Cohen of the Rebellion - Volume 2 - Chapter 7

Duel part 1

Translated & Edited by Tianic

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Characters in this chapter:

Cohen Kheda: The main character.
Rick & Swift Kheda: Cohen's elder brothers.
Visual Kheda: Cohen’s father. Duke of the Swabia Empire  
Manta: Son of the dwarf king, Rescued by Cohen from hunters at his youth.
The Grandmaster: Dwarf, the best weapon forging master.
Moya, Jack, Marfa, Wilder: Homeless boys, Cohen’s childhood friends till then.
Flynn & Carey Rhona: Sisters, Cohen’s childhood friends, and future wives.
Tennessee: Expert warrior, one of Cohen's professors, Cohen’s parents’ good friend.
Webster: Arch-mage, one of Cohen's professors.Cohen’s parents’ good friend.
Fischer: Prince of the Swabia Empire, Cohen's friend.
Laika: Cousin of the Prime Minister's second daughter. He got into a fight with Cohen in the capital Grand Altar, which awakened Cohen's true self.
Luhrmann: The Prime Minister of Swabia, a Holy Temple assigned official to Swabia.
Climos Summers: King of Swabia Empire.
I kicked Manta’s ass and set off with a heavy load of weapons from the Grandmaster.

Good thing I had Manta dwarf find me a couple of horses. Excellent horses they were not exactly, but I could make do with them. To think Manta’s look when he led me the horses, poor Manta, don’t try to piss me off again.

I was pleased to meet my friends again finally. They greeted me with all sorts of questions and whooped when were shown the black steel swords I gifted.

“Meow… meow” Jack sounded, when did he learn that habit? “Was it forged in black steel?”

“Em…” Tennessee examined one of the blades and said, “It is real.”

“Holy Divine.” Marfa whistled, “Now I’ve got one in hand too!”

“Seemed like a productive journey.” Webster said, “How about magic?”

“Spells?” I said, smiling, “Made progress.”

“These swords look gorgeous, why the difference?” Carey and Flynn have been growing prettier, their cheeks rosy and skins fair, figures… hot.

“This is for my father, the other two for Rick and Swift!” I explained, “Because they are ceremonial swords, thus the gorgeousness, they are also made of black steel.

“Scrape!” Wilder chopped his sword onto a piece of timber, which split instantly into two pieces.

“Impressive!” Moya stroke his sword, “How about yours?”

“Mine is the same as yours.” I held my Machete in hand, “I’ll fight my future with it!”

June in Divine City was hot. Dazzling sunray made everyone low on mood. The roaring cicadas and windless afternoon have done a restless me.

We moved into the hotel which His Majesty had arranged for us. Fischer came to cheer me up. This guy couldn’t be less severe, though I was grateful.

“You need to watch out.” Fischer said, “Laika was the top among anyone who graduated from Royal Academy this year.”

“Does he specialize in anything?” I asked, “Spells? Combat?”

“It's combating! I’ve seen him swinging.” Fischer was absent-minded with a goblet between his fingers, “I’ve got to say, he’s good.”

“By the way, I have a gift for you!” I recollected the sword that I had the master forged, “Wicked stuff.”

“No can do, bro.” Fischer faced my confused look, smiling, “I am a prince remember? I’m not obliged to receive any forms of presents. If you still want to give me, then wait at my crowning.”

“Huhhe, okay.” I said, “But don’t you expect me to call you Your Majesty or anything to do with kneeling.”

“No?” Fischer grinned, “Be cautious on your hair, I’ll pull them all!”

“Yeah? Try me!” I wasn’t stepping back, “See who’s gonna be a bare head!”

“Let’s focus on your duel with Laika tomorrow!” Fischer said, “I’m a little worried at the moment.”

“I’m not. What’s the point?” I answered, “You gotta do what you gotta do.”

“You mustn’t fail!” Fischer came closer, “If you have a good land then it’s our dreams to realize.”

“Off you go get ready to celebrate!” I pushed him away, “I’ll win.”

So to speak, I wasn’t confident at all.

“Never mind.” I said to myself, “It’ll work out.”

Then that day has come.

I dressed up in ceremonial garments and saber on the waist. Neither humble nor pushy, I stepped into His Majesty’s palace for the first time.

The palace was huge and beautiful, also depressing.

“Your Excellency, Visual Kheda, the Duke, and your son, please follow me.” The chief eunuch said.

I came into a luxuriously decorated hell. What I saw are large painting and decorations that were either gold or silver, what I was standing on was scarlet carpet with delicate patterns, all but neat and tidy.

“Presenting His Imperial Majestyyyyyy!” The eunuch’s long last sound was annoying especially when I was half bent.

“At ease.” His Majesty declared, “Greetings.”

“Brilliant day today,” His Majesty wore a full set of imperial suit, which made him majestic and dignified, “We are adding two more fine men to the emperor nobleman list.”

