Next Day.
3rd Pov.
As the sun went up in the horizon of the kingdom, the news about a Foolish Noble's Challenge to their Esteemed Guest had reached all of the residents of the Kingdom. Even reaching the ears of the neighbouring countries.
Inside the Marquisdom of The Gilded House, Gildard was in his office pacing back and forth with his hands on his head murmuring unintelligible words.
Gildard: Why the hell is none of them supporting me?! Even the nobles who used to lick my boots are nowhere to be found?!
Gildard in his infinite arrogance and ignorance challenged the one person whom the whole kingdom was pinning their hope on saving the crisis they were in.
And him doing this naturally made those who worked with him, or under him very annoyed and frustrated at the young head of the Gilded House. None wanted to be with him, in fear of getting accused of being his associates and getting themselves dragged in the chasm that Gildard has opened for himself.
His choice of putting his territory which naturally belongs to the Kingdom at stake in this match was the same as giving this land to an outsider. Whose consequence most would agree will lead into discord.
But Gildard blinded by all this, losing his rationality if he had any, thought that the Nobles and the King Opposing him was because they were obviously controlled by that Bael.
So determined to become the 'hero' of the nation, he called for his servants to prepare his fighting equipments.
----
On the Table of his office, one by one his armour was being set by the maids, which at last was followed by his weapon which gave him the confidence for what he was doing.
A sword which was called the Monster's Bane. A family heirloom of his, passed down by generation upon generation. This sword had claimed the blood of countless monsters in its life.
Seeing the weapon, his army commander Boris couldn't help but ask.
Boris: Sire, I have never seen this sword before. What does it do?
Gildard: Boris, this is my family heirloom, the Monster's Bane. It is an A rank sword that can even harm a dragon with it. It only has a limitation, that it can only be used against monsters, for human it's only just a strong normal sword. That's why untill now you have never seen it.
And these armours are all B+, with Magic Buffs and enchantments together they have the same stats as an A rank would.
Boris: But, sire. If you had such an Armor and weapon, why didn't you participate in the Monster Control?
Gildard: Heh, as if I would. Those monsters although weak individually, are quite strong for even me to keep up with. I don't want to die, so I didn't participate. Besides, noone knew of this Weapon anyways.
Boris: Then are you confident that Bael is a Monster? What if he happened to be a human?
Gildard: You weren't there when he arrived or even in the feast, but standing beside him, my instincts screamed at me of a dangerous monster and I knew who that monster was. It was definitely that Bael.
Boris: Then what about his subordinates?
Gildard: No, Someone as beautiful as Miss Adrigal would never be a monster and as for the other three, I don't know, Don't care.
Boris: ..... Could you reconsider? Going against someo-
Gildard: Silence! Who are you with!? Me!? Or that monster?!
Boris immediately Knelt,
Boris: Definitely You sire, i apologise for my misconduct.
Gildard: Go, i don't want to see your face anymore.
Boris: Yes...
Shutting the door to the office room, Boris with a straight face walked away. But just when he was about to turn a corner, he raised his hands near his ears and said a word.
Boris: [Message]
-------
Bael Pov.
After last night's incident, we returned to our designated quarters.
In my room, a Meeting was held between Me and My guardians.
Multiple anti-spying, anti-infiltration and anti-noise spells were cast.
We didn't do a meeting yesterday because I wanted to think about this opportunity that I had received in a silver platter.
Adrigal: My Lord, we can't leave that insect alive, not only he questioned my loyalty for you he also disrespected and challenged you.
Aria: Adrigal's right my lord. We should kill him.
Rhombus: Absolutely! To do such a thing, it's really unforgivable.
Gaia: Oh!oh! Let's send him to Citrus!
Bael: 'Ehhh?! I thought Adrigal would say it, but for Gaia to be the one?'
As customary for all roleplaying guilds, mine too had a department solely based on Torture and Intelligence Gathering, TIG for short. The head of this was the Chief Torturer, Citrus. Although his name sounds funny and cute, his techniques far surpasss the ones of Neuronist.
Bael: Of course Gaia *head pats her while the rest look at her with envy* I had already anticipated Someone acting like that fool did.
A collective gasp of awe spread in the room, as the guardians were amazed by the foresight that Bael knew such a thing was in his Grand Plans.
Bael: ' Actually it's the result of Reading too much cliche fanfics' [Message Citrus]
When the call connected, it was received by a Jovial and Happy tone of Someone whose voice sounded neither Female nor Male.
[Lord Baaeel! To what do I owe the honour of getting a call from you! Oh great Lord of the Castle!]
Bael: [Citrus, I have a very Important Guest for you who will arrive soon today. I will personally teleport him to your 'welcoming living room']
[Ooohhh!! My first Order From youu! And such an Important one tooo!!]
Bael: [Indeed, I hope you entertain our guest well, make sure he lives for a whole month. Use resurrection magic if needed]
[As you wish! My Lord]
Bael: *in cold voice* [Also...after that month, continue to give him the 'pleasures' he deserves until he begs for death, until he cries for it. Only then. Do give him death....Give him the most painful and traumatizing death even his soul will shiver.]
