Chapter 525: The Declaration (3)

"Why?" Gavid chuckled at Noir’s question while refilling his empty glass. "I've always wanted to fight Hamel."

"But there's a difference between a fight and a duel," Noir responded with a laugh. She was well aware of what kind of man Gavid Lindman was. He had served the Demon King of Incarceration the longest out of any other Blades. He stood as the strongest and most loyal among his predecessors.

"Your sought-after duel directly contradicts the wishes of the Demon King of Incarceration. He desires Hamel to ascend Babel, so shouldn't you be waiting there for Hamel, in alignment with the Demon King of Incarceration’s will?" Noir's voice softened into a seductive whisper as if to probe into Gavid’s intentions.

"Yet, you've declared a duel with Hamel, and on top of that, it’s not in Babel. You did it before he even set out for Babel,” Noir continued to probe.

"That's how it turned out," Gavid murmured while swirling his drink.

Noir smirked and leaned back in her seat.

"If you simply wanted Hamel dead, opportunities were aplenty before. Very easy chances, even,” Noir continued.

"Not as easy as you would think,” responded Gavid.

Gavid vividly recalled the end of the war in Hauria. He had drawn Glory and employed the Demoneye of Divine Glory. Hamel had been powerless. Despite the other humans who shielded Hamel with their bodies, Gavid’s demonic sword could have cut through all obstacles to kill him.

But he hadn’t. He had stopped his strike because of Hamel’s mocking smile. Yet, even if he had ignored it and struck, killing Hamel would have been impossible.

Such was the extent of Noir Giabella's power. She had been hidden and unforeseen as she took to his behind. Had Gavid followed through with his strike, Noir would have somehow intervened.

"Back then, I was too emotional,” Noir admitted.

She had been afflicted with unwanted memories, those belonging not to her but to the Twilight Witch. She had been confused with affection for a beloved man. But now those feelings had settled. It was possible that the memories might resurface when she and Hamel were about to end each other, but she would leave that moment for when it came.

"My actions do indeed defy the King's will," Gavid admitted while emptying his glass. "But, Duke Giabella, as you said, even if you devoured the millions in this city, His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration will remain silent. The same applies to me. Even if I defy His Majesty’s will by dueling Hamel, he will likely watch my rebellion with amusement."

"It's curious and intriguing to see someone as loyal as you, who served the Demon King of Incarceration for centuries, rebel in such a manner," Noir remarked.

She did not finish her drink, instead, she swirled it as she scrutinized Gavid. Her beautiful violet eyes emitted a bewitching glow.

"Who would have thought you would defy the Demon King of Incarceration's will to such an extent."

Noir's voice transformed and resonated with the space itself, sending a dizzying sound through Gavid.

"You wish to kill Hamel to that extent?” questioned Noir.

This ability of Noir Giabella diverged from her original capabilities. They weren’t in a dream. Even so, her voice and will were manipulating the very fabric of reality.

As a Night Demon, she stood at the apex. Her illusions were capable of manipulating one’s perception, and this was something Gavid was already aware of. However, he had never imagined that this Night Demon had transcended even past that.

"Do you seek to test Hamel?"

Her whispers seemed to coax Gavid's true intentions. They blurred the lines between reality and illusion.

At that moment, Gavid was certain. Had he not traversed the wasteland and clashed swords with the mysterious man, had he never reached that mysterious man with his sword, a confrontation with Noir Giabella would have been inconceivable. Even with the Demoneye of Divine Glory and Glory at his disposal, he couldn't have escaped the merged boundaries of reality and dream that Noir had collapsed.

"That is my role, Gavid," Noir said while standing up. She set down the glass she had been gently swirling and stepped past the small table between them. Gavid's gaze didn't follow her. Instead, he silently brought his glass to his lips.

"It’s me that Hamel has to face before he ascends Babel. You are a servant of Incarceration. It’s fitting for you to await Hamel in Babel. That’s the proper course for you,” continued Noir.

"Duke Giabella," Gavid said as he set down his empty glass. "I simply want to fight Hamel."

The dream wavered.

"Throughout my life, I've been loyal to His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration. I lived without defiance. But, in the end, it seems I'm just another demon and a swordsman,” Gavid said with a sigh.

"What do you mean?" questioned Noir.

"His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration desires Hamel to ascend Babel and reach the throne," Gavid explained. "Naturally, His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration won't just leave the door to Babel and the throne wide open. Like three hundred years ago, Hamel will have to overcome trials to reach Babel."

"Indeed,” agreed Noir.

"If that happens, I will stand before the throne as the final trial imposed by His Majesty the Demon King of Incarceration.... As the Blade of Incarceration, I will block Hamel’s path," said Gavid.

His lips twitched slightly before he worded the question buried deep within his heart. "When I face him, will Hamel truly be at his full strength?"

Noir decided to stay quiet in the face of this question.

"I desperately want that battle with Hamel. I want to fight against Hamel when he sees me and me alone. I want to fight him as he charges at me with the sole purpose of killing me. But if I meet him in Babel, he won’t be any of those things. He can’t be since he will have to surpass me to enter the throne room,” Gavid explained.

