The pair of brothers reached the King's Chamber after a short walk. As soon as they entered Fenrir headed towards where he stored his wine, it was all in a glass cabinet being cooled by ice magic. As Fenrir was choosing a wine for the pair to drink, Sleph made his way to one of the two seats that had been placed on the balcony. Sleph looked out towards the setting sun and thought about those memories that had resurfaced.
Fenrir soon came over and joined Sleph in the other seat and handed him a glass of wine. The pair didn't exchange any words and just sat there admiring the taste of the wine and the bewitching sunset.
"It's been years since we last drank wine together and had time to relax" said Sleph.
"Indeed its been a long time. And soon you will be gone again" replied Fenrir.
"I have no other choice. I feel like with one more breakthrough, I can finally step onto the peak of the sword and become a sword master."
"So when will you leave the capital and head back to your duchy?"
"I know you want me to stay for longer. But I must go back and make as much progress as I can in the time you have given me."
The brothers continued to drink and talk about all that's happened in the time they have been separated. They only stopped when they had finished two bottles of wine and moon was overheated. They decided to go to sleep and rest.
The brothers who have seen each other in their birthday suits on multiple occasions and fought side by side for years didn't mind sharing a bed. They've done this before, so what's stopping them now.
The next morning Sleph woke up and found the King lying next to him. Still sleeping soundly. So he decided to let him get some more sleep and did not wake him. Sleph took another shower and put on his armour that had been delivered to him by one of his knights. He took one last glance at his brother before leaving. He left the palace without alerting the other residents and guards. After dashing across the roofs of the two and three storey buildings that made up most of the city and he arrived at the main gate.
Sleph sneaked past the main gate's guards which was almost like taking a evening stroll with his skills. Then after another kilometre he reached the the area his convoy had been waiting for him. Everyone that had come with him to the capital were all elites that he had personally chosen and were loyal only to him and the King. When they saw him they all quickly kneeled and lowered their heads to show their respect. He briefly greeted them and quickly entered his carriage and the convoy began their journey back to the Ferrum Duchy.
After seven hours of travelling they reached Denson Gate, one of the Ferrum Duchy's three fortresses. The fortress commander, Baron Morgan Clypeus, a knight who's skills could rank in the top fifty of the kingdom and an excellent commander. He was someone who was taken in by Sleph and trained for years, so his loyalty could be guaranteed.
The fortress's gate was wide open and Morgan accompanied by ten knights came out to receive Sleph. Sleph would be staying at Denson Gate for the night then continue on back to his own residence, Ensis Castle.
"Your Grace, its my honour to have you at my lowly fortress. I've arranged the best rooms for you and your men. There's also been a banquet arranged for you." spoke Morgan with a wide smile.
"I will be in my room for the night, my men will attend the banquet in my stead" replied Sleph.
Morgan was visibly disappointed that his mentor and leader wouldn't be attending the banquet. But since Sleph willed it, he had no choice but to comply.
The men in Sleph's convoy began to head to their rooms and relax until the banquet began. While Sleph himself headed towards his room and to improve his sword. The room although being even better than the one Morgan stayed in, was not worth mentioning compared to the royal palace or Sleph's room in Ensis Castle. But at least it was better than an inn or a tent.
After removing his armour and changing into something more comfortable and sat on his bed. He sat with his legs crossed and his sword lay on his lap. He started to simulate fights in his mind with the strongest opponents he's faced. Tweaking every movement until they reached perfection and slowly approaching his next breakthrough.
Sleph continued this until the sun rose the next morning.
"Your Grace, we're ready to depart for Ensis Castle." said one of Sleph's knights who was accompanying him.
"Good, I'll come down soon" replied Sleph.
After hearing from his knight, he decided to take a shower and clean off all the sweat on his body from his training. He then changed back into his plate armour and instead of heading down the stairs he leaped out of the window...
Sleph leaped from one spire to the next. Quickly descending from his room. His knights looked at him with their jaws hanging wide open, their eyes almost bulging out.
Soon Sleph arrived in front of the convoy. But everyone who had just witness what he had done were still shocked.
"Y-y-your Grace, are you not staying for breakfast?" asked Morgan who was still trying to overcome his shock.
"There is no need. Reaching Ensis Castleis what matters" replied Sleph before walking into his carriage.
"Your Grace, please take care on your journey!"
Right as those words left Morgan's mouth the convoy began to move again. The horses picked up speed and headed straight out of Denson Gate in the direction of Ensis Castle.
Sleph was once again alone in his carriage. He saw the food that had been prepared for him by his knights which was left in the carriage. It was an assortment of pastries, fruits, cured meat and cheeses. Sleph decided to eat some food before continuing his training.
