Chapter 69: Dialogue within the Royal Castle
I had proposed a duel, but there was no response from the people who seemed to be Ambitose royalty. Perplexed, I wondered what was happening when a middle-aged man in the most extravagant attire stepped forward. He had a neatly groomed beard and a crown atop his head. Probably, this man was King Vazotsu of Ambitose.
"So, are you Milimos Nonette—the rumored Monkey Prince? However, how did you manage to enter this courtyard? The only gate should be guarded by numerous soldiers!"
"Well, you see, since the gate was blocked, I just climbed over the wall."
"What foolishness! How high do you think our castle walls are?"
"I understand your concern. I did it myself, but it sounds like a joke, doesn't it?"
As I responded with a wry smile, Famiris intervened.
"My apologies. I am Famiris Terestajilred, a knight of the Sacred Knight Nation. You are indeed King Vazotsu Ambitose of Ambitose, correct?"
"What!? Are you truly a knight of the Knight Nation?"
"...Let me ask again. Are you King Vazotsu?"
Famiris questioned with a stern knightly tone. Most likely, he was displeased about being doubted as a genuine knight of the Knight Nation, and it showed.
King Vazotsu seemed to sense Famiris' sudden change in mood and hastily responded, "That's correct. I am Ambitose King Vazotsu Ambitose."
"Name confirmed. Well then, let's accept the challenge for a one-on-one duel from Prince Milimos."
As Famiris tried to proceed with the situation on her own, King Vazotsu halted her.
"Why should I, of all people, engage in a duel with that brat? You're the one who decided to continue the war with Nonette for the sake of avenging your eldest son's death. Yet, now you're giving up the perfect opportunity for revenge?"
While Famiris expressed disbelief, I could understand King Vazotsu's sentiments. After all, King Vazotsu was visibly overweight, even through his opulent attire. The silhouette of his arms and legs protruding from his clothing was not that of a trained warrior. In other words, he was more of a bureaucrat than a king. His swordsmanship was likely limited to self-defense skills taught during royal education.
On the other hand, I couldn't help but boast that, in neighboring countries, I had a notorious reputation as the Monkey Prince. I was skilled in combat, and while Famiris surpassed me in swordsmanship, I was considered one of the best fighters in Nonette.
If the two of us were to engage in a one-on-one duel, the outcome was clear. However, Famiris didn't seem to consider these factors.
"Now, take up your weapons and accept the duel. I promise to oversee it fairly in the name of the Sacred Knight Nation."
As Famiris pressed on with her request, King Vazotsu's face turned even paler. If he refused, he would be seen as a coward who fled from a duel, which would endanger his position as king. If he accepted, the probability of him winning against me was extremely low, at least from his perspective. It was evident from his hesitation.
In either case, he had no future but death, which was why King Vazotsu couldn't speak up.
"Now, give a clear answer. Will you accept or decline the duel?"
Famiris asked while putting her hand on her sword, as if she wanted to turn it into rust if he chose to refuse.
King Vazotsu, struggling to respond, turned red from anger after his initial paleness.
As we awaited his decision, another individual suddenly spoke up.
"Is it possible for someone else to accept this duel as a proxy?"
The one who spoke was a man standing next to King Vazotsu. Probably another member of the royal family, in his early twenties. He had a tan complexion and neatly groomed facial hair. His physique was well-trained, suggesting martial prowess.
Famiris turned her helmeted gaze toward him.
"Who are you?"
"I am Hveck Ambitose, the fourth son of Vazotsu Ambitose. With my father's permission, I would like to volunteer as a proxy for the duel."
In response to his dignified and warrior-like demeanor, Famiris voiced her approval.
"If Prince Milimos and King Vazotsu do not object, we shall accept a proxy."
When asked what to do, my response was clear.
"I accept this. If a duel can determine the outcome of the war, there will be no unnecessary harm to soldiers or civilians, regardless of who the opponent is."
Upon hearing my words, King Vazort reacted.
"Wait! Linking the duel's outcome to the outcome of the war is an unexpected advantage for the victor in the duel!"
Indeed, the rewards in this world's duels are limited to rights such as stopping enemy soldiers' movements for a day or receiving desired information. While King Vazort and I are the highest authorities of our respective armies, the rewards for deciding the outcome of the war with a duel would be excessive.
But looking at it from a different perspective, if I were to win the duel here, the duel's outcome would become the outcome of the war itself.
"If I win, as the victor of the duel, I will exercise the right to stop the actions of all soldiers in this city for a full day. During the time the soldiers are immobilized, I will call in the units deployed on the outskirts and declare victory by occupying this royal castle."
As I explained the course of events if I were to win the duel, not only King Vazort but his entire family was surprised.
"W-What? Are you saying that we already had daggers at our throats at this point?"
"The only way for us to survive is to win the duel."
"Ugh. If only there were no knights from the Knight Nation here..."
If it weren't for my family, it seems like they would have ignored the duel request and tried to assassinate me. While I can appreciate their willingness to disregard conventions and rules for their advantage, do they not understand that such actions would tarnish the nation's reputation and be deemed 'evil' by neighboring countries? Probably not. After all, the fact remains that the eldest son of this family, driven by an out-of-control infatuation, started a war with another nation.
Seemingly out of frustration towards the ambitious Royal Ambitose family or realizing that both their nation and themselves were in danger, King Vazort appeared to be losing his composure.
"No, this can't be! I won't let my beloved son die any further! Soldiers, what are you doing? Kill them! Kill them all!"
With a sense of dread at King Vazort's words, I looked to the side and noticed that Famiris's intimidating presence had increased.
"I see... Evil must be corrected."
In an instant, Famiris approached King Vazort and attempted to strike him down with her sword.
However, just before the blade could hit King Vazort, it stopped as if someone had halted it.
"What do you intend to do?"
The one who asked Famiris with a puzzled expression was a young woman who had stepped forward to protect King Vazort. She had sun-kissed skin, long black hair, and an exquisite beauty, bearing some resemblance to Solerina in her facial features and stature.
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