Ch.93 May your reign be long and prosperous.
<span ss="userText">Quinus looked at Rudolf with contempt<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Rya, may I have the Kings yer head please<span ss="aiText">?" <span ss="editText">Quinus asked as he stretched out his hands<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Huh? Sure<span ss="aiText">." Rya said and handed the <span ss="editText">severed head<span ss="aiText"> over to Quinus.
<span ss="userText">Rudolf eyes w<span ss="editText">ent wide in shock seeing his right-hand man''s head <span ss="userText">in the hands of the crown prince<span ss="editText">.
<span ss="editText">''Impossible! He was supposed to be a kind-hearted fool! He must have freed that dark elf somehow and had her kill Jeremiah!<span ss="userText">''<span ss="aiText"> Rudolf thought to himself.
<span ss="aiText">Quinus looked at the severed head for a second before he s<span ss="editText">howed it to Rudolf who was about 15 yards away from them.
<span ss="editText">"It''s over, Rudolf! Surrender<span ss="userText"> now and I will<span ss="aiText"> spare your <span ss="editText">men''s lives<span ss="aiText">!" Quinus yelled out.
<span ss="editText">''Hmm. So this kid is still naive to think I would care about my men''s lives over my own. I could use this against him<span ss="userText">!'' Rudolf<span ss="aiText"> thought to himself.
<span ss="aiText">Rudolf smiled and then <span ss="editText">stabbed his sword into the dirt before<span ss="aiText"> him.
<span ss="aiText">"I <span ss="editText">wish to have a trial of the champions, in one on onebat!<span ss="aiText">" Rudolf announced as he turns to face Quinus. "If you win I will <span ss="editText">my men willy down their arms and<span ss="aiText"> surrender. If I win <span ss="editText">I get the city of Ironside." Rudolf added with a grin.
<span ss="editText">''Huh? But my other golem is wiping out the rest of his forces? He''s trying to y us!'' Rya thought<span ss="aiText"> to herself.
<span ss="editText">"Like<span ss="userText"> hell<span ss="editText">! There no way I would let you take my city!" Zellin yelled<span ss="aiText"> out as he <span ss="editText">pointed his hammer at<span ss="aiText"> Rudolf.
<span ss="aiText">Rudolf raised his de into the air and pointed it at Zellin.
<span ss="aiText">"Hmph! That''s wh<span ss="editText">y dwarves are dishonorable<span ss="aiText">!" Rudolf spat out as he turned back to Quinus.
<span ss="editText">"Your Highness can''t be th~"
<span ss="editText">Quinus motioned for Zellin to calm do<span ss="aiText">wn.
<span ss="userText">Rya walked up to Quinus to whisper.
<span ss="userText">"Quin, he''s right. Rudolf is ying us if you do as he says." Rya<span ss="aiText"> whispered in his ear.
<span ss="aiText">Quinus <span ss="userText">looked Rya <span ss="editText">in her beautiful azure eyes and cracked a smile.
<span ss="editText">"So you do care about me." Quin joked<span ss="aiText"> with Rya.
<span ss="editText">"Quin!"<span ss="aiText"> Rya <span ss="editText">yell<span ss="aiText">ed out in protest.
<span ss="editText">"Haha. Sorry... Yeah I know he''s trying to y us. So, let''s y him." Quin whispered<span ss="aiText"> into her ears.
<span ss="aiText">Rya nodded<span ss="editText"> and whispered back, "Okay. So, what''s the n<span ss="userText">?"
<span ss="aiText">Quinus smiled and then answered her, "Well<span ss="editText">, the only rule to this trial is no one can help me fight him."
<span ss="editText">Rya frowned at him before saying, " I know that, Quin. How can I help you if~"
<span ss="editText">Quinus interrupted her, "Rya... You can do anything but fight him<span ss="userText">."
<span ss="userText">Rya paused for a second, ''Quin, is saying that I can only heal him? Really?''
<span ss="userText">After realizing what Quin wanted her to do. Rya''s frown<span ss="aiText"> transformed into a smile as she gave him a wink.
