Way of Overlord
Chapter 109: Duel

Chapter 109: Duel

Aeryon and Durka, chiefs of their respective tribes, locked eyes with an intensity that felt like daggers piercing the air.

Aeryon straightened his posture, projecting a sense of authority as he urged his horse forward, his guards poised for action should any sign of aggression be displayed by the opposing force.

The tension in the air continued to build with each step closer, amplifying the gravity of the moment.

As Aeryon horse closed in on Durka, the atmosphere grew even more charged.

The proximity seemed to heighten the anticipation, hanging like a heavy cloud over them. Finally, Aeryon horse stood just a few feet away from Durka, their eyes still locked in an unyielding gaze.

"I have heard of your prowess. It is said that you alone had repel the people of the Kanun tribe in the past"

Durka responded with a polite smile, his demeanour masking the underlying tension. Yet, Aeryon remained direct and unwavering in his approach.

"You have come here to meet me, indicating that you have made your decision," Aeryon stated, his words carrying a sense of finality. He paused momentarily before posing the crucial question, seemingly nonchalant in his delivery. "Shall our tribe fight, or will you surrender?"

Durka smile vanished, replaced by a steely resolve. His gaze turned icy, and a palpable sharpness emanated from his very being.

However, Aeryon did not waver in the face of Durka transformation.

Mounted on his horse, he exuded a sense of unwavering courage, mirrored by the unwavering stance of his steed.

A tense silence settled between them, interrupted only by the swaying of the grass and the gentle chirping of birds.

And then, it was Durka who broke the silence, beginning with a question

"I have heard that the Chief of the Brolgadhr tribe is strong and powerful. I have heard that you alone fight hundreds of men. But, it has long been known that you are not a person that was born with innate strength like Belarion. May I ask if your strength comes with training?"

Aeryon did not show any sign of his face changing. His expression remains aloof but inside he sighed inwardly

People are bound to ask about this matter.

Aeryon tell a different story to Belarion and he tells a different story to Mayeux about how he become so strong to be able to defeat hundreds of men.

Even though he shows great strength and some peoples suspected him to be born with innate strength, people who are high up in the hierarchy and knowledge of the matter of the Great Steppe knows that he is not.

Because the birth of a person who is born with innate strength is like a weapon and having it would ensure at least some measures of security.

The Ashana also could tell when someone is born with innate strength.

Of course, there is always exception to this

Aeryon did not take a long time to answer his question

"I train" he simply said. In a way he did not lie.

He did train but that is clearly not the source of his strength. Durka hearing this nodded like he was satisfied hearing this

And then Durka continue saying

"My tribe is small compared to you. If we fight, I don’t know if we could win. But I have heard of your generous offer. Never before someone offers such generous term. You reminded me of the people of Yan dynasty that likes to think we are beast and think that they are better than us"

Aeryon just listen as Durka continues

"But the way of the Steppe, is the way of strength. I do not mind dying. And my people do not mind dying"

Aeryon hearing this sighed

"A battle then?"

But Durka shook his head.

"When I am young, I could make such reckless decision. Now, I am old. And there is many young people. They are my people" Aeryon frowned. He did not understand what Durka is saying or what he is intending to do

Durka also seems to notice that Aeryon could not understand him

"Duel me. If you win, me and my tribe will be your sharpest sword and your staunchest shield. If you lose, retreat and swear an oath toward the Skyfather and the Earthmother witnessed by the Ashana, that in your lifetime, you will never again come here to this alnd and have design on my tribe. Accept this and we could limit the bloodshed between our people"

Aeryon hearing this finally understand what Durka is talking about. Aeryon personal guard however frowned.

"Chief. This is unreasonable. We already have the number. We do not need to accept his request"

"This is true Chief. We could simply call our brother to storm the tribe right now" Durka hears the advice of Aeryon guard but he did not say anything. Instead, he just sits there and waits for Aeryon to make his decision.

Aeryon look at Durka.

