Transmigrated as Baron, Married with my Lovely Maid-Chapter 19

"Open the gates...! Baron Atreus Vermillion has arrived...!"

The tall steel gates to the town of Thornvale opened after the knight guarding the gate called out to his men.

"Hey look, Baron Atreus Vermillion is here...!"

From the sound of the carriage I was riding in, I could hear footsteps approaching.

I looked out the window and saw many people staring at me with mixed expressions.

Some were stunned.

Some were mocking.

Some were laughing at me.

"A child so young wants to challenge Baroness Cecile...? How ridiculous...!"

"He seems young, about the same age as Baroness Cecile...but is he really a pure magic user who is forbidden...? Shouldn’t they have been wiped out by King Victor...?"

"I’m sure he’ll lose, and his head will be hung in the town square...!"

Well, most of the chatter from the Thornvale residents I heard was insults and jeers.

It seemed Baroness Cecile was doing a good job of framing me as a villain.

"Baron Atreus... these people still seem to hate pure magic users..."

A man about my age, wearing makeshift magical gear, still looked annoyed at the group of people laughing and belittling me from outside.

The black-haired, brown-skinned young man seemed to be resentful of me being belittled.

"Ignore them, Alex. Focus on the duel," I said calmly.

Alex was one of the youngest soldiers in my squad.

Since Nach’s betrayal, I appointed Alex as the new squad commander.

Of the many soldiers available, or rather, remaining in Vermillion’s territory, only Alex was open-minded enough to accept that even pure magic users could develop their talents into mage warriors.

He acknowledge my vision and willing to follow it, as simple as that.

"BOOOOO!"

Suddenly, a boo-ing sound came from outside.

The carriage shook as the driver struggled to steady his horses.

Oh, damn.

It turned out the Thornvale residents who hated me were throwing rotten eggs at us.

"Die, Vermillion...! You’re disrupting our water supply...! Our already numerous livestock are running out of water...!"

A cry of protest similar to Cecile’s when she attacked me at Vermillion Castle.

Fortunately, the Thornvale soldiers quickly calmed the crowd that was about to get out of control.

The coachman accelerated my carriage and made his way up the hill toward the arena, located near Thornvale Palace.

The arena where I would duel with Baroness Cecile Thornvale, to be exact.

One thing that caught my attention was the shape of Thornvale, which sloped upwards from the main road leading to the palace and arena.

Although it wasn’t located on a plateau, there was an artificial incline that made the palace and arena appear to be on a plateau.

I briefly wondered, why build an artificial incline that completely contradicted the original geography?

Is there something hidden behind that artificial incline?

Ah, maybe it was just my thoughts in broad daylight.

"Baron Atreus... sorry, I almost forgot to update you on our latest intelligence on Thornvale..." Alex said, interrupting my reverie.

"Oh, what was that?" I asked curiously.

"About Baroness Cecile Thornvale, Baron. Cecile is the second child of Lord and Lady Thornvale. However, Lord and Lady Thornvale have passed away, not much later than Lord and Lady Vermillion."

"No wonder Cecile became Baroness... does she mean she’s the sole ruler? No son to succeed her?"

"...actually, there is son of Thornvile, Baron Atreus. This happens to be related to what I wanted to tell you. The son of Lord and Lady Thornvale is Chev Thornvale, only 21 years old, but he is very skilled and adept at the shadow assassin skills the Thornvale family prides itself on."

"Hmm...so there’s Baron Chev Thornvale too...is he married? I need to know which baronial family he’s connected to so I can understand their political alliances..."

"Not yet, Baron Atreus...but our intelligence knows that Baron Chev has a special and quite intimate relationship with a woman..."

"...so this is the intelligence you wanted to tell me, Alex. Who is that woman?"

"Baroness Cecile."

"...what?"

"Yes, Baron Atreus. With all due respect, you heard me correctly."

"Wait a minute. Aren’t Chev and Cecile brother and sister? They’re related by blood, aren’t they?"

"Yes, Baron Atreus. They’re brother and sister...but their secret relationship is like that of husband and wife."

I took a deep breath upon hearing this.

