NOVEL NEXT Life 35 - Chapter 31 - The Mimic's Handbook of Intrigue and Murder
While people shuffled to make ready their gifts were ready for gifting, a few nobles from neutral factions approached us, students from the Academy. Barbara greeted them and they engaged in conversation.
They started asking about the delve, the Academy board hearing, magic in general, Barbara's Class, and other things female sentients ought to talk about. I remained immobile as a doll on my mistress' lap, as mimics ought to stay, letting Barbara socialize. Though she wasn't in her element, she wasn't feeling particularly anxious. All the time spent with the three nobles training and preparing for the party paid off. Or maybe some social skills from her previous lives were seeping through.
The Fate spell Haru and Lorna cast made it a point to let the latter remember everything once the challenge was complete. This meant that just as the Matriarch's memories were stowed away somewhere in me, she too had hers deep in her heart of hearts. The way one lived shaped their soul and that brand was indelible, especially when lovers sacrifice their lives to tempt Fate.
Three dozen times had I looped around in this world. Lifetimes, thousands of years. Now, a few of my old acquaintances were popping up. Or they ought to be around all the time, just that I lacked the awareness to recognize them. Cedric, Karina, Josie, and Martha. To Netherbane, they were just names written in my mother's memoirs on the [Lost Sage's Encyclopedia] but deep in my core, I could feel the nostalgia.
I had a hunch that Isaac wasn't Cedric's reincarnation but one of the adventurous nobleman's wives. Fate was a mischievous mistress who cared not for one's gender and She had surely shuffled the souls around. Just like Percival wasn't sure which of the twin princesses was the right one, assuming the obvious was a dangerous pitfall.
It made paramount that we did not waste this opportunity. Just like I urged Isaac not to lean on his laurels and pursue another [Capstone] Perk, all of us had to enjoy each other's company and strive to better our lot in life. Entertain Lady Fate and hope to reap some rewards.
My dear friends were not forever lost to the sands of time. That was enough for me. Even with Divinity stolen from me, even with my true mind locked away behind a curse, I would cherish them.
Barbara must've sensed my feelings through our bond because she squeezed me tenderly.
*
*
Alas, gift-giving had to be postponed. His Royal Highness the birthday Satyr stood up from his throne and walked to the edge of his balcony. Conversations died, people shuffling through their storage rings stopped and all heads craned heavenward to listen to the [Crown Prince]. The veterans were puzzled at this change of protocol. Usually, no proclamations preceded the gift-giving session.
"Listen, everyone," Himmel clamored.
Behind him, the [Saintess] had a mysterious smirk on her face. Her eyes, however, might as well be spewing fire in my direction for I could see my reflection in those dark fox pupils. What could the vixen be plotting behind that mask was anyone's guess but her undue attention made me uncomfortable.
"I have decided to change things a bit. Before you entertain me with your magnificent gifts, please allow this humble Satyr to entertain you instead."
A few nobles made cheerful utterances. If they were sounds of approval or sycophancy was anyone's guess.
Himmel jumped from the balcony and the masses parted like some blood-tinted ocean would for pilgrims as the Satyr's hooves crashed loudly on enchanted marble.
"Ready the duel arena," His Highness ordered. "We are having a duel."
*
*
*
*
Himmel thought about how he would kill the mimic the fastest. His fool of a father had knighted the monster in a private ceremony so he couldn't just command its execution. Law and proper procedure had to be followed now that the creature was elevated to the ranks of the nobility.
He could always have the critter killed later but Himmel was not one to be denied his prizes when he wanted them now. His true wishes were to end this party earlier and take the Kitsune to his chambers where he could savor her fair company and being at his leisure.
The impulsive and lecherous Satyr then decided that his best course of action was to challenge the monster to a duel. He had just reached the third rank and was pretty confident of his martial prowess.
The creature, a bonded familiar to a lowborn Academy student was obviously still weak otherwise the Familiar pact spell wouldn't have taken root. It was common knowledge that familiars had to be weaker than their masters. The Halfling girl, according to what he knew, hadn't yet reached the second rank.
