(AN: Thanks to my good friend, he helped me work in the Lionheart family from Damned Reincarnation in a way that they could, in theory, be a Canonical part of the DxD verse and still be OP but not as OP as from the original LN as they would basically be able to one shot everyone in the story if we left them that way)
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The Lionheart estate lay far off in Eastern Europe, nestled within vast forests untouched by time. Its grand towers and weathered walls exuded the quiet dignity of an age long past. The cobbled pathways leading to its gates whispered tales of glory and sacrifice, while the sprawling grounds beyond them seemed almost abandoned, save for the quiet hum of life within.
The Lionheart family, once champions of humanity, had receded into legend. Their name was spoken only by scholars and whispered by those who knew the truth—a truth veiled in secrecy for centuries. To the supernatural factions that ruled the modern age, the Lionhearts were a family of minor importance, remnants of a bygone era. Yet this obscurity was deliberate, for the Lionhearts had chosen to hide their strength from a world that no longer deserved it.
Centuries ago, the Lionhearts were at the forefront of humanity's battle against the supernatural. With their martial prowess and unmatched magical techniques, they were humanity's shield against darkness. Born from the legacy of their founder, Vermouth Lionheart, their strength was not merely legend—it was fact. Vermouth had forged the family with an iron will and boundless power, instilling a philosophy of protection and restraint that became the family's creed.
In those days, the Lionhearts were not just defenders but an overwhelming threat to the supernatural. Their mastery of the White Flame Formula and other techniques allowed them to stand against devils and demons alike. The White Flame Formula is more than just a weapon; it is a reflection of the Lionheart family's identity. The devils, in particular, feared the Lionhearts, for their abilities burned with a purity that could destroy even the most powerful of their kind. It was said that a single Lionheart, at the height of their power, could hold the line against legions of devils and fallen angels, even high-ranking devils...
Though their strength was vast, the Lionhearts' relationship with the world was fraught with conflict. They had long allied with the Church, fighting to protect humanity against all supernatural threats. Yet, as the centuries passed, the Church began to change. It began to become corrupt, which included heinous acts. The Lionhearts, devoted to Vermouth's principles of balance and responsibility, grew uneasy with the Church's increasing focus on politics and power.
The tipping point came during the Great War between devils, angels, and fallen angels. While the Lionhearts had the strength to tip the scales of the conflict, they chose not to intervene. They saw the war not as a battle for survival but as a clash of prideful factions, each seeking dominance at the expense of humanity. Instead, the Lionhearts turned their efforts toward protecting the innocents caught in the crossfire. They defended towns and villages, safeguarding lives without taking sides. This choice alienated the Church, which had come to see neutrality as a betrayal. Yet the Lionhearts remained steadfast.
"Our power is not a weapon for politics," declared their patriarch at the time. "It is a shield for those who cannot defend themselves." Their withdrawal marked the beginning of their prominence decline but also solidified their independence.
Despite their withdrawal from global conflicts, the Lionhearts were never forgotten by their enemies. Devils, in particular, remembered the family as one of humanity's strongest bastions. Their fear was well-founded. The White Flame Formula, a combat art passed down through Lionheart bloodlines, was devastating to infernal beings. Unlike holy swords that required divine blessings, the Lionhearts' flames were a product of human will and discipline. They burned brighter and fiercer, untainted by external forces.
Even in the present day, the mention of the Lionhearts stirs unease among older devils. Though weakened by time and isolation, the family reminds humanity of its potential to rise against the supernatural.
The Lionhearts' withdrawal did not come without cost. Over the centuries, they became more insular, their focus shifting inward. They maintained their estate with quiet diligence, training their descendants in the old ways and guarding the relics of their past. Portraits of ancestors lined the grand halls with their golden eyes and ash-grey silver hair.
The estate itself was a testament to their legacy. Beneath its surface lay hidden chambers sealed with powerful wards. These vaults contained the family's most dangerous artefacts, tools, and weapons from an era when the Lionhearts stood as humanity's champions.
The patriarch, a man of quiet strength and unyielding resolve, oversaw these secrets. To him, they were not treasures but burdens. "Power must be earned, not inherited," he often told his descendants. "And even then, it must be wielded wisely."
The younger generation struggled with this philosophy. They saw a chaotic world where devils, angels, and other factions vied for control. To them, the family's isolation felt like abandonment. Yet the elders, hardened by experience, held firm. "We are watchers, not conquerors," they would say. "The world must learn to stand without us."
The Lionhearts were not without peers. The Pendragons, champions of the Church, shared a similar legacy. Yet the two families could not have been more different. While the Pendragons thrived in the public eye, their strength bolstered by the divine Excalibur fragments, the Lionhearts operated in the shadows, relying on their own discipline and ingenuity. And a martial strength that was overwhelmingly strong compared to the Pendragons.
There was respect between the families but also an unspoken rivalry. The Pendragons viewed the Lionhearts' secrecy as arrogance, while the Lionhearts regarded the Pendragons' reliance on holy relics as dependence. Still, neither could deny the other's strength.
