Chapter 38 - Friendly Battle(1)
Walking towards the arena, Desmond saw a regular door. The size of the door made him wonder. Is it possible that they would fight in this small space?
Turning to the side, Desmond saw Clementine and Diana as if they were normal. At the same time, Alice's expression was the same as his, confused.
With a thought, Desmond slid the door open. The door opened, and Desmond was shocked.
Inside that space, it was completely different from the outside. The arena they were going to use was equal to the Gladiator arena, enough to accommodate thousands of people.
Unconsciously, Desmond turned towards Clementine, who was also staring at him with a big grin. "So, are you surprised?" Diana asked the same question to Alice.
Desmond's expression quickly returned to normal. "Yes, it caught me off guard a little. It looks like the king had expected something like this to happen."
As if someone had just tasted victory after losing a few times, Clementine laughed so hard that she had to cover her mouth with a fan to calm down. "I know that you must be surprised."
Ignoring Desmond's topic about the king, she kept laughing at him.
I don't know why I felt so irritated when I saw her smile, she didn't do anything wrong.
After a couple of minutes, Clementine finally calmed down. "The king indeed built the arena, to be precise after The Tournament of Storms had been declared."
Desmond snorted while recalling what his parents said. "Indeed, this is a suitable place for the tournament, but why should it be built close to the king's residence?"
Waving her hand, Clementine then stared at the ceiling. "That ... I don't know why the king chose this place."
Desmond saw sadness in her eyes again whenever they talked about the king. What? Did I say something wrong again? It looks like I should avoid topics like this in the future.
"Let's put that matter aside, so why don't you stop your daughter's marriage? Even she didn't want it."
Clementine was delighted when Desmond didn't ask further about her problem; instead, he asked about her daughter's problem. I know! This boy is a genius at his age, able to control emotions and control words exactly like what is written in books, she thought.
And then Clementine turned to look at Desmond with sparkling eyes. "There was an unwritten rule where 'Parents must not interfere in every child's affairs unless it is to endanger their lives.'"
Desmond nodded. That's why the king left earlier; he knew that many boys had targeted his daughter, so maybe he couldn't bear it? He waited a while to hear a further explanation, but Clementine didn't speak after that. Confused, Desmond asked, "That's all?"
Looking at Desmond's confused state, Clementine then smiled slyly. "Yep, that's all."
"I see." Without further questioning, Desmond ignored Clementine's expression, which seemed to have bad intentions. He then turned his head towards the arena. "Oh, looks like the duel is about to start. Hopefully, Mrs. Clementine won't forget our bet."
Clementine also shifted her glance to the arena. She puffed out her chest. "Of course!" she said in a high tone while pointing at Matson. "I will definitely win, and you will marry my daughter."
The two girls who had been talking cheerfully were shocked when they heard Mrs. Clementine's words.
Diana was most shocked because she had just accepted a challenge to prevent her marriage, but her mother had secretly arranged her to someone. "What ?! I will never marry a weak man like that," she snapped, pointing at Desmond, with a face full of anger.
Alice, who heard this matter, tightly hugged Desmond's hand. "Hey Desmond, did you agree with that?"
Desmond felt his hand being held very tightly every second; Alice's nails also pierced his skin. He looked at worried Alice, and there was also a hint of fear in her eyes. Then he stroked Alice's hair. "Take it easy; even though I get married, I will still be beside you, sis."
"But…"
Desmond closed Alice's lips, not letting her continue. "Shh, we'd better focus on this match." He saw Alice roll her eyes and finally calm down but still hugged his arms. Clementine and Diana also finished their debate and focused on the match.
...
Clark, Matson, and Elizabeth stood and discussed the match rules in the arena's middle.
"As usual, Miss Elizabeth will be the judge," said Matson, winking at Elizabeth.
"No problem ..."
Elizabeth then raised her hand. Clark and Matson's bodies suddenly glowed, and a small light came out from their body. The light then headed towards Elizabeth's palm. "Okay, I have checked you guys. You are still conscious and healthy.
"So, if either one loses, there is no accusing someone of using magic to their mind!
"I will decide this match by myself. Someone will be considered the winner if the opponent confesses to surrender or the opponent can no longer move.
"That's all. Is everything clear?" She looked at Clark worriedly. She saw Clark nod while giving her the thumbs up.
Elizabeth then pressed a crystal button on her hand. The ground suddenly shook as if something large had moved underneath it. The arena that had been wide with the distant audience seats turned narrow.
The ground under Clark and Matson's feet suddenly rose and formed a roundabout like an arena. From each end of the round appeared an iron pillar. Each pillar emitted a magic barrier that blocked any attack from the inside out nor outside.
The spectator seats very far from the arena became very close but with a higher position than the arena. Elizabeth, who was near them, suddenly had a position that was higher than any place.
Like a CCTV room in the modern age, the land around her formed a glass room. Each glass side was connected to each pillar. There were also guards to be seen around the arena.
Since everyone had experienced this before, they were not too surprised, but it was different for Desmond and Alice, as it was their first time.. Their reaction with widened eyes was funny to see.