The Mage Association stood with Annan, but the Mad Dog Duke still had the Knights' Order loyal to him.
Annan asked the Gray-Robed Mage whether there was any chance of turning the Knights' Order against the duke. The mage said it was far harder to make a great Noble lose everyone's loyalty than to defeat him.
Annan shrugged and pointed to Little Spider on the Desk. "Everyone has unrealistic dreams. Like putting shoes on every spider."
"Only you dream of that," Mr. Swaro said.
Annan teased Little Spider through the Glass Bottle. For a spider, Little Spider had certainly lived a long life. Her lengthy spider life had simply lacked a mate.
"Mr. Dahl Frank, there are plenty of Nobles like you who oppose the Mad Dog Duke, aren't there?" Annan turned his attention to them. "If I take care of the Mad Dog Duke for them, they ought to contribute something..."
"They contributed part of the four hundred thousand gold coins the Mad Dog Duke scraped together."
"They've planned that nicely."
If Annan won, the money would count as the Nobles' gesture of goodwill. If he lost, they would carry on flirting with the Mad Dog Duke.
"They also hope to meet Girardi."
The Nobles behind the Mad Dog Duke all believed Grand Duke Gilles was prepared to die in battle. While controlled by the Blood of Madness, he had made many foolish decisions, plunging the Duchy into war and making the Nobles' lives miserable.
Girardi, the rightful heir, was upright and brave. He had traveled tirelessly for his country and was fully capable of taking its future into his hands.
"Tell them to come to Free City."
Until the Mad Dog Duke was dead, Girardi wasn't going anywhere.
Before leaving, the Gray-Robed Mage warned Annan, "Don't use any