Chapter 358: Curious to See (2)

Delmud took a deep breath, his heart pounding fiercely.

'What an opportunity this is!'

Even within the Duchy, Count Fenris was a troublesome figure. The young upstart had grown strong, defeating Count Desmond and emerging as a powerhouse in the North.

Because of him, all the plans in the North were ruined, and the royalists had gained confidence. The perception that the Duke faction was weaker than expected had even begun to spread.

But what if Count Fenris were killed here? The tide would turn instantly.

'As long as Amelia does her part, the North can be swallowed whole.'

It was no longer the delicate balance of Rayfold and Desmond keeping each other in check. With Count Fenris gone, there would be nothing left to stop Rayfold.

Of course, killing Count Fenris wouldn't go unnoticed by the royalist faction. Attacking a great lord without justification was no trivial matter.

But it didn't matter. Before the Crimson Magic Tower could be destroyed, the Duchy would seize the opportunity and act.

If they took control of the North, the Duchy would have every region under their grip except the East.

Delmud calmed his racing emotions. A mage must always remain cold and rational.

'How many did he bring?'

He discreetly surveyed the area. For the entourage of a great lord, the size was rather modest—about twenty escort knights and a hundred soldiers.

'It's hard to gauge Count Fenris's exact combat abilities, but…'

There were rumors that Count Fenris was nearing the level of a Master. If that were true, Delmud could handle him alone.

The problem lay with those accompanying Count Fenris. The Fenris forces were reputed to be elite. Although few in number, the ones brought along were undoubtedly the cream of the crop.

And then there were the mages of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower.

'And that man…'

The white-haired man standing like an iron tower next to Count Fenris. He was likely Gillian, who had played a pivotal role in the battle against Desmond.

'This won't be easy.'

Though he was itching to act immediately, he needed to bide his time and wait for the right moment. The first goal was to destroy the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower. If he could kill Count Fenris along the way, all the better. If not, he could attack after the exchange meeting ended.

Hiding his impatience, Delmud licked his lips and offered a greeting, though his eyes betrayed a faint but unmistakable murderous intent.

"Pleasure to meet you. I am Delmud, tower lord of the Crimson Magic Tower. It is an honor to meet the renowned Count Fenris of the North."

Ghislain replied with a cold smile.

"I've heard you are the only one in the North to reach the 7th-circle. It is truly an honor to meet such an extraordinary individual."

At those words, Hubert pursed his lips. Being the only 7th-circle mage meant that Delmud was, after all, the strongest mage in the North.

The two exchanged greetings amidst a subtle but tense atmosphere. Both dispensed with any pretense of politeness, each watching for an opportunity to strike.

'The best-case scenario would be for that bastard to join the duel himself.'

It was customary for tower lords and elders not to participate in such duels, but traditions could be broken. If Delmud truly intended to crush the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower by force, he wouldn't hesitate to act.

Ghislain planned to respond accordingly if that happened.

"Are the greetings over? Let's begin immediately."

Hubert scowled as he spoke. The two towers had long since dispensed with any semblance of courtesy.

"Hmm… Very well…"

Hubert and Delmud returned to their seats.

The duel was set to consist of five matches. In the tense atmosphere, the first representatives from each side stepped forward.

The Crimson Magic Tower sent out a 4th-circle mage. Meanwhile, the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower sent a mere 2nd-circle student.

Hubert had no intention of losing talented students over this nonsense. He fielded a low-level student, though he also wanted to avoid unnecessary injuries or fatalities among his disciples.

"Just exchange a few blows and surrender. Don't worry about saving face, understood?"

"Yes, yes. I understand."

Encouraged—not quite reassured—by Hubert's words, the mage stepped forward.

Zing—!

As the two mages took their positions, a mana barrier formed to protect the spectators from harm.

The barrier was large enough to encompass an area where an entire army could maneuver. Setting up such a barrier required an enormous amount of rune stones.

Normally, the costs of hosting such exchange meetings were shared among the participating towers.

'Damn bastards, they didn't even contribute a single coin.'

However, the Crimson Magic Tower had insisted on holding this meeting without providing any financial support. Hubert was left footing the bill for what amounted to a public humiliation. He ground his teeth in frustration.

