Chapter 23: Proof (1)

The vassals of the Goldfex Dukedom were in a state of confusion and fear. They had gathered at the duchy for the grand assembly that took place every three months. While they were in the middle of a business meeting with the duke, news came that the duchy had been attacked.

If it had been an attack on the outer walls, they might have been shocked but not terrified. However, the attack was on the inner walls. This alone was a major issue, and to make matters worse, the duke had left his seat to confront the intruders, even leaving behind his personal knight, Sir Gaol Heinrich.

"An attack on the duchy... Who could have done such a thing?"

"Attacking the duchy in broad daylight... It's unbelievable."

The vassals murmured, enveloped in a sense of unease. The only comforting fact was that Sir Gaol Heinrich was present in the meeting room. Sir Gaol Heinrich was one of only three High-Class individuals in the Apple Kingdom. No matter who the attacker was, Sir Gaol Heinrich would surely be able to subdue them.

At that moment,

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting!"

The meeting room door burst open, and the duke entered. Unlike when he had left the room alone, he was now accompanied by two others. One was a knight well-known to the vassals, Ernst Hovitz. The other, however, was a completely unfamiliar face.

"Who is this young man?"

"I don't know either."

"He's quite handsome, but his eyes are a bit sinister."

The vassals whispered among themselves about the young man.

"Without further ado, I have someone to introduce."

The duke brought the young man to the front of the vassals and said,

"The person who attacked the duchy just a moment ago is this fellow."

The murmurs instantly died down. The vassals looked at the duke and Demian Hassen with disbelief.

"Hello, my name is Demian Hassen."

Demian nodded slightly, his attitude extremely arrogant and rude. However, the vassals were more focused on his name than his attitude.

"Demian Hassen? Could it be that troublemaker?"

"The one who defeated the second son of the Ryanbloom Marquessate and dismantled a major organization in Landwalk City?"

Rumors about Demian Hassen had reached the duchy, but no one believed them. They seemed too absurd to be true.

"Is this troublemaker the one who attacked the duchy?"

"I thought the rumors were all fake... Could they be true?"

"It's impossible. How could such a troublemaker..."

The vassals were greatly shaken. Some even denied the reality of the situation.

"The reason this fellow attacked the castle is quite amusing. He borrowed money from one of my business ventures and couldn't pay it back."

The duke, seemingly unaware of the vassals' inner thoughts, continued excitedly,

"So he came to participate in a duel to pay back the money. When the soldiers wouldn't let him in, he decided to break in."

The vassals looked at Demian with disbelief. They had been trying to figure out who was behind the attack, but they never expected such a trivial reason.

"Do you know what he said to me? He said he would defeat Michael Ryanbloom and present the victory to me."

Laughter erupted among the vassals.

Who was Michael Ryanbloom? A prodigy destined to reach the Master level in the near future, he was so talented that the Goldfex Dukedom, despite using all its resources and connections, couldn't find a match for him.

To defeat Michael Ryanbloom? To present the victory? But as time passed, the laughter on the vassals' faces began to fade.

"Could this man defeat Michael Ryanbloom...?"

"It's not impossible. He did break through the duchy's defenses, didn't he?"

"He even defeated the duchy's knights."

"Is there a young knight with such skill?"

Considering Demian's demonstrated abilities, he was on par with Michael Ryanbloom.

"I will do as Demian Hassen wishes. I will appoint him as the representative to face Michael Ryanbloom."

The duke looked around at the vassals and continued,

"Does anyone have any objections?"

There was silence, which was a form of agreement. The duke nodded in understanding.

"It seems there are no objections. Then, I will appoint Demian Hassen as the representative..."

"Your Excellency! Please reconsider this decision!"

At that moment, someone shouted loudly. Everyone's attention turned to the source of the voice.

Ernst Hovitz stood there, his face filled with anger.

"Demian Hassen attacked the duchy and assaulted the knights! It's unreasonable to appoint him as a representative when he should be punished!"

A few vassals nodded in agreement with Ernst Hovitz's words. They had not spoken up earlier, but they were not pleased with the duke's decision.

