Chapter 393

Chapter 393

Everyone present to watch the duel started to make their way towards the infirmary where Xavier and his opponent were being treated. On the way there one of the other young elves kept throwing looks towards Benedict, clearly looking to return the favor by challenging him. Ajax put a stop to that immediately as he didn’t want to waste any more time and they were going to leave the capital. As soon as the elf took even one step towards their group and mirrored him.

The challenge died on the elf’s tongue as he came face to face with Ajax, his victory over Arianwyn already made the rounds and since the first incident after he exited the primary dungeon everything had been clearly discussed by all the local nobility.

“You mana starved, half orcen cur.” They were close to the infirmary when the obscenities started flying. “That was not part of the wager!”

“Oh please, like you wouldn’t have asked for the next griffin cub had you won.” Xavier's voice wasn’t as loud but had a hint of schadenfreude. “The stakes were clear and concise.”

“What did you bet?” the prince’s voice boomed as he entered the infirmary, finally finding out about the slight mishap it a very unexpected way

Xavier’s smug smile died on his face as he slinked back into the bed to make himself look smaller as he turned to face his uncle.

“It doesn’t matter, it hasn’t come to pass.” Xavier quickly moved to leave the past behind. “I did win us a fortress tree.”

All of the elves from Leafblade’s entourage gasped as they heard that before turning an almost fearful expression on the elf that was still being healed.

“The wager and the duel have been witnessed by agents of the queen herself.” the prince turned towards Leafblade’s guards. “I assume the duke has a specimen on hand?”

“He does.” Lioriel provided.

“Perfect, contact the estate and have it delivered to us as we are about to leave the capital.” The prince didn’t even wait for Xavier to get healed as he dragged his nephew out of the bed slapped him on the back roughly to channel of his healing runes through him and started marching him outside. We will see what your punishment will be later.” After that he wraps one arm around Xaviers shoulder as he gives him an affectionate side hug. “As well as the reward for your spoils.”

Their quick ride through the city wasn’t as peaceful as everyone had hoped. As they were stopped at the checkpoint between the merchant and noble quarter all of them were required to exit their carriage. That’s when the attack happened.

The prince moved to protect Xavier, thinking that this was Duke Leafblade reacting after hearing what had happened but that wasn’t the case. There wasn’t just one attacker either, there were in fact three elves donning fully black outfits, two of them leather and one of them cloth, their target was Ajax.

[Danger Sense]’s warning wasn’t enough for Ajax to be able to react to the first spell that broke all of the shields his enchanted equipment provided him but it was enough to give him time to use [Mana Syphon] on the other two assassins.

“After him!” Lioriel commanded.

“Don’t... Don’t engage!” Ajax heaved out as he was using every ounce of mana that he was regenerating to heal his wound with Life mana.

Lioriel and everyone else turned to Ajax with shocked looks, all of them silently demanding an explanation.

“Chase him but...” Ajax took another deep breath as he had to focus his mind through the pain that was radiating off his shoulder. “But don’t engage, don’t let him slow down or recuperate but give it ten... no, fifteen minutes before you attack him.”

“You poisoned him!” both Aranor and the prince exclaimed at the same time, remembering what had happened to the first assassin.

“Arrest the perpetrator.” Lioriel shouted after her people that had dashed off not even slowing down when Ajax tried to stop them from engaging. Her command would have the soldiers attempt to get the assassin to surrender first before attacking him, that time was all the leeway she would allow for Ajax’s plan before he people would engage.

“How are you?” the prince said as he kneel next to Ajax who was sitting on the ground while activating a number of runes on his armor, a considerable amount of mana passing through the runes as more healing spell started to take effect.

“I got him right over his heart.” Ajax said with a mix of pride and anger.

“I don’t care about the assassin.” the prince erupted. “You did all you could now forget about him and focus on healing yourself.”

Ajax took the prince’s advice to heart and used [Meditation] to increase his focus while overcoming the pain, two minutes after the pursuit had started however a small smile crept over Ajax’s face as a notification demanded his attention at the corner of his vision. He chose to ignore it for now as he focused on healing himself but a few more minutes later his suspicion was confirmed.

“He just dropped and started shaking on the ground.” one of the elves said as he held the assassin’s corpse. “ A minute later he was dead.”

“Take the body to the royal alchemist, he’ll want to examine it.” Lioriel commanded, the prince turned to object but she cut him off before he could speak. “Baron Hearthbound’s request not to engage was respected, we would however claim the body as the price. He did just get as much of an unassisted kill as is possible on a level one hundred and fifty seven.”

The prince accepted the compromise as fair by closing his mouth and giving a nod.