Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

He had caught some of the scouts and some of the locals and knows even more things about this Outlander Monarch

It is said strong people would recognize other strong people. 

Varnikar felt that way when he looks at Arial. 

If one looks at their size and their height Arial is shorter than him and his body is not as broad and big as he is. 

He also did not look as fierce as him. There is no tattoo on him and if one did not know of his reputation one might think that he is a noble that had not fight any battles.

He also had that sense of beauty that is hard to describe. Of course, in the past Arial was not like this.

As he grows stronger his body and his face changes a bit. 

His body appeared Lena but if one could see him without his armor, his entire body is packed full of compressed muscle.

His facial feature had also changed a bit and this affected also his demeanor. 

The Blood Absorbing Heavenly technique had made his aura cold and terrifying. The aura itself could be condensed.

Thus one is forgiven to mistake Arial as a noble that had never fought in a battle. 

After all, Varnikar is very abnormal. His height alone towered above many men. And his stony body made him look like some kind of a boulder. 

But for some reason, Varnikar when he looks at the rumored Outlander Monarch, he felt a powerful strength radiated from him. 

It took him a while before he finally recognizes these feeling. Divine power. Varnikar smiles. Could he be so lucky? 

Could this man really be the Savior Asrana?

Even though he truly had hoped that the person is Asrana, the fear that he would acknowledge the Pretender had always been in his heart.

But maybe, his quest finally bear fruit. This man could truly be Asrana, he thought to himself.

There is a smile on his face. 

Arial however did not know the thoughts of that old man. 

But he also felt the same like the old man.

Even though they did not yet clash there is this instinct that Arial had honed during his battle. 

He could feel instinctively that this old man is really strong. 

He walks calmly and slowly approaching the area of the arrows. 

He wears his battle armor, a dragon designed battle armor. On the middle of the plate armor is the face of a dragon. 

On the back of the plate is the crest of the Vermont family.

He also wears the helmet shaped with a curved horn. 

Even though Arial is quite confident of his strength this did not mean he would simply not wear his helmet. 

A fully armed and armored warrior. 

That is the feeling that he gives to the people that is looking. Varnikar got up and hold his claymore. 

But he did not pluck it out of the ground. 

He wanted to see what this person would do. 

Even though Varnikar believe that this Outlander Monarch possess an uncanny aura, he also remembers that there would be pretenders for Asrana.

Only if this person could defeat him fairly that he would believe that this person is really Asrana. 

The prophecy states that Asrana would be very strong that there is no one under Heaven could defeat him.

The moment Asrana awaken, and begins to follow his destiny, it is destined that he would never lose a battle against any earthly forces or men.

This is the promise of the Divine as a sign to Men and this is something that Varnikar truly believes.

This is the reason why those great Warchief who had never lost a battle would always be called Asrana incarnate

On the opening of the gate Giovanni was looking at the emperor quickly approaching the old man and he shakes his head.

He moves his horse. 

The soldiers around him was startled. He shakes his head and ordered them.

'Stay here. Do not move unless I give the sign' the officers nodded and began relaying the order. 

Sighing, he then rides out from the city gate. 

This sudden move by Giovanni shocked the people inside the city. 

It also made the local people looking at this scene feeling a bit dissatisfied. 

Even though they know the culture of these people are different from them, they saw with their own eyes that the outlander Monarch that had conquered the city went out by his lonesome,

This alone means the acceptance of the duel.

If from the very beginning the Outlander Monarch did not accept the duel invitation, there would be no disappointment. 

They could only adapt to it.

While they would feel averse following such a man that did not even dare to answer a duel invitation, most of the people here are not the great heroes that would fight for hegemony. 

They are grateful enough if they could survive this turbulent year. Other than those tribal warriors not many would care that much if the Outlander Monarch did not accept.

Even though they would look down on such a person, they also understood that the culture of the Outlanders is very different from their culture.

Arial also heard the sound of the horse hooves behind him and he frowned. 

Varnikar look at the horse that is riding fast toward the Outlander Monarch and he frowned a bit. 

But then his expression eased a bit. 

It seems there is no army following that person. 

If an army did follow that person, then Varnikar would also not be an idiot and summon his entourage. 

He also brought his own army. 

But because he and his Warchief rides too fast the full force of his army would arrive in half an hour. Varnikar is very confident of his strength. 

He is confident that even if the Outlander Monarch wanted to kill him with his army, he could escape

And if the Outlander Monarch really did such a thing, he could not be Asrana.

And other than Asrana, Varnikar do not fears any mortals

OF course, this is under the assumption that the Outlander Monarch is not Asrana. 

Asrana do not have to fear him. 

That is the reason why he was smiling when he looks at how confident the Outlander monarch. 

It is an expression of victory. 

Even before he fought him, this Outlander Monarch seems to already anticipate his victory. 

Either this man is arrogant that he had overestimate himself or he is truly confident that no matter how strong he is, he could never beat him

In just a few moments Giovani had arrived beside Arial. He jumps down from his horse and kneel before the Emperor

Arial look at him with a frowned and simply said

'Explain'

Giovanni got up and he sighed.

'My liege. I am confident that you would win. I have seen you fought thousands of people alone, breaking through lines of defenses like a knife cutting through paper. But….'

'But?'

'I am your subordinate, my liege. If everyone could fight you the moment they wanted to duel you then how many people would use such thing to their advantage. They could line up and ask you for a duel overtime. If that is the case, then when would you rule? You are the ruler and the people needed your guidance. If you are occupied with dueling each people that comes knocking, then the administration would crumble. If everyone uses the same tactic overtime, then how could you even move from this place to conquer the New World?'

Arial face turns complicated. There is merit in Giovanni words.

The moment he started answering duels, if he did not handle this carefully, people could use this method every time to delay him.

He doubts that there is anyone that could defeat him in this world. 

Other than some mystical creatures of deities, Arial is confident in beating anyone.

But if he started going down this road, then what if people keep challenging him? 

Does he have to accept each duel just not to be labeled as a coward? That doesn't sound like a wise plan.

He did not say anything. To Giovanni that is permission to speak

He then said

'My lord. There must be some standard. There must be a limit and requirement. The majesty of the Empire must not be lowered down for everyone; 

Arial look at the old man in the distance and smiling he said

'The old man seems to have given a very tempting bait. If not that, would I have accepted? If the one coming here was a Warchief of a small tribe of a small village betting the territory of his village to be exchange with the possibility of my death, would I have accepted? It is because the bait is tempting, and the stake is high, yet if I bet right, the returns would also be high. 

The conversation between Giovanni and Arial could not be heard by the people on the walls and the soldiers on the gates.

They wonder what the Emperor is talking about with his Great General. But none of them move toward that area.

There is no sign given to them and Santiago also did not move from his position as he only look toward that area. 

Giovanni heard the argument of the Emperor and nodded and then he said

'But a precedent has to be made. Let me fight him my lord. If I could not win him, then you could accept the duel. If he falls under my blade, then he is a man underserving of his reputation'

Arial think of this for a moment and he nodded. 

Giovanni words is quite correct. 

If he accepts every single duel, then what would be of his prestige as the Emperor? 

Today he comes out for a state. Tomorrow someone offers another state, would he also come out? 

What if people uses this against him? He thought of this.