"Baron Atreus Vermillion…! Thank you for inviting me into your throne room!"
Baroness Cecil Thornvale strode toward me, gently tossing her long, golden-blonde hair.
I hadn't expected a Baroness to be dressed in black, gold-accented combat attire with mystical ornaments, like a high-ranking warrior.
At first glance, the brown-skinned, golden-eyed woman's smile was seductive, but when I saw her carrying a blood-stained sword, I knew she was here to engage me in battle.
"Do you think I'll let you in?" I asked, eyeing Baroness Cecile warily.
"Of course not, Baron… I'm not welcome… but I can get them to clear a path for me to see you," Cecil replied confidently.
Damn it.
I knew this bastard had defeated all my soldiers who happened to be patrolling the fort.
My fears were true; Vermillion's forces are still very weak compared to the forces of other territories.
The fact that she came alone without her main troops and defeated all my soldiers completely shattered my pride as the top ruler of Vermillion.
"You know my purpose, Baron Atreus. Restore the dam you damaged. You're disrupting the water flow in my territory," Cecil said calmly, his sharp gaze fixed on me.
"...if I do that, the Vermillion Territory will die on its own. I'm only taking what's rightfully ours, Baroness Cecile," I retorted firmly.
"You should be grateful that I didn't immediately attack your weak forces and behead you for causing chaos by altering the waterway, Baron Atreus. I'm only saying it once, and there will be no repeats." Cecila drew a sword from her waistband. "...restore the waterway, or you will be destroyed along with all your loyalists."
"You haven't won against Vermillion until you defeat me, Cecile," I challenged, rising from my throne.
"Baron Atreus…! Be careful…!" Leysha immediately conjured up her magical shield, protecting herself and me.
Cecile smiled, as if she knew I was challenging her.
A second later, Cecile's figure suddenly vanished.
Leysha and I were shocked, immediately looking around as she vanished like smoke, soundlessly, formlessly; just gone.
Faintly, I heard the sound of wind cutting through.
I reflexively grabbed my anti-magic dagger and—
CLANG!
I managed to deflect Cecile's sword slash, which nearly tore through my neck.
This bastard managed to penetrate Leysha's magical shield?!
I unleashed wind magic, sending her flying, but she had already jumped over me and vanished.
I quickly got up, holding Leysha's hand.
"B-baron, I—"
"Stay close to me, Leysha!" I said, my heart pounding.
Not only was she fast, but I couldn't detect this bastard Cecile.
I summoned Rhaevor and—
STAB!
A stabbing sound rang out beside me.
Leysha stared at me blankly, her mouth covered in blood.
A sword had just pierced her stomach from behind, soundlessly.
The magical shield Leysha had formed shattered instantly.
"LEYSHA!" I screamed in panic, holding Leysha's fallen body.
Although dimly visible, I saw Cecile quickly draw her sword and then move swiftly to slash at me.
But I had already summoned Rhaevor's Spirit.
Before Cecile could slash at my neck, Rhaevor lunged.
Rhaevor's blow and Cecile's swift slash collided.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Rhaevor managed to keep up with Cecile and then launched a counterattack, which Cecile parried.
Cecile retreated, pain-free, only slightly overwhelmed by Rhaevor's successful kick.
"Tch... so you can use a leveled-up Spirit too, huh..." Cecille complained, waving her hand, which was slightly bruised from Rhaevor's kick.
Damn it.
Even though I'd managed to keep up with Cecile, using Rhaevor at its highest optimization level was quite draining.
My body was sweating profusely and my breathing was labored, but I maintained my focus.
I used my healing magic to close Leysha's wound.
Although the bleeding had stopped, Leysha still looked pale and weak.
With my inner gaze, I could see the flow of magic in Leysha's body was disrupted.
Was she cursed?
"Your beloved maid isn't dead, Baron Atreus... but her magical abilities will be blocked," Cecile said, confirming my suspicions.
"You take pleasure in the suffering of those weaker than you, huh... pathetic, Baroness. Just because you failed to defeat me in my throne room doesn't mean you can do as you please. How can the people of Thronvale remain subservient to you, someone who only tortures the weak?" I asked provocatively.
Cecile's expression immediately turned to one of annoyance and anger.
"Watch your words, Baron Atreus...! There's no one who can insult the greatness of the Thornvale family! We have always been revered and praised by those in our territory! If you dare, let's settle this conflict with a formal and prideful duel at my place! I will prove that Thornvale is far superior to Vermillion...!"
Good.
She's taken in by my provocation.
From the fight earlier, I've already determined that Cecile's abilities are roughly equal to mine, but I still need more preparation to defeat her.
Many of my soldiers are injured, especially Leysha, who needs special treatment.
I still need time to rectify all of this before I can properly and optimally duel with her.
"Very well, I accept your challenge. I will make sure to come to your place and we will duel there…in the presence of your men. We'll see if you will still be praised or humiliated for your defeat."
Cecile put her sword back.
From her heavy breathing and sweaty body, I could tell she was feeling the same exhaustion as me after fighting Rhaevor.
"Just so you know, Baron Atreus... many Barons and Baronesses have fallen in our dueling arena. And their heads bear witness to Thornvale's glory. I'll give you seven days to prepare because I can't wait to slaughter you there."
Cecile then left the throne room.
I let out a long sigh, relieved that the damn Baroness was finally gone.
I immediately called the healers to administer more intensive treatment.
I saw Leysha's breathing was still ragged and her body was shivering.
Unfortunately, Cecile's damn curse was still bothering Leysha.
"Baron Atreus... it looks like Leysha needs special treatment," said one of the healers.
"What kind of treatment?" I asked.
"Her body is shivering and sweating profusely because her blood flow and magic are disrupted. To fully recover, Baroness Cecile will need to undo the curse, but there's a special treatment to ease Leysha's pain and fatigue for current time."
"Explain the treatment to me."
The healers looked at each other, then one of them dared to approach me and whisper, "Lying together naked can help ease the pain, Baron Atreus."
Ha, if that's the case, I'm happy to do that.
"Take her to my room. You also immediately mobilize assistance for the wounded soldiers," I quickly ordered the healers.
Then, my gaze shifted to the commander of the soldiers, "Strengthen the defenses. I understand our troops are fragile and vulnerable, but for now, there's no need to worry because Cecile won't attack us for seven days. In the meantime, focus on recovering. I'll find a way to win this duel and replenish our forces."
"Understood, Baron Atreus."
The soldiers and healers left.
I hurried to my room.
Leysha needed my hug.