Marriages between the two families were exceedingly rare. The Lionhearts, known for their insularity, fiercely guarded their bloodline and the secrets that came with it. To marry into the Pendragon family, with its overt ties to the Church and Excalibur's relics, was viewed as a dilution of the Lionheart legacy. However, when such unions did occur, they were treated with strict rules to preserve the balance of power and tradition between the two houses.
When a member of the Lionheart main line married into the Pendragon family, the resulting offspring were subject to unique restrictions. The Lionhearts decreed that any such child would be barred from learning the White Flame Formula. This prohibition was both a matter of tradition and a safeguard, ensuring that external influences kept the family's most sacred technique untainted. The White Flame was more than a combat art—it culminated in Vermouth's philosophy, demanding an unyielding loyalty to the Lionheart creed.
Instead, these children were taught the Red Flame Formula, a variation of their family's techniques designed for those outside the main house. The Red Flame, while formidable, lacked the purity and intensity of its white counterpart. It served as a reminder of the child's secondary status within the Lionheart hierarchy. Though these individuals carried the Lionheart name, they were formally excluded from the main house and placed within a side branch tied to their Pendragon heritage.
While distinct from the main house, this side branch remained close in proximity and loyalty. Its members often served as emissaries or liaisons between the two families, their dual heritage allowing them to bridge the ideological divide.
Scene change: In present-day Europe, deep within the Caledonian Forest of Scotland, the Lionheart Compound is the main family estate living room. On the same day, Sirzechs Lucifer visited Tokyo.
As the light from the fireplace illuminates the room, we can see two sofas separated by a large table. We see a man with long shoulder-length grey hair and a full beard on one side. His piercing golden eyes shone due to the flames from the fire. He looked at the couch across from him with a serious look. He leaned back on the couch, crossing his arms, awaiting his visitors from the Pendragon family.
He wore a White collar shirt with a necktie held in place by a ruby clasp. His chest was covered in a black jacket with gold accents and buttons. He had a silver shield emblem over his left breast, emblazoned by the Lionheart family crest. Behind him on the wall was a shield with two swords crossed behind it, with the Lionheart Crest upon it. He was the Patriarch of the Lionheart Main house Gilead Lionheart.
Behind him was a much younger man in his early twenties with a savage grin, the same Ash-grey hair and Golden eyes as his father, Gilead. He, however, was wearing a more casual black high-collar short-sleeved shirt and a crimson sleeveless ornate doublet with gold accents and a brown leather belt strapped across his chest from left to right. In the crook of his neck sat a crimson-cut ruby in a gold setting tied with a simple brown rope hanging around his neck. Upon his shoulders, a fur-collared cloak with a solid chain holding it in place connected to two platinum lion-head clasps over each of the young man's shoulders.
His hands, which sat on the pommel of the two blades at his side, were wrapped in combat bandages. His brown belt held a silver lion buckle to keep it in place. The scabbards of his swords to the right and left were of excellent quality. The blade on his right side was highly robust, and seeing as he was the son of the Patriarch of the Lionheart family, that blade was also magically enchanted alongside the scabbard. However, it was nowhere near the level of the blade on his left side.
The blade, known as Storm Sword Wynnyd, is a highly versatile sword and treasure of the Lionheart Family. Vermouth initially used it 300 years ago, and it was placed in the Lionheart Family's treasury after his death on the battlefield. It was not used until Eugene obtained it at the age of 13 as a reward for his performance during the Bloodline Purity Ceremony, and it was sheathed on his left side. The blade on his right was the highest quality weapon, forged by the best Smiths within the Lionheart family.
In Eugene's hands, due to his unparalleled martial skills, they were more devastating than those blades of Dáinsleif or Ascalon's level and most, if not all, of the Excalibur fragments.
Eugene looked around, tapping his foot and sighing. He spoke with a blunt, straightforward, bored tone, "Paitrarch, I know I am the oldest of your children, but I should not be here. I don't think you even want your position when you stand down. Cyan should be dealing with this shit, not me. I am bored as hell here, and so is Leonidas." he finished flatly while pointing over his shoulder, where a black feline tail could be seen swinging around, clearly denoting how unhappy the animal was. When the beast yawned, you could see the full size of the huge Black lion lying behind Eugene, slowly falling asleep due to the boredom of having to be here.
The Regal beast stretched its pitch-black fur, shifting from the muscles hidden by the velvet-smooth layer covering its bare skin. In the dim light, you could see the pearlescent white claws and teeth shining alongside the gold markings wrapped around its front limbs. When its impressive bulk moved, causing Leonidas to look directly at Eugene's back, the enormous black mane shifted, and his golden yellow orbs glowed with an intensity as if agreeing with his master's words.
He was cut off as Gilead turned his head to respond to his adopted son. Eugene continued to talk in his usual flat, brutally honest way. "Honestly, Father, the two of us are bored as shit here, and we also had planned; you do remember it is Issei's Birthday today, correct? I was going to see how my only friend and equal in combat was doing today. That was until you told me I was needed for this crucial meeting, and the damn pendragons are late!" Eugene growled with an irritated tone. At that moment, Gilaed turned to his adopted eldest son and sighed. He knew that Eugene was extraordinarily blunt and straightforward in everything he did and said. It was just part of his personality.
