A Sweet Girl Won't Be Fooled By The Villainess - [Vol. 3] Chapter 21

[Vol. 3] Chapter 21: Spare My Subordinates, Please!

“Haha, is Banchen also at the age of first love? Youth is truly wonderful!”

“These people from the Sith Empire seem too weak. Not to mention women, even the men have a slender build.”

“Tsk tsk, that man dueling with Banchen, he won’t be punched to death by him, right!”

“Hey, Banchen, be gentle, spare a thought for your opponent!”

More and more onlookers gathered, and the muscular man dueling with Andrea Manlo seemed to have quite a reputation locally. In the crowd, a few men even whistled at him.

Some playful and smiling voices cheered him on.

It was already established that Andrea Manlo, who was dueling with Banchen, had no chance of winning with just one blow.

After all, just comparing their body sizes, Andrea Manlo was already at a disadvantage.

“Esteemed guest, may I ask if you have truly decided and agreed to this duel invitation?”

As people eagerly anticipated the duel, Juble asked hypocritically once again.

This made Andrea Manlo furrow his brow. He had no favorable impression of the barbaric country of the Taric, and he raised the long sword in his hand to create a sword flower, not answering out loud but nodding towards Juble.

His handsome face bathed in sunlight, confident and unyielding, stunned some of the women in the crowd.

Although men from the Sith Empire seemed frail, their facial features were exceptionally good. Compared to the rough men of their own country, they appeared delicate and attractive.

If one could stay behind as a male companion, it might not be a bad idea…

The voices of the Taric locals around, who were watching the excitement, were incredibly loud, and since there was no attempt to conceal their words, the disdainful remarks also reached Andrea Manlo’s ears.

However, this did not make Andrea Manlo furious or embarrassed. Instead, his emotions remained very stable. Victory or defeat depended on one’s own efforts, not on others’ words. As for the obvious difference in physique…

Sometimes, muscles are not the key to victory!

Otherwise, Amelia Barlen wouldn’t have defeated the massive knight commander, who was like a bear, with just a slender sword, achieving a remarkably beautiful and unquestionable overwhelming victory.

Although Andrea Manlo did not arrogantly compare himself to Amelia Barlen, dealing with the guy in front of him was certainly enough.

After receiving Andrea Manlo’s affirmation, Juble took the initiative to step back a few steps. Soon after, as both sides chose to use weapons, this special duel began.

Unlike Andrea Manlo, who used a long sword, Banchen chose a giant axe stained with blood. Yes, it was the same axe that had decapitated someone in a previous duel. When the owner of the axe was sent for treatment, he excitedly handed the axe to Banchen, wishing him victory in the upcoming battle.

Compared to unfamiliar Sith Empire individuals, of course, it was preferable that fellow countrymen emerged victorious.

The weight of the giant axe was evident, making it particularly strenuous to swing, but it possessed the power to bring down ten opponents with a single strike. Whether it chopped into a person’s body or smashed against a sword, it would shatter like a porcelain doll.

Therefore, facing an attack from the giant axe, resisting directly was not an option. Instead, one had to dodge agilely, find openings, and then counterattack.

Andrea Manlo had always been a diligent and serious individual, never slackening in sword practice. Additionally, his well-exercised body was not burdensome, allowing him to easily evade. However, launching a counterattack required quick hands and eyes.

Andrea Manlo’s blue eyes were fixed on Banchen, and he did not rashly attack. Instead, he probed in a distracting manner, wanting to see if this burly man was genuinely bold or just putting on a show. Outwardly rough and bold but secretly calculating.

“Hmph, exotic fellow, are you a monkey? Real men don’t hide, they face real blades and guns!”

As it turned out, he truly was straightforward…

After confirming that Banchen was not pretending to lure him in, vulnerabilities in his movements immediately became apparent. However, Andrea Manlo did not underestimate him for this. The previous example of someone losing their head served as a warning, reminding him that relaxing vigilance could be fatal.

Just by observing the attitude of the reception official, Juble, it was clear that the people of the Taric Kingdom did not hold them in high regard. At least, losing one or two individuals in a duel seemed inconsequential to them.

Perhaps, the Taric Kingdom believed that the Sith Empire coveted their gold mines and coffee, so some friction was just a minor issue. It wouldn’t lead to tearing up the signed contract. Thinking quickly about these matters, Andrea Manlo’s expression turned serious, knowing that he couldn’t afford to lose. He had to win convincingly and withstand the show of force from the Taric Kingdom. At the same time, he needed to make it clear that the Sith Empire was not a soft target to be casually squeezed and molded.

With a determined resolve, Andrea Manlo held his sword with a steadier grip. His sky-blue eyes showed determination as Banchen roared and swung the giant axe, directly targeting the vulnerabilities. The sword tip flicked upward, quickly piercing into Banchen’s right leg. With Andrea Manlo’s movement, a pitiful scream rang out. Banchen’s right leg was sliced from top to bottom, and the tendons were snapped by the sword tip.

