"I'm not going there for a war. I'm going to get the answers. If they are to blame, I will do what I see fit. I won't try to wage a full-on war with their High Dukes. I know what I'm going to do," The Vampire King let out as he looked at the paper talisman in his hand.

The person behind him could feel the murderous tone in his voice.

Just as he was about to reply, the Vampire King disappeared.

The Vampire King appeared in an empty field, filled with sand in the middle of nowhere, but he knew that he was in the Demon Realm. He could feel a different kind of aura in this land. He started flying ahead.

*****

Back in the Royal Palace of the High Duke, everyone was still in the mood of celebration. Even Ryder was enjoying the food and the vine. He believed that the food was just Virtual, and the taste was all because of the Divinity Glasses, but he still liked it.

After an hour, people finished eating, but their drinking continued.

"So guys, I think it's the time to continue the tradition. It would be the first time His Highness will see it," High Duke Mila said with a beautiful smile on her face.

Ryder looked at her in confusion, wondering what she was talking about.

High Duke Oris noticed Ryder's confusion and started explaining.

"There's a tradition that whenever there's a birthday celebration of a High Duke, all High Duke's bring one person who is young and is their closest relative. In most cases, they bring the kids," High Duke Oris said as he explained.

He was about to continue his explanation, but his words were cut off by High Duke Mila, who finished the rest of the words.

"The kids battle, and the winner gets one reward from all the High Dukes," High Duke Mila explained in short.

High Duke Oris looked at her with a wry smile on his face.

"Hey, don't look at me like that. What was I supposed to do? You were going so slow that I couldn't help but finish it fast," High Duke Mila said as she smiled innocently.

"Hey Mila, It's his birthday, you're being a bad guest," High Duke Eston chimed in jokingly.

"Interesting. Who won last time?" Ryder asked them.

"Last time, it was Eston's birthday. The winner that time was Magna's Son, Namag," High Duke Oris explained.

Magna looked somewhat proud as Oris said this.

"Interesting. The competition sounds fun. Where will it be held?" Ryder inquired.

He knew that the Kids of High Dukes would be really explosive since their levels would be pretty high, unlike Ryder. Since it was a battle between them, it would definitely be destructive, and it would need a special arena or something like that.

"Right here," High Duke Mila said as she pointed towards the front.

She was literally pointing towards the circular area between them. Since the chairs were placed in a circular pattern in this big hall, it did leave a ring-like arena in the middle. 

'Isn't this too small? Also, this great hall would be damaged,' Ryder thought, but he didn't say that. Since they wanted to have it here, there must be a reason. They must have some precautions ready for that scenario.

"The pattern of battle is already decided. The first battle will be between Felina and Liasi. The second battle will be between Namag and Nosam," High Duke Magna declared. All of the High Dukes nodded their heads.

"Felina, your turn to show your strength before His Highness," High Duke Oris said as he glanced at Felina, who was standing behind him.

"Liasi, finally, it's time for you to show your growth," High Duke Mila said as she chuckled.

Both the girls stepped forth into the arena.

High Duke Magna brought out a box that had a strange pattern carved on it and placed that on the ground.

The box started shining as soon as it touched the ground. Suddenly, a barrier surrounded the ring and separated the girls from the High Dukes and the Dukes.

'So that's what it is. This barrier will protect the people watching, and it will also restrict the damage to the great hall,' Ryder thought as he nodded his head.

Both the girls took their position opposite to each other. 

"Your Highness, please give your command to start the battle," High Duke Oris told Ryder.

"Start the battle," Ryder declared.

As soon as his words were heard by the girls inside, they started moving.

Their speed was so fast that it surprised Ryder.

He knew that they were stronger, but it seemed like the difference was too big. He had also tried to use the All-Seer, but despite that, he wasn't able to see anything about them. Their status bar was just a big question mark. All it showed was their names that too, because Ryder had already known it.

Felina appeared before Liasi and punched in the direction of her chest. Liasi punched back. Both of their fists collided. Even though the barrier made it impossible for Ryder to feel anything, just from the impact, he was able to see how powerful the attacks were. Both of the girls flew back and crashed on the barrier.

They stood up again.

Felina started attacking Liasi with her skills. Her skill seemed like a more powerful version of Ryder's Shadow Ball. It was not only more powerful, but she was also able to cast ten shadow balls at once.

The Shadow Balls flew towards Liasi like the bullets of a gun. 

Liasi made a sword using her skill. The sword was purely made of golden light. She used that sword to cut off the Shadow Balls. As soon as the Shadow Balls touched the sword of light, they were cut off in half. All the Shadow Balls were handled with ease.

"Amazing. Liasi learned your special skill, Sword of Golden Light? This would indeed increase her strength," High Duke Eston said with praise.

"Yeah. She didn't know it last time as far as I know. She is definitely stronger than last time, but so should be everyone else," High Duke Magna said, not looking impressed.

"Last time Namag fought Liasi in the first battle and won," High Duke Oris informed Ryder.

"Is this Liasi's strongest skill?" Ryder asked High Duke Mila.

Mila simply smiled as she replied, "She knows a lot more tricks."

"Felina looks pretty confident. If it's Liasi's best skill, I believe Felina would be able to handle it. She seems like she has something prepared as well," Ryder muttered as he noticed Felina's expression.

Felina raised her hand in the sky as a ball of black light appeared above her hand. The ball started changing shape and took the form of a black sword that seemed to be pitch black in color.

"No way. How could she learn your Sword of Darkness at such a young age," High Duke Mila asked with a frown on her face.

"You know that Sword of Darkness has no restriction about age. Also, Felina is quite talented when it comes to learning things from this old man," High Duke Oris replied as he smiled.

Ryder looked at the battle with great interest.

Liasi flew towards Felina as she thrust her sword towards her shoulder.

''They are not targeting vitals. It's good that they know that it's a friendly battle,' Ryder thought as he praised Liasi for not losing herself.

Felina held her Sword of Dark Light and moved it in front of her chest to block the sword of Liasi.

As soon as Liasi's sword clashed with Felina's sword, it's light started to dim. It was as if the golden light was being corrupted by the darkness of the Black sword.

Liasi didn't put all her focus in the sword as she punched towards Felina's face with her left hand, but before her fist could land, a kick landed on her stomach that threw her back. Liasi flew back like an arrow and crashed on the barrier once more as she landed on the ground.

"It's over!" High Duke Oris claimed as he smiled.

High Duke Mila couldn't help but sigh as she shook her head.

High Duke Magna picked up the small square box once again, and the barrier disappeared.

"It's over?" Ryder inquired as he glanced at High Duke Oris.

"Yes. There are a few rules made for this battle. Firstly, if one of the contenders touches the barrier twice, they are defeated. If a person falls down on the ground twice, they are defeated. Also, if no person is defeated in the first five minutes of the battle, then all the High Dukes will vote to select the winner based on their performance in the five minutes of the battle," High Duke Oris explained.

"Oh," Ryder muttered as he understood what it meant.

'It was quite short. I thought it would be a long and fierce fight,' Ryder thought as he shook his head.

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