Rising up from a Nobleman to Intergalactic Warlord!!-Chapter 174

Rushing into the arena over an hour past our agreed-upon start time, Liam and Rosetta began profusely apologizing to us for the delay. Asserting that a pressing matter had tied them up until now, I could not help but smirk at their words. Noticing my facial expression, the color began fading from them as they realized we knew the truth. Hiding her face in shame, Rosetta made herself small while Liam could not bring himself to look anyone in the eyes.

"Hehe, is everything alright? Should we reschedule the duel for tomorrow?", I playfully teased them, "I can wait until tomorrow if that works better for you two."

"That... that will not be necessary!", Liam shouted, before quickly lowering his voice, "I am already suited up and ready to go."

Opening my mouth to give a playful retort, Mylene cleared her throat loudly and gave me a pleading glance. Wanting me to drop the matter for their sake, I relented and got back on topic.

"Before we begin, can you give me a tour of your mech, Avid Kai?", I requested, having studied it a bit during the wait. "Afterward, I can show you my mech as well."

"Absolutely, I can do that!", Liam agreed, grateful to be out of the spotlight. "Nias, can you please join us? You explain the technical stuff a lot better than I do."

"Can do!", Nias acknowledged as Eulisia and Nias left their seats to join us. "Wait, why are you following me?! Lord Liam called for me, not you!"

"Someone has to ensure you do not inadvertently divulge national secrets.", Eulisia replied with a sigh. "Whenever you start talking shop with others, you lose yourself in the discussion and blab about things you should not. Your supervisor complains about it all the time to my manager during the quarterly meetings between factories."

"He does... ", Nias groaned, irritated that the pig was gossiping about her, 'I am going to kick his ass for spreading lies about me!'

Motioning for me to follow him, Liam gave me an overview of how Avid Kia came to be. Starting life as Alistair Sera Banfield's personal mech, Liam's great-grandfather, the unit had been collecting dust in storage since his death several hundred years ago. A short time into Liam's sword training, the sword master Yasushi had the older mech retrofitted to help further refine his talent. Stripping the mech of all unnecessary support systems, Avid Kai required complete manual control to pilot it properly.

"While I doubted my master's decision initially, forcing me to operate Avid Kai as an extension of myself drastically improved my magic control and manipulation. That flawless precision is what allows me to continuously utilize physical reinforcement magic during normal combat.", Liam boasted, as we approached Avid Kai, "As I further improved my piloting skills, the materials used in its initial construction became insufficient enough to withstand the strain I put on the machine. After a near-catastrophic failure, I commissioned Nias and the Seventh Imperial Factory to reconstruct it out of the highest quality materials available."

"We spared no expense to fulfill Lord Liam's needs!", Nias proudly proclaimed, giving her rival Eulisia a smug smirk. "The framework is constructed of a secret mithril alloy blend, and its hull is a special mixture of adamantine and orichalcum made exclusively for Avid Kai! In addition... the cockpit was decked out in gold and platinum at the duke's request."

Retracting the cockpit housing and the armor plating around the mech's left leg, Nias gave me an overview of how Avid Kia functioned. Sharing a bit about the high-strength magical filaments they used in place of pistons and servos, she went on to brag about the enchantments they imbued into the framework to optimize mana circulation. Touching on the customized sensor-array installed in Avid that reinforced Liam's connection to it, we stepped into the cockpit to have a look around.

"A bit gaudy for my taste, but this is a fine mech.", I said, poking my head around the cockpit. "Just out of curiosity, does this run on electricity, magic crystals, or magical essence?"

"It utilizes a hybrid power system using both electricity and a large magic crystal to operate.", Nias stated, elated to be asked the question, "Avid Kia's core systems operate on electricity while everything else is fueled by the magic crystal. Standard mechs operate almost entirely off the miniaturized fusion reactor onboard, as newer units are mostly electronic now. Avid Kai could have been retrofitted that way, but he insisted upon no supplementary systems during the upgrade."

"Alright, enough about my mech. Time to check yours, Victor!", Liam insisted, eager to see how mine stacked up.

Redeploying the housing and plating, the four of us walked over to my mech's designated spot opposite Avid Kai. Asking my family and friends to please take their seats in the stands, I wanted to ensure they did not get caught up in the debris cloud I was going to kick up. Knowing my fondness for showboating very well, especially when it came to Nova Gundam, Angelica and Olivia requested that I show some restraint, as this was foreign soil.

"Nonsense, so long as it does not damage the surrounding area, I do not mind a bit of flexing.", Liam insisted, patting me on the back.

"Just to confirm, you do not mind if the battlefield gets a little torn up then?", I asked as my wives began hunkering down.

"Not at all, we will need to relevel the ground after our duel anyways.", Liam answered, turning his attention to the sky. "Safe to assume it will depart from your city-ship at high speed?"

