Silence reigns among the nobles allied with Dmitri and the Viscount, as well as those neutral, and even the Drummonds are shocked by the level of brutality Arthur achieved in precisely one minute.
'How did he do that?'
'How can a Mystic Fighter be so powerful?'
'And how did he destroy an Elite Warrior in body and mind so quickly?'
'Not a second more than a minute...'
'A fucking minute to destroy a man...'
'What kind of person is he?'
'A Demon!'
'He must be a fucking Demon!'
Though nobody voices these thoughts aloud, their looks say it all. Among those present, including the majority of the Drummonds, only a few are not now scared of Arthur.
The Viscount is clearly one of them, as are some leaders of Lakeview's most powerful families and, of course, Josephine and Oliver, who are smiling excitedly at Arthur.
Arthur ignores the emerging comments and casts his gaze towards the Viscount and his sons. No one moves a muscle, so Arthur turns and leaps from the arena before walking towards the Drummonds' main table.
"That was fantastic!" Oliver taps his shoulder in a friendly manner. "Maybe a bit too much? Nah, Esmond deserved it. You have no idea how many married women he has tormented... I think after you've stepped on his pride like that, he's never going to get hard again, ahahaha!!"
Arthur can't say he cares about other women, but it took just one lustful look towards his sacred mother to awaken his darkest and most violent side.
"Heh, that was nothing," Arthur smiles at Oliver. "I want to see if you can do better."
"Oh, I'll show you!" Oliver grabs a wine glass from the table and downs it in one gulp before looking towards the nobles on the other side of the arena. "So, who's next?"
Some nobles carry Esmond off for medical assistance while Edgar and Elias once again gather to decide on the next challenger.
Meanwhile, Arthur sits at the table between his mother and Margaret, also near Josephine. "Here, hubby," Margaret fills a glass of wine for him and also gives him some meat snacks.
"Thanks, dear," Arthur kisses Margaret's hand lovingly as many people look at him, wondering how the same brutal devil who tormented Esmond a minute ago can have a gentle and loving side.
Aria and Josephine share similar expressions as they watch Arthur, both agreeing that such a balance of darkness and light is quite useful for dealing with the world's crap but without missing out on the good things either.
There are still more than twenty young nobles from families allied with the Viscount, so they quickly choose another opponent who steps into the arena. This guy is also in the third Grade of the Elite Warrior Rank, so when Oliver chooses his older cousin to fight, the match ends quickly due to the difference of one rank as well as lineage.
For the fourth match, Edgar chooses one of the women from the group, making Oliver thoughtful. "This is not a simple young Lady, but the eldest daughter of the Carmans..."
"I can handle her," Jovie stands up with a confident expression and walks towards the arena.
But Oliver holds her by the arm. "Are you sure? She's one grade above yours, it should be either me or Arthur dealing with her."
Oliver is clearly hesitant to beat a woman, and although Arthur was raised to treat women well, that doesn't include his enemies. And since such a thing never stopped Liam from killing his targets, Arthur also doesn't mind knocking out a female opponent if needed.
"I can handle it," he comments casually.
"No need," Jovie looks at Arthur with an expectant expression. "I'll prove my talent and maybe... earn a reward afterward?"
Arthur's face remains indifferent to Jovie's flirts, but Margaret quickly holds his arm while casting a curious and even provocative smile at the girl. "What kind of reward would that be?"
"Ehhhhh..." Jovie didn't expect Margaret to react so boldly, and she ends up at a loss for words.
Arthur finds the situation amusing and even mentally speaks with Margaret. 'I didn't know you had such a jealous side, honey.'
'Hehehe~' She giggles in his mind. 'This girl keeps throwing lewd glances at you. I know she's on our side, but I can't let any random woman think she can take the place that's already mine and Nyx's.'
'Well said, Margaret!' Nyx hears the mental conversation and also expresses her opinion. 'This girl simply isn't good enough for us to even consider the idea.'
Hearing that conversation, Arthur can't help but sigh. 'Who said this is a decision you two can make alone?'
'..' The girls fall silent.
While Jovie is still thinking of an answer, Josephine smiles at her niece. "You don't need a reward to fight for your family, right? Go there and show your skills, dear."
"Sure, Auntie!" Jovie quickly runs into the arena, leaving the awkward situation behind.
The young Lady Carman is in the fourth grade of the Elite Warrior Rank, one grade above Jovie, but the young Lady Drummond compensates with superior technique and lineage, making it a long, evenly-matched fight.
Many are unsure who has the better advantage, but in the end, Jovie triumphs over her adversary, leaving the arena very tired and with several minor injuries.
Arthur has no romantic interest in her, but he stands up and applauds the girl with a friendly expression. "Good job, you really fought well!"
All the Drummonds also stand to applaud Jovie, who is very happy and proud, and even more fascinated by Arthur.