Duke of Alfar

Although the Southern City of Alfar served as the main residence and capital of the South Region, the size could not be compared to that of the Central City of Elrod. 

Elrod was divided into 4 sections which are the Boroughs, and in Southern City, there was nothing of that sort. It was mainly devolved from a normal city that consists of many buildings and houses. 

That said, the path towards the manor of the Duke is still a long road to traverse. There were many turns and curves inside the city which Veritas navigated using the instructions sent by his Father.

It was confusing at first, but he managed to familiarize himself with the path.

He could've parked his carriage on a well-reviewed space for carriages but he ultimately decided against that thought. For one, he could get his items stolen, there were a bunch of high-leveled potions that cost a lot of White Elrodite so Veritas didn't risk parking in an unknown area.

After traversing around the extravagant city of Alfar, Veritas finally saw the pathway towards the manor.

There was no one occupying the road to the manor but there were a couple of Knights guarding it. At the end of the path is a wide stern gate that looks intimidating.

The Path was filled with many trees that surrounded the sides of the road. It was a wide road that looked like a normal cobblestone path. There were various leaves on the road which showcased the scenic path towards the manor.

In this fabulous city, this mundaneness was quite the peculiarity.

It only took a few minutes for him to reach the intimidating gate that led to the Duke's manor. The knight that guarded the gate looked skeptical of the unknown carriage.

"We are not expecting any visitors for today, please turn back."

The knight was wearing a thin black cloak that covered his steel armor and his eye seemed hollow and empty. There was a meter long sword lying on his waist, and judging by its looks, the Knight was quite capable in terms of swordplay.

"I am Prince Veritas, I take it that my father has sent the word to the Duke?"

Veritas tried to confirm with him but the knight was very skeptical of his identity, inquiring further about the validity of his words.

"Provide some sort of identification."

"Is my face not enough?"

"I'm blind."

Veritas eyes widened at the sudden words of the knight.

"Oh.."

Veritas added further:

"What identification would you want?"

The knight pondered for a couple seconds and responded back:

"Hearing that you claim to be the Prince.. Show me the swordplay of Elrod."

"Very well.."

The swordplay of Elrod being the original swordplay that isn't derived from anything. It was the swordplay that was the hardest to master amongst all.

Veritas got out of the carriage and unsheathed his elegant sword. He felt the knight watching or rather... observing, sensing his every muscle move. It seemed like the knight was a master when it came to swordplays.

"How would I show my swordplay?"

Veritas didn't know the specifics of the knight's request so he asked for his expectations.

"Hmmm.. Face me in battle."

"Eh-"

Upon saying those words, the knight unsheathed his blade and revealed a blade that perfectly suited his hands. He got into a stance that held the blade in one hand and his free hand being in a 90 degree angle, looking as if he were anticipating a move.

"Here I go!"

Veritas immediately felt the Winds shift in front of him, where the knight suddenly vanished in thin air! 

Then, he felt an invisible blade strike him down. Veritas easily deflected the strike and tried to counter but he felt like the figure in front of him was like air..

'Southern Style!'

The knight was dancing like the wind..

Veritas waited for an opportunity for him to strike back but the figure of the knight seemed to vanish every time he focused. 

'This style is really damn confusing!'

He decided not to rely on his eyes but to shift his focus towards sensing the Winds around him. 

'On the right! No.. Left?..'

The knight was quick on his feet, and the dance of the Southern Style enhanced his movements even further!

Veritas then felt a shift of air in his back, a looming strike soon arrived from within.

Prepared, Veritas deflected the blade and counterattacked once more..

But! The figure of the knight vanished once more into thin air and appeared under him! 

A swift slash came towards Veritas but he stepped back and recuperated. 

"What's wrong, Prince? Can't strike down a blind folk? Show me that swordplay of yours!"

Veritas paid no mind to the provocation and planned his actions to beat him.

'If he keeps vanishing into thin air, then I know what I must do.'