I stepped forward and puffed my chest without any intend to notice the boy beside me.

“Cohen Kheda!” I put my left hand on the right chest, “At your service, Your Majesty.”

“You have done well.” The king smiled, “You look very alive, how’s your training going on?”

“Allow me, Your Majesty.” I roared, “I am well trained.”

“Good.” The king stood up, “Worthy of your name; I hope you won’t let your family down.”

He walked nearer holding a piece of conferring document.

I, then lowered myself on one knee, right hand drew my sword and leveled it ahead of my face.

“I, Climos Summers, King of Swabia, by the rights of the Holy Divine, hereby name Cohen Kheda, third of his name, Baron.” His Majesty Climos read, “In the hope that Baron Cohen Kheda obeys the Nobility Standard, as…”

The ceremony mostly sounded verbose. I bet all men felt as dull as myself, a poorer I had to act extremely faithful.

Afterward, Laika went through the same procedure. What’s left was to decide land allocation.

“Your Majesty,” Minister rushed to his speech, “What’s left of the free lands was scarce, which land, I wonder you’d be giving to the new Barons?”

“I will,” The king sat highly on his throne, “The one beside Darkmoon will be given to Baron Cohen Kheda, as for Baron Laika, he will be ruling the one near that of Cohen Kheda.

“Your Majesty, please reconsider.” The Minister said, “The land which closed to Darkmoon was a place full of desperate aliens. Baron Kheda… huhhe, as far as I know, is probably not capable of ruling it.”

The Prime Minister glanced at me expressionlessly, continued, “As for our new Baron Laika, this fine man has been through our superior education, first in the graduated from the Royal Academy and held an active disposition. Wouldn’t be the best choice to have him rule this land for you, Your Majesty.”

I was not disturbed by his speech and squinted at my father; he smiled back.

“So then,” The king asked slowly, “You then think that Cohen Kheda isn’t meant to rule this land?”

“No, I’m not denying his ability.” Minister said, “The second area’s people are straightforward and honest, as well the perspective commercial background, that would be a perfect place for him to show his talents.”

“Fuck that!” I cursed silently, “If you weren’t into the Dark Forest mines…”

“That occurred to me, didn’t Baron Kheda mention he was trained?” The king said, “He must be good at combat I assume.”

“Yes, I’m aware of this.” The Minister was full of smile, “And I’m convinced he does. However… I think Baron Kheda is not as good as that of Baron Laika.”

What a smiling tiger he was. If I indulge you any longer, even the tiniest land would be taken away from me.

“Your Majesty!” I showed my courtesy, “You humble official would like to offer his idea.”

“Baron Kheda, I need to warn you.” Minister said, smiling, “You are not allowed to call yourself an official before today.”

Shit! This mother fucker set me up again!

“Ah! I am deeply regretful and full of shame, my apologies.” Spoke in such way was killing me, “However, I would like to state my ideas to His Majesty and all.”

“Allowed.” The king nodded.

“As you wish.” I gave my humblest salute then straightened up and gave a Laika a taunting look, “I suggest a fair competition with Baron Laika in the way of his choice. If I fail, I will renounce my land! How does that sound?”

Laika apparently noticed the way I glanced at him, and his vein was bumping up on his forehead.

“As you wish! You will have a duel!” He said with teeth clenched, “I’ll give up my land should I fail.”

Well well, he was not well cultivated I assumed. Let me add a bit more spice for you.

“Your Majesty, Minister, father and all. I’m glad that Baron Laika and I have an agreement. But as for Baron Laika, I have this faintest memory his leg was hurt.” I said with a smile, “I wonder if that went well… or not.”

“You!” Laika took it, and his angry eyes were trying to melt me.

“Baron Laika, this is His Majesty’s hall.” I kept on smiling and taunting, “Please mind your manner, will you?”

Prime Minister glared at Laika furiously, “I have no objection in Baron Kheda’s proposition.”

“Well done! As you all agreed then you have a deal.” His Majesty said, “I’ll add an extra prize for you. Both lands will be granted to the winner, who will be promoted as a viscount, as a reward for courage.”

People said emperors are sly foxes, that was truly the case. Seeing that I have enraged Laika then he increased the price. I loved it.

“This is settled.” The king stood up, “Our two new barons will combat in the west garden, after lunch. Dismissed.

A eunuch assisted me to armor up. It was my first time putting on such thing. It's cumbersome and uncomfortable.

Assumed time was almost up, and I showed up out of the room, Machete in hand. Though I was not intended to use a sword, my father had a servant carried it for me. There was a Fight, kick Laika’s Ass sentence on the sheath.

I glanced it and knew it was my friends who share-wrote it, one word from each. A few of those looked beautifully written, and the rest terrible, as I view half annoyed, half amused.

Arrived early, Laika’s lowered heads indicated he was on to something. I wondered what he had in mind. Nevertheless, let me burn you once again.