Chapter 41: Duel Beneath the Ancestral Boughs
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Royal Garden – The Elven Palace, Elora
Silence ruled the garden—broken only by the faint rustle of petals drifting from the sycamore trees.
Crown Prince Lios' face was twisted in indignation.
No! It can't end like this... all my years of planning... my efforts...
Not seeing any way out...
"Guards," he barked, his voice like a whip. "Detain them. Lord Skyster, his women, and that traitor butler. Now!"
" They are tarnishing the image of your 'King' on behalf of false or made up evidence."
Dozens of royal guards stepped forward. Their boots slammed against the mosaic-tiled floor. Spears raised. Magic shimmered along blades. Eyes locked on Dian.
Suzine instantly got in her combat position, faint glimmers of mana on her fingers . Gianna stepped in front of Dian, lips curled in fury.
Beside them, Jones ready to move on his master's signal.
And Dian... he just stood.
Calm, confident, a soft smile on his face.
He knew, he wasn't powerful enough right now to face too many enemies. He had already prepared his backup, if anything goes wrong.
It was someone else's territory, he knew, he needs to be prepared.
But they never reached them.
A voice rang out—sharper than steel, older than time.
"Enough."
It stopped the guards mid-step. Froze even the wind.
Every head turned.
Walking through the archway, draped in flowing robes the color of storm-silver, was an ancient elven woman. Her long hair shimmered like moonlight. Eyes like ancient emeralds pierced through flesh and soul alike.
But time has dulled the details, her hair wasn't that much shiny. Small wrinkles on her face, showing her aged figure and experience.
But something about her was strange...
Every noble fell silent.
"El–Elder Virenelle…" someone whispered in awe.
The oldest living elf in the kingdom. The woman said to have protected the Elven Kingdom for centuries with her life.
A Supreme class, 3d Stage Mage.
Virenelle raised her hand—and every weapon in the garden froze mid-air, encased in vines of glowing sigil-wood.
"Stop all this at once," she declared.
Lios' face paled, but he straightened. "Elder, this matter concerns treason and forged documents—"
"Don't speak any further" Virenelle's gaze snapped toward him. "I know what have you done... but I was silent because of the oath,"
As Dian heard her, he got confused. " The Oath?"
Seeing him, Gianna spoke. " Hm. Every elder has to take a 'Oath' to never get inbetween the decisions made by the king." She paused to let the words settle.
"It is a magic oath, if broken. Then the end is only death, a sufferable one. One can only intervien when the king's decision can harm the Kingdom." Gianna herself got confused as she spoke the last words.
She couldn't comprehend, how this can harm the Kingdom?
The crowd stirred.
Then her eyes turned to Dian.
"You… Skyster. Would you tell them to back down?"
Dian didn't move, he looked directly into her eyes.
Virenelle got what he meant."Please."
The crowd stirred, Lios's mouth agape, Gianna looking towards Dian with stunned face, Suzine was no better.
Every eyes turned to Dian, The one who got 'Please' from a Powerhouse that protected the kingdom.
Dian smiled and stepped forward. "Gladly." He raised his hand.
And again a small ripple in the space, negligible but not for Virenelle.
She nodded to herself.
Everyone was confused, not understanding what was happening.
But she knew, 'The Secret guards of Skyster family '. All ready to strike on a single nod from their master.
Even when there was no Supreme class 3d Stage in their forces, she knew she can't handle all of them...
Her eyes drifted a step behind Dian. " It's been a long time, Jones."
Jones nodded with a slight bow. " It really has."
Oh? Buttler know her ? Dian thought.
Seeing things settling down, Dian spoke. " So... I think it's time," his gaze on Lios.
" To surrender 'Mr. Prince'..."
"No!" Lios spat. His eyes full of rage on Virnelle. " You can't do this! You promised to fullfill my wish!"
Virenelle's gaze calm. " I did promised that." She answered.
"Hm? What are they talking about now?" Dian murmured.
"A wish." Again, Gianna answered his curiosity. " Every king of each generation are granted a wish from the elders. Anything they desire."
Dian's eyes flickered from Virenelle to Lios. Isn't that some great privileges for a king. He thought.
Aside from their murmers, Virenelle continued. " But," her gaze turning towards Dian. "I can't allow any damage to my kingdom for your foolish desires." She wasn't finished.
" But as a compensation, I will hold a duel between you two." Her gaze turning from Dian to Lios.
Lios's eyes glimmered with hope and a way out with anything he wanted.
"Hm?" But Dian frowned hearing her. " Do I have to join this 'duel'?" He asked but his tone already gave away his answer.
Virenelle looked towards Dian, in his unwavering eyes. A moment passed begu she spoke. " I did a favour to your father long ago, consider it equal now."