"Begin!"

At the elder acting as referee's signal, the duel commenced.

Flash!

The mage from the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower immediately launched a fireball. Surrendering without at least one attack felt humiliating, so he intended to throw a few half-hearted spells before conceding.

But the mage from the Crimson Magic Tower had no intention of letting him off lightly.

"Wind Cutter."

Slice!

The blade of wind from the 4th-circle mage cleaved through the fireball and then struck the opposing mage's neck.

Thud!

As the mage's head hit the ground, silence fell over the audience. The faces of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower disciples turned pale.

They hadn't expected such blatant killing.

Unprepared for such a level of brutality, they were paralyzed by the overwhelming hostility. None dared step forward.

In the frozen silence, Hubert leaped to his feet and shouted.

"You bastard! Killing someone in the first match?!"

Delmud smirked at Hubert's outrage.

"Isn't it common knowledge that fatalities can occur in duels?"

"You…!"

Hubert gritted his teeth, glaring at Delmud. He had anticipated some level of hostility, but this was too much.

His gaze shifted to Ghislain, who sat calmly in the spectator area.

'What is he thinking?'

Unlike the others, Ghislain showed no reaction, as if he had expected this all along.

Hubert recalled what Ghislain had said earlier.

– He might just lose his mind and kill everyone there.

Hubert shook his head vigorously.

'No, no. That's impossible. The royalists wouldn't stand by idly. Even if that's his intent, there's no way he'd do something so reckless with Count Fenris present.'

Killing Count Fenris would leave the Crimson Magic Tower with no way to handle the aftermath. Hubert clung to the belief that Delmud wouldn't act so insanely.

Taking several deep breaths, Hubert turned to the next student and said.

"Surrender the moment the duel begins. Don't try to fight."

"Yes, understood."

The student nodded repeatedly, his face pale with fear. He had no intention of risking his life against those terrifying opponents.

The mage stepped forward hesitantly, thinking:

'Why me, of all people?'

There were higher-circle disciples in the tower. He knew the reason he had been chosen—to protect the more talented students. Though he understood, it still felt unfair.

Mages were supposed to be creatures of pride and arrogance.

But now, the once-renowned Scarlet Flame Magic Tower, hailed as the best in the North, was openly preparing to lose.

He glanced back at the other students. Though many were higher-ranked than he was, none looked offended at being overlooked. Instead, they appeared relieved not to be chosen.

'Our tower is finished.'

The thought crossed his mind. What was the point of wealth and power when the tower lord, elders, and disciples all behaved like sheep?

Gulp.

Facing the Crimson Magic Tower mage, he swallowed hard.

Their sheer presence was overwhelming, like that of a starving predator. Even if this duel passed without incident, he felt the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower would eventually be devoured.

'I need to leave after this is over.'

He wasn't any different. Even if he survived today, staying here felt like a death sentence.

"Begin!"

At the elder's command, the mana barrier formed again.

Before the duel even started, the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower mage raised his hand and shouted:

"I surrender!"

The Crimson Magic Tower mage clicked his tongue with a disdainful smile.

"Pathetic."

Despite the blatant insult, the surrendering mage merely flushed red and said nothing.

The Crimson Magic Tower side erupted in laughter.

"So, these guys call themselves mages and strut around?"

"Wasn't their reputation as the best in the North just a fabrication?"

"Spineless and weak."

Their taunts were direct, but the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower mages remained silent. Though some glared in anger, none dared meet their opponents' eyes.

Watching this, Ghislain shook his head quietly.

'They've grown too soft in peace.'

The once-proud Scarlet Flame Magic Tower now seemed utterly pathetic.

It was no surprise. Unlike the Crimson Magic Tower, which pursued clear goals, the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower had grown complacent.

Seeking safety wasn't inherently wrong. At times, patience and endurance were necessary. But standing still for too long meant inevitably falling behind.

The difference in purpose reflected in the mindset of their mages.

'And in their abilities.'

If Delmud were only a 6th-circle mage, this wouldn't have gone so far. Such was the overwhelming weight of a 7th-circle mage's power.

Outmatched in both skill and spirit, the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower had no choice but to endure.

