The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband
Chapter 254: Show off

Chapter 254: Show off

It wasn’t a duel but an actual attack, Cedric’s Knights mobilized before the king even gave out the command. A Wanderer was always bad news. The audience was scared and confused about whether this was still a duel or not.

Luckily, there was a strong barrier preventing whatever monstrosity from reaching them. "What is going on?" Bernice asked her mother, fear creeping into her heart at the sight of the monster.

Eleanor’s face was still as dignified as always. "If he is the demon, as they all say, this is nothing." Eleanor shrugged. Bernice nervously stared at Cedric. They weren’t particularly close but they had no ill feelings for each other.

Back at the palace, Abrielle, who was asleep, frowned in her sleep, sensing something wrong. A single crack appeared on the glass jar that contained the single rose.

Callista’s face was filled with worry. She has no idea Cedric had a cheesy smile on his face. "Let’s get this over with."

The knights arrived at the entrance, they lunged forward but were held back by an invisible barrier keeping everyone out

Elias’s eyes darkened, "Get a mage here immediately." He barked out commands as the commander of this knight. Axel his second in command and shadow number two approached Elias

"This won’t stop him either," Axel said, which Elias understood. Back in the arena, Cedric’s grip on his sword tightened, and he dismounted his horse. "Stay behind," he told midnight. The horse would only be an obstruction.

Midnight neighed then ran off, The Wanderer roared out. "Wait a bit; I will take care of you in a second."Cedric chimed, he made sure his horse was safe first.

The moment Cedric stepped off his horse, the air around him grew still. The ghoul loomed ahead, its rotten flesh stretching over unnaturally long limbs, its eyes burning like smouldering embers. The crowd barely breathed, trapped between horror and anticipation.

Cedric exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders as he positioned his sword forward. The dark blade was made from a very rare ore embedded with magic. The runes along its edge gleamed under the afternoon sun, a sharp contrast to the dark, putrid figure that lunged toward him.

Cedric didn’t bulge but grinned at the monster. Leaving the question of who was the true hunter here.

The ghoul let out a deafening shriek, its elongated limbs tearing through the air as it lunged.

Cedric’s speed was too fast for the beast to comprehend. The onlookers didn’t even see him move. All they saw was black blood being splattered around.

A single stroke of his sword cut through its clawed hand, severing fingers that fell to the blood-stained sand. The blackened liquid that smelled like death gushed from the wound; it sizzled like acid as it met the ground, melting everything it touched. The arena reeked of death.

Gasps rippled through the stands. "Impossible," a noble whispered, gripping the edge of his seat.

"He...he’s barely moving," another murmured, voice trembling.

Up in the royal booth, Queen Eleanor’s lips pressed into a thin line, her knuckles white against the gilded railing. "That arrogant brute. He’s showing off."

Bernice released a breath of relief while Kaiden scoffed. Why was he afraid earlier? He forgot his son was a monster that should never have been born.

Meanwhile, Cedric circled the wounded ghoul like a predator savouring its prey. The creature let out a guttural growl, its body twitching violently before it lunged again, this time aiming for his head. Cedric remained focused.

With a single step forward, he met the attack head-on. His sword flashed, and the ghoul’s arm was severed at the shoulder. The beast howled, stumbling back as thick acidic blood gushed out uncontrollably.

The crowd flinched as he advanced, his movements almost leisurely, his golden eyes alight with something terrifying.

"He’s playing with it," Elias muttered, watching from the knights trapped under outside the barrier.

Axel chuckled, "he is indeed a cocky killer."

Elias didn’t take his eyes off his master. "That thing would have taken ten knights to bring down in at least an hour, but he’s barely even trying." His lips curled into a knowing smirk. "He hasn’t even used a drop of magic. I don’t think he plans to."

The ghoul screeched again, its remaining claws desperate to land a hit, but Cedric was too fast. He ducked, dodged, and struck his blade, carving through rotting flesh as though slicing through air.

Then, in a blur, he disappeared from sight. A heartbeat later, he was behind the ghoul. A single stroke. The blade pierced through its back, emerging from its chest in a grand burst of black blood.

The ghoul’s screams pierced the atmosphere, the thunderous clouds rumbling. Dread and fear gripped the hearts of those who had no idea the battle was over, and this was the ghoul’s last desperate cry.

The thick, thunderous clouds that had loomed over the Vitalis crackling with dark energy, dissipated. The heavy aura in the air lifted as if the wander’s presence loomed.

The sunlight struck the wanderer, and the monster’s corpse disintegrated into a fine black ash, carried away by the breeze.

Not even a trace remained. A long silence stretched across the stands.

Then, Karissa, who was watching the entire ordeal, gasped, breaking the trance. "D-did that really just happen?"

"He ended it in under a minute," Marinette, voice barely above a breath.

Eleanor let out an aggravated sigh, disgusted written on her face, her sharp nails tapping against the railing. "He just made a fool of everyone. No one can beat this fight" The queen was troubled; Lucian had yet to fight.

Elias chuckled under his breath. "And it is over" The barrier broke, but no one went inside.

Cedric, unfazed by the stunned crowd, wiped his blade clean and sheathed it effortlessly. Without a single glance back, he mounted his horse, his expression unreadable.

The officiator, still dazed, fumbled with the ceremonial rose before hesitantly holding it out at the exit.

Cedric plucked it from his hands without a word and rode out, his presence as commanding as ever.

The moment he disappeared from view, the entire arena exhaled. But no one dared to cheer. Not after what they had just witnessed.