Chapter 41: Combat“Your Grace, the petitioners stand ready for judgement.”
With a nod from the duke, Gosr gives the signal to begin.
The count approaches and in a low voice says, “I’ll put you in your pce, commoner.”
This doesn’t seem like grandstanding — he actually seems to hate me. Or maybe all commoners. The count continues to approach steadily without running. Actually, I’m not certain he could run with that much armor, and he seems a bit out of his prime. He should have understood that speed would be the best weapon against a Mage — at least against a normal Mage. I continue to back up to appear cautious though it’s really just to make him walk a bit more.
Finally within striking range, he thrusts his stunning sword forward with a quick jab rather than a heavy strike. He isn’t as slow as expected and I just barely manage to avoid it. Was he acting deceptively slow or actually being cautious? Either way, it’s likely that he hopes to at least nick me to trigger a stun. Would he torment me after that or just go for the quick kill? Either way, he’d walk away fully vindicated.
I can’t let my guard down against this level of skill. My speed helps me avoid the bulk of his attacks, but I dare not go on the offensive with this stick as my only weapon. Fortunately, his quick jabs are ineffective here at the limit of his range. Of course, my special armor will cover minor mistakes, not that he knows that. For appearances, I make a few light strikes, which do absolutely nothing. Even a solid strike from my staff probably wouldn’t be able to penetrate his strong magical and physical defenses.
We continue like this for several minutes until he seems to start growing impatient and maybe a bit winded. Clearly disappointed by not getting an easy win, the count starts swinging harder though certainly not more skillfully. Seems like he’s abandoned his old strategy and is just desperately trying to end the fight. He can no longer hide his ragged breathing and it’s quite unlikely to be fake. I wonder if he’s starting to regret his choice of armor. In light armor and a lighter body, he’d be able to corner me on this small field. I wouldn’t be able to match him without resorting to tricks.
He’s finally gotten slow enough for me to end this match with an acceptable margin of safety. Drawing it out any longer would be cruel. More precisely, my cruelty will be too obvious to look like caution. Just as he comes in for another heavy swing, I jump forward for a weak jab to his chest. Close enough to speak without shouting, I mockingly ask, “Don’t you wish you still had your ring?”
I jump back as the count bellows, “You! You’re the one! I’ll kill you!”
Of course, I feign innocence, probably fooling no one. At this point, the crowd is probably just happy to see some action. I don’t know if the duke taunted him about the ring or if the count just thinks I stole it. Either way, the count loses all composure. I continue to avoid wild swing after wild swing.
Finally, he backs up, either to prepare for a charge or just take a breather. Either way, here’s my chance. With my staff held aloft and my arms thrown wide in a stage-worthy flourish, I let out a booming chant:
“On the fme that bears heat, with martial power to vanquish my enemy…”
Startled, the count sprints with all his might to reach me in time. Of course, I wasn’t actually invoking a spell. Instead, as he approached, I stopped my fake chant and pulled my staff back defensively while cringing in fear.
Just past the apex of his powerful, downward strike, I silently shoot a breeze-ball at his trailing leg. He lurches, stumbles and swings wide. Seemingly by chance, my staff gets wedged under his chin. Tragically, the great momentum of the heavy and heavily armored count is countered only by my staff, which just happens to be firmly pnted against the ground and tilted a bit forward to catch the impact squarely. Oh, the humanity!
In spite of all his defensive measures, the count’s Cord is just that — a simple Cord with no Substitution skill. I wonder if he was just ignorant or if someone purposely switched it. Well, the end result is the same — he ain’t getting back up.
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Gosr calls the end of the duel without bothering to consult the other marshals. Even if the count miraculously survives, he clearly won’t be able to continue.
The crowd is yelling though it doesn’t sound like a call to have me lynched. Most likely, it’s just appreciation for being entertained.
