When Aurelian Dragon woke up, he found himself lying naked in bed. He jumped up in surprise, throwing off the covers. "I've never slept naked before. What's going on today? Did I fall for someone's trick?" Upon closer inspection, he realized he was surprisingly full of energy.
Aurelian Dragon pondered deeply. He vaguely remembered having sex with several women the night before, but upon closer inspection, he couldn't recall anything at all. Looking around the room, its neat and tidy appearance suggested no signs of frenzied intercourse; even the sheets were spotless.
He jumped off the bed, grabbed the clothes lying to the side, and was about to put them on when he exclaimed, "Strange!" He stared at the new outfit in his hand, lost in thought. The brand-new outfit was one he had never seen before. "When was it delivered? I have no recollection of it at all?" Aurelian Dragon tapped his head, pondering the situation, when the guard who had summoned him for a duel arrived.
By order of the Emperor, the duel between Aurelian Dragon and Cliff took place in the Hall of Auspiciousness at Sanssouci Palace.
As Aurelian Dragon entered the bustling hall, led by palace attendants, she was taken aback by the sight before her. Facing north, directly opposite the hall's entrance, was the lofty throne, but it remained empty, for the most important figure always arrived last.
Not far in front of the throne, a temporary platform, two feet high and three zhang square, had been erected in the center of the hall. The platform was surrounded by pillars and iron chains. Below the platform sat about ten people, some with white hair, others with youthful faces, varying in height and build. But they all shared one thing in common: their eyes were piercing, their expressions calm and composed, exuding the air of seasoned masters. They were the referees for today's duel.
Behind them, seats were arranged around the high platform. Those at the front were, of course, the royal nobles and ministers of higher status, while those at the back were ministers and ordinary nobles of lower status. To Aurelian Dragon's even greater surprise, they had even brought their families, who were now sitting in their seats, whispering and discussing amongst themselves.
Upon seeing Aurelian Dragon enter, everyone turned to sized up this guy who had just arrived in the capital and was already making a name for himself. At first glance, they felt that although his appearance was somewhat rugged, his straight nose, square jaw, and tall stature made him quite a charismatic man. Many people couldn't help but stand up and applaud, expressing their encouragement for his courage in dueling Cliff, one of the Four Swordsmen of the Capital.
Aurelian Dragon muttered to himself, "How did it turn out like this? It's like watching a grand performance, treating me like a monkey?" In his memory, a duel was simply two people finding a place and fighting fiercely in front of several witnesses, each displaying their skills. He never imagined it would attract so many people and be so grand. Despite his thoughts, he was still momentarily captivated by the scene before him. He walked around smugly, waving his hand and casting flirtatious glances at the beautiful women in the arena.
To be honest, this was the first time Aurelian Dragon had ever seen such a scene. The men in the hall wore various tall crowns and ceremonial hats, and their finely woven brocade robes were covered with fine satin robes with floral patterns. They were radiant and elegant in every gesture, not at all inferior to the ladies who were showing off their charm in the hall.
The ladies dressed as if attending an important banquet mostly wore elaborate palace-style hair buns, and their clothing consisted of light silk robes that were connected to their garments. They also wore gold and jade hairpins that swayed as they moved.
However, some women cut their tops very short, revealing a large expanse of snow-white breasts at the triangular neckline, which is captivating. The high-waisted long skirts below flare out widely, like blooming flowers, making them stand tall and graceful.
Some wore tight-fitting jackets embroidered with flowers and butterflies, covered with silk gowns. With their hands fluttering in the wide sleeves, their two fair and delicate arms, as delicate as lotus roots, were even more charming against the light, smoky gauze. They were further adorned with gold rings around their arms, jade rings around their fingers, pearls embellishing their earlobes, sachets behind their elbows and at their waists, bracelets around their wrists, and jade belts around their waists. For a moment, the fragrance of clothes and the tinkling of ornaments made people dazzled and mesmerized.
Aurelian Dragon, newly arrived in the capital, had no idea that duels between nobles hadn't taken place in a long time. Moreover, this time, Cliff, one of the four legendary swordsmen of the capital known for his swift swordplay, would be among them. Naturally, everyone who heard the news wanted to watch. For them, attending the duel were like participating in a grand festival, so everyone dressed in their finest attire, with some women even seeing it as a perfect opportunity to showcase their competition costumes.