<span ss="editText">"Oye! Are you saying goodbye to your whore? Or are you b<span ss="aiText">ac<span ss="editText">k<span ss="aiText">ing <span ss="editText">out like the toothless lion that the world knows<span ss="aiText"> you as!" Rudolf taunted Quin.
<span ss="editText">''This motherfucker! Oh, I can wait to see the look on his face when Quin kills him!''<span ss="aiText"> Rya thought as she started mussing <span ss="editText">Quin''<span ss="aiText">s hair.
<span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">I''m just giving him some luck! You prick!<span ss="aiText">" Rya said with a wink.
<span ss="aiText">Rudolf <span ss="editText">looked annoyed<span ss="aiText"> and crossed his arms over his chest as he red at Quin<span ss="editText">us<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Fucking dark elves are nothing but whores" Rudolf said under his breath but Rya and Nieren heard him.
<span ss="editText">Quinus smiled, "Thank you Rya. Now, it''s time to get serious."
<span ss="editText">Zellin was pacing around the area worrying about this fight. Laika was able to help Hajdah up after regaining<span ss="aiText"> consciousness.
<span ss="editText">"So, the Toothless Lion is going to expect my challenge!?<span ss="aiText"> <span ss="editText">Or will you hide behind that long ea-" Rudolf yelled out before Quinus interrupted him.
<span ss="editText">"Sheath your tongue! I ept, Rudolf! And it will be an honor to put your head on a pike with the Kings yer''s right next to yours<span ss="aiText">." Quinus said as he he<span ss="editText">l<span ss="aiText">d <span ss="editText">up Jeremiah''s severed head for Rudolf to see.
<span ss="editText">"Tch! Were you the one to kill him!? I think not!" Rudolf yelled.
<span ss="editText">''You may have hidden Jeremiah''s ability from my father''s spies but we know all about you, Rudolf!'' Quin thought as he threw the severed head at Rudolf.
<span ss="editText">"YOU BRAT<span ss="aiText">!" Rudolf yelled<span ss="editText">as he blocked the head with his shield.
<span ss="editText">"I''ve heard worse insults... And I''ll say this one if you keep speaking ill of Lady Rya. I''ll have to make your death as painful as possible." Quin said with anger as he pointed his sword towards Rudolf.
<span ss="editText">Rya blushed when she heard Quin defending her and Rudolf was taken aback<span ss="aiText"> by his statement<span ss="editText">, ''Just the words of a worthless royal<span ss="aiText">. Just focus on <span ss="editText">killing him!'' Rudolf thought as he took another step forward<span ss="editText">, readying his sword and shield.
<span ss="editText">They stood there<span ss="userText"> in position<span ss="aiText"> waiting for <span ss="editText">one of them to make the first move.
<span ss="userText">The wind blows across the battlefield<span ss="aiText"> as the sun shines brightly overhead, illuminating the area for everyone to see.
<span ss="editText">Quin''s golden eyes are glowing from the mana inside his body<span ss="aiText">. His hair is fluttering in the wind as his ck armor <span ss="editText">with gold trim <span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">glistens in the sunlight.
<span ss="aiText">Rudolf''s eyes glow bright red as his armor shimmers with light.
<span ss="editText">''Is this kid going to stare at me all day or<span ss="aiText"> what?'' Rudolf thought as he prepared to strike.
<span ss="editText">Rudolf<span ss="aiText"> stepped in first with his shield raised and swung down with his sword.
<span ss="editText">*SWING! CLANG! THUMP!*
<span ss="editText">Quinus block<span ss="aiText">ed the attack using his s<span ss="editText">wor<span ss="aiText">d and then kicked <span ss="editText">Rudolf<span ss="aiText">''s leg out from under him, sending him flying backwards onto the ground.
<span ss="userText">"FUCK!"<span ss="aiText"> Rudolf yelled as he rolled back to his feet.
<span ss="aiText">Quinus sighed, "What''s wrong? You''re supposed to be the best <span ss="editText">mercenary<span ss="aiText"> in the world but you <span ss="editText">are having trouble with the toothless lion?"
