It's been around 5 days since we've been in KDK at this point. Not much has happened ever since the incident with the S rank Monster, [Immortal]. Anastasius and I have been getting to know each other a little bit more, we've even been having a daily spar for the time being. It's important to know who is the strongest person after Uncle Sieg now! Another thing is that Victoria and Leo have been getting along a little too well at this point… It kind of scares me with how well an ex-womanizer is with talking.
My lovely two girlfriends, Kyra and Eleanor, have been enjoying their sweet time while guarding our target. Speaking of the target though, it turned out that we were guarding none other than my own elder sister, Adela. It really threw me off guard when we first discovered it was her to be honest! I guess this means that she's really gunning for becoming queen then once mother and father die/decide to give up their power. I also wasn't expecting her to be so good at negotiating either since it looks like the Knight's Order has no issues with Asura now, and it looks like they are calling an alliance so they can go against the growing Ogre Empire.
Who knew that so much can happen within 4 days. I feel as if we should get into some important business though. I did some investigation lately and I have come to a conclusion. The loving little sister of mine, Kathlyn, seems to be in a relationship with Arthur Silverhound. Seems like this has been something that has been going on for a while too. I can only estimate that it's been going on ever since I was on my little trip for Titus, who will be hatching soon by the way! I shouldn't be surprised about their relationship to be honest, especially considering the fact that they are childhood friends like Kyra and I. Though I am pretty shocked since Kath used to treat him like he was air at times and would be in a joking manner around him.
It really makes me think about if I was too busy being best friends with Leo and Kyra, or if I was simply not giving enough praise to my own genius little sister. No point getting mad or trying to play a big brother role now, Art's a cool guy and I have absolutely no reason to get mad at their relationship. I guess I will ask them when they first start though… If Leo and the others know about it before me, I'll definitely punish them when we get back to Grandpa Rudy's place after dropping Big Sis Adela off at home.
"Oh Leo~!" I called out for him. Only to see him and Victoria talking in the courtyard.
Without realizing it, a disgusted look grew on my face. How could this dirty traitor get close with someone other than me? Just wait till I catch you all by yourself Leo White…
"Just who the hell are you shooting that glare at Everett Greyrat."
I jumped back after hearing someone behind me, and conjured a water spear. Standing in front of me Anastasius, getting ready to summon his sword [Oblivion]. As soon as I saw him I made my spear disappear.
"Holy shit, don't scare me like that Anas… What if you were a random ass dude who just happened to walk up to me?"
"Then that would have ruined whatever chance Asura and KDK had in a truce, that the oh so living Adela Anemoi Asura worked so hard for. Speaking of that lovely princess, you and Lady Kathlyn look somewhat like her…" Anastasius started to think hard about what he had just said. When he finally realized something, I ran up to him and covered up his mouth.
"W-Woah now Anastasius! Can't have you leaking information that can be used for something evil now."
I looked around before whispering into his ears, "Yes, she is my older sister. That would make me the first son of the king and queen, Everett Anemoi Asura. Keep this to yourself though, alright?"
Once I was done whispering into his ear, I backed away from Anastasius's ear. I was shocked by his… reaction. His knees gave up and he fell down onto the ground. His face was flushed, and he had a look of pleasure going on. He could hardly catch his breath at all. Just what the hell is going on with this man, and why is he reacting like this when all I did was whisper in his ear?
"W-Why are you reacting like that Anas!"
"You see… my ears are a sensitive spot for me, good friend."
I had a disgusted look on my face for a split second before helping Anas up. I'll just have to remember not to do this ever again. I would only love to see that type of look on two people.
"I'll make sure to remember that." I laughed. Surprisingly enough Anastasius joined me in laughing, before we were caught by Leo and Victoria of course.
Leo looked over at Victoria before giving her a small nod. Immediately following that, Anas and I were on the ground rolling around in pure agony. Just how the hell is this woman able to use magic like that, and just what category does it fall under? Also why is Leo the only one who asked for this nonsense anyways, you damn traitor!
