Chapter 125
Chapter 125 – Gilgamesh, the Aryan King
Ares and Darius now walked through the Aryan settlement with the purpose to meet the Aryan chief, Gilgamesh .
Sharp, murderous gazes were directed towards them . It seemed that the result of the skirmish had spread . Everyone in the advance party had been taken prisoner… that was pretty much a humiliation for them . It would be the first time something like this happened, probably since the Aryans first gathered and formed a country . .
As a result, all of them let out an extraordinary amount of hate and murderous intent when they saw Ares . Any regular man would’ve probably melted on the spot under this treatment .
But the two had no visible change on their faces . In fact, both Ares and Darius were smiling lightly as they walked behind the guide .
[What pleasant glances . ]
[If anyone can feel comfortable in this kind of atmosphere… they must be weirdos . ]
[And yet Milord walks with a smile on your face . ]
[I can’t help it . I won’t be able to proceed unless I do that . ]
While the two were having a small chat, they eventually arrived at the center of the town; a square area with what seemed like an arena made of stones .
When Ares stepped in the arena, many Aryans started to gather around . Soon enough, the outside of the arena was full with people of various genders and ages .
[My my, everybody certainly looks scary…]
After commenting about their surroundings, Ares turned his attention towards the huge man standing in the center of the arena . He was a muscular man with long blond hair, stubbled chin, and sharp eyes who seemed to be in his mid thirties .
After seeing Ares and his entourage, the man spoke .
[My name is Gilgamesh . The Chief of the Aryans . O uninvited guest, what has brought you all here?]
As Gilgamesh’ loud voice echoed around, the Aryans cheered . In response to that question, Ares calmly replied .
[Friendship . ]
The cheerings were silenced by that single word . Gilgamesh stared sharply at Ares, but started to laugh not long after .
[Ha? Who do you think we are? We, Aryans will not work with a weakling like you!]
The Aryans around also laughed when Gilgamesh did .
However, Ares kept talking as if unaffected by those mocking laughs .
[But your troops lost to mine . Moreover, we have captured all of them as prisoners . ]
The Aryans were once again silenced by Ares .
[Rest assured . Your brothers are all alive… But you should know this . We are not inferior to you . In fact, we are stronger . ]
The Aryans remained silent . Their faces were sullen . It was the truth . Their previously undefeated advanced party was defeated by the 『power』of the forces led by this man in a straight battle .
Despite the silence, the Aryans still leaked out murderous intent .
However, Ares did not even flinch, as he continued to speak to the Aryans around him .
[Aryans, listen to me . ]
At that moment, all the Aryans present looked at Ares with surprised gazes because his seemingly calm voice somehow had directly echoed within each of their ears .
Ares had used wind magic to make everyone around him hear his voice . But it served to upset the Aryans, who were unfamiliar with such magic,
[Us, of Grants, are now walking on a new path . A path of development . A path of peace . And also… a path of carnage . ]
Ares spread his gaze towards all the Aryans around the arena .
[Do you all intend to stay in here forever? This world is wide . The battlefields you all so wish for are out there . Lots of chances for you to be in action . ]
Ares’ words completely stilled the Aryans . Yes, to them, what Ares said just now was like a very enticing drink . Darius, knowing this, simply observed with interest .
[Don’t you want to meet even more adversaries? To spread the pride of the Aryans? Don’t you wish to test out your strength? If you do… then I’ll take you in . ]
Ares turned back to Gilgamesh .
[There will be a lot of battles ahead of us . And I want the Aryans to be there with me… together when I walk the path of carnage . From your perspective, isn’t that how you’d want to live your life? With pride?]
Even Gilgamesh was silenced by Ares’ words just like his fellow Aryans .
But his silence didn’t last as long . He laughed out loud in turn .
[Hahaha, truly interesting . How truly interesting, O leader of Grants . ]
Gilgamesh laughed once more before continuing to speak .
[I see . It is certainly an enticing offer for us . However… Does that not mean we will have to follow you? Am I correct?]
[Indeed, you are . ]
Ares’ answer was immediate .
[But I don’t want you to be there as my subordinate . I want you as a friend . ]
Gilgamesh turned silent once more before finally speaking up .
[Then… can you show us something to convince us?]
Hearing that, Ares simply grinned .
[Of course . Following your customs, I want to have a one on one fight between us, the leaders .
It’ll be a match of power . Will you accept the challenge?]
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The arena where Ares stood… yes, it was once the same arena where Gilgamesh fought against the other Aryans for leadership .
Unlike the earlier murderous intent, the atmosphere suddenly changed into that of [Expectation] .
As a tribe primarily focused on fighting, the Aryans enjoy the struggles of battle . And they were excited with the prospect of this duel .
The entire town had this same air .
[As usual, Milord is truly an interesting person . ]
Darius let out a hearty laugh .
Ares first offended the Aryans, then confused them, and finally skillfully guided them by making use of their pride . All that allowed him to snag his reel on the chief as he intended .
