Chapter 46: Grand Duel (1)

The atmosphere turned cold.

Grand Duel.

Three knights representing each family engage in individual duels, and the side that wins two out of three duels takes all the glory.

At first glance, it might seem like a very rational choice to minimize damage.

However, those who know the truth about the Grand Duel cannot easily entrust the fate of their family to it.

One of Lawrence's vassals said,

"Grand Duel. It's fine if we are certain of victory, but there is no method simpler than this. The problem is that we need someone skilled enough to secure at least two victories out of three duels. Our opponent is Barco. They have connections with the central government and have borrowed a large sum of money from the Golden Bank. They might have invited some high-level experts based on their connections and wealth. The Grand Duel is ultimately a battle of connections, and their intention to lead the situation into a Grand Duel from the beginning clearly indicates that they have confidence in something."

There is no rule that the participants in a Grand Duel must be from the family.

Often, external experts are invited, so Lawrence could not help but worry about such variables.

Initially,

The disparity in the family's strength was significant.

Barco, like Demetri, has one 3-star knight, but Lawrence only has one 2-star knight. The disparity in visible strength means that the game is already lost, so how can we accept a Grand Duel?

Furthermore,

"Roman, thanks to your help, Barco's siege weapons have been destroyed. Barco will inevitably face difficulties in breaching Lawrence's walls, and the longer we drag this out, the more advantageous it becomes for us. This is a matter of time. Even if it is difficult and challenging, if we choose to besiege, Lawrence can survive. However, the moment we open the gates and accept the Grand Duel, we cannot predict how the situation will turn. The Grand Duel is a disaster. If Barco wins the battle and demands Lawrence's land as compensation, we will have no choice but to hand over the land without a word."

The other vassals nodded.

What they were worried about were the variables.

Finally, they had secured a favorable position, and they did not want to ruin the situation by accepting a Grand Duel for no reason.

Understood.

Lawrence's judgment was within reason.

That's why they were herbivores, and despite owning fertile land, they had never lived as predators.

Roman said,

"I understand the meaning. However, as you just said, if we are certain of victory, there is no better method than the Grand Duel. From now on, I will give you that certainty."

Three duels.

Three wins and losses.

Although it is a battle emphasizing three individuals, the Grand Duel ultimately depends on two skilled individuals.

"Barco and Lawrence. Consider the possible scenarios for the choices we and our opponents can make. Barco has a 3-star knight and likely considers an external expert as their trump card. Given Barco's significant financial expenditure on renting Flare, they cannot fully prepare all three participants. So, who are the possible choices for us?"

In people's minds,

Only one person came to mind.

Roman Demetri.

"I will represent Lawrence as the first contestant. Whether the opponent is Barco's knight or an external expert, I am confident in securing the first victory. Then, the opponent will be in a tight spot and will have to send out a skilled individual for the second duel. The Grand Duel is a battle of wits. No matter how skilled they are, if they lose the first and win the second, it is meaningless. For the third duel, Chris, my man, will wrap it up. Even if the opponent sends out a 3-star Aura Knight last, Chris is skilled enough to secure the victory."

Roman's words.

They were quite reasonable.

However, it was not a perfect strategy.

If Roman were to lose to an unknown expert, the match would end right there.

"Do you think I will lose?"

In response to Roman's words,

No one could refute him.

His act of attacking Barco's rear and beheading Berg's head demonstrated overwhelming presence.

We will win.

Roman's skills were certain.

"Then we have secured one victory. Isn't this a battle with a good chance of winning? If we think through the possible scenarios and match the contestants appropriately, we can restore Lawrence's honor, which has fallen to the bottom, by winning the Grand Duel. I will not try to persuade you further. I can help you up to this point, and now you must make the decision."

At that moment,

People's gazes turned to one person.

Flora.

Due to this incident, her influence in the meeting room had increased.

Roman was a skilled speaker.

He always grasped the situation logically and rationally, pointed out the reality boldly, and won the agreement of the other party.

It was the same now.

The way he silenced Lawrence's vassals reminded Flora of a conversation she had over magical communication.

