The next morning, Adam and the group of girls were waiting in the training ground for the twins. In distance, Ace, Theodora, Alora and some others were seated.
Bella made coffee and served him first.
"Here Master, the Coffee."
"Thanks, Bella."
Bowing once, she served the girls as well. As soon as he finished drinking the coffee, the twins wearing heavy silver armour and swords. Smiling at them a little, he disappeared and appeared on his position in the ground. Though, everyone seem surprised by this, none said anything.
The twins still full of arrogance asked,
"What? You are still here? If you beg us now, we can let you go, how?"
"No, brother, I want him as my slave. I never seen such a handsome man before~~"
The first one was full of arrogance. But the second one felt very creepy for Adam.
"I guess that is how royalties are. Not knowing how big and how deep the ocean is, you think you are the biggest fish while you are still in a pond...? Ridiculous!"
The twins gritted their teeth feeling the anger. But they didn't lash at like before. They took a stance and asked,
"You are not going to use any equipments..?"
"There is no need for any."
He rejected their thoughts outright.
Standing as the lookout, A man loudly exclaimed,
"As per the previous engagement, the duel will start, NOW!"
BAANG!
The twins without even thinking unleashed a slash at Adam. With the help of wind element, the slash continued aiming at Adam. But shocking the twins, he stopped it with barehands.
""!?!?""
"Weak." He uttered, taunting them. He created a sword with ice and pointed at them.
"I'll be merciful and let you see the difference in status. Let me show you that, the true strength doesn't come from being a royalty or noble blood. But hard work."
Though he doesn't have the right to say that (now) he too worked hard at least till Magic King level thanks to his talent.
Thinking he was about to attack them together, the twins went different ways trying to confuse him. But sorry for them, Adam wasn't aiming at them. He pierced the ground with the ice sword and uttered.
"Absolute Ice : Zero."
The ice elements flashed in a second and captured the twins with ease and froze them from their feet to neck.
"Wh-what is this..?!"
"Ice..?!"
The others were the same. Even Beta and Bella was interested now.
"There was a spell which can let you control ice..?"
Ace asked a man next to him.
"I am afraid not. Not just a spell, but ice is not an element. At least we haven't found such a thing yet. Unless that boy there, know something."
Ace nodded.
'He have such a knowledge. It would be great if he's our friend rather than enemy even in the future. I can use this to..... Hm....'
Ace was still planning.
Back onto to the duel. It ended just like that. Even if they want to move, unfortunately not just they, not even a god can save them unless Adam himself wishes for it. If someone else tried to save them, the twins will break into frozen ice pieces, nothing else.
"So, let me ask you this, brats. Just because you are royalty, does that mean you are the lord of this world..? Or are you wishing for such a thing..? You see, I am a magnanimous person. That's why, I won't kill you. However that doesn't mean I will forgive you. Even though I am magnanimous, there are certain things that I hate the most."
His piercing gaze made the frozen twin's head shiver.
"First, I don't like people taking bad about my family. Not just once, but twice, you badmouthed my father. I don't care if you want to curse me all you want. I will just ignore it."
It was fine till now. But suddenly an overflowing killing intent filled the entire training ground, making even the sky black. Clouds began to form around in a spiral motion making the scene look more apolcalyptic! Small thundering sounds could be heard. As a demi god, he has the ability to control the nature even at a normal rate. But thanks to his mysterious body, nothing can resist his will!
Ace and the knights couldn't but tremble even though they are veterans who have seen bloodshed. Adam continued while maintaining his killing intent, so that the twins won't faint.
"But, talking about my family is one thing I can't ignore. So, what should I do to punish you? Should I forget about my magnanimity and kill you both? Or should I torture you? Ah! Just so you know, even your father can't stop me if I wanted you two dead. So, I'll give you this option. Why don't you decide your own punishment?"
He was really magnanimous. So the entire crowd thought. The twins couldn't even talk freely. So, Adam released then from the ice, making them fall on their butts. Still, their body was trembling from his killing intent. The girl even wet herself.
The boy said while trembling,
"W-we...will apologize... properly..."
"Please...spare us..."
The two bowed, their head touching the ground. It was such a humiliating sight for the whole royal family and the knights who saw it.
