[Current Balance: £2,733,402 10s. 11d.]
---
Sigh...
Alaric was walking with Reuben and Penn. The Quaker already informed him of what happened with his meeting with the Duke of Somerset.
"Why do we have to walk though?" Alaric complained as Penn, who was leading them, chuckled.
"You won't be staying in London anyways," Penn stated as they walk passed by a couple of merchants. "Enjoy your limited time here, we'll be meeting the Queen tonight anyways."
"Heh~" The blonde sighed and looked at Reuben, who was busy looking around.
"Sire Penn!" A merchant beamed as he saw the Quaker, then approached him. "It must fate to see you like this!"
"Hm? Ah! You were that merchant I saw on my way to Bristol!" Penn smiled as he remembered the face.
"Oh my... it's an honor that you remember me! That was more than a decade ago!"
Penn smiled at the merchant then glanced at both Alaric and Reuben, who were just observing.
"Ah... I apologize, Sire Penn, I seem to be bothering you at this moment!" The merchant grinned.
"Yes-yes..." Penn replied as he, Alaric, and Reuben continued to walk after waving a hand to the merchant.
"You seem to have lots of friends," Alaric smiled. "Even at the lower class... you really live up to the title Quaker."
"Heh... because there is a spiritual equality among all people, regardless of race, age, or gender," Penn replied as they finally neared a baroque style house. "Anyways... we're here."
"This is the house of the Duke of Somerset?" Reuben asked as he observed the house. "I thought he was rich?"
"He IS rich," William Penn chuckled, then shook his head and pointed towards Alaric. "This friend of ours is just nasty rich."
"Of course... I got that 'Fuck you' money," Alaric grinned. However, he was met with confused faces. "Damn... uncultured swines." He muttered.
---
"Ha!"
"Hiya!"
"Ugh!"
Algernon Seymour was busy honing his fencing technique against a few of his henchmen.
He struck them down one by one, his movements swift and decisive, filling him with profound confidence.
'A man I have never met is said to be my better at swordsmanship?' he thought, clenching his jaw as his sharp gaze locked onto his opponent. He parried the incoming épée with ease.
Clang!
With a speed his opponent could barely register, Algernon brought his épée down in a controlled arc, striking his opponent's head and earning himself another point.
"Damn it!" His opponent sighed in frustration, while Algernon smirked.
"A fine match, Master," the henchman said with a small smile, catching his breath. "But do you truly need to practice today? I hear your opponent is of no notable background."
"Which is precisely why he must train!"
Both Algernon and his henchman turned to see the 6th Duke of Somerset approaching them with measured steps. The henchman immediately bowed, while Algernon met his father's gaze head-on.
"This… Alaric… is someone personally vouched for by Sire William Penn," Charles Seymour said as he stopped a few steps away. "And when Sire Penn is serious, he does not jest. This is not merely a matter of confidence or skill. We are all well aware that you, my son, are an exceptional fencer."
"However, this is no longer a matter of fencing," Charles continued. "From what Sire Penn has described, this man...Alaric... is one who fights to kill. Which means… he is a seasoned killer."
"He may have taken lives, but so have I, Father," Algernon replied, standing firm. His voice carried no hesitation. "I have served in the military. I have seen war firsthand."
Charles opened his mouth to respond but paused as his gaze shifted toward the entrance of the yard. Three figures were being led in by the butler.
His eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of a tall, black-haired man—taller than all present—beside an even taller blond-haired man.
"Master Seymour," the butler announced, bowing respectfully. "Sire William Penn has arrived… with additional guests."
All eyes turned to the newly arrived figures.
---
Alaric glanced around and saw a middle-aged man that was younger than William Penn. 'That should be Charles Seymour...'
"Which one of them is Alaric, sire William?" The middle aged man spoke.
William Penn smiled and motioned towards Alaric as the blonde walked towards the middle-aged man.
As Alaric was a few steps away from Charles, he stopped and stretched out his hand towards the middle-aged man. "I am Alaric Jonathan Kenway... a pleasure to meet "The Proud Duke"."
"..."