The wavering of space ceased. Noir, who had vanished as if it all were but a dream, now sat before Gavid as if nothing had happened.

"You said it’s your role to test and kill Hamel,” Gavid continued.

He refilled the empty glass.

"Then all the more reason I should be the one to do it first. It’s the same for me. I don't want to lose Hamel’s life to you. If you were to kill Hamel first.... Haah, I would regret it for a lifetime. And live with the sinking feeling of defeat forever,” Gavid admitted with a carefree laugh.

Defeat.

Noir couldn't help but feel surprised. To her knowledge, Gavid had never lost to Hamel. But she chose not to inquire further about the nature of this defeat.

Gavid Lindman had defied the will of the Demon King of Incarceration. He was no longer the Blade of Incarceration. Then, was the demon in front of her still the Grand Duke of Helmuth? Noir already knew the answer.

During his brief retreat of two months, Gavid had laid aside all his ducal responsibilities. And if Gavid had decided to kill Hamel as a duke, he wouldn't have proposed a duel.

"This is problematic." Noir chuckled while propping her chin in her hand. "Like you wish to kill Hamel, I, too, desire to kill him. Yet, if you were to kill him, I'd be robbed of the chance."

"That's true,” answered Gavid.

"What should we do then?" asked Noir.

"There's only one way for you to assert your intentions since I will not be swayed,” responded Gavid.

"And what might that be?" questioned Noir.

"To kill me,” Gavid stated, his voice steady.

Noir didn’t think he would actually say such a thing. She chuckled, delighted by his unexpected response.

This was Giabella City; this was Noir's domain. It was bold indeed to utter such words in the presence of its lord.

"Alright.” Noir nodded, her smile broadening. “I will let you have the chance first.”

"Thank you for the concession, but I'm curious about your reasons,” Gavid asked.

"I share the Demon King of Incarceration's perspective." Noir brought the glass to her lips. "Hamel must seek me out."

After emptying her glass, Noir placed it down. Gavid reached for the bottle to refill it, but Noir gently declined with a shake of her head and drew the glass closer.

"Hamel must come to this city to meet me, to kill me. Yes, it's imperative. I won't be the one to pursue him for his life." With each word, Noir's smile deepened. "So, Gavid, proceed with the duel. I graciously concede my turn."

"And if I slay Hamel? You'll be deprived of the encounter you desire,” questioned Gavid.

"Ahaha... You're forcing me into a cruel corner. I didn’t want to have to say this, given that we’ve been acquaintances for quite a long time,” Noir responded with a hearty laugh.

Though it was quite obvious what she would say, Gavid smirked and gestured for her to continue. Noir laughed once more before replying to his blatant cue.

"You won't be able to defeat Hamel. I acknowledge that you’ve gained considerable strength over these two months, but you won’t be able to best Hamel. My Hamel will overthrow you in this duel... and before heading to Babel, he'll come to kill me," Noir declared.

"Such bitter words indeed,” Gavid remarked.

"Ahaha! That's why I offered the concession. I believe Hamel will defeat you and then come for me. Hmm, but I wonder... should I pray?" said Noir.

"Pray for what purpose?" asked Gavid.

"For your defeat and demise,” Noir teased with a mischievous smile, and Gavid burst into laughter while patting his knee.

"Such confidence, Duke Giabella. So, you're confident... in defeating Hamel after he has bested me and taken my life?" questioned Gavid.

"Hmm, that remains to be seen,” Noir mused while caressing her lips thoughtfully. She tilted her head. "I want to both kill Hamel and to be killed by him."

There was no falsehood in Noir's statement, yet Gavid found the content baffling. She wanted both to kill and to be killed by the same person?

Confusion briefly crossed Gavid's face, but he quickly composed himself. His opponent was Noir Giabella, after all. Gavid had long since abandoned any attempt to comprehend her actions and emotions, particularly when it concerned Hamel.

He had seen the varied expressions that Noir had displayed during their time in Hauria. Her expressions had revealed feelings Gavid had never seen across centuries of acquaintance. Noir had always reacted strangely whenever Hamel was involved.

When they first attacked Vermouth and his allies, she had acted like a girl experiencing her first love. She had been sent to kill, entice, or at least exhaust Vermouth and his allies, but she had returned embarrassed with flushed cheeks. The only thing Gavid remembered was his fury. He couldn’t figure out the reason for her strange behavior, nor did he even want to know.

When Hamel had died, the demons hadn’t celebrate openly, mostly due to the promise between the Demon King of Incarceration and Vermouth. Gavid had not celebrated either. Regardless of what other demons thought, he had not been in a mood to celebrate.

The Demon King of Incarceration had defeated Vermouth and his allies in a battle. But he had not won the war. The Demon King of Incarceration had declined an easy, obvious victory.

Then what about Gavid? He had lost his battle and the war. Moreover, with the Oath forged and Hamel dead, he couldn’t ever recover his honor.