Suddenly! Veritas bent his knees and went to form his body in a spread out position. His sword on his right hand stretched very far and his free hand was touching the ground.

Veritas then spun in quick succession, sending the winds around him in an array. It was as if an 360 degree arc formed around him and disturbed the air.

The knight was startled by this and lost his footing for a split second. He immediately recuperated and gestured for a counterattack.

But.. that split second was taken advantage of Veritas, who was already upon the recuperating Knight. He loomed over the blind Knight and stroke down on his head.

The Knight tried to block the strike but he was already too late!

However, the strike merely cut his brown hair and the sword upon him halted.

"It's my victory.." Veritas stated, sheathing his sword back in his scabbard.

The blind knight couldn't react fast enough on Veritas' quick blow. He respected the duel and sheathed his sword back.

"It is my loss, your majesty.."

The knight kneeled down in front of Veritas, showing his allegiance and loyalty to the royal family.

"You may enter, the Duke awaits you..."

He opened the gates and gestured for Veritas to make his way towards the manor.

*

Inside, Veritas saw a normal looking manor, seeming nothing out of the ordinary. He expected it to be an extravagant and peculiar looking manor but he was quite astonished by the normalness of the manor!

Everything he saw prior to this was filled with uniqueness that showed the personality of each individual. Even taverns had a sort of flamboyance in them! But this... this manor was as normal as one could get!

No matter, Veritas made his way towards the mundane manor and looked for maids or butlers for guidance.

Within a couple of seconds, Veritas saw a butler which helped him park his carriage near the manor. Upon doing so, Veritas readied the gifts given to him by his Father and he tidied up his white mantle and marble armor. 

"Thank you for your help.."

"It is my pleasure, your majesty."

After showing his pleasantries to the butler, Veritas made his way towards the main door of the manor. 

Greeted by bowing maids and butlers, Veritas walked elegantly towards the pavement that led to the manor. Currently, he was standing near carriages that looked luxurious. 

'As expected of a duke.'

Though the manor looked mundane and normal, one could not deny the richness of a duke. Thus, it was expected that he would have expensive carriages and other things..

That said, the scenery around the manor is maintained properly. The gardens looked nice, the roads were clean, and the overall aesthetic could be described as pleasant. 

The manor itself looked good too. But it stood out amidst the extravagance that is the Southern City. 

A couple seconds passed by and Veritas arrived at the door leading up to the manor. 

It was carefully opened by the butlers who were greeted by his elegance and inside, Veritas saw the luxury that befitted a duke.

Hand-painted portraits, high-quality paintings, expensive ornaments, ancient vases, and many more!

He saw many individuals wearing suits and maids wearing their respective uniforms. Among those individuals a particular suited individual with slick-back hair came up to him.

He was wearing a black tie, with a fitted suit layered by a long black trench coat. His hair gleamed across the manor and he was wearing round thin frame glasses that were coated in gold. The individual's eyes were extremely black, looking as if he were dead and his skin was as pale as a ghost. There were layers of eyebags under his eyes. 

Overall, he looked to be an overworked employee at a company.

The individual reached out his hand on his right chest and he bowed lightly, his other hand behind his back.

"Pleasure to finally meet you, Prince Veritas.."

Veritas was perplexed by the sudden courtesy of the individual in front. He looked like a normal working butler and Veritas thought that he was the head of all the butlers around him.

"It is a pleasure indeed. Please take me to where the Duke is.."

The man's empty eyes looked straight at Veritas.

"Your majesty.. I think you are mistaken.."

Veritas abruptly paused and responded correspondingly..

"Pardon?"

The individual then stood straight up and towered over Veritas' stature. He put his right hand on the middle of his chest and proclaimed himself.

"Prince Veritas.. I am Duke Alfar, overseer of the Southern Region."

"Eh-"

With a widened eye, Veritas scanned the man in front of him as if he were judging his appearance.

'This guy's the Duke?!'

He felt embarrassed and his ears turned red.