Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 435 - 292: Duel (1)

Chapter 435: Chapter 292: Duel (1)

Sayer Kay sat in the lounge, and through the window, the young baron could hear the noise outside.

Regrettably, his heart no longer beat. In the battle that marked his retirement, Sayer suffered severe injuries, teetering between death and the will to live, his beloved chose a path for him to survive.

As a great swordfighter, Sayer had exceptional talent in Curse Formulas. His beloved chose for him to ascend as the Lord of Pallor, to use a dead body to combat death.

Sayer succeeded.

It was a good thing, because before that, his beloved was already with child. His struggle to survive allowed a lady to keep her husband, and a child to avoid becoming an orphan without a father.

But Sayer Kay had heard a story, that the Lord of Pallor is a follower of the god of death, and those who ascend to this primal profession would lose all memories of their dearest one.

Sayer thought he would lose everything about his beloved, but he... didn’t.

He still remembered his lover, the child in her womb, the life they walked together, and the beautiful memories he shared with her.

So... the question arose.

What was your price, Sayer Kay.

The young baron listened to the cheers outside, and subconsciously reached for his shoulder, as if something was there upon it.

Just as he was about to touch something, he snapped his hand back like a bolt of lightning.

Then a sigh... what’s wrong with me.

What exactly have I forgotten, have I forgotten some pet that could be on my shoulder, or is it something else.

The young baron lowered his head, but when the host outside mentioned his name, he still stood up.

"Let’s go," he said subconsciously.

And then he realized that he was all alone in the end.

I must have forgotten something, but... is there really any point in pursuing what exactly, he pondered as he pushed open the door and took his great sword from the hands of the Church of the War God clergy beside him.

Are you ready to write our own history together, young Malin Gaiate.

.........

The young Lin Jing lady watched her husband step onto the competition field, looking at the great sword in his hands, she felt as though she had returned to the past.

In his youth, he always liked to smile, even in the face of desperate situations, he would strive to live. But since that day, it seemed like he changed into a different person... She didn’t know if that act was saving him or hurting herself.

Everyone says that to become a Lord of Pallor, one must forget the most beautiful thing in one’s heart.

She had thought he would forget her and that they had a child... but eventually, she agreed.

Because if one does not survive, then everything ceases to exist.

But who could know, that upon becoming the so-called Lord of Pallor, who would forget the most beautiful thing, he still remembered her and their child in her womb.

It turns out... I am not the most beautiful thing in Sayer’s heart.

It turns out... there’s someone else.

The lady’s heart twisted as she heard the host mention the name Malin Gaiate.

Is this the man who’s come to take her husband’s life?

They say he’s a child... how interesting.

Who will sound the death knell for whom, indeed, a most intriguing question.

.........

"Your Majesty, I heard a most curious report yesterday, multiple witnesses claim to have seen you flying in the sky," said the Earl Vanter, seated beside Goethe.

"They must have been too tired. If I were flying in the sky, I would have definitely waved to them," Goethe replied, taking the glass of ice water from the waiter, "Honestly, do I look like someone who has flown up to the sky, jumping around lively as I am?"

The Earl of Vanter fell silent for a moment, then nodded, "Indeed, Your Majesty. Even though I believe the witnesses are trustworthy, you certainly don’t look like someone who has been flying, since landing would be an issue."

"Exactly, my old friend, you must be right. Their eyes were probably playing tricks, perhaps it was some unlucky fellow that looks somewhat like me, but definitely not me. Look, I’m perfectly fine," His Majesty said, crossing his legs casually.

The Earl of Vanter nodded, "It’s great that you’re all right."

Right, maybe those witnesses were all hallucinating... yeah, right.

His old friend must have just been through a terrifying episode of domestic violence.

But everyone is a good brother; knowing without telling.

.........

"The humans’ grand arena is truly fascinating. Although it’s small, it’s surprisingly evocative of blood-boiling combat," the red-skinned child with crossed arms stood at the highest point of the arena’s outer wall, looking out over the vast field with a sigh of admiration.

The other child sitting on the wall beside him said, "Malin will be competing today, his opponent is an unactivated coordinate from the Undead plane."

"Undead plane, that’s indeed an uncomfortable opponent. But no matter, those skeletons are far from being our match," the red-skinned child snorted.

"But for this world, they’re far from trivial matters and must be eliminated," his companion responded.

