Chapter 418 - Her Again (Patreon)

After the four dukes made a joint appearance, they revealed the format of the Grand Prix for this year.

“So to summarize, there will be four stages and each dukedom will host one stage,” Viers said.

‘Avel’ had taken his place behind Croix, along with Alfred and Boram. They discussed what they had just heard.

“A team of four, everyone must be no older than 25,” Croix hummed.

“Unfortunately, I will be of no use in the competition, My Prince. You must find another. I’ll do what I can to support you from the outside.”

“Thank you, Alfred. Age of 25 limit… Just below the age of Prince Lutz.”

“The age restriction has been greatly cut in half since the last Prix’s 50. The dukes really want to make this about the princes and princesses,” Boram said.

“Do you have a candidate in mind, Prince Croix?” Viers asked. If you don't, I will call one of the girls.

“Several, from my days at the Academy. In anticipation of something like this, they are already in the city.”

“I will test them for quality.”

What Viers just said was quite brazen and borderline rude. Other princes would take offense to their vassals saying such words directly to their faces, but not Croix.

Croix nodded. “Without Alfred, you’ll be the strongest in the team. I have high expectations of you.”

“You’ll not be disappointed,” Viers said confidently.

And it was not empty confidence. In the hour of his Ascension, he already tested that ordinary Level 4 was no match against him. Only Level 4 peaks and the exceptionals -those that like Viers- would be his adversary.

And there would be. Viers did not let arrogance blind him. He was sure there would come a time when his limits would be tested to the very edge.

Just that the number of people capable of doing so would be very few.

Croix suddenly remembered. “What if you get rejected again? Like at the Volcano?”

“...Good point, Your Highness.”

After the volcano, Viers had tested age confirmation items on himself and none showed that he was something older. Perhaps the volcano barrier was somehow special.

“Best you prepare another team candidate just to be safe,” Viers said.

“I really hope it doesn't come to that.”

“The first is House Crowe’s,” Viers went to the next subject. “A battle royal. Fitting to cull the numbers for the next stages.”

“The day after tomorrow, Duke Crowe will open a portal to one of his Biomes. One filled by fearsome beasts, in his own words.”

“A familiar ground for us. Am I right, disciple?” Viers grinned.

“Yes, Master. Fighting against overwhelming numbers is our pastime.”

Their confidence gave some comfort to Alfred’s heart. This Grand Prix was very important for the Prince. They couldn't afford to fail.

Inside the Biome, the participants were expected to hunt special monsters. To qualify for the next stage, the team must bring the special monster’s horn to the finish line. Getting the horn from the monsters was a challenge in itself, but after a team got hold of one, there would be a gimmick. It would send a clear signal in a wide area for other teams, so there would be a fierce struggle until the very end.

There were only sixteen horns while the participants were expected in the hundreds.

Bring it on.

The dukes only announced the details of the first round. After they finished saying what needed to be said, the Ball could finally begin. The Level 5s made their appearance, some with grandeur, some just appearing as if they were already in the ballroom the entire time.

Then there were other quests too, the latecomers.

One was very attention-grabbing: Celestine Amethyst Latias. Her beauty was a cut above even compared to the already beautiful and handsome people in the venue. Furthermore, she was also accompanied by a dragon.

“...So there is another,” Croix muttered.

His surprise was clear, and it was not only him. Almost all the people in the venue were, including Viers and the Level 5s.

Viers’ attention was focused on the person behind the princess and the dragon.

Falmerion snapped his neck after catching the other dragon’s scent. He flapped his wings and parted the sea of people between him and the black dragon. Croix and the gang hurriedly followed.

The red and black dragon met face to face, hiss and roars were traded. Their roars were not great roars like the ones in Godzilla x Kong’s franchise though, where every titan roared like they needed to try and spit their lungs out of their mouth.

They both were young dragons still, possibly seeing other dragons for the first time.

In the end, they didn't seem about to kill each other.

“Falmerion, behave. Don't be rude,” Croix said. “I’m sorry for surprising you.”

“Not at all,” Celestine smiled. “Serena wants to be friends with your dragon.”

“Is that so? Isn't it great, Falmerion?”

The red dragon turned his back and flew away to another place. Viers stifled his chuckle. It was just like how a boy didn't know how to respond in the presence of a girl.

According to what he knew, both Croix and any other prince got their egg not from a dragon but chosen from one of many unhatched eggs in a vault in the palace. There were hundreds of eggs, Croix said. Therefore, Falmerion and the black dragon, Serena, were unlikely to be siblings.

“Ah, hey!” Croix watched his dragon fly away to terrorize other people.