[But, I don’t get one thing . Why did Milord nominate yourself to fight instead of me?]
[You’ve been kicking Aryans’ asses for years now… they’d be wary if I nominated you as the competitor . Well, perhaps I just think that I could manage it myself . ]
Ares chuckled .
[Fuu, you’re being too lenient and they are as well . If only they know that their chief is going to fight someone more fearsome than me . ]
[…I guess you’re also the kind of retainer who doesn’t hesitate to tell off your own lord…good grief . ]
Darius simply grinned in turn .
[But it’s not like I’m wrong, aren’t I? That Aryan chief will regret not challenging me instead at the end of the day . ]
Darius turned his attention to the opponent .
The opponent was wearing leather armor, and was wielding a large battle axe . His face was that of a man who is itching to go into battle .
[Well, this is gonna be one hell of a fight . It’ll be fun… for certain . ]
Darius then shifted his gaze diagonally to the right .
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[Here goes!]
[There!]
Right when the signal to begin the duel was sounded, GIlgamesh immediately charged in with great momentum .
On the other side of the arena… Ares stood still, with the spear Reinart that he obtained from the true dwarves poised .
[Ohhhh!]
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The large axe swung at Ares, causing wind to blow around violently like a tornado .
[I see… this is amazing . Certainly fitting for the chief of the Aryans . Regular soldiers would be shredded by the wind alone . ]
Ares observed the situation calmly .
The swing was not only powerful, but also fast . A testament to the strength they’re so proud of .
In order to gauge the opponent’s ability, Ares received the attack head on with Reinart .
[Guh!]
Ares skidded backward due to the momentum of the swing .
The Aryans cheered .
[Come on now, let’s have fun, Leader of Grants!]
Gilgamesh barked loudly .
Ares quickly regained his posture and smiled .
[It’s certainly on a different level compared to the Aryan soldiers outside . If a member of the White Legion was to challenge him in a duel, it’d be difficult for any of them to win . However…]
Gilgamesh already launched his next attack .
Ares looked at the axe head calmly . This time, he intended to avoid it by a thin margin, twisting his body and stepping aside just enough to barely miss the swing .
[A shame . He would’ve been a greater warrior if he has the right tool . ]
[What are you rambling on for… Now fall to my axe!]
Gilgamesh attacked once again .
[No no, if I got hit by that… I’ll die . There is no way I’ll abide by that . ]
With a chuckle, Ares once again waltzed through the attack, this time also finally brandishing Reinhart at Gilgamesh .
[Alright… then . I’m also getting bored of these acrobatics . ]
That said, Ares suddenly dashed in with incredible speed . His spear tip moved as if it’s homing in towards Gilgamesh’ elbow .
[Gah!?]
Gilgamesh dropped his axe due to the sudden pain .
[The Aryans… their strength is certainly impressive… However, that’s all there is to them . Their movement… is rough . ]
Ares then kicked Gilgamesh on his knee cap, causing the latter to fall on one knee .
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[But if this kind of strength comes in hundreds or thousand… it can certainly pose a massive threat . That’s why I want their power . Although, it turns out they’re not that fearsome individually . ]
And as a finishing blow, Ares spun and launched a roundhouse kick, hitting the back of Gilgamesh’ head .
[Uguh!]
As a result, Gilgamesh was forced to crouch on all fours . The difference in power was too obvious .
The Aryans turned silent . Their excitement had gone off somewhere along the line .
[Well… is that it?]
Ares said as he gave the still crouching Gilgamesh a look . Then suddenly, from among the silent Aryan crowd,
[There is no way I’ll let this end like this! I’ll be your partner instead of my brother now!]
When Ares turned his sight to the source of the voice… he saw a tall young woman jumped out from the crowd . She’s holding a sword that is almost twice as large as herself, which is very large considering that she’s also much taller and muscular than Ares . The most impressionable part of her was her eyes, as they exuded unbridled fearlessness .
[It’s the princess… . . ]
[Zenobisama is here!!]
The Aryans who were silenced earlier seemed to regain their excitement . Their cheerings and shouts turned louder and louder .
Ares took a look at her once more… and his face turned severe immediately .
[Well well, this is surprising . Is she the real champion of the tribe?]
Gilgamesh was certainly strong . But the vibe that this Zenobia gave out was of a different level than him .
It’s like Ares was looking at a high-ranking demonkin or magic beast .
Ares put away Reinart, but when he reached for the Seven Heavenly Sword, someone called out from behind him .
[Wait, Milord . Let me take this one . ]
Darius emerged to the arena slowly, his eyes shining with intent .
[We can’t have Milord lose here so there is no other way . I’ll take her on instead . ]
Hearing that, Ares could only smile bitterly .
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This meeting between Darius and Zenobia was probably destined .
This may not often be written in history books, but the tale of the 『Heavenly Warrior』and his wife, the 『Aryan Heroine』, was very popular among the bards .