Chapter 5 Part 2. I Was Already Standing On The Edge Of A Cliff

The man blocked the entrance with the shield he was holding, expressing his refusal once again.

“It is important.”

“I have no right to judge its importance. If you want to go in, make an official appointment.”

“I’m here because I can’t reach him.”

“He, too, is none of my business. I’m just a gatekeeper.”

The man was resolute and consistent, I could not see even the slightest sign of hesitation. Eventually, with a short sigh, I stepped back.

“Then how can I get an appointment with His Highness?”

“Leave your contact information, you’ll be notified.”

“How long will it take for him to meet me?”

“I don’t know. I just report what I’m supposed to.”

The man replied mechanically. I frowned reflexively.

“I understand that the Archduke will soon be leaving for the capital…”

“Yes, that’s right,” the man replied, and despite his straightforward answer, my mind became complicated.

Even though many words were exchanged, Mona Chareuteu, after all, was also an imperial place. The four Grand Dukes of the Empire were obliged to visit the capital once a year, and this week they would do so in this state. If I missed this opportunity, I would have to go directly to the north to meet him. But that was impracticable. The North was a very cold region where even transportation was not properly developed.

It was said that the northerners have a special way of getting to and from the capital, but as I did not belong to their flock, I could not bring myself to go to the north. If possible, I had to meet Archduke Mona Chareuteu and his party before they left for the capital.

“Does that mean I have to sit and wait for His Highness’s call?”

“It’s His Highness’s decision if he wants to meet you, not mine.”

“What if His Highness doesn’t meet me and leave for the capital?”

“Then you have to wait until he returns.”

The Archduke would stay in the capital for only a week.

If my proposal was not answered, I would have to wait a year.

“I don’t have time to wait. Is there no other way?”

“You must defeat me. If not, the best thing is to wait.”

I frowned at the man who spoke so easily of defeating himself. I had heard that Northerners would get what they want by dueling in times of trouble.

“But…,” I frowned reflexively. Unlike the man who had answered, I wasn’t in the mood for a casual challenge. I could see at once that he was not an easy opponent. There was a clear difference in size, but above all, the man’s eyes were precisely sharp.

He was not the kind of person who anyone could defeat easily. That man must have had a much harder life than most, and he must be stronger for it.

‘What can I do?’ I asked myself, but in fact, I already had the answer.

“If I beat you here, will I be able to see His Highness right away?”

“Yes, if you can,” he said, “I’ll risk my life to help you see him.”

The man easily assured me that he was sure I would not be able to beat him. I took a deep breath and stared at him.

“I’ll fight you.”

“Are you serious….?”

“I must see His Highness at all costs, even if it means risking my life.”

The smooth brows of the man narrowed as I stared at him with determination.

“It is not difficult to fight a duel if you want, but you must know this clearly.”

“What is it?”

“The moment you are defeated, everything you do will be regarded as hostile to Mona Chareuteu. It’s a privilege to be forgiven for disrespect, given only to the winner.”

The man’s voice sounded low with warning. It was a voice that sent shivers down my spine just by hearing it.

“That means everything is fine if I win?”

“You can’t beat me.” the man assured me.

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

I countered with a grin.

“You’ll regret it.”

“If I leave like this, I will regret it even more.”

“Okay….There is no reason to avoid the challenge, so I will do as you wish. Please pick your weapon.”

The man took out a spear that he was carrying on his back. The spear, with its curved blade, was the first weapon I had seen in the capital.

“I don’t need weapons.”

“Pride only causes failure.”

The moment the man lifted the spear high and blossomed on the floor, the floor rang. The stone floor that his spear was stuck with was shattered into pieces. Fortunately, I avoided it, but I thought how many lives would be enough if I was hit by such a thing directly.