He felt doubly insulted. Not only did his father make this slight of knighting a monster, but the creature was invited to his birthday. Perhaps the King was already going senile or was losing too much ground in the aftermath of the Labyrinth Cataclysm. Maybe the Hamiltons were supplying the Crown with reconstruction funds under the rug and pushed for this travesty.
Regardless, nobody could fault him if he killed the creature in a proper duel. Now that he caught the attention of the whole venue, all that was left was to issue his challenge.
"I challenge Dame Netherbane to a duel," he declared.
The young Ladies around the Halfling moved away, leaving student and familiar isolated. Margrave Hamilton frowned but said nothing. It was a good test of how much support their House would give to their sponsored Transcendentals. Himmel might lose points with that faction but he would surely win double that amount from the others. If the Hamiltons were indeed supporting his father, this was a good check on their power else they became too influential.
The doll left its mistress' lap and walked on cloth stumps. Its stitched mouth opened in a blatant mockery of the civilized species. Then it curtsied.
"My Liege, I am not worthy of crossing blades with Your Royal Highness."
"Do you decline the challenge?" Himmel snorted in derision. To do so was a major loss of honor and respect. It would do more damage to Hamilton than dying on his blade.
"I would not dare," the monster humbly replied. "But I beg Your Royal Highness to enlighten me. What offense did I give?"
"You are a monster!" Himmel accused. Several nobles nodded.
"I am a Bibliomimic, my Liege," the creature dared to correct him. "A sentient creature able to parlay and understand sentiment and reason. Monsters are irrational entities bent only on devouring and destruction. I, on the other hand, favor knowledge, art, and learning. I'm a book, first and foremost. A tool of civilization if nothing else."
"Yet you are not one of the People Species!" The Satyr pressed.
"Thousand of years ago, humans used the same argument to enslave the Goddess' Kin. They cut down their ears and tails, clamoring they were less than People. I don't believe a lecture on the Slave Purges of Auvanini is necessary, though."
"You dare compare yourself to the exalted children of the Matriarch?" Himmel scoffed.
"Nethe is—" The Halfling stepped forward to defend her familiar.
"It's fine, Barbara," the doll grasped the girl's hand and held her back. "Your Highness, we are fortunate to have Her Holiness the [Saintess] with us today. May we ask her what the Goddess thinks of it?"
It didn't escape Himmel's eyes and ears that the creature exchanged a glance with the [Saintess]'s bodyguards before the preposterous proposition. What was their relationship?
"That is irrelevant," he snapped, unwilling to drag the Kitsune into this. "All that matters is this: the gauntlet has been thrown, will you pick it up?"
The mimic curtsied. "If it pleases Your Royal Highness, I shall accept this challenge."
"Good," Himmel crooned. "This shall be a duel to the death!" He declared out loud so the Matriarch in her Heavenly castle would hear.
The assembled nobles gasped and a few smirked. This duel was nothing more than a cover to officiate an execution.
"I beg Your Highness to reconsider," the mimic implored.
Himmel could see the worry stamped on the Halfling's face. She dared meet his eyes with... was it pity he recognized in hers? How dare she! He would teach her a lesson!
"As is law, a master shall not be separated from their familiars. Baroness Ambrose, you are part of this challenge as well," he declared.
That would teach them. Better nip treason in the bud.
*
*
*
*
"No!" She protested out loud. "I'm staying by your side, Nethe." Barbara shut her piehole and shifted to mental communication again.
With her fears dissuaded, inferiority complexes quelled, along with a bit more worldly baggage behind her, Barbara's adventurous and daring traits were surfacing once more.
Babara looked.
I bowed, "Your Highness," I addressed him dropping the 'Royal' part. A small slight, but again, he wanted to murder us. "As the challenged party, we wish to state our terms."
"No," the Satyr barked back at once.
"My Liege, are you sure you wish to deny us this right?"
"You are a savage monster. You have no rights."
The heads in the audience were swiveling back and forth, following the exchange.