Many of them wouldn't have had the chance to watch originally, but thanks to some busybody's arrangement, this duel became the most-watched noble duel in history. If Aurelian Dragon knew this, he might be even more proud, as his fame spread rapidly among the nobles, making him a household name.
As Aurelian Dragon was walking toward the stage, he suddenly heard a commotion behind him, mixed with women's screams. He couldn't help but think that he had such great charm. Just as he was about to become intoxicated, the screams immediately shattered his smugness.
"Cliff!"
"Cliff!"
"Well done!" The woman's screams were mixed with whistles, creating a lively scene that made some of her male companions frown frequently, secretly feeling quite jealous.
Aurelian Dragon turned around and saw Cliff, dressed in a smart outfit, with a commanding presence, broad shoulders, a slender waist, and handsome features, walking gracefully into the hall, his hand resting on the sword hanging at his waist. The smile on his handsome face was enough to captivate a large number of women. As he walked, he greeted people, which drew cheers from the women and envy from the men. One slightly petty man was burning with jealousy and shouted, "Aurelian Dragon, down with Cliff!" which caused a chorus of boos from the women.
Cliff walked up to Aurelian Dragon and extended his right hand in a friendly manner, saying, "In any case, I greatly admire the courage and magnanimity of the Commander of Ten Thousand Cavalry! I am truly pleased to have the opportunity to compete with you."
Upon hearing this, Aurelian Dragon was secretly furious. Wasn't this a blatant admission that he was no match for him? What courage and magnanimity? It was just mocking his overestimation of his own abilities. He laughed and said, "I've heard that you are one of the Four Swordsmen of the Capital, known for your swordsmanship as swift as the wind. I'd love to see your skill later. I hope you won't disappoint me!"
Before the fight even began, the two started exchanging words, which was clearly heard by those standing nearby, who cheered them on. This puzzled Aurelian Dragon; Cliff was one thing, but she was a complete stranger to them, so why were people cheering for her?
Then he saw Lynette Quill and the others waving at him, and Obsidia Shade sitting to the side, smiling at him. Looking at Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade, who were dressed in gorgeous clothes and had graceful figures, Aurelian Dragon couldn't help but be amazed. The otherworldly beauty they displayed at this moment attracted the attention of many noble youths, and several of them even fawned over them.
After shooing away the annoying flies, Aurelian Dragon sat between the two women. Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade then nestled against him with charming smiles, drawing all eyes to him. Many envious glances were cast, including Cliff's murderous glare. Others wondered why a man like Aurelian Dragon, who wasn't particularly outstanding, could win the hearts of such angelic beauties. The pretty Obsidia Shade was a given, and the beautiful and generous Lynette Quill was notoriously difficult to win over in the capital; countless young men from wealthy and noble families had pursued her, only to be rejected.
Lynette Quill asked with a hint of worry, "Aurelian, what do you think? If it's not working out, just jump off the stage right now. It's embarrassing, but I don't want to see you..." She trailed off, but her expressive eyes revealed her true feelings.
Obsidia Shade said softly, "Sister Qin, Cliff seems a bit strange today. He seems much weaker, but he doesn't seem to realize it. It's really strange." She then turned to Aurelian Dragon and asked, "Young Master, what happened last night?"
Aurelian Dragon paused, vaguely recalling the events of the previous night. A thought struck him: could it be that Cliff, like himself, had been the victim of someone else's mysterious scheme? Why then did Cliff feel nothing, while he still had some memory? Thinking this, he looked up at Cliff, who was talking to someone beside him, and observed him closely. He seemed to sense a hint of fatigue in Cliff's eyes. Perhaps because of Obsidia Shade's reminder, Aurelian Dragon felt it more and more clearly.
Lynette Quill was quite surprised by Obsidia Shade's words. It seemed that Obsidia Shade was truly far superior to herself, on a completely different level. To be able to discern a person's true strength from their appearance was something that probably few on the entire continent possessed; she was certainly among the top experts. She had truly underestimated her before. If what Obsidia Shade said was true, then the Aurelian Dragon could indeed put up a fight with Cliff, and had a considerable chance of winning.
Aurelian Dragon chuckled and said, "I'm not entirely sure about what happened last night either, I'll tell you later. Tell me, how did you end up sitting here?" He noticed their seats were quite far back, which wasn't the usual arrangement.
Lynette Quill said in frustration, "Hey, it's really infuriating. We were too late and didn't get seats at the front."