Charles widened his eyes as the sun's light dimmed after being blocked by Alaric's figure. 'W-What!? He's humongous!'
"Ah... Likewise..." He replied as he stared at Alaric's cold blue eyes, but couldn't keep his eye contact. 'He's as tall, if not taller than George Fitzroy!'
"So... who will I be fighting today?" Alaric asked as he scanned the surrounding.
There were multiple people here but no one stood out as they were all wearing a white armor for fencing. Alaric could only sigh internally. 'Well... easy ten thousand pounds, I guess?'
"It is I, Algernon Seymour, Earl of Hertford," A man with an épée sword proudly announced himself. "I have served as a Member of Parliament for Marlborough from 1705 to 1708, and for Northumberland from 1708 to 1712."
"In the summer of 1708, I volunteered under the Duke of Marlborough in Flanders, and in 1709, I was appointed Colonel of the 15th Foot. In 1711, I was honored to be appointed Governor of Tynemouth Castle. I have also held the position of Lord-Lieutenant of Sussex since 1706. In Parliament, I have supported key motions, including the impeachment of Dr. Sacheverell in 1710, and advocated for 'No Peace without Spain' in 1711. These endeavors reflect my commitment to serving our nation with dedication and honor."
"Now what say you, stranger?"
"..."
"..."
Alaric was stunned at how much a man can ramble towards his opponent. 'Is he that proud of his achievements?'
It was not only Alaric that was stunned, Reuben also dropped his mouth slightly as this was the first he could hear someone boasting about their achievements.
"I..."
"..."
"..."
"You?"
"..."
"..."
"I have..."
"..."
"..."
"You have?"
"..."
"..."
"Yes, I have..."
"..."
"..."
"What are you trying to say!?" Algernon grit his teeth, gripping the handle of his épée.
"..."
"..."
"Heh..." Alaric chuckled, same with Reuben and William Penn.
Penn could only shake his head at Alaric's antics. "'Laric, don't waste time... we have matters to attend to later."
Alaric turned his head towards Penn, and grinned. He looked back at Algernon and sighed. "As I said, I am Alaric Jonathan Kenway. I do have the same achievements as you."
"The only thing I can say is that, I don't really do fencing, and I'm only here for the money," Alaric continued, making Algernon grit his teeth in frustration. "I don't do things like honor or pride. I kill my opponents, that's all."
"Just tell me the rules to this game so that I can go... as Sire Penn said, we have matters to attend to..."
"Good!" Algernon was finally pissed. "Just grab some épée, and we can duel right away... you don't do fencing, right? Let's just fight it out!"
"M-Master, that's dangerous!" The henchman near Algernon widened his eyes. "I'll get some protective gear for him immediately!"
"Don't bother," Alaric stated as he walked over towards a sword rack and grabbed a wooden sword, observing it a little bit. "None of your equipments will fit me anyways..."
"W-W-Wood!?" Algernon widened his eyes as he saw red. "ARE YOU TREATING ME LIKE A CHILD!?"
"Hm?" Alaric raised his eyes to see a fuming Algernon. "Why... are you suggesting I use a real sword? I might kill you..."
"Haaaa... ...Hahaha..." Algernon enhaled and exhaled, and could only laugh. "No... I'll just make you realize how much of an ant you are. You'll pick up an épée when I dismantle your confidence anyway."
"Oh, okay..." Alaric shrugged and walked towards Algernon and stopped just two meters away.
"Ready when you are..."
"I'll count the timer," Penn smiled and moved forward, interested to see how Alaric will shock everyone around them.
"In three..."
Algernon gripped the handle of his sword tightly and grit his teeth. Charles Seymour, the 6th duke of of Somerset watched the two fighters grimmly.
"Two..."
Alaric smiled as just held his wooden sword, not taking any stance at all. Reuben yawned as he also saw no one worth the effort.
"ONE!"
*"HUP!"*
(By the way, épée is a sword for stabbing and slashing, it used in fencing where when player A hits player B on any parts of the body, it counts as a point. It's different to other swords whereas other swords like the "Foil" focuses more on thrusting and must only be hit on the torso to count as a point.)
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