The royal delegation watched from a safe distance, Lord Ferdinand’s expression initially displaying little more than mild curiosity.
He had encountered plenty of powerful nonhuman beings during his diplomatic career, and the abilities demonstrated by the Wild Court delegation weren’t particularly surprising.
After all, anyone capable of accompanying a Legend into hostile territory could reasonably be expected to possess impressive combat capabilities.
However, the Baines Household’s representatives were another matter entirely!
Ferdinand’s expression gradually changed as he observed the Four Valkyries.
"Madam Gertrude, am I mistaken, or are those four considerably stronger than the reports indicated?" Ferdinand asked quietly, his earlier confidence giving way to genuine interest.
Gertrude pushed her glasses upward, her stern eyes carefully examining the combatants below.
"No, Lord Ferdinand, you aren’t mistaken. Their equipment is extraordinary, but more importantly, their individual combat abilities have developed far beyond what our intelligence suggested," Gertrude admitted, her expression becoming increasingly severe.
The greatest shock was Eunice!
The Fourth Princess of Rastia had always been recognized for her devotion and Clerical talents, but the woman currently fighting below possessed the unmistakable bearing of a genuine Adept.
Worse, her combat performance suggested that her abilities extended considerably beyond ordinary healing and supportive Divine magic.
And she wasn’t even past twenty-two years old!
Gertrude stared at the young Princess with mounting disbelief.
The current Crown Prince of Rastia had already entered his forties and reached the Master Rank, an accomplishment widely celebrated throughout the kingdom.
His growth and talent were considered exceptional, with numerous influential nobles believing he possessed the potential to lead Rastia into a new era of prosperity and strength.
Yet Eunice had already become an Adept at such a young age!
The implications were considerable.
Even if her current Realm remained below that of her elder brother, her advancement speed was extraordinarily impressive, especially considering that she had apparently developed multiple combat capabilities beyond those expected of an ordinary Cleric.
And the other three women were hardly inferior!
"Lord Damian Baines has apparently accomplished considerably more with his companions than we anticipated," Ferdinand murmured thoughtfully, his eyes moving between the four beautiful warriors.
Gertrude’s expression tightened.
"Indeed. We may need to reconsider several assumptions concerning the influence and future capabilities of the Baines Noble Family," she acknowledged reluctantly.
Neither appeared particularly pleased by that realization.
Especially considering the manner in which their delegation had introduced itself to the household!
......
Meanwhile, the four most powerful individuals present had barely moved.
Lord Roland stood upon a rocky outcrop with his powerful arms folded, his stern expression carrying a distinctly contemplative quality.
His attention moved between the combatants clearing the valley and the two individuals scheduled to participate in the actual duel, apparently evaluating their respective abilities without offering unnecessary commentary.
Lady Selene remained considerably more relaxed.
The purple-haired Mage observed the fighting with a faint smile, occasionally narrowing her beautiful eyes whenever an unusual technique or piece of equipment attracted her attention.
Her gaze lingered particularly upon Damian, suggesting that she was already considering several possibilities concerning his upcoming performance.
Cantarea, on the other hand, remained somber.
The centaur Legend watched her companions compete against the Baines Household’s representatives without displaying the slightest enthusiasm.
Her attention repeatedly returned to Damian, the young human whose unexpected power and ruthless negotiating position had placed her entire delegation in such an unfavorable situation.
And Damian?
He was thoroughly amused!
Hahaha! Look at these fellows! We haven’t even started fighting, and everyone’s already trying to prove their side is superior!
He found the competition rather entertaining, especially considering how enthusiastically the Four Valkyries were demonstrating their recently acquired equipment.
The impressive performances also served a useful purpose.
The more confidently his household’s representatives fought, the greater the psychological pressure upon the Wild Court delegation.
Even if Cantarea personally remained stronger than any of them, witnessing the extraordinary capabilities of Damian’s companions could hardly improve her confidence in an easy victory.
Naturally, Damian had no intention of underestimating the centaur woman.
She was a genuine Legend, and her calmness suggested that she understood the seriousness of their impending confrontation far better than the increasingly excitable members of her entourage.
Nevertheless, he was looking forward to testing his newly perfected abilities against such an opponent.
After all, what better way to evaluate his extraordinary progress than by challenging a genuine Legend?!
......
Eventually, the valley fell silent.
The Gnoll siege had been completely shattered, while the surviving Kobolds had abandoned their defensive positions and fled into the surrounding terrain.
Blood stained the rocks, and numerous damaged barricades littered the former battlefield, leaving little resemblance to the chaotic confrontation that had occupied the area when Damian’s group first arrived.
The Wild Court delegation gradually returned to Cantarea’s side.
The Four Valkyries likewise regrouped around Damian, their expressions carrying varying degrees of satisfaction after the brief but lively encounter.