<span ss="editText">"Cocky<span ss="aiText"> little shit!" Rudolf growled out as he charged Quin<span ss="editText">us<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="aiText">As they both approached each other, Rudolf swung hisrge sword with all his might.
<span ss="aiText">*CRASH! THUD!<span ss="userText"> CLANG!*
<span ss="userText">Sparks went flying<span ss="aiText"> as Quin deflected the attack with his de.<span ss="editText"> He was doing it with grace and skill.
<span ss="editText">"I''m just getting warmed up<span ss="aiText">!" Rudolf snarled out as he brought his shield around to block Quin''s next attack.
<span ss="aiText">"Heh! This ain''t nothing!" Rudolf growled out as he brought his shield around again.
<span ss="aiText">Quin blocked the hit and sent a powerful swing towards Rudolf''s chest<span ss="editText">. He was able to parry Quin''s attack with his sword bringing them inches away fro<span ss="aiText">m <span ss="editText">e<span ss="aiText">ac<span ss="editText">h other''s noses.
<span ss="editText">''Come on Rudolf! You were wise to hide Jeremiah''s ability from my father''s spies but we know you like to use poison. Or will I break through that barrier with my Razor Ray ability?<span ss="aiText"> <span ss="editText">Quin thought as he had a close-up look at Rudolf''s eyes.
<span ss="editText">"Tch! So, you think you are something special, huh?<span ss="aiText"> Well, let me <span ss="editText">show you how you''re nothing at all!<span ss="aiText">" Rudolf said as he swung his sword into the ground.
<span ss="aiText">Then he stomped on it and a massive spike shot up from the ground.
<span ss="editText">Quin''s channeled his mana through the sword de causing it to glow white<span ss="aiText"> hot.
<span ss="editText">*ZZSINGZZ!*<span ss="aiText"> The de became engulfed in mes as it mmed into the ming spike, <span ss="editText">slicing it in half<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="aiText">The heat was intense enough to burn Rudolf''s skin<span ss="editText"> if he didn''t cast his barrier.
<span ss="aiText">"Damn, you are strong! But you still have another thinging!" Rudolf growled out as he <span ss="editText">kept the barrier up.
<span ss="editText">"Got you!" <span ss="userText">Quinus yelled as he sliced his mana-infused sword into the barrier.<span ss="aiText"> There was a loud *THWACK!* as Quin''s de hit the barrier.
<span ss="editText">''<span ss="aiText">Gah! <span ss="editText">He has this amount of mana!?'' Rudolf panicked as he saw his barrier failing to hold back Quin''s attack. ''The only people that have destroyed my barrier before had a bigger mana vein! Fuck! I shouldn''t have believed what that Duke told me about this<span ss="aiText"> kid!''
<span ss="editText">*Crack! CRACK! CRASH!*
<span ss="editText">*CLUNG!*
<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText">Quin''s sword pushed through the barrier and cut deep into Rudolf''s <span ss="editText">shield stopping five inches away from his arm.
<span ss="editText">"Fuck!" Rudolf screamed as he saw the sword de stuck in<span ss="aiText"> his shield.
<span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Tim<span ss="aiText">e <span ss="editText">t<span ss="aiText">o <span ss="editText">end this," Quinus<span ss="aiText"> said with confidence in his voice.
<span ss="aiText">Rudolf looked over to see Quin holding onto the handle of his sword.
<span ss="editText">''Shit! He''s going to cut my sword in half if I try to take a swing at him!''
<span ss="editText">"You are a skilled swordsman but not a match for me, Quinus!" Rudolf yelled as he dropped his sword so he could grab a vial of green liquid hidden in his left gauntlet on his shield hand. And once he gets it<span ss="userText"> and breaks it on his shield causing a cloud of green smoke to<span ss="aiText"> form around <span ss="editText">them.
<span ss="editText">Quin''s vision<span ss="aiText"> was blurry as he got hit with the smoke. Then Rudolf tried to charge towards Quin with his sword drawn.
<span ss="aiText">But the smoke cleared as Quin was able to see again. His head snapped around to see Rudolf charging towards him.