Gilead simply sighed and placed his head in his hand before talking with a serious tone. "My son, you are as blunt as always. I have my reasons for having you here at this meeting. You are the oldest of my children, and even if you are my son by way of adoption, you have always been a prodigy. In everything you do, you have excelled in every area, whether martial prowess or magical aptitude, especially in the White Flame technique."
As Gilead spoke, Eugene listened with a scowl on his face because he could not refute the words his adoptive father spoke. Gilaed continued, "Out of all of my children, you are by far and away the strongest. Even if there is an age and experience gap, the sheer fact that you are this strong at twenty-five years of age is a testament to your dedication, which is why it is imperative that you are the one who stands beside me at this meeting."
Eugene cursed his luck for being reincarnated the way he had been. He would be damned into a new life as a member of his former friend's family all these centuries since his death as Hamel. Of course, he could not say anything of this out loud or be called Insane and locked away. Even with the descendants of great heroes in this Supernatural world, no one would believe one of the four members of a group of heroes who fought and died during the great three-way war between the biblical factions had been reborn in the modern era.
As Eugene lamented the situation and his immense boredom, a knock at the door was heard, and he and Gilead looked towards it. As the door opened, one of the maids serving the Lionheart family bowed and spoke respectfully, "My lords, Lord Uther Pendragon has arrived alongside his son, Arthur and his daughter, Le Fay." Gilead straightened up in the chair, getting ready for the meeting. He schooled his features and spoke with confidence, befitting his station, "Show them in. I am sure they are aware that they are already late."
The maid gave a regal courtesy before leaving the room. After she left and the door closed, muffled voices could be heard from the other side. Then, it opened once more. Three people entered the room: one adult and two teenagers. As the smallest of the three entered the room, the door was closed behind them. The oldest of the three Pendragons moved forward and took a seat directly across from Gilead, and the two younger Pendragons took up positions behind him, matching Eugene, who stood behind his father.
As the light hits Uther, you see a much older and dignified version of Arthur. Instead of the dark blue that Arthur wears, he wears a white suit, and a gold pocket watch chain hangs across his chest. He is a very stoic and composed figure, and his demeanour is elegant, which befits his station as the head of the Pendragon household. When he leaned forward, his voice was deep and very defined. "My Apologies for our tardiness, Gilead. There was an unforeseen issue that I had to address, and it appeared right as we were about to leave."
Eugene cut off Uther with his usual bluntness as he spoke up out of turn. "Are we supposed to believe that ridiculous excuse? You have been aware of this meeting for months, based on the letter we received from you in your handwriting. Devise a better excuse next time you try to cover up your blatant disregard for our time." His voice maintained its dry, blunt, straightforward tone as he adjusted his arms to cross them over his chest, causing the cloak of darkness to envelop him, leaving a small gap between the two sections that revealed his clothes slightly, as they were now hidden.
Gilead spoke up at this point, knowing that as the patriarch of the Lionheart family. "Eugene, hold your tongue and watch your tone towards the head of the Pendragon family and our guests. Even if they show great disrespect by being late, that does not mean you, as my oldest son, can berate them. As for you, Uther, you were the one who called for this meeting. We agreed and arranged a time to visit so we could discuss what the corrupt church wants from my family, and you are late. While I will never condone the language and disrespect my son Eugene has shown to our guests, I concur with his assessment that you tried to cover up your lack of respect for another noble family." When Gilead stopped, his words were refined, cold and filled with a dignified authority.
Uther silently pondered the information the church had given him and its intent to bring the Lionhearts back into the fold. After talking to the pope and being forced to come to another noble house with an edict, they are told they have no choice but to serve the church again alongside the Pendragons. He never wanted to be in this position in the first place, stuck between the church and a noble family that he knew was vastly superior to his own in every facet. This is why the Lionhearts remained in the shadows; they did not need political power or the limelight.
As Uther took a deep breath, placed his hands under his chin, and opened his mouth, his son interrupted him with a rather indignant, self-righteous tone. " Father, I highly object to this endeavour. Why do we need to waste our time with the likes of this uncouth barbarian?" Arthur's voice was filled with disdain as he pointed towards Eugene before continuing. "Why waste our time on a weak family that disregards their calling to hide in the shadows like cowards! We, as the pendragons, are more than enough. The church has no need for these vagabonds." He ends his sentence with pride in his voice.
Uther could not believe the words that had come out of his son's mouth, especially with everything he had taught him about the lionhearts growing up. Especially the fact that they were vastly stronger than the Pendragon family; as Uther sat there, sweat started to form around his brow. Before he could reprimand Arthur for his massive lapse in judgment, he noticed the air in the room change and become denser.
