Chapter 42: Reward
This duel ended in a situation no one had anticipated.
As the commoners left, they were still excitedly discussing what had just happened.
They weren’t Bloodline Users, so they couldn’t understand the danger involved.
For the most part, they were just watching for entertainment, though in truth, they hadn’t actually seen anything. Still, that didn’t stop them from bragging about it later; at the very least, it would earn them a few extra drinks at the tavern.
As for Second-Tier Bloodline Users, it went without saying that none of them would ever want to mess with Andre or Yam again.
Andre had already proven his formidable reputation on the battlefield, but Yam, a previously unknown figure, had directly defeated Andre in a duel they couldn’t even fully comprehend.
Anyone with a shred of sense would know better than to provoke them.
And if even the Second-Tier Bloodline Users wouldn't dare, the First-Tiers certainly wouldn't.
The name of the Soderbell Family had now truly begun to resonate.
People now knew not only the name of the "Blazing Bow" but also the name of the "Red Eagle Sword."
It was said that this title had been personally bestowed by Marquis Visen.
Reportedly, on the second floor of the banquet hall, many lords from various territories, knights from other merchant guilds and families, and other notable figures had been watching.
When Yam Soderbell emerged victorious, Marquis Visen laughed heartily and praised Baron Ster for discovering a remarkable talent.
He went on to declare that among all Second-Tier Bloodline Users in the Red Eagle Territory, Yam Soderbell had the strongest swordsmanship.
Thus, the title "Red Eagle Sword" was bestowed.
Interpretations of the title varied widely: some believed that "Red" referred to a Fire Element bloodline and "Eagle" to the Eagle Strike Swordsmanship.
Others thought the name "Red Eagle" should be taken as a whole, especially since Marquis Visen had specifically said Yam’s swordsmanship was unmatched among all Second-Tier Bloodline Users in the Red Eagle Territory.
Regardless of how it was interpreted, the name of Yam Soderbell had begun to spread.
Everyone now knew that the Soderbell brothers under Baron Ster possessed formidable strength.
...
But no matter how excited others were, Yam and Akar themselves certainly weren’t thrilled at the moment.
“Brother!”
Akar carried Yam all the way back to their room and immediately began administering medicine.
On the surface, Yam didn’t appear to have any injuries, but in truth, he had suffered a severe concussive blow.
It was only thanks to the naturally stronger physique of a Bloodline User, and the fact that Yam had blocked the punch with his longsword, that he had only suffered minor internal trauma. Had it been a First-Tier Bloodline User or someone with a weaker body, Andre’s "Raging Overlord Fist" could have easily killed them in one hit.
“I’m fine,” Yam lightly patted Akar’s arm, signaling him to relax. “The Billy Family’s ‘Raging Overlord Fist’ is powerful, but it can’t be thrown in quick succession. He only managed two punches in our fight, one I disrupted with ‘Piercing Peck,’ and the other I parried. The injuries look bad, but I’ll recover in a few days.”
“Brother,” Akar said in a low voice, “don’t talk for now. You’ve already coughed up blood several times on the way back.”
“If you ever go up against him, never let him get close,” Yam said seriously, undeterred. “I don’t fully understand the workings of his combat skill, but I’m certain it has an intense explosive effect, it’s like holding a Fireball in your hand. What’s even more troublesome is that, even if I preemptively detonate it, it doesn’t harm him at all.”
Hearing this, Akar’s expression turned grave.
His Fireball spell also caused explosive damage, but if he were too close, he wouldn’t dare to cast it, because the explosion’s shockwave and fire spread would affect him as well. Detonating a Fireball at close range would be practically suicidal.
Now hearing that Andre’s punch-based combat skill had explosive properties but didn’t affect him at all, Akar realized that in close combat, Andre's advantage would be overwhelming.
After all, no matter how tough a Bloodline User’s body was, they couldn’t withstand continuous shock impacts.
“How did you end up winning?”
“I used a little trick,” Yam smiled faintly and then suddenly extended his left index finger. A small flame ignited at the tip. “I used the technique you told me about to stimulate your flying stone attack.”
Akar’s eyes lit up, but soon he looked puzzled again. “Why didn’t you kill him? Wasn’t it a life-or-death duel?”
“His reflexes are quick,” Yam replied grimly. “At the last second, he tilted his head and dodged. But because of that, I was able to block his second ‘Raging Overlord Fist.’ Otherwise, even if I had managed to kill him, I probably wouldn’t have survived his strike.”
Others may not have seen the perilous clash within the rising whirlwind of flames, but Andre and Yam were fully aware of the danger.
When Yam interrupted and triggered the first "Raging Overlord Fist," he immediately realized the hidden risk: he had suffered a concussive shock and became unstable, while Andre remained unaffected and swiftly pressed the advantage, seizing complete control of the battle.
Yam had no room to counterattack and was eventually forced into a vulnerable opening, where Andre prepared to finish him with a second strike.