"Of course, Malin is the God-chosen champion I look forward to the most!" The red-skinned child put his hands on his hips. "When the time comes, I’ll bless this child in the name of the War God! Present that waste’s skull to me as an offering!"

"There you go again, I’ve told you, you’re one of the Rightful Gods in this world," the white-haired child turned and glanced at him.

"Ah, that’s why I hate Rightful Gods, always having to follow this or that treaty," the red-skinned child complained discontentedly.

However, he soon sat down as well. "But... as long as this world still has wars that can surprise me, I won’t mind," he conceded.

"As long as that child is here, we’ll always see surprises, so, could you please calm down and watch the child make his entrance now?"

"Fine... Ah, that stupid mortal down there just mentioned Malin’s name, I... wait a second, is that Malin?" The red-skinned child narrowed his eyes. "Indeed it is, how did he grow tall again?"

"Bloodline activation, it’s a very common occurrence in this world," the white-haired child spoke and then looked up at the sky. "Our old rival seems ready to activate this coordinate, how interesting. If that’s the case, we’ll have to intervene."

"Leave it to me. By the way, next time let’s go to the Blood War Gang’s side."

"Better to side with the demons, I don’t have much fondness for the Demon folks, and last time we already helped them slay a dozen or so notable figures from the demons’ side. We ought to reclaim some interest for the demons," the red-skinned child argued.

"No problem, I don’t have much fondness for either side," the other agreed.

...

Pushing open the door to the rest area, Malin walked through it with his head lowered.

After a good night’s sleep, he, hearing the presenter mention his name, smiled and extended his hand. Tender branches of the World Tree formed a large sword before him.

"Is such a weapon allowed by the regulations?" asked a member of the Mage Tower’s monitoring team.

"Of course, it is a weapon without lethal power. In comparison, Sir Sayer already has an advantage," responded a Paladin from the Church of Justice, turning to look at the other with a cold face filled with doubt and incomprehension.

Not knowing how to respond, the member of the Mage Tower’s team watched Malin walk past him. Malin patted his shoulder, then pushed him aside and headed towards the end of the corridor.

The long wait was finally coming to an end.

Malin, stepping into the sunlight, took Mira’s amber out of the small pouch at his waist and handed it to Faye.

"I’ll be right back," Malin said, leaning down for a gentle kiss on the forehead of his beloved standing in front of him.

"I’ll be waiting for you," the girl before him looked at Malin. "Right here."

Malin nodded and, shouldering the large sword, stepped onto the tournament field.

"Wait a moment, are you really Mr. Malin?" The referee on the field appeared doubtful, as his intelligence obviously didn’t include an appearance for Malin like this.

"It’s fine, he indeed is Sir Malin, I recognize his voice," Malin’s opponent came to his defense.

The referee chose to exit the field since both contestants had entered.

"This is the second time we’ve met," said one.

"Yes," replied the other.

Malin shook hands with his opponent. Neither of them exerted force; it was more like what friends would do, shaking hands, embracing, and then laughing together.

"You must know why I’ve come here," began Malin.

"Yes, but I’ve always been curious, why do you want to kill me?" Sayer nodded and posed the question.

Malin was somewhat taken aback. "Mira asked me to," he answered.

"Mira, sounds like a girl’s name... it’s beautiful, but I don’t know her. Why would she ask you to kill me?" The confusion on the face of the Baron before him seemed genuine.

The Baron appeared to be pondering, or recalling something, yet all he did made Malin feel utterly disgusted.

Have you forgotten all the sacrifices Mira made for you? All that she did for you, was it all just the duty of a tool?

Do you not have a conscience, everything she sacrificed for you... it truly wasn’t worth it.

It seems Mira wasn’t wrong, as her master, the one you loved most was always your Baroness.

So be it, Malin ultimately let go of any guilt he felt for the woman waiting on the other side of the field.

Lady, this is Fate, the moment your husband and I stepped onto this dueling ground, only one of us could leave it alive.

It won’t be your Baroness because on the sidelines, there stands someone waiting for me, who loves me and whom I love.

Your husband doesn’t wish to disappoint you, and likewise, neither do I.

So, I’m sorry.

With that thought, Malin took out a white glove.

He threw it toward the man before him.

"Let’s begin," he said.

The Baron caught the glove, appeared puzzled for a moment, then broke into a smile.

"Yes, let’s start sooner," he agreed.