"Then why call for a duel?" I challenged back. "Let's fight right here, right now, no holds barred. Abandon all trappings of civilization. I really believed this was a more civilized age, that the barbarian ways of centuries past had been put aside and forgotten in favor of manners and proper procedure. But if the Crown Prince himself is willing to toss protocol out the window, I fear being mistaken."
> Contested Charisma check won.
"State your terms."
I started to design a new spell for this duel, drawing its diagram on my pages.
"Before that, my Liege, we need a neutral party to officiate the duel first. We shall trust their judgment on the fairness of the terms."
"I agree. But who among the present is both neutral and of a sufficient rank to officiate our dispute?"
From the back of the venue, Arista walked forward. She activated [Royal Aura] and the nobles at once recognized her for what she was. Her bodyguard armor was quickly replaced by a flowing blue dress that reminded one of the sea surf. She floated and her legs gave way to her tail.
"I am Arista of the Dolphin-Mermaids, exalted [Princess] of the mermaid kingdom of Atlantis," She announced herself.
Surprise guest! Both attendees and host were swept in with surprise at the sudden reveal. Arista swam through the air with the grace and sensuality natural to her species as she approached [Prince] Himmel, who was now second-guessing his choice of women. On the balcony, the [Saintess] was letting out metaphorical small puffs of vapor out of her fox ears.
"Your Highness," Himmel said with a small dip of his head. It was unmistakable that she was indeed Royalty for even though her aura didn't affect him, he could sense it as well as the fading daylight outside the ballroom. "I was unaware that the [Saintess]' escorts were of so exalted birth."
"Yet Royal status is nothing compared to being one of the Goddess' chosen," Arista replied in the same beat. Her sting was wasted on Himmel.
"Indeed," he nodded again, his lecherous eyes on Arista's dolphin tail. "Would you officiate our duel?"
One couldn't fault him. The mermaids' reputation with men preceded them.
"It would be an honor."
Himmel shifted to face me. "State your terms, creature. If [Princess] Arista agrees to them, we'll start our fight."
"No magic or Perks that require the expenditure of resources, save for a single casting of one spell on each side, whenever we wish. Since this is a duel to the death, moving or getting thrown out of bounds does not mean forfeiture. if that happens, the offending party must return to the duel ring at once. We shall use no enchanted items or anything with any protective or offensive value, save for a single weapon on each side. Also, we shall take no breaks or call for respite."
"These terms seem suspicious!" Himmel clamored.
"Your Highness, both Barbara and me are spellcasters. We are handicapping ourselves the most. If you think our terms unfair, feel free to withdraw your challenge."
"No. But we shall disclose to Arista which spells we will use," Himmel suggested, suspicious.
"No need. Though my expertise is with song magic, I am skilled enough to hold the rank of [Archmage], though I never bothered getting accredited," Arista boasted. "I will recognize the spells you use."
"Of course," Himmel smiled at her. "I would expect no less from one called by bards the [Siren]." He winked at the end.
Arista was slightly surprised that he recognized her.
A servant wearing the crown [Prince]'s colors approached. "Your Highness, the duel arena is set."
"Well, then. Let's go!" Himmel called.
*
*
Before we could get outside, one of the few Dukes stepped in Himmel's path. He had a long and narrow wooden case, for a sword judging by the dimensions.
"Your Highness, I beg you to accept my gift, before you set out for your duel!" The Duke said.
He was from an opposing faction. No wonder he wanted to throw a wrench in our duel. But regardless of the weapon, it could not be enchanted. It was irrelevant which metal slab Himmel intended to use against my hardened cover for the results would be exactly the same.
"Uncle, you've never led me astray. Show me what you got," Himmel said with a toothpaste commercial grin.
The Duke opened the case and produced a greenish-blue weapon. Everyone gasped, including me.
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
"This [Adamantite Thinblade] is the most exquisite weapon in all creation. Forged by the Goddess herself, it is not enchanted but night indestructible. It can pierce magical shields and cut through spells like they never existed, to begin with," The Duke boasted.
