The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers as Ruan and Leon stepped onto the stage, their presence electrifying the air.
The announcer, a tall, slender man with a booming voice, raised his hands to silence the audience.
"Both contestants have appeared, so it is time to—"
But before he could finish, Leon interrupted him with a calm, confident tone. "Wait a minute."
The announcer's eyes widened in surprise, and he repeated, "What?"
Leon smiled calmly, his eyes locked on Ruan. "I'm thinking of placing a bet."
The crowd was utterly confused, and the announcer hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "That..."
Ruan, however, was quick to respond, his voice dripping with arrogance. "Okay, I accept it. I'm eager to crush you."
Leon and Ruan locked eyes, the tension between them palpable. Ruan sneered, his voice cold and menacing. "If I win, you'll fall on your knees, beg, and apologize. And your ties to the Arcblade family will be severed. You will no longer be an Arcblade, and you'll get out of the entire Helion Empire, never to return."
The crowd gasped, and the arena fell silent, the weight of Ruan's words sinking in. The man in black attire shook his head, a mixture of disappointment and disdain on his face. "Tch, such a condition... even if Leon is illegitimate, this is too much."
Nox, standing nearby, whispered to himself, "This brat doesn't know his place! He's going to regret this."
Leon, however, showed no hesitation, his voice steady and firm. "I accept."
Ruan grinned, confident in his victory. "Okay, now let's begin! I'll show you what a real duel looks like!"
But Leon wasn't finished yet. "Wait a minute."
Ruan's smile faltered, and he growled, "Now what?"
"If I lose, I'll fulfill the condition, but... if I win, what will you do?" Leon asked, his eyes glinting with challenge.
Ruan burst out laughing, his voice echoing through the arena. "Hahahaha! You think you can defeat me? You're just a pathetic little boy!"
Nox chimed in, his voice low and urgent. "Tell him the same condition he told us! Make him regret his arrogance!"
Leon smiled, his eyes never leaving Ruan's face. "I want money and one property. Something that will make it worth my while to participate in this farce."
Nox's eyes widened in surprise, and he muttered to himself, "What the hell!? Are you an idiot? You're going to get yourself killed!"
Ruan laughed, his voice dripping with condescension. "Money? Hahaha! You're proving you're a poor brat! How much do you want? A few copper coins?"
Leon replied calmly, his voice unwavering. "I want two things, but I don't think you can give it. I'm not sure you're worthy of this duel."
Ruan's grin faltered, and he grew angry, his face reddening with rage. "What? There's nothing I can't give! I'm the richest man in the empire!"
Leon said, his voice steady, "Then the first thing I want is 8 million gold coins!"
The crowd erupted into chaos, with everyone shouting in shock.
"8..8...8 million gold coins!?." Shouted Ruan in astonishment.
The man in black attire raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "How can he be so greedy? Does he know what he's getting himself into?"
Lady Ariana, the red-haired noblewoman in the VIP section, chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Haha, this brat is amusing! He's either very brave or very foolish."
Ruan's face turned pale, and he thought to himself, "8 million gold coins... it's enough to maintain a whole town for 2 years. Can I really afford to lose?"
Ruan stammered, "A-are you serious? You can't be serious!"
Leon smiled, his eyes glinting with challenge. "You're scared? You're not as confident as you seemed earlier."
Ruan's pride wouldn't let him back down. "Scared? I? Don't be ridiculous! I'll give you the gold coins, and I'll crush you in the duel!"
"One of the knights said "But...Young master!,Lady will- "
Ruan interrupted him and said
"I won't lose. I'm the stronger than this brat.He doesn't stand a chance."
The crowd leaned in, eager to hear Leon's next demand. Ruan thought, "This greedy bastard, what will he ask for next? Who knows... he might ask for something even more precious!"
Leon said, "I want Eruk Mountain and the territory around it, which is near my Katana Castle."
Ruan laughed. "I thought you'd ask for a precious treasure, but you're asking for a wasteland and a useless mountain?
Of course I accept this."
Leon smiled. "Not just accepting it."
Ruan's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I don't believe in you," Leon said. "I want the gold coins and the documents to be here."
Ruan's face turned red with anger. "Why should I do that?"
Leon smiled. "You're scared that I'll win, right? Is that why you're not keeping it here?"
Nox said "He will not do it."
Leon in his mind say "No,he will do it.Even if he is arrogant,he will not let go his pride."
Ruan's pride wouldn't let him back down. I can get the Document of the Land and mountain,but...Taking 8 million gold from The castle budget,it will even require 10 days."
Leon said "mm...Ok."
Then Ruan snapped his finger.
Then a Man,with pale face,and green hair came behind Ruan.
Ruan said "Take The document of that eruk territory and bring it here."
Then that man dissapeared in an instant.
Nox said "Who is he?."
Leon said "...He must be Krone,Ruan's Exclusive shadow?. "
"Exclusive Shadow?." Said Nox.
Leon in his mind said "Exclusive knights,or Exclusive vassals,are vassals, who are special,And work exclusively for only their Master.And do not listen to any other's order.They pledged complete Loyalty to only their Master,They even said to be Personal Guards,who follow their master all times, Protect and work for only Their Master."
Leon continued "They are the most special Vassal to any noble,as they are that nobles Most loyal and serve them until their death."
Leon then thought "Basically,they are Human familiars who follow their Master everywhere and do anything for them."
Nox said "So they are like my 5 League Of Evil."
Leon in his mind said "aren't they your top 5 demon Generals."
Nox said "They are my Most Loyal Servants."
Leon in his mind said "There can only be one exclusive knight."
Then Nox sighed and then said "Why does that bastard Ruan has a Exclusive Vassal?."
Leon in his mind said "Of course,it's obvious, his Father is quite Influential."
Then Ruan's Vassal,Krone,arrived there.
He showed Leon,the Documents of the Eruk territory.
"Can we fight Now?." Asked Ruan.
Leon shrugged. "Hm... okay, now let's fight."
Nox Asked to Leon, "There's a meaning in asking for 8 million gold, but why a wasteland and mountain?"
Leon,in his mind said to Nox, "You'll understand it sooner."
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena, "Battle of Warriors, Victory or Failure, Show your strength, Fight till your fullest..."
Then he paused for a minute,And shouted THE DUEL BEGINS!