At the call to wait, the Marquis of Einhaas's envoy stopped in his tracks.
"Is this a match or a duel?"
Arthur asked with a smile.
"A match, of course-we have no mortal feud. A duel would only tarnish my honor as a noble."
Carral spoke as though it were self-evident.
"Then, since this is a match, what are you putting on the line?
Jimte just offered to 'waive taxes whenever my fleet passes through West Berlin's ports.' Surely you can offer something comparable?"
Arthur nodded slightly and spoke softly, but his words made the Marquis of Einhaas's envoy's expression change.
"Of course I can!
However, this is a serious matter. I need to consider it carefully!"
With those words, the Marquis of Einhaas's envoy sheathed his sword, turned, and mounted his horse again.
Everyone could see the noble's embarrassment, the weakness behind his bluster.
Mockery and derision appeared in everyone's eyes.
But Jimte was different.
Still smiling, Jimte's eyes flashed with surprise.
The scene before him did not match his plan.
In his plan, Carral would already have been dueling Arthur in a rage by now, allowing him to move smoothly to the next step-if Carral won, he would protect the remaining members of the convoy and use that to establish a connection with the Count of South Los. If Arthur won, he would continue displaying admiration in keeping with the "knightly image" he had presented earlier, preserving the Marquis of Einhaas's dignity.
Simply put, whoever won, he would reap the corresponding benefits.
Except...
Jimte looked at the smiling Arthur, then at Carral riding away. As he considered Arthur's words, something suddenly clicked.
The baron's son and marquis's son-in-law had guessed what Arthur wanted to do.
At once, a smile appeared on Jimte's face again.
It was even brighter