GGEZ
2229 Words
Team A returned to the mansion using the teleportation skill of Matthew. A maid walked towards them and bowed.
“Are the others returned?” Matthew simply asked.
“Not yet, you were the first one to return here, master.” The maid replied reverently.
“Is that so? Then, we were going out again, and also don't call me master.”
He used teleportation again and was transported to the main street of the royal capital.
“Hey, Matthew, why did those thugs go? Aren’t they just going to repeat it?” Aeyana asked, she seems concerned about Matthew letting them go,
“Don’t worry they will not repeat it again, I assure you. They were traumatized and will likely repent for their sins. They’d experienced death after all.” Matthew assured.
“Matt where will we go?” Jericho inquired.
“I don’t know, we're just going to stroll around and look for something interesting.”
And so they strolled around the capital, the city full of people, bustling with daily activities. Team A walked around until they had fully understood the streets and direction of the city for their future references.
It was now six p.m and the setting sun began shrouding the city with its orange glow. This signals the three teams to return to the mansion as soon as possible since there will be a welcome party or recognition about them in the royal palace.
For the boys, they wore formal suits that gave them an impression of a businessman or a CEO, and for the girls a dress that gives them an impression of going to a formal party.
The horse-drawn carriage arrived at the mansion to pick them up.
Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the royal palace that seems to be carved out from a mountain.
The design was straight out from fantasy that you’ll commonly see in fantasy anime, movies, novels, and the like.
Extravagant lights lighting the royal palace, people from nobility lining up in the main entrance, exquisite carriages parked at the parking lot, and so on.
They’d really prepared a warm and welcome party for them.
Finally, they entered the royal palace grand hall.
They opened their mouths wide again this time. Amazed at how grand it was. Nobility wearing their formal suits and gown and were dancing formally in the middle of the stage.
The king’s throne was located at the far center of the stage where the king and the queen and their daughters were seated. Seemingly cherishing the view of the grand formal event.
The battle gods were confused about what they were going to do. Are they just going to walk straight to introduce themselves to the king? Is there someone going to approach them? They don’t know, so they stood idly on the side as they watched their first formal event nervously.
Someone noticed them and immediately walked forward.
“Are you the Surrender at 20 guilds?”
A middle-aged man asked the nervous group.
“Uhm...yes, we were told that the king will welcome us, is that right?” Ethan who was the captain of the team answered the man.
“Yes, if you follow me to the throne you’ll receive your commemoration there. This party is for the debut of the sons and daughters of nobility and royalty but their families will witness your recognition that will start now.”
The man said and extended his both arms towards the location of the king’s throne.
The battle gods started walking towards it, eyes glued around them, their gazes made them embarrassed and nervous even more. They were attracting the attention of the attendees.
Reaching the throne, the man bowed reverently in front of the king.
“Your Majesty, the saviors of the princesses has finally arrived.”
The king stands up and looks at them. He flapped his cape, attempting to look dignified and said:
“Heroes, you were the ones who saved my princesses from the danger of the demons. You have heeded my summons.”
Said the middle-aged man, sounding majestic. He wore a red cape thick to serve as a coat, and atop his head sat a gleaming golden crown.
His words halted the band that was playing, and the nobility dancing in the hall.
All of the attention was now at the center of the hall where the king was.
Then he started approaching them, everyone in the hall except the battle gods kneeled in respect.
“Are we supposed to kneel?” Jon wryly said.
“No, I don’t think so—”
“All of you, bow to the presence of the king.”
Before Ian could finish his sentence, a young man appeared in front of them as if he teleported there.
Irritated by that voice, Jon replied in a dominating tone:
“You, how dare you order us to kneel in front of nobody?”
Everyone gasped, shocked at the words of Ian.
“You, how dare you disrespect the king huh? Your majesty allows me to behead that fool who insulted you…”
He grabbed the hilt of his blade, ready to pull it out the moment he received the order of the king. However, the king shook his head and ordered him to stand down.
“I apologized for his rude behavior as it was not the right way to welcome the heroes who saved my daughters.” The king said.
“I don’t mind, as long as we received the rewards. Such insult coming from the weak can be neglect—”
“You…”
“Calm down, Shiroe, sir I beg you to not agitate him.”
“And now you’re ordering me—”
Ethan knocked his head to silence him. They can’t afford to be embarrassed by the piercing gaze of attendees anymore.
“I’m sorry for my subordinate's actions. I am Ethan, the captain of the Surrender at 20 guilds. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Introducing himself valiantly, the king can’t help but let out a gasp of admiration.
“You’re Ethan huh? My daughters told me a lot of things about you.”
“Is that so? Then I’m happy to hear that. Now let’s get straight to the point. Can our wish be granted?”
“Oh? Do you mean the things like citizenship and guilds? Of course, you can get it in one condition.”
“Condition? May I ask what is it? In fact, you shouldn’t ask for a condition since it’s a reward.”
