Chapter 47

I laid down on the sofa as my head throbbed as if it was being pounded. Even though I felt fine yesterday, I was feeling the worst I've felt today.

"Goodness! You're face! It's tomato red!" Amelia exclaimed as she looked at me while sitting on top of my stomach.

Slowly I sat upright and rubbed my eyes. "Is it? How's my temperature?" I asked her. She slowly climbed onto my shoulder and checked. "Burning! The air you're breathing out is also burning!"

Did I really catch a cold a day before going on the most important trip?

I couldn't cancel the trip now. I had everything planned, even going as far as to go on a shopping date with Kathlyn. There's no way I'm throwing all of that away just because of some puny cold.

Amelia was worried about me as I forced myself to sit upright on the sofa, spreading my arms behind it and clinging on for dear life as I stared up at the tall, distant ceiling.

"We really can't cancel going to the party, can we?" Amelia said as she curled up on my lap.

"Nope."

"But you're feverish."

"No can do. I must. Money awaits me at the party."

I could hear Amelia's audible sigh as I explained why I could not skip out on the party. Indeed, I'm only going there to get investors, but the other reason I found was what Alaric has to say to me. A secret he has for me.

"Sorry to keep you waiting! Some of the ingredients were not easy to find in such a vast kitchen."

The sweet feminine voice rang out from a doorway to the left-hand side. I slowly bring my head forwards, trying to see where Kathlyn was.

She came in with a tray and two cups on it with a teapot as well. She must've made a lot of it. She was also considerate enough to bring Amelia some leftover cake.

"It's fine~ I didn't expect you to make it in the first place. Thanks for that!" I told her as she placed the tray on the table. A small smile breaks from my lips as I smell the relaxing aroma of the tea.

Already I felt a lot of my fatigue leave my body. I couldn't tell where this fatigue came from but it was gone as quickly as it came in. Without wasting another second I take my cup and blow into the steaming hot cup of tea, cooling it down enough for me to take a sip.

Kathlyn took a seat opposite of me and took her cup as well. She took a sip while I took in the floral and sweet scent that came from the tea. It smelt exactly as I remembered it did. It had the scent of a vast garden full of flowers and the sweet smell of honey.

I was taken aback by the strong smell that filled my nose. It wasn't a bad smell by any means but it was really strong.

"Is the smell too much for you?" Kathlyn asked, seeing me make a questionable face. "The smell is really strong! I was taken back by it." I explained to her.

She softly chuckled while I took my first sip of the tea. The flavours exploded in my mouth like a firework. The taste was sweet and tasted better than the first time. Even though it smelled like flowers it didn't have any floral taste to it, just sweet and tea-like.

Most of my fatigue was already lifted as I took one sip from the tea. It really was like a healing potion.

"O-oh my… This tea… It's amazing!"

Kathlyn blushed as I complimented her tea. "T-thank you… Do you really like it that much?" She asked me in a timid voice.

"Of course I do!" I shouted out. "This tastes blissful! It really has magic!"

I didn't waste a single drop of tea from the cup. It was just what I needed this morning. Not alcohol or a nice breakfast, but a well-made cup of tea with a family secret.

While I finished my cup in mere minutes, Kathlyn took her sweet time finishing her cup. I couldn't take too much time lounging as I had to get to training for the day. I poured myself another cup while I waited for Amelia to finish eating her cake.

"Do you want some?" Amelia asked me kindly while chewing down on most of the cake on her own. "I'm fine. I just need this second cup and I'm good to go."

As I waited for my tea to cool down a bit, I had a strange idea in my mind.

"Hey, Kathlyn. Have you ever thought of starting a cafe?"

She was surprised by my idea as I asked her about it. "C-cafe!? No, not really. I've always had a love for cooking but I never tried to open a restaurant, especially a cafe."

Her skills in baking and making tea are extraordinary. She could make loads if she started a cafe or a bakery, it would definitely be the best in the kingdom, if not, the world!

I scratched my chin as I thought of the amount of money she could make. If I helped her like I helped Wilkins, I could also cash in on a bit of the money she makes. Though I do not want to take control of the major businesses or have a hand in them, I cannot help myself.

"Uhm… Artorius… Your tea is going cold." Kathlyn stuttered. It took me out of my devious thinking bubble and brought me back to earth. "S-sorry. Force of habit." I replied before quickly chugging down the cup in one gulp. Though it was still hot it was consumable.

