Chapter 496: Chapter 495 – Talk Before The Duel

“Has he?”

“No… I’m not sure any of the letters have reached him…”

“Where is that man, does he not care about his own son…”

“Mother… I heard the border skirmishes have been intensifying lately.”

“Bah, that’s always the excuse…”

Two people were talking while looking at the sun outside rising through a window. Both of them were in an expensive hotel suite overlooking the bustling city below. The older woman, dressed in fine silks, drummed her fingers impatiently on the windowsill, her sharp gaze fixed on the distant horizon. Her daughter, seated nearby, was fidgeting with a delicate piece of jewelry, her face marked with concern.

“Don’t worry Mother, even if Father doesn’t attend the duel, with Professor Wayland’s help, I’m sure Robert will win!”

Lucienne tried to reassure her mother, Francine, about the current situation. However, neither of them could see what Wayland was planning behind closed doors. They only saw him moving back and forth from the workshop to the estate, holding a strange rectangular bag. No one knew what the man was up to, but the date of the duel was already upon them. Today the ten days were over and her son would have to fight for his life.

As the morning sun bathed the city in golden light, tension settled like a heavy cloak over the De Vere estate. Robert’s duel was only hours away, and the mood among his family was somber. Lucienne’s words were meant to offer solace, but her mother, Francine, remained unconvinced. The silence between them stretched as both women contemplated what lay ahead.

“That man, you seem to put a lot of faith in him, Lucienne.”

“W-well, he has helped me through some troubled times at the institute, he is someone that we can trust, Mother!”

She proclaimed while Francine scrunched her nose. There was something about that armored man that felt familiar yet distant. Her gaze hardened as she turned away from the window, her sharp eyes narrowing in thought.

"Trust?"

She murmured, her tone loaded with skepticism and annoyance at her lack of power.

"I’ve seen many men hide behind a facade of trust. What does he really want? You must be careful.”

“I’m fine Mother, Professor Wayland isn’t like that.”

Lucienne knew more about the identity of their helper than she was letting on. It was obvious to Francine that something deeper was at play, but her daughter refused to reveal the truth despite her repeated inquiries. Francine had no choice but to leave her son in the hands of this mysterious mage, though that didn’t mean she trusted him. Clearly, the man had his own agenda, and Francine feared that once the duel was over, some form of payment would be required. She worried her daughter had made a deal with the devil, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that the mage had no hidden motives. Her instincts had usually been right, but with this man, she no longer knew what to think.

"Your father should be here. A duel of this magnitude demands family. Honor must be defended in person, not left to strangers."

Lucienne said nothing. She knew how much her mother resented their father’s absence, but there was nothing either of them could do to change the situation. Border skirmishes had escalated, and their father, Lord Arden, had been called away weeks ago. Whether he even knew of Robert’s upcoming duel was uncertain.

“I know Mother but we must think positive, I know that Professor Wayland has though this through, whatever he has been preparing for Brother Robert will help him win this duel and we’ll all return home together!”

“Lucienne…”

Francine wasn’t sure how to react but she knew that she needed to straighten up. She was the mother but the one acting more like an adult was her daughter. It was unbecoming of her to be this distraught when her children needed her strength. Taking a deep breath, she stood straighter and smoothed her gown with a swift motion.

"You're right, Lucienne. We must remain hopeful. Robert is strong, and if this Wayland character truly is as capable as you believe, then perhaps…”

Lucienne smiled softly at her mother’s attempt to regain composure. The tension in the room lessened, but the unease still lingered just beneath the surface. Both women eventually went outside the room to encounter the group of young ladies who arrived with Professor Wayland. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and Francine quickly realised that this was no time to be moping about. Her son needed to see her filled with vigor in the dueling arena and that was the least that she could provide for her child.

*****

“Ugh… Let’s never do this again, shall we?”

“Thank you for your help Arion and tell the rest that I’m also grateful, when they wake up that is.”

Roland glanced to the side where a pile of dwarves had passed out from overwork. Even his assistant Bernir was there, slumbering while leaning up against the wall. All of them had worked for the last five days without sleeping more than a few hours. His friend Arion seemed to have a splitting headache and was barely holding on thanks to recovery items.

The workshop was in complete disarray, tools and materials scattered everywhere, but amidst the chaos stood the final creation: the completed runic power armor. Roland surveyed the scene, letting out a tired sigh. They had pushed themselves beyond their limits to ensure the armor was ready for Robert's duel, and now, at the brink of exhaustion, they had succeeded.

“Let them rest and you should get some sleep too. Leave the rest to me.”