The more he looks him, the more he wanted him. Aeryon is also a person who loves talent. Which ruler did not like talents?

Right now, even though he seems to have many men, he lacks able commander. Belarion is someone he could trust and someone who has a sense of battle.

That is a talent.

Mayeux is someone who is strategic.

And Durka even though he is now old in the context of age in the Great Steppe and this era, he is still a great warrior. And he also seems to be a more mature than two of his commanders.

He could right now, attack the Duhai tribe. And with their numbers , they could probably win

Although victory was within reach, the cost would be steep, with substantial casualties and the potential for a pyrrhic triumph

But if I accept the duel, I must be confident that I could beat him. He thought again and even if he loses, Durka would not dare to kill him.

Because the oath that Durka wanted him to swore on itself said that in his lifetime.

If he died, that oath would be null and void

Aeryon close his eyes and make a gesture with his finger so that his guard who is trying to advise him not to accept o quiet down. And like a spell, his warriors, even though they want Aeryon to not accept the request, quieted down.

He closes his eyes as he thinks for a more and then opening back his eyes, he nodded.

"Fine, let’s duel one another"

.....

The Great Steppe, with its vast expanse and diverse tribal communities, is a land rich in traditions and customs.

Over the years, the arrival of the Ashran and the Eresian people has added even more layers to the cultural tapestry of the region.

Delving into the annals of the Great Steppe’s history, one encounters a significant event that took place several centuries ago—the legendary meeting of the Thing.

During this momentous gathering, the wise men and leaders of the tribes, including the esteemed Wizancai, Ashana, and Norn, convened to discuss matters of great importance.

The chosen location for this historic meeting was the revered Empatarah Circle, a place of profound spiritual and cultural significance.

Situated amidst the vast plains of the Steppe, the Empatarah Circle is a circular body of water that captivates the imagination.

Its origins shrouded in myth and legend, this natural wonder has become an emblematic site where the tribal representatives converged to engage in deliberations, negotiations, and forging alliances.

The Empatarah Circle, with its serene and tranquil waters, provided an idyllic backdrop for the gathering.

Surrounded by rolling hills, endless grasslands, and the ever-changing skies above, the participants immersed themselves in the profound energy emanating from this sacred space.

The discussions held at the Thing encompassed a wide range of topics, including territorial disputes, trade agreements, and cultural exchanges.

The wise men shared their wisdom, ancient knowledge, and spiritual guidance, seeking to strengthen the unity and harmony among the tribes.

As the tribes sat together, their differences and rivalries gave way to a sense of common purpose and shared destiny.

Through open dialogue and respectful discourse, they sought to navigate the complexities of tribal relations and shape the course of the Great Steppe’s history.

The significance of the Empatarah Circle extended beyond the meeting itself.

In the heart of the vast Central Steppe, there exists a remarkable natural feature—a circle that has garnered numerous names throughout history.

Among them, it was once known as the Empatarah Sea, a designation rooted in the limited understanding of the Steppe’s ancient inhabitants.

In bygone eras, the tribes of the Great Steppe had little contact with the outside world.

Their knowledge of vast bodies of water, such as the sea, was derived solely from hearsay and imagination.

When their gaze fell upon the expansive body of water encircled by the Steppe’s immense radius, it appeared limitless and boundless to them.

To the west, the water stretched as far as the eye could see, and to the east, it seemed to merge seamlessly with the horizon.

The awe-inspiring nature of this sight led them to perceive it as an endless sea—a phenomenon that shaped their early perceptions.

Over time, as the tribes explored their surroundings and ventured closer to the water’s edge, they came to realize that what they mistook for a sea was, in fact, an immense lake.

Its grandeur and size surpassed anything they had encountered before, giving the impression of an expansive body of water akin to the sea.

The lake adopted the name Empatarah, and its form took the shape of a perfect circle—an awe-inspiring testament to nature’s grand design or if some story is to believe the work of an ancient wizard.

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