Before Uther could step in, Gilaed had stood up, his Aura flaring out like the mane of a silver lion around his body. Everyone in the room except Eugene and his familiar Leonidas struggled to breathe due to the oppressive nature and density of Gilead's aura. His calm but stern, regal voice spoke with aggression that caused Arthur and Le Fay to shake in fear as the patriarch of the Lionheart's words began. "How dare you talk about things you have no knowledge of? Mind your tongue, boy! The Lionhearts can trace our lineage back to the great three-way war where the Hero Vermouth led a team of five humans who fought tirelessly for the armies of god!"
As he took a breath behind him, Eugene was holding the grips of his swords, ready to attack at the drop of a hat the moment Gilead gave the order. Beside him, his lion familiar Leonidas, who had gotten up from his relaxed position and was now in a pouncing posture, growling in anger, prepared alongside his master for battle.
Gilead continued his calm but aggressive tirade, "You, young man, are part of a family that is but a speck of dust compared to mine. Yes, the Pendragons may be an integral part of the church and the British nobility, but that is only as a public entity." He then turned to Uther and looked him in the eyes as he let out a frustrated sigh. "And you, Uther, I used to respect you as a man. You once had unyielding resolve and uncompromising beliefs. Where did that man go? You and your family are nothing but puppets for a corrupt organisation that claims to protect the innocent, but in reality, they only care for their own interests and survival!"
Gilead's eyes hardened as he spoke directly to Uther once more. "As for why you are here, my old friend, you willingly walked into the lion's den as an agent of a corrupt organisation wanting to control my family once again. You, of all people, should see the folly in your actions. Yes, your family has been intertwined with the church since your family's inception with the first Arthur Pendragon after he pulled Excalibur from its resting place! The Lionheart family will never work for that corrupt institution that doesn't care for those it proclaims it protects!"
As every sentence left Gilead's mouth, Uther could feel his mouth becoming dryer; he could see the truth behind every word and the ironclad resolve his former friend and patriarch of the Lionhearts had. He realised that to the church, the Pendragons, his own family, are just another tool, but unlike the Lionheart family the Pendragons did not have the strength needed to stand on their own and break from the church, thus Uther remained silent hands clenched as he kept eye contact with Gilead out of respect.
Gilead continued unabated because he was sticking to his family's creed. "Our Family has protected those that need it since our inception. It does not matter, Rich, poor, peasant or king, we the Lionhearts have protected everyone in need from the shadows for thousands of years! And now the church dares to send an old friend who believed their lies about me and my family and cut all ties. If the church wants us back in the fold, there will only be two ways. Either I die and they install a puppet patriarch, which would never work to begin with due to the council that monitors every aspect of my family and the Black lions would wipe that threat from the face of this earth once given the order. So here is what iIpropose Uther Pendragon, a duel by the old rules first blood of forfiet my eldest son against yours. This will be the deciding factor to if you go back to your masters successful or not!"
As Gilead rose from his seat, he looked at Eugene and spoke coldly: "Eugene, my son, we are leaving for the arena, and as patriarch, I am telling you to show the son of Uther no quarter for his impudence and sheer arrogance. You will show him the might of the Lionhearts!"
Eugene burst out laughing, surprising everyone in the room. Uther, Arthur, and Le Fay held their breaths as a cold shiver went down all their spines from the cold, unrestrained, dark nature of Eugene's laughter. Leonidas looked up towards his master. As Eugene regained his breath, he spoke. "You can't be serious, father? Me go full out against him?" he pointed at Arthur while trying to stop himself from laughing again. "That boy is so weak it is not worth my time going all out against him. There is only one swordmaster in the Pendragon family I would even remotely think about going all out against, and she isn't here." Eugene's voice was cold as always while looking at Gilaed.
Gilead sighed while massaging the bridge of his nose. "Eugene, while I understand where you are coming from, we cannot let his disrespect to our family go unchecked, so listen to me this once, please?" he walked past Eugene, motioning him to follow. Eugene responded, "You are right, Patriarch. This once, I'll do as you ask." He and Leonidas followed Gilaed from the room, and It was in this moment that Arthur finally snapped out of his stupor and went to respond to the blatant disrespect that the eldest son of Gilaed had said he realised that the Lionhearts were no longer in the room and that only he his father and sister remained.
Arthur was seething with rage at the utter blatant disrespect and disregard for him, along with all the work he had put in to gain the skill with a blade he had done. Also, he was directly implying that he was the weakest swordsman in his family. "That disrespectful cur, how dare he imply that I am so weak that it would be a waste of time to sully his hands by having to duel me!" his hand grasped the hilt of the blade on his hip hard, suddenly, he felt a hit go across his face, as unknown to him his father had backhanded him. As he looked at his father with shock, Le Fey gasped in response, her hands moving to cover her mouth out of shock as Uther ground his teeth and growled before speaking with an intense tone.
He opened his mouth, and you could instantly tell he was furious, even though he kept his dignified air. "YOU ABSOLUTE FOOL! ARTHUR, HOW CAN YOU BE SO STUPIDLY DENSE!?!" As he breathed to calm down, he continued berating his son for his stupidity. "You have no idea just what you have done, do you? The Lionhearts are on a completely different level and our own family! Four members of their family could wipe ours out without trying, five if you include Eugene. That boy is a prodigy like never seen before! Even your elder sister, Mordred, cannot beat him when she goes all out. She even told me he hardly broke a sweat, and by her estimation, he was only using one-quarter of his true potential!"
