In the moment the car was showered with bullets, everyone inside was startled by the sudden attack but not to the point of being fearful. The rain of bullets was like hail from the skies. It had impact but lacked the penetrative force needed to break through the car's defenses. Web-like cracks appeared on the tempered glasd windscreens, but that was the extent of the bullet's damage. It could be seen that even for a luxury car owned by the Duke, the materials invested in its making would not skimped on in terms of quality.
While everyone was distracted by the miniature web-like cracks appearing on the glasses, the Duke felt an intense feeling of impending doom. Trusting his gut instincts, he shifted his body away from his seat as the blade of a sword penetrated through the steel roof above and stabbed into his original seat. The Duke broke into sweats. He would have died if he had reacted one step slower.
At the same time, someone landed on the hood of the car. Sebastian forcefully swerved the car to the side and crashed it into the city walls. The two figures that just landed on top of the car did not stay on top for long before they were immediately projected off their feet by the inertia and flew into the walls in front.
"Dammit Sebastian, are you trying to kill your lord!?" Duke Ignis cursed with his eyes almost popping out as he stared at the sword blade that was only 2 inches away from his face. Everyone was affected by inertia, but thankfully the car wasn't going too fast and the interior was able to cushion them to an extent. No one was inflicted with the serious injuries from the crash.
Only the Duke had been given a fright. He had only just succeeded in dodging the sword blow when his body was compelled to lunge forward at the sword headfirst. With his quick hands he made grab onto some support and forcefully resist the inertia force in the nick of time.
"All of you stay in the car!" Duke Ignis ordered and stormed outside with a belly full of anger. In a short instance, he had nearly died twice. It's fine if he fell in battle to a worthy opponent, but even his own men almost caused the death of him! He needed to find an outlet for this anger and who else could be a better choice than his enemies!?
"Is he going to be fine by himself?" Watching Duke Ignis exit the car alone, Leon couldn't help but ask. The other party looked both powerful and menacing.
"There's no need to worry. I am still here." Amelia said as she inspected the surrounding buildings outside through the window for any other hidden dangers. If Duke Ignis showed any sign of being in danger, she would rush to help immediately. But for now, she would let him do his thing and show off his machismo. There wasn't any need to step out to help as she believe in her husband's strength.
"Alright." Leon nodded and sat back. It's good to powerful people on his side as he would not have to struggle for his life. But then again, these people didn't seem to be coming for his life but for the Duke's.
Drawing his trusted sword that always accompanied him by his side, Duke Ignis pointed it at the two figures that already retreated a distance away from the car. "Gregory Weld! You have a lot of guts challenging me! Do you think you are my opponent!?"
Marquis Gregory did not answer him as his father stepped forward and answered in his stead.
"He is not, but what about me?" Lord Weld said with a chuckle, but he was feeling heavy-hearted inside. Originally, he thought he could reap some benefits by volunteering to guard this side, while his steward was sent to raid the Lancaster mansion for their secret training manual, but who knew that the Duke's group would really take the least expected route. Now he must delay them until the other three families arrives.
The minor noble families that was tasked with relaying the news to the other side had already gone ahead and did just that. These minor noble families could not help Lord Weld with his battle even if they wanted to. These minor noble families all had bone-deep grudges against Queen Elizabeth for forcing them to drink the Water of Absolute Nothingness and sealed away their abilities.
They completely believed that they were innocent in the rebellion 17 years ago and that the punishment the Queen imposed upon them was unjust and heartless. They did not join Duke Agni's camp in the rebellion. They didn't do anything either… but it was exactly because they did nothing that the Queen punished them.
They have all been contacted by Duke Agni to join his camp beforehand. They all knew Duke Agni was going to rebel and declined his offer.
Although they didn't join his camp, they didn't inform or help the royal family's side either. They tried to be fence sitters and reap the benefits after the two sides destroy each other.
There was a price for trying to be the fisherman. They had great ambition but lacked the capability and insight to support it. They never thought that the battle could be so one-sided.
