“A duel? Miss, are you serious?”
Watson looked at Elvira, who had short red hair and wore heavy armor with a strange expression.
“Yes, I am serious about having a duel with you! Even though you are a child and I should not be bullying you as a knight, it is related to Torch Town’s glory. Please forgive me for refusing to back down.”
Elvira raised her arm, holding the blade directed at Watson’s nose.
People around her became silent when they heard her comments, including Sylvan and Antonio, who gazed at her with sympathy and admiration—Sylvan, in particular.
He had faced Watson once before on Dragonspine Snow Mountain, but he had lost. Watson was merely a gold-tier warrior and mage at the time, but he had entered the platinum tier since then; even he had no idea how powerful Watson had become.
Lubin also reacted. He stepped in front of Elvira and pulled the sword in her hand. With a stern expression on his face, he chastised her. “What are you doing, Elvira? Young Master Watson is my guest. Raise your sword to the guest. What is your etiquette as a noble?”
“I don’t think this person is a guest.”
Elvira made eye contact with Lubin without any hesitation.
In Torch Town, she resided with a commoner’s household. Her parents were not particularly cultured, but they had taught her that a person’s greatest virtue was to do the right thing from a young age. That helped her build a strong personality. She was certain that she was right, and no matter what Lubin said, she would not change her mind.
“Elvira, I believe you no longer wish to lead the Torch Knights. Do you suppose I should fire you if you continue to behave recklessly?”
Lubin raised his right hand as if about to strike. Elvira just stood there calmly watching everything; there was not even a hint of anxiety on her pretty face.
“Mayor, I am defending the honor of Torch Town. Please step aside! I do not care how you punish me after my fight with that child.”
Lubin was taken aback by Elvira’s statements and was at a loss for words. Antonio smiled and said, “What a tough young lady! I understand how you feel. No one should be vilified, especially when they are a mighty knight!” You can fight my disciple if you insist on it. I can be the judge.”
“I appreciate your patience, Master Antonio. Then that is decided… Wait, disciple? Who did you say was your disciple, Master Antonio?”
Elvira first smiled gratefully at Antonio, believing him to be the best mage in the realm. He was very wise. Then she sensed that something was wrong. Antonio had asked her to fight his disciple. She should not have misunderstood him. She was not Antonio’s disciple, so that would mean…
As if to put her prediction to the test, Antonio pointed to Watson and said, “It is him. The young man you are about to fight is my disciple.”
Buzz!
Elvira’s mind raced. Her face was flushed with disbelief, and her body shook.
Even though the boundary was far from the Royal City, Elvira was familiar with rumors about the astrologer. Not a single cultivator in the entire kingdom was unfamiliar with Antonio. The man was known for his ability to educate rather than his power. More than half of his students had attained platinum-tier.
There was a saying in the kingdom—how could one prove that a person had extraordinary talent? One only needed to get a nod from Antonio.
Unfortunately, Antonio had been residing in the Star Temple in recent years and no longer accepted disciples. Even if a great noble went to him for an audience, it would be futile. Antonio had unexpectedly broken the commandment.
Elvira could not help but gaze up and down at Watson as she reflected on that. Watson, she thought, did not seem to be anything special, aside from the fact that he was good-looking at such a young age. She had not understood why Mayor Lubin treated Watson so politely and why the astrologer would take a fancy to him. She felt disgusted when she realized what had happened.
If Elvira had only wanted to duel with Watson to protect the dignity of Torch Town and drive Watson away, then she had another reason for the duel. He must have acted arrogantly because of his master or father’s aristocracy. A wealthy second-generation elite was not uncommon in Torch Town. That was the type of person she despised the most.
He had mentioned Torch Town casually and took advantage of the fact that his master was Antonio. Watson, in her opinion, was such a person.
“Miss, it seems that you are very hostile toward me. If it is because of what I just said, then I have to apologize. I don’t mean to belittle Torch Town.” Watson looked helpless as he shrugged. “I’m just telling the truth.”
“And you have spoken to them. What’s the difference between apologizing after saying it and admitting guilt after killing someone?”
“Then what do you want?”
“Hmm, Torch Town has a place for duels. Follow me.”
Elvira concluded her speech and turned to enter Torch Town. It would have been great if Watson had not explained, but she became even more enraged after he did. What did he mean when he said he was telling the truth?
It was acceptable if Watson had purposefully dismissed Torch Town. After all, it was not the whole truth. If Watson said he was telling the truth, would that not imply Torch Town was not good enough? That made Elvira, born and raised in Torch Town, believe that the town was not all that bad, so she decided. She would undoubtedly teach Watson a valuable lesson about suppressing his arrogance later.
Watson had no choice but to follow Elvira as she walked into town.
“It is entirely my fault, Master Antonio, for not educating my subordinates well. I have failed in my duties as the mayor of Torch Town.” Lubin’s face was sorrowful as he watched the two walk away. Elvira was a stubborn lady, but he did not anticipate her to be that headstrong. It would be fine if Watson were to win. However, if he lost, would Blackmoon Town not look bad? What if he was injured again?
Lubin would never dare to imagine such a scene. It was not easy for him to be given the opportunity to help Torch Town flourish, but Elvira had spoiled it. He truly wanted to grab Elvira’s ear and chastised her if they did not have those notable guests.
“Do not blame yourself, Mayor Lubin. The duel can help to improve their connection and reduce tension. I have not been to Torch Town in a long time. Just think of it as a soothing experience! Lubin, go make the necessary arrangements. We can’t be hasty because the duel concerns Blackmoon Town and my teacher, Antonio. It is preferable if everyone in Torch Town sees it,” Sylvan remarked gently.
His concept was simple. Watson would surely win that duel. It was preferable to let the entire Torch Town see it and publicize Blackmoon Town’s might. It would make it easier for the residents of Torch Town to accept the matter of becoming an affiliated town and benefit from the circumstance. He was confident that Watson would be grateful to him as well.
Lubin was upset.
It was great to let Elvira fight Watson, but the entire city had to witness it. It was easy to imagine how disappointed the citizens of Torch Town would be if they lost. It would be even worse if they won. Blackmoon Town would not be in a good mood, so it would not be easy for him whether he was to win or lose.
Furthermore, Gerant had been gloatingly chuckling at the side since the beginning. He commented on Torch Town’s greatness and how they had the talent to compete with Young Master Watson. He even said that it would not have happened in Monte Town and how he was envious of Torch Town. He was irritated because those words were meant to ridicule him.
