The Duel Begins

Chapter 6 The Duel Begins

In Captain Simon's eyes, Alphonse was unambitious and spent his days indulging in pleasure, but he was also the Baron's only child and the heir to the Coldwind Territory, so it was only right that he should offer his loyalty.

"I've already told him that, so don't worry," Mia replied.

Alphonse smiled back, "I'll be fine, don't worry."

Simon felt somewhat relieved after hearing Alphonse say that.

Keberi set the duel for the morning of that day, but did not specify a time.

It wasn't until he saw a convoy of six or seven ornately decorated carriages approaching that Alphonse understood why the duel was scheduled for three days later.

Keberi probably planned this all along, inviting the young masters and ladies of several nearby noble territories, intending to humiliate him in front of everyone.

One by one, young masters and ladies from noble families disembarked from their carriages, including Monica, who was engaged to Alphonse.

Just as I remembered, she had blonde hair and blue eyes, and was indeed quite beautiful. Her blue hair tie was paired with a sky-blue, fluffy long dress that cinched at the waist and extended upwards, perfectly highlighting the white undergarment at her chest. She looked serene and gentle. Among the noble ladies who came to the training ground, her appearance was the most outstanding, standing out from the crowd.

She truly deserves the title of "Flower of the North".

Alphonse's gaze sharpened, but it wasn't fixed on Monica, nor on his duel opponent, Keberi.

Instead, it was another tall, slender young man with delicate, elegant formal attire and thin eyebrows and eyes.

Since getting off the train, he had a warm smile on his face and was very elegant. Several noble ladies glanced at him intentionally or unintentionally.

Monica, however, didn't pay any attention to him.

Compared to this young man, Keberie paled in comparison. Keberie had thick eyebrows, bulging eyes, a hooked nose, and a sharp, mean look. His only advantage was his strong and tall stature, making him a world apart from the young man.

Alphonse knew this outstanding young man; not only did he know him, but he was also a close friend of his predecessor.

Fairen, the eldest son of Count Mujik.

However, this "friend" is questionable.

The hallucinogenic drugs used by the predecessor came from him.

How could someone use hallucinogenic drugs to poison their best friend? Even a fool would know that's wrong.

Judging from his demeanor and bearing, he doesn't seem like a decadent aristocrat who would be addicted to drugs.

Moreover, in my memory, he seemed to have deliberately made friends with me.

The Tartarus family rose from commoners to nobles, but they were not well-received. The surrounding lords regarded them as country bumpkins, and they couldn't integrate into the noble circles. Only Faerûn warmly invited his predecessor to a banquet and showed him some of the things that nobles enjoyed.

To Alphonse today, this seems rather strange.

Although he wasn't exactly cunning and shrewd in his previous life, he had weathered many storms, making him incomparable to the peasant boy he was in his previous life.

Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of ulterior motives or theft!

Only that fool from the past could be completely fooled by him and even treat him as a good brother.

"Alphonse." Ferren walked over, raised his hand in greeting with a smile, "Today I've been invited by Keberie to be the arbitrator for your duel."

"Okay." Alphonse smiled back.

I still know how to maintain appearances, so there's no need to break ties with him for now.

"Although we are good friends, this is a duel of honor, concerning the glory of both your families. I cannot take your side. Good luck!" Feren encouraged with a smile.

"Hmm." Alphonse nodded. If he were truly a friend in his previous life, why wouldn't he stop this duel where the odds were so lopsided? He was clearly just there to watch the show.

Ferren returned to the center of the field and announced loudly, "It's getting late, so let's get straight to the point. Please come over here, both of you."

Keber walked forward with a cold smile. The longsword he carried looked much more magnificent, with several glittering gems inlaid on its scabbard.

"Remember, admit defeat as soon as you go up there," Mia whispered again.

"I know," Alphonse replied casually.

The soldiers training at the other end of the drill ground stopped what they were doing, gathered around at a distance, and whispered among themselves.

Due to their different social statuses, they dared not get too close, much less interfere in one-on-one duels between nobles.

No one believed that Alphonse would win.

"Begin!" Ferren waved his hand sharply, making a downward chopping gesture, and then stepped back.

Keberie drew his longsword, striking what he thought was a dashing pose. "Alphonse, a country bumpkin like you is unworthy of the noble Miss Monica. How can a toad tarnish the wings of a swan? She should pursue her own happiness. Your love for her is nothing but a morbid constraint. As a knight of honor..."

Before he could finish speaking, Alphonse, who was getting impatient, interrupted him, "Stop talking nonsense, just start fighting already."

Mia, standing on the sidelines, had an icy expression and gripped her sword hilt.

How dare Alphonse?

He actually refused to admit defeat?

Enraged at being interrupted, Keberie dropped the pretense and grinned maliciously. "Kneel down and beg for mercy now, and I might go easy on you!"

Alphonse had already drawn his sword, the longsword pointing diagonally to the ground. With a cold expression, he raised his hand and beckoned, "Come on."

If it weren't for the fact that my true energy is still too weak and my body hasn't been trained for a long time, making it unable to withstand a fierce attack, I would have attacked long ago.

When facing an opponent stronger than yourself, remaining calm and waiting for the right moment to act is a good strategy.

With a roar, Keberi took a step forward and charged out, thrusting his longsword forward.

The guards outside the arena had their eyes on Mia. Although Keberi hadn't brought any soldiers, he knew that the Tartarus family had three knights with high-level fighting spirit, so he was naturally on guard.

With Simon injured and Thompson far away, the only one who needs to be watched is Mia.

Interfering in a nobleman's duel is a crime. If Mia intervenes before a winner is decided, she can no longer stay in Coldwind Territory.

The situation on the training ground was unexpected. Alphonse didn't even dodge. He drew circles with his longsword, which caught the incoming sword. With a pull and a deflection, he caused Keberi, sword and all, to stumble and fall to the side.

Using minimal force to achieve maximum effect.

Wudang School, Soft Cloud Sword Technique.

Avoiding the strong and attacking the weak, using the opponent's strength against them, is the essence of Wudang martial arts.

If it weren't for the unique and extraordinary strength required for Wudang's signature martial art, Tai Chi Swordplay, which Alphonse's weak internal energy couldn't possibly wield at this moment, he would have used Tai Chi Sword instead.

Without the support of internal strength, Tai Chi swordplay, which uses slow movements to overcome fast ones, can only be a means of strengthening the body.

With Alphonse's martial arts prowess from his previous life, he could immediately understand and master the Soft Cloud Sword Technique, and thus use it with ease.

Mia's eyes lit up. Although she had never seen such swordsmanship before in this other world, she could tell that the swordsmanship was quite exquisite.

(End of this chapter)