"Welcome back, Duke Terrance."
The maid who opened the door gave a respectful bow upon seeing Terrance.
This was the custom at the Battle Chateau. Although Terrance found it a bit strange, he reluctantly accepted it.
"When is the battle scheduled?"
"In about an hour."
Terrance nodded, but Eve behind him seemed very surprised.
"Duke?"
She hadn't expected that the random passerby she met would turn out to be a Duke of the Battle Chateau. As far as she knew, Duke was already the second-highest rank at the Battle Chateau. Her idol, Lord Wikstrom, was also a Duke!
"Yes." Terrance nodded with a smile. "I still have matters to attend to, so I'll see you later."
"Ah... okay." Trainer Eve nodded.
Though Terrance didn't have much to prepare, he still used the hour to rest properly.
"By the way, the Duke's cape."
The Duke's cape was crimson red. Its material felt more comfortable than the Baron's white cape. Although both capes were finely crafted, the Duke's crimson one undeniably carried more aura.
Before putting on the cape, he wore the badges that represented his previous honors. After donning the Duke's cape, Terrance headed straight to the arena.
"Look, it's Terrance."
After half a month, Terrance had become something of a celebrity at the Battle Chateau.
Having battled 40 people in just half a month, it was no surprise that most people here knew him.
"He's going to battle again?"
"A Duke has arrived?"
Many hadn't yet received the news, but a small group had heard in advance. Eve was one of them.
Terrance was wearing his battle cape, which clearly indicated that he was about to engage in a battle. Trainers at the Battle Chateau usually didn't wear their capes unless they were battling.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Not long after Terrance entered the hall, a hearty laugh echoed through the hall.
The source of the voice was a man clad in silver armor with yellow patterns, resembling a great general from an ancient battlefield. From the moment he stepped into the hall, he exuded a powerful pressure.
A Trainer who appeared before people dressed in such a unique outfit….his identity was self-evident.
Elite Four, Wikstrom.
This heavy-looking special armor was something only this Steel-type master would choose to wear during battles.
This kind of distinct style couldn't be imitated by others.
"Master Wikstrom?!"
"Elite Four..."
Wikstrom's arrival at the Battle Chateau startled many who weren't aware about it. Although Elite Four and even Champions had fought at the Battle Chateau in the past, as their ranks rose and their strength grew, their visits had become increasingly rare.
The Elite Four's appearance can be considered one of the biggest news events at the Battle Chateau in the past one year.
"It's been a while since I came to the Battle Chateau. The atmosphere here is still just as pleasant!" Wikstrom laughed heartily. Judging from his attire, he fit the definition of a "knight" better than anyone present.
Just as most eyes were fixed on Wikstrom, a pair of white gloves landed on the ground in front of him.
This sudden shift immediately brought silence to the hall.
Who was it??
As curiosity filled everyone's mind, the answer came a moment later. Following the direction from which the gloves had been thrown, Terrance slowly entered everyone's field of view.
"My apologies, Master Wikstrom. I am Duke Terrance, and I would like to challenge you."
Wikstrom looked at Terrance, hesitating for a moment. He hadn't expected the new Duke that Butler Turner mentioned to be so young.
Still, his strength must be quite decent...
Thinking this, Wikstrom's classic manly face broke into a smile as he said, "I accept your invitation."
"I am Duke Wikstrom."
Whoa!!
The moment this scene unfolded, many Trainers gasped with their mouths wide open.
Such an explosive development made them feel truly lucky to have stayed at the Battle Chateau during this time.
"It's him…" The eyes of the female Trainer holding a drink in the hall widened, and she spoke in disbelief.
She was the very same fan of Master Wikstrom whom Terrance had brought in earlier.
This turn of events left her completely shocked.
"Duke Terrance, Duke Wikstrom, the battlefield has been prepared. Please proceed," said Butler Turner, who had appeared at some point. At his side, a maid held a red cape in her arms, clearly prepared for Wikstrom.
Terrance and Wikstrom exchanged a glance, nodded, and walked together toward the battlefield.
The hall was silent for two seconds, then everyone moved at once to follow behind them. By the time Terrance and Wikstrom stood on the battlefield, the surrounding spectator stands were already packed, overcrowded even.
"We underestimated this. A battle involving an Elite Four really does draw attention," Butler Turner said with a bitter smile.
Battles always fire up people, especially when one side is a master standing at the peak of Trainers, and the other is an equally outstanding youngster....
"Let's have a great battle."
Elite Four Wikstrom and Terrance each drew a Poké Ball, holding them up in greeting in accordance with Battle Chateau etiquette.
Then, they both retreated to the side and sent out their Pokémon at the same time.
As expected, Terrance sent out his usual partner. The Pokémon that was the master of courtesy and swordsmanship, Gallade!
As for Wikstrom, he sent out a Pokémon with a massive, sturdy blade-like body, complete with a hilt, a guard, and a spine, with the spine being golden yellow!
"Aegislash!" Terrance recognized it and muttered.
Aegislash, a Steel/Ghost-type Pokémon. With its appearance, if Terrance wanted to fight efficiently, Gallade could only rely on Psychic-type moves!
Whether it was Gallade or Aegislash, both were Pokémon skilled in the use of the "sword".
This battle truly felt like a duel between knights.
As the maid acting as referee stepped back, Terrance was the first to draw a Key Stone from beneath his cape!
Only then did people notice that Gallade also had a similar ornament hanging around its neck.
"Mega Evolution?" Wikstrom raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.
Gallade had secured Terrance's Duke rank at the Battle Chateau with its undefeated streak. Now, facing Wikstrom's Aegislash, Terrance didn't dare take it lightly and chose to reveal part of his trump card right at the start.
"Gallade, Mega Evolve." As Terrance drew out the Key Stone, radiant light immediately burst forth, obscuring his face.
The dazzling light, fused with Terrance's will, formed a bond with Gallade. In the next moment, Gallade was surrounded by a glowing white aura, its form slowly beginning to change!
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