Aurelian Dragon exclaimed in surprise, "What? This location is for sale? No way, I've never heard of it before!"
Lynette Quill said, "This is the first time I've ever encountered something like this. It seems this ticket seller is really making a lot of money! Look how many people have come! Ten gold coins per seat, and the good seats in the front are several times more expensive!"
Aurelian Dragon was greatly surprised upon hearing this and said, "Doesn't His Majesty care? This is his territory, and someone dares to act so recklessly, what does he take our duel for?" The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Damn it, they actually made money off my business without even telling me, and I didn't even get a share of the profits. Isn't that a huge loss?
Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade giggled upon hearing this, their alluring beauty drawing many glances, some even staring intently. Obsidia Shade laughed, "My lord, I asked the same question earlier, and only later did I realize that the person in charge of this matter is extremely important. You can tell from the fact that even those princes and nobles obediently paid their money for tickets."
"Oh, so who exactly is this person?" Aurelian Dragon asked curiously.
"That's her!" Lynette Quill pointed to the side near the throne, where a girl in white was sitting.
Upon seeing her, Aurelian Dragon couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, this girl is so beautiful and radiant!" He felt as if he had seen her somewhere before, but couldn't quite place her. He chuckled to himself, "Perhaps I've seen her in a dream; I used to dream about beautiful women all the time."
The girl's clothes were made of a material that was neither silk nor satin, possessing an indescribable luster that accentuated her snow-white skin, making it appear delicate and supple, as if it would release water at the slightest touch. Her fair face was as tender as a blooming peach blossom, and sitting there, she exuded an air of nobility. Unfortunately, her overly lively eyes somewhat detracted from her dignified bearing, but they only made her more endearing, suggesting that she must be a lively and energetic person.
Beside the young girl stood two pretty maids, one in green and one in yellow. The mistress was beautiful, and the maids were equally stunning. The three of them complemented each other perfectly, like fairies in a painting. The only flaw was that one of the maids had a sorrowful expression and her face was slightly pale, while the other maid glared angrily at Aurelian Dragon as if she wanted to devour him, leaving Aurelian Dragon completely bewildered.
Aurelian Dragon thought to herself, "As expected of the capital, there are so many beautiful women. Even these maids are so beautiful. It's much better than Xijiang. It seems that coming to the capital was really worth it."
Seeing that the person making money off him was such a beautiful woman, Aurelian Dragon's anger vanished completely. "Forget it, I'll settle accounts with her later, and I can even ask her out. Haha, just thinking about it makes me happy!" Aurelian Dragon stared at the girl.
Sensing Aurelian Dragon watching her, the girl slightly raised her cherry lips and seemed to mutter something. The two maids glared at Aurelian Dragon, their expressions seeming to tell him, "You'll be sorry."
"Who is she?" Aurelian Dragon asked Lynette Quill, so he could go find her later.
"Didn't you see she was seated next to the Emperor?" Lynette Quill rolled her eyes at him. "Don't tell me you don't even know the famous Princess Selene Qian. Let me tell you, don't even think about trying to take advantage of her just because she's pretty!"
Aurelian Dragon reached under the seat and pinched Lynette Quill's round, firm thigh, then whispered in her ear, "Strange, how do you know what I'm thinking? Are you a mind reader? Hahaha!"
Lynette Quill was both embarrassed and angry. She gave him a look that said she was ignoring him and turned her head away.
Obsidia Shade chimed in, "Young Master, the Emperor's only daughter, Princess Selene Qian, isn't like us women who are so easily fooled. At such a young age, she's already one of the top magicians on the continent, and has been bestowed the title of Grand Master of Strategy. She's quite quirky and clever! According to Sister Qin, she's a notorious troublemaker in the capital, known as the Little Witch of the Capital. I think you'd better not mess with her!"
Aurelian Dragon couldn't resist touching Obsidia Shade's little hand again, and said with a grin, "Have I ever lied to you? I swear to God, I went to great lengths to win you over. Besides, why would I go looking for Princess Selene Qian? She's not as mature and beautiful as you two; unripe fruit isn't tasty!"
Obsidia Shade said irritably, "You smooth talker, when have you ever pursued us? I don't know about you, Qin-jie, but I was still the one who..." Recalling the past, Obsidia Shade's pretty face turned slightly red, and she was too embarrassed to speak.