This caused Arthur and Ley Fey to pale as ghosts, as if all the blood had run out of their bodies. Arthur subconsciously gulped as he remembered his childhood lessons, but before he could apologise, his father continued. "Before we were sent here, I knew we would not complete this request. I had one goal in coming here: repairing the relationship between our two families, and because of your misplaced pride and unbelievable arrogance, you have ruined any hope of that now, boy!"
Uther took another deep breath and spoke one last time. "I cannot save you from this duel; frankly, you have no hope against Gilead's Adoptive son. This may be a good lesson in humility and knowing when to hold your tongue." When he finished, he could see that Arthur was visibly shaken and had a look of despair. His voice choked out a question for his father in desperation. "Father, do you mean what you just said about me having no chance of victory?"
Uther got up from his seated position and hugged his son and daughter as he spoke. "Honestly, my son? I could only see you winning if this duel was against anyone BUT a lionheart. Even if you were to use Caliburn, you have no hope for victory. I wish it didn't come to this, Arthur, but you disrespected a Family with an even stricter code of honour than ours. But now, my son, it is time you accept the consequences of your actions." Arthur nodded, fixed his suit, closed his eyes, and took a few deep breaths. "You are right, father. It is time I faced the consequences of my foolish actions."
When Uther turned to the door with his children, he saw a maid waiting for him. She spoke in a hushed, respectful tone. "My lord, I have been sent to lead you to the arena. If you would, please follow me." She stepped to one side to let the Pendragon family leave the room ahead of her before she moved to the front and began to lead them through the lavish halls of the Lionheart Estate. Arthur saw the portraits on the wall as they walked down the halls. He looked outside through the window they passed. He saw two ash grey-haired teenagers, who he assumed were around his age, sparring; one male and the other female.
Arthur looked back towards the maid in front of his father and decided to ask a question that had been on his mind: " Excuse me, Miss. If you do not mind, could you answer my question? As far as I know, the old code of honour with duels of this nature would be a duel to the death, so why did lord Gilead stipulate first blood or Forfiture as the ways to loose? And my apologies if I am overstepping here." Arthurs tone was respectful as he asked his question, he did not want any more unwarranted fuckups in the Lionheart household, he was already in enough danger due to his actions.
The maid leading the three family members looked back at Arthur and smiled. She spoke in a light and respectful tone, "It is no bother, but to answer your question, young lord, it is relatively simple. You see, Duels of this nature used to be to the death, but due to the loss of so many high-ranking family members, the council made a decree to change it to first blood or forfeit. For the lionhearts, it is more honourable to take a beating to near death and accept your defeat than to run away from the fight like a coward."
Uther chose this moment to speak up himself, "That is right. When I first came here with my parents to meet the Lionhearts as a child, something Gilead's mother, Lady Carmen, said stuck with me. If I remember correctly, she and my father argued about our families' codes. Lady Carmen said in a rather aggressive manner that no self-respecting lionheart would ever retreat no matter the circumstance and that they would rather die or get beaten to within an inch of death and willingly accept defeat as that is what true Honour is to the Lionheart family! That is exactly what she said to my father and mother."
As they turned to the corner at the end of the long dark hallway, two figures in black armour could be seen on either side of the giant doorway. Uther continued what he was saying as Arthur and Le Fey Gulped at the intimidating aura of the two Black lions guarding the door to the arena. "Gilead's mother then told my father exactly what she thought about us pendragons. Her words are something I will never forget. As for you Pendragons with your Tactical retreat bullshit you are all nothing but a bunch of cowards afraid to finish the fights that you start! My parents were outraged by this, and we immediately left."
Arthur audibly gulped as he realised just how fucked he was, as he did he heard a light giggle looking forward he noticed it was coming from the raven haired maid in the traditional attire of her position. When the group stopped at the door, Arthur and Le Fay could not help but freeze at the intimidating aura of the guards. Then, one of them said, "Oh, so you were the one assigned to making sure the Pendragons were looked after, Nina? I assume you finished your morning Duties for Eugene before they arrived?"
The guard laughed lightly after finishing their sentence as the now-named maid replied with a smile. "You know as well as I do how self-sufficient Master Eugene is, even when he is at the mansion. My duties have become relatively light as his personal maid. Thus, lord Gilead informed me of my Duties until the Pendragons leave. Speaking of Lord Gilead and master Eugene, I assume they are waiting inside, correct?" Nina replied with a cheerful tone, looking at both of the guards.
When both guards nodded their heads, she moved towards the door. Knowing why Nina was leading the Pendragons to the main training arena, the guards opened the doors from each side. The group moved into the arena. Arthur and Le Fey looked around in amazement at the massive room. Ornate marble pillars lined the outside, connected to the viewing areas above. When they looked up, they saw the vaulted ceilings far from reach. When Nina had shown them to their side of the central practice pit in the center of the room, she gave a respectful bow and moved to the other side to stand by Gilead and Eugene.