“Fufufu, I think he’s shy,” the princess with a dress that was like a piece of the night sky gave her dragon a gentle caress. “It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Prince Croix. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Is that so? I’m ashamed that I’ve never heard of you. Please forgive me, Princess Celestine.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I rarely venture outside. One of the reasons I came late. Ah, how careless of me.”

“Your presence here brightens this evening. I’m sure they agree,” Croix gestured to the onlookers surrounding them.

“You’re too kind, Prince Croix. Allow me to introduce you to two good friends of mine, this is Solany Lucan. I understand the two of you have met.”

Solany greeted Croix with a curtsy and Croix reciprocated.

“The circumstances of our meeting weren't the best three years ago. I hope the Prince isn't carrying a grudge.”

“Not at all. You didn't act against me or mine at the Archion Volcano so there’s no enmity between us. And… I’m sorry about the loss of your betrothed.”

“...You’re too kind.”

Viers was sure Solany didn't mind the loss of her betrothed, why, she was basically complicit in letting Marvin get meatbagged. Solany stepped back and Celestine introduced the other woman that she brought to the ball, one who Viers kept staring at the whole time.

“Allow me to introduce you to Lady Freya Marianus of the Silver Legion. Someone that has been a great help to me and countless others. I have the privilege of calling her a friend.”

“Your Highness,” Freya’s etiquette was flawless.

“My Lady. I’ve only the highest regard for the Silver Legion, the sword against the dark forces. All living beings owe the Legion their gratitude.”

“I’m unworthy of such praise,” Freya slightly dipped her head, her face expressionless.

“Allow me to introduce you to my vassals. This is Alfred, a knight with unsurpassable loyalty. On his side is Avel of Javia and his disciple, Boram Rockboa. I owe them both my life.”

While Alfred greeted the Princess, Croix felt something was amiss, namely Avel's fixed gaze upon the Silver Legion lady. Of course, Freya didn't fail to notice. Boram also raised his eyebrow. It was unusual for his Master to react so… vigilant. Not to this degree, at least.

Viers and Freya were still, like two warriors sizing up each other. There was no hostility or spark of aggression between them at the moment. The memories of horrendous defeat bubbled up in Viers’ mind.

Freya’s face was as he remembered, an intellectual beauty, cold and aloof. She gave off the aura of someone above all of this, above petty mortal business. Her etiquette and politeness were for the sake of interaction.

The two had finally met again after years of separation. Viers wore a different face now but would the deception hold? Perhaps she already knew who exactly was standing in front of her.

Viers knew destiny tried to nudge their meeting for sometime now. For example, during his first visit to Monsterland. Viers had a hiding mechanism from other people that tried to use fate to scheme against him, not from fate itself. Viers soul searched people and one of those people caught sight of Freya.

In the end, because the otherworlder dungeon core bailed out during the troubles there and Viers did nothing, the villain and the warrioress of light didn't meet.

Still, Viers knew sooner or later the two would meet again. The karma between them hadn’t closed.

The silence between them went long enough until the prince and the princess started to feel something was wrong.

“Lady Freya. Your reputation precedes you,” Viers broke silence first.

“Indeed? All I ever do is punish evildoers. The virtuous have nothing to fear from me,” Freya raised up her black-rimmed spectacle.

“Nations will tremble before you then. How many can truly claim they are virtuous in this mortal world?”

“Some less than others.”

“Undoubtedly. Have a pleasant evening, Lady Legionary.”

“And to you, Mr. Avel.”

Viers’s face was clay while Freya’s was ice. As natural as they could be.

The day they crossed swords again would surely come, but not tonight.

That time, Viers had yet spread his wings, even though he had his cheats. The victor and the loser from that battle had come far. Viers’ senses couldn't be certain if Freya was a Level 4 but his intuition and soul whispered she was.

Would Viers grasp victory in their next clash? Or Freya would once more prove to be above him?

Normally in such a story, the protagonist who lost against a more powerful destined antagonist clashed to a tie in their second battle, or the battle was left unfinished.

And in the third encounter, at the final act of the story, he won after a climactic fight.

But that was when the protagonist was a hero, the good guy.

Viers was not, while the other, was.

Probably.

Most likely.

Justice always wins in the end.

Justice was at the other side's court. For those who knew stories, not an outlook that inspired confidence.

But Viers had the power of Fables on his side.

And so Viers challenged Fate once again, the first time since Anne, the Mary Sue.

But the fight would not be tonight.

The night was young and the Ball was just getting started.

Twice now he had already been surprised.

He had a feeling it wouldn't be the last.