Valerian, The Legendary

268 Truth.

Valerian watched as the two people were separated after they exchanged their blows. The young man observed the two of them, neither did Titan move nor did Morgana. He sighed and shook his head as he said, “You both will never reach a result.”

Morgana did not turn her head to look at him, because she knew that he was speaking the truth. If she could not take down the berserker in front of him with that last sword attack of hers, she will not be able to do anything. However, Titan did not know that.

The berserker said, “If you are holding back with me then you are making a mistake. I can still go on.”

Morgana replied, “Indeed, I should just use a few skills that I have left and kill you. But that will be staining the tradition. I am not like you, uncultured, however, I want to ask you, do you really wish to risk it? Do you not know the way things are back in Valkyria? They will never accept a loser as their emperor.”

Titan’s mouth twitched at this question. Obviously, he was aware of what would the consequences be if his gamble failed. He was put in a bind at this moment. Suddenly, one of the ministers in his camp snorted and said, “Do you all think that our Emperor will back off from this conquest after a few words from you? Fools.”

Titan looked up and said, “How about we call it a draw?”

Morgana was surprised in her heart but shrugged with a calm face. The gamble played in their favor. Zeenat stood up after Morgana signaled her and said, “The battle ends in a draw.”

Other than the royal camp near the ring, there were a lot of other people who came to titan peak to watch this contest. They were the mediums to channel the news throughout the continent. While everyone was discussing why the two people called for a draw, Titan walked back to his camp and his hand directly clasped the neck of the minister who was trying to goad him earlier, and said, “You think you know it better than me what to do and what not to do?”

The hierarchy in the Valkyria was strict, it did not allow any room for the people to talk back or make suggestions. Also, the people in this nation were thoroughly opportunists. They would always seek chances to get ahead in life and achieve a better position. They did not always follow the code of the berserker, challenging the person above them.

.....

Titan did not wish for anyone to exploit such a chance and directly decided to crush this sort of people, the minister was not even given a chance to explain himself before the emperor crushed his throat with his iron grip.

Everyone saw this scene and how Titan flung the corpse of his minister to a distance as if it was a piece of trash. The people shook their heads at this behavior while Zeenat said, “Prince Ignis, please come back inside the ring, you are to face Prince Valerian in your next battle.”

Ignis had restored his performance to the peak and stepped forward with grace. Valerian was about to step in when he saw Adele signaling him to go easy on her husband, however, Valerian shook his head at this request and stepped in.

Adele was surprised, and Ashlyn said, “You are a fool to expect him to hold back. Don’t you know that?”

Adele shook her head and Ashlyn said, “He almost killed me in the academy when he got angry. Stop expecting such things from him. His holding back will not do well for your husband.”

...

On the other side, Fragrantia was also praying for her eldest son. Valerian may not harm him crucially, but he might still beat him black and blue.

Zeenat looked at the two people and said, “Begin.”

Ignis rushed forward in a blink and Valerian stood motionlessly. Just when the mage was about to come close and cast a fire spell, everyone heard a splashing voice. Ignis was forced to take a detour, Valerian cast a spell that looked like a slash, but it was made of water.

Ignis sighed and said, “The density of mana in that spell was enough to kill me, are you intending to sacrifice me before you get to kill that guy?”

Valerian did not say anything and waited on his spot. Ignis moved around the entire ring like a ghost and attacked Valerian in all sorts of manners he could come up with, finally, he came to a standstill and sighed, “I admit defeat.”

Zeenat was surprised and replied, “The battle ends, Winner Prince Valerian.”

She looked at Valerian and said, “Your Highness please go to the side and rest.”

Valerian shook his head and said, “I will do one more battle. I am not tired and neither am I injured.”

Zeenat was confused when Morgana said, “Let him do it.”

The rest of the people agreed as well, and the champion of the Stella empire stepped inside the ring. The person was aware that Valerian was not weak, but he wanted to see the difference between the two of them so he charged at the young man with all that he could muster.

Valerian saw this and returned the gesture. This guy was using a much different approach to engage in combat with the prince. The young man with silver hair did not back off or tried to get closer to the man.

He decided to cast spells from a distance and after a few spells, the opponent was rendered helpless. After all, Valerian was targeting him with spells that overpowered the attribute of his own mana. This was the cunning of the young prince. He rendered the person utterly useless.

After ten minutes, the prince of the Stella nation also said, “I admit defeat.”

Valerian had not only negated his spells but even more carefully countered them at times. Everyone in the audience was at a loss when they saw this young man casting spells in all seven attributes. They all knew that he was a battle mage, but the person had yet to use his physical skills.

After the battle finished, Zeenat announced the result and Valerian said, “Your excellency Morgana, would you like to fight?”

The lady chuckled and said, “I thought you will never ask.”

Valerian smiled faintly and shook his head, Morgana said, “I will not fight you, I concede the match. My only match is His Excellency, Titan. You must win him before you fight me.”

The people were surprised and Valerian shrugged his shoulders. He was aware that the empress in front of him wanted to deal with this uncertain element before long or, she was injured in her battle earlier but was trying to hide it from everyone.

Looking at her, Valerian understood that his doubt was correct, the girl was injured. She was also using this chance to stow the fire between the two people. Valerian was not going to lose his temper, but this statement might enrage the Valkyrian and then he might make a mistake for Valerian to exploit.

However, the lady was obviously underestimating the composure of the Valkyrian Emperor. Titan stood up from his position and asked, “So, you want to fight with me?”

Valerian nodded and replied, “Only if you are not scared to fight.”

Titan heard his words and after a momentary surprise, he burst into laughter. Then he stepped forward inside the ring to fight with Valerian. The emperor of the berserkers took off the beast pelt covering his torso. He did not remove this pelt cape even when he was fighting with Morgana. As soon as the cape was removed, everyone gasped.

The torso was densely covered with scars and wounds of all sizes. Titan said, “Do you see these? These are the marks I have accumulated over the years of my conquest to claim the throne of Valkyria.”

Valerian looked at him confusedly and asked, “Kindly tell me, what value does that information hold?”

The people were stunned and Azula mumbled, “Now, the game begins.”

Valerian never played with his physique or emotions alone, this was why he was always overpowering his opponent. Titan chuckled and said, “I showed you all these to tell you the difference between the two of us. You are a jade boy, who drapes in silk and walks on velvet. Someone like you, despite all your strength and skills, can never get ahead of me.”

The silver-haired prince shook his head and said, “A self conceited person like you does not understand this basic fact. The reason I do not have any scars is that I know how to fight. The reason me and people like me can drape in silk is that we are not savages like you. Nobody stopped you inbreds from buying silk. But you people just blame the entire world for your uncouthness.”

Titan was shivering in rage at the finish of these words. Truth was always bitter and Valerian just made it poisonous.