"Well, I'm sorry for your proud introduction, but we have no clue."
"...!"
Gerard's face turned bright red. He seed more insulted by Ray's calm response than by Sylas's dismissal.
"So, this must be your first ti in the West?"
"I was here half a year ago."
"…I see. Then it's understandable if you're unfamiliar."
At the ntion of "half a year ago," Gerard seed to calm down slightly.
"Allow to inform you, then. Are you familiar with the Herning Count's family and the four families under them?"
"Yes, quite well."
"Until recently, those five families held a monopoly on power in the West. However, with the elven trade booming, things have changed considerably."
With the influx of trade, people, and money, the five families profited trendously. But they weren't the only ones to benefit from the trade.
Naturally, roads were needed to facilitate the movent of goods. And just among the most crucial trade routes, there were seven key points.
"A place with a lot of traffic may as well be called a trade hub—a location where countless rchants and custors cross paths. In truth, each of these spots has the potential to beco its own independent trade city."
Unfortunately for the four families under the Herning Count's domain, each of these key points already had an owner—small noble families, but legitimate landholders all the sa. As trade flourished, the nobles overseeing these routes experienced a windfall, rising to a level of prosperity previously unimaginable in just a few short months.
"It may seem modest now, but given ti, these seven families could surpass the four main houses. They're rising stars, you could say."
"I see."
Sylas nodded. By now, he could guess what Gerard was trying to imply.
"It sounds like the Cataldi family is one of them."
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"Exactly. I'm even representing the five rising families."
Gerard puffed out his chest with pride. He was essentially the leader of the newly rising families and had every reason to feel confident as the heir to such a position.
"Well, now that we know each other, I'll extend the invitation once more. Will you accept? Not just you, but your companions as well."
Though he made it sound like a group invitation, Gerard's gaze lingered on Ray with clear interest, barely bothering to hide it anymore. Ray's eyes narrowed, while Toby chuckled in disbelief.
Sylas, too, found it absurd. So he's part of a newly rising family; that doesn't an he can throw his weight around against Corleone.
"And if I refuse again?"
"Then I'll have to teach you that the Corleone na doesn't hold sway here in the West."
Gerard grinned, showing his teeth.
"What will you do if I treat you poorly here? Lead an army to attack us? Will you destroy these trade routes and bring chaos to all the people who rely on them?"
"Hm."
Sylas finally understood where Gerard's strange confidence ca from. If a conflict broke out, those present on the trade routes would undoubtedly suffer. All the families affected by this disruption would surely turn against Corleone. Even for a powerful family like Corleone, making enemies on all sides would be a severe problem.
"Once again, I'll ask—what will you do?"
"Before I answer, let just say one thing."
"Go ahead."
"Know your place."
Gerard blinked, wondering if he'd heard wrong.
"W-what did you say?"
"I said, know your place. I get that your perspective changes when you suddenly gain wealth and power. But at least establish a solid foundation before you start acting cocky. You might lose it all with one wrong move."
"You… you…!"
Gerard's body shook with rage. He hadn't expected to be spoken to like this. With his face flushed red, he pointed at Sylas.
"How dare you insult like this! I demand a duel!"
Sylas sighed, exasperated. "You've got to be kidding ."
"Silence! Surely, you're not thinking of running away, are you? Especially as the descendant of the dragonslayer!"
"Don't worry; I'm not running."
Sylas sighed heavily and stood up. He had thought he was dealing with so thugs, but now he felt like he was up against a spoiled child.
"Fine, let's duel. What are the terms?"
"If you win, I'll leave quietly. I'll even kneel and apologize if you want. But if I win, you'll hand over your companion to !"
This guy really has a one-track mind. It was almost impressive. Ray's patience seed to be wearing thin; her hand was already moving toward her weapon, her eyes icy.
"My lord, may I handle this?"
"No."
"But I'd really like to take care of him myself."
"I want to do it personally."
Sylas stretched and rose, eager to teach a lesson to soone who dared to covet what wasn't his.
A duel was not only a matter of personal honor but also a spectacle for others. As soon as Sylas and Gerard agreed to fight, people began to gather from all directions.
"What's going on? Why are there so many people?"
"They say the heir of the Cataldi family is dueling with the second son of the Corleone family."
"What?! Over what? Actually, never mind that; we have to get a good spot! If we're late, we'll miss everything!"
Both nobles and commoners filled the central square. The Cataldi family was gaining fa in the West, while the Corleone family was well-known throughout the continent. This kind of spectacle was a rare treat, and all eyes were fixed on Sylas and Gerard.
"I'll appoint my knight as my representative in this duel!"
As expected, Gerard didn't step forward himself. Instead, the knight who had been standing behind him approached Sylas.
"I am Roberto Gavilan."
"Hm."
Sylas assessed the knight who called himself Roberto. With a stable stance and calm gaze, it was clear that he was experienced and skilled. But his willingness to go along with Gerard's foolishness revealed a darker side.
"The rules of the duel are simple. The duel ends when one party is unconscious, incapacitated, or concedes defeat."
"Simple enough."
The two took their stances. Roberto smiled sharply as he looked at Sylas.
"No matter how skilled the Corleone family is, you can't overco experience. I'm honored to teach you, son of the fad dragonslayers."
"Quite confident, aren't you? You seem to think you've already won."
"Haha, well, one doesn't really understand until they experience it firsthand."
Roberto subtly shifted his stance, small movents intended to throw off Sylas's sense of his first attack. It was a subtle trick, but enough to create confusion.
"Let this be a fight worthy of the gods! Begin!"
The signal to start had barely ended when Roberto dashed forward, launching a swift attack with countless feints, pressing hard against Sylas.
"I'll show you the vastness of the world! This is my Phantom Blade—"
Smack.
"Ugh!"
Suddenly, Roberto's body flew through the air, propelled by a punch. Spinning three tis in mid-air, he landed with a loud thud and lay motionless on the ground, twitching faintly.
"…"
"…"
The square fell silent at the sight of the duel ending in a single blow.
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