 

Realizing that they haven't parted for him, Fhorg was the first to step away. His actions made the others abruptly follow his lead, making a path for the predominant man. Hadrian's whole body was layered with a strong fearful aura. It made the others feel weak. He was walking towards Moulin, who was smiling as he watched Hadrian approach him.

Moulin beamed, "You finished early. I thought you-"

He didn't have the chance to finish his words when a hand abruptly pulled his waist forward. Moulin yelped, and before he could say a word, something warm and soft covered his lips. 

...

"!!!"