There were few place to host a duel of great proportions.
Specially with the amount of audience that had come to see.
But for E-Rantel, there was none. So they just repurposed an open training field near the outer walls. Seats were already set, layered in a way that gave the those who could afford it an elevated open view. While the commoners settle or clamor for what they could find beneath.
And while they clustered tightly, there was still a sizable people that had come to watch and see. Specially with the gossip surrounding it.
The Kingdom's Warrior Chieftain. A title created by the King in order to bequeath an honorable position to a commoner of great skill.
And a warrior of unknown origin. Defeating highly ranked individuals and said to have gone toe to toe against a Skeletal Dragon and win.
The claim alone was questionable. So when it was said that the individual will be tested by steel. Everyone was undoubtedly curious, with some outright excited.
Pluton Ainzach was among them.
He had read, investigated and listened to the report SkyWolf had given him. And he admits, it is impressive.
Had he not known the credibility of the man, he thought he was reading a fairy tale. And now, he was about to settle his mind.
Whether he was to be disappointed or not, he will see for himself.
"Is it not taking them too long?" asked his friend, Panasolei Gruz Day Rottenmaier, the ruling Lord of E-Rantel.
"They are merely waiting." replied Theo Rakheshir. Head of the Mages Guild in E-Rantel.
"For what? Explain to me Rakheshir." added Panasolei.
"Enchantments don't fade unless the item is either destroyed or incapable of holding it. But Magical Enhancements are all temporary. Casted Spells last for up to five minutes. Potions are longer but even the longest last for up to ten minutes only and the participants are expected to stay still till the fifteenth."
"So enhancements are forbidden then?"
"Not entirely. Should it be casted during he Duel, it isn't illegal. They are just making sure that the playing field is even before it starts."
Both Pluton and Panasolei let out a nick of laughter at his word. Even Theo Rakheshir couldn't hold his strait face, and soon the three were laughing among each other.
"Of course! of course! 'fairness' is a must in all duels." Panasolei then whispers to his compatriots. "...why else would we not point out that the opponent is wearing a tunic, while our 'representative' is donning the Kingdom's Treasures...'
Pluton hid his laugh behind his mug with the other two laughing out loud, yet his eyes remained observant.
The two warriors already sent whispers among those watching despite the lack of clashes.
Both are standing with eyes closed. But a difference can be felt from the two.
Momonga stood with his companion. His hair is out, untied as before. Wearing a white tunic that barely hid his –admittedly– impressive physique. A black cape wrapped around his shoulders. A pair of leather gloves, baggy black pants, and armored greaves wrapped around his boots.
The only thing standing out on him was the four plain silver rings on one hand. And his weapon of choice currently resting at the hands of his companion.
It is an impressive sword with a golden guard decorated by single ruby, a matching golden pommel with a fine silver blade.
The sword glinted, as the man spoke softly with Lady Albedo. Both becoming recipient to envious looks as the two talked to each other with familiar warmth and concern.
For a second, Pluton saw himself standing in the man's place with his wife, and her beautiful blonde hair catching the light replacing Albedo.
Much like the times when he would go fighting while she handed him his sword. Carrying it for as long as she can before he bears it's weight on his hands.
Pluton shook the memories away and instead turned to the other man.
Gazef bore the entirety of the Kingdom's Sacred Treasures.
The Guardian Armor.
Forged off of Adamantite. Enchanted beyond what any nobleman could hope to afford. With some parts even stronger than any one could ever know.
He is after all, aware of certain pieces of the armor that stood out above the rest.
The Chestplate of Protection was enchanted to endure critical fatal hits. He had seen swords bounced off the cinch in between armors when it's effect kicks in. The armor was said to have even protected Gazef Stronoff's head from a stray arrow as if bouncing off of hardened skin.
'A Man can be naked within it, and he would endure the killing blow so long as luck favors him.'
The Gauntlets of Endurance. Giving the wearer limitless stamina.
'Either there is no limit? Or it's so high we couldn't even see it.'
And finally, the greatest treasures of them all. The Amulet of Immortality.
Pluton had seen wounds closed in seconds with his own eyes. He had stood side by side with Gazef long enough to see the man break an arm against a charging horse, and use that same arm as if nothing had happened seconds after.
But what truly fascinated Pluton was the story behind it.
'If only we could find supporting proof. It would have done great in increasing the King's authority ...but... with things currently are? I guess it's a good thing that we failed to link the Royal Lineage to one of the Thirteen Heroes.'
*sigh~ 'Who calls themself Touch Me anyway?'
"Pluton? Are you alright my friend?" asked Panasolei, drawing back his attention.
"I am... just, sad at failing our 'last mission' with the King."
"Ah! Do not worry about it my friend. Every King has sent others to look into their origin. And find supporting proof of their Herald's Lineage. You are not the first to fail, you certainly won't be the last."
"I agree." adds Theo, "We have looked far and wide. The only place left is... well, you know."
"...the Theocracy..."
"Well! A fool's errand then." remarks Panasolei, ending the topic regarding the heroes tale.
But there in lies the question that Pluton couldn't help but ask.
If Touch Me was among the Heroes of legend, why was he removed from the History books? What terrible secret did he posses that accosted him his place in history.
'...did the King not tell us everything?'
Horns suddenly toot. And silence was imposed. There was no announcement, no grand speech. Only the cold stare of a heart broken king before he announced–
"Prepare!"
Gazef was handed his sword by his Vice Captain. He didn't take the sheath, only the blade that drew 'ooh's and aah's' as the teal colored blade shimmered beneath the light.
"Razor Edge..." said Theo with audible awe.
From the other side though, an unspoken conflict occured.
Albedo offered the sword at her hip. The 'Holy Blade of Unknown Name' as the people had dubbed it.
