58 Duel (3)

[3rd person POV]

Inside a building nearby the Riverman's Association, the Baron of Westerland watched as the battle of the two knights outside reached its peak.

'It seems I have underestimated this young Bretton noble.' The Elector Count sighed deeply in his mind at how much trouble his son has brought upon him. He slightly regrets sending that commander of his knowing how he would have acted against Mark.

He had anticipated that the young noble would not have been a simple one seeing he could imprison his men including a wizard of the crimson order. He had thought that maybe it was just the usual trouble brought upon his son but when the men he sent were also captured then it gave the Baron enough reason to pay attention.

He had learned that the one in the wrong was his son from what he had learned from the soldier that was sent to be the messenger. Just as he was getting to gain respect towards this young noble he received that letter which made him see Mark as an opportunistic and arrogant. He had nothing to lose anyways and it would give him reason to send people to retrieve his son.

But a part of him also wanted to see if this young Bretton would be able to keep his word. If the one who made the letter was a fellow man of the Empire then he would have scoffed. But it came from a Young Brettonian Lord which gained some name for himself by being a strong warrior.

And from what he had learned from the messenger is that they young man showed no arrogance but pure confidence when he sent the letter. And it seems that it was indeed confidence, he looked fervently at the one swinging the large sword like it was just a small rapier sending relentless blows against the a famed Grail Knight.

A Knight that was feared by even the toughest warriors of the Empire, yet here is one getting overwhelmed by a young promising warrior. But still seeing that he would have to show himself and gaining back his city was not a pleasant thing for the Baron. He knew he would be indebted to the young man and he would have to give what was promised.

"Send someone to prepare two frigates full of slaves, put those that are trained as well as the rare bunch we have in store. Add in a well-furnished Caravel and a trained crew to handle the ships." as he said that, one of the servants behind him nodded and left. But the head of his bodyguards looked skeptically to the Baron.

"Would the Duke follow through his word? Sure the young lad is better but who would stop the Duke when he has about 2,000 soldiers as well as 300 knights with him in this city." The old knight said.

"As arrogant the Brettonians are, there is one thing I find both noble and naïve in their culture. They always stick to their words, even the most despot of them would not renege on a promise once it is spoken. Besides, he could use this as reason to pull out his forces, his pride wouldn't allow it leaving with no valid reason but this young ald just provided it." The Baron smiled as he muttered under his breathe. "Cunning lad…"

In the duel of the two warriors, flashes could be seen as the blessed sword of the Grail knight clashed with the Mana clad sword of Mark. Little by little Mark started to acclimate with the pace of the Battle as he slowly integrated the skills he just learned to his movements.

The eyes of the two blazed with as the battle started to tilt in favor to Mark, the Grail Knight was getting winded as Mark started to gain more and more throughout the battle. He had always been a genius in learning but he had never fought like this with many shackles on his arms. It was hard but it made him able to polish the things he learned the past two years.

Every basic move getting more polished, more complex as combinations make together a dance that brought death to whoever faces it. Such poetic battle was etched in the eyes of the men of the Empire as well as the Knights of Brettonia watching. As deafening the sound of the clashing of swords is as silent the people are as they were mesmerized by the young man in front of them.

*Clang!!*

Silence prevailed as two swords flew in the air, the Grail Knight was overpower but he was not without his own way of fighting others stronger than him. This was a last resort technique he used which disarmed him as well as his opponent. He would use this to close in and finish the battle in close quarters but this decision hastened his defeat.

Mark was surprised at the exquisite way the Grail Knight weaved his sword to make him lose his grip of his own at the expense both were disarmed. He could see his enemy closing in to fight him barehanded which he reacted to immediately South-paw stance. He bobbed and weaved in a ghost-like manner that the Grail Knight was caught unawares of a punch heading to his chim.

*POW!*

Mark caught the Knight off guard so he sent a flurry of jabs, uppercuts as well as hooks to the Knight in front of him. The Duke, Baron, knights as well as the commoners watching was surprised at the sudden change in the battle and watch the bizarre way the young noble devastated the old knight.