Aurelian Dragon held her soft, smooth hand and whispered in her ear with a lewd grin, "Yes, you were raped by me, hehe. Since you say so, I'll definitely rape you to my heart's content tonight."
Obsidia Shade rolled her eyes at him, her face flushed red as she lowered her head. Recalling the intoxicating sensation of that blissful experience, she couldn't help but chuckle softly. Her small hand below gripped Aurelian Dragon's hand in return, making Aurelian Dragon look around triumphantly, radiating a sense of triumphant joy.
Those who were watching their every move were burning with jealousy, and Cliff even vowed to make Aurelian Dragon know what it meant to be overjoyed and then suffer the consequences.
When Prince Elnario and Gilmans arrived, Aurelian Dragon noticed something interesting: people naturally formed several groups, with Prince Elnario and Gilmans being among the few central figures. He found this amusing and thought that if he gathered those scattered people together, Prince Elnario and Gilmans would be furious.
The buzz among the crowd grew louder and louder, because the most important person, His Majesty the Emperor, had not yet arrived. Just as they were wondering what was going on, the bell finally rang.
After three chimes, the sounds of string and wind instruments began, and a ceremonial band entered slowly, playing music as they walked lightly. They then dispersed to both sides and stood still to continue playing.
Surrounded by his concubines, the emperor hurriedly entered, followed by his personal guards.
Everyone bowed and waited quietly for the emperor to take his seat.
After the emperor sat down, he saw his beloved daughter looking at him with displeasure and couldn't help but smile. "Sorry, I overslept!" The latecomer said something that made everyone who heard it fall over.
Looking up at the dense crowd before him, the emperor was still taken aback by the sheer number of people, even though he had a general idea of what was going on. He hadn't expected so many people to come; it was truly unexpected. It seemed he had underestimated his precious daughter's abilities, the emperor realized to himself.
However, if he had known that an accident would happen later, he would never have agreed to let his precious daughter handle the matter entirely. But since he wasn't a prophet with foresight, he naturally couldn't predict what would happen next.
The Emperor cleared his throat, laughed loudly, and said, "Since the founding of the Fast Empire by the late Emperor, it has been a nation established on military strength. Since ancient times, no one has been granted a title without military merit. Without this martial spirit, how could our country be as prosperous and powerful as it is today, attracting the attention of other nations on the continent? The spirit of dueling has been passed down for a long time. Although there have been casualties, it has also demonstrated the spirit of our warriors. However, I regret that our country's heroes have been lost because of this, and I cannot bear it!"
The crowd hurriedly exclaimed, "Your Majesty is benevolent; it is a blessing to our country!"
The emperor shouted, "Cliff! Aurelian Dragon!" The two men stepped forward and bowed, awaiting the emperor's instructions.
The emperor nodded in satisfaction and said, "Both of you are outstanding individuals and heroes of the nation. I have moved your duel to the palace to give you the fairest opportunity to display your unique skills and perform unparalleled sword techniques for us."
The two quickly agreed. Aurelian Dragon, however, was secretly chuckling to himself.
After the rules of the duel were announced, Aurelian Dragon and Cliff flew onto the stage and took their places in the corners. The duel was finally about to begin.
"Clang!" Cliff drew his sword first, flicked it with his finger, and the sword let out a dragon's roar.
"A single sword's chilling light shakes the entire land; this sword is called the Cold Light Sword. Please, Thousand Riders, enlighten me!"
Having said that, he pointed his sword diagonally, his face smiling, but he couldn't hide the murderous intent in his heart.
Aurelian Dragon smiled slightly, slowly drew her sword, stood with her feet slightly apart, turned slightly to the side, and pointed her sword towards the sky.
The bell rang, and the duel began.
Cliff leaned forward, sword hilt against his chest, his entire body poised like a taut bow, ready to strike. Aurelian Dragon stood with his sword clasped, appearing calm and composed. He had made up his mind, completely focused, waiting for Cliff to make the first move.
Prince Elnario and the man next to him exchanged a surprised glance. The man nodded and said in a deep voice, "Something's strange. Why is Cliff's foundation so weak?"
Prince Elnario suddenly asked, "Three moves?"
"No, five moves! If five moves can't solve the problem, it will be very disadvantageous for Cliff!" The man patted Prince Elnario on the shoulder. "Third junior brother, you have made great progress and are almost catching up with me."