Paulina looked particularly pleased.
"Hah! That was a decent warm-up! Those ugly mutts didn’t stand a chance once we got moving," she declared cheerfully, flexing her claws before allowing their crimson glow to subside.
Janet snickered.
"Yes, yes, you’re very impressive, Paulina. I’m sure the entire Wild Court is absolutely terrified of your ability to bully a few oversized hyenas," she teased, earning an indignant glare from the Wolf Beastwoman.
Julia smiled faintly at their exchange, while Eunice simply shook her head before turning toward Damian.
"Everything’s clear, darling. We should have enough room for the duel now," Eunice reported, her expression becoming more serious as she regarded Cantarea.
Damian nodded.
The time had finally arrived!
Roland and Selene stepped forward, their Legend-level presences immediately drawing the attention of everyone gathered around the newly cleared battlefield.
The Lionman examined the surroundings before turning toward the two prospective combatants.
"Damian Baines, Cantarea of the Wild Court, your agreement has already been established and accepted. Lady Selene and I shall oversee this duel, ensuring that neither side interferes with the combatants or violates the agreed terms," Roland announced solemnly, his powerful voice carrying across the valley.
Selene smiled.
"Indeed, my dears. I suggest everyone remain well clear of the battlefield, because I have a feeling our two contestants won’t be particularly gentle with one another," she added sweetly, her gaze lingering upon Damian.
The surrounding spectators immediately began withdrawing toward the designated observation positions.
Ferdinand and Gertrude followed the movement without complaint, while the Four Valkyries selected an elevated position that allowed them to observe the entire battlefield.
The Wild Court delegation gathered opposite them, their expressions revealing considerable anxiety despite their attempts to maintain confidence.
Serra was particularly tense.
Her freedom remained impossible regardless of the duel’s outcome, but Cantarea’s defeat would also result in the capture of one of the Wild Court’s powerful Legends.
And that would be an extraordinary humiliation!
Nevertheless, neither combatant appeared interested in the spectators’ concerns.
Cantarea slowly advanced toward the center of the cleared valley, her powerful hooves striking the rocky ground with deliberate precision.
Damian approached from the opposite direction, his posture relaxed as he examined the centaur woman with undisguised interest.
They stopped several dozen meters apart, and for a moment, neither moved.
Then Cantarea raised one hand, a purple radiance suddenly erupting around her fingers, accompanied by an extraordinary concentration of Fae energy that immediately drew the attention of everyone present.
The supernatural power twisted and condensed, gradually forming an enormous bow whose elegant structure appeared to have been woven from countless strands of shimmering violet light.
The weapon was magnificent!
Its curved limbs possessed an intricate, almost organic appearance, while elaborate patterns of purple radiance moved across its surface like living vines.
The entire bow was so enormous that it was nearly as large as Damian’s body, yet Cantarea handled it with the effortless familiarity of someone who had wielded such a weapon for countless years.
Even the surrounding Mana responded to its manifestation.
Damian raised an eyebrow.
Oh? A bow, huh?
He had certainly expected Cantarea to possess some extraordinary weapon, but he hadn’t anticipated something quite so enormous.
Nevertheless, her centaur physique made the choice understandable, especially considering the mobility and stability afforded by her powerful lower body.
A ranged Legend, huh?
Interesting!
Damian’s smile widened.
He had already considered the possibility of confronting an opponent whose combat style differed substantially from his own, and Cantarea’s weapon suggested that the upcoming battle would involve considerably more than a straightforward exchange of physical attacks.
Fortunately, he had prepared accordingly.
Longtian appeared within his grasp, its magnificent blade reflecting the surrounding light as Damian raised it before him.
The sword immediately began trembling.
A deep, resonant vibration spread along its length, accompanied by a faint draconic presence that seemed almost eager to confront the extraordinary weapon held by Cantarea.
Damian chuckled softly.
Heh! You’re excited too, aren’t you, old friend?
The Sword of the River Dragon had already faced numerous powerful enemies, but the prospect of clashing against a genuine Legend appeared to have awakened its belligerent nature.
And Damian was hardly less enthusiastic!
He adjusted his grip, allowing his perfected swordsmanship and extraordinary physical abilities to settle naturally into a comfortable combat posture.
Across from him, Cantarea lowered her enormous bow slightly, her solemn expression transforming into the cold focus of a warrior preparing to stake everything upon a single confrontation.
The surrounding atmosphere became increasingly oppressive.
Roland watched in silence whereas Selene’s eyes narrowed with calculating interest.
Then... the two combatants finally moved!
BOOM!
Damian surged forward with Longtian raised, while Cantarea launched herself in the opposite direction, her enormous bow blazing with concentrated Fae energy.
The battle was about to begin!