Ch.321Chapter 321. Red-Eyed Dragon of the South (9)

* * *

The sudden news of a 1:1 challenge from Rolland.

While everyone was murmuring, Ginor was the first to offer his opinion.

“It’s an obvious provocation. Not worth responding to.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. If you consider Rolland’s personality, it’s clear.”

After answering Charlotte, Ginor immediately turned to Luna and bowed his head.

“If rulers were to duel and one got injured, the situation would inevitably become complicated. A commander-in-chief needs to perform duties befitting their position, and that role isn’t to behead enemies on the front lines. Even if you take the vanguard, there’s no need to accept every duel request.”

After saying this, he glanced briefly at Lunarian’s reaction and continued—

“From various circumstantial evidence, it seems Your Majesty’s martial skills are exceptional… but given that the opponent is Rolland, we must not be careless. Caution is never a bad thing.”

“Excuse me, Advisor. I have a question.”

This time it was Francis, standing next to Charlotte, who interjected.

“Go ahead.”

“Is Seta Rolland really such a formidable warrior? Honestly, it’s hard for me to grasp…”

“Someone of General Francis’s age might not know. Rolland was a prodigy who rose to the position of vice-captain of the former Empire’s Third Knight Division at an exceptionally young age. And the sole reason he reached that position was his remarkable skill in one-on-one combat.”

“What do you mean by skill in one-on-one combat?”

“Simply put, he was a level above other generals. His timing for striking and retreating, his methods of intervention, his speed in reading opponents’ psychology, his handling of different weapons… it was as if he was born into this world to win one-on-one duels. While he wasn’t lacking in other skills, if we’re talking purely about one-on-one combat, even Epinel Rosenkroz—no, even Chel Brans himself would have to be cautious against Seta Rolland.”

“Did you say Chel Brans…? Is he really that skilled?”

As soon as this easy-to-understand comparison was made, Francis’s expression quickly hardened.

Chel Brans. Though he had died recently, during the height of the Brans army’s conquest of the central continent, he was known as the “strongest man on the continent.”

Although his prime had passed, if one were asked to name a representative of martial arts in the current era, many would still think of Brans’s premier swordsman—that was the undeniable reality.

“Of course, unlike Chel, he hasn’t risked his life much, and having lived peacefully in the southern continent for a long time, his skills may have deteriorated… but there’s no need to take chances on that possibility.”

Ginor turned his head again to look at his lord.

“The enemy’s likely aim is to make us appear cowardly… but we needn’t worry about that. This isn’t the only battle we’ll fight; it’s just the first one. I don’t think there’s any need to get caught up in the enemy’s intentions from the start.”

“…”

Luna, who had remained silent until now, finally parted her lips slowly.

“There’s one thing I’d like to confirm.”

“What is it?”

“Will Seta Rolland be the one representing Rolland’s army?”

“Yes. Since the proposal was made with the intention of provoking Your Majesty, their ruler himself—”

Before Ginor could finish, Luna cut him off.

“Then I will go forth.”

“…Pardon?”

Ginor quickly assessed Luna’s demeanor.

There was no sign that she was belittling or ignoring what he had said.

What could be seen in her ruby-colored eyes was determination. And… overwhelming confidence.

“If we can defeat Lord Rolland in a one-on-one duel, wouldn’t all circumstances become favorable for our nation?”

Her words were logical.

It was obvious that if they could take down the enemy’s commander-in-chief, the enemy’s morale would plummet.

“That’s true, but as I mentioned, even with a period of inactivity, Rolland has exceptional talent in one-on-one combat—”

“That might actually be fortunate.”

Luna said, slowly caressing the handle of her Adina Sword.

“In my opinion, an opportunity like this will come only once. So we shouldn’t miss it.”

“…?”

Leaving Ginor still looking puzzled, Luna stood up and said:

“Tell the scout who came that I will personally accept, as they wish.”

“M-My lord! Just a moment—”

As Ginor urgently reached out to stop her—

“Don’t worry, Lord Ginor.”

Luna hid her burning ruby eyes behind a most benevolent smile and said:

“In the end, we will win.”

“…!!!”

What emotions did Ginor himself feel at that moment?

In fact, he had been caught up in a ruler’s recklessness like this before.

