Inside the lavish banquet hall, as the barrier created by Via Shilheim unfolded, everyone present automatically became spectators, isolated outside the barrier.
Some, like Ferras and Nibald, discussed the upcoming duel among themselves, while others silently watched the arena, eagerly anticipating the battle that was about to unfold.
"Good luck, young master."
Orto folded his arms as he stood in a corner outside the barrier, quietly offering his blessing to Belmont.
Florent, Raven, Hardt, and the other Sword Saint-level figures were also surrounded by the crowd, either silently observing the match or exchanging quiet opinions.
Meanwhile, Sergius, Serena, and the other members of the royal family who were preparing to compete for the throne had all become little more than background figures, left with no choice but to stand by and watch.
Originally, they were supposed to be the protagonists of this banquet. Instead, they had been reduced to supporting roles, leaving some of the proud members of the royal family visibly dissatisfied.
Even so, what could they possibly do?
Of the two people inside the barrier, one had already begun earning the reputation of being both Jinas's strongest individual and the one nobody should ever provoke, while the other was the head of Jinas's greatest magic family and a Strategic-Class Magician.
Even if the king himself arrived, he would have to carefully consider whether he possessed enough authority to stop them, let alone these people who had not even ascended the throne yet.
As a result, regardless of anyone's dissatisfaction, the duel remained the center of attention throughout the entire banquet, and no one dared step forward to stop it.
Even Isis, the head of the Letryss family and the host of the banquet, made no attempt to interfere, making it obvious that the matter had already been settled.
Yuri, Lizbeth, Lilith, Euryale, and the others also remained silent, simply watching from the sidelines.
Aside from the somewhat nervous Lizbeth, everyone else looked at Belmont with cold eyes, as though they were looking at a fool.
In the eyes of those who knew Riezel's true strength and feats, wasn't anyone who chose to oppose him nothing more than a fool?
Belmont, however, clearly didn't think so.
In fact, he had already grown excited.
As unwilling as he was to admit it, Riezel's reputation had already far surpassed his own in others' eyes.
After defeating the Old Sword Saint, killing one Sword Saint, and defeating two more, Riezel had earned unmatched prestige throughout Jinas.
As a result, no one believed they could afford to offend him, nor did anyone think they could stand against him.
Had it not been for the fact that Riezel and Yuri's relationship was so complicated, with practically everyone in their circles knowing how close they were and believing they were on the verge of becoming a couple, Belmont honestly would never have provoked or challenged him like this.
On the other hand, if he could defeat Riezel in a magic duel, wouldn't that be an incredible opportunity?
If he won, his reputation—Belmont Muraguet's reputation—would soar throughout Jinas.
If even the untouchable Lightning Sword Saint became someone he had defeated, what greater honor could there possibly be?
Perhaps this event would even be recorded in history and passed down to future generations forever.
By then, his reputation would rival that of the Muraguet family's ancestor, leaving future descendants unable to surpass him.
Honestly, the more he imagined that future, the more excited he became.
For that reason alone, he resolved to fight with everything he had.
*Whoosh!*
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Belmont tore open the formal suit he was wearing, revealing the outfit hidden beneath it.
To everyone's surprise, beneath the formal suit was a complete magician's battle outfit.
It was a black battle outfit adorned with golden patterns that not only radiated dense magical energy but also bore mysterious runes that flickered in and out of sight.
Right after revealing the outfit, Belmont adopted an exceptionally serious expression.
First came a long robe, its surface engraved with rows of miniature magic circles resembling intricate patterns.
Next, he slipped several rings onto his fingers.
Around his waist was a belt that carried not only magical items such as jewels and crystals but also scrolls, amulets, chains, and various other magical tools.
Finally, he drew a finely crafted wand that had been tucked inside his robe.
A fully armed magician had now made his appearance, causing the surrounding crowd to immediately erupt into an uproar.
"Lord Muraguet came prepared, didn't he?"
"Good grief, he actually brought his entire set of equipment. He clearly planned this from the very beginning."
"Look at that robe. Isn't that the newly developed Black Soul Series that's rumored to increase resistance against all types of magic by 4.5 times?"
"And that outfit, that's the Dark Abyss magic armor developed using Volcarion's latest magic technology! It consumes multiple magic crystals to reinforce itself and can reduce damage from magic by 80 percent!"
"The rings on his fingers also look like the latest models crafted using the newest technology."
"Hey, those aren't even the main point. Isn't the real highlight that wand?"
"If I'm not mistaken, that's the Holy Seer's Wand that has been passed down through the Muraguet family for generations."
"You mean the wand that the first-generation king bestowed upon the Muraguet family's ancestor when the kingdom was founded, to honor the Muraguet family?"
"Isn't that the mystical treasure known as the kingdom's greatest magic wand?"
