It's not like it was the first time it happened, Arthur has always been the target of hostility from other men, this was something inevitable, human men just weren't on his same level so in the past he was always a victim of harassment.
Well, more than harassment, you could say isolation, after all, it's not as if there were men with enough guts to bother him, there were very few but all of them ended up crying without exception.
Arthur was not someone easy to bite and now he was gone again, for Arthur he has always been very tolerant, there are times when he needs to teach children a lesson.
today was that day
"Duel?!..."
Alejandro did not expect such words, the men of this world rarely get involved in fights, since it is not their style and very few manage to become Wunder pilots.
Alejandro of course belonged to the majority, he is not interested in fights and rarely pilots a Wunder, it could be said that a battle he would lose without a doubt.
That's why he was confused as he expected that the conflict with Arthur was only limited to 'Verbal' and nothing physical and he even had confidence in winning an argument just like he had and even his opponents in the past ended up miserable because of his poisonous tongue, It's a shame Arthur wasn't someone ordinary.
"That's right, just like the ladies did, I have to protect my dignity as a knight"
Arthur adjusted his tuxedo and a glove appeared on his hand and while everyone was confused by this action...
*Clap
Arthur moved quickly and with a smooth movement that Alejandro could not avoid, the glove hit his face and the sound generated was quite clear that it was heard around the place...
"Liam Luján challenges you to a duel about the dignity and pride of a gentleman, if you refuse to accept I will take this matter to the Lupin family..."
Arthur was not going to let him get away, but his statement was so strong and unpredictable that Alejandro was still in shock touching his red cheek...
"Wild!"
"Wild? I don't want to hear that from someone so vulgar and uneducated, you dare criticize such ancient customs?..."
"..."
Alejandro was speechless, a duel was the most civilized and traditional way to end a conflict, although little by little these customs disappeared, as long as the aristocratic system of the world does not fade, the democratic society of humans would still be influenced by the other races, humans are weaker and in the central continent, their democracy is a joke.
Therefore, in the human continent, words such as Ladies of War or distinguished Knights still carry a lot of weight.
If Alejandro dares to decline or criticize such customs, he would be ridiculed and his dignity and prestige would suffer, but not only would he be tarnished, but so would the Lupine family, and they would end up worse off than Lynne.
After all, accepting and losing are better than declining and running away like a coward.
"Little brother..."
"Wait a moment!"
Hayin wanted to speak but another person was faster, she was a middle-aged woman...
"Aunt?!"
"I'll fix it, nephew..."
This woman is the representative for this party that the Lupine Family had officially sent, Sara Lupine Alexander's teaser, and also a high-level executive of the Lupine Family.
Originally Sara did not intend to intervene before her since her nephew was so poisonous and until now she had always gotten away with it, because of her status and because she knew how to choose her opponents.
Unfortunately, she underestimated Arthur too much and with the duel, Sara couldn't stay calm, Alejandro is a weak chicken and didn't know Arthur's range, but knowing Deus Ex Machina, in armament Arthur would certainly overwhelm Alejandro, there was no need to think, Alejandro will suffer if this duel takes place.
She needs to stop it peacefully.
"My name is Sara Lupin, I'm sorry my nephew caused you trouble but I don't think it's necessary to take it to such lengths as a duel, this is just a misunderstanding."
"This is a matter between men, Mrs. Sara, would you do me the favor of not intervening, besides, misunderstanding? No, he doubts my integrity and I will not tolerate it..."
"This matter is indeed our fault but, the problem is not necessary, we can talk and this is a party, I do not think it is a good time..."
Sara was nervous, she expected Arthur to cower a bit when she told him about his identity, unfortunately, Arthur didn't flinch on the contrary he seemed more ferocious.
"I agree that it is a party and out of respect for the hostess I will not do anything today, but in three days I will personally go to your family and demand a duel whether you like it or not..."
"Please don't do it, it's a misunderstanding, we make sure to give you an explanation..."
"Explanation? Do you think I need that?"
A man is quite irrational and Arthur was making use of this privilege that men had over this society, since Sara was speechless, but she still had to try, she looked at her nephew who the more Arthur talked the angrier he got, If possible, Sara would like Alejandro to apologize, but knowing him that would be impossible, not to mention that she had to watch over lost prestige.
As for if Arthur accepted Alejandro's apology, it was a simple dream in politics and high society one single mistake and they will eat you alive, Arthur was simply going to take advantage of the idiot who knows nothing.