Nina showed deep courtesy and respect when she arrived before Gilead and Eugen. Then, she saw Eugene smiling and Gilead standing in a dignified way with a glint in his eyes. Eugene spoke to Nina uncharacteristically pleasantly: "It is good to see you, Nina. I wondered where you were after your morning duties." The maid's violet eyes shined as she smiled. She brushed out the creases in her uniform. "The pendragons were extremely respectful, my lord." Eugene then looked over to the Pendragons as Uther prepared Arthur for their duel in surprise. Especially considering how Arthur reacted earlier in the meeting between the patriarchs.
Gilead then spoke up, "Very well done, Nina. Now, if you would, stay and watch the duel. As for you, son, if you are ready, walk into the arena and wait for the Pendragon bow to join you." As Gilead finished speaking in his usual dignified manner, Eugen nodded and walked into the recessed arena, a dirt base to soften the impact if anyone hit the ground, with the raised marble floor creating the ring's boundary. The Training dummies typically in the pit have been removed and are now lining the walls. Eugene simply stood in his position, eyes closed, breathing calmly. His chest rose and fell with every breath as he prepared, hands resting on his swords pommels.
On the other side of the arena, the Pendragon family had overheard everything. Uther was the first to speak, placing his hands on Arthur's shoulders. "Remember, Arthur, no matter what happens, I am proud of you, my son. Despite your blunder earlier in the meeting, you have become a strong man." Arthur took a deep breath and looked to the side to see Eugene already in the arena with his eyes closed in preparation. "It is a good thing you gave me that talk, father; it stopped me from being even more disrespectful. From what we overheard Eugene talking to her i know he cares for her and no doubt if she had told him id been a disrespectful ass like in the meeting he would go even harder in this duel."
Le Fey spoke after Arthur, "Good luck, brother, I believe in you!" Uther chuckled lightly, and then his voice became stern again. "While you are not wrong to believe in your brother Le Fey, I must remind you both. Never and I mean never underestimate your opponent in battle, that is even more in the case if your opponent is a lionheart. You indeed felt the aura coming off the guards at the door, correct? Those were members of The Black Lions. They are an elite force in the Lionheart family designated to police all family members, including the council members and Gilead, even though they hold the highest ranks in the family and answer to them directly."
The two young Pendragons froze when they heard what their father said. But Arthur steeled himself, placing his hand on his father's arm, and he spoke again. "Thank you for your encouragement, father. I will face this duel with honour even if I lose." he turned and walked down into the arena, standing across from Eugene. He pulled Caliburn from its pocket dimension and placed it forward as he took a stance. Arthurs eyes honed in on Eugene, waiting for the young lionheart to ready himself. Eugene stopped his meditation and looked to the center of the arena. His eyes were focused and sharp. Arthur felt as if Eugene was looking into his every soul.
Eugene remained unblinking as he stared down Arthur, drawing his swords silently. He moved into a stance, his swords crossed before him in an X pattern. The silence in the arena was deafening as everyone watched the two young men prepare to fight. The sound of dress shoes cut through the intense silent atmosphere as Hazzard, a knight of Gilead's, approached the arena's edge. He was dead center between Eugene and Arthur. As Hazzard stopped in his raised position as the duel's arbiter, he looked to Gilead for confirmation. After seeing his master, he scanned the arena to confirm that both combatants were ready.
Hazards voice echoed throughout the hall as he began. "As previously stated, this duel decides the fate of the Lionheart family's stance on not supporting the Christian church. In the event that Eugene Lionheart loses, the Lionhearts will rejoin the fold and support the church. If Arthur Pendragon loses, then the Pendragons will have to state that they failed in their mission. Are both combatants ready for this Duel?"
He looked at Eugene and Arthur and awaited their responses. Eugene nodded and spoke with a cold, battle-hardened tone. "Hazzard, just get on with it. It is obvious that we are ready." Arthur then responded with a determination that he would do his utmost to give a good showing, even if deep in his soul he knew a loss was coming. "I am prepared for the duel, Sir Hazzard." Hazzard shook his head at Eugene's typical response before taking a deep breath, getting ready to start the duel.
As Eugene and Arthur waited for the command to start, Eugene spoke while staring down at Arthur. "Because you were respectful towards Nina, I have decided to show you some respect and finish this fast so you do not suffer any longer than needed." Arthur looked at Eugene and could not think of any way to reply to what Eugene had said, and he decided to focus on the duel. He simply nodded in response.
Gilead simply sighed at his son's antics. On the other hand, Nina let out a little giggle, knowing that Eugene cared deeply for her, and smiled at his statement. Conversely, Uther and Le Fey could not comprehend what Eugene meant. By this, it was almost like Eugene was originally planning to beat Arthur into a state of near death in this duel. Even though Gilead had stated first blood or forfeit were the win conditions for this duel.