“Don’t worry, it’s just for certainty. May I know who saved my daughters at the time of the attack?”
Ethan looked at Jon.
“That would be him…”
Jon walked straight to the king and looked him dead in the eye.
“Oh? What a scary look from a young man like you. Then, here is the condition. Defeat one of my top-heroes right here right now.”
A battle huh? What an unexpected turn of events. The Battle Gods’ eyes widened at the condition.
“I don’t mind, where will we fight?”
“The stage is here...Clear the stage everyone.”
With the king’s orders, everyone started to walk out from the stage.
“Please do your best...sir Jon.”
A young female voice sounded from one of the seats of the royalty. Jon looked and saw Christine, her hands held together cheering for him.
Ethan laid his hand on Jon shoulder:
“Show them the strength of the Surrender at 20, my vice-captain.”
“Don’t worry, it will end in less than five seconds,” Jon said in confidence and walked straight into the center of the stage, his teammates were eagerly cheering him up as they watched from the side.
“Who is the enem—…”
“That would be me…”
In the center of a stage, a swirling fire appeared. A woman's voice sounded from within as she declared herself as his opponent.
The fire flickered as it faltered out from the scene, a tall woman in a slender frame and a large bust appeared. She has waist-length brown hair with orange highlights tied in a high ponytail by a hair ornament and wears a long-sleeved hooded kimono adorned with flower designs and a red hakama shirt.
From the looks of it, she gives an impression of a Japanese. Affixed on her waist was a scabbard of a katana.
“So you’re the one who defeated the Demon Generals and Sword Saint Ernest easily huh? If it was true then I can tell that you’re strong. However, Ernest is not as strong as you think. Compared to me, I am stronger and agile. Now, before we start, can I ask for your name?”
“My name is Jon, how about you?”
“My name is Alice, I’m the third-ranked hero and an adamantite-ranked adventurer. Now, tremble in your feet.”
“You should be the one who needs to tremble at my presence. How dare you underestimate me, mongrel?”
“What did you just call me?” Her gentle and beautiful face turned menacingly at Jon’s mocking, “I will defeat you badly!”
Alice dashed towards him with blinding speed, pulling out her katana. Jon bent his body 90 degrees like a matrix to avoid it. Knowing that she missed, she returned once more, slashing the air with her sword at blinding speed. A half-moon-shaped fire was sent at Jon consecutively.
-Boom.
It exploded upon the impact that is enough to shake the palace. Dust flew off on Jon’s location concealing him. To Alice, the explosion guaranteed her victory…
“Wha-what?”
As the dust cleared, a man sheathed in golden armor was unscathed from the explosion. On his hand was a golden shield that blocked her attack.
Jon was able to figure out her enemy by this small information.
“You’re not worthy of my main weapons. As expected I’m going to face a weak enemy...It cannot be helped then, I’m just way too strong.”
A space contorted around him, a golden brilliance appeared from his back, it was a small gate where swords and spears protrude.
With his hand, he commanded the swords, it bustled in high speed as it pierced the air.
Alice merely managed to avoid the sword. Its razor-shaped blade cuts her delicate face, dying it with red blood. If she moved slower than 0.1 seconds, she would not receive a cut but her death.
“You managed to dodge it? Impressive, you’re really more agile than him but, I think I should give you a fight chance.”
In his declaration, his eyes burning crimson, for the second time, the space around him warped to let a herd of blades materialize. Treasured swords, spears, halberd, ax, can be seen.
Before it was two, but now it turns to sixteen. If she can’t even dodge one sword that is moving at blinding speed, how can she dodge sixteen in an instant?
Alice stood up once more to fight, she wiped the blood on her delicate face with the back of her arm and aimed the tip of her sword at Jon.
And once again, dashed towards Jon. In response to her action, Jon ordered eight of the treasured weapons from his skill to pierce Alice. With her sword, she fluidly swings it left and right, repelling all the treasured weapons coming towards her.
But each repels was an astonishing force that she could feel from her hands. The enormous force is enough to break one’s arm. But still, she didn’t falter but go faster.
At last, she closed the distance and is now in her range, she shoots her sword. A series of high-speed thrust and swings of her sword.
No one could’ve dodged this murderous intent of Alice who is now brandishing her sword at the enemy that wounded her.
But in spite of her great efforts, Jon managed to evade all of them and gibly picked up a sword from the [Divine Treasury] skill and started exchanging blows with her.
A series of clashes of swordsmen started and for the thirteen-time of the clash, Alice's body tottered at the impact of Jon's sword. The twentieth opening of Alice was shown.
“I think it’s time to end this, I can’t entertain a weakling anymore.” Jon performed a roundhouse kick, sending her flying towards the pillar, smashing it. And ordered two of his treasured swords to pierced the palm of her hands, pinning her on the pillar.
The battle ended in merely 35 seconds. Jon gave the enemy some fighting chance but it turns out to be an insult of not being able to make him all out.
“GGEZ”
- Writer