I don’t know what madness possessed those brothers, but I was utterly disgusted by it.

"Absolutely insane. Good information, Alex. This gives me another reason to beat up that disgusting couple."

In the middle of our conversation, the horse-drawn carriage stopped.

I saw from the carriage window that we had arrived in front of the gate.

The arena was being opened.

I saw that the arena was already bustling and packed with Thornvale residents eager to see it.

Even from outside the arena, many Thornvale residents had climbed up to peek.

"Stop. This is the limit," one of the Thornvale soldiers admonished, stopping my carriage from continuing.

I asked the coachman to stop, then got out with Alex.

In front of me, about 15 meters away, was a brown-skinned, blond-haired man with a dashing build and armor similar to Baroness Cecile.

"Barone Atreus...that man is Baron Chev Thornvale," Alex whispered.

Seeing the two of them dressed in similar armor like a couple was quite disgusting to me.

I walked over to them calmly.

But Baroness Cecile and Baron Chev covered their noses with disgusted expressions.

"The smell of rotten eggs...! What did you eat, Baron Atreus...?!" Cecile exclaimed contemptuously.

"Could it be that this kind of rotten egg smell is common in Vermillion’s territory... No wonder your territory is lagging behind, Baron Atreus...", Baron Chev mocked with a sly smile.

"Your people threw rotten eggs at us, Baroness Cecile. It seems you’re quite clever at covering up your shortcomings, huh... especially after you learned that your plan to overthrow me at Vermillion’s fortress failed miserably." I replied confidently.

Baron Chev and Baroness Cecile immediately fell silent in shock.

Despite their arrogant looks, I could tell the fleeting panic on their faces indicated they were quite worried after Nach’s plan to overthrow failed.

"What are you really trying to say, Baron Atreus...? Are you complaining about how many traitors there are in your territory? Why did you suddenly bring us in? When a territory is filled with traitors, there’s a mistake in the leadership... just so you know...", Baroness Cecile mocked me again.

"Baron Atreus... Baroness Cecile is right. If our citizens are angry and throw rotten eggs at you, I hope you can understand, because we have been raised to hate tyrannical leaders like you," Baron Chev instigated.

Oh my.

These disgusting siblings truly deserve to be the most annoying duo I’ve ever seen.

"I hope the citizens of Thornvale can accept your defeat in the duel..." I said calmly.

Baroness Cecile and Baron Chev glared at me.

I knew that one sentence had already triggered their reaction.

"So who’s the champion you brought from Vermillion, Baron Atreus...?" Baroness Cecile asked, holding back her anger.

"I’ll just have to fight you two," I replied coldly.

"Heh... a one-man army, huh? No wonder Vermillion is on the verge of extinction and destruction. You’re not united, and you, as the leader, can’t lead," Baron Chev sneered.

"No... because we are too strong for you. I want to be a good leader who will set an example for anyone who is moved to accept my vision, Vermillion’s vision, to rule this land. Now, stop your cheap bluffing and prove it in this duel."

"Tch...! How stubborn and arrogant! Baroness Cecile...! Let me go first in this duel...! I will show your severed head to the citizens of Thornvale and tell this land that Vermillion was destroyed because of Baron Atreus’s stupidity and foolishness...!"

Baron Chev and I glared at each other, filled with murderous intent.

Before we could clash, Baroness Cecile intervened.

"Let’s settle this...in the sacred and majestic Thornvale dueling arena," Baroness Cecile said.

Baron Chev and I walked slowly through the corridor to the arena stage, escorted by Thornvale’s guards.

I signaled Alex to stay in the arena and not intervene.

Alex looked at me anxiously, but he eventually lowered his head and trusted my decision.

"Ohh...! They’ve arrived...!"

"Baron Chev Thornvale is up first...! Go, Baron Chev...! Defeat that damn Atreus...!"

"Kyaa... Baron Chev...! I’m your fan...!"

The crowd’s cheers rang out as I stepped into the center of the arena alongside Baron Chev.

Of course, they were all filled with praise for Baron Chev and insults for me.

I was on the enemy’s turf, so it was natural for them to hate me.