With a little nod from Gosr, it seems I’m supposed to do something special. Hmm, probably not celebrate. Oh yeah, I’ll bow to the marshal and fallen count. Gosr signaled that more is needed so I put down my staff and drop to one knee, like I’d seen in some te-night movie. Geez, they really should have briefed me. Maybe they expected me to fail.
Finally, Gosr announces, “This duel was duly witnessed by Gosr of the Duke of Harz’s Knightly Order. I testify that both parties fought with all their strength and that it was a legitimate duel. Let there be no reprisals.”
I avoid looking in Rutina’s direction. Justified or not, I just killed her father. I wouldn’t bme her for never speaking to me again and that’s the good version. Well, I don’t think she’ll send hitmen after me, but she might entertain the thought.
The noisy crowd finally quiets as the duke approaches the field.
“This death happened under my w. No man’s hand was raised unwfully, nor stroke struck in malice beyond the w. The Count of Selmer has fallen as has his cause. Lord Moreau has defended his right to continue the fight against the byrinths. This matter has been resolved and shall not be revisited.”
I guess subtlety isn’t needed here — this trial is clearly a political message. The duke returns to his seat. Gosr ends the event with, “His Grace, the Duke of Harz, has spoken. The trial is thus concluded.”
The other marshals cover the body with a cloth and retrieve the count’s sword — soon to be my sword. He’s carried off to a small building and Gosr escorts me in the same direction as the crowd disperses. I signal my party to wait nearby, or at least try to do that with a vague gesture. I didn’t prepare for this part either.
“Captain Gosr, I do not wish to strip him of his honor, but I would like to have that sword. Well, maybe the shield too, just because it’s easy to get.”
“Lord Moreau, it would be highly unusual and potentially problematic for you to cim His Lordship’s possessions.”
“So, it’s allowed then.”
“Regrettably, yes.”
The duke entered the room just as I was plundering.
“Gosr, why are you letting David do such a thing?”
I answer, “I’m just taking the stuff that’s easy to get without disturbing the body.”
“Fine David, if that’s what you want for your reward.”
“Oh no, Your Grace. I have held up my end of the bargain and the spoils of this battle are separate. Actually, I have yet to be rewarded for any of my accomplishments in Elven Territory.”
“Yes, of course, David. You will be properly compensated.”
“I never doubted it, Your Grace.”
“David, was what you did today part of the special technique you mentioned? I was watching carefully and still couldn’t see it.”
Gosr answers for me this time, “All we can say is that His Lordship took a rather unnatural step just before reaching Lord Moreau. The precise pcement of Lord Moreau’s staff was an incredible coincidence, considering that it was there even before His Lordship stumbled. I must say that I’ve never considered using a storm spell chant in such a way.”
The duke ughs, “Well, at least you couldn’t fool Gosr.”
“I would never try to deceive an ally. Anyway, I imagine that the outcome of this duel will help your cause, whatever that happens to be. I also hope that this will discourage others from bothering me. When can I collect my reward?”
“Tomorrow, David. Leave the sword and shield for now. You should not be seen walking out with them. Visit me around noon.”
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Once home, Theo excimed, “That was incredible! You bsted his back leg at just the right moment to make him fall into the perfect trap!”
Alina asked, “Really? That wasn’t just an accident?”
“No, it was just as Theo said, along with a bit of luck. I certainly hope it looked like an accident to the general audience. At least the duke was fooled though Gosr saw through it as easily as Theo.”
I could have made that move more reliable with my Hero skill, Overwhelming. Of course, Gosr almost certainly would have seen it and possibly even understood the significance. Any sort of fighter’s rush skill performed by a Mage would would have required some serious expnation. I haven’t even told my party about my Hero job — it’s impossible to show a secondary job anyway.
I told everyone that I needed a little time to clear my head. Meanwhile, I decided to manage my bonus points since they were already in disarray.