"Demian Hassen has tarnished the name of the duchy. But it's hard to find someone with such skill."

"Before we talk about skill, he lacks the qualifications! Appointing someone who attacked the duchy as a representative? People will mock us when they hear about this!"

More vassals began to agree with Ernst Hovitz.

"There is no knight who can face Michael Ryanbloom except Demian Hassen."

"That's true now! But what about Princess Chelsea? She is still here!"

The duke's expression darkened slightly at the mention of Princess Chelsea.

"Princess Chelsea left a month ago to find a knight who could face Michael Ryanbloom. She should be returning soon!"

"Princess Chelsea has never disappointed you. She is wise and capable, and she will meet your expectations this time as well!"

The vassals began to murmur in agreement.

"That's true. Princess Chelsea has always passed your tests with excellent results."

"Given her abilities, she will surely bring an outstanding knight this time."

"Princess Chelsea is someone we can trust."

The vassals' opinions began to lean towards Princess Chelsea. The duke, seeing this, crossed his arms and fell into thought.

"Ernst Hovitz's arguments are valid."

The duke turned to Demian Hassen and said,

"Demian Hassen, I'm sorry, but I must delay appointing you as the representative."

Ernst Hovitz's face brightened at this, while Demian felt a surge of annoyance.

'This guy is like a bone an orc chewed and spat out, causing trouble at the last moment.'

Demian had not come here just to pay back a debt. The marquessate would gain significant power if they won the duel against the duchy. Demian Hassen had come to prevent that future.

'No matter who Princess Chelsea brings, they can't defeat Michael Ryanbloom.'

For the duchy to win the duel, Demian Hassen had to face Michael Ryanbloom. With this in mind, Demian spoke after some thought.

"I cannot accept that decision."

Everyone's attention, including the duke's, turned to Demian Hassen.

"I came here not only to pay back my debt but also to fight Michael Ryanbloom. Therefore, I will not give up the position of representative."

An outsider had outright rejected the duke's decision. Naturally, the vassals' reactions were not positive.

"You... Just because you have some skill, you think you can do anything!"

"How dare you object to the duke's decision!"

"He should be immediately arrested and punished!"

Among the vassals, Ernst Hovitz's anger was the most intense.

"...What did this brat just say?"

Ernst Hovitz ground his teeth, his eyes filled with intense hostility.

"Your Excellency, please give the order. I will make this scoundrel kneel!"

However, the duke did not respond to Ernst Hovitz's request. Instead, he looked at Demian with a mix of amusement and interest.

"Demian, I feel sorry for you. But what can I do when the vassals have this opinion?"

The duke shrugged, his attitude exaggerated and his eyes full of anticipation. From this, Demian could sense the duke's true intentions.

'He's waiting to see how I handle this situation.'

In a past life, he had heard that the Duke of Goldfex was a strict meritocrat who enjoyed testing his vassals. He favored those who passed his tests and dismissed those who did not.

'This is a troublesome type of superior to serve.'

To pass the duke's test, Demian needed to persuade the vassals. However, he had no intention of going through the trouble of convincing them. He planned to show them with his actions.

To demonstrate who he was and why they needed to capture him.

"You all are making a huge mistake."

After making up his mind, Demian Hassen spoke.

"If you want to win the duel, you must appoint me as the representative. No matter who Princess Chelsea brings, they can't compare to me."

"Your boasting is so disgusting. Do you know who Princess Chelsea will bring?"

Ernst Hovitz sneered.

As proof, I will block Ernst's attack."

The vassals were stunned, unable to believe their ears. Ernst Hovitz was a Mid-Class knight, with extensive experience and a long history of achievements. How could anyone claim to block his attack?

"By the way, you can use any technique. You can even use deception or special skills."

As Demian continued, the vassals were increasingly shocked. Normally, when a higher-class knight fought a lower-class knight, the higher-class knight would be given several penalties. But Demian was offering no such penalties.

"Let's go with a special skill. If I block it, I can show my true abilities more clearly."

Demian's words stopped as he felt the intense hostility from Ernst Hovitz.

"Follow me. I'll punch a hole in your face."

Ernst Hovitz growled at Demian.

* * *

Demian