In the center of the arena, Baron Chev and I kept our distance.

The crowd’s shouts were still audible, begging Baron Chev to behead me right here in the arena.

They sounded like brutal people.

From a distance, I saw Baroness Cecile sitting on a plush, roof-covered sofa in the Baroness’s private room in the arena lounge.

"There’s no need to look at Baroness Cecile, Baron Atreus. I am your opponent now," said Baron Chev, drawing the twin swords sheathed at his waist, typical of assassins.

"Why? Are you jealous that I see Baroness Cecile?" I asked sarcastically.

"You have a very sassy tongue, Atreus Vermillion! A brat like you deserves to die!"

In mere seconds, Baron Chev suddenly vanished from my sight.

I knew he hadn’t just vanished, but had moved at breakneck speed and without a sound.

I summoned Spirit Rhaevor and—

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

Baron Chev’s three slashes, which nearly grazed my back and tore my neck, were blocked by Rhaevor’s fists.

If I late in a second, I definitely would have been murdered.

"Ah, Spirit Rhaevor...! I’ve heard about it from Baroness Cecile...! A vexing elemental spirit with sharp, precise instincts, speed, and reflexes!"

Baron Chev’s voice rang out from all sides.

The bastard seemed to be laughing at me as he used his shadow step technique.

I concentrated, gathering my lightning magic.

Although it was faint, I gradually began to read Baron Chev’s swift movements.

I just needed the right moment to unleash my fastest lightning magic: Lightning Bullet.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG CLANG! CLANG!

A barrage of slashes alternated from the left and right.

Rhaevor managed to deflect them, and I could vaguely read Baron Chev’s movements.

Without hesitation, I fired five of my Lightning Bullets.

BZZT! BZZT! BZZT! BZZT! BZZT!

Damn it.

None of them hit at all.

I didn’t expect Baron Chev to dodge my fastest magic attack a split second after he launched it.

"Heh.. a pure magic user who can use two spells at once? You can still concentrate on using electricity magic even though you’re using Rhaevor...?! Great...! This is interesting!" Baron Chev exclaimed like a maniac.

Damn it.

I couldn’t keep up with his movements anymore because that bastard Chev increased the speed of his shadow steps.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

SLASH!

"Ugh...!"

Although Rhaevor managed to keep up with his rapid attacks, one attack eluded him, wounding my back.

Watching Rhaevor parry the rapid slashes was like shadow boxing, punching someone invisible even though they were actually there.

"Finally...! Baron Chev managed to wound that bastard Vermillion...!"

"Baron Chev...! Decapitate him...!"

The cheers from the audience grew louder, seemingly delighted to see me injured like this. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

And unfortunately, Baron Chev’s blade was coated in poison.

I could feel the poison’s effects slowly building up, disrupting my breathing.

Damn it.

"You can defend against poison...?! Amazing...! All my enemies should have died from the poison’s effects with just one light slash, yet you still managed to stand and activate Rhaevor’s spirit! It seems you really are not to be underestimated, Atreus Vermillion...!"

Baron Chev’s shouts seemed to come from all sides.

The bastard was still commenting as he used his shadow step technique.

Oddly enough, several minutes had passed, but he showed no signs of fatigue at all.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

SLASH! SLASH!

"Aghh...!"

Now two slashes had landed on my right thigh and left arm.

I knelt for a moment, enduring the pain from Baron Chev’s swift attack.

Faintly, I heard the sound of an approaching slash.

Although only briefly, I saw Baron Chev’s blade approaching, ready to rip through my neck.

SMACK!

In that split-second pause, Rhaevor came, kicking Baron Chev back.

I saw Baron Chev finally pause, no longer using his shadow step technique.

But he still looked incredibly fit and full of stamina, with no trace of fatigue on his face.

"Heheheh... looks like the poison’s taking effect, huh? You don’t have time, Baron Atreus. Death by poison, or beheaded by me. The choice is yours!" Baron Chev exclaimed confidently, much to the enthusiastic applause of the audience.

Damn it.

Even my fastest electric magic couldn’t keep up with the speed of his shadow step technique.

What should I do?