Leon looked at him silently for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"I knew it," Leon said calmly. "You won't become good."
The words landed like a slap.
Nox froze midair.
"…What did you say?" he asked slowly.
Leon turned toward him, his expression completely serious.
"I said you won't become good. I expected it, honestly."
Nox's face flushed red.
"I DON'T WANT TO BECOME GOOD!" he yelled. "Why does everyone expect that from me?!"
Felix flinched at the sudden outburst.
"I am a Demon Emperor," Nox continued, pointing at Leon. "I ruled fifty demon kings. I destroyed empires. I'm not some human who learns morals!"
Leon crossed his arms. "You helped me fight that knight in the village."
"That was accidental!"
"You requested help to kill Zorvile unlike other demons..."
"It was for revenge!"
"You created ether heart for me."
"…I was bored."
Leon's lips curved slightly.
Nox noticed it.
"…Are you smiling?" Nox asked suspiciously.
"I'm not," Leon replied immediately.
"You are."
"I'm really not."
Nox floated closer, narrowing his eyes. "You're enjoying this."
Leon let out a short laugh before he could stop himself.
Nox clenched his fists. "You little—!"
Leon raised a hand. "Relax. I'm not asking you to be good."
Nox paused. "Then what do you want?"
Leon's expression softened, though his gaze remained firm.
"Just don't stand against me."
The hall fell quiet.
Nox looked away, clicking his tongue.
"Tch. As if I'd lose to a world like this without you anyway."
Leon nodded. "Exactly."
Felix watched the two in disbelief.
This didn't feel like a master controlling a bound demon.It felt more like two dangerous beings walking the same path.
But to felix,someone who lived in a world alone from a young age,din't get to smile as much as Leon was doing in the age of 5.
He thought "Is this what a nice childhood is..."
Leon turned his gaze toward the massive portrait ahead.
In the bottom of the portrait,a name was written.
Valric von Arcblade,The Sword Sovereign.
Nox hovered closer to the massive portrait, eyes narrowing as he examined the figure carved into history.
"But Why is this portrait here?" he asked. "Don't tell me it's a rule to place a portrait of the patriarch in every Arcblade castle."
Leon shook his head.
"Nothing like that," he said simply. "They're just trying to impress the patriarch."
Nox turned sharply. "Impress that monster?,But why is that man coming here?"
Leon's gaze returned to the portrait.
"For the Duel of Estates."
Nox blinked. "…Duel of Estates?"
Leon exhaled slowly, as if deciding how much to explain.
"First, you need to understand what an estate is."
He gestured around them.
"Blade Fortress is an estate. Katana Castle was another. Every major branch of the Arcblade family controls a territory, a castle, and the power tied to it. Each of those is called an estate."
Nox's expression darkened slightly at the mention of Katana Castle, but he said nothing.
Leon continued.
"The Duel of Estates is one of the family's oldest traditions. Officially, it exists to resolve disputes quickly—territorial conflicts, inheritance claims, authority clashes between estates.But unofficially..."
"Unofficially?" Nox asked.
Leon's lips curved faintly.
"It's used to trample weaker successors."
Nox let out a low whistle.
Leon's voice remained calm, almost detached.
"When one estate challenges another, it isn't a personal duel. It's a declaration against the entire estate.
A battle fought through representatives chosen by each side."
"So one person fights for everyone," Nox said.
"Yes," Leon replied. "And that's what makes it different from a normal duel. You aren't fighting for yourself. You're standing as the face of your estate."
Nox's eyes gleamed. "So losing means your entire castle loses face."
"And influence," Leon added. "That's why talented successors use it to show dominance. A single victory can keep other estates in check for years."
Nox folded his arms. "Sounds like a convenient way to bully."
"It is," Leon said flatly.
He paused before continuing.
"Only the head of an estate can issue the challenge. And the opposing estate's head must agree for it to proceed."
Nox frowned. "Then why does this feel… excessive?"
He gestured toward the towering portrait once more.
"Is there really a need for something like this?"
Leon's eyes sharpened.
"This," he said, "is where things get interesting."
Nox leaned forward. "I'm listening."
"In a Duel of Estates," Leon explained, "the family appoints a witness and judge. Someone whose authority is absolute,to oversee the duel, verify its fairness, and declare the outcome."
"Let me guess," Nox said slowly. "Not just anyone can do that."
Leon nodded.
"Both estates can request a specific judge, if they agree on the choice. Otherwise, the Arcblade family assigns one—whether the estates like it or not."
Nox's gaze drifted back to the portrait.
"Then the judge for this duel is…"
Leon answered without hesitation.
"Yes. The patriarch himself."
Nox froze.
"…What?"
Even Felix stiffened behind them.
"The patriarch?" Nox repeated. "Isn't that absurd? That doesn't sound random at all."
"It isn't," Leon said.
"Blade Fortress requested him. And the opposing estate agreed."
Nox stared at him. "Agreed? Just like that?"
Leon's voice dropped slightly.
"And more importantly," he added, "the patriarch himself accepted."
Silence followed.
Nox slowly turned back toward the portrait, reassessing it with new eyes.
"That doesn't make sense," he muttered.
"Yes,normally he avoids family affairs,Trivial events,Politics,banquests.He is a stern, Cold,and a cruel leader who despises weakness and values strength above all."
"He is a man of few words, devoted to his family's legacy, and prioritizes results, often appearing cold or indifferent to his children unless they show immense potential. "
"Then why is he com—"
"As i said he cares about talent," Leon interrupted.
Nox looked at him.
"Above everything else," Leon continued, "he values potential. Exceptional ability. Growth that defies expectation."
Leon's gaze hardened.
"He likes observing talented children. Testing them."
Nox let out a low laugh.
"So this duel…" he said slowly, "…isn't just about estates."
Leon nodded.
"It's an exhibition."
Nox's grin widened, sharp and feral.
"Well then," he said, eyes gleaming, "it seems the strongest human in existence is coming out of isolation… just to watch children bleed."
Leon did not respond.
Nox folded his arms, still staring at the portrait.
"So when is this duel even held?"
Leon thought for a moment. "If I remember correctly… according to the novel, A Duel of Estates around this time of year…"
He paused.
"It should be held on the 10th of March."
Nox nodded slowly. "What happenes in the duel? You have read it in the novel right?."
Leon suddenly froze.
His eyes widened.
"March 10…" he whispered.
A realization struck him like lightning.
Duel of Estates on March 10… That's it!
His pupils shrank as fragments of the novel's plot began to resurface.
Nox noticed the change immediately. "What?"
Leon opened his mouth. "In the du—"
Before he could finish, the sound of steady footsteps echoed across the polished floor.
Both Leon and Nox turned,Except for Felix.
At the far end of the hall,Serilda entered with measured, elegant steps.
Every servant she passed lowered their heads instantly.
She stopped a few steps away from Leon, studying him carefully.
Leon and Nox turned towards to face her.
Meanwhile, Felix was still standing before the massive portrait, completely absorbed in the overwhelming presence radiating from it.
His eyes remained fixed on the patriarch's image, as if he hadn't even noticed the new arrival.
The woman's lips curved into a faint, poised smile.
"Hello… my dear nephew."