The voice on the other side became serious too
[Understood My Lord, Our Guest will enjoy his stay here]
You would ask if Bael had gone too far as to give orders like that, but this is him being him. When he transmigrated here, from there on the stats, the karmic value and his lore had started to effect him.
His dragonic instincts was what made him do such a thing. Because, not only did Gildard had offended and hurt his pride as the dragon. But he even decided to covet Adrigal, someone who could be considered as Bael's Possession. And dragons were known for a few main things, their Pride and their Greed and the Protective-ness of their Possessions.
With that he cancelled the Spell.
Rhombus: My Lord, what do you suggest we do with the kingdom now? Since the one who offended you is from here?
Bael: Nothing, for now. We'll proceed as planned. I'll save the kingdom and build a cooperative relationship with them. As for the lands we will recieve, we will use that as our stronghold and base of operations in this Continent.
Just then I received a message [My Lord, I am the Doppelganger assigned with observing The Fool and I have some Information]
Bael: Hm? Is that so..
When Gildard left the hall yesterday, i sneakily ordered a Doppelganger to trail him and impersonating someone close to him gather information.
As an experienced PvP and PvE player, you should always gather information before a Battle against the Enemy, no matter the power disparity.
And to think I found something interesting. I would like to personally see that Monster's Bane. A weapon specially crafted for monsters, truly is intriguing.
Bael:[Keep gathering information, about his family, his lands, how he manages it, everything]
[Yes]
Bael: Adrigal. Contact Medusa and have her prepare to send equipments and resources for the re-designing of the lands we are soon to receive. As soon as all these is finished, we will use Gate to transport those items.
Adrigal: We'll make sure it is perfect for your accomodations my lord.
Bael: Gaia , summon some earth elementals and dryads to assist in the scouting of the mountains.
Gaia: Yeeess~~
Bael: Rhombus and Aria, for the moment there is nothing for you to do, but when the fight begins, I want you to make sure noone travels in or out of the territory of the Gilded House, Don't let any one of the residents escape.
AriaxRhombus: Yes!.
-----
As Midday reached, at the mines of the Gemmera, before it's entrance which was closed off with the barrier spell from the crystal Bael provided.
A crowd of the Nation's Nobles, The King, Prince and Princess had gathered, along with the Commander Chief and Carlos were present.
Gildard was waiting, fully suited and geared up in the clearing where his duel with the 'tyrant' will happen. He was all alone. Everyone avoiding him as if he got contaminated with COVID.
Just then a tear of space appeared, its appearance as if a Purplish void of the night sky. From there, Bael and his entourage arrived.
Noticing the Crowd and especially Carlos, he went over to greet them, effectively ignoring the fool waiting for his duel.
Bael: Sir Carlos, It's good to see you here. I believe you were not present yesterday?
Carlos: Indeed Lord Bael, I don't fancy participating in troublesome gatherings so I didn't attend. Hope you didn't mind my absence.
Bael: It's fine. I actually understand your feelings towards political occasions such as yesterday's. It is always draining to attend them.
Carlos: Well said Lord Bael.
Bael: Greetings King George, forgive me but I just couldn't help but talk to Sir Carlos first.
George: I don't mind Lord Bael. I hope You forgive us for what that fool is doing right now.
Bael: Please King George, as I have said when we met, a single person's choice doesn't dictate the choices of his whole group.
*Looks at Prince Robert's Direction* I hope you understand my meaning now, prince Robert.
Robert: Yes Lord Bael.
Gildard, being ignored so much couldn't hold himself and burst in anger.
Gildard: Hey!? I have been waiting for you! Why are you ignoring me? Fight me you coward!
Bael: *Chuckles* I apologise, for I had something more important to do then to entertain an Insect merely buzzing around.
Gildard: why youu....
Bael: That's enough jokes for now. Now as we have decided before, the stakes for our PvP will be the possession of us. Do You Accept?
Gildard: PvP? What's that?
Bael: Do you accept the arrangements?
Gildard: Cheh!...yes I do.
Bael: Excellent! Now, I see that you have chosen to go for Melee. Thus I shall handicap myself...
Gildard: Don't Underest-
Bael: By only using one spell.
"What?" "Is Lord Bael really that strong?"
"Is he kidding?" "That's a bluff right?"
Murmuring of doubts and Disbelief spread around as Bael finished.
Watching this, Bael was satisfied by the reaction he was getting...
Gildard: ....I don't know why you are doing this. Maybe you underestimate me or overestimate yourself, but one thing is sure, That is I will win.
Bael: We'll see. Now *dramatically spreads hands* Come at me Human!! Show me your Foolishness!!
Gritting his teeth, Gildard gripped the hilt of his sword as he charged forward. The speed by which he went surprised the crowd. He was showing an agility comparable to a B+ ranked adventurer.
Such strength was unheard of in the Noble Community, the most strength they thought he would be at was at most the High C rank.
