"It's simple. If I beat you, you apologize to Alucard and go be the princess that you are. If you beat me, I will resign as a royal soldier and be your slave for eternity." He said with a haughty expression on his face, and Layah stared at him with her eyes contracted into a thin line.
Mishak indeed was one of the best royal soldier they currently had in the Ducrya empire, but if he thought she would back down just because of that, then he's mistaken. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to have him as a slave, would it?
A slow smile formed on her face, and she slightly nodded her head. "Alright. The bet is on." She glanced at Alucard and took a step back to stand in the center of the vast yard.
The young man, who was Mishak, stepped forward to stand opposite her, disdain in his eyes. He had never liked Layah because of the kind of person she was. She was stubborn, heartless, and showed no mercy. Once she speaks about something, she never fails to stand by it.
It was no wonder they liked Elva more. Elva was the exquisite type who does everything in a classy manner. She always has a smile on her face and is very polite as well, unlike Laya, who doesn't know what it means to be polite. She is a princess, but does not behave like one.
Layah, who didn't fail to see the disdain in his eyes, tightened her grip on the sword and clenched her face with deep anger in her eyes. She doesn't tolerate being ridiculed.
"Princess, I won't go easy on you. So forgive me if I end up being disrespectful." Mishak smiled coldly as he spoke to her and instantly swung his sword, moving towards her with no warmth in his eyes. "Shall we begin?"
"Sure," Layah shrugged, her expression deliberately reverting to indifference. Her hand brandishing the swords became increasingly tight, and seconds later, her foot abruptly took a step forward as she took a battle stance.
Mishak's grip on the saber in his hand tightened, and he slowly raised it aloft, pointing at Layah not too far away from him. Under the introspection of the sunlight, the edge of the saber radiated a lush glow.
All the gazes of those present were locked on the two people, and a bit of excitement surged within them. A battle between one of the strongest soldiers in the Ducrya empire and the princess was something they couldn't miss.
Alucard, who was still clenching his wound, stared at the two, and he suddenly felt that this was ridiculous. True, the process was very strong as she had trained since she was a child, but who was Mishak? He was someone who had gone into the battlefield and fought till death. Comparing the princess to him was absurd. A sense of nervousness filled him, and he fixed his gaze on them.
Layah slowly closed her eyes and inhaled and exhaled deeply. This was no longer a practice but a competition, so... she had to give her best. She smiled confidently and opened her eyes, then held tightly onto the hilt of the sword as she looked at Mishak with a sneer on her brim. They both exchanged glances, and while Layah's face brandished no emotion, the disdain in Mishak's expression grew wider.
She ignored the contempt in his expression and swiveled the sword in her hand, then charged toward him with ill intent in her eyes.
Mishak's mood remained as calm as ever despite seeing her launching toward him, and he held onto his saber tightly.
He abruptly shifted his legs and also surged towards her, his speed as smooth as a leaf gently falling from its tree to the ground.
Finally, the two interlaced with each other, and the clashes of their weapons could be heard by the surrounding audience.
As they intersected, the saber in his hand clashed with Layah's swords, releasing a heavy pressure followed by a "Clang" sound and some tiny sparks.
Layah who felt heavy pressure on her quickly took a step back, but that didn't stop Mishak from putting more pressure as he pressed down his saber on her sword, unwilling to let go.
Gritting her teeth, she withdrew her swords and swiftly took a twist, deflecting the saber that was surging for her neck. Jumping up on her feet, she gazed intently at the Mishak standing opposite her, and they both began to walk in circles, vigilantly watching each other.
After moments of vigilantly watching each other, Layah's indifferent eyes glanced at him, and the swords in her hand began to tremble violently.
The atmosphere of the open ground grew heavier, and sensing this sort of killing intent from her, Mishak's brows furrowed and his expression became serious. He viciously charged toward her, and the saber in his hand stabbed out violently, its sharp tip surging through the air and clashing with Layah's sword, letting out a heavy metal sound.
As the two collided, the dominant and powerful force contained in both weapons shocked the surrounding audience, especially Layah, who was just a princess fighting on equal ground with a warrior who had gone into the battle fields.
"I have indeed underestimated you, Princess, but... it is not over yet." Mishak smirked at her as he said, and Layah scoffed in irritation. "We will see who stands last!" She derided, and this time around, she launched first, and Mishak's face turned ashen as slight astonishment flashed in his eyes. If he liked one thing about the princess, it was her confidence. She doesn't give up so easily.
He slightly shook his head in amusement and instantly shot out violently and directly towards Layah, who was rushing towards him. He smirked evilly as he looked at her, and before Layah could anticipate his next move, he abruptly halted, then threw his saber, which penetrated through the air under the scorching sun, towards her.