The next morning.
Duke trudged home through the mist that lingered over the Grand Capital, stifling a yawn.
He had spent the entire night dealing with Morgana's arrangements, and although he mostly just observed, the endless formalities and the cautious manner of Jarvan III and Barrett were enough to make even him feel exhausted.
Truly, once something is deified, even the simplest act, a single fart, can inspire followers to write ten thousand words of commentary.
By the time Jarvan III finally escorted Morgana into Dawn Castle, it was already the latter half of the night. Only then did he realize that they had been so busy all evening that no one had eaten.
So, he ordered a feast in the middle of the night. Duke had originally planned to head straight home, but Barrett, Sona's opportunistic father, dragged him into drinking until dawn.
When they finally finished, the sun was nearly up.
Duke ambled home, weary, the heavy clouds smothering the sunlight while a fine mist filled the streets and alleys of the Grand Capital. By the time he reached the gates of the Vayne estate, he spotted the Laurent family's carriage already parked outside. Sebastian Laurent stood by the doorway, peering in.
Seeing the scene, Duke called out cheerfully, "Mr. Sebastian, you're here awfully early."
"Huh?" Sebastian jumped at the sudden voice, quickly turning around with an embarrassed smile.
"Master Duke, you are…"
"Just back from morning training. You've come to pick up the exoskeleton, haven't you?"
The lie rolled off Duke's tongue without the slightest blush, though he had already guessed Sebastian's purpose.
"Yes!"
"Come with me, it's all ready for you."
Duke led him toward the temporary workshop in the back garden. As they passed the wolf-drawn carriage, Brown-Eye poked his head out, saw Duke, then pulled back inside to bask in the warmth of the heating vents.
Seeing the two-headed husky enjoying himself so much, Duke rolled his eyes.
No matter the creature, once basic needs are satisfied, the pursuit of comfort always follows. Mechanical lifeforms are no exception.
Inside the makeshift workshop, Duke pointed to a crate on the table. "That's your exoskeleton. This is the manual."
He handed Sebastian the booklet. The armor had been modified just yesterday, then assembled and packed away.
Sebastian stared at the chest-high, narrow crate, barely forty centimeters tall, twenty-five wide, with eyes full of excitement.
"You've troubled yourself far too much for me."
"It's nothing. Just don't forget our agreement," Duke replied with another yawn, patting his shoulder. "I'll be there tonight as well. You know what to do."
"I will not let your kindness go to waste."
"Good. Then you can head off on your own, I need to catch up on some sleep."
"Of course. I won't keep you."
"See you."
Once Sebastian had gone, Duke returned to his bedroom to rest and replenish his energy.
His match was tomorrow. One punch would settle it, there was no need for further preparation.
"So many things to deal with every single day."
Pulling the blanket over himself, Duke yawned again.
"Time for sleep."
That evening.
The Glory Duel Arena.
Carriages pulled up in neat rows before the gates. From each descended nobles and heirs of noble houses, all streaming into the arena.
As the ultimate battleground for honor duels, the arena was opened to the public whenever a death match was to be fought. The nobles would act as witnesses.
"Looks like it's just me tonight."
Duke stepped down from his wolf-carriage, gave Ang's head a pat, and sent the beast home. Vayne had dismissed the event as dull, while Lux had deemed it too bloody to watch, preferring to stay home with her books.
Only Duke came, partly to confirm the outcome, partly for the advertisement value.
A servant guided him to a seat in the tiered stands, surrounded by young nobles in silken finery.
No sooner had he sat than chatter reached his ears.
"The Laurent family really has a death wish."
"Isn't it madness? For Fiora to openly break off her engagement?"
"Even if it was just a branch line, who dares shame the Crownguard name?"
"And now she's dragged her father and house into it as well. That woman must be brainless."
"Too true, too true!"
"I'm opening a betting pool! Who's in?"
A flashy youth pulled off his hat, tossed a few coins inside, and called out.
"Dick, what's the play this time?"
Someone recognized him, laughing.
"Win or lose, that much is obvious. Let's just bet on how long Sebastian Laurent can last in the arena."
"Now that sounds fun. I'm in!"
"Me too!"
"Fifty gold on it!"
"Thirty here!"
"I'm almost out of allowance this month, ten gold only."
Soon, Dick's hat brimmed with coin. Duke studied him with interest. Noticing his gaze, Dick swaggered over.
"Hey, stranger. Which family are you from?"
"Out-of-towner. Invited to watch the duel."
Duke smiled politely.
"Then you've come at the perfect time. Big event tonight! Want to play along?"
"What are the odds?"
"Lose and it's gone. Win and you double it."
A simple enough game. Duke pulled a jewel worth a thousand gold from his pocket and dropped it into the hat.
"Then I'll bet on a crushing victory."
"Ha! Anyone can see this will be a one-sided slaughter. That's hardly a wager."
A noble nearby scoffed. Duke rolled his eyes.
"Who said I was betting on the Crownguard champion? I'm betting on Sebastian Laurent to crush his opponent."
"That's impossible!"
"Absolutely! Sebastian was once a famed duelist, but he's aged, his body's weakened, and duties kept him from training. There's no way he's still at his peak."
"You're just throwing money away!"
Duke didn't bother to argue. Calmly he said, "That gem I tossed in just now is worth a thousand gold, far more than your paltry wagers combined. Let's make it simple. If I lose, you can split the gem among yourselves. If I win…"
Before he could finish, Dick clapped his hands. "You take the whole pot!"
"No problem," Duke shrugged.
Laughter and ridicule spread through the stands. A thousand gold was a town's annual tax revenue, yet Duke treated it like pocket change.
When Dick made another round through the crowd, Jarvan III arrived at the royal viewing stand.
To his left sat Tianna, with Cicero by her side. To his right sat Fiora's mother, with Fiora herself standing close.
At Jarvan's presence, the arena fell silent. Only when he raised his voice did it stir again.
"On behalf of the Crownguard and the Laurent families, I thank you all for coming tonight."
Though some of his power had been ceded to the council, Jarvan still acted as arbiter among the noble houses, resolving disputes when necessary.
"Because of Fiora Laurent's actions, both houses have suffered shame. To preserve Demacia's unity and prosperity, and to restore harmony between the families, a death duel shall be fought here today. Tonight, we witness not only honor, but reconciliation."
When his words ended, the crowd roared in unison: "Demacia!!"
At that cry, Sebastian entered the arena, his black cloak draped around him and his sword at his side.
Opposite him strode the Crownguard champion, a heavily armored warrior clad in gleaming silver, a tower shield taller than a man in one hand, a short sword in the other.
Tianna had chosen well. The Laurent family's swordplay was swift and lethal, their style designed for a single decisive strike. Against that, she had sent a shield-bearer, the perfect counter.
And not just any shield. The kite shield required years of grueling practice. For this man to be chosen, his mastery had to be formidable.
The two stood ten paces apart. Jarvan raised a goblet and cast it down.
The shattering of glass was the signal.
The shield warrior slammed his shield to the ground with a thunderous boom, hiding his body behind the steel wall, peering around its edge, sword held back for a sudden thrust.
Sebastian inhaled deeply, drew his rune-steel dueling sword, and tore off his cloak, revealing the exoskeleton armor beneath.
He flexed his limbs, right hand gripping the blade, left tucked behind his back, taking the textbook duelist's stance.
The two locked eyes.
Then, as one, they surged forward.
"Demacia!!!"
End of chapter....
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