"Heck no, I have a far more dramatic entrance in mind!", I laughed, stepping aside so they had a good view. "Now then... RISE, NOVA GUNDAM!!!"

Quickly raising my right hand into the air, I snapped my fingers to activate the mech's startup sequence. Feeling the ground begin to tremble, spiderweb cracks began appearing across the arena as it rapidly ascended from underground. Exploding out of the earth at high speed, Nova Gundam shook the soil off itself and bathed the arena in vivid blue light.

"WHAT IN THE FUCK?! THAT IS SO DAMN COOL!!", Liam howled as rock and other debris began raining down around us. "Nias, is there any way we can do something similar with Avid Kai? Please say there is; money will not be a hinderance."

"I... I do not know...", Nias replied, watching Nova Gundam touchdown with a childlike fascination, "Lord Stark, what... what is your mech made out of?"

"Adamantium, Beskar, Luna Titanium, and Vibranium.", I answered, approaching my mech with a smug smirk. "Nova Gundam is a one-of-a-kind mech; everything from the ground up was designed, built, and refined by me personally. Suffice it to say that I know my mech like the back of my hand."

"I know of Beskar and Luna Titanium, but Adamantium and Vibranium are unknown to me.", Nias remarked, following behind me with Eulisia and Liam in tow. "What is the blue crystalline metal on its back?"

"Haha, I can understand why you think it is metallic, but it is actually a hard light construct.", I informed her, having done extensive reconstruction when I redesigned it to accommodate my larger body. "With just a thought, I can manipulate its size and shape to be whatever I want. Suffice it to say that I have access to a full armor during combat and an endless supply of munitions."

Puckering their lips in shock, they were at a complete loss for words as hard light constructs were still considered science fiction in most parts of the universe. Mathematically it had been proven to be possible, but as of yet no one had built a working proof of concept. Desperately wanting to get their hands on this technology, Eulisia and Nias were about to start making me offers when Liam spoke up.

"So what is the armor made out of?", Liam asked, wanting some clarification.

"The armor/hull is constructed of a special Adamantium, Beskar, and Luna Titanium blend; the cockpit is made of a classified material; and the framework is Vibranium.", I answered. "Before anyone asks, none of the materials or technology is for sale."

"How does Luna Titanium stack up to the Adamantine and Orichalcum mixture I have?", Liam asked Nias.

"Well, that depends. What variant is it?", Nias questioned.

"The original mixture, I happened to get my hands on the original notes from when it was first produced.", I replied.

"Yeah... his armor is better...", Eulisia stated without skipping a beat, "The original Luna Titanium is almost completely indestructible. The only effective means of damaging it is repeated strikes with an energy weapon, but the Beskar improves its resistance significantly."

Looking at Nias with frustration, Liam wanted to know why she had not recommended Luna Titanium for his mech. Apologizing to him, the engineer informed him that securing the material was extremely difficult. Luna Titanium was only produced at a handful of locations, and each site produced only a few hundred tons of material each year. With such low production volume, compared to its high demand, the waiting list sat at over thirty years right now.

"Even if the Seventh Imperial Factory had secured some, there are no facilities in the empire that can manipulate the material. Working with Luna Titanium requires special equipment and years of experience.", Eulisia explained, "If I am being honest, I am in awe that Lord Stark can produce and manipulate the material himself."

"I completely agree!", Nias spoke up, scooting closer to me. "Do you happen to have any concubines, Lord Stark? If so, may I offer myself up to be- "

"Haha, nice try. You are not getting your hands on any of my materials or technology.", I said, shutting her down promptly.

"Damn... alright.", Nias relented, feeling Lucoa and Mylene's oppressive gazes crushing her spirit. "May we at least see what is under the hood of your mech?"

Nodding my head in agreement, I remotely disengaged the high-powered magnets that secured the armor/hull to the framework on Nova Gundam's left leg. Giving them a rudimentary overview of how it moved, the two women soaked up the information like a sponge while Liam ascended to check out the cockpit.

---Thirty Minutes Later---

Concluding my explanation, the two women thanked me for my time before promptly returning to their seats. Jumping out of my cockpit, Liam began walking back to Avid Kia so we could start the match. Running last-minute diagnostics on our mechs to ensure everything was in working order, the two of us gave the designated referee a thumbs up once we were done.

"Alright gentlemen, as per your agreed-upon rules, only the decapitation of your opponent's mech will end this duel. Though the arena's shielding has been deployed to protect the city and those here today, please try to refrain from striking it as both of your mechs could take the system down.", Brian spoke over the PA system. "Do you understand?"

"All good here.", Liam acknowledged.

"Ditto for me.", I seconded.

"Very well then.", Brian said, raising his hand high over his head and then abruptly dropping it. "Begin!"