But in that critical moment, Yam noticed a gap, Andre’s bloodline energy could no longer keep pace!
Seizing the opportunity, Yam fired a flame projectile at Andre’s carotid artery.
Both sides had truly fought with the intention to kill, without the slightest hint of mercy.
Unfortunately, Andre had participated in the three-year invasion war against the Red River Territory, and his battlefield instincts were extremely sharp.
That was how he managed to evade the fatal strike at the last moment. Still, he underestimated the range of that flame projectile, his neck was torn open, just barely missing his carotid artery.
So when Yam used the shockwave from Andre’s second "Raging Overlord Fist" to fly backward and create distance, Andre knew he could no longer win. If they continued fighting, it would only end in mutual destruction.
That wasn’t the outcome he wanted.
So he decisively turned and left.
Now rumors were flying outside that the Knight's Duel Andre had initiated ended in his own defeat.
Including the match from the previous day, he had lost to Yam twice. Not only had he completely lost face, but he had also dragged down the reputation of the entire Billy Family.
The mockery was nearly endless.
But only Yam truly understood how terrifying Andre Billy was.
"If there’s ever another opportunity, I absolutely must not let him go."
"I know," Akar nodded. "He initiated the Knight's Duel, but once he realized he couldn’t achieve his goal, he didn’t hesitate to walk away, even bearing the shame and ridicule. Someone like that is indeed extremely troublesome... How about I go take him out today?"
"He won’t stay overnight at the Marquis’s Estate," Yam shook his head. "He left in full view of everyone because he knew you would be escorting me and wouldn’t leave my side. That made it the safest time for him. After treating his injuries, he’ll definitely leave immediately. You and I can’t move right now anyway, so we’ve already missed the best chance to kill him."
Akar’s gaze dropped. He spoke coldly, "There will be another chance. Once we return, I’ll go to the Gem Territory and keep an eye on him."
"No need," Yam shook his head. "It’s more important that we focus on training and finding a chance to break through to Third-Tier than having you waste time watching him."
...
"Baron Ster, congratulations."
On the second floor of the banquet hall, the people who had come earlier for negotiations had all left. Only Marquis Visen and Baron Ster remained in the hall.
"With the Soderbell brothers assisting you, White Mountain Territory will have no worries for the next thirty years."
"Marquis, your praise is too generous," Baron Ster said somewhat nervously. "If you hadn’t given me the chance to defect, White Mountain Territory wouldn’t even have a tomorrow."
"No need to be so nervous," Marquis Visen shook his head slightly, his demeanor very amiable. "I like smart people. They make things much easier. And Baron Ster, I see you as a very smart person. Now that you and I are on the same side, as long as you don’t betray me, I won’t do anything to you. If Count Shuvaric tries to trouble you, I’ll shield you myself."
"Thank you for your great favor, Marquis."
"This isn’t a great favor. It simply means that from now on, our interests are aligned. If your interests are harmed, then my interests are harmed too," Marquis Visen said slowly as he looked at Baron Ster. "So, do you understand what I mean?"
"I understand."
How could Baron Ster not understand?
His territory, just northward, bordered the Fertile Territory. Whether he liked it or not, White Mountain Territory had already become the frontline in Marquis Visen’s conflict with Count Shuvaric. He had no choice in the matter.
Moreover, he had handed Count Shuvaric’s confidential letter over to Marquis Visen, essentially delivering a dagger that could stab Count Shuvaric at any moment.
From now on, his interests were tied completely to Marquis Visen.
One could even say that if Marquis Visen stopped protecting him, not just him, but every member of the Bole Family, including Giggs and Lily, would be doomed. So now, he needed to curry favor with Marquis Visen even more than Hess Billy of the Gem Territory.
"By the way," Marquis Visen suddenly said, "Does Yam Soderbell have a fiancée?"
Baron Ster suddenly froze, unsure what the Marquis meant by the question.
But after thinking it over, he realized this wasn’t something he could hide. So Baron Ster nodded and said, "Yes. My daughter Lily and Yam have mutual feelings for each other, and I’ve tacitly approved their relationship... but they’re not formally engaged yet."
"Then you should take hold of this," Marquis Visen smiled. "Yam Soderbell is very powerful. Don’t let him slip through your fingers. If you’re truly willing to proceed, with your daughter’s support, and as long as the next generation is fine, the Soderbell Family could soon become a genuine knightly family."
"Then, once I return to my territory, I’ll make their relationship official," Baron Ster nodded quickly.
"Hahaha, then let me seize the chance to send Yam a gift tonight in honor of his victory on my behalf. Consider it a wedding gift," Marquis Visen said with a laugh.
"Someone recently gifted me a high-tier battle art, ‘Flame Stream Strike,’ covering techniques from Second-Tier to Fourth-Tier. Unfortunately, it doesn’t suit my bloodline since it’s a fire-element art, but it should be perfect for the Soderbell Family."
"Then allow me to thank you on Yam’s behalf for your generous reward, Marquis."