Ace was grining as his blood was boiling after witnessing Adam's blood lust.
Theodora was amazed by how easily did Adam defeated the twins and even made them apologize willingly.
Alora, who saw this understood why her father told her to atone for her mistakes. Her father was trembling. Then what about her. Her face was full of sweat and her fingers and feet was still shivering. And a little liquid left her bladder without even her control.
'If I was more polite back then, may be I could have a good relationship with him, a talent and such strength. I guess I do have a lot to learn before trying to become an Empress...'
Hearing her twins begging Adam released his killing intent once more to make them faint and sighed.
"T-The winner is Mr. Adam!"
That man announced. Thus ended the Duel. But suddenly Ace stood and loudly said,
"There is more to it. The punishment for the two of them was death, nothing else. That's why this punishment of just forgiving them doesn't repay the debt and gratitude we have for you. That's why, I as the Emperor of Aragon, Ace Claus Desa Elrox Aragon, hereby order!"
As it was an imperial order, other than Adam and his group, everyone including the Empress and Adriel kneeled on the ground waiting to hear the imperial decree.
"Alexandria Claus Desa Aragon!"
"Huh? Ah, Yes, Here!"
Flustered by the sudden call, Adriel went ahead and kneeled before her father. Finding the Emperor's actions suspicious, Adam was about to ask what this is about, when an obvious thought came to him.
'This sly old fox!'
He cursed in his mind. Although Ace saw Adam's face, he smiled smug and ignored him.
"Will you, as a citizen and subject under my rule, do anything I ask of you?"
At this time, Theodora also understood where this was going. She giggled silently.
"Yes. I, as the princess, daughter, citizen, and a subject under your majesty, will obey any order you have for me!"
Ace smiled and ordered.
"Then, Marry Adam Aves Aldians from Grania and be his Knight that protects his life and serve your duty as a princess of the Empire!"
"Understood! ....Eh? Wait! What did you say..?!"
Although she agreed readily, she couldn't but fluster when she remembered what he specifically ordered her to do.
"What is to..? You didn't hear it properly..?"
Ace asked like an Emperor.
"No... I heard it, but I was so surprised, that i..."
At the end of her words, her face became bright crimson. Ace chuckled seeing that.
"So, do you object?"
"No! I...I am happy! But, I don't know how the other party feel about this..." She said so as she glanced at Adam and averted her gaze.
Ace looked at Adam and asked,
"Adam Aves Aldians. Come forth!"
Although he was a noble from another country, am imperial order was the same as a royalty ordering him. Thus, Adam went forward and waited for Ace to respond.
'Damn you Ace. These old farts are all sly! I must think twice before having a good relationship with them in the future. Anyway, this time, it isn't bad since I already decided what to do. So hurry up and finish this farce, Ace!'
Ace asked,
"Do you object to this proposal..?"
Adam waited for a while. He was really clever. If he asked such a question in front of the nobles from the empire, rejecting the princess means disrespecting the imperial family, thus a reason for war. Though Ace wouldn't go so far as to wage war for this, it was still a minus opinion against Grania.
'This is why nobility and royalty are a pain in the ass. I should get ready for another engagement as soon as I return to Grania.'
He mentally reminded himself before glancing at the sad Ruby.
"If the princess is fine with it, I am ready to accept her."
He said as he smiled at his loss. Ace smirked though he was surprised Adam didn't fight against it anymore. Ruby was surprised as well. At first, he said he would reject Adriel. But now he accepted her. What did this mean? She was in deep thoughts. Ace then announced.
"Thus, I announce this engagement! Next month, there will be a party at the castle! I welcome everyone!"
This means the country Grania and The Empire Aragon are officially at a mutual understanding. If this is a success, it would mean that the human continent is United excluding the relationship with Brine and Empire and Elves Forest and Empire.
Grania has relationship with Brine and Elven forest. Now with the Empire as it's friend, there is formally no more war.
"Congratulations, Princess!"
"Congratulations, Lady Alexandria!
The servants and knights who were near them greeted her.
"Congratulations, My dear."
Said Theodora. She was happy.
"I am happy that my daughter got what she desired."
Still feeling too embarassed to talk, Adriel just hid behind her mother while shooting glances at Adam. Her Sword Master, Friend, Crush and Now her Fiance.