"Thanks for the tea! I have to get to training. I'm not sure if Amelia will follow me into training or stay with you, but either way, I hope you're fine with her being with you."

Amelia wasn't done with her cake but I was taking my leave from the living room. Kathlyn smiled at me in approval of Amelia staying with her. I left the two in the living room as I walked out in my exaggerated swagger movements.

I searched far and wide for Felix but he was nowhere to be seen. Vincent's family already finished eating so I was clueless as to where Felix would be. My last guess would be his bedroom and my first guess is the kitchen, so that's where I'm headed.

"Oh~ Felix~! Where are you!?" I sang out as I burst open the kitchen door, grabbing everyone's attention.

They all looked at me with a surprised expression on their face, expected since I looked dead only five minutes ago. The head chef slowly came closer to me while drying his hands on his apron, smiling nervously.

"G-good morning, my lord! Sir Felix is probably in the garden. He might be coming back here." He said in a nervous tone.

"Is that so? Well, I guess I'll wait for him here. I'm too lazy to walk to the garden, only for a small chance of finding him there."

"E-eh!? W-well, sure."

I walked around the kitchen while the rest of the cooks and staff got back to work. It seemed like they were already making preparations for lunch, or a big feast. I was curious as to why they had so much meat being cooked up alongside a bunch of bread being baked and vegetables being steamed.

"What's the occasion? Why are we making so much food?" I asked them as I leaned over the oversized cauldron on the kitchen floor which was steaming up a bunch of vegetables.

"I-it's for charity. The Dorman foundation that feeds the poor every week." One of the maids replied. "Oh~ Interesting."

Dorman foundation? I've never seen a report for this foundation even though it's named after my own family.

Seeing the name, it must be an organization that does charity work on behalf of the crown. I was curious about it as I never knew of it in the first place and the work it does seems interesting as well.

"So what's the food that we are serving today?" I asked them again, walking around aimlessly waiting for Felix.

"Today is vegetable stew and beef. We can feed around a thousand people with this amount, just enough for the citizens that live under the poverty line.

How many live in this city and are still under the poverty line? I've done my hardest to make the standards of living higher and poverty lower by lowering the taxes for low-income families.

If a thousand people live in the capital and are still below the poverty line, then there must be thousands across the kingdom that live under the poverty line. The first report I had seen of the month already told me a lot about the taxes which was outrageous.

After taking control I fixed the taxing system, making it so the higher your income the higher tax you pay, not exceeding the fifty per cent threshold for tax. Only the filthy rich pay the fifty per cent tax. The lowest is ten per cent, which is what the people living in low-income families pay.

But some people still live in poverty, not making enough money to even tax. Those people live tax-free until they can make enough. That's why I'm trying my best to keep them above this tax-free lifestyle so that I can make more from tax, sounds villainous but I have to.

The Dorman foundation seems to cater to these people that need help. Money, food, clothing for winter, they need it all and we provide it. Though I'm not sure when this was started, whether it was my father or my grandfather that started it.

The double doors of the kitchen flung open as I walked around the kitchen, thinking about taxes and the poor. I looked at the person who opened the door so furiously and it was Felix. Perfect timing!

"A-Artorius!? What are you doing here?" Felix says, stunned as he sees me in the kitchen. "Ah, hello. I've been looking for you. Let's train!" I said without wasting any more time.

"Wait, but why are you here?" He asked me again, desperate for answers. "Looking for you, why else? I got distracted by the Dorman foundation's preparation to do charity work. So I stuck around waiting for you while watching them cook."

Felix exaggeratedly nods as we both walk out of the kitchen and into the dining room. He talked more about the training as we walked across the palace, all the way outdoors to the training ground, right next to the garden.

As we got closer to the training ground I saw about ten people, standing around in a suit of armour, getting ready for a fight. They all had swords of varying sizes, depending on their size. Some were big while some were average. Nonetheless, they were all trained men.

"Good morning, General Artorius. We are honoured to be able to fight you one-on-one." One of the soldiers knelt and said.

Everyone else had knelt, greeting me formally in a respectable manner. "Greetings. Get ready to fight as a team. I won't be having a fair duel, I'll have you all including Felix here, fight till all of you are out or I am fatigued."