Gilead sharply looked at Hazzard, who noticed this and instantly understood. He spoke loudly with a clear, defined tone. "BEGIN!" As both combatants heard this, they reacted in different ways. Eugene's facial expression changed into that of a battle-hungry beast who had been let off his leash, while Arthur tensed and closed in his guard, trying to cover all of his openings.
What happened next was jaw-droppingly surprising to everyone in the room. Eugene swung his blades in a downward arc and stabbed them into the ground before launching at Arthur so fast that because Arthur had blinked in surprise, Eugene had gone from the other side of the arena to right in front of him. What happened next to Arthur happened in slow motion as his brain could not process how fast Eugene was moving. Eugene masterfully grasped Arthur's wrist, twisting in a powerful way that allowed him to completely disarm his opponent, sending Caliburn flying to the edge of the ring.
Because of this, Arthur attempts to adjust, but he is on the receiving end of a brutal barrage of punches. Eugene demolished Arthur as if he were fighting an untrained child. The onlookers who saw all of this at full speed could see the utter brutality of Eugene's combat style, including the fact that he was leaving no space for Arthur to regain his composure or find any opening to defend from the onslaught of blows to the face.
Arthurs's vision began to blur, and all he could see was a flurry of fists coming from Eugene. His other senses heightened due to the utterly oppressive offense of his opponent; he could hear his sister Le Fey crying from the sidelines "NO BROTHER!, WHAT ARE YOU DOING FATHER STOP HIM. HE IS GOING TO KILL ARTHUR!" Le Fey struggled to escape her father's grasp, but her father was just too strong. As he spoke, he was watching the duel intently. "We cannot stop this Le Fey, despite how it looks. I know Eugene has honour and will not kill your brother."
As Arthur's body began to slump downwards, Eugene noticed that his relentless onslaught had done its job. Thus, he pulled a knife from the pocket dimension that the cloak of darkness has and strategically cut multiple vital points in a shallow manner so as to only draw blood. When Arthur hit the ground, he looked up while on his knees, and all he could see was Eugene's back.
As Eugene walked back towards his swords, he spoke to Arthur. "This was a waste of my time. If Mordred had been my opponent, she would have at least made me work for this win. You are weak. Until you truly understand this, you shall never beat me." His tone was cold and void of emotion, showing his lack of enjoyment from his overwhelming victory.
While Eugene returned to where he had left his weapons, Hazzard opened his mouth wide in surprise after watching Eugene's utter domination of Arthur Pendragon. When he realised Eugene was returning to his starting position, he looked over at Arthur and saw blood from the shallow wounds across multiple vital spots. He called out, "Winner, Eugene Lionheart!"
As Uther heard the arbiter of the duel call Eugene's victory, he released Le Fey, allowing her to rush to her brother's side. When she reached him, she knelt beside him, and what she saw was terrifying. Arthur had a broken look on his face. As his hand moved up to his neck, he felt the blood from the shallow cut to his carotid artery, and in that moment, he knew he had lost, and everything Eugene had said was correct.
Uther followed swiftly after his daughter and knelt beside Arthur to support him. "Le Fey, calm yourself and use your magic to heal him." As Le Fey nodded and began to use her magic. "Yes, of course, father." Uther used this time to watch Eugene had reached his swords. Grasping both hilts, he drew them from the dirt and sheathed them in their scabbards before walking towards his father and Nina and stopping.
As he did, Gilead spoke up, "Eugene, were you not holding back? That was an overly excessive display of power for this duel. Even if I told you to show him the strength of the Lionheart family, that display went too far." As he finished, he crossed his arms, awaiting his son's response. Eugene stared at his father blankly and spoke in the manner that everyone in his family had become accustomed to, "No patriarch, even though I showed him the true might of the lionheart family. I held back considerably, and out of respect for how he treated Nina, I ended it as fast as possible. It is not my fault he is weak."
Gilead could only nod at Eugene's response, knowing this was just how his son was. He moved his arm in a signal to Eugene to stand beside him as he began walking around the arena towards the side that the Pendragons were on as Gilead and Eugene strode towards where Arthur was now seated as Le Fey was finishing up healing her brother. Nina followed closely behind the father-son duo.
As all three members of the lionheart family stopped in front of the three Pendragons, Le Fey reflectivly guarded her brother, while Uther stood to greet Gilead and the others. "Congratulations on your victory, Eugene. I heard what you said to your father. And while I thank you for holding back, did you have to go as far as to crush my son Arthur's confidence in such an oppressively brutal manner?"
Eugene shrugged and responded with a very bored tone. "To be honest, lord Uther, I originally planned to go much harder against your son. Due to his disrespect in the meeting, but due to the fact that he treated my personal maid Nina here with respect, showing that he can be respectful, so I ended it as fast as possible to show him that reality is far more brutal than he realises." Uther was surprised by Eugene's response, but he could not deny that there was truth in the young Lionhearts words.
Gilead then moved forward and held out his hand towards Uther. This momentarily confused Uther, and then Gilead spoke, "Old friend, although this meeting took an ugly turn, and you did not accomplish the mission the church assigned you, your son showed bravery and honour in this duel. If you wish to re-establish relations between our two families exclusively, we can discuss that later."