Prince Elnario sneered inwardly. He had already seen through it, but he deliberately gave his senior a chance to prove himself. Never reveal all your cards—this is the first principle of imperial strategy. Prince Elnario had always practiced what he preached.
At this point, several experts in the arena also noticed the problem and began to speculate about who was behind it.
Cliff began to move. After circulating his energy for three weeks, the chilling aura he exuded was palpable even to those on the sidelines. It was like an arrow on a bowstring, ready to be released at any moment, but when it was released, it was terrifying.
Seeing the chilling killing intent shooting from Aurelian Dragon's eyes, Cliff suddenly straightened his back, let out a low shout, and used the momentum to push forward. The cold light sword shot out like lightning, swiftly piercing the opponent's heart with both accuracy and ruthlessness.
The anxious crowd below the stage immediately erupted in thunderous cheers.
Although the sword was not yet upon him, the murderous aura emanating from its tip already sent a chill down Aurelian Dragon's spine. However, he suppressed his fear and remained standing as before, without even a twitch of his facial muscles.
The rushing sword energy sent chills down his spine, a coldness seeping into his very heart. Just as it was about to reach his chest, the sword tip suddenly rose, aiming straight for his throat.
Only then did Aurelian Dragon move, retreating rapidly while simultaneously shifting her sword's edge, its spine colliding with the tip of the Cold Light Sword. A clear metallic clang rang out as the two swords separated.
Amid cheers from the crowd, the two clashed. Cliff pressed forward relentlessly, while Aurelian Dragon retreated step by step, dodging and weaving. After a clang of metal on metal, they switched positions. Although both were covered in sweat, Aurelian Dragon was in far worse shape than Cliff; his clothes bore several sword wounds, the cuts revealing glimpses of flesh.
Cliff's handsome face broke into a sinister grin. "The next move will surely take your dog's life!" With that, his sword moved like a dragon, aiming for Aurelian Dragon's right eye. Just as his arm was about to straighten, the sword trembled and then shot straight for his opponent's shoulder. At the same time, he moved forward, locking onto his opponent's intended direction. The movements were fluid and fast, like lightning, leaving everyone stunned and worried for Aurelian Dragon.
Aurelian Dragon landed on the ground in a very disheveled state, leaning back and bracing herself on the stage with one hand. Her entire body spun around, as if she had narrowly escaped the attack.
The crowd erupted in cheers, with Cliff's supporters shouting, "Kill him! Use your ultimate move to kill him!"
"Yes, the ultimate move! The ultimate move!"
Lynette Quill turned pale at the sight, grabbed Obsidia Shade's hand, and asked, "How could this happen? Didn't you say he couldn't perform?"
Although Obsidia Shade was also a little nervous, she reassured her, "It's alright, Cliff won't last long. He'll realize something's wrong as soon as he uses that 'Flash Combo.' I'm just wondering, how come Cliff doesn't know? Also, the young master is more than that, so why is he holding back?"
"What?" Lynette Quill exclaimed, her initial surprise turning to anger. "What is Aurelian doing? Why did you make me so worried!"
By this time, the two fighters on stage had exchanged blows three or four times. Aurelian Dragon managed to dodge each close call, and although he looked somewhat disheveled, he escaped unharmed. This thrilled the audience, who stood up, stomping their feet, clapping, and shouting excitedly.
"Cliff, well done!"
"Cliff, kill him!"
"Cliff, I love you!" This statement displeased his male companions, who then sided with Aurelian Dragon.
"Aurelian Dragon, hang in there!"
"Fight hard and try to take down Cliff!"
The chaotic and excited scene below the stage even made the emperor on stage restless, and he too began to cheer for Aurelian Dragon. Upon discovering the emperor's participation, the two pretty maids who had long disliked Aurelian Dragon also started to clamor. Seeing the effect of her masterpiece, the beautiful Princess Selene Qian couldn't help but beam with pride.
By this time, Cliff, already feeling slightly exhausted, took two steps back. He was surprised at his own lack of stamina, while Aurelian Dragon remained unchanged, looking almost the same as when they first started fighting. In his impatience, he couldn't help but gather his strength and prepare to unleash his ultimate move.
Aurelian Dragon felt her energy and spirit condense like never before, and was overjoyed when she saw Cliff's face suddenly change and turn flushed. Just as she was wondering about this, a sudden change occurred.
