Entha

Chapter 6: The Hastened Behemoth of the North

'How did I get here?' This room is massive; how much would this cost? ... I'm not sure why this blue mist keeps covering my view; it's a shame since the sky looked stunning from here; imagine how lovely it would be up close; let's take a moment to savor it.… Should I go for a walk for the time being? I may get lost, but at the very least, I need to figure out where I am… crap Gale! Come on, old man, you startled me, calm down, calm down heart shhh, now that's better, it's incredibly awkward to be addressed as "Sir" by someone older than you, so let's ask him to stop, eh!? That's faster than I expected, I expected him to be persistent, but whatever, how big is this house? The corridors just keep going and going, big houses come with big doors, but this one is in a league of its own, as expected of a Duke's room, wait Gale, don't push it so quickly, I need to compose myself.… Holy s**t! that’s the duke!?? He’s like four bears combined!, terrifying he’s scary as hell, Can I run? But to where, where do I go'

“Welcome to my Duchy Calix, I am the 8th Duke of the De Val Duchy, Areath Margus De Val serving the Helliun Kingdom of Enratas” Proudly announced Areath, which sounded like a roar on Calix ears.

“Calix Reyes of E-earth” replied Calix, smiling wryly

‘What am I saying!?, Its fine to just state my name right, s**t my nerves are killing me'

At Calix's introduction, Esteroth and a few other maids and butlers let out a giggle. Calix could feel the billows of insecurity bolts anchoring themselves in him as he regretted the words he had shouted out loud. One of the four demons prodded the giggling Esteroth; she had a tomboyish appearance with crimson hair and crimson eyes, and she appeared to be younger than Esteroth in appearance that is, but speaking of mentality, then she is obviously older; the other two, on the duke's right side had yellow hair and yellow eyes, and they shared a striking resemblance.

‘Marvelous, this human kid really does resemble a Grandif, I haven’t expected much but to think that he actually would have those combat eyes, perhaps he’s knowledgeable of the art of sword fights, should I test him?’ thought Areath.

“Hahaha, Pay them no mind Calix, I suppose you’re knowledgeable in the art of sword fights”

“A little bit," Calmly replied Calix, hoping to reclaim his prior pride. He did watch some of those movies, especially the ones with flying actors and knights, but the maid and butlers, as well as the four demons, fell silent as Calix spoke.

The duke's eyes expanded in response to Calix's remark, his purple pupil now bare, giving off a faint glow, and his wide smile exposed his two white pointed fangs.

“Ohhh Wonderful, Wonderful truly Won-der-ful” Laughed Areath emphasizing how happy he was at the end of his sentence, as he stood up slowly, and with his gigantic steps he crossed the distance between him and Calix.

Instant regret, Calix instantly regretted such remarks, He hadn’t thought of it earlier but now he realized the consequence of the words he had nonchalantly spouted, overwhelming terror crept in him, as he look at Esteroth whose head rapidly shook in disapproval.

“Tell me Calix, long sword or a cutlass, perhaps a rapier?” Gleefully asked The Duke.

“I take it back Sir, Duke, I’m not a bit knowledgeable of swords” hurriedly replied Calix, who concurrent to his reply prostrated, rubbing his forehead in the crimson carpet.

"No need to be reserved now, Calix," the duke responded, mistaking Calix's actions for someone who humbles himself in front of an important person.

“No not at all, Sir Duke” said Calix, who was now desperately trying to calm his shaking knees.

“Gale bring me two cutlass”

“Immediately, my Lord”

Calix resolved himself when he saw the cutlass being brought to him; he knew there was no way out, he had dug a perfect grave. At Areath's urging, he slowly rose up and took the cutlass from Gale. Calix looked like an Asian youngster compared to a buff American since the duke was so enormous. It was ridiculous to imagine that Calix would be able to deflect or dodge a hit from Areath, a battle veteran who was renowned in the Helliun kingdom of Enratas for his quickness, which contrasted with his gigantic frame, giving him the moniker the Hastened Behemoth of the North and again Calix was unaware of such facts.

“Gale, you mark the start of this tussle”

“Certainly, My lord, both parties take your stance”

Calix unsheathed the cutlass, and admired its gold hue and the precisely carved unfamiliar letter like engravings in its handle and blade, which he, strangely comprehended “Asporeas" or so the letter says, the blade was as long as one meter, which he imagined to be heavy but bizarrely enough it was as light as a stick, he had never wielded a sword before thus he awkwardly grasped it with two hands.

“Start” clearly announced Gale,

“Eh? Wait wait just a sec” urgently screamed Calix, but the duke had already begun his charge,

The Duke who was five meters away reached Calix in a blink of an eye, he swiftly rose the sword which he calls a cutlass in terms of his size but it definitely would be a long sword if Calix wielded it, the Duke swung the sword vertically which everyone expected to sever Calix from head to toe. With a loud thud, the collision of the sword on the ground formed a smokescreen of dust.

“He’s dead right?” Said the male with yellow eyes and hair,

“Probably so,” replied his female twin,

“I guessed Grandif's aren’t that tough hahahah”

When the sword and the ground collided, Esteroth, the butler, and the servants all let out a gasp interpreting the scene as Calix’s end, though when the smokescreen lifted, they stood speechless... Calix shocked everyone present in the room, even the Duke with his brightly gleaming green pupils as he stood next to the cutlass, which he avoided by hairs breadth.