Uther responded to Gilead with a smile, the mood in the room changing as he shook his old friend's hand. "I would very much like to re-establish a relationship between our families like the good old days." Gilead then looked behind Uther and raised his eyebrow quizically. He saw Le Fey using magic to create a shield before her and Arthur while death-staring at Eugene. Uther followed Gilead's sightline and sighed at how his daughter acted towards Eugene.
Both patriarchs looked at each other and then simultaneously looked at Eugene, knowing what the youngest Pendragon was so worked up about. Uther then looked back at Gilead. It was at this point that Gilead simply sighed. Turning to Eugene, he spoke to his son. "Eugene, my son, it appears that your duel has caused young Le Fey to distrust you. Please apologise to her to help relieve her fears."
Eugene looked towards Uther and his children. He was in a position where he couldn't see Le Fey, so he was not sure what his father was talking about until he leaned to the side and saw that Le Fey had a warded protection magic circle up to shield her and Arthur. He then noticed that her eyes were locked onto him. As he realised what had happened, he moved past Uther, standing directly in front of Le Fey, who he towered over.
He bowed with a hand over his chest and began speaking calmly. "I genuinely apologise if what I did during the duel scared you, my lady. I never had any intent in that regard. Things can get very chaotic in a duel, and unfortunately, your brother is far weaker than me. I am deeply sorry if what I did to your brother made you fear me. I mean you and your brother Arthur, whom you are protecting from me out of fear, no ill will. Our families have been allies for centuries, and I hope we can remain Allies."
As Eugene gave a heartfelt and sincere apology, Le Fey scanned everything his body was doing, including how his eyes looked. This caused her to blush without realising it as the man's golden orbs never left her eyes. When she realised, she changed where her eyes were looking. And used her magic to search for any malicious intent. It was not an easy thing for a mage to do, but Le Fey was a prodigy in her own right when it came to magic, after sensing that he was being truthful with everything he said and meant every word. She then looked to her Father, Uther, who gave her a nod, and she sighed, lowering the shield.
Le Fey took a deep breath and spoke with a reserved but clear tone. "Raise your head, sir Eugene. While I was afraid of you for what you did to my brother, I now realise that you did it out of obligation, not intentional spite. I hope you can forgive my misguided actions." Before Le Fey could continue, Eugene lifted his head to listen, raised his hand, and spoke again. "You have no reason to ask for forgiveness, Lady Le Fey. I am at fault for what happened. Thus, I take full responsibility for this." His words were confident and concise, and this caused Le Fey to stop and smile.
While calming down, Le Fey felt a hand gently hold her shoulder. When she looked up, she saw her brother Arthur and immediately spoke out of concern for him. "Brother, you should be resting! Please sit down." Arthur simply shook his head and then looked at Eugene with respect as he spoke to the man who had just royally thrashed him with no effort. "I thank you for going easy on me, Sir Eugene. I now understand what you meant when you walked away. I am weak, and my outlook on the world was indeed narrow. I look forward to our next match." When Eugene heard this, he could not help but grin viciously and nod in approval. No words were needed between the two warriors; they had gained a greater understanding of each other from the duel, even if it was a one-sided beatdown.
Gilead then spoke up as the Pendragons gathered. "I believe it is about time we say farewell, my friend. I shall contact you soon about re-establishing a formal alliance. Nina, if you would, please escort them back to the manor's entrance." With this, Nina bowed and moved to stand with the Pendragons. For his part, Uther also spoke, "I look forward to receiving word from you, old friend, but indeed you are correct. And my children need to report to the church, so with Miss Nina's help, we shall take our leave." After speaking to Gilead and leaving him with a firm handshake, he nodded at his children.
As the Family turned to follow Nina, they left the arena after concluding their business as the doors to the practice arena closed behind the Pendragons and Nina as they left. Gilead turned to his son, spoke with a smile, and was more relaxed now that it was just them in the room, along with other members of the lionheart family. "Now that all the buisness that i required your help with has concluded my son, I suggest you talk to your siblings as they have not seen you since you returned and have missed you a great deal, then you can go and find Nina as i am sure she can help you prepare as you are free to go and see your Friend in Japan after you are done."
Eugene groaned at what his father said and then looked towards Gilead with an Are you serious face. Gilead just stood there with a father's smile that showed he cares about all his children, adopted and blood related. He knew he wouldn't escape this, as Cyan and Ciel would tell their father if he just skipped out on them to see Issei. He began walking towards the training grounds, which his younger siblings often used outside the family home. It was not that he didn't love his younger siblings; he could never tell what was going on in their heads, especially Ciel, his younger sister.
While leaving the room and walking through the hallways, Eugene had a massive smile on his face. It had been some time since he had last seen his best friend Issei, the only person who could actually keep up with him at full power. Eugene would enjoy this trip in every way possible, as whenever he visited his Japanese friend, something was going on that allowed him to cut loose and feel free. And something in his gut told him that this time, it would be the most fun he has ever had with his half-yokai battle brother.