This revelation shocked them and also question his absence when the Monster Curbing was happening.
As Gildard reached Bael, he struck his sword at speeds normal humans would be unable to counter. But Bael was anything but human. With soley his instincts, he bent backwards, letting the Sword's tip just pass by him.
This was countered by a light kick, sending Gildard tumbling a few feet away.
Immediately standing up, he again gripped his sword. Using Martial Arts now to strengthen his agility, vitality and endurance to low A- he again went for the assault.
His constant strikes, blows, slices and jabs was met with Bael's fluid dodging and parrying whenever he wanted.
This went on for a few minutes. Gildard unable to even strike Bael once, gritting his teeth jumped back.
Gildard: I now have come to the understanding that you are quite strong. But if you continue to dodge then, it's for sure I would win.
Bael: Oh? But that is yet to be seen, Sir Gildard.
Gildard: *gritting his teeth he murmured* I know.
Soon He started channeling the mana in his body which amounted to only an adequate apprentice mage towards his sword.
Surprisingly the sword amplified the mana quantity to about 3 times it's original amount, intriguing Bael of its functions.
Gildard: Get ready for my final attack, you Monster!
Bael: I am waiting...
Gildard: Haaaaaaa!
Raising the sword above his hands he gathered more mana as he shouted.
Bael: 'Are you a Saiyan or what?'
As soon as the mana was depleted from him and went towards the sword, he lunged forward kicking winds as he went.
With a Power swing at Bael's head he attack. As soon as he felt his sword connect with something a huge dust cloud formed.
Anticipation and tension rose as everyone waited in bated breath of what the results was.
On one hand they would be proud and happy of someone of Gildard's calibre to be with them if he won. But it also couldn't hide the feeling of anxiety over the fact that if Bael dies then his help against the Monster Infestation was for Nought.
Moments went by as the dust cloud slowly settled. When it was almost about to reveal the result, a distinct sound was heard. As if a metalic object had gotten itself stuck and was desperately trying to free itself.
Gildard, thinking he killed Bael was about to retrieve his sword when he felt the sword didn't Move an inch, no matter how he tried to maneuver it, it didn't budge.
As the cloud Fully settled, it revealed a sight something everyone couldn't help but think this was a dream.
The attack Gildard had used that could even Heavily Injure a Dragon was being held by Bael with him pinching the sword above his head. What was terrifying was that no matter how Gildard seemed to try to remove the sword from Bael's grasp, he Couldn't.
A wave of disbelief and shock was formed in the crowd.
George: *Mumbling* Impossible
Gildard: How-how are you doing this?!??!
Bael: As I said before our duel, Insects like you are hardly enough for me to glance at.
Gildard: Nono no! This is not Possib- arghh!
Unable to continue, gildard was mercilessly kicked by Bael. His sword getting thrown in the far left from where we fell.
As he got up clutching his stomach, the pain made him believe that some of his internal organs are sure to have been destroyed. He now understood the strength disparity between them. How foolish it was to challenge someone like him. Regret seemed to have surfaced in his mind.
Gildard: I-I surrender! Forgive me for my earlier Ignorance! for-for my rude behaviour!
I apo-
Bael: It seems you are truly a fool.
Gildard: Huh?
Bael: You, yourself had asked for a Death Match. You understand the meaning of this right? For someone to win, the other naturally has to die.
Gildard: N-no! I apologise! I won't do such a thing anymore! Forgive me! Forgive me Lord Bael! Lord Richard! Your majesty! Help me! Please!
Gildard in his desperation spoke rapidly, calling for help to everyone present. But none came forward to stop Bael. In their heads this was something Gildard had caused to fall upon himself. Don't just blatantly drag us with your plight, was the sentiments of everyone present.
Bael: Come on. I haven't even used my only attack chance I gave upon my self. Hm, why don't we do this? If you survive my only one magic attack, you are free to live.
Gildard: R-really?
Bael: Yeess indeed, I never break my promise.
Gildard: I accept!
Bael: Then, [Nuclear Magic: Nova Burst]
A spell equal to a 8th tiered was cast and blinding flash was seen, followed by a loud explosion. The winds swept every where, but the Crowd and the King were protected by the barrier erected by Adrigal.
During the flash, no one noticed the silhouette of Gildard suddenly disappearing. This was because he got teleported to the 'living room' in Deudenia, where Citrus was waiting to give his Guest a very 'Warm' and 'happy' welcome.
As the Explosion finished, all they could see was the scorched lands where Gildard once stood. They offered a short prayer for his soul inside their minds not knowing the irony of where he truly was and their offered prayers.
Bael: King George, I hope what Gildard presented with offering his lands to me is not false.
George: Not at all Lord Bael. By fair and just means that land now rightfully belongs to you.
Bael: Good. Now then, let's see what this Mine has to offer.
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And that's the end for another chapter.
If you have any doubts about the details I missed, you can comment on that part. Ifi see it fit then I would edit it or maybe explain to you why I did what I did.
See ya in the next one then!