CHAPTER 1029: CHAPTER 157 - THE CENTAUR KINGDOM (5)

Reilhahand couldn’t help but burst into laughter the very moment those words left my mouth. It wasn’t just a chuckle, either—it was a deep, hearty cackle that rumbled through his chest and echoed across the hall. He threw his head back like someone who’d just heard the punchline to the greatest joke in the world.

Saying something that bold and confident, so out of nowhere, must’ve really blindsided him. His reaction alone was enough to tell me I’d caught him completely off guard.

"You sure don’t beat around the bush, huh?!" he said between laughs, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "As expected of the one they call the Elven Fucker! You don’t waste any time, do you? Even a centaur—someone completely different from you—doesn’t escape your eyes, huh? Hahaha! But damn, I like that enthusiasm! I think I’m gonna have a good time working with you. And honestly, I’m certain my daughter, Kali, and you would make one hell of a powerful child!"

He said that last part with such energy that for a moment, it almost sounded like he was the one getting excited about the whole idea. I couldn’t even begin to understand guys like him—people who were just so eager to hand their daughters off for the sake of breeding "strong offspring." Like, seriously, who does that? But well, that wasn’t really something I should be complaining about.

"F-Father, what do you mean by that?!" the prince suddenly yelled, stepping forward with fire in his eyes. "You can’t possibly mean that you’re giving Kali to someone like him! There’s no way! Not to a man like him! He’s nothing but scum!"

The guy was furious—his voice cracked from the strain of holding back his anger. You could practically see the veins bulging at his neck, ready to pop any second. His fists were clenched so tightly it looked like his knuckles might burst through his skin.

Reilhahand turned his gaze toward him, the amusement in his face fading just a bit. "So," he said slowly, his tone carrying weight now, "you’re trying to overturn my decision? And since when did you have the right to do that?"

The prince trembled slightly, his voice still defiant but shaky. "I-I mean, I’m sorry, father, but I can’t just stay quiet about this. I can’t allow someone who has... who has so many illicit relationships with women to be part of this unification. It’s disgusting! I can’t stand the idea! And I know Kali wouldn’t be able to stomach it either!"

Reilhahand arched a brow, folding his arms. "Oh? Kali wouldn’t be able to stomach it, huh? Well then—let’s ask her directly, shall we?"

His gaze turned toward the woman standing quietly beside him all this time. Kali hadn’t said a single word until now. She stood poised and elegant, her presence calm but undeniably sharp, like a blade wrapped in silk.

"Well," she said softly, her voice smooth yet firm. "I don’t really know what to think of him yet, Father." Her lips curled into a faint smile. "But... I do find him interesting."

Reilhahand’s grin returned instantly. "You hear that? That’s what she said."

The prince’s jaw tightened. He gritted his teeth so hard I thought he might crack them. "Y-You said you wanted someone strong for Kali!" he barked. "But he hasn’t proven anything! Not yet!"

"I think defeating you and your entire squad counts as proof enough," Reilhahand replied coolly. "But fine. Since you’re still so stubborn, let’s settle it properly." He turned to me again, his eyes gleaming like molten gold. "Why don’t you have a duel with Kali? Don’t be mistaken though—out of all my children, Kali is the strongest."

Now that was something I didn’t expect. To be honest, looking at her, she didn’t seem all that intimidating for a centaur. If anything, she looked... delicate. Graceful even. But judging by the way Reilhahand spoke, it sounded like I was underestimating her big time.

"Would you mind that, Leon?" he asked, his tone carrying both challenge and curiosity.

I smirked. "If that’s what it takes to earn your approval, then sure. I’m game."

And just like that, it was decided—a duel between me and Kali.

***

The field they led us to was huge—open grassland as far as the eye could see. The air was heavy with tension and anticipation.

Kali stood about fifty meters ahead, her hooves digging lightly into the dirt as she took her position. The distance between us felt vast, but her sharp gaze made it feel like she was right in front of me.

It made sense that duels here happened on such a large scale—after all, centaurs weren’t exactly built for small, confined spaces.

In her hands, Kali held a halberd that looked absolutely massive, even compared to her tall frame. The blade gleamed under the sunlight, sharp enough that I could practically feel its edge from where I stood. One swing from that thing and I’d be turned into a fine slice of sashimi.

"Kali’s a master of swordsmanship," Reilhahand’s voice rang out from the sidelines. "But with her strength and reach, she learned to use a halberd just as skillfully. She’s even stronger than me now. She defeated me once—can you believe that? Maybe it’s age catching up to me... or maybe she’s just that damn good. Hard to tell these days."

"Then I guess this’ll be a pretty fair fight," I said, cracking my neck and tightening my grip on Ayuru.

Reilhahand raised his arm high. "Then let the duel begin! Both of you—fight!"

The instant his hand came down, Kali charged.

And holy hell—she was fast.

Her body moved like a blur, her hooves pounding against the ground in rhythmic thunderclaps. The earth shook beneath her as dust scattered in her wake.

If I hadn’t raised Ayuru in time, her halberd would’ve split my head in two. The metallic clang of our weapons colliding echoed through the field, sharp and powerful.

"Damn... that was close," I muttered under my breath, feeling the sting of her power through my arms.

Kali backed off smoothly, her hooves clicking lightly as she smiled. "Not bad at all," she said, her voice calm and teasing. "I didn’t hold back on that swing, but you blocked it effortlessly. You’re even better than I expected."

She stood there, completely composed. There was no heavy breathing and there was no sign of exhaustion as well in her face. Just that calm, confident expression that made her look like she was toying with me.

Yeah, she was definitely something else. And for some reason, that made me even more intrigued.

"Fufufu..." she chuckled softly, eyes locked onto mine. "I think I’m starting to get interested in you, Sir Leon. At this point, I wouldn’t mind if we really did become lovers."

Even after saying that, she still had her halberd raised, ready for another strike—eyes blazing with the thrill of combat.

I steadied my stance, grinning back at her. "That’s fantastic," I said, voice low and charged with excitement. "Because I was just thinking the same thing."