The Echanting Duchess

Chapter 31: Truce?

The days quickly went by.

After several days of recuperating, Duke Calex was now back to his feet with his strength fully regained.

His swordsman aura returned on the fifth day after the onset of his condition.

In Azure Sylva Continent, other than Wizards, there was also another classification of one's ability. They were none other than the Swordsmen.

If the Wizards were known as the "Protectors of the Land", the Swordsmen were known as the "Swords of the Kingdom".

Duke Calex was a Swordsman. Swordsmen were not dependent on MaËn or any of the four existing elements. While Wizards got their powers and abilities from the four elements, Swordsmen relied on nothing but a certain body cultivation technique to hone their swordsmanship and attain greater ranks and levels of swordplay.

Unlike the Wizards who were not under the jurisdiction of the kingdom,  except for those who directly work for the kingdom and were hired by the kingdom, Swordsmen were directly linked to the kingdom and the main protectors of the kingdom.

Most Swordsmen were Knights and Warriors of the kingdom. Their special battle strength, body prowess, superhuman strength and abilities, and swordplay skills were vital in slaying monsters and purging those violent creatures that put the security of the kingdom in danger, without any assistance of magic. 

Swordsmen were directly involved with protecting the kingdom and using brute force and strength to wield swords and fight against the monsters. Wizards could be their shield. But since Wizards were mostly difficult to reach unless really needed and because hired wizards by the kingdom were just but a small number, hence protecting the kingdom and its security was the swordsmen's firsthand responsibility.

And Duke Calex, the Duke of Kargaz of the North, was the most prominent and known Warrior of the Kingdom of Hartize. He was also recognized by His Majesty the King during His Majesty's previous birthday banquet.

Body cultivation is the art of strengthening the body. It was an ancient technique that was not dependent on magical energy or the assistance of any of the four elements.

In order to achieve ranks with this ancient technique, one needed to practice different sets of body exercises and routines included in the technique.

The ancient technique of body cultivation has only four ranks; Apprentice Swordsman, Full-fledged Swordsman, Master Swordsman, and the Grandmaster Swordsman Rank.

Each rank has six levels in which the swordsman needed to accomplish in order to climb up in ranks and unlock skill sets and different ancient and powerful swordplay techniques. The levels each rank were Low Level, Low-Middle Level, Middle Level, Middle-High, High Level, and Peak Level as the highest level before climbing up to the next rank.

Compared to the ranking of Wizards which has six ranks, Swordsmen only has four rankings. Yet, the level of difficulty each rank was not something that could be taken lightly. After all, practicing this ancient body cultivation technique could only be done with strong will and determination combined with persistence and courage.

As for Duke Calex, he was currently the strongest Swordsman in the kingdom of Hartize. He was widely known for his unrivaled swordplay skills. However, no one knew what rank he currently possessed. After all, it was in the knowledge of everyone that the duke was matchless and inhumanly strong yet his real strength or where his limit could reach, has not yet been seen or confirmed by anyone.

Inside the main dining hall of the main mansion where the Duke and Duchess resided.

It was an unusual and extraordinary sight to see.