Chapter 344

Raene came to pick up Vorbuk from his room after he'd awoken from a sufficient amount of rest. Taking on his human form the beast followed the siren closely. It was time for his duel against the headless horseman. Ashley was already waiting for him outside when he left the cabin.

Ashley had a cold expression as he watched the siren walk his master out of the cabin, "Do you really need to do this master?"

"I gave my word to duel against him. The deal has already been made." Vorbuk had rested well for the duel against the headless horseman. The only reason he was not attacked and killed by both of them from the beginning was because he'd given his word to participate in the duel against Creed.

The siren, Raene, cut into their conversation when she overheard them, "Creed takes honor in one's given word very seriously. If you try to avoid the duel he will kill you both."

Vorbuk felt like he could imagine how terrifying the headless horseman was when angered. He did not want to cause more problems. There were many things for him to worry about right now.

Not wanting to add on to the list of problems he had to solve, Vorbuk responded to the siren, "Where do I need to go?"

The siren glared at the vampire causing Ashley to do the same to her. It felt like Vorbuk could see dangerous sparks between the two of them as she said, "Will he be observing? Nobody is allowed to intervene between the two of you."

"Ashley." Vorbuk called the vampire's name.

Understanding that his master wanted him to not step in the middle of the duel, Ashley could only nod in reply as he said, "Yes, Master."

"He will stand back and watch." Vorbuk said to Raene. Unable to receive help from Ashley did not make him useless. He wanted to keep the vampire close in case things went wrong.

The siren sighed, "Very well. Follow me and do not get lost."

Vorbuk and Ashley followed the siren away from the cabin. It was impossible to have the duel close to the cabin. When they dueled it was to be done away from Creed's cabin. The headless horseman held deep attachment to his cabin. He would not allow it to be damaged during the fight.

They walked down a rocky pathway that lead down a steep cliff. At the bottom of the cliff it opened up wide. Sounds of rushing water could be heard as a large river opened up before them. The raging waters flowed southward.

"This is a river that runs south east towards the seas." Raene explained the river in front of them as one long river that flowed from an underground pocket beneath the witch's garden of Drethia Kingdom. The river's waterway reached all the way out to the seas. It was one that many sirens loved to linger and relax on because the water was fresh and cool with an abundance of fish that could be caught and eaten.

Vorbuk was startled slightly at the sound of hooves. The air became heavy from the pressure that the headless horseman gave off. He watched as Creed rode his horse along the side of the river. Pacing its gallop towards them as they walked towards the river.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Vorbuk apologized because his time to properly rest had taken longer then he intended. His body had been drained drastically during his journey to Drethia. It had been a while since he had time to rest properly. Everyone had been traveling hard for so long that he had not been given a chance.

The headless horseman, Creed, stood in silence at his words before responding, "Are you ready?"

"Yes." Vorbuk replied to the question. His heart beat hard in his chest as he walked towards the headless horseman and the undead horse he was riding.

Creed glanced at the siren and she understood. She began to quickly guide the vampire away from the two of them. They would be able to watch from somewhere at a safer distance. If they were further away it meant the risk of them trying to get involved was smaller.

"The problem with slaves," The headless horseman started to speak up as he dismounted undead horse, "Is that when their masters are in danger it may become more difficult for them to sit back and watch. Their loyalty tends to be blinded by desperation."

Is he calling Ashley blind for following me? Vorbuk wanted to rebuke but he sometimes questioned Ashley's loyalty. At times it felt like Ashley was blinded by his desperation to protect his master.

"If you lose you will be serving me as well." Vorbuk did his best to ignore that thought as he summoned his black dual bladed sword from his mana while muttering its name like a spell, "Chavez."

"This is a duel and not a fight to the death. Neither side shall kill the other." Creed spoke while unsheathing his own sword and pointing it towards Vorbuk.

It was not a match to the death so he did not ride his mount for the duel. He had no intention of breaking his word to kill him. Killing Vorbuk would have been a waste of resources that the headless horseman required to regain his own head. It would have been like tossing away his only rope to freedom from his position under the Drethia King's control.

"When do you want to-?!" Vorbuk wanted to know when the duel would begin.

CLANG!!!

Vorbuk had almost been caught off guard as the headless horseman's movement was taken quicker then he could blink. Their swords collided with each other so hard that it vibrated in his hand. The duel had started without a word because Creed did not like to waste time. Since they were both aware of the duel it felt like the headless horseman had persisted to start the duel in order to get things done and over with.

"Tch." Vorbuk clicked his tongue as a familiar sound rang in his ears.

[ Mission Accepted: Defeat The Headless Horseman ]

"You do not need to tell me what I already know." Vorbuk wanted to slap the system for its obvious words. The system wanted him to win in the duel. It gave him more stress when he thought about the system demanding his victory.

Clang! Clang! Shhhhk!

Their weapons collided again and again as Creed noticed Vorbuk muttering words under his breath. He could not hear what he was saying. Creed had no idea what Vorbuk was saying or who he was talking to. It felt like Vorbuk was muttering words to himself.

"You must focus or it will be too easy for me." Creed's voice rang out in warning.

CLANG!

Their weapons collided so hard that Vorbuk felt worried the sword made from his own mana may shatter upon impact from Creed's weapon. The precision and force behind the attacks were sharply made. Vorbuk could tell quickly that the headless horseman had started off by going easy on him.

Is he testing my skills against himself? Vorbuk felt like the duel was created without Creed having any thought about Vorbuk actually beating him. The headless horseman was confident in his own skill. He had from the beginning felt no fear in fighting against Vorbuk.