The sounds of metal armors clanging in a mystical rhythm that made the ones watching stopped their breath together until Mark delivered a strong uppercut which sent the old knight back for five meters.

*BAM!!*

*CLANG!!*

The sound of the knight falling down as well as the swords falling as well gave a deafening silence all around. Mark then walked forward as he picked up his sword and then raised it high signaling his victory. The Crowd went wild as they cheered as they witnessed a never ever seen type of battle. Bards were already in the corners writing down at how they would sing this in taverns and inns on their travels.

Mark stood there basking on the glory of the fight and he slowly put down his arm. He then stabbed the sword on the ground and walked to the other sword left lying on the road. His action were only seen by everybody as they saw him pick the sword up, placed in on his two hands like a pedestal. He walked to the downed figure of the knight and kneeled beside the old warrior.

"I believe this is yours." Mark said as he knew the guy was still conscious. He was knocked down only after that flurry of blows yet the guy was still conscious. How monstrous did they improve after drinking from the Grail of the Lady of the Lake.

"Tis was an honorable battle young man, you punch like a maddened troll too, ughhh…" the old knight slowly raised his body groaning as things hurt everywhere.

"It seems you have been bested old friend." The Duke closed in as he also helped the old knight stand up.

"It seems I have hahaha… the young ones never ceases to amaze me my lord." The old knight laughed as he slowly took of his helmet showing a grey haired man full of battle scars. Yet his eyes still show so much vigor that his age seems like a lie.

"You seem like you took a strong hit there, got me worried for a second too." The Duke looked at his friend and felt that it had been years he saw the guy smile like that.

"It is a strong one my lord, remember that Rock troll we fought back then? The young lad punches were heavier than that hahaha!!!" it seems like the beating he earned earlier was a lie as he stood there laughing making the Duke shake his head in exasperation.

"It seems we may have to leave soon my friend." The Duke said that as he looked at Mark nearby who nodded which the Duke responded in kind. "As per our agreement, since our side has lost then I will withdraw my army from this city. Now who should I pass the baton to handle the city?"

"They would be here." Mark just said that as he looked at the side where another group appeared which was led by the Elector Count of Marienebrg.

"I see, quite cunning of you Baron of Westerland to hire my countryman to help you in your time of need." The Duke was still and old snake as he just insinuated that the Elector count had to ask for help outside the empire to regain his control of the city.

"Don't hold it against me Duke L'Anguille, me and my associate just have mutual agreements that were beneficiary to each other." The Baron smiled as he looked imperceptibly towards Mark. Saying out that Mark has gained something out of this situation like them.

"I see, then be happy as you would see none of my men in four days' time." The Duke did not bother speaking more as he knew all partied benefitted from this one way or another. Thus their perception of Mark heightened; he had made a scenario where no side had any dissatisfaction of the situation at all.

The Baron regained his full control of the city especially its docks, the Duke was able to hold onto his honor and pride after gaining what he wanted in the city and Mark gained most with new boats as well as the favor from two influential men of two large factions.

[The Next day]

The whole city was still abuzz after all that happened as they talked about the Duel of two great warriors. And since it was a world lacking any devices to record things factually, the stories become so far out from what really happened that rumors started to circulate.

Not that Mark cared as he just camped on a small port with a rather wide clearing just settle across the small keep south of the city. Mark used this time to assimilate the local vampire forces under him discreetly but not too much as he wanted Neferata to know he was slowly taking hold of her minions.

Mark needed the experienced spies to be in his pockets and having almost all of them to be on the level of Victoria's Secret Angel level in beauty was a bonus. He also gained the various dirty secrets of the city which he hid for now as it might be useful later. He could see that his title also improved which was a welcome one but there was a new one that caught his attention. But before he could check for his status there was a knock outside the carriage.

"My lord, the Baron of Westerland sent an invitation to a bell hosted in Rijker's Isle."