Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

But the moment he was here and look at that old man and saw his eyes, he saw a purity of intention.

That old man really simply wanted a duel with him. It is rare to see such bright eyes that is not tainted by any lies.

Because of that he could not help but wanted to duel with this old man. 

Even though Arial is an Emperor, at heart he is still that young warrior that gallops across the Orchish Plains.

It is just that after the years go by and his status and his strength reached to a high level, there is not many people that would fight him or even dare fight him. 

Even his status alone could deter anyone wanting to fight with him. 

because he is not just some martial artist or a warrior he is the Emperor of Eden. 

All of the Empire belong to him and he belong to the Empire. His matter is the Empire matters and vice versa.

The opportunity to truly fight to his heart content…. for a moment he was once again filled with excitement.

Arial then stand aside and let Giovani comes forward. 

The old man eyebrows furrowed and he shouted

'What is the meaning of this Outlander!?'

Arial did not answer. But it was Giovanni that speak up, he shouted and his voice echoes across the plain

'My name is Giovanni Montague. My lord is the Emperor of Eden, Arial Vermont. Today, I would be your test. If everyone could challenge my lord every time they want, then how would my lord have the time to work for the people? If you could defeat me, then you would have the qualification to fight against my lord' His voice echoes and could be heard all over the city wall and even the people inside the city.

Some of them finally understood why the general went to the duel. 

When they think about it, it makes sense. 

If everyone could fight against the ruler each time they wanted to then how could anyone rules effectively?

The reason why some tribe people did not think of this problem is because rarely there would be people asking for a duel against their leaders.

Because most leaders of the tribe are old people and there is no honor in cutting the old. The old is respected and the young is nurtured for. That is the way of the Thirteen tribes. 

Varnikar nodded and said

'I understand your position and I could accept such test. However, is there any guarantee that if I defeat you, another one would not come out and defend your lord?'

Arial stepped forward and he look at the old man.

'This Emperor gives his word. If my Great General is not able to defeat you, then I would fight against you and no else will defend me. I swear this on my honor.'

Smiling Varnikar then said

'If that is the case, I accept the duel.' Then looking at the wall of the outer city in the distance, he laughed

And then he roars his word, echoing all over the area of the plains. 

'I am Varnikar, the Son of Vaerhan of the Veranian tribe. I am the High Lord of Maroth. Today, I want to see whether these outlanders are the promised army of the Great Conqueror of the Dark'

Like any duel, he first declares his name, his lineage and his tribe. The tribespeople understood the aspiration of High Lord of Maroth

The stories had been passed down for thousands of years. How could they not understand why the High Lord of Maroth wanted such a duel?

This is the prophesized age that has been spoken a long time ago. 

'Then, lets begin!' he shouted

Arial walk away from the area and then he sat down in a cross legged position and close his eyes. 

Then he turns his body to face another direction. 

Even the people on the wall could see what Arial is doing and for those people who came from the tribe they nodded 

They acknowledged the intention of this foreign ruler and they understood the virtue of this new ruler of theirs.

Arial act of closing his eyes and looking at a different direction shows that he did not intend to use Giovanni as a way to learn about his enemies.

No one would have blame him if he did so. 

But Arial did it so that when he does defeat Varnikar, there is no doubt that the battle is won by him not by some trickery or some scheme but a fair fight.

Arial himself is not above doing some schemes and tricks. But he understood the art of grasping the people hearts.

And since he believes he could win, he would maximize the effect so that his people loyalty, especially the people of the tribes to truly respect and loyal to him from the bottom of their hearts. 

Of course, the basis of such act is Arial own confidence. If he had no confidence, if this is any other situations that there is an uncertainty, he would never do such a thing.

After all, there is a lot at stake if he dies. 

But Arial himself is a Knight. Even though he could be shameless, his shamelessness does have a limit unlike pure politicians like Silas who could endure even the vilest humiliation 

Personality dictates faith. 

That has always been the case. There are certain things that Arial still adheres to in the chivalric code.

He truly respects such an enemy. 

Behind him, Giovani unsheathed his blade. But Varnikar did not act the way Giovanni thought he would act.

Varnikar pierce back his claymore onto the ground, the tip slices through the hard ground like a knife piercing through thin paper.

Then he lowered down his stance, his hand stretch forward and he smiles.

Giovani was shocked. Because it seems like this old man is trying to fight him bare handed. This is absurd to his mind. 

After all he is wielding a weapon and he is barehanded. 

'What are you waiting for, boy?' the old man said. 

Even though this man is old, there is nothing about him that shows that he is weak and fragile. 

His hair that is as black as the night waves left and right as the wind began picking up speed. A powerful aura seems to cover the old man entire being

His body seems like stones and he stands at the height that would make him a giant among men. Seven feet tall man. While there is tall people in the Human Continent, rarely they see seven-foot-tall man. 

He stands straight like a mountain. It gives Giovanni the illusion like this man could never be moved. 

the aura around him that seems to pressure the area, this is like he is facing a powerful predator.

Giovanni did not cower. After all regardless of how powerful the old man is and how fierce the pressure he is emanating, after all he is still a Great General.

He closes his eyes for a second and his inner energy exploded around him. 

'Hooh!' Varnikar smiles. 

Arial sense the internal energy behind him and his eyebrows raised a bit. 

The internal energy projected outside that even while Arial is turning his back and closing his eyes, his skin could feel the energy billowing out to the surrounding. 

'It seems that Giovanni had also been progressing and he even learns martial arts. But the aura is very…...dirty' he thought to himself.

Arial could feel the bloodlust. Right now, Giovanni eyes is red. And all of his veins seems to become tense, visible on his skin. 

Roar! He roars and it was like the roar of a crazed beast. Santiago who was on the walls narrowed his eyes.

'Giovanni really did become stronger' After the Great Generals put down their armor after the end of the Conquest War, many of them lives leisurely.

But it seems that Giovanni had not slackened a bit and even improved himself. Giovanni and Santiago was never the strongest general. 

They are not that powerful in terms of personal combat. It is because of that reason that they have to rule their army and subdue their enemies using fear tactics. 

Santiago keep watching. 

On the battle area between Giovani and the old man, Giovanni after his roar exerted force with his feet and raise his blade forward

Swish!

Blade light flew toward the old man. The wind screams and the grass was plucked upwards wherever that blade light passes through

But Varnikar smiles. Then he laughed, and his laugh seem to reverberate and create waves in the air that it could be seen with the naked eye.

He did not use any weapons. Instead he balled his fist and then he simply punches forward. 

As he punches forward, fire seems to materialized in his hand. The sound of sizzling air could be heard as his fist causes the area around him to experience rise in temperature.

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