All of their heads faced up at me as I explained to them my training. "B-but sire! Are you sure? What if you get hurt? You will be leaving on a trip tomorrow!"

"Do you dare go against my orders?"

"N-no…"

"Good," I said with a smirk. "Put on your armour and sheathe your swords. Get ready to fight. I won't be using any elements, putting me at a disadvantage. Do not hold back either."

The soldiers looked at each other in fear and confusion, expecting to just be duelling me but they were getting a full package.

I wanted to test out their cooperation as a team. It was a test to see my own strengths and to see the teamwork these soldiers can come up with. They are all of different sizes and skill sets, in real fight situations they would have to work as a team to come out alive.

"A-as you say, general Artorius." The bulky man with a greatsword said, nervous and frightened.

He had a greatsword on his back that was the same size as me, One clean hit and I'd be knocked out. There were three who carried greatswords, chunks of metal sharpened enough to cut through. The rest were normal-sized swords, usually, one-handed.

Though there was one who was different from the rest. He carried a longsword, similar in length to the greatswords but in width wise it was thin. This will be interesting.

"Everyone, take your positions in a circle around General Artorius. Make ready your swords and get in your stance." Felix commanded as he wore a layer of armour himself. It was not much but it would at least save him from being injured severely.

The soldiers in shining silver armour took their positions around me, slowly unsheathing their swords and getting into their stances. Time for an actual challenge.

Felix had handed me Warrior's Ballad while we walked to the training ground. I had the scabbard inside the holster already, ready to be drawn out any moment.

As I pulled out my sword the soldiers faces turned pale, seeing the glittering blade that was sharpened once again to be in perfect shape as always.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes, relaxing my body and mind before the fight.

As I opened my eyes I muttered out the word to start the fight.

"Start."

Rather than dashing in for the attack, they all were tactical and circled around me, taunting me to attack first. Though I had already fought close quarters, outnumbered and unequipped. This is an easier situation to deal with.

None of them had the intention to attack me first. They moved in closer, close enough for the longsword and greatsword wielder to strike me at once. But they knew I would be quick enough to dodge them all. This is getting interesting.

I played along with their ritual as long as I could. Frantically looking around me as I was surrounded by soldiers who were ready to strike at me with killing intent.

They toyed with me for at least two minutes. It felt longer but I knew that much time wouldn't pass by without a single person breaking and striking.

I heard sudden footsteps approaching me from behind me but as I turned around I saw that it was just a distraction, the real target was now behind me.

One of the soldiers had distracted me while another tried to go in for the kill. Their teamwork is really well done, way better than what I had imagined at first.

Their teamwork is praiseworthy but it was not at all enough to take me down. If they had sent in someone with a greatsword it would've been harder. But that was not the only plan they had. The one that moved in for the distraction also came in, both now pinned me down.

I wasn't struggling all that much. Both of their force was not enough to make me bend to my knees. But it was becoming increasingly hard to keep them parried.

More and more slowly walked up to me. They knew I would move away as soon as one of them dashed in. All of it was mind games, who can outmanoeuvre and outsmart the other. But I was at a heavy disadvantage, being alone against eleven.

But as I expected, one of them had striked forward. That's when I rolled away from their trap, leaving the three that attacked me to pick up the pace again and surround me.

"That was smart. I like this cooperation. But as I said, don't hold back."

Some of them were holding back. I could've easily lost there if they had gone for the attack together. But they seemed to have overestimated me. If they all attacked together the only thing I could do was dodge and try to pick them off one by one, testing my stamina.

I went in for the attack this time, trying to take out at least one of them in this strike. They all prepared to block my attack as soon as I could strike them.

The easiest would be the longsword wielder. As I dashed towards them I moved fast enough to disappear from their sights. They lost me and I could strike one of the eleven.

The longsword.

He was the easiest. He had a scrawny body and could barely move around with his sword. He would be too slow to block my attack.

As my sword met his armour, it dented and made a loud clash sound. He was out of the fight.

"One down, ten to go," I said with a smirk.

I felt arrogant after the first one out. He fell to his knees from the force that he felt. He lay down in pain as the fight continued.

Seeing one of their men already out, the others became nervous, except for Felix.

One of them was blinded by rage and dashed in to attack me. He was quick but I parried his attack. He was impulsive with his decision to attack. Needless to say, he was easier to take down.

