The scorching heat eased gradually, leaving behind an uncomfortable feeling that prickled at his senses. After awareness returned, he became aware of his own surroundings. He lay upon a stone altar, the rough surface pressing against his skin. Footsteps heard in the chamber, drawing closer with each passing moment. There he discerned the presence of another figure shrouded in shadow.
"Please, Priest Edgar, I beseech you to heal young master," a voice pleaded, its tone seems to be filled with urgency and desperation.
The sound of unknown unintelligible incantations filled the air around him slowly, souring agony began to ease, being replaced by a soothing coolness that permeates into his very bones.
With a gasp, he opened his eyes to see the figure of a priest, clothed in robes of white and gold, his eyes shone with a mixture of relief and sympathy. "It appears that the young master has regained consciousness," the priest said, his voice filled with both joy and solemnity. A butler-like figure, clad in somber attire befitting his station, came running to his side with palpable concern visible upon his features. "Thank you, Priest Edgar. Praise be to the gods," the butler said with his palpable reverence in his eyes.
As I tried to stand up from the stone altar, I was able to see across the chamber, taking in the sight of the assembled crowd gathered in a grand arena like structure, divided into tiers of seating for the spectators above and the combatants below. Nobles and commoners alike seated the upper levels, their attire seems to be filled with vibrant hues and colorful fabrics. Some wore expressions of delight and anticipation, while others bore the weight of sorrow and sympathy.
Below, in the arena, I see the figures of two, their forms blurred by the heat of battle. Beside them stood Priest Edgar and the reverent butler. One of them is a tall and imposing figure exudes wisdom and insight, clad in deep indigo robe with symbol of ancient sword in his chest. Other one seems to be a young boy, his age seems to be around 17 years old with emerald green eyes, handsome face. I think if I were a girl, I would fall over him. Well, I think I should befriend him so in future I would get a pretty girl. He is wearing gaudy outfit - tailored sable tunic, complemented by resilient ebony trousers, polished leather boots, and accented by a finely wrought silver belt and bracer - befitting a knight in olden times.
But If I remember correctly, I was sleeping soundly so how is it possible for me to have this scenery? It seems too far-fetched to consider it as a mere dream. Not much progress is done in MMORPG that will replicate the scene in this manner. It seems that somebody is pulling a prank on me, well it will only be if I had good friends. For a shut-in like me, nobody is rich enough to spend his time and money to pull this kind of prank on me.
While I was reminiscing about last night, I saw that tall figure walked over to center of the arena. The silence in the arena deepened as he knelt on one knee, his hand resting on the hilt of his longsword. He raised his hand; his gaze went to the person over the upper level of arena – specter area. There stood a person with piercing emerald green eyes, impeccably dressed, his sharp jawline and high cheekbones coupled with his gaudy outfit suggests he is noble or royalty. His eyes seem to hold a sharp glint, rich brown hair, a faint scar at his face add a whisper of past battles.
“Your Grace”, tall figure said, his voice echoing off the stone walls. That gaudy outfit wearing noble had nodded and waved his hand acknowledging at that tall figure. It seems to be a sort of signal to action. “With the authority vested by his grace, Duke of Ironcrest, Randolph Ironcrest upon me, Swordmaster Henry Kaisenheim, I announce the victor of this duel as the eldest son of his grace, Lord Edward Ironcrest”, announced Henry with his voice echoing across arena.
People in upper level stood up with one hand resting at his chest, a slight bow towards a single person; His name seems to be Randolph Ironcrest with my guess being correct that he is noble and high one at that. As duke stood up from his throne, silence deepened once again in arena. After he adjusted his voice. He spoke with authority and solemn dignity, “As the duel to decide the heir of Ironcrest duchy is final”, His emerald green eyes flickered at me resembling sympathy towards me, “You will be stripped of name of Ironcrest and will be given a new name”.
A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional whisper of people. It echoed with a hollow silence, a stark contrast to the roar of the crowd just moments before. I met the gazes of the throngs that filled the arena, a heavy curtain of pity hung over them towards me. Their eyes, a mosaic of brown, green, and blue, reflected a shared sorrow for me in this brutal game.
“I, As Duke of Ironcrest, hereby grant you title and land of Reedhaven. From onwards you shall be known Baron of Reedhaven”, announced Duke with solemn dignity. His voice echoing across the chamber. Everyone was in awe and even the whisper of crowd died out. I was given the barony of Reedhaven. I did not know about nobility and any staff related to nobility. But I think that nobility title should be given to victor, right? Here in this duel, one look at my torn clothes can tell the loser is this body. So why am I given nobility title instead? Well, I need to ask this question to somebody.