Mage is now at level 40 — not bad, though not fantastic. [1] Even with my 100x EXP bonus, I’m still a long way from the Wizard job. I’m pretty sure that will open when Mage hits level 50 since it didn’t at level 30. Anyway, should I continue using a staff? Without Durandal, I’d have enough bonus points to max-out MP recovery, though that doesn’t mean I should. I’ll try level 4 first. MP recovery doesn’t repce everything my sword could do though I can still recover HP with Monk, Priest or even Alina. In an emergency, I’ll switch back to Durandal. I even have plenty of points so I’ll max-out EXP-needed-to-level, which I said I’d never do. And, I’ll get another job, which may as well be Priest for healing. Without Durandal, I’ll increase my critical hit rate too.
Whew, that was a lot of work and I might need to rearrange again if MP recovery is too slow.
Bonus Points: 138
Lvl
Cost
Skill
Note
2
3
Char/Job/ID
essential
2
3
Chant Omit
keep
6
63
EXP Needed
1/20
5
31
EXP Gained
10x
Weapon
staff
Accessory
Sherry
3
7
Extra Jobs
4 jobs
4
15
MP Recovery
10x
4
15
Crit Hits
+20%
1
1
Crystal Acc
2x
“Hey Alina, are you satisfied with your Priest job or would you like to change to a combat type?”
“David, don’t you need me to be a Priest?”
“It was very helpful, but I can cover that role more easily now. I’ll leave it up to you.”
“Well, I do like fighting and being a Priest doesn’t prevent that. What would happen if I switched?”
“It would be a little worse at first and then gradually get noticeably better than now. Eventually, you’ll be able to switch to the Assassin job with even better advantages.”
“But, if needed, you could just switch me back to Priest, right?”
“Yep, in a second. I like the way you’ve gotten used to all this.”
And with that, I switched Alina from Priest to Warrior and took Priest as my fourth job. I could switch to Monk if only one person was getting hurt though it’d be better to prevent that situation rather than just patch it. Now I’m anxious to test the new build.
Sherry briefed us on the next monster, Low Troll, [2] which can hit to stun (cause temporary paralysis). With my upgraded armor, it feels like I should stand up front with Durandal, not stay back and cast spells. Well, trolls are sensitive to fire, which the fish and pigs don’t resist, so it should be OK to do as usual.
Marcus gave me an odd look when he saw that I would still be using a staff. I didn’t respond and just opened the portal.
These Low Trolls certainly looked troll-like, though a bit on the small side.
Alina quips, “It looks like a really old Jakob.”
We fought on Curatar’s 19th. It was mainly just me throwing firestorm after firestorm. My mana certainly recovered faster than normal, but not enough to continually spam chant-less spells. Heavy casting like this drains my MP too fast so I had to stop occasionally. This setting would probably be enough under normal conditions, but another click up would be good. Still, I really should have tried this earlier. I’ll always cherish you, Durandal — you have served me well — but I’m ready to rely purely on magic.
Oops, the vanguard is getting overwhelmed. I need Durandal. I’m sorry for writing you off too soon, my dear Durandal. Nothing beats this sword in pure damage, especially with the Hero skill. Of course, giving the battles my full attention would help too.
When we finally reached the waiting room, only then did I realize that we’d gone well past the usual dinner break.
“Um, sorry I didn’t notice how te it got. I was just having so much fun with the new way of fighting. How does everyone feel?”
After a moment, Theo answered, “We’re OK, Boss.”
I didn’t get any strange looks so we went ahead and fought the boss, a Roll Troll, and got an iron ingot.
I asked Sherry, “For crafting?”
“Yes, eventually, not now.”
Yep, I got the hint. I opened a portal and we went home. We ate a simple dinner of just bread and ham. It should be alright to resume normal shopping tomorrow.
Both gals decided to sleep next to me. I’m really starting to get used to this.
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[1] By this date, the LN’s MC had begun to spend less time in the byrinths. David is reaching floors sooner so is now gaining levels faster.[2] The LN name for the basic troll was weird so I smoothed it out.