<span ss="aiText">But before he could attack Quin moved out of the way just in time to avoid a direct hit from Rudolf''s sword.
<span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Haha! I wonder how long you''llst before the poison gets<span ss="aiText"> you,<span ss="editText">boy!<span ss="aiText">" Rudolf asked as he spun his shield to <span ss="editText">deflect a quick strike from<span ss="aiText"> Quin.
<span ss="aiText">"I doubt it will be long," Quin said with confidence in his voice.
<span ss="aiText">Quin moved backwards away from him. <span ss="editText">Hisplexion wasn''t looking too good as the ski<span ss="aiText">n <span ss="editText">u<span ss="aiText">nd<span ss="editText">er his eyes<span ss="aiText"> were turning purple and his <span ss="editText">veins<span ss="aiText"> were bulging out of his arms.
<span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">Yeah, I''m immune to that poison kid. So, w<span ss="aiText"><span ss="retryDeletionText">hy don''t we end this now?" Rudolf asked as he <span ss="editText">readied his sword.
<span ss="editText">"No! The prince is poison!" Zellin panicked as he felt that he should do something to save the prince and his city.
<span ss="editText">"All is lost," Liaka whispered<span ss="aiText"> as she felt the same thing.
<span ss="editText">Hajdah was speechless<span ss="aiText"> as he heard that no one <span ss="editText">knew what poison Rudolf uses.
<span ss="editText">But Rya knew this was her time toe in and shatter Rudolf''s<span ss="userText"> ego and spirit once she heals Quin from the<span ss="aiText"> poison.
<span ss="aiText">Rudolf started swinging his sword wildly towards Quin.
<span ss="aiText">"Come at me if you dare!" Rudolf taunted as he swung his sword again.
<span ss="aiText">Quin then moved <span ss="editText">closer to Rya as best as he could<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="aiText">"Oh? You''re going to <span ss="editText">say goodbye to your whore<span ss="aiText">? How noble of you," Rudolf mocked as he waited for Quin to get close enough to him.
<span ss="editText">Rya ran up to Quin''s side<span ss="aiText"> and knelt down next to him. "<span ss="editText">Jeez, Quin... I have no idea what you did before I found you. How will you ever survive?" she said as she put her hands on his forehead.
<span ss="editText">"Haha... *Cough!* Rya. I can''t live without you. I need you in my life<span ss="aiText">. That''s all<span ss="editText">...<span ss="aiText">" Quin <span ss="editText">said with a smirk as Rya''s magic started to heal him<span ss="aiText"> from the poison.
<span ss="editText">''W-Why is he saying that<span ss="aiText">?'' <span ss="editText">Rya<span ss="aiText"> thought as <span ss="editText">s<span ss="aiText">he couldn''t help but feel <span ss="editText">her heart race when Quin looked at her with those kind golden eyes of his. ''What does he mean by living without me.''
<span ss="editText">Rudolf on the other hand saw Quin''splexion<span ss="aiText"> slowly change back to normal.
<span ss="editText">It was then that he was struck with the realization that the dark elf was a healer. And thest time anyone saw a h<span ss="editText">ealer was over five hundred years ago. When a orc how a beast-kin healer he captured and when on a campaign to take over three continents before someone killed his healer.
<span ss="editText">''I-I had a healer under my control all this time?'' Rudolf thought as his heart sink into<span ss="aiText"> despair.
<span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">I could have taken over Agon. I could have taken over most of the world..<span ss="aiText">." Rudolf muttered to himself as he started to panic.
<span ss="editText">Zellin, Hajdah, Laika, Hieren, and the soldiers watching the fight couldn''t believe their eyes as they saw a healer for the first time in their lives.
<span ss="aiText">Quin was feeling much better as he s<span ss="editText">tood up<span ss="aiText"> and stared into Rya''s eyes. "Thank you, Rya.<span ss="userText"> I promise I won''t take long."
<span ss="aiText">"<span ss="editText">T-<span ss="aiText">That''s not a problem," Rya said as she felt her heart race even faster when Quin looked at her like that.