"No, there's no need, we can make it up"
"Ma'am, do you think that my dignity and integrity can be bought with money?"
"..."
Of course, dignity is the most valuable thing in this world, anyone who dares to trample on dignity can cause bloodshed, everyone knew this, even Alejandro is a pity that his ego went to his head and he did not think good stuff...
"Remember, three days... Sorry for the inconvenience"
Leaving these words, Arthur bowed to the guests and Lucia and left, Indara quickly followed him, Elias did too only Nataly sighed at this and handed a small box to Lucia...
"Your gift Lucia, Congratulations..."
"Thank you, still do you need my help?"
It was a perfect opportunity for Lucia to catch a son-in-law so she didn't care that such unfortunate incidents happened on her birthday, on the contrary, she liked it since with this incident, Lynne's loss gradually decreased and everyone was now interested in the duel between them. these two young men.
Even Lucia was interested, it's rare to see a man fight after all.
"No, it's fine, don't worry... Goodbye..."
Even Nataly didn't know what would happen now, Arthur was very reckless but the fact that Elijah didn't stop him means that he has a lot of confidence in his abilities, maybe Arthur is an expert pilot.
Therefore, she is also interested in dueling.
------------------
"Sister, Liam..."
Once they left the party, Libe caught up with them, everything went great for Libe, although she missed out on the cake, also her sister, and FMC were also unsuccessful.
She for now she returned as at the beginning, not maybe she still has a chance...
"Where were you?!"
Indara wanted to kill this woman, Libe abandoned them, and Indara who thought of using her as cannon fodder was furious at this unreliable friend...
"I'm sorry Sister, many things happened..."
Libe of course couldn't tell her that he was trapped with three other men and that he sabotaged her older sister, she gave him a sorry look as well as she also apologized to Liam.
"Will you be alright? A duel is an honorable thing after all..."
Prestige is lost in every duel, Lynne is a good example, tomorrow her loss will surely be on the front page of the local news.
"Okay, I won't lose"
With a kind smile, Arthur said no more and got into the limousine, for Arthur the duel was a form of entertainment and this conflict will also help Deus Ex Machina, the Lupine Family has several cities under their control, and Arthur wanted some that cake.
"..."
Libe didn't speak but considering that Arthur is an MC, these things happen, conflicts are part of the life of an MC.
Also behind Libe, Hayin sighed as she watched Arthur walk away, she was very depressed and didn't know what to do, she was caught between Alejandro and Arthur, it could be said that this conflict is due to her, which under normal circumstances she would be happy.
But now she wasn't happy at all, Sara didn't look at her very well and I blame her for everything, she didn't make progress with Arthur either, it seems that her impression was getting worse and worse and not to mention Alejandro, this spoiled child also left very angrily.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this"
It's the first time that she happens to lose three times to a man, this day was not her lucky day.
------------------
The next morning, just as Arthur predicted, the news of Lynne losing a duel was on the front page, as well as the conflict she had with Alejandro, the media did not just recreate some Shit story, as they feared that could offend both sides, be it Deus Ex Machina or the Lupine Family.
Therefore unless they are done with influential witnesses, the media would not dare to smear these big fish.
Even the loss of Lynne although it was big news, it didn't make Lynne look bad either, as Lucia moved her influence and dug up a bit about Hayin's information about being an experienced master pilot, therefore her loss didn't cause much damage to prestige. of Lynne.
But these were things that didn't matter to Arthur, on the contrary, he was a little helpless because of what was happening right now...
"Special Delivery for Liam Lujan"
In front of the door, there was a large flower arrangement next to a huge teddy bear that contained a letter folded with the heart that it had in the center...
"Oh!"
Nataly, who went out to work, as usual, encountered such a scene that he couldn't help but open his mouth...
"Here it goes again"
Elias sighed as he tried to get out without spoiling the whole gift, for Elias he was already used to this, since Arthur turned 13, gifts from women have been coming to his house nonstop.
Chocolates, Roses, stuffed animals, jewelry, everything these women could think of have arrived at their house day after day.
In fact until now after his move to his new house, Arthur not receiving anything until now had already broken a record.
Even Elias wondered why there weren't any presents yet.
But this was to be expected, Arthur had been locked up at home and nobody knew about him, but now with the party, he came out of anonymity, and all the women of the upper class know about him.