The room fell into a deep, awkward silence.

While Dorian was safely seated behind Seraphina's barrier, Telia, on the other hand, was right at Maria's mercy.

Any slight movement, and he was sure Maria could crush his windpipe.

Gulp.

He nervously gulped down his saliva.

"W-why are you doing this? I already told you I didn't hear anything. Surely you're not going to kill me like this. The Viscount would not stand for this."

"Is that so?" Dorian stood up.

He pushed the guard to the side and then stood in front of Telia.

"You don't seem to understand your situation. If I were to kill you right now, whatever story I cook up works because I am engaged to the Viscount's daughter. Why would he believe you over his daughter's fiancé?"

Telia knew there was some truth to what Dorian had said, and that only further added to the frustration of the moment.

"S-so you're just going to kill me? Like that?"

"I am afraid so; a noble's got to do what a noble's got to do. I can't have you going around telling people something like this, now can I?"

Telia glared with a hint of desperation and wariness.

"I too have a secret of my own. I know how dangerous it is for it to get leaked, so I assure you, I won't be spreading it."

Dorian suddenly clasped his palms together, a big smile on his face.

"How about we do this instead?"

Reaching into his pocket, he whipped out a contract and placed it on the table. Both Maria and Seraphina were surprised, as they never expected him to have a contract in hand; hell, they didn't even know what was written inside.

"There you go. If you sign this, I'll forget this entire thing ever happened."

"What?"

Maria released her hold around the baron's neck, allowing him to lean forward and take the contract.

"What is this?"

"A contract stating I am allowed to use any means necessary to make you tell the truth. If I end up in trouble, I need to be sure if it was from you or not, so I can end you before they end me." Dorian's smile grew even wider. "Relax. As long as you don't betray me as you claimed, you won't have to worry about a thing."

Telia kept staring at the paper for a while.

Everything Dorian had said was written directly on the paper and was also signed by him as well.

Did he plan this whole thing? If not, how else would he have the contract for this exact situation ready…

"If you're thinking about why I have the contract for this exact situation, then it's simply a coincidence. I intended to give this contract to someone else, and this just happened to occur at the right time. Nothing but sheer luck…" Dorian chimed in, still smiling.

He wasn't entirely wrong. He indeed had the contract on him in order to give to anyone that could potentially pose a threat.

Even in that moment, Dorian had about seven contracts stacked inside his inventory for different scenarios he could face and need at any given time.

Telia still had doubts, but an idea popped into his head. Why not use this opportunity to his advantage? There was no reason he couldn't extort Dorian after hearing his dark secret of slave trading.

Without giving it a second thought, Telia grinned cunningly as he uttered, "It's no fun if you're the only one getting something out of this. Why don't we settle this like nobles, with a duel?"

"Oh?" Dorian leaned forward.

"If you win, I'll gladly sign this contract. But if I win, you'll pay me compensation for keeping my mouth shut. As a noble, I am sure you have the honor and dignity to see this to the end."

'I am going to beat the living shit out of this man.' Dorian leaned back on the couch.

"Okay then, I agree. I'll be dueling you, correct?"

"Oh no, I am an Adept Mage class. My weakness is quite the shame. No, you will choose which of my men will fight for me, and I will choose which of your men will fight for you."

Dorian was quiet for a while. If anything, he had to congratulate the man for his quick thinking; he was gradually turning the situation to his favor. Nevertheless, he was only barking himself into a corner.

"Okay then, I agree. I choose this bland-looking dude here." Dorian pointed at the guard, who, for some reason, was still pressing his blade against Seraphina's barrier.

Telia had a confident look on his face after Dorian chose who was going to be his opponent. "Are you sure? This is my strongest soldier, on his way to Grandmaster in a few years. Very well then, I'll take my pick as well."

Telia knew there was no one he would choose from the people who were in the room with him since the beginning. Their aura was different and intimidating.

He had heard that the Aurelian barony had two Lord-rank soldiers in their army, and if that was the case, there was a high chance it would be these women.

As for Aces, there was no way Dorian would leave a Lord-rank soldier outside the room; he would obviously want to give them special treatment and not treat them like regular soldiers.

And looking at Aces, he didn't seem all that impressive.

"I pick him." Telia pointed at Aces.

Aces lowered his brows, figuring out he was only picked because this fool assumed he was weak.

Dorian panicked a bit, then gradually replied, "O-okay then, we can go."

Telia grinned internally at the sight.

The fact Dorian seemed tense all of a sudden further proved this was going to tip to his favor.

He was simply one battle away from being extremely rich.

…

The very next moment, they were standing outside the building, somewhere in the open land right behind the baron's mansion.

Aces and the Forgriam guard stood a few feet apart. While Aces held his double blades, the guard grabbed a spear for himself.

At the side was Dorian and his wives, with Baron Telia right beside them.

"I am ready when you are," uttered the baron, very confidently.

"Ah, right. I assumed you wanted to give the go-ahead," Dorian said, spreading his palm in a gesture.

"Oh no, I brought up the challenge. It is only right that I let you do this."

"How kind of you…"

"Hahaha."

Maria sighed. Before they stepped outside, she made sure to tell Aces to do as little damage as possible. Lord Dorian was only trying to get something out of this, not kill a soldier for no reason.

Aces's response was positive, so she knew she had nothing to worry about.

"You may begin!" Seraphina took it upon herself to signal them.

Immediately after hearing this, the Forgriam guard spun his spear and took a fighting stance with a massive grin on his face.

"It's been so long since I fought. You look like you'll be a fun toy to prove myself to my lord. I do hope you're prepared."

"I was told to go easy on you, so can you dial down on the trash-talking? It's really making me cringe." Aces replied, scratching the back of his head.

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