Lunging at one another, Liam whipped his katana off his waist and immediately swung it at my neck. Slicing through thin air, the image he swung at faded away, revealing that it had been only an afterimage. Appearing behind him, I seized him from behind and suplexed his mech into the ground, creating a small, localized earthquake in the process. Releasing him immediately, I jumped back and began bombarding him with a barrage of Vulcan cannon fire.

(AN: Vulcan cannons are 20mm machine guns mounted in a Gundam's head unit. Most have four to eight installed.)

Recovering quickly from my surprise attack, Liam got back up and began blocking the bullets with a flurry of swings. Giving his thrusters the beans, he shot forward at a high rate of speed and unleashed a volley of missiles upon me. Firing a barrage of light construct spears at the incoming danger, the duke pounced upon my presumed momentary lapse of focus to get in close once again.

"You are not slipping away this time!", Liam laughed, raining down a torrent of cuts and slashes upon me.

"Hehe, do you honestly think I would pull that same stunt twice in a row? We both know that kind of trick only works once on opponents of our caliber.", I shot back, letting my shielding absorb the blows.

Creating some distance once his missiles were eliminated, I gave chase and started pelting him with a dizzying number of punches. Deploying his shoulder-mounted shields to protect himself, they only withstood a few dozen strikes before violently exploding. Faltering under the sudden failure of his only real protection, I pummeled him into the dirt without mercy.

"How did he destroy them so easily!?", Nias screeched, unable to comprehend how her specially designed shield units failed so spectacularly.

"It is thanks to the power of vibranium!", Serana smugly shouted back, using magic to increase the volume of her voice. "The material can absorb and release astronomical amounts of vibrational energy at will."

'A material that can absorb and release vibrational energy on command!? Jeez, Lord Stark is full of surprises!', Nias thought as Liam began to recover.

Pushing his back thrusters to the limit, Avid Kia flew backward while launching the rest of its missiles at me. Instead of using light constructs this time, I used the air pressure my fists generated to detonate the explosives in mid-air. Laughing at my display of brute force and martial arts prowess, Liam got his mech back onto its feet and gripped his katana with both hands.

"Now you are just showing off!", Liam laughed, genuinely enjoying himself right now. "While we may be equals in swordplay, I concede that you have me thoroughly beat in terms of martial arts skills."

"I appreciate the compliment, but I believe your sword skills are more refined than mine. Your movements are far more natural and precise than mine.", I replied, detonating the last missile. "At the rate we are going, we could be at this for a few hours. With that in mind, how about I offer up a suggestion to you?"

"Go on.", Liam said.

"How about we put the power of our mechs on full display by ending this with a single, no-holds-barred attack?", I suggested, wanting an excuse to utilize Hyper Mode today.

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Pondering the suggestion for a moment, a wicked smile crept upon Liam's face. Disengaging Avid Kai's limiter, Liam began strengthening and reinforcing his mech's magical fibers.

"HAHA!! Let's do it!!", Liam cackled as magical energy began crackling around him. "Do not blame me if this ends badly for you!"

"I could say the same to you!", I shot back, "Hyper Mode, engage!"

Lifting all system restrictions on power delivery and output, Nova Gundam began radiating an immense amount of heat as its normal color scheme gave way to a pure, golden color. Ignoring my sudden change in color, Liam sheathed his blade and lowered into his preferred stance with a long exhale. Mentally and physically prepared for me to attack, he closed his eyes and waited for the opportune moment to strike.

"This hand of mine is burning red! Its loud roar tells me to grasp victory!", I proclaimed as my right hand became cloaked in heat equivalent to the surface of a yellow star, "Erupting... Burning... FINGER!"

(AN: Yeah, I am fully aware that some of you think this is cringy as hell, but this was my childhood... so deal with it, lol!)

Blitzing toward him at blinding speed, when I entered his strike zone, Liam lashed out like a coiled viper. Ripping his blade out faster than most could visually see, as our attacks collided, intense sparks of energy began arcing in every direction. Taking out the arena's shielding in seconds, everyone in the stands dove for cover, trying to avoid being hit and the wicked air pressure.

"HOLY COW!! THIS IS AWESOME!!", Tohru laughed, gripping the back of her chair tightly as the wind tried to blow Ilulu and her away. "THEY SHOULD DO THIS MORE OFTEN!!"

"YEAH!!", Ilulu agreed, "THIS REMINDS ME OF THE GAMES WE USED TO PLAY AS KIDS BACK IN THE VILLAGE!!"

Evenly matched for the first few moments, Avid Kia's blade began cracking in several places as the heat and stress began taking its toll. Watching it fail catastrophically in slow motion, Liam relented as my right hand ripped Avid Kia's head off. Crushing the head unit, I hoisted it into the air and discharged all the remaining heat I generated at once.

"HEAT... END!!", I shouted, sending the torrent of heat into the atmosphere.

Watching the stream of fire extend up to the stratosphere, Liam lay on the ground laughing his ass off while our families sighed with relief.