Chapter 497 – Heavy Duel

“There they go… Now it’s up to Robert.”

Roland stood in a somewhat secluded spot in the arena stands. The other spectators, consisting of lesser nobles, merchants, and their guards, had spread out in both directions to avoid him. It was an odd sight, watching these people fear him, but at least it gave him some peace. His gaze settled on his sister, who was clutching her hands near her heart, and his stepmother, mirroring the same anxious gesture. The time for the duel had arrived, and now there was nothing Roland could do to help his brother. If he tried anything, the mages would instantly notice the shift in his mana and likely call off the duel in Graham’s favor.

Eventually, his eyes turned to Gerhard and his status, something Roland was already familiar with. His class was a mouthful, but it wasn’t particularly impressive – though not terrible either. This man was likely similar to Emmerson, the first Knight Commander he fought, but at a much lower level. However, Gerhard’s abilities had been artificially boosted by the red crystals, a fact Roland wished he could bring up.

“As if anyone would believe me at this point”

There were side effects to using those blood gems to enhance one’s skills, but with enough money, it was possible to minimize or even eliminate them. People who took them tended to become more irritable and violent which was hardly enough for a formal accusation. The debuff caused by the crystals would eventually disappear, leaving no trace, though it often left lasting effects on the person’s mind.

‘He has no last name. Graham probably chose him as an expendable pawn. Even if Gerhard were caught, Graham could just claim he acted on his own and that it was Leopold who gave him the crystals.’

Finally, Roland’s gaze shifted to Robert, who was clad in his latest creation, the “Rune Power Armor Prototype.” The Rune Power Armor Prototype that Robert wore was a not only a testament to Roland’s craftsmanship but also to Arion’s ingenuity. The height of the user was close to two meters and with the addition of the armor that put Robert at two meters twenty. Each section of the armor was seamlessly interlocked, giving him the appearance of an imposing iron sentinel.

The armor’s core structure was crafted from Dwarven Steel, renowned for its durability and compatibility with enchantments. Its matte black finish absorbed light rather than reflecting it, giving it an eerie, foreboding presence in the arena. Many mistook Robert for a dark knight or even an iron golem monster at first glance. The most striking feature was the chest piece, with angular ridges and an embossed rune circle at its center, faintly glowing with pale blue magical energy.

The shoulders were rounded yet bulky, designed to protect the joints beneath, while the legs were similarly reinforced for maximum defense. However, the true weak point of the design lay in the back – the backpack housing several large runic batteries. These cylindrical batteries were welded shut to prevent them from dislodging during combat, which limited the suit’s operational time but provided an additional layer of protection.

All of this was tied together with a simple but crucial design philosophy: protection and power without sacrificing mobility. Roland had designed the armor to be the ultimate balance of strength and speed, taking into account Robert’s natural fighting style.

As an addition, his brother was handed the large mithril sword he had received from Emmerson, along with the black mithril tower shield he had retrieved from the Albrook dungeon. Armed with these two bulky weapons, Robert would have to defeat his opponent, who was protected by his own set of enchanted mithril armor.

‘Good, he came equipped with that armor and the weapons, everything is going according to plan, now just Robert needs to do it…’

A dome of transparent blue energy enveloped the entire arena. Mages stationed at the four corners maintained the barrier, continuously supplying it with their mana. Even a Tier 3 attack wouldn’t be able to penetrate it. Roland could feel the weight of eyes on him as nearly all of Graham’s men were watching, Leopold included. The time for the duel had finally arrived, and now everyone was waiting for the Count to give the signal.

Count Graham’s hand hovered in the air as the anticipation in the arena reached its peak. Every noble, merchant, and knight in attendance held their breath, eyes trained on the two figures standing at the center of the magical dome. On one side, Sir Gerhard, the seasoned knight and champion of House De Vere, stood poised, his gleaming sword raised in a display of strength. On the other, Robert Arden, his towering figure encased in the experimental runic power armor, remained still as if waiting for the right moment to strike.

*****

‘So this is it… I can do this… no, I shall…’

Robert’s heart pounded in his chest as he waited for the signal. His life flashed through his mind once more as he locked eyes with the man he was destined to face – a Tier 3 class holder, the very tier he aspired to reach. Though he had made rapid progress on the battlefield, this opponent was far superior in power, strength, and experience. Without the buffing spells his brother had cast on him, his knees would likely be trembling at this very moment.

Finally, with a sharp flick of his wrist, Count Graham signaled the start of the match. His voice, amplified by his personal mage, boomed through the arena.

“Let the duel begin!”

Sir Gerhard moved first, his body a blur of motion. Despite the weight of his mithril armor, he charged forward with the grace and speed of a well-trained warrior. His sword imbued with runic enchantments, crackled with lightning elemental power as he brought it down in a vicious arc aimed directly at Robert’s head.

For a moment, Robert froze as the man charged at him, clearly intent on ending the fight sooner rather than later. It wasn’t the sudden movement that made him hesitate, but rather the flashing red display in front of his eyes, warning him just before the man truly made his move. Without this magical contraption, Robert would have undoubtedly been decapitated on the spot. But as the attack was about to connect, he forced his body into a defensive stance, raising his massive shield just in time to absorb the blow.

This ingenious device had been something Robert was still trying to get used to after only a few days of practice. Roland called it a graphical interface, though the term meant little to him. One side of the display showed a miniature version of his power armor, while a strange white aura would form around his opponent before the battle began. As soon as his enemy moved, the parts of their body used for the attack would flash red, along with the corresponding part of Robert’s armor, indicating where the blow would land.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Even with this system in place, his reaction time was limited. A Tier 3 knight’s speed was at least twice his own. On top of that, feints were always a problem. The runic machine could detect the true strike, but it left him with an even smaller window to react. He had practiced with his brother playing the role of his opponent, but even now, he hadn’t fully mastered this strange system.