Dian didn't agree right away, he looked towards Jones. His butler who nodded.
" Hmm... Okay then." Dian stepped forward.
She nodded, then turned to Lios.
"And you, Crown Prince?"
Lios' lip curled. "If this farce requires bloodshed to silence it, then let the duel speak."
"Then it shall be," Virenelle said. She closed her eyes and spread her arms.
The air shimmered.
Roots erupted from the ground, forming an arena of tangled wood and glowing symbols. Floating sigils formed a dome overhead. Magic thrummed with ancient power.
"This is the Duel of Truth," she intoned. "A pact-binding combat—older than any Elven crown."
"But we need stakes," Lios sneered. "Let it not be a mere clash of swords."
He looked directly at Gianna.
"I take her."
Gasps rang out.
Gianna didn't flinch.
Dian's eyes turned molten gold. He stepped forward, meeting Lios eye to eye. " Wanna play like this?" His voice cold.
But Lios's smile only widened.
"Okay" Dian said coolly. "If I win—Queen Emily shall be mine. And so shall the princesses Olivia and Emma. They will never again suffer under your shadow."
Gasps were heard, nobles of court looking towards their crown prince.
Lios's eyes narrowed. But "So be it."
Whispers filled as he accepted it.
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" Is he out of his mind!." One of the court's noble spoke in rage.
" He is! He doesn't even know what he is doing right now!" Another one spoke in rage alongside him.
And it really was a big thing. First of all their queen– Emily Measter, she has handled and the kingdom has flourished under her rule. Then the princess's, they were too very important. She could have been great help for the kingdom in future diplomatic issues.
" Only Elder Virenelle can stop this now
" One last sentence from another noble. Which silenced everyone.
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Their eyes turned towards the Elder.
Virenelle raised her hand, a swirling rune between them.
"The pact is sealed. Witnessed by the elder blood, and by the roots of the First Tree."
A silver flame surged between the two men, then vanished.
And... their hope is gone...
Lios pulled off his outer robe, drawing a slender blade imbued with violet fire.
Dian summoned his sword from his storage ring—the Skyster blade gleaming like dawn steel. His 'Eye of Perception' flared, and the Nullflare Ring pulsed.
The Duel Begins
They clashed like lightning.
Steel on steel. Magic on magic.
Lios moved like a phantom—his blade dancing through wind, casting spells with every slash. Illusions formed around him—mirrors, afterimages, blinding pulses.
Dian didn't flinch.
His footwork was rooted, yet fluid. He parried each illusion with precision, seeing through every fake image. His sword surged with elemental force—flame, wind, and light clashing in perfect harmony.
Each strike of Dian's blade cracked the air.
Lios summoned thorned whips, twisted wind arrows, and spectral blades.
Dian burned through them.
"Is that all your lies have left you?" Dian growled, flame dancing in his palm.
Lios screamed, unleashing a dark spell—a serpent made of shadows and poison—slithering straight toward Dian.
But Dian didn't dodge.
He stepped forward into the attack, nullifying it with a flash of holy light.
Then, he vanished.
Reappeared behind Lios—
"Elemental Convergence—Heavenbreak Fang!"
The blow shattered Lios' sword.
Blood sprayed across the dueling ground.
Lios collapsed to his knees.
The nobles screamed. Guards rushed forward, but Virenelle raised her hand again.
"It is done."
The runes flared, and a binding oath wrapped around Lios' chest, glowing with searing energy.
"This vow is etched in magic and law," Virenelle said solemnly. "You may never contest the terms. Nor may you harm or command harm upon the Queen, her daughters, or Lady Gianna."
Lios gasped, but he could not move. The roots themselves shackled his wrists.
Dian stepped back, breathing heavily but composed. Gianna ran to him, her arms flinging around his shoulders. Suzine followed, smiling through quiet tears.
The crowd bowed—first in fear, then in respect.
A new dawn had begun.
But for the nobles of their court, it was like black clouds over their whole kingdom.
A chime rang in Dian's head–
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[Ding!]
[Main Quest Updated: The Blooming Betrayal – COMPLETE]
Objective: Reveal the true traitor of Elora
[Status: Success]
Rewards Unlocked:
– [Class Advancement Token: 1]
– [Elven Royal Blessing: Nature's Oath]
– [Love Points +1000]
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Later that Night – Moonlit Balcony
Gianna stood beside Dian, her hand entwined with his.
"You saved us all," she whispered.
Dian looked toward the stars. "Hmm... Not gonna reward me?" His voice low, close to her ear.
Gianna's cheeks flushed pink, her pointy ears twitching. "I-i guess..."
She turned and sealed Dian's lips.
'Mmummmmmhhhhhh'.
A soft moan escaped her lips as Dian held her from waist and pulled close.
But something else awaited...
.
.