During his time with the Aeshus army, when Yurie betrayed Swen.

Seeing those clear eyes of determination that wouldn’t listen to anything he said, Ginor’s first thought was—that he should no longer follow Yurie.

What about now?

If there was a difference from then, it was that when he saw Yurie, the desire to cut ties with her arose without a moment’s hesitation, but now…

‘I…’

It was a “feeling.”

An intuition built up over more than 60 years of life, not at the top position, but assisting someone in that position.

That intuition was fiercely howling that the Yurie of then and the Luna of now were different.

Ginor recalled Swen’s assertion.

The woman he had confidently claimed would seize the world, Lunarian Ineanne.

From the moment she started the rebellion until now, her trajectory had been blessed with such good fortune that it couldn’t be explained without the word “miracle.”

If, as she said, “in the end, we will win” was true, just as it had been so far…

‘…’

Ginor no longer blocked Luna’s path.

His clumsy advice might have altered her destiny.

Instead, he yielded to Luna’s will.

If her words proved right this time too, he would no longer doubt Swen’s words.

‘Depending on the outcome this time, many things will change from now on.’

Thinking that this might be the point where the fate of many continental lords, including Luna, would be decided—

He watched the back of the newly born hegemon with his own eyes.

* * *

“What? She accepted the duel?”

“Yes! Lunarian Ineanne will come out herself.”

“Did you properly explain that her opponent would be me, Seta Rolland?”

“Yes, I did!”

“Ha!”

Rolland started with a short sneer, then threw his head back and laughed loudly enough to shake the heavens.

“I’ve been wasting away! Instead of being stuck in the south, I should have demolished half of Hesna or Karelia long ago!”

“Are you planning to go out, sir?”

To the officer’s question, Rolland replied in a low voice:

“Should I, the great me, show my back to an insolent woman with no name?”

“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant…”

An unprecedented one-on-one duel between rulers.

Given the absurdity of the situation, they wanted to caution him about unpredictable variables, but… everyone working under Rolland knew.

For Rolland, touching his pride was like touching his reverse scale.

So no one could say what they really wanted to. It also helped that they had a subtle belief that ‘there’s no way their lord would lose to a young female ruler,’ which gave legitimacy to their cowardly behavior.

“This battle might end sooner than expected. Hey, you there!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Tell the soldiers stationed at the front line to join the advance party as soon as the battle ends! We’ll push south from there!”

“Does that mean… you intend to invade Lunarian’s territory?”

“She didn’t think she could invade without being invaded in return, did she? This is perfect. I’ll deal with that rebel girl, become the number one in the southern continent, and then take care of Hesna and Ohana too!”

Rolland laughed heartily again for a while, then stood up and gripped his sword.

The sword, armor, and famous horse that had made him the captain of the Third Knight Division.

“I can’t contain my excitement after so long!”

With a pounding heart, he took steps to open a new era.

Firmly believing that the “new era” was naturally meant for him.

* * *

In the middle of a desolate land, two rulers on horseback stared at each other.

Seta Rolland. Across from him was the female ruler with ruby eyes—Lunarian Ineanne.

“My name is Seta Rolland! You filthy traitor who betrayed the kindness shown to you and killed your own lord! I’ll make you regret accepting my challenge from the afterlife!”

Rolland continued to hurl insults at her.

Knowing that nothing was worse than getting excited before battle, his aim was to somehow shake her.

Luna, without moving a muscle, waited until he finished speaking and then—

“Mr. Rolland.”

“Do you have some last words before dying?”

In a low voice, looking straight into Rolland’s eyes—

“Recklessness is not courage.”

“…What?”

“Let me greet you in advance. Farewell.”

Rolland easily understood what Luna meant.

Recklessness is not courage?

So, challenging him to a one-on-one duel was… reckless?

Grind!

Rolland had to admit it.

The fact that he was the one who had fallen for the provocation.

Even so, it didn’t matter. Because there was no way he could lose!

“Damn woman… This place will be your grave!!!”

Rolland adjusted his weapon and charged at Luna on horseback.

Luna also readjusted her Adina Sword and rushed fiercely toward him as he started.

——Haaaaaaaaaah!!!!!

And——

With the sound of clashing metal.

Clang.

A weapon falls to the ground.