Nurland had now completely lost a noble's dignity... The woman he loved had left, he had failed the Arena Tournament, his fief had been destroyed, and the losses from the hunt had cost him his last remaining assets...
Why was his life so difficult?!
Henry looked at the humiliated and enraged Nurland. "Fine. Once the meeting is over, we'll have a Life-and-Death Duel at the Military Camp!"
Henry had been hoping for this. Ever since the Overlord Personal Panel had activated when he came of age, he had felt his temper growing worse and worse.
And after the Total War panel activated, that inexplicable restlessness in his heart had only grown stronger.
After his system panel updated this time, he felt even more irritable. Hiss... There's no way this system has a problem, right?
In any case, it definitely was not his fault. With a clear conscience, Henry could say that he was obviously a great and kind man. This had to be the system's problem.
Henry returned to his seat and said to Glen in a low, icy voice, "This is the first time, and the last time. Don't use me as a weapon. I'll kill you."
Glen's throat bobbed as an inexplicable pressure rushed toward him, pressing against his chest until he could barely breathe.
Cunning Rogue Habit passive skill activated: ① Enemy Intimidation (Majesty +1)
"Henry, I meant no harm."
The corners of Henry's lips rose slightly. He narrowed his eyes and glanced sideways at Glen. "I know. That's why I'm only warning you. At the very least, you should have asked for my opinion."
Glen nodded repeatedly. That chilling warning made him reassess his relationship with Henry.
Nurland returned to his seat, lowering his head as he trembled. The honor and dignity of his entire life had been stripped away in this moment. Unless he could kill Henry.
But was that possible? Nurland knew he was no match for Henry, but he could not retract the duel he had proposed. He might as well die.
Damn noble dignity!
After that, everyone began discussing specific tactics and strategy: how to organize the army, how to coordinate the various forces, and so on.
No one cared about the mentioned Boman. Everyone simply wanted to see someone ruthless enough to kill Centaurs and Minotaurs.
The meeting lasted a long time and did not end until dusk.
Finally, Count Sebastian made the decision. "Good, then it's settled! We leave early the day after tomorrow!"
Everyone rose and left the Conference Room.
All eyes turned toward Henry and Nurland. Even the officers joined in to watch the excitement.
The crowd surged through the streets, nobles and armored officers alike. Uninformed commoners thought something major had happened and hurried back into their homes.
As soon as they arrived at the camp, people immediately began arranging the grounds for Henry and Nurland's noble duel.
All the soldiers gathered to watch, packed three layers deep on the inside and three on the outside. Those in the back could see nothing and could only listen to the sounds within.
"My lords, should we disperse the watching soldiers?"
With Bain's help, Henry donned the Three-Layer Heavy Armor. Holding a Greatsword, he stared at Nurland and said, "No. It's a Life-and-Death Duel. Anyone may watch. It is an Empire tradition."
After Nurland slowly put on his armor, Henry asked, "Then, esteemed Baron, according to Empire tradition, as the challenger, do you choose a Knight's lance duel or a duel on foot?"
Seeing Henry armored up made Nurland's teeth ache. "Of course, a lance duel. Nobles should die on horseback!"
Henry smiled and said to Bain beside him, "Of course. A dying man's request should be granted. Bain, bring me my horse."
The attendants on both sides helped armor the warhorses, while the sharp-eyed officers brought over wooden barriers and set up the field for the lance duel.
Nurland mounted his warhorse, tightly gripping a lance in his right hand. He fixed Henry across from him with a sharp gaze, a glimmer of tears in his eyes.
I can kill this brat. I definitely can. I am a warrior of the grasslands, Baron Nurland!
The nobles present were unwilling to serve as referees. After discussing it, the officers selected a Champion Banner Knight, an elite armored cavalryman, and a Shielded Arbalist soldier to act as referees and witnesses.
"Life-and-Death Duel, begin!"
"Hyah!!"
The two men spurred their horses into a Gallop, charging fiercely at each other.
During the charge, Henry leveled his lance, its tip flashing with cold light.
Bang!
Henry's lance struck Nurland's shield with perfect accuracy, and the tremendous impact knocked Nurland straight off his horse.
Nurland's wooden shield was pierced through, and his left arm had been wounded. Blood was pouring from it.
The force traveling through the lance made Henry sway as well, but he was otherwise unharmed.
The watching officers and soldiers erupted into wild cheers. Nobles were like that—death was shameful, victory was glory. Besides, as military men, they loved brave and fierce generals!
Henry dismounted, tossed his lance and knight's shield to Bain, then took a broad Greatsword as long as an arm. With an angry roar, he charged at Nurland.
Nurland rose with a pained howl, taking a new shield and longsword from his attendant. In an awkward posture, he barely blocked Henry's attack.
Crack!
A crack actually appeared in Nurland's shield. He was horrified. What had this man eaten to grow so strong?
Nurland saw countless points of light dancing before his eyes. With an enraged roar, he used all his strength to swing his longsword at Henry.
Henry easily dodged. In his eyes, this sort of attack was not even as good as the attack of the worst student in his class at the Royal Knight Academy.
Henry swiftly swung his sword. It was as fast and fierce as lightning, chopping straight toward Nurland's chest.
Nurland tried to dodge, but it was already too late. The sharp blade tore through his outer iron armor, and the immense force passed through the Chainmail and Cotton Armor to strike his body.
Nurland spat out a mouthful of blood and groaned in agony. His body lost balance, and he crashed heavily to the ground.
Lying on the ground, he spat out another mouthful of blood, staining the earth red.
He struggled to raise his head and look at the sky, his vision gradually blurring. His heart was filled with unwillingness and despair. He did not understand why he could never defeat anyone from the Royal Knight Academy.
Why? Perhaps he should never have held a grudge against Boman in the first place, allowing fear and anger to take root in his heart and grow into hatred, causing him to lose his reason.
Besides, Boman had done nothing wrong. Love, dignity, honor... It was all over.
Henry came to stand before Nurland and asked, "Are you ready, Baron?"
"O-of course. Henry, that blow should have struck my throat."
Henry held the Greatsword point-down over Nurland's chest. "Eighteen years of noble education have taught me that, unless it is on the battlefield, one should grant an opponent dignity. At the very least, leave him an intact corpse."
Nurland groaned twice in pain, then smiled with relief. "Thank you, Knight Henry."
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