Sleph's training lasted nearly ten hours, but he stopped due to their arrival at Ensis City. The city which encompassed Ensis Castle.
Ensis City was almost as grand as the capital. Its defenses were similar as well. Many people in the kingdom even called it the 'Second Capital'.
Baron Morgan had already sent word to Ensis and the other two fortresses via magic that Duke Ferrum has returned to the duchy. Some of the most powerful and influential people of Ensis City and the duchy had already gathered by the gate.
Sleph's convoy edged closer towards the main gate. When they arrived, Sleph stepped out of his carriage. His silver hair swayed with the breeze. His pale blue eyes gazed over his subordinates, containing a glint of satisfaction.
The knights, cavalrymen that had escorted him, along with the group that had been waiting for him at the gates, they all chanted in unison "Welcome back to Ensis City, Your Grace and we congratulate you for your victory over Nordalen!"
The group that had come to welcome him consisted of the duchy's two Great Mages, three Great Swordsmen and the nobles residing in Ensis City.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the group followed him to the castle. None of the residents dared to block the way of the Duke so the ones that lived along the main rode stuck their head outs of their window to catch a glimpse of him. While others had to stand in alleys or side roads. Many of the people cheered, congratulated and welcomed back the duke. Yet like always, he continued on his path while retaining his cold gaze. Even if the duke responded to their cheers with a cold gaze, they didn't mind. Even though he appeared to not care, the people in his lands all lived a good life. There was little to no poverty or corruption in the duchy and the people were all well looked after. This was all because of the duke's overwhelming strength, which the kingdom relied upon.
Once Sleph reached his castle he dismissed everyone but his five Great Swordsmen. He brought them to his private training grounds.
The three of them were all young men that were talented in the sword. Sleph had found them while he was wandering the kingdom. He had taken them in and provided for them, while also instructing them in the ways of the sword. In a way, you could say that they were his students.
The three swordsmen consisted of: Arnold -a youth in his early twenties with brown hair and an ordinary looking face-, Yorg -in his late teens with blonde hair and smug face-, Gordon -a man close to reaching his thirties, clean shaven with a buzzcut-. Each and everyone of them was well-built with bodies that were ideal to swing a sword.
As Sleph looked at them, he'd noticed they had grown slightly since the last time he had seen them. Their aura's seemed sharper than before.
Sleph said to the three "You three will be relieved of your duties for the next six months, some of the veteran knights will take over your posts. While you three will be sparing with me."
"Yes Your Grace" they replied in unison.
Arnold and Yorg drew their longswords. Gordan drew the greatsword hanging from his back and Sleph grabbed his rapier which hung from the sheath on his belt.
The three students encircled their master, they'd positioned themselves in a triangle with Sleph in the center. The three slowly moved closer towards him.
Sleph was facing Yorg while he had his back turned towards the other two. Sleph made a feint towards Yorg while he dashed towards Gordan at high speeds. He nimbly maneuvered his rapier around the greatsword and managed to scrape a chunk of flesh off Gordan's cheek. Arnold soon approached from behind Sleph leaving him no choice but to evade.
Gordan winced slightly, while the other two had determined expressions. This time Sleph was on the defensive. Yorg approached from his left while Arnold on his right and Gordan from the middle. The three who had trained together when they were younger, perfectly coordinated their swings.
Yet Sleph deflected Arnold's blade and forced it towards Yorg's and once again targeted Gordan due to his slower speed. This time Gordan was prepared and Sleph could only aim for his lower body. Sleph pierced the plate armor on Gordan's leg leaving him a gashing wound that reached the bone and then dashed forwards to escape the trio.
Arnold swung his blade and shot a few blasts of aura towards Sleph while Gordan smashed his greatsword in the ground whilst imbuing all of his aura. The resulting tremor could be felt throughout the entire castle which didn't lack in size compared to the Royal Palace.
The tremor cause Sleph to lose his balance allowing Arnold's aura blasts to reach him. Sleph managed to block two of the blasts and attempted to evade the third.
The third blast of Arnold's aura had made a small scratch right under Sleph's eye.
Sleph looked at the pair that had managed to scratch him and smiled. It was a proud smile that a father would have when looking at his sons.
But soon this smile went back to his usual blank cold face as he slashed behind him. Yorg who had attempted to attack Sleph from behind was shocked. The other two were shocked as well. The trio had planned to distract their master to allow one of them to sneak behind him and land a blow.
But their plan was broken by a single swing. Yorg's sword was flung out of his hand and was embedded in the roof of the training grounds.
Sleph dashed forwards and hit him in the solar plexus with the hilt of his sword knocking the wind out of him and soon he collapsed.
After finishing off Yorg, Sleph turned his sights on the remaining two.
And this gruesome sparring would continue every week for the next six months...