Himmel took the oversized rapier in his hands. I recognized the weapon. It was Raleigh Whisper's signature weapon. It was indeed forged by Haru and still sported the H&H logo on its hilt.
Fuck. That thing dealt what? Thirteen d10 of base damage?
"The description says it is a failed weapon, for it did not meet the requirements of perfection set by the Matriarch!" The Duke exulted. "But for us mortals, it is the best thing we are allowed to wield. This weapon can pierce a dragon's scales!"
Himmel felt its balance. "It is indeed a magnificent gift."
How the hell did they obtain Raleigh's weapon? I doubt one of his reincarnations would ever part with the weapon.
"And stolen goods as well," I added over the silence. "This weapon belongs to the Goddess' [Immortal Agent] it says so on the inscriptions along the blade."
The Duke sneered. I glared back with the button eyes sewed to my cloth face. What did he want to do? I was already committed to a duel to the death with the stupid [Prince]. I had no objections to tarnishing the good Duke's reputation.
"What would you know—"
"Just ask any person who knows the scriptures!" I shouted over the Duke. "This weapon was indeed forged in ancient Windemere, but it has one owner. Anyone else wielding it is nothing but a thief, to be cursed by the Goddess herself. I tell you, this weapon will find its way back to its rightful owner, one way or another. To wield it without earning the right to do so is to go against the Goddess!"
I would know that better than anyone.
"You are just afraid of dying," the Duke rebuked.
"Time will tell, Your Grace. Time will tell. But when it comes the time to pay the price of arrogance, don't cry, don't beg."
"Such insolence!"
"If you want to settle your grievances with me, my good Duke, please take a ticket and wait for your turn. I already have a previous commitment at the arena."
"ENOUGH!" Himmel shouted. "You indeed have an appointment with death, monster. Come. Let your death be by holy steel."
"That's neither steel nor holy, my Liege," I corrected. "That's mundane adamantite."
*
*
We were at the dueling arena outside the palace. While the nobles took seats on the grandstands, Arista was checking the duel enchantments for any signs of tampering.
"Indeed it is impossible to channel magic through the weapon!" Himmel shouted in surprise.
"Adamantite absorbs and dissipates mana," I remarked. "It is a well-known property of the metal."
Himmel was so engrossed with the new toy that I feared not even the [Saintess] and Arista dancing naked in front of him would draw his attention away from the weapon.
"Regrettably the secrets to forging it are lost to time."
"Nay. The Dwarves of Vugh Tarim still know how to forge it. I do too."
"Your lies won't save you, monster. Are you ready, [Siren]?"
"Yes. I need your magic signatures on the dueling device."
We took turns attuning ourselves to the dueling barrier. Compared to the prototypes used in Windemere thousands of years ago, this one had several improvements and safeguards. For example, it could no longer be used to trap combatants in it.
"I have set the wards to react whenever one of the combatants casts a spell or expends resources. It will ring an alarm and provide great opposition to whoever attempts to cast a second spell. Only one spell per side. Your Highness Himmel, Baroness Ambrose, Dame Netherbane, are you ready?"
"I am ready to kill this monster," Himmel flourished the Thinblade.
"Ready here," Barbara said.
"Ready," I said from a mouth on my cover. I had returned to book form.
"Know that the outcome of this duel can only be changed by intervention from the Matriarch herself," Arista said staring at me. Her hint was as clear as the sky above us, to me. I could end this charade and put the arrogant Satyr in his place anytime I wanted. "This will end only when one of the sides no longer lives."
"BEGIN!"
*
*
The arena duel field covered us like an iridescent soap bubble. Moments later, it became entirely transparent.
Himmel started by casting a Body Enhancement spell. "Royal Vigor!" By the diagram, it would increase his speed, stamina, and strength so long he could pay the MP cost. An ongoing spell was a better bet than an instantaneous effect.
The barrier shone gold, and the light focused on Himmel. It was the sign he'd expended his one spell allotment.
Meanwhile, I cast one of my spells using a diagram embedded inside my pages without opening my cover. No need to shout or reveal what I was doing.