Her face showed worry and fear. Eyes darting to the bluish sword and to her Lord. But Momonga was undeterred.
No one heard what he whispered, only that it soften her enough, kissed her at her forehead, and took his own sword. Before walking to the field to face his opponent.
Receiving their weapons, the two –Albedo and the Vice Captain– was opted to leave. And while the Vice Captain left briskly, all saw and watched as the beautiful paladin left with reluctance.
"...married?" asked Panasolei.
"No. Companions." answered Pluton, but Panasolei just scoffed.
"Companions don't look at each other like that."
"...they do... If they had been fighting together long enough..."
His words silenced the lord, hearing more than what was said but they didn't dwell, not when the duel was starting.
—.—.—.—.—
They stood in front of each other, each to their own stance.
Gazed stood at the ready, sword poised forward with his feet firm and wide.
Momonga on the other hand, stood rigid that it made observers frown. 'Was I mistaken?' they thought, doubting the credibility of the man for a moment.
And then, the announcement came–
"Begin!"
Gazed rushed forward, crossing the distance with a powerful swing.
And as their blades met, the sound of ringing steel breached everyone's ears.
But to their eyes, Momonga blocked it, much to the surprise of many as a single thought echoed for a second.
That Razor Edge actually failed to cut through his opponent's sword.
Gazef frowned but he barely stopped when he felt Momonga move.
Momonga's footing suddenly dug steadily, prompting Gazef to react as the silver blade shoved him back and arched towards his midsection.
Gazef frowned, 'Too much wasted movement.' but he arched his blade the same way to cut off the man's sword arm.
Realizing he over committed, Momonga pulled back his arm but Gazef redirected his swing to the man's torso.
Momonga stepped back. Already knowing he would be grazed, but he swung back, sword arching upward towards Gazef's armpit.
*zing– *shing~ spurt!
Both suddenly jumped back,and reassessed themselves in front of prying eyes and whispers.
The crowd cheered at the spilled blood, but neither showed emotion to the other. They looked steady and forward. Neither was compliant but a silent acknowledge was there.
Right in front of everyone, the blood spilling from Gazef suddenly stopped.
And to the naked eye, the sword wound on Momonga's chest visibly closed. But to Albedo's horror and surprise, a scar remained.
Momonga's eyes shined with interest at the teal colored blade. 'So that's why the Original wanted it. Interesting indeed.'
As if the rigidity suddenly left him, –renewed by interest– Momonga, felt his curiosity fed and now, there was no point in holding back.
As if flipped by a switch, his body flexed, body slightly crouched, sword held low but forward while his footing shifted sideways.
Gazef's eyes sharpened and knew, the real fight begins.
Their first step cracked the ground they stood on and like a bolt released from a ballista, they launched themselves forward.
Gazef began, [Possibility Sense]. And to his frustration saw nothing.
His sword went for the neck. Momonga ducked passed it, sword grazing for Gazef's belly.
Gazef followed by [Flow Acceleration] allowing him to dodge by a hair's breath and swing his sword back towards his opponent.
Momonga frowned casting his own buff, [•Time Alter: Double Accel•].
To those watching, he teleported behind Gazef, sword raised in a downward swing. But Gazef raised his sword with a tilt, allowing Momonga's blade to graze at the flat of the blade, redirecting his movement.
Missed, Momonga swung a backhand towards Gazef who used [Fortress] to defend.
The clash went from fast to explosive.
Unharmed, Gazef was still hurled back with the clash of great strength against a barrier martial art.
With a heave of fresh breath, Gazef held his sword poised and ready. But his opponent seemed different again.
Momonga, had seen enough of the fight and refused to show anymore of his cards. Not out of fear but of outright caution.
He had avoided using anti-divination. Nothing but rings to keep his powers contained and limited. Mainly cause he would be too suspicious to the Magical Surveyors that would be watching the duel our of pure curiosity.
So he decided to end it.
He shifted into an exaggerated sword stance, with his stance low, and blade held by the base and his sword hand hovering over the pommel.
Much like Brain Unglaus, everyone who had seen him froze. Gazef most of all.
With an unseen nod, he knew, this was the final clash so he poured it all on the next attack.
"[Limit Break], [Ability Boost], [Greater Ability Boost], [Focus Battle Aura]"
As if answers by the wind, power surged from Gazef. Blowing an unseen force that disturbed the weak minded and awes the strong.
But Momonga wasn't idle and sent Gazef a small smile in return.
"[•Greater Full Potential•], [•Paranormal Intuition•], [•Sensor Boost•]" feeling his perception heightened to the point that he could actually see the flow of the wind, Momonga smiled and strengthens his stance.
Gazed held his gaze for a second, feeling the surging power within him. But it wasn't enough, a piece of him screamed it would never be. But he knew he has to try.
The Chestplate kept him alive, the Crown healed his wounded and broken body, while the Gauntlets gave him the means to reach such pinacle.
As if to complete the ensemble, Razor Edge shined like a brilliant gem seemingly eager to be unleashed.
And with a mighty roar, he attacked–
"[Six Folds Flash of Light]!"
While Momonga answered. "[•Time Alter: Triple Accel•]!"
The world turned grey.
Everything stopped.
And despite his eyes closed, he could feel the sharp wave of Light headed for him.
He tilted his head, dodging the first.
Slid sideways, dodging the second.
Leaned forward dodging the third.
Leaned backwards, dodging the fourth.
He backflipped, dodging the fifth.
And closed the distance, dodging the sixth.
With a flash of silver.
Time resumed, with Razor Edge flying to edge of the field.
And Momonga's sword extended to Gazef's throat.
A heartbeat of silence. Before cheers erupted so loud, they rattled the city of E-Rantel.