Roland spoke to Arion, who was fidgeting and yawning. The armor, wrapped in a white sheath of cloth, was being carefully slid into his runic briefcase. Once everything was packed, Roland planned to meet with Robert for their final meeting before the duel, after which everything would rest on his brother's shoulders. However, Arion had other plans. He shook his head, still yawning, making it clear he had no intention of following the original plan.

“You want me to sleep during a monumental event like this? A never-before-seen armor based on new magical technology!? Not a chance! I’ll catch some shut-eye after we witness Robert’s victory.”

Roland couldn’t help but crack a smile at Arion's enthusiasm. Despite the fatigue, Arion's spirit mirrored the excitement coursing through everyone involved in this project. Roland appreciated the sentiment, but the stakes of this duel went beyond showcasing their invention. This was about survival.

"Alright, just try not to pass out in the middle of the duel."

Roland replied while picking up the folded-up briefcase with the armor inside. The day that he had been dreading had come to pass and it was time to test his new invention in battle.

"I won’t! I’ve stashed a few elixirs, I’ll be fine for a few days, don’t worry about me my friend… but how are you fine? You’ve worked the most out of all of us. How are you still standing? I didn’t even see you use any elixirs."

Roland shrugged, adjusting the weight of the briefcase on his shoulder. The truth was, he was more exhausted than he let on, but many years of crafting and work had made him resistant to almost all forms of fatigue and stress. He would still be able to work for another day or two but then that would be his limit.

“I’m used to it, besides, someone has to make sure everything works.”

Arion gave a tired chuckle but didn't push further. He knew Roland well enough to realize that when he was focused, nothing could shake him. As Roland turned to leave the workshop, Arion waved lazily with his tail, half-stifling another yawn.

"See you at the arena then."

With a nod, Roland made his way to the exit. His mind was filled with thoughts of Robert, the duel, and the uncertainties that lay ahead. He had done everything he could to prepare his brother for this fight, but no amount of preparation could account for the unknowns. All that was left now was to trust in Robert’s skills and the power of the runic power armor.

As he stepped out into the cool morning air, Roland glanced up at the sky. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft golden hue across the city. It was a peaceful moment - one that felt oddly out of place considering the tension building within him. In just a few hours, Robert would face his opponent in a battle that could change everything.

He glanced at his display, many dots were surrounding him, most of which were Graham’s men who had attempted to spy on them. They had not escalated things or tried to invade his workshop, something that he didn’t expect. Perhaps this noble that he was going up against wasn’t totally rotten to the core but for now, he was his enemy.

Lucienne and her friends were gathering together, accompanied by her mother. At the moment, everyone was safe, and no abduction attempts had been made. For a brief moment, he even hoped that Graham might try to take some of her students as a means of blackmail. In such a situation, he could simply rescue them and use it as proof against the Count to force him to withdraw from the duel. It seemed that the noble was either wary of this possibility or didn’t think it necessary. Nevertheless, the time had come, and he finally headed toward the Graham estate, which was buzzing with activity.

While this was a sanctioned lawful duel, it didn’t mean it only needed to take place in front of a judge. For Count Graham, this was an opportunity to showcase his superiority, so he made sure to invite several powerful nobles and influential figures to witness the event. The arena, built within his estate, was primarily intended for jousting between knights but also served as a venue for duels. Though not as grand as a coliseum, it was certainly extravagant for a personal arena.

Tall stone walls surrounded the dueling ground, adorned with intricate banners bearing the Graham family crest. There were many seats encircling the arena, which were sometimes opened to the public. Fortunately, this time only a select few had been granted access, reducing the exposure of Roland’s work to prying eyes. He was still unsure how his rune-powered armor would be perceived. Would he be compelled to create copies for the Kingdom’s army, or would they dismiss it as the eccentric invention of a strange mage, too convoluted to be practical in a real battle between nations?

‘At the moment, the technology is too impractical, that much is true. But once it works with lesser materials, it could become problematic’

Roland thought as he walked into the grounds, his briefcase securely in hand. Knights and soldiers of the Graham estate watched him from all directions. No one had gathered at the dueling arena yet, as the nobles were still being greeted at the gate. There were several hours left before the event would begin, and he intended to use that time to allow Robert to prepare.

“Let him through.”

The guards saw Roland approaching and stepped aside. Robert wasn’t far ahead, being escorted to the underground chamber beneath the arena. There were four entrances to the open arena, each leading to a separate chamber. These chambers were where contenders would wait until called for when the show was about to start. Robert would be given a meal before the duel and then have to wait until the nobles announced the official start of the event.

