Judas's face contorted as he stepped forward and grabbed Ferris's shoulder and pulled.
"F-Ferris, what're you doing? You can't just call her a manager." He said in a hushed but concerned tone.
Suddenly, as if multiple spikes skewed his body, Judas froze in fear, noticing that the bodyguards were staring at them both with furious gazes.
"Haha... You like to joke around, huh? It's super funny, so let's just go back down," he pleaded.
Ferris found Judas's fear amusing, and so he doubled down on his statement as he shrugged off Judas's hand on his shoulder before turning back to face Lionheart, who was about to disappear inside the tent.
"Wait!" Ferris shouted.
Hearing his words, Lionheart stopped in his tracks and turned around to meet him face to face.
Ferris braced for Lionheart's mysterious blessing.
But nothing happened to him.
Will he wait for what I have to say? Ferris thought. He was sure that Lionheart was waiting for his response, and whatever he said would determine the outcome.
Ferris noticed that Lionheart, who he was staring face to face with, wasn't actually staring at him in the eyes, but rather his mouth.
And he's not even locking eyes with me. Could it be that his blessing has conditions to activate?
He breathed heavily before smiling.
"Sir Lionheart, I must meet with Miss Elizabeth. I need to speak with her"
. . .
Slowly, Lionheart moved his pupils upwards till they were directly staring at Ferris's eyes.
Oh, here it comes...
Ferris reinforced his mental state. Then, after a few seconds, nothing happened, and he couldn't tell if the blessing wasn't taking any effect or if he was actually resisting it.
"Hmm..." Lionheart sighed, but not in disappointment, rather, in more of a surprised way.
"Miss Elizabeth isn't taking in any guest today," he said with a stern voice.
"And tomorrow," he practically ordered Ferris not to even come near her.
Then, he turned around and stepped one foot inside the tent.
But before he could step his other foot inside and finally disappear from Ferris's sight, he was stopped again.
Although Ferris couldn't see Lionheart's expression, he could really tell his blood was growing hotter and hotter.
"I'm not asking," Ferris said, seemingly unfazed by the piercing gazes of the bodyguards.
Judas freaked out, his face covered in sweat, and in an almost gasping voice, he pleaded one last time. "Ferris... Uh, this is all a part of the joke, right? Haha... Haa..."
Noticing Ferris's lack of response, Judas decided that his friendship had its limits and promptly left.
But he didn't completely exit the scene, as he only stopped a good distance away from Ferris and the bodyguards, as if he was saying to them, 'I know this guy, but don't get me involved!'
Now that Judas was no longer there to bother him, Ferris redirected his full attention to Lionheart, who was now eyeing him down to intimidate him, but still, he didn't reply to Ferris.
Knowing that Lionheart wasn't going to bother speaking with him, Ferris continued.
"I only wish to tell her something. It'll only take a minute, I promise," he said with a soft smile.
Obviously, if he could actually talk things out with Lionheart, Ferris wouldn't hesitate to choose that path.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Lionheart was the type to look down on the weak.
Their situation required certain measures, and making use of the little amount of time Ferris had was top priority.
If Ferris's old comrades were here with him, then they would tell that what he was doing was petty and unbecoming of a knight.
Maybe, aside from Yaromech, who would be delighted at his attempt of baiting the man's rage to get his way.
Finally, Lionheart spoke.
"Very well." He gestured at the other bodyguards to stand down before walking toward Ferris.
"You wouldn't be the first bastard to court our Miss," he said as he cracked his knuckles.
Wait... Court? No! Ferris maintained a calm appearance.
The other bodyguards nodded at Lionheart's remarks against Ferris, some even wiping their tears as he said that.
As for Judas, he had his mouth covered, but seeing his eyes was enough for Ferris to know that Judas said, 'Wow, I can't believe I got close to a stalking pervert.'
That's not it... really. Ferris made a concerned expression in his imagination, he didn't want to look more like a creep than he currently was.
Well, anything to tell her of my opinions.
Despite Lionheart's much more built physique, Ferris wasn't afraid at all of the monster in front of him.
Rather, he respected him and his loyalty as a bodyguard for Queen Elizabeth.
To make his respect known, Ferris unbuckled the belt that was carrying his hip scabbard and let it drop on the floor.
And raised his fist.
He's definitely stronger than all the bodyguards combined. Ferris acknowledged Lionheart's strength.
Surprisingly, Lionheart showed some emotion when he saw Ferris drop his only weapon.
He smiled for once. "Mind you, I used to be a part of the special forces in the military, so this is your last chance to back off."
"If not, I'll personally kick you out of this place and let the villains eat you like dog food, like the dogs they are," Lionheart insulted both Ferris and the villains.
He won't use his blessing on me? There must really be an activation condition.
"Stop talking and hit me," Ferris instigated.
And it worked wonders, as Lionheart charged forward like an unstoppable force.
Now it was up to Ferris to counter him.
A tackle? He quickly analyzed the movements in front of him.
His response, Ferris dashed forward, which caught Lionheart off guard.
Strength wasn't the end-all, be-all of duels. With the size difference, Ferris was confident that he was much faster and more agile.
As the two closed in on each other, Lionheart moved surprisingly fast for his size but still not fast enough.
When he lunged, Ferris sidestepped and smoothly climbed onto his shoulders, settling there as if he was taking a seat.
Mimicking what he had done to his old teacher, Ferris poured his essence along his own spine and pushed his torso back with all his strength. The sudden force sent Lionheart into an almost backbend.
Lionheart's eyes widened in genuine surprise that this person could generate that much force in such a short time and with such a body.
I've got you! Ferris thought, bracing as his back neared the floor. Once it hit, he planned to leg-lock Lionheart to win the duel through grappling.
But as his back hovered just an inch from the floor, he paused.
If it worked once, it could work twice… He remembered when Yaromech had done the same to him.
Yet something caught Ferris off guard—Lionheart wasn't using his essence. Ferris was astonished that the man was relying solely on his abs and legs to prevent himself from toppling.
With a sudden curl forward, Lionheart launched Ferris away like a catapult.
Ferris landed gently on his feet. What a monster… is he some kind of barbarian?
"You're not half bad. I'm surprised my blessing isn't activating," Lionheart said, massaging his neck.
So there is a condition, but I don't know what it is, Ferris thought, smiling. "Thank you, Sir Lionheart."
The man's eyes twitched. "Stop calling me 'sir.' It's really getting on my nerves."
It's just basic respect… come on. Ferris felt a little harmed by the remark.
"I won't hold back now." Lionheart's expression hardened.
This essence… Ferris realized that the man had been hiding even more strength.
Since Ferris was unarmed, it didn't mean his essence use was limited to physical strength.
With some effort, he maintained a thin veil of essence along his arms.
Sword essence.
Although it was a little weak due to his body's lack of essence training, but it was enough to give him the edge.
Lionheart hesitated. As if his brain told him, he was suddenly aware that his opponent's deadliness had multiplied for some reason.