Both Noir and Gavid were different from other demons. Noir was likely the only demon to... mourn Hamel’s death.

And in Hauria, she had become furious at Gavid’s attempt on Hamel's life. Her anger had been greater than anything he had seen before.

‘But was that anger truly directed at me?’

Gavid wondered.

He could not understand Noir’s thoughts or sentiments, nor did he want to understand them. But one thing was certain: Hamel was an exceptionally special existence to Noir.

Even after Hamel had died and was reincarnated as Eugene Lionheart, he was still special to Noir. No, perhaps he was even more special because of his death and rebirth.

She wanted to kill Hamel.

She wanted to be killed by Hamel.

Gavid was certain of one fact: Noir Giabella was absolutely mad.

The crazy Night Demon was, in her own way, madly in love with Hamel.

"So it is," Gavid concluded.

He chose not to probe further. He chose to respect the longstanding acquaintance between him and Noir Giabella, just as Noir refrained from inquiring about Gavid's recent experiences. Both dukes respected each other's privacy.

"The duel," Noir began, "you set it to be before the end of next year. And for Hamel to choose the location.”

"I've been preparing," Gavid admitted.

He could continue using the chain and head into the wilderness hundreds or thousands of times more to fight against the enigmatic man.

“But I came to realize one thing while I was focusing on my preparations. I’m focused solely on my battle with Hamel, but it’s not the same for him. That’s extremely unfair,” Gavid said.

It was also true that he wasn’t completely ready. He had tuned his skills, but there was still room to improve. Gavid’s sword had reached the man in the wilderness, but he had failed to defeat the man.

"Is that why you announced it early?" questioned Noir.

"If Hamel is ready, we could even set a date for tomorrow. But I assumed he might need time to prepare, hence the deadline by next year's end,” explained Gavid.

“Hehe,” Noir chuckled.

Gavid Lindman mused aloud, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Since I was the one who declared the duel, it’s only proper that Hamel chooses the time and place. I doubt he’d pick Helmuth....”

“What if, just hypothetically, Hamel does not set a date or place by the end of next year?” Noir asked, her tone light and teasing.

“I’d like to think Hamel wouldn’t do that. But if that happens, I’d have no choice but to go and find him myself,” said Gavid.

“Ahaha! I was just curious, but I agree, it’s unlikely Hamel would run from the duel you proposed.” Noir tilted her head slightly, her gaze probing. “So, the reason you came to me was to share a drink and to obtain permission for the duel. Is that everything?”

“There’s one more thing.” Gavid’s smile grew enigmatic. “I should tell you upfront that this isn’t a request. Consider it an order from the Grand Duke of Helmuth.”

“Oh... stepping down from official duties but still enjoying the privileges of a grand duke?” questioned Noir with a teasing smile.

“I doubt you’d refuse,” Gavid said.

“Well, I’ll decide that after I hear what it is. So what is it?” asked Noir.

Gavid started to speak.

After listening to what Gavid had to say, Noir’s eyes widened dramatically as she stared at Gavid in genuine astonishment.

“Are you being serious?” Noir asked after a long pause.

“Absolutely,” Gavid replied.

“This is... quite unexpected. To think you’d ask me such a favor. No, it wasn’t a favor. Not a favor — an order,” Noir stammered, then burst into laughter. “Alright. I accept. I won’t refuse.”

“It’s good that I don’t need to persuade you,” said Gavid.

“Ahaha.... Persuade? As if I could refuse!” Noir responded with hearty laughter. Gavid finished his drink while listening to her laughter. He glanced briefly at the empty glass she pushed towards him.

“Does the drink not suit your taste?” questioned Gavid.

“Oh, didn’t we decide not to comment on the taste?” asked Noir.

“I don’t think it’s that bad. It’s not undrinkable,” Gavid commented, ignoring Noir’s question.

“Ah, you misunderstand. Gavid, this drink is delicious. It’s not the taste I’m rejecting,” said Noir.

“Then what?” asked Gavid.

“It’s your drink,” Noir said, rising from her chair.

“Fragrant, rich, and potent — perfect for getting drunk. But I don’t want to get drunk on it. If you want to get drunk and make a fool of yourself, well, ahaha, I’ll let you dream a sweet dream at least,” said Noir.

“Hahaha!”

Gavid joined in her laughter. Holding the bottle of Empire’s Glory, he rose from his chair.

“Thanks for the consideration. Yes, this... this is a drink made for me to get drunk. It’s not something to share, but for me to enjoy alone,” he agreed.

“If you want, I could offer you the finest room in the city,” Noir suggested.

"No need. I'll return to my chamber to finish this,” Gavid declined her offer.

Re-sealing the bottle, Gavid chuckled softly and gestured towards the void.

"I must save at least half,” he said.

"For a toast?" asked Noir.

"Yes."

With a flick, chains sprang from his sleeve, forging a portal through space.

"Whether I'll be there to enjoy that toast, I cannot say."

Leaving those words hanging, Gavid stepped through the chains and vanished from sight.