Their inaction to support the crown was nothing short of treason. It was already merciful of the Queen to only deprive them of their abilities and not take their lives.
"And who the fuck you?" Duke Ignis looked at the ghastly old bag of bones that is Lord Weld and did not recognize him. He only recognise him as the person that tried to kill him just now.
Lord Weld's appearance has changed far too greatly from when Duke Ignis last saw him. The shortening of lifespan would naturally accelerate their aging process as well. Thus, even if Lord Weld was only in his 60s, he looked no different to a 100-year old geezer with a foot in the coffin.
"Y-You! I am the Lord of the Weld family! How dare you disrespect me, you bastard!" Lord Weld was angered by Duke Ignis disregard. They were both 9th step awakeners and should be treated as equals! But Duke Ignis did not put him in his eyes like he was beneath him. Not to mention Lord Weld was a generation older and was his senior.
"Pah! Rebels don't deserve respect. The Lord of the Weld Family is right next to you. Which generation Lord of the Weld family could you be? You look like you just crawled out of the coffin." Duke Ignis ridiculed. The bloody and deathly aura was oozing out of the old man wantonly. This was a person who had committed an unaccountable number of untold evils. Although he couldn't see it, he could feel it. He never seen such a terrifyingly evil figure before. Exactly what atrocities had this person committed?
"I AM-" Lord Weld pointed his finger at Duke Ignis and was about to utter his name when his hand froze. "I am the previous lord of the Weld family, you bastard!" He stated instead. He was used to people referring to him as Lord Weld and had not used his original name for so many years that he had forgotten it. It was not because he was suffering for Alzheimer's disease due to his accelerated old age… definitely not…
Lord Weld's words surprised the Duke. He really could not see the resemblance. They were like two completely different people.
"How unexpected that you are still alive. You faked your death well. Seems like you all have been plotting against the crown for a very long time now." Duke Ignis said with a deep tone as he started to take his opponents seriously. He had been provoking the opponent to make their next move, but they did not. They stood their ground and traded words instead of blows. Duke Ignis wasn't stupid. By this point he already realized the other party was trying to buy time, while blocking the way. "Are we going to fight or what!?"
Since the other party had intention of fighting after failing their ambush, he would force them to fight. Duke Ignis lunged forward with a sword thrust without warning.
His servants had long taken arms and in position, ready to battle at any moment. Seeing their Duke initiating his attacking, they followed suit and opened fire at Marquis Gregory and his servants on the walls. Guns were quite lethal if the shots landed, but they weren't actually useful in a battle against awakeners. Everyone utilised their own ability to block the bullets.
"Hmph! If the Royal family wasn't so selfish and shared their secret training manual with everyone then this would never have to happen!" Lord Weld's own sword was still stuck in the car. He snatched his son's own sword to block the blow before kicking him out of the way. Being weaponless, he used his water ability to block the bullets shot at him, before giving his father an aggrieved look.
"What a joke! You lust after other's secret training manuals just because your own is trash, right!?" Duke Ignis insulted as they traded sword blows. He was disgusted by their greed And selfishness.
They were both 9th step awakeners, but they were far from equals. Duke Ignis was in his prime and still full of vigor, while Lord Weld was decrepit and weakened by age. Lord Weld was naturally suppressed and pushed back by the Duke's barrage of attack.
Unable to counterattack, he could only continue to defend as he was forced to retreat further and further back in to the Upper North District.
"You are forcing my hand!" Lord Weld roared as all the rain in the surround perimeter was stirred. He cant best the Duke in swordsmanship and strength, but under this weather, he had overwhelming advantage in terms of ability.
Amelia stepped out of the car to help the Lancaster's servants finish off their enemies quickly so they could leave quickly.
She wasn't planning to make a move herself originally, but her husband was too useless and wasted too much time talking nonsense.. In fact the Duke might have wasted more time, but he felt a familiar pair of impatient eyes focused on his back that compelled him to fight immediately.