"Well won't you look at this Victoria, looks like we have two spies on our hands. How should we deal with them m'lady?" Leo gave a playful bow.
Victoria looked like she was in deep thought while Anas and I continued to roll around in pain. Anastasius on the other hand actually tried to fight the pain, and mustered up as much strength as he could so he could stand.
"Just hurry up and lift this spell first! Why do you always resort to using this spell whenever you get caught doing something!?" He yelled.
The spell that Victoria casted on me was suddenly gone. I caught my breath first before trying to stand up. As soon as I did though, it looked like Anas was in way more pain than he was before. Maybe this is getting out of hand now at this point. I looked over at Leo and signaled him to tell Vicky to relax, but all he did was shrug his shoulders. Don't tell me he's actually falling in love with her despite only meeting her about five days ago?
"I'll lift my spell, only when you stop acting like a nosy parent all the damn time! You're barely older than me, so treat me like an equal sometimes jackass!" Victoria finally lifted the spell, and I ran over to Anas to cast an Intermediate Healing spell on him.
"Talk about having a good relationship, Anastasius… Hurry up and get up though I want us to take a little stroll to the nearest training grounds."
Anastasius tilted his head at what I had said, but decided to follow me anyways. We made our way to an open field that resided inside the walls of the Knight's Order headquarters. The only people who tagged along were Victoria, Leo, and surprisingly Eleanor. She just happened to catch us all leaving while she was taking a stroll by the courtyard. Guess that means that Kyra is with Big Sis Adela or something.
I looked around in the open field that we were in and let out a sigh of relief. This trip to KDK was really something. I got to meet Uncle Sieg, who almost no one in the family has seen in at least 15 years or so. I got to meet someone who's as strong as me, and someone who could potentially cure my good pal Leo from being alone. Anastasius and Victoria are both two people I am somewhat glad to have met. So to make sure that I can somewhat keep these people in my life as allies, what better way to do it than challenge him to a duel and then claim him as one of my own. Sorry Uncle Sieghart, but I can't let someone like this slip past me.
I turned towards Anastasius and summoned [Fractured Soul], "You know Anastasius ever since I first met you at the gates of the Knight's Order, I had a feeling that you were someone who I could use in the near future as an ally and friend. I know that you are extremely loyal to Uncle Sieg, but there's something I just need from you."
Anastasius tilted his head at what I had said. It looked like he had trouble understanding what I said but maybe he's just a little startled at what I said.
"What the hell are you on about Everett Greyrat? What exactly do you need from me anyways, don't you have No Name by your side as an ally? You are the leader of that adventuring group after all. So what exactly do you need me by your side for. Must I remind you that we are from different kingdoms. You being the 1st prince of the Asura Kingdom, and me being the right hand man of the Death God Knight, Sieghart Saladin." Anastasius asked.
I let out a sigh after hearing Anas go on his little tangent.
"You see Anastasius, what I need for you is something important in my eyes. What I need for you is to join me. What I want is you Anastasius. So what if you belong to KDK, and if I just happen to be royalty. There is a truce between the two kingdoms now anyways, so why not work under me instead of Uncle Sieg? I understand your loyalty to him, but why not also be loyal to me? You could be my left hand man if I ever decide to become king of Asura anyways." I replied.
The look on everyone's face, especially Anastasius's face, was something worth remembering. The look of shock on their face is something I will never get over. I guess I'll have to make it even more clear that I want him to join my side I guess.
I pointed [Fractured Soul] at Anastasius and looked him directly in the eyes this time.
"Listen closely now Anastasius. Let's have a duel right here, and right now. If I win, you now belong to me. If I lose, it's up to you to decide what you want to do. Fair enough?"
Anas nodded at my request and summoned his Blessed Sword [Oblivion]. Soon after it was summoned, he got into a Sword God Style stance. I also decided to get into a Sword God Style stance so it can somewhat be on an equal setting. Everyone else decided to watch the duel from afar, but there was clear discomfort on both Leo and Victoria's faces. I guess they don't really like the idea of us going at it in a duel, but this must go on.
