A few days since Remuel's return, the three archons and the emperor were able to get their morning tea meeting after a long time. They talked about what they had planned for the day as they spend it doing almost nothing but work.
However, it wasn't just work that was about to happen. Serkyrio had given both Draxus and Remuel enough time to rest for them to fight at perfect condition later in the day. Serkyrio had finished the arrangements for the arena to be used along with an announcement for the exhibition match between the two.
The reason for them to fight in a duel is because they were both bored. They would talk trash to each other every now and then. But the duel was something that happened rarely. The current score was that Remuel was up by a win. Which meant that if Draxus allowed Remuel to keep that score, he would be seen as someone beyond Draxus. But that's only from within the four of them.
They went through their normal day as they spent their time finishing paperwork and making preparations.
After lunchtime, they were given an hour to make full preparations for the duel. Since it was announced by Serkyrio, it was pretty easy for it to gather a huge crowd.
The two archons that will duel were talking with their fiancés. However, for Draxus's side, Serkyrio was there to ensure that things are equal. "I know that you have to be sealed but, you can temporarily open it for a long period of time. Well, once you exit combat it will forcefully seal you back to your current state, and force you to be weakened for a whole day. So use it wisely Drax." Serkyrio detailed out the [Ewiges Siegel]'s temporary unlock which will be necessary for Draxus to use. "Thanks Serkyrio, it's relieving that I get to fight Remuel on equal terms. But I can't just let him win today." Draxus smiled as he brought out multiple swords. "Dual wielding huh? You plan on going all out after all." Serkyrio spoke with sheer confidence that Draxus could win this time. "Of course I am. Livi, mind if I borrow your two swords for a bit?" Draxus turned his gaze towards Olivia while asking which she easily accepted. She brought out the two swords that she had been using for a while. Now Draxus allowed all the swords to float momentarily.
The swords that could be seen were imbued with various kinds of magic, Draxus will be making use of all of them without any hesitation.
Over to Remuel's side, he was speaking with Victorina and his other fiancés as he prepared everything in his arsenal. "Will you be using divinity?" With that question coming from Bethany, Remuel shook his head as he already understood that fact. "Serkyrio placed in the rules that I can't use my divinity, but I can still use [Deal with the Devil] to activate [Crimson World]." Remuel gave a small explanation as he waved his hands to reassure them. "Besides, there won't be any qualms if either one of us loses. This would basically allow ourselves to drive even further growth to ourselves." Victorina, Lynx, and Noelle had already understood the fact that duels can occur between the archons and even the emperor, but they were mostly lessons to allow themselves to push for even more power.
After having received their "Good luck" and cheering from their fiancés, Draxus and Remuel found themselves on the opposite ends of the colosseum arena. Arlesk stood in between the two to act as a referee, while Serkyrio was given a private viewing area to watch the match.
"We have spoken about the rules earlier, but we will explain it once again. No divinity shall be used, and the battleground is the whole arena. Falling from the arena doesn't count as a loss. Use the environment to your advantage. Lastly, the winning condition is by knocking the opponent unconscious. Feel free to go all out as the effect of [Eternal Regeneration takes effect every minute of the fight. Once the ten minute mark has passed, it's do or die." Arlesk raised his hand allowing them to enter their stances. Draxus temporarily opened the seal and activated multiple [Fortune Cards], namely [High Priestess], [Empress], [Justice], [Hermit], [Wheel of Fortune], [Strength], and [Devil]. With Draxus unlocking the memory of Zero Alephinity, his limit had completely skyrocketed. Remuel on the other hand activated his [Amalgam of Destiny] to boost his speed, power, and magic. "Exhibition Match, Archon Draxus Heimdal Kingfisher vs Archon Remuel Baphomet Phoenix. Begin!" Arlesk swung down his hand and quickly dashed backwards to begin the match.
"[Devil Inverted]!" Without any hesitation whatsoever, Draxus activated the Inversed Devil card to forcefully make an opening immediately. He launched an attack using [Kessaku] amplifying its strength and power through recoil. He quickly drove the fist right into Remuel's gut, knocking him away and waking him up from the short dream. "Guh!!" After receiving a sudden attack using the concept of dulled mind, Remuel narrowed his eyes as he fixed his posture midair and activated [Amalgam of Bible].
"[Fog of Pestilence]!" Remuel used a huge portion of his mana to generate a green fog, forcing Draxus to start thinking about another issue. He was no longer able to use the effects of his swords, and he's poisoned. Since the fog was thick it was barely possible to see anything inside it, making the audience complain.
"We can't see anything!" The audience started to shout around which made Serkyrio use the announcer in his private viewing room. "Quit yapping. [Elucidate]." Serkyrio used mass enchanter magic to improve the eyes of the audience so that they can see what's inside the fog. However, this does not apply to Draxus as he was fighting Remuel as of the moment.
