The world as a whole held the view that Gerald was an arrogant but incompetent prince who had no hope of ever attaining the throne. So, imagine people's surprise when he turned out to have a high cultivation level. It should be noted that a majority of cultivators capped out at the ancestor realm and even then, not everyone made it that far. So, Gerald's ancestor realm was nothing to scoff at.
Like everyone else at the valley's entrance Charles was taken aback by this revelation. The main reason that he finally decided to intervene was the lack of danger involved in doing so. The members from the Isle of Might weren't known for harming innocents and the guards that followed behind Gerald would have to deal with his own before they could get to him. This left Gerald as the only person he had to deal with, and with Gerald's reputation as it was Charles wasn't worried.
How wrong he was.
"Damn, it seems I kicked an iron wall this time" muttered Charles under his breath.
"Hey! Did you not hear me?" yelled Gerald as he noticed Charles' lack of focus.
"No, I heard you, but I stand by what I said. You shouldn't be causing a scene outside the Sage's Valley" countered Charles.
"Who are you?" asked Gerald.
"Charles Solstitium, the first prince of Solis" answered Charles.
"Solis, you mean that weak nation ranked sixth of seven? A country of failed generals, foolish kings and cowardly soldiers? I heard the only reason you have the support from the Sage's Valley is because the sect's madam was born there. It's laughable a mere prince from a weakling nation dares talk back to me!" jeered Gerald.
Hearing Gerald disparaging his home, Charles started to get angry. However, since he was weaker than Gerald, he decided to hold himself back. Unfortunately, his restraint didn't last long.
"Hmm now that I think about it, I heard the youngest princess of the Solis kingdom is a rare beauty. I'll tell you what, if you hand her over to me for a few days I'll let you off the hook for offending me" laughed Gerald.
This comment was the last straw for Charles, hearing this he lost all sense of restraint. Lunging at Gerald he drew his saber while pouring a large quantity of aura into the blade. Igniting raging flames that engulfed the blade, and in one quick motion he slashed towards Gerald's neck.
"Sun's Saber first form; bisecting flash."
To the onlookers Charles' attack appeared simple as a flash of light. By the time they realized what he had done Charles' saber was already a hairs width from Gerald's neck. However, contrary to expectations Gerald was completely calm and nonchalant. At the instant of impact Gerald simple created a layer of aura over his skin that reflected the damage from the attack leaving him unscathed.
As he watched Charles stumble back from the reflected force Gerald laughed out loud. "Ha! Is that the best you can do? If that's the case then you really are a weakling prince."
Hearing this the Charles raged further. Unleashing a second attack, a quick flurry of a thousand strikes. Creating a closed net of blade lights that didn't even leave room for a fly to escape.
"Sun's saber second form; Endless Day" this attack was said to unleash an endless barrage of sword lights that could turn night into day.
Under this barrage of strikes Gerald could only defend himself without a chance of counterattack. Though he had Gerald pinned down with his constant strikes Charles knew that due to the difference in cultivation these strikes alone wouldn't be enough to take him down. So, he decided to add a little extra to his attack. While Gerald was distracted Charles launched a condensed orb of aura at Gerald's feet that exploded on impact knocking him off his feet giving Charles a chance to score a clean strike on Gerald's body. However, once again Charles' attack was reflected by Gerald's defense.
"Nice try, too bad it didn't work." Sneered Gerald.
Seeing Gerald's unruffled appearance Charles narrowed his eyes. "Che, sneak attacks don't work."
Charles' decided to switch up his approach. "My fast attacks don't have enough power behind them I'm going to have to focus on power instead." Charles thought to himself as he reset his fighting stance.
Standing directly in front of Gerald holding an on-guard stance Charles once again began to gather his aura. Gerald on the other hand was still as calm as before seemingly goading Charles. After about 10 seconds the aura within Charles' swords had reached a monstrous level his fire attributed aura generated a heat so intense it began to dry out the ground and vegetation in his direct surrounds.
"Sun's Saber fifth form; Supernova's Impact." Exclaimed Charles as he unleashed a flying slash of flaming aura so powerful that anyone below his level would be instantly incinerated.
Seeing the level of the approaching attack, Gerald finally let go of his nonchalant attitude. This time he had to take things seriously. With his brain going into overdrive Gerald quickly unleashed his aura creating a suit of armor covering his body with his strongest defense. At this moment the Supernova's Impact finally connected causing a giant explosion and subsequent shockwave that sent some of the bystanders flying and bent the surrounding trees close to 90 degrees.
As the smoke cleared a disheveled Gerald was revealed to the onlookers. His armor of aura was shattered leaving his clothing torn and body injured. Gone was his undisturbed expression, what replaced it was a simple unrestrained rage.
"You… You dared sully my body!" Gerald unleashed a primal roar with ferocious intensity.
His body was emitting a malicious aura, like that of a beast ready for slaughter. Because of his position Gerald was unused to injury or discomfort of any kind for that matter. For Gerald to be injured by a person he saw as his lesser was the ultimate disgrace to him, and he didn't take kindly to that. Coated his arms with aura that formed like the claws of a dragon, he slashed at Charles' chest completely blitzing Charles. Attacking before Charles even knew what happened, by the time his mind caught up to the attack Charles' chest was already shredded leaving his ribs exposed to the elements.
"I'm dead" as Charles fell to the ground that was the only thought that came to his mind. The pain was paralyzing. Charles lamented his fate, as he lay on his back slipping into unconsciousness, he watched as Gerald approach ready to finish him off. "How did this happen; I came here for a party not to die. I didn't even get to see her." Just as Gerald was about to strike him dead, he was stopped frozen in his tracks unable to move another inch.
"You dare cause a scene on our doorstep, on today of all days!" Suddenly all present heard a majestic voice from the sky.
Standing in midair was a young man of around 20 years old. He had short black hair and black eyes that when looked at seemed like an endless abyss. This man was Luther Noctis the first disciple of the Ocean King and a peak sage considered next in line to become an ascendant.
Gerald still in the midst of rage, shouted furiously at Luther. "How dare you stop me! Just you wait when I'm done with him, I'll make sure to come for you and your entire family!"
Seeing the deranged Gerald, Luther scoffed. He simple waved his hand nonchalantly much in the way Gerald was acted at the start of the altercation. This one move on the part of Luther instantly knocked Gerald unconscious ending his tirade. He then turned to the Blackiron delegation.
"Take him and leave, you are no longer welcome here. And before you say anything, I'm already aware of everything that happened here."
The people from Blackiron quickly gather up their unconscious prince and were on their way out when Luther stopped them.
"Hey where are you going with that? You can leave the gift here" stated Luther leaving no room for debate.
"…" The Blackiron delegation could only swallow their grievances and do as instructed.
Luther was smiling as he looked over the gift, a pearl necklace made from the pearls of an artic clam. The pearls were a flawless sky blue with perfectly spherical shapes.
"Hmm, this seems pretty expensive. I see the thought that went into this gift, impressive" said Luther in admiration. Looking up from the necklace he saw the silent Blackiron party.
"Oh, why are you guys are still here? You can go now."
After the departure of the Blackiron delegation, Luther turned to the Solis kingdom's party.
"Take your prince and follow me."