Anastasius
I wonder just what the hell is going through Everett Greyrat's head right now. What in the world would even give him the idea that we should duel to see if I'll turn my back on Master Saladin and Master Pax, and join his side? You know what, I won't trip over what he said anymore. There's no way that I can lose against him now, especially if my loyalty towards Master Saladin is being tested. (I'll make sure that I beat Everett. And once I defeat him in this battle, I might as well proceed in breaking down his spirit.) (I don't know if i'll keep this little bit in the parenthesis)
I never took Everett Greyrat as someone who'd make irrational requests or do irrational things. That's exactly why I had such a confused and shocked look on my face when he said that he wanted to duel me. Especially when he said that if he were to become king, I would be his left hand man. There's a limit to how many things I can go with and not complain about anything, and this whole encounter is going over that limit. If I can't convince Everett Greyrat with words then I'll stick to what I said earlier, and defeat him in battle.
Once we both were in our Sword God Style stances, we patiently waited for someone to make a move. The minute I saw Everett's feet move, I used a move that I've been working on for most of my life whenever I'm not working on Water God Style, [Longsword of Light].
It looked like he did the same thing too. We were both going so fast that it would be almost impossible for someone to counter the other. So we both ended up clashing our swords against each other.
"Dammit, I guess Sword God Style will be pointless in this duel unlike our first time." I muttered under my breath.
It looked like Everett Greyrat had the same thing in mind since it looked like he got into a whole different stance. It won't matter anyways considering the fact that I can just wait for him to attack me. Though he might have some experience fighting against Water God Style considering the fact of who his partner is.
Everett held out his free hand and shot what I thought was a [Stone Cannon], but it was only a decoy that caused a dust screen. He won't get me with this tactic again.
I pointed [Oblivion] at the flow and silently casted an advance ranked wind spell, [Tornado] in an attempt to get rid of this annoying ass dust. Once it had all cleared up I saw him come dashing at me with his cursed sword or whatever. It's about time that I stop playing around with him though. I don't ever plan on giving up my loyalty for Master Saladin.
As soon as Everett Greyrat was well within my range, I got into a Water God Style stance that isn't as known due to the fact that it's one of the six secret Water God Style secret techniques.
"[Water God Style Secret Technique: Sky Earth Reversal]!" I yelled.
I used the tip of my blessed sword, [Oblivion], to block his attack and then casted [Sonic Boom] to send him flying up into the sky. At this point it was looking like it was going to be a win for me! Or so that's what I thought until I felt something wrap around me. It was the cursed sword itself [Fractured Soul] that was wrapped around me.
Everett pulled me up closer to him while I was stuck in his bind, and took one good swing at my amazing face. It looks like I didn't send him flying high enough for it to be lethal. Man this is going to be an embarrassing fall. Once we finally hit the ground, a sharp pain ran through my body. It was almost like I ended up hurting my back on the fall to the ground.
The cursed sword [Fractured Soul] was still wrapped around my body, but a Water Spear was suddenly being held at my throat. I tried to shake myself free from this annoying ass sword, but it looks like it was no good. I guess this means that I… I finally lost to him.
Man, I did not want to end up losing like this… Especially to him of all people.
Everett
Anastasius looked me directly in the eyes before looking off to the side. I don't know if it was my imagination, but I could've sworn that I saw tears building up. I could be hallucinating for some reason after all.
"Y-You won, Everett Greyrat…" He whispered, with his voice sounding shaky and less energetic than it usually is.
I called [Fractured Soul] back to its original form before putting it away. El ran over to us immediately after I put my sword away and healed the both of us. Once Anas was able to sit up, I placed my hands on his cheeks gently before looking him in the eyes. It hurts seeing him defeated. Maybe I shouldn't have challenged him to a duel. Maybe I should have just kept my need of wanting a true equal all to myself. Once I got over seeing the pained look on Anastasius's face, I closed my eyes for a split second before getting ready to speak again.
"Starting from this day on, Anastasius, you now belong to me."