It was obvious (at least to those who knew my true nature) that I was cursing the [Prince], what else should a cursed tome such as myself do?
I decided to name the curse "Longevity Tap". Its purpose was to sap the target's longevity and stamina, fueling it to Barbara and me. For every day this duel took, Himmel would age eight times as fast while Barbara and I would not only be spared the ravages of time but become a day younger. We wouldn't tire from exertion either. All our stamina expenditure and nourishment would also be supplied by Himmel, including our lack of sleep, with a fourth of what was taken from him wasted to feed the curse. I bet he would wear out pretty fast.
Due to my Perks, it was ridiculously hard to dispel and even detect. Himmel would see no curse entry in his Status Sheet unless he beat my [Spellcaster] score plus 25 with his [Appraise] Proficiency. Not happening. But the dueling Arena shone gold again and focused the light on me as it ought to do.
"Miss Ambrose, I will grant you a quick death. It is not your fault that you were seduced and corrupted by this monster you took as a familiar!" Himmel declared and dashed, covering the distance between us in seconds.
He stabbed straight at Barbara's heart. I teleported and blocked the attack. Fortunately {Titan Body}'s absolute damage reduction removed most of the damage without being divided by the Thinblade's defense reduction trait.
> Himmel stabs you for 1,150 HP of damage (base 154 x2.7 Strength x3.78 Skill x2.5 Sword Mastery x2 Duelist's Pledge x3 Monster Slayer x0.85 [0.75-40%] Mystic Hunter x0,82 [0.8-40%] Homeland Defender x x0.07 Titan Body).
> You negated Bleeding.
> You negated Dazed.
> You negated Stun.
It seems I feared the Thinblade for nothing.
"You teleported!" Himmel shouted and spared a glance toward Arista.
"It does not use Resources, or the barrier would've accused," she officiated.
Himmel stared at the damage notification. "What modifiers are those? What kind of monstrosity are you? Mystic Hunter? Homeland Defender? Titan Body?"
I didn't have the obfuscating Perk active so my fusion Perks names were out in the open. But he triggered three Status effects and had enough Perks to deal almost 10x his base damage after my ridiculous reductions. Regardless, I still regenerated a little less than eighteen thousand HP per second. He would need to do that much DPS to break even, about ten to twelve strikes per second. it wasn't happening.
Regardless of the math, Himmel shouted and unleashed a flurry of stabs and slashes, dealing around the same damage as the first one. Barbara was afraid and her heart pounded but she stood her ground.
"Okay!" Barbara said and started to jog around the arena.
I automatically teleported to defend against every single attack directed at her. Himmel chased us, but wherever the Thinblade went, there appeared a book to block the attack.
The nobles started to boo and jeer at our lack of combativeness. I cared not a single bit. Everything was going according to plan and the curse was already sapping the Prince's lifeforce to empower us. The only problem would be if the combat took long enough to turn Barbara back into a toddler and either the [Prince] would've succumbed by then or I would dismiss the curse before that. As its creator, I knew the steps to dispel it and they were simple. The curse had several ways to unravel.
One of them, which could be open knowledge, was that Himmel needed to shout, "I yield, Barbara Ambrose and Netherbane Syllabus win this duel." This would reveal itself to his mind as soon as he became aware of the curse. But becoming aware would trigger another part of the curse that blocked him from talking about the curse. There was probably a loophole somewhere but I didn't care.
Our game of cat, mouse, and teleporting book went on for fifteen minutes.
Then the King arrived.
Some nobles rushed to tell His Majesty what happened, and the King stared at the [Saintess], then at the Arena. The order held some meaning but I was too busy getting poked by my own weapon to care. Himmel's father took his seat at the edge of the Arena and seemed content to watch.
Half an hour in, the [Prince] was already flagging. Some nobles looked eager to go away but walking away during a death duel by the crown heir would be unconscionable. The night was falling on this long day. Though we were under constant mockery by the audience, nobody dared tell us to strike at the [Prince]. Margrave Hamilton seemed to approve of our strategy. Getting Himmel to yield was the only way we could get out of this arena and save our reputation because yielding meant giving up the object of the duel and it would mean we magnanimously spared the [Prince]'s life.
