Chapter 80: Beaten Like A Dog!

Gareth wasn’t the only one who’d noticed Roderic’s actions.

Every noble present looked at him in pure shock and horror.

’’What is he doing?’’

’’Does he not understand the noble art of sparring?’’

’’How utterly barbaric!’’

More whispers quickly spread throughout the hall.

Using the same weapons was one of the oldest customs in noble sparring.

Neither side was supposed to have an advantage in equipment, allowing their skill with the sword alone to decide the victor.

Altering the weapons wasn’t necessarily forbidden, but actually doing so was considered incredibly disrespectful.

Roderic, however, didn’t even know those unspoken rules existed!

’This should do it,’ he thought, smiling.

He swung both swords a few times, examining the small hooks he’d carved near the ends of the blades.

They weren’t perfect, but they were more than enough for him to use his techniques.

Roderic finally glanced back up.

Ahead of him, Gareth was still staring at him with a strange expression.

’’What are you looking at?’’ Roderic asked with a scoff.

Gareth snapped out of his thoughts immediately.

’’You...’’

He opened his mouth, clearly wanting to say something, but stopped.

How was he even supposed to explain something this obvious?

’’Damn it! You wouldn’t understand anyway, you barbarian.’’

Roderic raised an eyebrow before casually shrugging.

’’Alright, suit yourself.’’

Hearing the casual reply, Gareth’s face turned red once more.

But Roderic’s attention had long shifted away from him.

Instead, he was glancing up at the raised platform with the Second Prince and Catherina seated upon it.

’’Your Highness,’’ he said, lowering his head respectfully. ’’We are ready for your command.’’

The Second Prince frowned slightly.

His eyes lingered on Roderic’s modified swords before moving back to his face.

’’Very well,’’ he finally said. ’’You may raise your swords.’’

Roderic immediately turned back to Gareth.

Gareth had already raised his longsword, blue aura flickering around it.

His body had lowered into a proper, well-practiced stance.

Yet, all Roderic could do was smile.

He raised both makeshift hooked blades, letting aura flow into them as well.

’Let’s get this started.’

The Second Prince raised his hand into the air.

Each and every noble fell silent, their eyes locked on the two in front of them.

Without any further delay, the Second Prince’s hand dropped.

’’Begin!’’

Gareth moved first.

His foot slammed against the floor, shooting him forward.

The distance between them closed within seconds.

WHOOSH!

A manic grin flashed across his face as he swung out towards Roderic’s shoulder.

CLACK!

One of Roderic’s blades caught the blade.

Before Gareth could even understand what had happened, Roderic’s second blade wrapped around the blade.

His blades instantly lit up in a bright golden color.

CRACK!

The wooden sword shattered into countless tiny pieces.

’’What?!’’ Gareth let out, his eyes wide.

But Roderic wasn’t done yet.

BAM!

His foot slammed into Gareth’s stomach at full force.

Gareth stumbled back several steps, desperately gasping for air.

Roderic watched him struggle for a moment, smiling widely.

’It wouldn’t be fun if it ended with just this though.’

Without another thought, he glanced at the raised podium.

’’Your Highness,’’ he called out politely.

The Second Prince, still stunned from the rapid exchange, raised an eyebrow.

’’I suspect Lord Gareth’s sword was damaged before the duel,’’ Roderic said seriously. ’’Could he be given another one?’’

Everyone slowly snapped out of their daze.

They exchanged glances, almost unwilling to believe their eyes.

Even Catherina stared at him in shock.

The Second Prince cleared his throat loudly, attracting everyone’s attention.

’’Of course,’’ he said, gesturing to one of the attendants. ’’It’d be a shame if a duel between honorable nobles ended this way.’’

The attendant bowed before picking up another wooden sword.

He quickly entered the ring and approached Gareth.

By now, Gareth had managed to straighten himself again.

However, the confidence he’d shown only moments earlier had completely disappeared.

His gaze remained fixed on the shattered pieces of his sword scattered across the floor.

’How...’

Suddenly, the attendant holding another wooden sword came into view.

Gareth’s face paled immediately.

’’No...’’ he whispered between strained breaths. ’’I gi—’’

’’Surely you aren’t backing down?’’ Roderic interrupted, raising an eyebrow. ’’Your sword simply failed you.’’

Gareth’s expression twisted.

But it seemed like he wasn’t entirely convinced just yet.

’’Look around you, Lord Gareth,’’ Roderic continued with a smirk. ’’Do you really want everyone here to remember that you issued a challenge, only to back down because of a faulty sword?’’

Gareth’s expression only twisted further.

There was no way in hell he could allow that!

’’Damn you!’’ he cursed, snatching the sword from the attendant.

He rushed forward right away, aura immediately wrapping around his sword.

Roderic grinned innocently.

’There we go,’ he thought. ’This time, I shouldn’t end it too quickly though.’

CLACK!

He knocked Gareth’s blade away, leaving his side wide open.

BAM!

Roderic’s second blade slammed into his ribs.

’’ARGH!’’

Before Gareth could recover, another strike slammed into his shoulder.

The man winced in pain, leaving his leg wide open.

BAM!

The wooden blade slammed into Gareth’s thigh, nearly knocking his leg out from under him.

Gareth stumbled desperately, barely managing to remain standing.

His face had drained of color as it became crystal clear to him.

Roderic was at the peak of the first seal, had far more experience than expected, and used strange techniques.

There was simply no way he could put up a fight against that!

Gareth raised his hand slightly, his mouth opening.

’’I surr—’’

BAM!

Roderic’s blade violently slammed into his jaw.

CRACK!

Gareth’s head violently snapped sideways as his jaw broke under the impact.

’’Ah, ah, ah,’’ Roderic said, smirking widely. ’’We aren’t done yet.’’

Gareth raised his hand to his jaw, his eyes filling with despair.

He desperately tried to speak, but only spit flew out of his mouth.

Roderic didn’t give him any more time.

BAM!

Another strike slammed into his stomach.

Gareth doubled over, spit flying everywhere.

The next struck his ribs, followed immediately by another against his back.

Again and again, Roderic’s wooden blades crashed into him.

Gareth could do nothing but desperately raise his arms and try to protect himself.

The nobles surrounding the ring had fallen completely silent.

They had watched dozens of spars tonight, but nothing even remotely resembled this.

Roderic was beating Gareth... like a dog!

BAM!

Another strike knocked Gareth onto the floor.

He immediately curled into a fetal position, covering his head with both arms.

Tears streamed down his bruised and swollen face.

Roderic stared down at him, remembering the bandits he’d fought just days before.

’Margaret sends her regards, huh,’ he thought, smirking. ’Well, maybe this’ll send a nice message back.’

He raised his blades once more.

’’ENOUGH!’’

The Second Prince’s furious voice thundered throughout the hall.

Roderic stopped instantly.

He slowly lowered his sword before glancing towards the raised platform.