While Banchen struggled to maintain his stance due to the pain, Andrea Manlo did not relent. Instead, he accelerated the attack, executing a stylish spinning kick that sent the giant axe flying several meters away. With a heavy “clang,” the long sword rested horizontally at Banchen’s neck.

Andrea Manlo halted the assault, and the outcome was determined at this moment.

Originally, the onlookers were cheerfully whistling and making noise, but at this moment, there was a momentary silence. The scene immediately became incredibly quiet. People looked at Andrea Manlo with astonished eyes, not expecting this seemingly slender man to possess such formidable explosive power. Even the burly Banchen was not his match! Truly, appearances can be deceiving!

After the shock subsided, the lively atmosphere returned, even more intense than before.

“Wow, the people from the Sith Empire are pretty good, not a bunch of weaklings!”

“I love powerful men the most~”

“Banchen, you’ve really disgraced Taric Kingdom. Failures should just die!”

“Although the people from the Sith Empire are skilled, they’re still not a match for Princess Sissi!”

Ifia, listening to the various discussions around her, realized that the people of Taric Kingdom really had no sense of companionship. The one who receives cheers and applause after winning a duel, and the one who faces jeers and insults after losing—a stark reality.

“Official Juble, have I gained victory in this duel?”

Even though Andrea Manlo had disarmed Banchen, he remained vigilant. While speaking to Juble, he still held the sword in his hand, aiming at the throat. If Banchen harbored any thoughts of resistance, he would not hesitate to swing the sword mercilessly.

However, Banchen had never suffered such a severe injury before. His facial expression twisted in pain, and without thinking of resisting, he quickly spoke before Jiu Bailing could say anything, “I concede!”

After Banchen voluntarily conceded, Andrea Manlo sheathed his sword and quickly returned to the team. There was no triumphant air of a winner, and he remained low-key, as if he had just taken a stroll.

Observing the composed and understated Andrea Manlo, Juble, with a hint of interest in his green eyes, didn’t hesitate to praise, “Esteemed guest, your swordsmanship is truly outstanding. Are all people from the Sith Empire this formidable?”

Facing Juble’s compliment, Andrea Manlo simply nodded slightly. Refusing to reply would seem impolite, so he responded, “My swordsmanship is average, there are more skilled individuals.” Andrea Manlo’s words were not modesty but a statement of fact, such as the formidable presence of Amelia Barlen standing nearby.

She was powerful!

While speaking, Juble noticed the change in Andrea Manlo’s expression. As his admiring gaze shifted towards Amelia Barlen, it caught Juble’s attention. The taciturn, aloof, and beautiful woman, who had been silent all along, now drew her focus.

Then, Juble casually smiled and said, “The Sith Empire truly has a wealth of talent. I wonder who would win or lose compared to our Princess Sissi.”

“Princess Sissi?”

Upon hearing the name of a member of the Taric royal family from Juble, there was immediate curiosity on the side of the Sith Empire envoy.

What does the royal family of this barbarian kingdom look like?

“Princess Sissi is one of the strong individuals in Taric Kingdom. Despite her youth, she possesses formidable skills. Proficient in dual blades, she has already cut off dozens of heads and is a very popular figure in Taric Kingdom.”

Though it sounded like deliberate praise, Juble’s face carried a genuine admiration when mentioning Princess Sissi. Hearing about cutting off dozens of heads, the people from the Sith Empire couldn’t help but instinctively shrink their necks. Then, with unanimous movement, they turned their gaze to Amelia Barlen, thinking that these two had a subtle similarity!

Even though Amelia Barlen didn’t ruthlessly chop off heads, her formidable combat abilities could bring down a nearly two-meter-tall man to the ground.

Who knows who is stronger between these two?

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Amelia remained expressionless, her purple eyes slightly narrowed. She didn’t change in response to the scrutiny, still earnestly playing with the soft hand of Ifia.

Ifia, on the other hand, didn’t understand why everyone was looking at her. She raised her head, facing the complex looks from the crowd with a puzzled expression.

[•_•?]

At the same time, Amelia raised her gaze and looked over coldly. In the next moment, people quickly averted their eyes. They looked at the sky, the ground, the flowers, and the grass, anything but Amelia Barlen.

After observing the attitudes of the crowd, Juble confirmed that his thoughts were correct. This silver-haired woman with purple eyes should be a formidable member of the team. To gain unanimous acknowledgment from the majority indicated that she was not just an ordinary strong individual but an exceptionally powerful one.

Now, Princess Sissi should be pleased.

With these thoughts in mind, Juble smiled at the crowd and didn’t linger. Instead, he continued leading the way ahead, guiding the Sith Empire envoy towards the Taric royal palace.

The architectural style of the houses in Taric Kingdom was consistent. The palace, distinguished from other buildings, was not only larger and taller but also adorned with more fierce beast decorations and various animal teeth, displaying distinct national characteristics.

Even the palace maids who were waiting on the sides wore attire that was still quite revealing. With smiles on their faces, they addressed the Sith Empire envoy, “Lord Juble, Princess Sissi has already prepared a feast in the main hall. Please follow us.”