With Liu and Tailong gone, Johann bowed deeply to Eric and said, “Your Highness, thank you for not only approving the duel with Prince Liu but for signing such a contract as well!”
It was clear from the look in his eye that his gratitude was heartfelt. Liu seemed to assume everything would go his way, but the contract was still a boon for Johann.
After all, he’s found a tangible way to protect Lingsha.
He was prepared to die for her—there was nothing he feared.
“No need to thank me. I just felt obliged to give a strong expression of my trust in you. Johann…let me see you protect the one you love. I wouldn’t want a captain of the guard that wasn’t capable of that.”
“Oh, Your Highness…simply receiving those words from you makes me feel so…so…” Tears flooded his eyes. Seeing him like that lit a fire in my heart.
This reminds of the day Eric dueled the captain of the royal guard for Johann’s sake…
Eric’s desire to express his trust in Johann likely came from that moment as well.
Lingsha, who had kept quiet until now, said, “But Liu is freakishly strong, oh yes, you can bet on it. Can ya really beat him, Johann?”
“L-Lady Lin?! Do you not trust me?!” Johann sputtered, appalled.
Liu was indeed bizarrely powerful, but Lingsha was Johann’s love. I was confused, because she didn’t object to the duel, and so I assumed that she thought Johann would win.
“Of course I want you to win, Johann. But I want you alive even more than that. And my brother’s a better fighter than me…”
Lingsha hung her head. I rarely saw her depressed, but Liu’s talents were indeed genuine. His effortless control of Lingsha was proof enough of that. And that was the man Johann would face in a fight to the death—it was beyond foolhardy.
We can’t deny the fact that Johann might die.
And for all Lingsha’s posturing and promises of blasting their opponents into submission…deep down, she was soft, and she cared for Johann’s safety.
“Pfft! Hah hah hah! Oh, Lady Lin, you had me worried there! I promise you that I won’t be beaten. My victory is assured in a contest of the sword, as I am the heir to the Olbrun school of fencing.”
“D’ya mean it?”
“Of course,” Johann said, puffing out his chest. “My sword is the best in all the land. So please, have faith in me.”
“Hee hee… Oh yes, you’re right. I know you won’t lose.”
When she saw the pure confidence in Johann’s expression, Lingsha finally broke out into a smile. All traces of gloom had vanished from her eyes.
I’m sure Johann’s voice reassured her…
We all had faith that Johann would win, but it was still important to ward off any anxiety we were feeling. We still had a whole month until the duel. It would be cruel to let Lingsha suffer all that time.
“Lingsha, you have my word too,” said Eric. “I don’t know a stronger warrior than Johann. That’s why I trained at the Olbrun school.”
“Thanks. I know he’s strong too. Oh yes…I just know my Johann will blast away that stupid Liu for me.”
Eric’s vote of confidence finally persuaded Lingsha to believe in Johann’s victory. She even stuck out her hand for him to shake as a show of support.
And Johann gripped it firmly.