<span ss="userText">"Hmm? What''s the problem, Rudolf? You look like you''ve seen a ghost," Quinus says with a sarcastic tone<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="editText">''No! I can still kill him! I just need to al<span ss="editText">ter the deal!''
<span ss="editText">"I wish to alter the deal! Instead of Ironside, I want~" Rudolf couldn''t finish his sentence before Quin''s golden eyes glowed brightly as it looked like his vanished, but in reality, Quinus was moving so fast<span ss="aiText"> that no one could see him move<span ss="editText"> towards Rudolf.
<span ss="editText">*ZZSINGZZSINGZZSINGZZ!*
<span ss="editText">"GAH!" Rudolf''s arms were cleaved off<span ss="aiText"> at the wrist and his <span ss="editText">stomach had a sword impaled<span ss="aiText"> through it.
<span ss="editText">''How did anyone think this k<span ss="aiText">id <span ss="editText">w<span ss="aiText">as <span ss="editText">a weakening? Duke <span ss="userText">ric Revelia, you need to pray to the goddess<span ss="aiText"> <span ss="userText">of bnce for forgiveness!'' Rudolf thought as he looked at Quin''s face.
<span ss="userText">A face that look neutral with a bit of annoyance<span ss="aiText"> <span ss="editText">as he looked at him. There was no joy in seeing his enemy defeated before him.
<span ss="userText">*Cough! Cough!*
<span ss="userText">"Haha-gah! Ohh! Ah! So, this is how my story ends?<span ss="aiText">" Rudolf thought as he realized that he was going<span ss="retryDeletionText"><span ss="undoDeletionText"> to die.
<span ss="editText">Quinus frowned at him as he<span ss="editText"> continued, "*Cough!* Aahh... Killed by the next emperor of Agon... May your<span ss="editText"> re<span ss="editText">ign<span ss="userText"> be long<span ss="aiText"> and prosperous."
<span ss="aiText">Quin didn''t know what to say to this man who he considered a coward.
<span ss="userText">*SWING!*
<span ss="userText">*THUD!*
<span ss="userText">Quinus pulled his sword out of Rudolf''s stomach while making a sweeping motion to behead<span ss="aiText"> him.
<span ss="editText">After Rudolf''s <span ss="userText">head<span ss="aiText"> hit the ground, Quinus <span ss="editText">quickly channeled his mana through his sword and swung it onest time as he set Rudolf''s body aze<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="editText">Zellin and the other dwarves cheered upon seeing the leader of the ck Rose Mercenary''s group was defeated. In the end, around 250 soldiers of the Ironside army were still alive and 12 mercenaries were captured by the dwarves.
<span ss="editText">Hajdah and Liaka<span ss="aiText"> were very happy that they didn''t have to fight anymore.
<span ss="aiText">Zellin and the other dwarves bowed their heads to Rya <span ss="editText">and Quinus <span ss="aiText">as they thanked <span ss="editText">t<span ss="aiText">he<span ss="editText">m<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="aiText">"We''ll take care of the rest," Zellin said as he turned to the other dwarves.
<span ss="editText">As the mes engulfed Rudolf, Quinus took a deep breath and sighed, "Ahh... Why do these assholes think I want to rule the world?"
<span ss="editText">Quin turned around to find Rya looking at him with blushed cheeks.
<span ss="editText">"I just want to live a peaceful life with Rya." He whispered to himself as he looked down at the smoldering body on the ground.
<span ss="editText">''Quin... God, I wish we could have a peaceful life. But I got a feeling that nothing will ever be easy in this world.''
<span ss="editText">"Heh..." Quin chuckled at himself as he turned around to see Rya looking up at him. She blushed deeper as she looked away from him and gulped. ''Come on! Why am I acting all shy with him? T-This isn''t me!''
<span ss="editText">Rya kept her hands behind her back as she watched him walk up to her, "I''m sorry for everything thing, Quin. I-If I didn''t get enved none of this would have happened."
<span ss="editText">Quin looked at her and smiled, "It''s alright. We would have needed to deal with them sooner orter, since they were in league with my uncle."
