The tension in the air was palpable as General Azel's eyes narrowed, his face etched with defiance and contempt.
He looked to his two closest commanders, one from the Beastfolk and the other from the Dwarf Race, a wordless agreement passing between them.
The challenge thrown down by the Great Sage and his companions could not go unanswered.
"We will not be lectured by criminals!" Azel's voice was a sharp snarl, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. "Destroy them!"
"I'll handle this." Aria smiled, glancing at her two friends. Larry and Drake nodded in unison, clearly not suited at all for battle.
Her silver danced behind her as she stepped forward, not even letting the General complete his words.
~ZZZZTTTTTZZZZ!!!~
Aria's body became enveloped in intense lightning magic, the air around her crackling with energy.
"This shouldn't take too long."
~WHOOOOSSSHHHHH!!!!~
Her movement was a blur, faster than the eye could follow, and in the blink of an eye, Azel and his commanders were subdued, their weapons sent flying, their bodies rendered unconscious by a touch infused with just the right amount of force.
"G-GUAAAAARRKKKK!!!"
Aria's face was calm, her eyes cool as she looked down at the fallen warriors.
"I don't want to kill you for the sins of your superiors," she retorted, her voice filled with both resolve and a trace of sadness.
The battlefield was in stunned silence, the gathered forces on both sides witnessing the swift and decisive action.
It was as if time itself was still, as both warring sides stared at the swift defeat of the strongest within the Triumvirate forces.
However, this decorum didn't last for very long.
~VWUUUUUSSSHHHHHH!!!~
A brilliant light spread throughout the battlefield, a radiance that seemed to pierce the very soul, and the three leaders of the Triumvirate appeared.
The Elf Queen, regal and aloof, her eyes filled with condescending pride.
The Beast King, powerful and imposing, a presence that commanded respect.
The Dwarf Chief, solid and unyielding, his gaze steady and unwavering.
They stood together, the very embodiment of the Triumvirate's authority, and their voices rang out in unison, a harmony that resonated with power.
"You have trespassed on a path not meant for you," the Elf Queen intoned, her voice cold. "Foolish daughter of mine."
Aria's eyes instantly narrowed as she looked her mother in the eye. She remembered the time when she wouldn't even dare to gaze upon her mother's face.
However, she wasn't that scared little girl any longer.
"Haha! I like those eyes of yours, Magic Swordsman! You have no idea how long I've waited to meet you," the Beast King laughed, his eyes fixed only on Aria.
Larry Damien stepped forward, his face calm, his eyes meeting theirs without fear. "You should all stop this. At the very least, retreat your forces to prevent needless casualties. If you want a fight, then come at us yoursel—"
The Elf Queen's eyes flashed. "Your arrogance is astounding. You think you can dictate our course? A weak human like you?"
Larry was instantly silenced by the Elf Queen's words, and he could feel a light 'sorry' tap from Drake's hands.
"She didn't have to say it like that…" Larry murmured in defeat.
However, that didn't change the current situation, or their objective here.
'Lewis told us to do our best. That's precisely what we're going to do.'
Aria stepped forward, her voice was firm, and her body still crackling with the energy of her magic.
"You're selfish as usual. Hear me, everyone! You do not have to fight any longer. There's no need to kill yourselves needlessly. This very day, the Triumvirate will fall. Do not fight a losing war."
For a moment, no one said anything.
All eyes were focused on the countenance of the ones who held all the control—the Triumvirate.
However…
"Pfft! How idiotic."
"Hahahaha! That's such a stupid thing to say."
"Have you no sense?"
The members of the Triumvirate looked down at Larry, Aria, and Drake, their faces twisted into mocking smiles.
The Elf Queen's eyes gleamed with cruel amusement as she addressed them, her voice dripping with disdain.
"You think you can challenge us? You think you can defy the will of the Triumvirate? How amusing." Her laughter was like ice, her gaze fixed on Aria.
"We've been around before anyone here was even conceived. Except perhaps Oberon. You really think you can say a few words and that will be the end of it?"
Tense silence filled the air as the Elf Queen's face morphed into a twisted frown. "I will make sure you suffer well before you die, child."
Aria's face remained impassive, her eyes meeting the Elf Queen's without flinching. But it was the Beast King who stepped forward, his massive frame imposing, his eyes filled with a feral curiosity.
"Hahaha! You are interesting," he rumbled, his voice resonating with power.
He looked at Aria, his eyes narrowing. "I started this war to draw you out, Greatest Magic Swordsman. I have heard of your prowess, and I wish to test it myself."
Aria's eyes widened slightly, her body tensed, ready to react. The Beast King's challenge was clear, and the stakes were high.
"I challenge you to a duel," the Beast King declared, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "If I lose, I will withdraw my force. But if you lose..." He grinned, a savage smile that sent a chill down the spines of those who witnessed it.
"You must become my bride and birth my children."
The battlefield was in stunned silence, the audacity of the challenge leaving everyone speechless. Aria's face was pale, but her eyes were filled with a steely resolve. She looked at the Beast King, her voice calm and clear.
"You wish to duel me? Very well. I accept your challenge."
The Dwarf Chief's eyes narrowed, a hint of disapproval in his gaze. The Elf Queen's smile widened, her eyes filled with anticipation.
Larry and Drake exchanged glances, their faces etched with concern, but they knew that Aria's decision was final.
The Beast King's laughter boomed across the field, his excitement palpable. "Excellent! We shall fight here and now, and let everyone, including your mother, bear witness to our battle. "
"Hmph! I no longer consider her my daughter. Rather than just wasting away as a corpse, perhaps she could prove more useful as a breeding device."
"Pfft! Puahahaha! Hardcore as always! You really are too cold!" The Beast King laughed, taking steps forward.
Aria's hand tightened around the hilt of her sword, her body crackling with the energy of her magic.
She looked at the Beast King, her voice filled with determination.
"I will not lose to you. And I will not become your bride."
The Beast King's eyes gleamed with savage delight. "We shall see, Magic Swordsman. We shall see."
With those words, the two of them stepped forward, the battlefield clearing to make way for the duel.
Fairy King Oberon, watching from a distance, closed his eyes for a moment, a silent prayer on his lips.
He knew that this duel could change everything, and he hoped with all his heart that Aria would prevail.
'Did you foresee this as well, Lewis?'
He could only hope so. Because even he, the Fairy King, could not decide who was superior.
The Greatest Magic Swordsman… or the Strongest Beast King.
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[A/N]
Thanks for reading!
