120. Development - 17

120. Development - 17

As Artmiss stood at the center of the clearing, everyone else retreated, including Zolast, stumbling as he faked exhaustion. I gestured for Mahruss to go and help.

Surprisingly, before he could do so, the young duke actually supported Zolast, and I didn't need to see people's shocked gazes to know that it was some kind of important political declaration. Though, the young duke seemed unaware of it, paying attention to the potential battle that was about to happen.

The baron appeared dissatisfied with this development. His declaration might be due to his artificial anger, but it wasn't said anger that made him pick a certain path. He chose to declare a blood duel despite the other, more troubling political implications because he was confident of his victory.

Zolast had ruined his plans for the second time.

We were lucky that Zolast was already the strongest person here with the possible exception of me, but even that was very situational or we would have to plan a detailed escort schedule just to keep him safe from assassins.

Of course, while the baron was frustrated and annoyed, his feelings were nothing compared to what the traitor knight appeared to be feeling. Without the mysterious injury he had been planning to rely on, he clearly didn't have quite as much confidence.

But he had already agreed to fight. He glanced at the baron, hoping for mercy. "Use this," the baron said as he pulled his sword. "It's a family heirloom, and much stronger than the weapon that old knight is using. With this, you'll be victorious," he declared. But as he passed that, he also hit him with a concentrated blast of Charisma to boost his courage further.

His stiff expression made it clear that he wasn't expecting Derkan to be victorious a detail that the traitor missed as he received his artificial courage boost but he didn't make a move to stop the battle either.

While I examined that, Mahruss helped Zolast back to my side, and the young duke back with his soldiers. "Once declared, he can't take back a blood duel," Zolast explained.

"And, a traitor with outdated information is hardly an asset worth protecting at great cost," I added, Zolast nodded, about to focus on the battle then he tensed. I felt a tug at our connection, one that alerted me that someone dangerous was watching us.

But, it was simply a warning about an observer, and not a call to action, so I didn't give any outward signs of his warning and did my best to look like I focused on the fight that was about to start, with both knights facing each other with their swords drawn, waiting for the signal.

Based on their agreement, the young duke threw a dagger into the air and the moment it hit the ground, both knights burst into action. Their swords were covered with a blue glow as they rushed forward, meeting in the middle.

It was a glorious sight. Their swords danced in a confusing pattern that left me momentarily dizzy as I tried to memorize every single detail of their movement.

And, failed.

A part of it was about the complicated nature of their movement. Based on my talks with Zolast, I knew there were four ranks to skills at least, based on what he knew, which might not be the limit.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Skills without any qualifier, which were also known as basic, advanced, expert, and master.

If the worst happened, I could still just dump some more stat points to Strength and act out directly.

Just like boxing, it didn't matter how skilled someone was when facing someone several weight classes above them. As long as the stronger opponent had decent skills, they would be able to push back.

That was doubly true for me, with my higher stats giving me advantages in movement as well as explosive power.

Still, even as I made that assessment, I didn't forget that neither Artmiss nor the young traitor was the peak of what this world was offering. They were strong and significant, but ultimately, still weak enough to be disposable pawns.

Leveling was important.

As the fight reached the ten-minute mark, Derkan was already showing signs of exhaustion, about to collapse. Some of his wounds started to stick around, signaling that he was out of Health, and the glow surrounding his sword was flickering as well.

The victory didn't come freely for Artmiss as well. His armor was damaged in several areas, but the absence of blood was noticeable.

However, when he was about to be slain, the baron made a small gesture and a flicker of mana moved from his hand to the sword. It was a very subtle flicker, but it wasn't insignificant enough to avoid Zolast's notice.

Whether he noticed the very subtle presence of red mana, however, was a different issue. But, I had a feeling that he had not. Even with my Perception, I would have missed it without the subtle sense of resonance with my troublesome skill.

Still, I didn't interrupt the battle. It wasn't like I could just come out and blame a noble for being a cultist.

Instead, I watched the effects carefully. At first glance, it felt just like an activation key. The sword suddenly exploded with a blue glow, and it radiated back to its wielder, empowering him. The increase in performance was significant enough that, had he used it from the beginning, it might have made a difference.

Yet, under the circumstances, it barely allowed Derkan to deliver a stab on Artmiss' shoulder. And, in response, Artmiss decapitated him.

"A fitting end to all traitors," Artmiss declared as he flicked his sword, then looked at the baron, no doubt using that as a threat.

Around me, I could hear people grumbling about how the baron had made such a stupid mistake by not activating the secret magical ability of his sword, and losing something as important as a blood duel as a result.

However, after noticing the flicker of destruction mana, I didn't share their beliefs especially since I didn't miss the smug smile that flashed on his face the moment Derkan managed to deliver that stab.

Interesting ploy, sneaky enough for me to respect.

Too bad that his trick had already marked him as my enemy.