The damage to Himmel's reputation would be so huge he'd wish he was dead, though.
*
*
I must admit, in none of my lives did I learn the art of dueling. Most of mom's fights were brutal and boring and dull but I guess that's reality for you. Fighting is a gruesome endeavor, absolutely unlike what's romanticized in literature.
One hour in, and Barbara finally got to keep ourselves ahead of the [Prince]. His blade no longer reached me and I just rested in the crook of my mistress' arm like a good book ought to do when not being read.
"You can yield, Your Royal Highness," I broke our silence, bringing back the "Royal" honorific to show we didn't want to antagonize him again.
He finally noticed he could just stop chasing us and rest for a while. Though the jeering and hooting only increased now that we were basically just staring at each other. Despite all the time we trained in the mirror pocket dimension, Barbara was sweating buckets though she was unaffected by it. Guess where all that hydration came from.
"Water," he called. His squire tried to enter but Arista rebuked the man.
"WATER, DAMMIT!" Himmel shouted.
"The terms of the duel state no respite, Your Highness," Arista shouted back.
He panted like a desert wanderer.
"We dare not strike our [Prince]!" Barbara also shouted to the crowd. "Though we shall not yield in this challenge. It's your call to make, Your Highness."
The [King] could've ended this charade any time he wanted. I saw many nobles joining him on the balcony to talk and each one went back in dismay. Almost all factions were represented save for ours. Margrave Hamilton watched in silence, with his vassals close by. I guess he also knew that things could get ugly and bloody anytime, with the Crown Prince's life as the bet. A lot of people stood to lose a lot of money and prestige if Himmel died or lost his claim to the throne.
The outcome of this duel could spark a civil war. Weakened by the Labyrinth Cataclysm, the central power of the kingdom was balanced on a hair. Perhaps that's why the King hadn't made a move yet.
I thought about petitioning him but that would put us in his debt and, frankly, it was unnecessary. I could go Goddess Mode ™ at any time and lay down the law. We set this charade up to hide my identity.
"What have you done to me?" Himmel asked staring at my cover. Or Barbara's boobs, take your pick.
"Why have you challenged us?" I asked back.
He didn't need to answer. Just the fact he sent a hopeful glance at the scowling [Saintess] explained everything. Ornery Satyrs and their libido. A Centaur's dick and stamina coupled with elven horniness. Why did mom make the Star Elves a hedonistic race? I knew the answer, to keep them from going extinct again. A guy was thinking with his lower head, stop the scribes!
"You know she played you, right?" Barbara delivered with a scoff.
"I have my suspicions, yes."
"Then yield," I insisted.
> Contested Charisma test failed.
"Ha!" Himmel guffawed. "I took a [Duelist's Pledge]. I cannot yield."
Stupid Perks with stupid conditions. I'm glad mom steered far away from them even though they seem very enticing with big bonuses.
"I guess we should go on the offensive, then," I mumbled.
"Nethe! We cannot attack the [Prince]!" Barbara retorted.
An idea went through my mind. A very stupid idea.
"YOU WHAT?" Barbara screeched out loud. "Are you crazy?"
"It's for love," Himmel replied.
Barbara wasn't even looking at him. "You can't be serious! How? With whom? We don't have all that time!" Barbara's head was figuratively spinning.
"That doesn't make it any better! You can't be serious! That's a huge responsibility!" The maiden was overwhelmed by the idea.
"I'm ready to become an honest Satyr for her," Himmel drawled. He was so tired his brain was behaving like he was drunk. The Thinblade hadn't left his hand, though.
"Shut up, Your Highness," Barbara barked at him. "We are having girl talk here."
People gasped. A few leaned forward as if we were about to deliver the 'coup de grâce'.
Damn, she had to pull that card.
I explained it to her.
*
*
*
*
> WARNING: Further exertion will cause HP damage.
