"How about that?"
Eren proposed, a wicked smile playing on his lips. His emerald eyes gleamed with a captivating brilliance as they locked onto Galen's, undeterred by the imposing presence and formidable aura that surrounded him.
Galen's heart skipped a beat as he absorbed Eren's words. A mix of surprise and apprehension coursed through his veins. It was an unexpected turn of events, and he found himself considering the possibility of engaging in a battle against this enigmatic ranker.
A myriad of thoughts whirled in Galen's mind. He understood the risks, the potential consequences, and the weight of the decision he was about to make. After all, Eren was a potential business partner. Galen needed to ensure that he didn't antagonize Eren too much.
But above all, Galen felt a burning determination to protect Callista and safekeep the faith of his people by scoring a win against Eren. After all, this was a sacred ground dedicated to the Great Mother. Her devout followers needed to score a win against Eren to bring back the lost honor.
With a resolute gaze, Galen met Eren's intense stare, matching the latter's unwavering confidence. At that moment, a spark of determination ignited within him, and he made his choice.
"You're on, Eren," Galen declared, his voice carrying a blend of resolve and determination. "I accept your challenge. Let our clash be a testament to our strength and will."
Callista and the four Matriarchs weren't even given a chance to intervene or register their objection. Eren and Galen scheduled their duel in an instant.
As the crowd watched in anticipation, the tension in the sacred ground soared to new heights. The atmosphere crackled with electric energy, foretelling the impending battle between the two formidable entities.
The sacred ground, once again vacant, now served as the battlefield for the clash between Eren and Galen. The Amazonians formed a ring around the arena, their passionate cheers, and supportive chants resonating through the air, their unwavering faith in Galen evident.
At one end of the battlefield, Eren stood with an emotionless face, his gaze fixed upon Galen. In his hands, he wielded his go-to weapons, the Diceros Left and Right katar set. These punching dagger blades gleamed with a cruel light, the runes etched upon their surfaces pulsating with the stimulation of Eren's mana.
With the Diceros set in his grasp, Eren found a sense of comfort, these weapons having accompanied him since the beginning of his new journey in this timeline. They had become an extension of himself, capable of manifesting his Individuality precisely as he desired.
Meanwhile, Galen closed his eyes, seemingly engaged in prayer to the Great Mother. As he opened his eyes, they emitted a peculiar light, radiating with unwavering determination. He had taken Callista's defeat personally, fueling his resolve to emerge victorious in this duel.
Among the spectators stood Callista, positioned close to Matriarch Valeria, Marla, and the others. She sensed the weight that Galen placed upon her defeat, knowing the potential strain it could have on the relationship between the Amazonians and Eren.
As a decision-maker within the settlement, she understood the importance of maintaining a positive rapport with Eren, especially considering the increasing need for his powerful weapons. She hoped that the duel wouldn't tarnish the Amazonians' reputation, hoping to show Eren that they could accept defeat graciously and move forward.
Eren, however, had his own straightforward approach to resolving any potential issues. As he operated his weapons, his katar blades sliced through the air with seamless grace. His voice, devoid of emotions, cut through the tension.
"I hope you understand, Galen, that I will be dueling with you without holding back," Eren declared. His words carried a sense of determination and a hint of warning. The swirling blades around him mirrored his intent.
"Whatever unfolds in this duel, let it be. We shall not hold each other responsible for the measures we take to secure our victory," Eren continued, his tone resolute. He acknowledged the stakes at hand, the clash that awaited them, and the necessity to push their limits to achieve their respective goals.
The anticipation in the air grew palpable as Eren and Galen prepared to clash in a battle that held different significance for each of them. The butcher knew his Individuality better than anyone and understood that he could not afford to hold back this time. Unlike his duel with Callista, this fight with Galen became an opportunity to further refine his unique abilities.
"Hehehe, don't you worry about me, Eren," Galen responded with a smile, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of battle. "Just make sure not to let your frustrations affect our potential business deal when you find yourself on the losing end," Galen warned, swinging his axe around him with exceptional dexterity.
Galen's mastery of Axe Arts allowed him to materialize his mana into ethereal axe shadows for a split second. These axe shadows possessed the ability to inflict physical damage upon contact before dissipating. As a result, Galen's Spear Arts created the illusion of multiple axes swirling around him, leaving a trail of deadly trajectories in their wake.
Moreover, each axe shadow had the potential to release flying slashes, adding another layer of danger to Galen's offensive onslaught. The air crackled with the storm of weapon slashes as Galen unleashed his Weapon Arts.
Galen's aura surged as his individual power as the Valiant Guardian spread forth. A dense cloud of Nature mana surrounded him as he prepared to utilize his blessing at a moment's notice.
Just like Callista, Galen also experienced a buff effect on himself because the duel was about to unfold on the sacred ground dedicated to the Great Mother. Although he didn't think he needed a buff effect to fight with Eren, he welcomed it nonetheless after considering it as an encouragement from the Great Mother.
Observing Galen's display, Eren analyzed the Axe Arts with a discerning eye.
"Hmm, not as refined as Demonmir, but still one of the most formidable Axe Arts I've encountered. Perhaps I can negotiate to acquire this Weapon Arts as part of our deal once this duel is concluded," Eren mused to himself, appreciating the raw power and potential within Galen's techniques.