<span ss="editText">''Hmm? I guess Quin''s right. But, I killed some of the Ironsiders<span ss="aiText">. That makes me feel <span ss="editText">shitty<span ss="aiText"> about myself,'' Rya thought as she walked up to Quin.
<span ss="aiText">Quin smiled at her as he ced his hand on her he<span ss="editText">ad<span ss="aiText"> gently. It sent shivers down her spine as she gasped and grabbed onto his arm.
<span ss="aiText">"Don''t worry, Rya. <span ss="editText">If you like you could probably heal a lot of the wounded." Quin said as he gave her a reassuring smile.
<span ss="editText">''Huh! Oh course! God, I feel like I''m oblivious when I''m around Quin. Anyway least get to saving some lives!<span ss="aiText">''
<span ss="aiText">Rya nodded and looked at the <span ss="editText">three mages that were knocked out by Rudolf.
<span ss="editText">"Okay, but you watch my back<span ss="aiText">!"<span ss="editText"> Rya smiled and walked up to one of the mages.
<span ss="editText">Nieren walked up to Quinus, "Prince Quinus, I can watch over her if you like<span ss="userText">?"
<span ss="userText">"Hmm? No. Thanks for the offer though.<span ss="editText">"<span ss="aiText"> Quin smiled and shook his head.
<span ss="aiText">Nieren nodded, "<span ss="editText">Are you sure? If I watch her surroundings then you could watch her, watch her. If you catch my drift<span ss="aiText">, Prince Quinus," Nieren said before leaving to go check on the injured.
<span ss="userText">"On second thought<span ss="aiText">, <span ss="editText">having two sets of eyes is better than one," Quin smiled as he approached Rya as she healed up <span ss="userText">Akashia.
<span ss="userText">"Nah? Huh? HAJDAH! HIS STILL~" Akashia snapped awake <span ss="editText">whil<span ss="userText">e Hajdah and Liaka<span ss="aiText"> c<span ss="editText">almed her down.
<span ss="editText">"It''s okay Akashia. The prince finished him. The battle has been won," Hajdah<span ss="aiText"> said as she rubbed Akashia''s back.
<span ss="aiText">Akashia sighed and looked up at Quinus. "Thank goodness... I was worried for a moment there... I almost died because <span ss="editText">of his surprise attack."
<span ss="editText">"U-Uh, it''s okay." Rya giggled nervously as she saw the shocked expression on Akashia''s face.
<span ss="editText">"You''re the Dark Elf?!<span ss="aiText"> How?!" Akashia gasped as her mouth hung open.
<span ss="aiText">Lilith walked up to Akashia, "<span ss="editText">She''s a healer, Akashia. We''ll exin itter.<span ss="aiText"> Right now we need to rest and recover."
<span ss="aiText">Laika looked up at Quinus, "Your Highness! I''ve never seen someone move so fast!"
<span ss="aiText">Quin smiled, "<span ss="editText">Yeah, that attack takes a lot out of me. It''s more of a one-and-done move<span ss="aiText">."
<span ss="editText">Nieren chimed in<span ss="aiText">, "Wait! You can use your magic this way too?!"
<span ss="aiText">"Oh yeah. That''s what I call the ''Lightning Bolt<span ss="editText"> Style''<span ss="aiText"> which is <span ss="editText">ast resort move for me<span ss="aiText">." Quin said as he tapped his head.
<span ss="editText">"Well someone is gloating?" Rya joked as she moved to the next person to heal<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="aiText">Nieren chuckled, "I guess not."
<span ss="aiText">"Hey,<span ss="editText"> Rya. Just make sure you don''t<span ss="aiText"> <span ss="editText">exhaus<span ss="aiText">t yourself doing that," Quin warned her.
<span ss="aiText">"Ahaha, right? Gotta save up my energy for the future! Don''t worry about me though. I''m fine," Rya replied with a grin<span ss="editText"> and a wink.
<span ss="editText">***
<span ss="editText">This went on for a few hours until Rya healed up to<span ss="userText"> around 300 men bringing the Ironside army to 550 men<span ss="aiText">.
<span ss="aiText">They were still missing around 150 men that weren''t able to be saved due to <span ss="editText">being killed during the battle.