"Elias... are you sure you want to do this?" Terroth asked me as we made our way to the center of the city, with many people from the Guild following behind me, including the girls that were with me, and Terroth's party.
"Yeah." I growled as I stared ahead at the back of the fucking asshole who was dead but didn't know it yet.
Cici had her arms wrapped around my left arm, and gave it a gentle squeeze as she did her best to calm me. Clarissa was walking very close to my other side, and would brush against my arm as we continued forward.
In the center of Arbigold was an arena, mostly used for tournaments (which sounded fucking cool by the way), as well as fights against monsters brought in from the outside. However, its most common use? Duels, both lethal and non lethal.
After I had issued my challenge, Delvin thought I was kidding, until the Framework backed me up and accepted my terms. It was a long shot, but it was just more confirmation that the Framework was on my side, and almost seemed to have a mind of its own. I had talked to Cici about it during many of our nights, and she had said that she had never heard of it giving information and wording things like it did to anyone else. I must be a special cookie or something.
That being said, Delvin had the choice of either dying, or wishing he was dead. His fear of that, and his pride ultimately won out. He had gave me an uneasy smirk, and told me that there was a night and day difference between himself and his party members. Losing everything, his party, and his Rank was not something he could do. So, he had accepted, and the duel was set. He said the duel would be at the arena, and that we would head there immediately.
Currently, I was just deciding how exactly I was going to end him. Quickly would be nice, as I'm sure he was going to try and show off, as well as monolog about above everyone else he was, and yada yada. That would be quick and easy, but he fucked with my kitten, Clarissa, and the rest of my new friends. The things the girls told me he said to them had me clenching my fists, and I was about to struggle holding back most of my strength. The only issue was that I was SSS+ Rank, and that's all I knew how to be for the most part. My holding back was still above what anyone else could do. Ultimately, I'd just do my best.
I could now see the arena as we approached it. It was a massive circular building made of hard stone, and people were pouring in and out of it. Probably just people watching duels and people battling beasts. As we got closer, I stared ahead at the back of the Dhampir woman who walked behind Delvin. I just now noticed how nice her fucking ass was, and it was a struggle to look at, and ask a question that I had been meaning to ask.
"I have a question, and anyone that knows can answer me," I said, getting the attention of everyone around me, "That woman, with the collar... what is it, and how do I remove it?"
I could probably just break it, but I had no idea if that would hurt her, or worse, kill her or something.
"It's a slave binding collar," Serena said, stepping up next to Cici and looking at me, "It's a very powerful, and very insidious device. Her magic is bound to that collar, which is in turn bound to a binding crystal. Whoever is in possession of it has full control over what that person does, says, or even thinks... but the collar can simply be broken by shattering the crystal."
"That seems pretty straightforward." I said, nodding.
Serena grimaced.
"Those crystals are powerful in their own right because of how they are made... and they do not break easily. It would take someone with at least S ranked strength to break it. " She said, and I just nodded again.
"Thank you, Serena." I said, and she looked at me with a strange look that implied she thought I was a little crazy. To be fair, I'm pretty sure I was.
Word gets around fast here it seems, because there we a lot of people waiting at the entrance of the arena once we got there, many of whom seemed to be waiting for us in particular. Many of them frowned at Delvin, while a lot gave me sympathetic looks.
"Poor bastard." Someone said.
"At least I'll make more money today." Another man said.
"It's a shame. He's kinda... hot." A woman said.
I looked over at Terroth.
"You can bet on duels?" I asked, and he reluctantly nodded.
"Yes... you can make bets on anything that happens here." He said, and I grinned.
"Wanna place some bets for me?" I asked.
■ ■ ■
Once we had arrived at the front counter, and showed the woman there our Framework confirmations, they sent the two of us in opposite directions. I was turning around the rejoin my friends, when I saw a man walking up to us. He was a tall man with a slightly above average build, wearing black clothing with a golden trim that covered him from below the neck and ending in black shoes. He had brown hair with flakes of grey in it, and dark brown eyes locked on me with curiosity. Curious myself, I inspected him, and I did not expect what I saw.
[Name: Martin Seruud]
[Age: 51]
[Race: Human]
[Class: Force Mage (S-)]
[Designation: Duke of Arbigold]
"The Duke? How fast does word travel?" I asked, as Terroth and his parties eyes widened upon seeing him, and the girls' eyes as well once I mentioned who it was.
His eyes shined as he looked at me, then he frowned before turning to look at everyone else. He frowned again when his eyes met Cici, but as he scanned everyone else, he smiled, and walked up to Clarissa.
"I didn't know you had arrived, Lady Osark." He said, extending his arm.
Clarissa hesitated before she slowly reached out her hand, and gently took her hand in his, and bowed to her slightly.
"Duke Seruud." Clarissa said with a shakey voice, and he just smiled at her.
"Please, no need for that. Martin is fine." He said to Clarissa, who just had wide eyes.
He looked around at each one of the people here. Sheila, Serena, Benji, and Terroth all had their heads bowed, and I actually saw and heard Martin sigh.
"Please, raise your heads. I'm not here as the Duke. Plus, I've been impressed with The Misfits as of late. A group of vagabond Beastkin quickly rising through the Guild. Well done." He said, and they all raised their heads and thanked him sincerely for his words. Then, he looked over at me, and the shapely catgirl hugging my arm to her wonderful breasts, "No, I am here because I heard some fool decided to challenge Delvin Montenago to an honor duel."
He walked up to us, and gave us both a curious look.
"Inspection doesn't work on either of you. How very curious." He said, before looking down at Cici, "Although, based on what I heard, he insulted this one here. I can see your drive to protect such a lovely woman." He said, and held his hand out to her, and Cici took it without hesitation as he bowed to her, "A pleasure."