While Ghislain clicked his tongue, the third duel ended just as quickly—the mage surrendered the moment the barrier was activated.

"Ugh, these idiots."

"Why even agree to a duel?"

"Why not just join us instead?"

The Crimson Magic Tower mages' jeers grew increasingly vulgar. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't have gone this far for the sake of appearances. But with Delmud and the elders' permission, their taunts became increasingly brazen.

"Ugh…"

Hubert clenched his fists, his face red with anger. He wanted nothing more than to set those bastards on fire.

But unless he intended to declare all-out war, he had to endure. There was nothing to gain from fighting.

The elders were just as furious, trembling with barely restrained rage.

After taking several deep breaths, Hubert finally spoke.

"Let's end this here. You've won three times. Isn't that enough? Surely you've humiliated us enough."

The duel was supposed to consist of five rounds, but Hubert saw no point in continuing.

Delmud smirked and shook his head.

"If you start something, you should see it through. This isn't about deciding a winner—it's about showcasing our students' achievements."

"You bastard…"

Hubert wiped the sweat streaming down his face.

He didn't want to proceed to the fourth round, as it would involve the tower's heir, Alpoi.

Swallowing nervously, Hubert turned to Alpoi, who stood with a sullen expression.

"You… You'll surrender the moment the duel begins."

Though he was the tower's heir, Alpoi had been stuck at the 3rd-circle for years. There was no way he could win.

While a loss would be a terrible humiliation, it was better than getting himself killed.

Alpoi scratched his head in frustration and said.

"Why are we just taking this? Look at how they're mocking us. Weren't we supposed to be the best in the North?"

Hubert snapped back in irritation.

"Grow up! Didn't you spend all your time on construction? Have you still not gotten rid of that arrogance? Can you win? They'll send at least a 4th-circle opponent."

"You won't know until you try."

Alpoi pouted.

After all the hardships he'd endured alongside Ghislain, one thing he'd learned was to try first and see. That confidence had led to the success of Fenris territory.

But it seemed Hubert didn't share that mindset.

"You idiot! How can you win with such a low circle?!"

Hubert's tirade made Alpoi scratch his head again. Truthfully, he wasn't confident either.

He'd captured 4th-circle mages fleeing the territory a few times, but always with help. He'd never fought one-on-one before.

And the Crimson Magic Tower mages exuded a menacing aura that was, admittedly, intimidating.

"Fine, fine."

Alpoi staggered forward. At first, he had been angry out of wounded pride, but now, faced with the prospect of a fight, he felt nervous and scared.

He valued his life above all else and had no intention of dying needlessly.

As Alpoi stepped forward, the Crimson Magic Tower reacted.

"Isn't he the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower's heir? Then we'll send an appropriate opponent."

Delmud grinned, and one of his disciples strode forward. Standing before Alpoi, the man introduced himself.

"My name is Brody. I'm the first disciple of the tower lord and the heir of the Crimson Magic Tower. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Alpoi blinked, finding the formal introduction strangely awkward. It had been a long time since he'd been part of such a formal exchange.

"Oh, uh… I'm…"

Before Alpoi could finish, Brody smirked arrogantly and interrupted.

"And I recently ascended to the 4th-circle master level. If you want to surrender, do it now. It's beneath me to even speak with weaklings like you. Surely, you don't think we're equals just because we're both heirs?"

The insult was blatant, yet Alpoi found himself less angry than expected.

Reflecting on his reaction, he turned slightly to glance at Ghislain, who sat smiling in the spectator area.

'Oh, right.'

Having lived under constant disdain in Fenris territory, he'd grown accustomed to such treatment.

Realizing this, Alpoi grabbed his forehead and chuckled.

Brody frowned at the sight of Alpoi laughing to himself.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing. I just couldn't help it. The great Alpoi has changed so much."

Waving off Brody's question, Alpoi took a deep breath and straightened his back.

"Yes, my name is Alpoi. Heir of the Scarlet Flame Magic Tower and branch head of the Fenris division. And…"

He lifted his chin arrogantly and declared.

"I'm the man who defeated a goddess."

At that moment, Alpoi wore an expression of supreme arrogance.

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