Chapter 47

If the words of the next king are spoken, they carry an extremely significant meaning.

The nobles who understood this and Sora immediately looked at the current king.

Only the current king could overturn the words of the crown prince, the next king. However, the king remained silent, not moving a muscle.

He did not want to spoil the crown prince's words by negating them.

The adults who saw this watched over the three people involved: Sora, Chaff, and the crown prince.

Seeing that Sora and Chaff did not respond, the crown prince mistakenly thought his intentions had not been conveyed.

"If we announce your names and recruit participants from the national army, the difference in expectations will lead to a disparity in strength. Then, you can command the soldiers with your own talents and fight."

It was a clear solution that one would not expect from a ten-year-old. Whether it was due to the study of statecraft or the crown prince's talent, Sora could not refute it.

At this point, fleeing the duel would be the same as wasting the crown prince's goodwill, and doing so at the crown prince's birthday celebration would be tantamount to challenging the royal family.

—The outer moat has been completely filled in...!

As soon as Sora understood the situation, his mind began to race.

First, he needed to bring the win rate to over fifty percent.

If the soldiers were asked to choose between the son of "Guanzhen's Trynen" and the son of "Fat Pig's Kleinzelt," the decision was clear. A significant disparity in numbers was inevitable.

"Your Highness, there should be a limit on the number of participants. Even if there are no fatalities, a clash between the elite soldiers of the national army will likely result in many injuries. It is not in our interest to weaken the country unnecessarily."

Sora suggested setting a limit on the number of participants.

The crown prince, pleased that Sora had agreed, nodded immediately.

"Understood. Let's limit it to twenty people."

When he turned to Chaff, Chaff nodded confidently, showing no objection.

Of course, as the heir of the Trynen family, which is extremely popular among warriors, it was not hard to imagine that many soldiers would volunteer to follow his command just once. By selecting the most outstanding warriors, victory would be assured.

If the number difference between Sora and Chaff was too great, the duel might be deemed unnecessary and settled amicably. Setting the number was also in Chaff's interest.

Next, Chaff spoke.

"What about magic?"

Sora was internally anxious. If magic was allowed, the strategies available to Sora, who did not know offensive magic, and Chaff, who was from a military family, would differ greatly.

"Let's not use magic. It's not good to injure the soldiers. Of course, using weapons created by magic is fine. The winner is the one who incapacitates or surrenders the other commander."

Sora internally sighed with relief at the crown prince's words.

"Who will determine when a commander is incapacitated?"

Chaff glared at Sora while asking the crown prince. The crown prince grunted and looked around the hall.

"I'll provide a witness."

The crown prince turned to the king.

"Can we use the training ground?"

"It's not possible immediately. There are personnel changes for the capital's security and other matters. The duel will take place in about a month."

The crown prince's face showed a slight disappointment, but he nodded, aware that he was being unreasonable.

"Then, in one month, Chaff Trynen and Sora Kleinzelt will have their duel. Both sides should fight honorably."

Sora and Chaff bowed.

The crown prince left the scene, looking satisfied.

"I think it's pointless to talk to the Kleinzelt family, but don't engage in any underhanded tactics."

Chaff extended his hand to Sora.

Gripping the large, thick hand, Sora spoke.

"You said you would supervise the management of the territory, but do you have any plans?"

"Not yet. But I will govern for the people, not for you."

As Chaff walked away, Sora sighed.

"...There's no point in talking. I have to win."

Without a plan, getting involved would only result in getting burned. The Kleinzelt territory was such a place.

Refugees would likely flood into the Trynen territory.

"I don't have time to die in a mere duel. I need to find a way to win."

Glancing at the crown prince, Sora saw him being led away by the king.

From the king's demeanor, it seemed the crown prince would receive a stern reprimand for his careless words.

Sora stuck out his tongue in his mind, thinking it was his own fault.

He tried to talk to the soldiers guarding the venue, but they immediately refused. Their gazes were fixed on Chaff.

The celebration ended while Sora continued to be refused.

He tried to ask for help from Duke Belzec, but it was difficult, as they belonged to different factions and could not officially cooperate.

The Kleinzelt family, which belonged to the Church faction, did not get along well with the military faction. There were no volunteers in the national army willing to support the notorious Kleinzelt family.

"The leaders of the Church faction seem to have been caught off guard by this. They were likely planning to incite the duel and lend their elite soldiers to gain favor."

Duke Belzec indicated the leaders of the Church faction with his chin.

It would be best not to expect help from the Church faction in the national army. They would not introduce capable people, and it was uncertain what they would demand in return.

"Indeed, as the prince said, I have to rely on my own talents."

"That's how it is. Besides, you've already told the king."

Sora looked at Duke Belzec, who scratched his cheek and looked away, admitting reluctantly.

"You're too big for a mere adjutant."

Belzec, making excuses, said he hadn't expected this to happen. Sora looked up at the ceiling.

"Don't raise the bar so high."

"I'm sorry."

Duke Belzec apologized, looking embarrassed.

December 14th revision

January 10th revision

June 16th revision