Stepping Onto the Stage

As Tiana had predicted.

Jiawen III reluctantly accepted the nobility's petition and personally presided over this duel.

As for why he didn't forcibly stop the duel—perhaps the nobility's voices were too loud, or perhaps he himself wasn't that inclined to—that is unknown.

Seemingly to avoid any accidents, he also brought the Steward, Xin Zhao, to serve as the duel's referee.

From this choice, it could be seen that he at least didn't want anything to happen to Lux.

Just like the previous engagement ceremony, almost all the named nobility in the entire Demacian Imperial Capital attended to spectate this duel—even the Bishop of Light, who had presided over the engagement, was present.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that the outcome of this duel would determine the political direction of the Imperial Capital for a long time to come!

Although according to tradition, duels started at nine o'clock, by eight o'clock, the spectator stands in the Duel Hall were already full.

This resulted in Lux and Fiora, the two participants of the duel, being the last to arrive.

Speaking of which, this was Lux's first time in the Duel Hall.

This ancient building, completed at the same time as Dawn Citadel, was once the place where Demacian Nobles resolved conflicts and arbitrated disputes.

Historically, its significance was even greater than Demacia's first written laws.

However, over the long years, as the distance between nobility and commoners grew, the nobility, concerned with maintaining a semblance of harmony, used this hall less and less.

And today, this long-silent hall would finally welcome two young duelists.

In the preparation room of the duel's challenger, Lux, with the help of her attendants, changed into a set of lightweight armor.

This armor was primarily made of runesteel. The not-so-heavy plates, after being finely forged, were overlapped in parts and connected with metal threads. Overall, it appeared light and comfortable, offering sufficient defense while ensuring the wearer's mobility.

Without compromising performance, the artisans who forged the armor also gave it a simple polish and adorned many subtle areas with the Crown Guard family's crest—in the past, Lux might have adored this armor, but now, she only felt its weight was heavier than expected.

Lux's silence made the attendants helping her with the armor afraid to speak. Although Lux was usually quite approachable, when she became serious, those around her would instinctively fall silent in fear.

As a result, the attendants' silence and fear made Lux feel even more uncomfortable.

Finally, she could only force a smile and tell them they could leave, that she needed a little time to prepare—and after the attendants carefully left the preparation room and quietly closed the door, she slumped into a chair and let out a long sigh.

"I really feel like I should leave for a while now," Lux said helplessly to Karya. "There are some things that, once you know them, you can no longer pretend not to see."

"What you need more right now is to clear your mind," Karya didn't engage on that topic. "The duel is about to begin. This is your final exam. Give it your best, and don't embarrass your teacher!"

"It's hard to put my mind at ease," Lux shook her head with a hint of helplessness. "How about this, Karya—sing me a song!"

"Sing?"

"Yes!" Lux took a deep breath. "You told me that before Setaqa fought for her people, the children who couldn't participate would sing for their Big Sister, and Setaqa would maintain her weapon while listening to the song before stepping onto the battlefield."

"..."

"Now, this is my first duel, so it's like stepping onto a battlefield, right?"

"..."

"Sing me a song too!" Lux's face broke into a smile. "A cheerful one!"

"A cheerful one?" Karya thought for a moment and finally agreed to Lux's request. "Alright—I'll sing my favorite, Walking into the Yellow Sand."

Amidst Karya's singing, Lux drew her dress sword and performed its final maintenance.

The Sai's wild winds stirred the yellow sand, a soft veil floated on the river; Setaqa stood on the riverbank, her Cross Blade reflecting the morning light.

After wiping the blade clean, Lux sheathed her sword and stood up to warm up. As she moved her body, her runesteel armor clinked.

Setaqa stood on the riverbank, her Cross Blade reflecting the morning light.

Lux took a deep breath, no longer thinking about the troublesome issues, and tightly gripped her sword hilt, gripping Karya.

The children sang beautiful songs, they sang of the glory of civilization; they sang of their respected leader, they eagerly awaited growing up.

Lux exhaled the excess air from her lungs, picked up her helmet, and breathed on it, polishing it thoroughly with the leather cover of her skirt armor.

They sang of their respected leader, they eagerly awaited growing up.

Lux put on the helmet, covering her pinned-up blonde bun. She blew upwards, tucking the last stray hairs into the helmet.

Ah, the children's songs, fly away with the bright sun; to the warriors on the distant frontier, deliver the children's greetings.

The bell signaling the start of the duel finally rang officially. Lux calmly stepped forward, approached the door, and reached out to push open the preparation room's door.

To the warriors on the distant frontier, deliver the children's greetings.

Bright sunlight shone on Lux's young face, turning her eyes into the color of sapphires, and her long eyelashes became crystal clear.

Follow the leader, young warriors, your hearts filled with endless hope; the flame of civilization has been ignited, no one can defeat Shurima.

Lux raised her hands high to salute all the spectators and gave a confident smile towards her mother and aunt.

The flame of civilization has been ignited, no one can defeat Shurima.

Jiawen III announced the start of the duel. Lux pursed her lips, took the crimson pigment from an attendant, and applied it beneath her eyes.

The Sai's wild winds stirred the yellow sand, a soft veil floated on the river; Setaqa stood on the riverbank, her Cross Blade reflecting the morning light.

Under the gaze of all the nobility, she finally drew her dress sword and assumed a stance from Shurima Basic Swordsmanship, standing before Fiora.

Setaqa stood on the riverbank, her Cross Blade reflecting the morning light.

The bell rang again. As Fiora stepped forward and extended her arm, this duel, which gambled the honor of two families, officially began.