I stepped over his foot and made him lose balance, making him fall to the ground. As I tried to go in for the killing blow another soldier quickly parried my attack.

"Not that easily, general." The soldier said in the same arrogance that I had.

It made me smile in return, feeling a real challenge approach. I moved away from the parry and continued to fight the soldiers that tried to stab me from behind, including Felix.

Felix was light and agile, he didn't hit hard but he could hit quickly and you wouldn't even know when he hit. While most focused on powerful strikes, Felix focused on a quick slash or stab to end the battle.

I parried their attacks as all of them striked me in multiple directions. At some points I became tired and grabbed onto one, pushing them aside and making them tumble to the ground.

"Artorius! You seem to be holding back! What's wrong?" Felix shouted with a smile on his face. "You don't need to hold back either!"

"Oh yeah? I'm glad you noticed!" I replied to his taunt.

I was holding back to drag this out a bit longer. There's no fun in ending it in five minutes.

Since I was given the green flag to take off my limits, I did so with pleasure. Instead of trying to parry and dodge attacks. I went in for them instead.

FELIX'S POV

That was a huge mistake.

I made a terrible mistake telling him to not hold back. That devilish smile that he gives when getting serious is terrifying. His eyes strike you with fear and make you nervous.

Within the blink of an eye, he disappeared from my vision. I was bewildered and looked around me, trying to find a trace of him. That's when I found a trace, shadows.

I looked above me to find him soaring above us all, spreading his hands out and ready to strike down at any moment.

"Shit."

Thinking quick, I rolled away, trying to dodge his attack that could easily kill me. He landed right where I would've been standing. Is he targeting me?

The soldiers surrounded him one more time and one by one dashed at him. I picked myself up and took my stance as well.

Even though I picked highly skilled soldiers, they were no match for Artorius. Once he memorised the pattern we would strike in, he started to grab us and throw us to the ground. One by one, the ten of us became nine, then eight, and then seven.

"Awh, C'mon! Is it really that hard to take me down? You have me surrounded and outnumbered!" He taunted. "I even handicapped myself by only using my sword, yet none of you came even close to finishing me off!"

He's getting really arrogant. Bad sign.

His speed has increased significantly. Even I can't even keep up with the speed he's attacking at. The others are barely keeping up. The soldiers with a great sword are struggling with their speed due to how big their sword is. He plans to just go berserk and finish us all off.

Artorius knows that none of us can stand up to his strength and stamina. I can't figure out a plan as the others try to attack him. While I thought of a plan our numbers came down to only four. He's already finished off more than half of us.

The only way to beat him was to outnumber him. With only four of us left, it's our last ditch attempt.

I lunged in to attack him, giving a solid strike but he parried it, as expected. Luckily the others saw me and attacked as well. We had him pinned down from the front.

"Ho~ I can see right through your plan, Felix." He taunted. "Try to come up with something else."

He broke off from our trap and disappeared again. How does he keep doing this?

There's no way we can catch Artorius with his speed. He can run laps around us and we still wouldn't know where he is. I cannot believe how perfect his physicality is for sword fights.

A loud clash came from behind me. I turned around and saw Artorius parrying one of the soldiers who was supposed to go behind him. He stared the soldier down with a sneer. His face showed that he was just playing around with the soldier while the soldier's face showed the opposite.

We ran to him for help but it was too late. Artorius already finished him off, leaving him to groan in pain as he rolled around on the ground, holding onto his chest which is where Artorius struck him.

He had no mercy for any of the soldiers. Now we were just a team of three, the others were out of the ring, tending to their injuries that could have made them unable to work for the next few weeks.

Artorius disappeared once more, but this time I knew where he was. A dust cloud was left from where he stood and footprints that dug deep into the sand. He was above me.

The moment I realised where he was, he had already struck down. In the split second, I had, I drew my sword in front of me and parried his mighty attack. Our swords clashed and he landed on his feet.

We both broke off and I took a few steps back, he lowered his stance and spread his arms out, trying to make me attack once more. But I kept my composure and took my stance again.

He was giving me the look that he would tear me apart any moment now. I was afraid that he would.

"Come at me!" He shouted out. It was tempting to dash at him but I refrained.

We walked in circles as he frantically looked around him, eyeballing all three of us as we kept a close eye. He was giving off an aura of bloodlust and danger, bringing my nerves to their knees.