Defend or Eliminate

Royal palace: Meeting room: before the incident.

A round table with 13 seats was completely occupied, aside from one. The nobles' faction, also known as the Nobles Crest, had their meeting during the festival.

"With this, the festival might go without a hitch," a nobleman said. He wore a classic fancy dress, but his role was only a count.

"Though it is a shame Lord Cassius wouldn't come," the other nobles agreed with his statement. Having a hero at the festival might be the proudest thing they could do.

"Don't you agree on this, Duke Paisley?" He looked at the man wearing a blue attire. His hair had a few whites on it. He didn't look too old, but he had an intimidating aura that none would mess with.

"Do you think I could tell the hero to come here? He won't listen to anyone, and what can we do?"

The noble count was silenced, as well as the rest of the nobles, until one man spoke as well.

"I wonder how Lord Esmond is doing," the man who said so was a lowly baron, but he was still included due to his massive wealth and fame throughout the Holy Empire.

He was a nobleman by blood, but that doesn't mean he was respected by other nobles; a baron is just too low for them.

"How dare you say such foul words! For a mere baron!" a woman with light brown hair rebuked the baron, "your head would be on the ground for such atrocious words!"

In her anger, she slammed the table. "Shut up," the voice of a man beside her was calm yet demanding.

"You're only here because Marquess Bernard isn't here, so I suggest you stop your yapping and let the man talk." With a single glance, the woman bit her lip in anger, but there was nothing she could do but sit down.

"So the young baron Eadberht has something to say, speak your thoughts," he directed his gaze to the young baron who was nervous to speak.

"Thank you, Duke Albrecht. As I was saying, haven't we neglected the hero Esmond? Even Lord Cassius was against the idea of banishing him."

"Haven't you heard? His strength potentially rivals that of the demon god. Though the demon god's existence was beyond natural, he might actually become the next demon to destroy our land!"

"That's right! We can't have that risk!"

"Humans must stay away from him and have absolutely no contact with him!"

All the nobles, who were Earls and Counts, protested, aside from the Dukes, since they only scoffed at the pathetic conversation.

"Isn't there a prophecy as well?" Once that was said, the nobles immediately looked at the man. It was the Marquess Blight, sitting like a man who had a plan.

"That prophecy from years ago? Hasn't that already been called a hoax?"

"A hoax, you say?" he touched his long beard, "we haven't heard anything from the temple though. Only the common folk have said that it was a hoax; the temple never denied or told us it was the truth."

"Watch your mouth if you're speaking about the temple," Duke Paisley looked at him with fierce eyes. The duke was devoted to the temple, but he also had doubts about the prophecy.

"Oops, I apologize," the Marquess grinned while covering his face, but Duke Albrecht saw his face and thought that the Marquess was planning something.

"An old prophecy... I haven't heard it in a while. Does anyone still remember it? If so, then please tell us what it is again."

"I still remember it," the man stood up and told them about the prophecy.

"Along with the flames from hell, he will come and destroy what is in his path. No man will be able to make him disappear. His eyes signify the hell he will bring, and his hair symbolizes the eternal darkness that will lurk the continent forever, and mankind will do nothing because they can do... Nothing."

Silence once again filled the room. Surely, the only man they knew who had black hair and red eyes and is strong enough to destroy the entire continent is the hero Esmond, but they aren't sure enough.

"Just because the prophecy said it's dark hair and red eyes doesn't mean it's Esmond!" Baron Eadberht shouted when the room was quiet.

"It's been almost three years, and the hero Esmond hasn't made a single move! Isn't it about time we—"

Boooom!!!

A huge explosion was heard in the festival area. It was loud enough that even the nobles from the meeting room could hear it.

"What was that?"

"E-everyone... Look!" The count pointed his finger in the sky, and everyone who looked was surprised. Some didn't know what it meant, but the dukes and Marquess knew.

The sky was open, and the stars formed a circle. It looked like something came out of it. The dukes knew what this meant as they were with the heroes during the time of war.

Solais! That's what the nobles were thinking. The Sword of Light had appeared in the middle of the Holy Empire's capital.

The feelings of both Duke Paisley and Albrecht were a mix of excitement, nervousness, doubt, fear, and adrenaline.

They were about to meet and see the hero they once fought with in battle, but this time they might be the ones fighting him.

"Everyone, you know what this means! The meeting is dismissed! Inform the emperor, secure the entire castle, and double the security!" Duke Albrecht commanded the nobles and knights as he exited the meeting room.

"Prepare my armor and weapons. I must be at the battle at once," he ordered the knight beside him, and the knights ran to get his equipment.

"Duke Albrecht!" a voice came from behind him. It was Duke Paisley, who rushed to him.

"Are we doing it right now?"

"Yeah, right now. We've got this. At least once in our life, we will do this," a knight in light armor stopped them in their tracks and told them he was there to report.

"It was confirmed the demon king Esmond is currently in the capital. The 2nd Division vice-captain Raguel has been sent since he was the closest, but he won't last long. Backup is required."

"Alright, I'll wait for my armor here and head out immediately," Duke Albrecht said.

"I will do the same as well."

The knight bowed and left to report to the other nobles about the situation, though both the dukes thought it was best that no noble would hear about Esmond. But they both knew it was something they can't hide.

"My Lord, here is your armor and weapon," the knight helped him wear his armor. It wasn't the usual full-body armor that was heavy; no, it only consisted of the breastplate, shoulder guards, gloves, and boots.

They were experienced in battle, so they were confident in their defense. They both hated full-body armor since it reduced their movement.

With both dukes geared up and armored, they are ready to enter the battlefield to confront Esmond. They will either kill each other or have a calming conversation.

I prefer the fighting, but of course, peace talks are a must.