The surrounding soldiers welcomed them with uncontested praise and congratulation.
Information from reconnaissance operations was as valuable as a lantern shining through the darkness. Would the enemy army conserve their power while the snow fell, or would they take advantage of the blizzard to attack? The patrols, troop preparations—it would all be affected.
Jerome turned on his heel to return to the central tower.
“Hmph... Looks like a moment of silence is the one thing you’re good for, little lady.”
And while he scoffed—
“Hold it right there.” Altina was fearless in her response, one hand gliding to the longsword at her waist.
Regis’s eyes widened as he watched.
The shing of sliding metal. With no time for anyone to stop her, she had drawn her sword.
“Wha!?” cried Regis.
Unrest broke out among the crowd—the soldiers were evidently just as surprised. It was not long before the ring of people spread out away from her.
Altina was five steps from Jerome. For a hero like him, this was a gap that could be closed in an instant. Now that she had drawn her blade, it would be no surprise if she were killed.
And yet, she remained calm.
“You have no intention to recognize me, no matter the circumstances. Do you, Sir Jerome?”
“Hey... Little lady, if this is some kinda joke, I ain’t laughing.”
“I’m being serious. And you should be, too. You detest the fact there’s a royal running around calling herself commander, don’t you? Isn’t it about time we set the record straight?”
“Hmph, it’s already straight as an arrow. This regiment belongs to me.”
“A declaration made like the king of a Germanian nation. This regiment, its soldiers, its knights, and even you are a part of the Belgarian Imperial Army, and I have been appointed your commander.”
“Yeah, that may be true. But empty titles don’t move men, little lady. This isn’t the palace. In the heat of battle, no soldier would trust their life to a decoration piece.”
“I know that all too well. I’ve learned it on many an occasion in these past four months. That is precisely why I must prove my worthiness as commander.”
“Kukukuh... Did you send for the emperor’s permission for this?”
“Now who’s joking?”
Altina’s gaze drifted ever so slightly. Regis could feel her eyes rest on him momentarily.
Her expression had no traces of anxiety or doubt. On the contrary, it was clear and brimming with self-confidence—an undeniable sense of certainty also shone through the stillness with which she aimed her sword.
She returned her sights to the man standing before her.
“Jerome Jean de Beilschmidt, I challenge you to a duel!”
If this is a nightmare, someone please wake me up, Regis prayed.
Around a tenth of the soldiers were surprised, an equal amount absolutely dumbstruck. But most saw the situation as a joke, some among them even breaking out into laughter.
Even Jerome, the man who currently stood at the end of a sword, couldn’t take the situation seriously.
“Hey now, little lady...”
But following her next words, all traces of amusement faded from the spectators’ faces.
“Should I win, you must acknowledge my position at this fort. First, you will address me as your commander and follow my instructions. Second, you will serve under me as my general, and carry out your duties to the best of your ability. This is no joke, so do not take my words lightly. Continue to treat it as such, and I shall assume you have run from my challenge.”
With so much now on the line, Jerome could no longer brush the confrontation aside.
The faint grin faded from his face, an unbridled, intimidating aura now enveloping him.
The soldiers cowered at his sheer murderous air, some even trying to push back through the crowd in a vain effort to escape.
“Gnn... You’d better not regret this, little lady. I have no interest in holding back, not even if my opponent was the emperor himself.”
“I don’t doubt that. If you had any consideration for status, you would’ve been willing to obey me when I first arrived.”
“You talk as though you have this all figured out. Have you prepared a proxy to fight in your place? The only knight in this fort who would even stand a chance is Everard...”
He glanced over to see the knight captain in the crowd, confusion plastered all over his face.
While he was loyal to Jerome, he doted on Altina as if she were his daughter, granddaughter or even a goddess. If she asked him to be her proxy, he would no doubt be between a rock and a hard place.
Altina swiped her sword to the side.
“There will be no proxy. Your opponent is right here. I’ll say it again—if you don’t accept, I’ll see it as you running away!”
“Kukukuh... Very well. You’re no more than a has-been princess who lost the imperial power struggle. What a fitting end to your tale.”
Altina grimaced.
The Has-been Princess. Of her various nicknames, he had to pick one of the most offensive. It was more of an insult than a nickname.
“If I win, you’ll acknowledge me as commander?”
“Naturally. And not only in name, either. I’ll recognize you as a real commander. If you win, that is! ...And if I win, what’s in it for me? Duel or no duel, I’m already the commander of this regiment. Ah, how about you return the title to me?”
“You’re asking me to defy a direct imperial decree.”
“Can you?”
“Even if I passed your request to the throne directly, it would do little more than line the bin of Prince Latrielle.”
“Hmph... Then I have no motivation to accept your duel.”
Altina nodded. It seemed as though she had foreseen this part of their exchange.
“I thought you might say that. If you have nothing to gain, then this duel holds no merit for you. I’ve spent the past few days thinking of ways to resolve this issue. The result would be worthless should the soldiers believe you held back because you had nothing to gain.”
“Hah. Then what do you propose?”
“The commander-in-name will resign, and in turn bring new honor to the house of Beilschmidt.”
“Impossible.”
“I am, of course, referring to those high aristocrat generals who forced you from center stage. You haven’t forgotten about that, have you?”