[It's simple. Sacrifice for the plan. If the Lawrence family shows a willingness to bleed and set the stage, I, Roman Demetri, will promise to do my best to help. For our conversation to proceed smoothly, you must make this promise first.]

What he said then.

Roman wanted 'Lawrence's sacrifice.'

For his personal revenge, he wanted Lawrence to bleed and set the stage.

It was no different now.

Although it appeared he was doing something for Lawrence, Roman was once again forcing Lawrence to sacrifice.

'Dangerous person.'

Roman's plan had a flaw.

If,

Barco hired an expert capable of defeating Roman, or if they invited three external experts.

Lawrence would be doomed.

It was the worst-case scenario, and in that case, Lawrence would have no way to resolve the problem.

Of course, the probability of such an event occurring was low.

Barco's decision not to use Flare from the beginning indicated significant financial expenditure, and they were also straining their resources for this matter.

Exactly two.

Preparing two surefire cards was Barco's best option.

If that were true, it would be possible to defeat Barco with minimal damage through appropriate matchups, as Roman suggested.

The problem was,

'Roman is whispering sweet words to us now. He is offering to send out an expert like the one who defeated Berg as a Grand Duelist, but he is asking Lawrence to bear any unforeseen variables. What should I do? If we choose to besiege, we will survive, although it will take a long time, but this choice will certainly regress Lawrence. Both the Barco and Lawrence families will end up unhappy. However, if we accept Roman's proposal and win, the glory of victory will go to Roman, not Lawrence, even if the damage is minimized.'

It left a bitter taste.

Roman was a fox.

He knew that Lawrence had no choice and created a favorable situation for himself.

In any situation,

To achieve the maximum benefit with the minimum sacrifice.

Roman did not hide his dark intentions.

'On the contrary, the fact that his dark intentions are visible makes him trustworthy. Truly, Roman Demetri is a damn guy.'

Gratitude for the help?

It was only temporary.

As Roman said,

This was a deal.

For Roman's benefit, for Lawrence's benefit.

It was a compromise.

Flora said,

"I support the Grand Duel. If there is a way to end the war quickly, I think we need to make a decision, even if it is a gamble."

She avoided Roman's gaze.

Following him despite knowing his intentions.

That was the only thing Flora could do for Roman.

* * *

At that moment,

The Barco family was in chaos.

"Roman Demetri, that bastard, why did he show up! What right does he have to interfere with our affairs! Aaaah!"

Thud!

Bang!

Barco, the viscount, smashed everything in the tent in a fit of rage.

Overturning the desk.

Kicking the chair.

Even after revealing his inner violence for a while, Barco's anger did not subside.

"Huff, huff."

He breathed heavily.

Sitting in the chair and looking at the gray ceiling of the tent, he finally saw the reality of his situation.

'How can we resolve this situation? By destroying Flare, we lost the means to end the war quickly. The Berg mercenary group lost their will to fight after the death of their leader, and the risk of renting Flare again is too high. The money left from the Golden Bank is for emergencies. If we use it and the plan fails, everything will be over.'

It was bleak.

Roman Demetri.

The moment he beheaded Berg came to mind.

It was overwhelming.

At first, he thought it was a crude plan when Roman approached from a distance, but when Roman's sword flashed, dozens of soldiers were massacred without even a scream.

And the bold charge of Berg.

Barco, the viscount, who had pinned his hopes on it, witnessed the A-class mercenary recognized by the Kingdom of Cairo failing to last even 10 seconds.

Why.

Why did this happen?

In his mind, he could not understand Roman's martial prowess.

'There is only one way to turn the tide. The Grand Duel. But there is no reason for Lawrence to accept the Grand Duel. They have already secured the upper hand and have no reason to take a risky gamble.'

His mouth was dry.

His head felt blocked.

He had no idea what to do.

He had no idea how to proceed.

At that moment,

The tent door flapped, and a soldier rushed in with an urgent expression.

"My lord! Lawrence has sent a messenger!"

Barco, the viscount, thought.

It was already a dead end.

In a desperate situation, he would cut off the messenger's head and send it back.

Although it was an unwritten rule to spare the messenger,