Chapter 824

Chapter 824: The Dueling Gunfire

The tense duel unfolded within the hall. Some watched with anticipation, others with glee, and still others whispered among themselves, each displaying a myriad of expressions.

“Ha!”

In the arena, Giharsen made the first move. He drew a sharp saber, and with a push of his foot, his body moved swiftly like a snake, closing in on his opponent. The light of the blade danced before the eyes of the onlookers, resembling a phantom as it flashed with sharp, cold radiance.

On the other side, Fimbultyr appeared somewhat flustered. Several times, he was struck by the blade, but fortunately, his expensive armor protected him from immediate serious injury, leaving only a few long, sparking scratches.

Watching the two continuously maneuver and clash, the nobles in the hall acted like spectators at a gladiatorial combat, shouting excitedly the names of both participants.

“Go, Fimbultyr! Kill him!”

“He can’t penetrate your armor, coward!”

“Pierce his face, Giharsen, so he won’t dare show his face again!”

Compared to those in the arena, the people around them were even more fervent.

Lolan Hill, watching from outside the hall, shook her head silently. To her, this duel was nothing more than a farce, with both parties evenly matched.

Giharsen possessed the strength of War Sequence 6, clearly superior to Fimbultyr’s Natural Sequence 5. However, Fimbultyr’s luxurious extraordinary equipment allowed him to hold his ground, though if the fight dragged on, Giharsen would eventually find a weakness.

Although to the young lady, such duels seemed trivial, far inferior to the contests within the great factions of the East, the audience present felt differently. They had not witnessed such high-level duels in a long time.

“Both of you are talented juniors I know. I wonder which one Miss Lacy thinks will win,” Count Howard remarked as he spoke to Lolan Hill, who was deep in thought.

“I don’t know. I can’t tell,” Lolan Hill blinked, saying what she did not truly believe.

“Haha, it’s normal for girls not to understand these things. My daughter is the same; she cares more about the latest fashion trends. She says fighting is all men’s business,” Howard said, swirling the wine in his glass, casually discussing his family.

“Oh, I haven’t asked where Miss Lacy is from. A place that could raise such a good child must be beautiful and gentle,” Howard continued, as his conversation with Lolan Hill gradually turned into that of a caring elder, amiable and talkative.

“My hometown is in a remote province in the Southern Empire. Because my father was often busy with his merchant affairs, when I was young, I lived with my mother in a castle in the mountains.”

The young lady spoke the prepared identity.

“Actually, this isn’t bad. Getting involved too early in various circles of the outside world can easily lead one astray,” Earl Howard said as he shook his head slightly, seemingly recalling something.

Bang—

While they were talking, a gunshot suddenly echoed in the venue.

In the area where the crowd was watching, Ghaisen clutched his chest and fell to his knees, while Fimbul still held a smoking short pistol with intricate engravings, clearly a custom-made piece from the nobility.

“How despicable!”

“This is nothing but disgrace,” many people nearby pointed at Fimbul in anger.

It turned out that during the duel, Fimbul took advantage of Ghaisen’s inattention and quickly pulled out an alchemical pistol from his pocket, firing it at close range. Caught off guard, Ghaisen was hit and fell to the ground.

Facing the accusations and contempt from the other side, Fimbul also looked somewhat dejected. He hadn’t intended to use the custom-made crystal gun, but seeing himself being suppressed and about to lose, he couldn’t resist and finally pulled it out.

Seeing his companion standing silently, several of Fimbul’s companions behind him couldn’t stand it anymore. They stepped forward and stood in front of Fimbul.

“Who said duels can’t use pistols? Guns are weapons just like swords. I’ve never heard of a duel prohibiting the use of weapons.”

“That’s right! A duel is like a battlefield. Why not use any good things you have and wait to be defeated?”

“But this isn’t fair!” a friend of Ghaisen helped him up and angrily rebutted.

“Fairness? Hmph, what kind of fairness do you want? Should we give up our strengths and fight with our weaknesses?”

“Don’t think you’re great just because you won a few times on the battlefield. Your family’s legacy is only a few years old, while we have been fighting and spilling blood for this nation since the founding of the Empire.”

“Nonsense! That’s not called striving! It’s just lying there sucking blood!”

A nobleman from a lower-ranking officer background couldn’t hold back any longer and smashed his cup on the ground.

“I fought for the Emperor and expanded the territory for the nation. How many times did I face life and death along the way? Why am I not more noble than you ‘white breads’?”

“White bread” was a term used privately by newly ennobled military aristocrats for the old aristocratic faction, meaning these people always wore white powder, had pale faces, were weak and fat, and lacked manliness.

“Uneducated ‘mongrels’!” Hearing the term “white bread,” several young men from the old aristocracy also flew into a rage and started cursing, leading to a flurry of insults from both sides.

“Cough, everyone, please calm down.”

Seeing this, Earl Howard could no longer hold back. After all, he was the host, and such a scene would be very embarrassing if spread outside.

“Everyone, please maintain the elegance befitting a gentleman,” Howard said, after which the two parties on the verge of fighting gradually calmed down.

Regardless, as a noble Earl, everyone still cared about him and did not dare to openly defy him at such a time.

Seeing that the hall had settled down, the Earl clapped his hands again, signaling the musicians to “continue playing.”

Then, he turned around.

“I’m truly sorry that Miss Lacy was alarmed; today’s young people here have caused quite a commotion.”

Seeing this, Lolan Hill also felt she couldn’t just sit there, so she stood up, expressing that she wasn’t bothered and hoped everyone wouldn’t pay too much attention to her.

Afterwards, the hall returned to its previous scene, with some minor nobles gracefully entering the dance floor to dance, serving as a backdrop to ease the atmosphere, and the scene slowly became more peaceful.

As the Earl’s residence, there were always Extraordinary Beings capable of healing on standby. After being treated, Giharsen, who had a slightly pale face, returned from the side, accompanied by several good friends.

Seeing that he wanted to approach Lolan Hill and say a few words, Earl Howard subtly gestured, and several attendants quietly followed, leading Giharsen and his friends to another part of the banquet and gradually guiding them off the scene.

Sitting back down at the table, Earl Howard gently said to the girl, who resembled a white rose under the moonlight, “Today, Miss Lacy saw an unpleasant scene; this is my fault as the host for not managing things properly.”

“Perhaps you might have some free time later? I will have my wife invite you to a small private gathering at my home.”

“Please rest assured, there won’t be any rude people present this time. The guests will be a few virtuous unmarried Young Ladies from the Imperial Capital. I believe you will find it much more relaxing and interesting to be among peers.”

He extended his invitation once more.

“Of course, I will come to Earl Howard’s invitation. Actually, I am quite curious; I seldom interact with the circles of nobility and want to understand how everyone lives their daily lives.”

“Haha, Niece Lacy jests. In truth, life among nobles isn’t as interesting as outsiders imagine; over time, one can feel quite empty and bored.”

“That’s why we all have various hobbies, to pass the time. For example, I enjoy hosting gatherings, watching lively scenes, and feeling less alone.”

Hearing this, the young lady nodded slightly. Perhaps this was the most sincere thing Earl Howard had said tonight.

(The End)