Knight's Duel

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That was an incomparably handsome man. If Gilgamesh possessed the majesty of a king, then this man embodied the fortitude of a knight. This was a man sculpted with immense resilience, like a statue of David; his rugged features could rightly be called a slayer of young maidens' hearts.

However, at this moment, in the next instant after this man appeared, he neither attempted to assassinate the one upon the throne nor made any other rash moves. After all, this was an incredibly rational individual. He was, after all, a fellow who possessed the strength to battle a God-King even when merely human. Now, having become a Godslayer, he was even less someone this man could compare to.

Thus, he unhesitatingly knelt on one knee, performing an incredibly standard knightly salute, one he had likely performed countless times.

And at this moment, Liliana had already placed Durandal against his neck. Durandal, known for 'cleaving marble,' probably wouldn't feel even a sliver of resistance if it were to cut off this man's head.

However, this man probably also had an exceptionally good understanding of Liliana's incredibly kind nature. Facing the chillingly glinting sword edge, he showed not a trace of fear. Within his dark eyes, there was not only the fortitude of a knight but also the shrewdness belonging to a young man.

"My King, please hear my, Paul Blandelli's, plea." The knight's eyes held confidence – confidence that Liliana wouldn't just cut off his head like this, confidence that Gilgamesh wouldn't just ignore his presence, confidence that his own strength could allow him to retreat unscathed.

"Well then, for such a lowly reason, you dare to come before this King, skulking about? Do you wish to atone with death, mongrel!?"

Sure enough, the incomparably arrogant King of Heroes was slightly angered by this. After all, such behavior was an offense to a king.

However, that knight rationally did not respond to Gilgamesh's words.

"My King, I am Erica's uncle. Please return Erica to us for punishment."

Sensing Gilgamesh's anger, Paul Blandelli could no longer maintain his composed demeanor. A trace of anxiety appeared on his handsome face, which was as exquisitely carved as a statue of David.

"You are the relative of this King's pet?" Gilgamesh slightly opened his disdainful, half-closed eyes. His face already carried an expression of extreme displeasure.

"Yes! I am willing to offer counsel through valor!" Paul's rock-solid fist couldn't help but clench slightly upon hearing Gilgamesh refer to Erica as a pet.

"Ha! Mongrel, what qualification do you have to even attempt to battle this King!?" Hearing this man's words, Gilgamesh finally opened his serpentine pupils, which were flecked with faint gold and filled with crimson.

He naturally knew this man's purpose: to use his special ability as a 'Divine Annihilator' to catch Gilgamesh off guard. After all, not much time had passed since Gilgamesh became a Godslayer; he might not be accustomed to a Godslayer's power. Coupled with the arrogance from his recent god-slaying, Paul still had a considerable chance of winning. However, as the Oldest King, he was not someone any mongrel could casually challenge.

Just as Gilgamesh was about to order Liliana to take his head, the Knight Princess holding the sharp Noble Phantasm firmly stated her request.

"My King, I wish to duel with Sir Paul, to defend your majesty as a King!" The young girl withdrew the longsword resting on Paul's shoulder. She, too, half-knelt, making her request to her King.

After all, if Paul were killed here, the Copper Black Cross would pursue the matter relentlessly. Moreover, Liliana would not allow a knight like Paul to die so foolishly. A knight should die on the battlefield, or at the very least, in a dueling arena. If he were to be beheaded just like this, Liliana, as the one who did it, would not be able to forgive herself.

"Is that so? Then do not be deluded by the power you have just obtained, Dame Liliana!" Gilgamesh once again narrowed his eyes, which carried endless contempt, then leaned lightly against the throne. A tiny arc formed at the corner of his mouth, an arc of arrogance.

He knew Paul's strength was naturally far superior to Liliana's before she became a Heroic Spirit. And now, even if Liliana could defeat Paul in terms of physical attributes, a duel was not so simple. Whether it was profound martial skill, combat wisdom, or the valor gained through repeated tempering – in these aspects, Liliana had extremely overwhelming deficiencies. The gap accumulated between the two over decades was already an insurmountable chasm. Even if she possessed physical attributes superior to Paul's, coupled with her unfamiliarity with a Heroic Spirit's body, her chances of winning were actually not great.

"Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you for your great favor." A fighting spirit burned in Liliana's eyes. She stood straight again, saluting Paul with her sword.

"Well then, Sir Paul, allow me, Liliana Kranjčar, to battle you!" That incredibly fierce fighting spirit made even Paul, a veteran of many battles, slightly taken aback.

"So impatient. However, little girl, do not underestimate me!" A bitter smile appeared on Paul's face. After all, he, a figure who had reached the pinnacle of knighthood, could not bear the infamy of bullying a little girl.

"Rest assured. The protection His Majesty has granted me is not so simple." Even though this man called her a little girl, Liliana showed no trace of anger. Practicing the knight's code at all times, she would no longer be provoked by such words. However, even so, she was explaining the power she had just obtained to this knight whom she had once admired. Such straightforwardness – should it be respected, or called foolish?

Seeing the girl's resolve, a trace of respect also appeared on Paul's face. This man would not underestimate his enemy either. Even against the weakest foe, he would exert his full strength to defeat them.

The beautifully elven-like young Heroic Spirit and the handsome middle-aged man who had reached the pinnacle of knighthood both drew their swords.

Unlike Liliana's, which was a Noble Phantasm desired by almost all knights, the holy sword named Durandal, Paul wielded merely a longsword crafted by an ordinary master. Even if it was enchanted with certain magical formulas, it could not be considered luxurious. It could be said that this knight's strength was almost entirely condensed within his physique, which had been tempered by magic time and time again.

As the longswords were unsheathed, the duel between knights was about to begin.