Himmel couldn't believe the message. The duel started an hour ago, how could he be this wrung out? Thirsty, tired, his muscles twitched as if he'd run for a whole day. He could barely stand. The monster did something to him but he had no debuff in his Status Window.
He didn't dare take his eyes away from such treacherous enemies. He noticed as the book started to... melt? and seep over the Halfling woman's dress. The creature became a set of leather jacket and gloves. A laughing skull with wings in place of ears and flames in the background rested over the chest. Then the woman raised her hand.
"Mother! Heed my plea!" She dramatically shouted to the heavens.
What was going on? Even the booing and hooting audience shut up.
"Your [Champion] requests aid!" Ambrose, was it her name? She continued.
The [Prince] half-expected the skies to rumble. Nothing happened though. Only silence.
"Please, O Bountiful Mother! Deliver us, hear our call!" She prayed.
"Deliver us, here in this burning sand! So we may find the land you promised us!"
The [Saintess] stood up. What? Were the Halfling's prayers going to be answered? Preposterous!
"Deliver us, hear our prayer! Deliver us from despair!"
"Aid your [Champion], O Mother! Grant me a mighty weapon to show where your favor lies!"
She raised her gloved hand to the stars. Himmel and everyone else waited to see what would happen.
A blinding glow came from the glove, and the light took shape. Himmel shielded his eyes and looked away.
The crowd roared with incandescent fervor.
"PRAISE THE MATRIARCH!"
"A MIRACLE!"
"THE WEAPON OF OUR ANCESTOR!"
Himmel dared look. A triumphant halfling held a spear made of bone with a sharpened curled horn at the tip. Tassels made of the purest white hair coming from underneath the horn drifted in the wind. He dared {Appraise} the weapon.
> [Unicorn King's Spear] - Unique item.
> Details are hidden. Your Appraise score is insufficient.
"IT IS CLEAR WHO THE GODDESS FAVORS!" Margrave Hamilton's booming voice rang all over the arena. "STOP THIS TRAVESTY OF A DUEL NOW!"
The woman twirled the spear in the air and did some flourishes. She was clearly skilled in wielding it. More importantly, he was sure only the chosen ones could wield the spear. She raised her free hand to signal for the crowd to calm down.
"Yield, Your Royal Highness. You cannot win against the Matriarch's chosen," she smugly stated.
"That's a hoax! You used magic!" Himmel accused but his voice broke and rose an octave.
"No, Your Highness," the mermaid said. "They used no magic or the wards would accuse."
"You can verify our claim yourself. Here, catch," she stated as she tossed the spear, sideways, at him. It fell within arms' reach.
Why would she discard her weapon? Didn't she know that he too was a descendant of both the Unicorn King and the Goddess? Himmel reached for the spear and grasped it.
> You have been weighed and found unworthy. Suffer the consequences of your actions.
His left hand exploded in flames as the spear erupted.
> You are engulfed with Dragonfire.
Himmel screamed as the spear clattered to the ground. He shook his arm but it was of no avail.
"Quench!" In his desperation, he cast a {Water} spell. His arm sizzled and a cloud of steam rose but the fire kept on burning. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHH! STOP IT! Please, Mother! Have mercy!"
He had a message blinking in his vision but he was in too much pain to read it.
Himmel ran and dropped the Thinblade. His left arm still burned.
"Cut it off!" The Halfling shouted. "Cut it off and the healers can regrow your arm! Cut it off before it's too late!"
What humiliation! What dishonor! Himmel ran out of the barrier, which he noticed was pulsing and shining a red beam of light at him.
"Cut my arm off!" He shouted at his squire.
"Sire!" The squire alerted but refused to draw steel.
"Cut my arm off, that's an order dammit!" The [Prince] cried.
He heard the sword leave its sheath, then a sharp sting next to his shoulder. Himmel felt the blood leaving him in great amounts, and stared at the ground, dazed. His arm still burned. He read the insistent message.
> You violated the terms of your duel. You shall now suffer the consequences of your [Duelist's Pledge].
Then he fainted.