Cliff's figure swayed, and several figures appeared on the stage, all of which attacked Aurelian Dragon with their swords. The crowd below the stage couldn't help but gasp and shout with excitement.
"Flash Combo!"
Wow! It's a flash combo!
"Wow, Cliff actually used the Flash Combo!"
Having witnessed Lynette Quill's technique, Aurelian Dragon already had a good idea of what to do. He calmly channeled all his energy to block the sword in front of him, while skillfully retreating step by step.
Cliff couldn't help but sneer inwardly, "Let's see how many swords you dodge!" Before he could finish his thought, he suddenly felt a wave of weakness wash over him, as if all his strength was draining away. He was terrified. What was happening? Could someone have sabotaged things behind the scenes? But how could he not have known? Could it be related to that erotic dream he had last night?
These thoughts flashed through Cliff's mind in an instant, and his movements slowed down. Aurelian Dragon sensed Cliff's sudden pause and immediately seized the opportunity, his longsword striking the Cold Light Sword with pinpoint accuracy.
Then, something astonishing happened. Cliff, who seemed to have the upper hand, not only had his "Flash Combo" broken, but his entire body trembled, and amidst the clear sound of metal clashing, his famous sword, Cold Light, flew out of his hand, tumbling and drawing a beautiful trajectory in the air before landing on the table.
The entire bustling hall suddenly froze, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone stared in disbelief at the two people on the stage, their mouths agape. Even those who had some idea of what was going on were momentarily stunned by this sudden turn of events.
Cliff was utterly shocked. His mind went completely blank for a moment. The change from peak to trough was too fast, so fast that he didn't even have time to think. He couldn't believe that Aurelion Dragon had suddenly become so powerful, but the harsh reality told him that the internal energy transmitted through Aurelion Dragon's sword was more than twice as strong as before. Coupled with his sudden exhaustion, the result was that Cliff's Coldlight Sword slipped from his hand. This was something that had never happened to him since he started out, a disgrace to any swordsman.
Aurelian Dragon was the first to react. He took a step forward, roared, and raised his sword above his head. His powerful and heroic aura made it seem as if the strike would shatter the heavens and earth. Cliff, jolted awake, retreated in a panic, his composure now completely disrupted.
The shout startled everyone in the audience. Watching the longsword hurtle towards Cliff like lightning, some women closed their eyes in disbelief, letting out gasps of alarm. It was clear to everyone that Cliff had lost his will to fight. Though the reason was unknown, Aurelian Dragon had, in full view of everyone, suddenly turned the tide of battle with genuine skill. His current aura suggested he wasn't as weak as he had initially appeared. There was only one explanation: Aurelian Dragon had been concealing his true strength.
Although the sword hadn't arrived yet, the mountain-like force had already completely enveloped Cliff's body. The shock in his heart and the lack of strength made it impossible for him to make a perfect dodge. As the sword was about to reach his head, Cliff couldn't help but close his eyes. "It's over!" He was truly unwilling to be defeated so inexplicably.
The longsword stopped at Cliff's head. Aurelian Dragon coldly stared at his opponent, knowing he had the situation under control.
"Kill him!"
"Kill him!"
"You want to? I'm not going to do it!" Aurelian Dragon suddenly laughed, threw down his longsword, and amidst the puzzled looks of the crowd, rushed forward and unleashed his best martial arts skills, giving Cliff a brutal beating until he was bruised and swollen and collapsed on the stage.
"I'll beat you into a pig's head, let's see how you pick up women with that stinky face, hmph!" Aurelian Dragon finished off Cliff with a kick, then turned to the dumbfounded referees and shouted, "The duel is over!"
The audience, finally snapping out of their daze, stamped their feet and cursed. Today's duel had been incredibly unpredictable, changing so rapidly it was dizzying. Many of them pulled out slips of paper from their pockets and tossed them at the fallen Cliff on the platform. For a moment, slips of paper fluttered through the air, much to Aurelian Dragon's amazement. "So this is a custom in the capital's duels—the loser gets these things thrown at him! How novel!"
Busy grabbing Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade who rushed up at him, he didn't hear the curses coming from the crowd: "What kind of invincible swordsman is this? He made me lose so much money!" "What a piece of trash!"
Holding the excited Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade in his arms, Aurelian Dragon gently bit each of their earlobes and whispered, "Do you know what I want most right now?"