"Cecilia Crosse." Cici said with a proud smile.
"I've never seen one of your race with such beautiful fur." He said, and then looked at me, and chuckled at my scowl, "The hair must be a coincidence." He said, looking at my equally white hair. Cici's was more lustrous, whereas mine was almost a ghostly white, "I mean no offense. You're a lucky man, Mr. Crosse."
I raised an eyebrow at him, but frustration fading.
"How do you know everything already?" I asked him, and he sighed.
"How could anyone not? When a duel is declared in this city, the Framework notifies everyone. Not to mention, a young lady at the Guild told Guild Master Roth, and he in turn sent me a messaged me through my message crystal right away." He said, and then scowled, "He always comes to me when it comes to Tempest. Powerful trouble is what they are."
I frowned even more.
"He never even came out to check on the place. I didn't even know his name." I said, and Martin's lips thinned.
"That man... is a coward when it comes to strong people. He is only B+ rank himself, and lets Tempest do whatever they want. He just knows the job better than anyone else, and is happy to deal with all of the paperwork that the job comes with. He's lazy, and would rather put up his feet and ignore everything rather than take of the things inside of his own guild. If he's here in the crowd somewhere, I'll be surprised." Martin said, and that made me frown even more. Shouldn't a Guild Master, regardless of competence, be strong enough to keep the Adventuring Parties in line?
"Sounds like a problem. Letting assholes like that do whatever they want doesn't sound great to me." I said, looking over at Valerie, how had her back to me.
Martin followed my gaze and frowned.
"Yes... I can't say I disagree with you." He said, and that made me raise my brows, "Unfortunately, being the Duke means I can't get involved in matters like this directly. Plus, there is never any evidence of any wrongdoing they are accused of. And then there's the girl." He said that with a slight edge in his voice, "The poor thing looks miserable. He aquired her legally outside of this city, so there's nothing I can do about it... but I hate slavery with a passion."
I smirked as I held my hand out to him. For a noble, he didn't seem bad at all. He was just in a precarious situation.
"Elias Crosse." I said, and he smirked as he gripped my hand and shook it firmly.
"You don't look worried at all. Can you truly do it? Can you beat him?" He asked me, and I grinned.
"You'll have to see." I said, and he grinned as he released my hand.
"Well, I guess I will, won't I?" He asked, before he turned back to Clarissa, "I will refrain from asking how you got here weeks before you were supposed until tomorrow. I understand you wanting to settle and relax before meeting with me." He said, and then gestured with his hands, "All of you, come, you're all invited to my private viewing box. Elias, someone will be here to bring you to your side of the arena soon. I look forward to a good fight."
"Hit him in the face for me." Clarissa said, running a hand down my arm and smiling before backing away and taking a place beside Martin.
"Please... be careful." Serena said with a worried look, and I just smiled at her.
"It'll be fine." I said with confidence, and she gave me a small smile, although she still looked worried.
"I believe in you! No one is stronger than you, Master Elias!" Benji said, and I sighed as I fought to not roll my eyes.
"Please... any name but that." I groaned, but he just grinned at me as he practically skipped towards Martin.
"I think you'll be okay. You do seem like much more than you seem... even though you already seem like a lot." Sheila said, and Terroth warrily nodded.
"He does... but this is still Delvin we are talking about. The thought of him losing just seems... impossible. But I'm rooting for you. I want him to bleed." Terroth said with a bite in his tone, and I gave him a savage grin.
"Oh, he'll bleed all right." I said, and he nodded once more at me, while Sheila just smiled at me, showing her pointed canines. She was a strong and fit woman, yet the look was damned adorable.
As they both walked walked towards Martin, Cici buried her face into my chest, and began to purr.
"Beat his fucking ass." Cici said, and that made me burst out in a laugh. She rarely cursed. Only during sex, or when she was really mad. And right now, she was a very horny, and very angry kitten. I kissed the top of her head.
"It might get violent. I basically bottled up everything I feel about him, and am saving it for the fight." I said, and she looked up at me and grinned.
"I can't wait to see it." She said, and then leaned up and kissed me. The kiss lasted for several seconds, before she backed away, and looked into my eyes with a heated gaze, "And you better be prepared for later. I have another duel in mind."
I chuckled as I held her to me, and whispered, "When I'm done with you, you'll barely be able to walk."
She shuttered in my arms, before backing away from me, biting her bottom lip.
"I should go before I make you late. And before you drive me crazy." She said, as she turned around and walked towards the others.
Terroth shook his head, while Benji's face was red as he looked at anywhere else but at us. Serena had red cheeks, but her look didn't look like she was embarrassed. She looked more interested than anything. Sheila's grin was wide as she gave me a thumbs up, while Martin actually winked at me. Clarissa though, didn't look sad for once. Her smile was bright, and her eyes held determination. And god, was she beautiful. I sorta knew what Cici had talked with her about, and I knew she wanted me to consider Clarissa... but I was far past this. We had a lot of time in this city. More than enough time for me to get to know her better. I'd have to take her, and Cici now that I thought about it, out on some nice dates.
The thought of having more than one woman excited me more than I thought it would, and the fact that Cici wanted me to... I would do anything she wanted, and I wouldn't lie and say the thought of more beautiful woman to love didn't interest me. The Primordial part of my brain sang with approval.
"Sir!" A man said from behind me, and I turned around to meet the eyes of someone dressed in the clothing of the arena staff, "Your duel will begin in 30 minutes. Please, follow me."
I grinned a savage and feral smile as I followed him down a long tunnel, and I cracked my fingers, and rolled my shoulders.
"Time to take out the trash." I said with a growl, my words causing the arena worker to tense.
"What is your name... sir?" He asked me, and I looked at him, and smirked.
"Elias Crosse."