"With Remuel having [Shrouded] active right now, it would be tough for Draxus to get out from this situation." Andreus spoke up regarding his analysis from the battle. They were discussing the flow of battle and who has the advantage. But seemingly enough, Remuel was the one ahead of Draxus in the current situation.
Back down at the arena, a coarse voice could be heard. "Damn, you really got me huh...?" Draxus spoke as he starts coughing up. He knew that the fog Remuel created was something that could poison him while staying hidden. However, that didn't allow Draxus to just back down as he remained on guard from any surprise attacks. Remuel finally appeared from one side and launched an attack with the scythe. Draxus blocked the attack and attempted to force a counter. But Remuel disappeared into the fog and quickly made his next move. Their exchange repeated long enough for the first [Eternal Regeneration] to activate. Draxus took the opportunity of the full heal to begin his first actual move to change the state of the battlefield. "[Fortune Card I, Magician]! [Kingfisher Bladework Fantasia Intermediate], [Scattered Blades]." Draxus spun around and threw around fifty nails and ice spikes in all directions, probing for Remuel's location before activating the actual sword skill. He sliced through the fog which caused it to scatter around the area, making a small gap for Draxus to place himself in. As he was finally outside of the fog, he was able to use the sword that was in his hands. One of the swords were similarly designed to a certain game, while the other had a compass as a hilt. It was a sword that Zero used. "[Black Hole]!" Draxus activated one of the abilities of Zero's dimension sword to suck out the entire fog. Remuel had caught on to the idea which forced him to absorb the fog that he had created. But since the potency of the black hole, he was only able to absorb a minimal amount. However, since the Eternal Regeneration helped restore mana, Remuel was able to use the absorbed mana for another troublesome ability.
"[Amalgam of Shadows]" In that instant, Remuel is now protected by an invincible barrier for the next few minutes.
They spent the next few minutes with Draxus defending with absolute desperation. Since Remuel's speed has already far exceeded Draxus, he was using [High Priestess] to predict Remuel's next attack. Remuel on the other hand, never gave any mercy. Since he was currently protected by an unbreakable barrier, Remuel attacked with reckless abandon. However, there was no risk involved, making Draxus defend with everything he has. Ice pillars, sword skills, perfect parries, ricochet nails, and even using ice magic to cool him down. But since Remuel's expertise element is fire, Draxus was easily countered by Remuel's overwhelm.
The overwhelming attacks of Draxus was put against him. Even though he tried to make a breakthrough, it was all for naught when Remuel activated [Amalgam of Shadows]. However, that isn't enough to break Draxus's spirit.
The fourth Eternal Regeneration had passed by with both of them fighting in speeds that are incomprehensible to humanity. But for Draxus and Remuel, they were both enjoying the extreme clash that they're displaying. Draxus already knew that Remuel's barrier is about to disappear. Looking for a perfect time, Draxus encased himself in ice magic while pushing Remuel back by summoning hundreds of ice spikes from the ground and air to intercept him. This forced Remuel to distance himself from Draxus as the barrier had disappeared. "So he's gonna do this now huh? Alright then." Remuel paused for a second to brandish his scythe, and in one go, he cleanly cut the crystal cocoon Draxus encased himself with. He then jumped up to try and attack Draxus from the sky but he was not found there. Instead, he was seen outside of the ring where he held a tarot card. "[Fortune Card XVI - Tower]." A new card was used, as a large tower of light plunged towards Remuel. "So this is how you'll play huh?!" With a yell, Remuel resisted the tower of light which highly consumes Draxus's mana. The tower of light didn't last long as Draxus instantly dispelled it to prevent himself from losing consciousness. He tends to use the card to make a highly calculated move that could instantly kill their targets. Even Remuel cannot escape from it without taking damage. And as expected, Remuel had multiple cuts as he slowly drifted down to the ground.
"Haaah... That should be good en-" "Not quite." Draxus's exhausted mind started to think whether it's over or not. But Remuel stood up from the ground limply as he held his scythe to support his body. "The clock's still ticking you know? But this is game over now. [Deal with the Devil], [Crimson World]." The barrier that was stopping stray shots was entirely covered with blood. However, with Serkyrio's [Elucidate], the audience were still able to see, yet they were silent as they couldn't comprehend the true level of archons.
Many were already able to witness the power of Draxus as he poured absolutely no effort in any fight and could still win. But in some more serious matters, they would see him use even newer magic to fight against any unforeseen circumstances. However, the second they bore witness at Remuel's [Crimson World] they finally understood that nobody will ever have what it takes to become an archon unless its them.
With the barrier and the entire area being painted with blood, it was unfortunately timed so that Remuel could have the instant recovery of the fifth [Eternal Regeneration]. "Now, let's see who can win Drax."