Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 319: Duel

Chapter 319: Duel

"I thought your subordinates would be in attendance," Alejandro remarked as he led the way to his training quarters, his steps measured.

Alex replied as his gaze trailed the alabaster walls of the hallway they walked through. "They have their hands full watching over the proxy. He seems... iffy."

"Indeed, he is. From the moment I laid eyes on him, I could sense his cowardice. It is unbecoming of a man to have such a scent."

"What you call cowardice, I see as being careful. Alone, I doubt I’d be able to catch him since he has had time to plan things out."

"But you aren’t alone."

"And that makes all the difference." Alex finished just as they arrived before the training quarters currently guarded by two Beast Warriors.

Away from the corruption of the Wandering Forest, the Beastmen had regained their imposing nature, giving Alex peace of mind that his plan would suffer no adjustments.

Once inside, Alex found the hall which was large enough to contain 200 people, quite exquisite with the area lit up by gas lamps that glowed a strange red, away from the yellow he was used to.

The center of the hall was filled with sand, reminding Alex of a sandbox.

Alejandro walked towards the left wall where several weapons hung.

"Why are we here?" Alex inquired as he leaned against the wall behind him.

Alejandro chuckled. "To train of course."

"I don’t remember saying I needed that."

"And yet, here you are." Alejandro joked before adding. "What weapon are you comfortable with?"

"None, I’m a hands-on kind of guy."

"You would die in hand-to-hand combat against me."

"Well, isn’t that just lovely?... Good thing I don’t plan on doing that."

"Regardless, I insist you pick one." Alejandro pressed with Alex letting out a sigh.

"You don’t plan on letting me off easy, do you?"

"..." Alejandro said nothing but the expression he held said enough for Alex to sigh yet again.

Taking a deep breath, he remarked. "Staff."

"Hmm, I didn’t expect that. You seem more like a sword guy." Alejandro remarked as he picked up a staff and a cleaver.

"I also didn’t expect to be forced into this but I guess the unexpected just keeps happening now, doesn’t it?"

Chuckling lightly, Alejandro hefted the staff over with Alex easily catching it.

It was lighter than he expected and fit quite well considering his physique was smaller than the average Beastman.

"So how does this work?" He inquired as he leaped into the sand pit with Alejandro a few meters away.

"Do not fret, our agreement still stands and I shall not dare to go back on it. However, I believe it is only right that we exchange a few blows."

"Why?"

"As the true nature of a man is known only in combat. Now..." Alejandro took an offensive stance with Alex quickly reacting. "Let’s begin."

The first clash was enough to send Alex to his knees, barely able to keep Alejandro’s cleaver from taking his shoulder off.

"Impressive, you handled a small portion of my strength quite well."

"... This is small?" Alex muttered through gritted teeth.

Chuckling softly, Alejandro took back his cleaver and took a few steps back, allowing Alex some breathing space.

Just as Alex intended to take a more active position, Alejandro began. "The records about the Supreme Order can’t make up for the entirety of what they are but... I believe what we know would be useful to you in your fight against them."

"Then..."

"There are a few facts we have managed to dig up during our almost thousand-year agreement with them. One is that they are quite loyal to the Empire."

"Hmm?"

"Indeed, interactions with them proved that if anything, they wish for the continued prosperity of the Empire."

Mentally noting that, Alex intended to inquire further only to immediately leap to the side as Alejandro launched a surprise attack, his cleaver slamming into his previous position.

Staring at the mark it left in the sand, Alex’s eyebrows twitched, considering just what would have happened had he remained there.

Alejandro glanced at him before slowly retrieving the cleaver. "Secondly, they are most likely headed by someone close to the Crown."

Swallowing the insults at the tip of his tongue, Alex cautiously inquired. "How sure are you?"

"At least 50 percent."

"I’ll assume 80 then."

"Smart choice." Alejandro nodded only to swing his cleaver as Alex launched his own surprise attack.

An audible clank resounded in the hall.

Unfortunately, in the exchange, Alex was the one to fall back as his hands trembled.

Alejandro could have attacked and indeed, the thought did cross his mind but again, this was merely a friendly spar.

He’d long since known that Alex was horrible at close combat, at least, in his books.

So with a smile on his lips, Alejandro continued. "The Supreme Order does have a connection with the Great Families but the connection isn’t absolute."

"What do you mean?"

"We believe they are only working together because their goals align and even then, the Great Families would hardly be the first they’d call if they were in trouble."

"So basically friends with benefits."

"More or less."

Clang

Instead of blocking, Alex chose to redirect the attack, utilizing the long reach of his staff to send Alejandro’s cleaver to the ground.

"You are getting better," Alejandro noted as he pulled back his cleaver.

"Are you done?"

Alejandro shrugged with Alex nodding. "In that case, I wish to ask for a favor."

"You’d like to learn about Entropy?"

Alex’s expression shifted with Alejandro chuckling. "You aren’t the first that wished to learn after seeing it. It’s a most valuable resource on the battlefield."

"I see. So, what do you say?"

"I won’t lie, if it were you before that asked, I won’t hesitate to kill you where you stand."

"Delightful," Alex muttered sarcastically as Alejandro continued.

"But... you have proven yourself worthy to ask. So indeed, if you are willing to learn, then you shall be taught."

"Thank you," Alex remarked as he was indeed grateful.

Entropy might not be much useful against large opponents but against others his size, it would be a rather simple task to dispatch them.

Just as he was already considering means by which he could assimilate his fighting skills with Entropy, Alejandro interrupted his thoughts. "So then, enlighten me."

"Hmm?"

"How do you plan on facing off against the Order?... Depending on how good the plan is, I might offer my aid."

"Even if it isn’t, you have no choice but to do so."

"However, it would be willingly."

For the first time since he arrived, a smirk danced at the corners of Alex’s lips as he remarked. "In that case, here’s the deal; you will be invading the Empire."

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