Just like that, the crowd continued discussing it among themselves as the commotion grew louder and louder, making it obvious just how overwhelming Belmont's equipment was to everyone present.
"I-Is that even allowed?"
Even Carrera, who had been watching Riezel with a complicated expression the entire time, was stunned.
"Well, this is hardly a simple duel..."
Even Serena was speechless as she muttered.
"Honestly, even in a fight to the death, it's rare for a magician to equip themselves this thoroughly..."
As the crowd continued arguing among themselves, some secretly cursed Belmont for being so shameless, while others frowned in disapproval. He kept calling it a duel of magic, yet he had armed himself from head to toe beforehand. It truly made him seem rather shameless.
Yuri, in particular, looked openly displeased.
Back during the battle at the War Festival, she had not relied on her status as a Strategic-Class Magician and a marquis by wearing all of her magician equipment. Even when her own marriage was on the line, she had not resorted to such tactics, making it obvious just how much she disliked Belmont's actions now.
Unfortunately, no one could openly criticize him.
Whether one was a swordsman or a magician, fully equipping oneself before battle was perfectly reasonable, so they couldn't simply accuse someone of being in the wrong because they had come well prepared.
At most, his conduct could be considered somewhat dishonorable, but there was nothing about it that people could openly condemn. In the end, they could only complain about it in private and do nothing else.
"You're definitely playing it safe."
Even though he was somewhat surprised to see Belmont arm himself so thoroughly in an instant, Riezel merely smiled faintly.
"It can't be helped. My opponent is a renowned powerhouse like Sir Brynhart. Even I wouldn't dare lower my guard."
Belmont had clearly anticipated the criticism his actions would receive and had already prepared himself mentally.
"Please don't hold back either. Feel free to use all of your equipment."
Although that was what he said, judging from his expression, he clearly did not believe Riezel could produce any noteworthy magician equipment.
As for why, it was simply because Riezel was a swordsman.
Yes, his weapon might be extraordinary, and perhaps he possessed armor capable of resisting all kinds of powerful attacks, but that didn't necessarily mean he owned equipment specifically designed for magicians.
Even if he did, Belmont did not believe it could possibly compare to his own, since his current equipment could be said to be the best in Jinas, perfectly displaying the Muraguet family's countless years of accumulated wealth and treasured collections.
Because of that, he believed no one possessed equipment more complete or more powerful than his. Not even Yuri, Jinas's second Strategic-Class Magician and chief court magician, possessed a collection or financial resources equal to his.
Needless to say, that was the reason for Belmont's confidence.
Unfortunately, what he did not know was that the person standing before him had inherited the burial treasures left behind by the last queen of the Reinnail Clan, obtaining countless ancient treasures.
If Riezel wished, he could equip himself just as thoroughly, with every single piece of equipment and every single item being a mystical treasure that vastly surpassed everything Belmont currently wore.
If they were truly compared, according to the classification of the world of Overlord, Riezel could easily appear wearing an entire set of Divine-Class Items.
Meanwhile, aside from the Holy Seer's Wand in Belmont's hand, which was a Divine-Class Item, he possessed only two or three Legendary-Class Items. Most of the rest were Relic-Class Items, while some were merely Legacy-Class Items.
If Riezel truly decided to stop holding back and completely abandon all restraint, he could even bring out two or three World Items.
Divine Meloe was a World Item.
Divine Arcana was a World Item.
Hero Ring was a World Item.
Aside from those, there were also several other exceptionally powerful items that possessed the might of World Items. Not to mention that he still had ten hidden rings and two bracelets in his possession.
However, Belmont was clearly not qualified to make Riezel take him that seriously.
"Sacrament - Wheel Mirror."
Riezel merely chanted a single magic spell, causing several magic mirrors to materialize and begin floating around him, with a total of four magic mirrors slowly revolving around his body.
"C'mon. Hit me with everything you've got."
After casting that single spell, Riezel made no further preparations and simply beckoned Belmont over with a faint smile.
Hearing his words, Belmont sneered.
Just as he had expected, Riezel didn't have any respectable magician equipment to bring out.
As for those four floating mirrors, they were probably some sort of defensive magic.
Did Riezel really think defensive magic alone could stop his magic spells?
"In that case, I won't hold back."
Immediately after saying that, Belmont raised his wand high into the air and rapidly, yet flawlessly, began chanting a magic incantation.
In the next moment, crimson waves of scorching heat gathered around him.
"Roar, Dragon of Fire!"
As Belmont shouted, blazing fire dragons emerged one after another from within the waves of heat.
*WHOOSH!*
Roaring fiercely, the fire dragons charged straight toward Riezel, causing the air inside the barrier to instantly become scorching hot, raising the temperature by several degrees until the atmosphere turned dry and blazing.
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