Romanoff Dukedom: The Heroine (6)

The Urduhel Bout was the most prestigious event for the young nobles who had yet to inherit their households. It was held every five years and took more than a couple of years to prepare.

In this competition, the young aristocrats would be matched up against each other according to a random bracket draw. It was to prevent utilizing influence to get a more favorable position in the competition proper.

The participants would train for years merely to prepare for the Urduhel Bout. The awards were nothing to scoff at, thus the participants should pay an equal price when it came to their capabilities.

The families of those who would be participating should cede a fraction of their territories or fortunes to be put up as prizes. Furthermore, an uninterrupted audience in the Emperor would be forthwith rewarded to the victor.

However, what the members of the Valk League coveted were not the treasures, territories, nor the audience with the Emperor. It was the freedom to summon the entire Empire's knightage whenever they desired so.

The winner would also be given permission to enter the Imperial artifact storage -- where the largest collection of artifacts within the continent was stored -- and leave with an item or two in their hands.

It was an established rule that the current Lords of each family had the final decision if they would let their children partake in the event. Thus and so, he would be in a bind if he failed to fulfill his father's condition.

Ius had already set his sights on a certain artifact owned by the Imperial Family. It would be detrimental in the competition for Skarrighan's blood.

"Poor you, Ius. Then, I'll go ahead and take the win. There's always a next time, though I doubt you'll still be qualified considering your age." Herkel said in a teasing manner, but it was evident that even himself didn't take his words seriously.

All the young men inside the room knew just how important the Urduhel Bout was to Ius.

In all honesty, Ius would be their greatest competitor in the Bout. They coveted the most prestigious prize for the winner as well, so wouldn't it be reasonable for them to sabotage Ius' chance of participating?

Fewer competitors meant greater opportunities to be the victor after all.

Herkel would only need to shut his mouth and refuse to help with the investigation. The other four could also take that route.

For them to beat Ius, whose name was the most brought up among the handful of celebrated young Lords, they solely had to win the Urduhel Bout and prove their capabilities. They could finally overshadow Ius.

However, they had no such intentions.

The members of the league were sentient that winning over Ius wouldn't come easy. That's why they willingly submitted themselves under his leadership.

Ius was more capable of utilizing their skills than them. It was because of Ius that they could go around and be adventurous. If they weren't a part of the league, they would surely be living their lives following what their parents wanted them to be.

Ius heaved a deep sigh as he massaged his temples. He then drew another handful of breath and spoke after a long repose.

"It's not only me, Herkel. The Duke of Avret, the Marquis of Chroly, the Marquess of Brosch, the Count of Schertrude and Parvor, were all in my father's office earlier. The condition is for all of us."

The five young men weren't the least bit bothered about Ius' news. If anything, they already expected such a thing to happen.

Igor scoffed, shaking his head as he said, "Ius, you know we're all in the same boat. If you can't join the bout, we're going to cede our rights to participate. That's it."

"Why is it that those oldies decide everything without considering our feelings? It must be their hobby." Ulysses added as he sank further down his seat.

Aaviren and Fluger just kept their silence. But deep inside, they agreed with their companions' words.

Herkel, on the other hand, was looking at Ius with revelry.

"Ius, why do you look so incompetent right now? Can you just stand there for an hour? I'll summon a painter to keep your portrait."

"I might as well do that too. You look pitiful with those bandages on, Herkel."

Though there was no laughter, the atmosphere within the room lightened up.

Ius roamed his eyes around the room to see if there was somewhere for him to sit on. Withal, aside from the bed, the couch that was on the other side of the room was too far to his liking.

Herkel, who had a catty smile on his face, patted the area of the bed beside him, cleared his throat and put his humor into words, "Ius, you can sit here. Let's have a wonderful time looking in each other's eyes and wondering what our fu-- ouch!"

Feeling the pain of having his head hit, Herkel glared at the suspect. Fluger made a gesture as if he was about to hit Herkel again.

"Stop! Stop, okay! No more teasing!" Herkel exclaimed as he blocked his head with his crossed arms, "I'm injured, for heaven's sake!"

"Injured? You don't sound injured. Maybe you're even faking your wounds."

"What fake?! Are you blind or what?! Are you saying that Ius is also lying?!"

"What?! What kind of nonsense are you spouting, you mongrel?! In the first place, who told you to transform into your beast form?! Isn't that why you weren't able to fend the enemy off properly?!"

And thus, another bout of banter began.

Ulysses, Aaviren, and Igor couldn't believe that they were the witnesses for yet another useless conversation. Ius closed his eyes and heaved a deep, deep sigh, enough to drown the voices of both Fluger and Herkel.

"Just be thankful that you weren't the one who was hurt?! How dare you hurt a hurt person?!"

"There's more hurt in your words than inside your body! Just shut your mouth, will you?!"