“Not hungry?”

“Not Really…”

Soon, the two brothers were alone in the room, surrounded by weaponry and armor. Most of it was old and unfit for battle, discarded in piles in the corner. The room had an eerie stillness, as though the upcoming duel had drained the very life from it. Roland glanced at the neglected weapons and armor, then at his brother, who sat staring at what could be his last meal, unwilling to even touch it.

“It doesn’t seem to be poisoned, just eat it, you’ll need your strength for the duel.”

“You’re probably right.”

Robert reluctantly picked up a piece of bread from the tray in front of him, tearing into it with little enthusiasm. The tension in the room was palpable, the weight of the upcoming duel pressing down on both brothers. The clatter of dishes was the only sound, aside from the faint murmurs echoing from the arena above.

As Robert ate, Roland sat across from him, the briefcase containing the runic armor resting at his feet. He could see the strain in Robert’s eyes - the uncertainty, the anxiety. Though they had spent days preparing, nothing could fully quell the fear of a life-or-death battle. Roland knew this feeling all too well.

“Way…Roland, for all it’s worth, I want to thank you and also apologize for putting you in this position, If only I wasn’t so impatient then perhaps…”

“Everyone makes mistakes, after this is over you’ll probably make many more mistakes.”

The sound-canceling spell enveloped them, though few people seemed to be paying attention to their conversation. There was still a risk of someone finding out, but Robert didn’t seem to care much, and Roland, equally indifferent, didn’t interrupt him. He was growing wary of constantly hiding, but with Arion’s advice and the many layers of protective spells, he convinced himself that not even a specialist could uncover the truth of this conversation - or that Graham, or anyone else, would pay the price to summon such a person to reveal it.

Robert chuckled weakly at Roland's response and his attempt to make him feel better. The two brothers hadn’t really had a heartfelt conversation since Robert had visited Albrook. After starting his military career, he had been focused on gaining experience and fame - something he was beginning to regret.The silence between them stretched again, but this time, it was less heavy. It was broken by Robert clenching his fist and looking directly into Roland’s visor.

“For all it was worth, I was proud to be your brother and if I falter in this duel, can you promise me something?”

Roland's helmet reflected the dim light of the chamber, obscuring the emotions inside. Robert's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of what was unspoken. Roland shifted slightly in his seat as he stood up to place the suitcase down on the ground to begin the unfolding process.

“If you falter? You won’t. We’ve worked too hard for that. But go on, what is it that you want?"

“If I don’t make it through this"

Robert paused, exhaling deeply.

"I need you to look after Lucienne, Mother, and Dianna. I know you’ve been distant from them, and I understand why. But they’ll need someone, someone strong, someone they can trust. You’re the only one left who can protect them.”

Roland’s expression remained unreadable behind the visor, but inwardly, a mix of emotions churned. His strained relationship with their family had been a source of unresolved tension for years. Robert’s words only deepened the burden he already carried, and for a brief moment, he wanted to refuse, to say it wasn’t his responsibility. But that wasn’t who he was. Not anymore.

"You’re not going to die, Robert, but if anything happens... I swear I’ll take care of them. Just don’t make me have to keep that promise, alright? I don’t think I’ve even spoken to Dianna once in my life either…"

Robert’s face softened, the tension in his shoulders loosening slightly.

“Thanks. I know I’m being dramatic. But... it helps, knowing you’ll be there.”

“Sure, any more requests while I’m here? Perhaps you wish for me to take Lucille away to the institute while I’m at it?”

Roland joked about abducting Lucille De Vere from her father but Robert seemed to have liked that idea instead.

“You would? I’m sure she would rather go back to her magical research than be forced into marriage by her father…”

“Uh… why don’t we discuss this later… Now get into the suit, I’ll supply the mana for now but once those gates open, you’ll be on your own. Remember…”

“Yeah I know, I have limited time, you’ve told me that ten times every day…”

“Glad that you’ve listened, now get into the suit, I need to run some diagnostics and try to calm down, your heart rate is increasing…”

The fully constructed runic power armor rose from the spatial briefcase and stood before them. To Roland, the sight was breathtaking; before arriving at the institute, he hadn’t thought such a feat was possible. This suit of armor was actually recognized by the world's system as a proper suit of armor and magical item. It was an unexpected boon, as he had assumed the world would treat it as a single piece of equipment or like a golem. However, thanks to his dissertation, it was divided into four main parts, each capable of adding passive effects and enhancing its strength.

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