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A look of sorrow hung over butler-like figure who rushed to me, a look of comfort in his eyes had me for a second and escorted me out of arena. I don’t even know his name. Would it not seem rude to ask his name?
“Hrmm, old man”, I said in a voice filled with hesitation with a look of worry over his face he replied, “Young Mas--- Your Lordship, Is there any problem?”.
“I am sorry but I am not able to remember anything about all, you, this duel and duke”.
I felt a bit hesitant at first then I thought that it would not be good to hide basic things.
“It seems that duel has done a quite damage on your memories. Your Lordship is not able to recall any memory”, said butler in a soothing voice.
“Can you tell me about myself”, I enquired.
“Young Mas--- , Your Lordship is the second and youngest son of Duke of Ironcrest, Wilbur Ironc----, Wilbur Reedhaven”, he said with joy in his eyes.
“What is your name and job?”, I asked hesitatingly. I don’t know about this world but it maybe considered rude to ask someone their name and job when they are helping you.
“I am Benedict and personal butler to Your Lordship”, he replied proudly and smiled.
The whole conversation is held over as I am being escorted over to another place by Benedict. I saw the emerald green palace, its walls depicted with white and golden colors, a gargantuan door at center, knights all over the place, a beautiful garden to its right filled with blue and magenta flowers. The palace seems enormous in size like 8 storey building. I wonder how they even this built this palace. The arena seems to be at left side of the palace. I observed that road leading us to palace from arena is filled with rock like structure brown colored with hue of white, not your typical alike road. But it is not half bad at all.
At the gargantuan door of the palace stood two knights clad in iron armor with sword on the side wearing crimson colored outfit inside, a flag of emerald griffon firing at the sky, seen at their chest. Benedict handed over the something like badge which depicted emerald griffon firing at the sky and number 2 at bottom. Knight who saw the badge nodded and saluted by keeping his right hand at chest with a slight bow. “Lord Wilbur, welcome to the palace”, He said with a bit of enthusiasm. I think that as a knight he should at least know me, right? So why is he asking for the badge? It looks like a good reason is behind this.
I was led to the room by the butler. While walking, I saw a good number of maids and servants walking and working around the palace, some smiling at me and others not even looking by pretending to be busy at their work. Well, they may be busy in their work, may not pretend to do so. I arrived at the room after walking like 4 minutes. The room was decorated with myriad of items and swords hanging over the wall, a ample space for 10 people to work with, a gigantic picture of the young dude - handsome with emerald green eyes brown hair and a sword at his side hung over the wall directly to the side of the door, - just like the palace like it was painted with emerald green color. It seems that emerald green color is main color of this household.
Currently I am resting at this room and with the talk held with butler Benedict, I come to know a few things about my situation. First of all, this is another world with different rules and different level of socio-economic development. I am currently living in Duchy of Ironcrest which is situated on the southern side of Kingdom of Valoria on the continent of Elysium. In this kingdom, when all the children of duke among nobilities turns over 15 years old, the succession ritual to decide the heir by the way of duel is held, winner gets to be the heir of duchy temporarily given title of count, loser rests with the baron title with or without land. So young handsome lad who I thought befriending would give me pretty girl is actually my big brother and after the duel, heir to the duchy. It is also the reason I was given barony.
Being the feudal lord does not seem bad at first glance, but it will come with many problems like administrating territory, handling people’s problem and all sorts of things. One thing I do not understand is that why am I being given such huge responsibilities at young age of 15. In this world, age of 15 is considered adult but it should mean that you will definitely be given the responsibilities as such.
To me, this ritual is actually wrong on so many levels, first the firstborn will have many years of preparation ahead of others. People in power and in scholar would have given the best training possible for the firstborn. But if I were to question this ritual? It seems that I am might get killed. Before doing anything drastic, I would like to know the situation at the hand.
In my previous life, I was shut-in introvert type. One time I went to grab the fresh air; I was stabbed to death by the thief using knife. To be honest, I was average guy in all subjects in studies, no extra-curricular activities at hand. After completing my studies, I joined a housing finance industry working as entry job intern. My salary was not high but a bit bearable. I was happy with my simple life. Being orphan, I had no one to call my own. I had a few friends-cum-colleague. Even If I am gone from that world, it would not affect very much. Now that I am given another chance at life. I would like to do wonderful things and enjoy this life at fullest. I would like to see what this world has to offer.