Chapter 815: Noble Dual

Chapter 815: Noble Dual

An official duel. It had been a while since Dallion had taken part in a duel. As things stood, he didnt even know whether the person who had challenged him back in Nerosal was still alive. A lot of things had taken place in the last few years, including an outright civil war within the Wetie province.

Looking at the noble facing him, though, Dallion had the feeling the rules would be slightly different this time.

Whats the protocol about these things? he asked within his personal realm.

Dont run away, Adzrog said with a dry laugh. In all seriousness, dear boy, there are no specific rules. As a domain ruler, you could come up with anything. The only duels that matter in your world are outright wars. Everything else is for show, so you decide how to handle it.

No rules. That made sense, given what the Moon had mentioned during the last gate. It also meant that Dallion had the authority to make an ass of himself or his opponent.

Nothing to say? the noble said, full of bravado, but anyone with a high enough music skill could tell he was tense.

And to think I used to be like that, Dallion thought. However, while there was a time when he had challenged nobles ten levels above him, he had the benefit of being a hunter.

Are you sure you want to? Dallion asked. Its a bit too early to take me head on.

Thats why he isnt. A plump brown-haired man a short distance off smirked. Even among the crowd, he stood out with a set of trousers made of dark onyx thread, and a shirt that shifted color from ruby red to emerald green. Most notably, he had the Mizovy crest prominently displayed on his clothes in sun gold threads. He challenged you to a test of skill, not a fight.

That sounded like a poor excuse and a use of semantics. There was little doubt in anyones mind that Dallion would win. The issue was how hed handle the challenge itself. Would he refuse, would he go all out, use magic, or impose additional restrictions on himself to level the playing field?

Fine, Dallion said, then cast a three-circle spell, summoning his harpsisword. Ill fight you without magic.

The murmur in the crowd was less than he expected. Apparently, the mentioned condition was the very least he could do.

Any other advantages youd like?

This time his comment hit its mark, causing a small explosion of anger to occur within the Salista noble.

Scum, he said through his teeth.

What he means is bumpkin, someone else from the crowd added. You dont even know how to handle a duel.

Then why doesnt someone explain it? Dallion asked, bursting into twenty instances.

Instantly, all laughter and most of the chatter ceased. No one could tell whether Dallion was serious or not, but no one wanted to risk finding out. After all, it was all fun and games until someone got skewered by an imperial. Even if he were a baron and a wildcard from outside the capital, he remained a member of the imperial family.

Permit me to do so, Baron, a female voice said, as a black-clad figure with platinum blond hair suddenly emerged on the scene.

Another overseer? Dallion wondered.

This was the third one hed seen so far and, if Ber could be believed, there were many more.

Since this is a challenge duel, Viscount Salista is allowed the first strike. The overseer said. Meanwhile, the nearby buildings moved back, transforming the section of the road into a circular arena. The area will be neutral and controlled by me. The duel continues until surrender and might take place within the real world as well as any of your awakened realms.

Combat during realm invasion? It wouldnt be the first time Dallion had used such a trick in battle, but was surprised the overseer, and everyone else, was so open about it.

Magic and combat splitting arent permitted. The overseer turned to Dallion. Killing outside of an awakened realm is not permitted. Leveling up during combat, she turned to the viscount, is allowed but not recommended.

Interesting that she hadnt mentioned anything about stakes or rewards. Clearly, victory and bragging rights were reward enough. Looking at it from that perspective, higher-level awakened were at a disadvantage. No one was going to be impressed should Dallion win, yet hed be the laughingstock if he were to lose. What was more, the no killing limitations made things tricky; nothing prevented his opponent from going all out, relying that Dallion would keep himself from inflicting any actual harm.

Wheres the fun in that? The dryad didnt sound particularly pleased, but appeared nonetheless, holding a pair of wooden blades.

In one swift dash through the water, he reached the first concentration of enemies, dispatching them with as much ease as a child popping a bunch of balloons.

Leaving others to fight your battles? Adzorg asked.

No. Dallion smirked. Im a noble now. Im delegating.

In truth, he was standing back, waiting for the inevitable follow-up. If someone had come up with the plan to overwhelm his realm with numbers, it had to be because they were keeping something in store. If not, this would end up being the most pathetic attempt at a realm invasion.

The dryad kept on slashing enemies as he danced on the water with his pair of blades. Some of the attacking echoes attempted to put up a fight, often even combining in groups. Sadly, being reduced to a single hit made things practically impossible. With Vihrodons skill level, the best thing they could hope for was to get a few hits in before they were poofed out of existence.

Where are you? Dallion concentrated, looking at the invaders. Ships kept on entering through the portal arches, but there was no sign of the viscount.

Just then, Vihrogons blade met metal. The echo he was supposed to have pierced not only didnt disappear, but did a multi attack of its own, causing a cluster of red rectangles to stack up in the air.

For the smallest of moments, the magic threads of the entity shone through, letting Dallion know that it was anything but an echo.

Get back! Dallion ordered, speeding along the waters surface like a flat stone along a lake.

Spinning both blades in defensive fashion, Vihrogon quickly retreated, though not fast enough to escape the ongoing attack.

Seeing the position his shield guardian was, Dallion unsummoned him from the field, then modified his realm, causing a small island to emerge.

Harp, he ordered, summoning his bladebow.

The harpsisword disappeared from his hand, reemerging in the form of Harp, who quickly engaged the enemy. This time, as their weapons clashed, the echos skin and clothes melted off, revealing none other than another Dallion.

Copyette, Dallion hissed, setting foot on the newly formed island.

So, youve come across one already? A new ship emerged from the invasion portal. On it was Viscount Salista, wearing a hull set of blossom armor. A lot of time and effort had gone into it, for it looked just as massive as Marchs, only made of sun gold. Then you know what to expect.

It was normal to face opponents with family heirlooms that contained experienced battle guardians. Even one of the Nox Daggers original guardians had been a copyette. But that wasnt the biggest issue. Among the magic threads, there was one more thing that Dallion had spotted: A thread of black void among the rest.

Where did you get the saber? Dallion asked.

Too much for you? The other smirked. Word is that the second empress had a harpsisword given to her by the emperor. The weapon has been passed down for generations until it vanished. Maybe its the one you have there?

Where did you get it? Dallion repeated.

Youre not the only one to have generational weapons. The difference is that Ive earned mine.

The copy-Dallion split into two, engaging with Harp. Blades clashed against one another, sending sparks everywhere. As much as Dallion didnt want to admit it, the copyette guardians skills were close to the dryads.

Shield, can you deal with the echoes? Dallion asked, gripping his bladebow. I dont want any of them to mess up my realm.

As long as there are no others like him, shouldnt be a problem, the dryad replied.

Good. Ill deal with the viscount.