"Ah! It seems you've arrived."
Travis bowed slightly.
Flinnder smiled and dusted off his hands, "The others have been quite impatient. I fear that if I hold off any longer they will go for my throat. How has Dimitrin been treating you?"
"It's been. . . painful."
A laugh escaped Flinnder, "They were quite angry with your performance and choices. I would bet your little 'exercise' was a tad on the painful side."
"My apologies for the disappointment."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."
Flinnder snapped and the crooked black square appeared, "Enough time wasting, it is time to meet the other Dukes."
Travis walked towards the portal, but was suddenly stopped by Flinnder, "I should point out that you must treat the Dukes with utmost respect."
"I will be careful."
"I will not defend you if anything goes wrong."
Travis was aware that he wasn't something to ruin a relationship over, especially not with the Dukes.
As he stepped through the portal he immediately felt an overwhelming presence. Such a presence could only be felt from an apex being. Not daring to look up, Travis immediately kneeled.
"I had expected someone who broke one of the laws to be arrogant. It seems you at least have a head on you.", a voice boomed across the hall.
"You're familiar, where have I seen you from?", another asked.
Flinnder stepped through the portal, "My Ex-Champion. If you can remember."
"Flinnder. . . I knew you were up to no good."
"Ah senior, why would you say that?"
"I'm sure you would be able to call upon this one much sooner."
"I had! However he was in no state to meet your presence and needed some time to recover."
". . . And you failed to tell us this?"
"Ah! I must've forgotten, my apologies."
". . ."
The Duke chose to ignore Flinnder and focused their attention on Travis, "Yes I remember now, that outfit is the same as before. Although you are missing that mask. Do you have it on you?"
Flinnder pulled out the mask from a small portal, "I have it. Surprisingly not damaged."
"I wish to see it."
Flinnder casually tossed it across the room, the Duke caught it easily and inspected it, "How intriguing."
Another Duke spoke, "While Urel inspects your mask, I wish to see it for myself. Raise your head."
Travis looked up and his eyes met with the three other Dukes, "May I speak?"
"Go on."
"What is it you wish to see?"
"You wielding two swords of course. I see they are with you. I want to see the law that remained steady be ignored with my own eyes."
". . . As you command."
Due to the difficulties of having two swords on your waist, Travis modified where their scabbards lie slightly. They were angled on the back end of his waist, their sheaths crossing over each other to form an 'X'.
While Travis would have preferred them both to be on his left side, it was much easier to draw from this angle. At least for him.
Gripping the swords he drew them slowly, the Abyss reacted differently to them. It swarmed around Abe, as if welcoming an old friend, and retreated away from Lumen.
Flinnder smirked, but said nothing. The Duke who had asked simply leaned back and watched the sight.
After a short time the Third Duke spoke, "Lucidus Lumen, that explains the hybrid you've become as well. Able to wield two polar opposite elements and remain fine. As if reaching a perfect balance."
Urel looked up from the mask, "This item is quite the treasure as well."
Travis frowned at that, he originally thought it was just an ordinary mask that hid his stats.
Urel balanced it on the tip of his finger, "Perhaps through traveling with you, it became much superior to what it was. This object, it has the ability to mask our power."
The expressions of the Dukes, including Flinnder, changed somewhat. They all looked at Urel, doubting his words.
With a smile Urel place the mask onto his face, and his presence disappeared. It was almost as if they were an ordinary person.
Urel took of the mask, "What a wondrous item, it would be shame to lose it."
Travis' expression twitched, "If you wish to keep it, I have no objections."
Urel smirked, "When you say it like that~"
With a toss the mask slid across the floor and stopped in front of Travis. Urel yawned, "You are royalty of our Abyss, do not act so timid. We demand respect, not mindless loyalty."
"I've been made aware of my mistakes."
"Good, good. Now then, we have an issue to discuss. I trust you'll inform him Rio?"
"We have a guest Urel."
"Sorry, Riomin."
Riomin sighed, "The problem lies with you."
Riomin pointed a finger at Travis, making him confused.
She continued, "Lucidus Lumen proves to be a terrible foe to us. Our direct counter, the fact that you wield it puts us in a troublesome position."
"I do ask for forgiveness."
"Let me finish. What I'm trying to say is, you're a threat. You've shown great talent, the you we saw during the Royal Competition is but a mere shadow of the you now. Improving greatly within these short times is intimidating."
Flinnder teased, "To think the mighty Dukes are intimidated by a mere Baron."
Riomin glared at Flinnder, "Watch your tongue."
Flinnder merely smiled and raised his hands in defeat.
Travis lowered his head again, "I would not dare to think of challenging you."
"Perhaps not now, but what about when you get stronger? When you have the power that rivals a Marquees? When it rivals ours?"
"I would-"
"Enough."
Travis closed his mouth.
Riomin crossed her legs and relaxed, "We considered killing you here. If not for the pestering of a certain someone," she glanced at Flinnder before continuing, "we would have killed you right now."
"I thank you for your kindness."
"It is not kindness that spares you."
". . ."
Riomin snapped her fingers and a glass filled with wine floated into her hand, "I do not wish to spend more time explaining. If you would please Yorne?"
Yorne clicked his tongue, "Lazy."
"Say something?"
"I was about to explain our solution."
"I must have misheard then."
Yorne rested his chin on his fist, "You are part of the Abyss. A Royal no less. So killing you is an unfavorable decision. So we've decided on making you in debt."
Travis felt his brow twitch, "I must ask you to explain?"
"I'm getting to that, you're quite impatient aren't you? In short, we shall assist with your growth. In return you will owe us, deepening your connections with the Abyss, and restricting your choice of rebelling."
"What if I was to obtain strength and rebel regardless?"
"So you do have a head on you. It is good you asked that, had you not said anything I would've assumed you harbored thoughts of rebellion. However if you were to rebel regardless. . . Well let's stay silent on that factor."
Travis could put the pieces together. This was an opportunity and a warning. He must proceed with absolute caution.
Flinnder snapped his fingers, "As such, we've debated on how to increase this debt of yours. And I came up with quite the solution."
A servant appeared with a large box. Approaching Travis they opened it carefully, inside was three High Class Demon Hearts.
Flinnder joked, "The middle one should catch your eye. For it's the demon you struggled with. Well, its heart at least."
Urel spoke, "Additionally I have added something to your mask. If you would look on the underside of it."
Travis picked up the mask and flipped it over. Around the forehead part was a small glowing mark. With a yawn Urel commanded, "Touch it."
Travis touched the mark and it flashed. The mask suddenly vanished and he could see the same mark hidden on his palm. It was only visible due to his Eyes of Trinity.
Tapping his throne Urel explained, "I bound it to you, with this you'll no longer have to worry about losing it. However if it sustains a certain amount of damage it will return to the mark in your palm."
Travis lifted his hand and hovered it above his face. Suddenly the mask appeared and placed itself onto his face. In order not to be rude Travis rapidly took it off and the mask faded to the mark on his palm.
Flinnder faked a cough to gather attention, "Now then, repair that sword of yours. Let us see that weapon in its original form."