“Ooh, really? Well, all I did was speak my mind, see?”
They gazed into each other’s eyes and smiled. The sight of them softened the harsh features of Eric’s face.
“You two, you cannot simply blast away an adversary like the Ren Emperor. I have a plan—I’m sure you’ll want to know what it is, but I ask that you both keep a low profile for a while.”
“If we must,” Lingsha said stoically.
“Your Highness…” Johann said, “words cannot convey my remorse. I let my emotions rule over me and in so doing, caused you great dismay. I beg of you, please cut me down.”
“Don’t be absurd. If I decide to kill you now, then what was the point of restraining you in the first place? But if you insist on some sort of punishment, then I’m happy to work you to the bone. Work for me, Johann.”
“Wh-what a merciful soul you are, Your Highness! I am beyond grateful and fortunate!”
As Johann got on all fours and rubbed his head on the floor in an extreme bow, Eric smiled and forgave him.
Well, I guess that’s one crisis averted. No… I sense a presence!
“Howdy, Crown Prince Eric. I’ll let myself in.”
In the time it took me to see the window get thrown open, a phoenix carrying Liu and Tailong on its back flew into Eric’s study. None of us could hide our shock, the trespass was so brazen. But nobody was more shocked than Johann and Lingsha. They immediately assumed battle stances as they eyed Liu warily.
The imperial prince seemed frustrated. “It looked like you guys were having an interesting conversation, so I watched from outside, and I was astounded to learn that Linny has a boyfriend. Thanks for introducing him to your brother, by the way.”
He watched us from outside? Maybe he knew how to read lips like Eric.
I followed Liu’s gaze over to Lingsha, whose eyes burned with fury as she glowered back.
“Oh, shut up! You don’t deserve to be introduced! Anyway, I’m gonna kick your butt for breaking in here!”
“Whoa there, is that a way to treat your long-lost brother?” Liu asked while he effortlessly dodged Lingsha’s flying fists.
I was right about this guy. He’s freakishly powerful…
Despite all Lingsha’s strength, she couldn’t beat him. The gap was just too wide.
“Miss Lin!” I cried as I frantically stepped in to help.
“Lady Lin!!!”
Johann reached her first. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and slashed at Liu. Liu’s blade was ready—he parried the assault and kicked Johann away.
“Aww, what a bummer. You’re only at Linny’s level?”
“Don’t underestimate me!” Johann dodged Liu’s strike at the last moment and countered with a roundhouse kick that knocked Liu off-balance. Liu fell to the floor, and the point of Johann’s sword met his throat. It happened in an instant—nobody could have stopped him.
Liu grabbed Johann’s sword just before it could pierce his neck. A daredevil smile spread across his face. “Whew…not too shabby, Captain. Figured you had to be strong to protect the crown prince from all those assassins.”
“What?! You bastard!”
“Stop it, Johann! Don’t let him provoke you any further!” Eric bellowed at the enraged Johann. He obeyed, albeit bitterly.
Liu looked at me and Eric with an expression like he was appraising goods at a store. “Oh dear, oh dear, Crown Prince Eric, what sort of training are you giving your bodyguards? I almost got hurt there, you know.”
“I see no issue. It’s only natural for a bodyguard to attack someone who broke through a window, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Ha ha ha! Touché. But I’m a prince of the Ren Empire. Shouldn’t you show some hospitality?”
“Of course. But if you behave inappropriately, then I’ll admonish you accordingly.”
Liu’s brow furrowed. Then he snorted and turned to Johann. “I’ve been a bad guest, I’ll give ya that.” Liu held up a finger, “Okay, how ’bout I offer something to Crown Prince Eric and his gifted bodyguard, as a sign of goodwill.”
His face exuded villainy. Instinctively, I knew his “offer” couldn’t be anything good.
“We’ll resolve this in the Renese fashion: Blast me away and force me to submit. Hey, you…Johann, or whatever your name is. Fight me. Winner gets Linny.”
A duel?! This man defied expectations at every turn. What was the meaning of this? If they were fighting with Lingsha on the line, did that mean if Johann lost, he would have to let her go?
Liu’s eyes radiated confidence.
You know…I think he resembles Lingsha in almost every way.
Even if it was a stupid proposal, I wouldn’t put it past him to make it.
“One month from now, me and Jojo here will have a duel. If he wins, he may do as he wishes with my little sister. I’ll go back home without another word.”
Liu drew his sword and swung it in a grand arc, signifying the duel between him and Johann for the fate of Lingsha.
But it’s just a gentleman’s agreement…and I don’t think a duel between a soldier and an imperial prince would even be allowed.
I gave Liu a dubious look when Johann said, “Prince Liu, I’m flattered by your offer…but with all due respect, I cannot put any stock in a verbal agreement.”
His point was completely rational. It would be strange if he trusted Liu’s word.
“Haaah! Hah! Hah! Yeah, I don’t blame you. We don’t trust verbal agreements in the Ren Empire either! Very well… We’ll put it in writing.”
Liu produced a paper from his pocket, scribbled some words on it, and handed it to Johann.
“Wh-what’s this? Prince Eric, you need to see this.”
Color drained from Eric’s face as he read the paper.
“If Johann Olbrun wins the duel, the Ren Empire will indefinitely rescind all claims to Xu Lingsha.”
Liu had signed the paper with a drop of his blood and the imperial seal of the Ren Empire. It was a formal contract, undeniably.
I gulped. I never thought Liu would take it this far…
What is he thinking? This is too extreme to be a joke…
“Here are the rules: We fight to the death or until one of us surrenders. We will use swords. That okay with you?”
“I take it you’re serious?”
“Hell yeah, I’m serious! I want to be emperor someday. If I back out of a promise with another nation, I’ll destroy my chances for good. Don’t worry, Jojo, if you win, I’ll keep my promise.”
The smile returned to Liu’s face. Deep in his eyes, the flames of war burned.
“Master Liu, I must protest!” Liu’s assistant Tailong fiercely objected. “This contract is too dangerous! Please don’t make such a foolish wager!”
He was right. But no matter how rational his argument was, Liu wouldn’t be swayed. He turned to Tailong, frowned, and said, “Of course it’s foolish. I was given a silly assignment, so let me kill my boredom with some mindless entertainment, okay, Tailong Koh?”
“Uh…b-but we just got the margrave on our side! It will all have been for nothing.”
Liu glared at Tailong so severely that I broke out in a cold sweat just from standing a few feet away. Tailong seemed just as overwhelmed—he couldn’t make a sound and simply hung his head.
in silence.“Sure, Margrave Linboldt shares our goal—part of it, at least. But that guy’s rigid to the core. He would never betray Elshaid’s royal family.”