The guests in the hall were unusually silent, as if after the order for the duel had been given, everyone forgot how to breathe.

Until Doyle reached a hand out to grab Thales’ wine glass!

He brazenly and willfully chugged the entire glass of wine under everyone’s surprised gaze.

Doyle tossed the wine glass away and took a deep breath as the glass shattered.

Regaining his composure, he looked at Anker’s attire.

In the next second, Doyle methodically removed his royal guard leather armor and protective gear with a blank expression on his face.

“Proc, my sword.”

Procca hesitated, but eventually handed over the confiscated weapon under Mallos’ gaze.

“This won’t be a straightforward duel—both sides are seeking defeat instead of victory, hoping to die rather than live,”

Mallos walked up to Doyle as the latter was making the final preparations, and said softly, “Are you ready?”

In his seat, Thales clenched his fists.

Both sides were hoping to die…

Why.

Why!

Doyle took off his armguard and glanced at his superior indifferently.

“My lord, Sir, or Tormond Jr,”

Perhaps it was liquid courage, perhaps he was impetuous, he casually hollered, “You know, you’re a real bastard,”

Tormond Jr—Mallos frowned.

“That self-assured attitude of yours, ignoring even His Highness, it’s annoying,” Doyle went on, and suddenly smiled.

But all the other guards did not.

The watchman sighed. “The backhand stab is an essential method of ‘Rose’ sword style. It is known for being simple, aggressive and difficult to block, and is habitual for practitioners.

“If you find the right timing…it will lessen the pain.”

Doyle’s smile froze.

He straightened himself and looked towards his long-time partner Glover with a dreary expression.

“Zombie, sorry I’ve always annoyed you with rubbish talk. But father told me to build good relations with the Glover family…”

Glover nodded, still expressionless. “I know.”

Doyle took another deep breath.

“Also, you never go to Red Street Market…

“So I’ve been meaning to ask,” Doyle disregarded everyone’s gazes and revealed a pale smile, “Are you gay?”

The guards fell silent.

Glover frowned, but still replied, “No.”

Doyle scoffed softly and said with a shrug, “Alright. I just want to say that it’s fine even if you are. I’m very tolerant…”

“Doyle’s son,” from the center of the hall, Anker interrupted Doyle. The former looked content, completely unconcerned about the guards around him that seemed eager to try their luck.

“Why are you dawdling?”

Doyle chuckled and responded, “What?

“You can’t wait to die?”

“Right back at you.” Anker looked at his opponent and started chuckling too. “You’re just the same.”

They stared at each other. Their smiles quickly vanished from their faces.

Calm and indifferent.

Without warning, Doyle grabbed the sword from Procca.

“Your Highness.

“I know I’ve been a little over the top in trying to get on your good side these days, but.” Doyle hugged the scabbard tightly, like a drowning man holding on to a bundle of straw, and, without turning back, let out his usual simple-minded laugh. “You’re a good person.”

Thales was taken aback.

Doyle looked towards the ceiling and grinned. “Compared to Renaissance Palace, it’s much more relaxing here.”

His smile faded.

“In future, if my father… Please remember today.”

Thales opened his mouth subconsciously but did not manage to utter “alright”.

All he could do was stare blankly at Doyle.

“His Highness is benevolent and generous,” Mallos calmly took over the conversation to resolve the awkwardness. “You know he won’t forget.”

Doyle forced a smile and nodded comprehendingly.

Benevolent and generous.

Benevolent and generous…

At that moment, Thales felt that this description was extremely ironic.

In the hall, Baron Doyle held his wife and sobbed unreservedly.

Doyle had a helpless expression on his face.

He was no longer looking at Thales. Instead, he turned around, hoisted his weapon and walked down the steps.

Towards his opponent.

And his end.

“Doyle…” Thales could not help but speak, but Mallos clutched his arm and stopped the prince from going on.

“He knows what he will be sacrificing,” Mallos said calmly, “and what he wants to save,”

The watchman turned towards Thales. “But the question is, do you?”

‘Do I?’

Thales did not speak.

‘What he will be sacrificing…’

Thales watched as Doyle walked slowly down the steps. The latter’s usual carefree attitude had been replaced by uncharacteristic solemnity and consternation.

‘What he wants to save…’

Thales gradually turned his attention towards the pale-faced Baron Doyle who had collapsed into a heap and the baroness who was sobbing and trembling.

‘What I will be sacrificing.

‘What I want to save.’

Thales looked at Anker, who was holding his short sword, looking calm but distracted.

His heart skipped a beat.

‘So, is this how it feels?’

Thales asked himself.

He was the second prince.

The Duke of Star Lake.

That’s why he should sit at a high point and look at the chessboard, look at the chess pieces tearing each other apart, and salvage the entire game.

Planning strategies, moving the chess pieces.

Just like this, he should accept necessary sacrifices, and watch as Doyle get entangled in a duel with the enemy and fight to die under his opponent’s sword, regardless of how ridiculous that is.

Then based on gains and losses, award and punish accordingly.

“Thales, if you want to enter this circle and even climb to the top…”

Quick Rope’s words rang in Thales’ ears.

“The first thing you have to do is to submit to power and let go of your body and mind. You have to let its world and its perception of the world rule every single inch of your being. You have to become someone that even you can’t recognize. Only by doing so will you be able to start playing the game and excel in it.”

Thales silently stared at Doyle’s leaving figure.

“Remember,” vice-captain Vogel strode forward to catch up to Doyle and reminded him in hushed tones, “If you survive and he dies, then His Highness and your parents’ fates will suffer.”

Doyle shuddered.

Just like how Thales’ breathing staggered.

But unlike Thales, Doyle quickly regained his composure and kept on walking.

As if he had already resigned himself to fate.

Just like a…

Chess piece.

In that very instant, Thales suddenly understood.

“Think carefully about what sort of person you’ve become after taking the role of a prince.

“Can you still choose your own path and do what you want to do?”

Thales lowered his head gently.

Everyone was waiting for Doyle’s footsteps to arrive at where Anker was.

“After becoming a prince, are you still yourself? Are you still Thales?

“Or have you… become something else?”

“You’re right, Mallos,” Thales said quietly, “Doyle…He knows what he will be sacrificing.

“And Anker, he knows what he wants to save.”

“What have you gained, and what have you lost?”

Mallos tilted his head, baffled.

“Your Highness?”

Thales looked up; his gaze turned keen.

“But you’re wrong too.”

From his seat, he looked towards the faces in the hall: worried, anxious, terrified, panicked, pleased, anticipating, sad, calm, schadenfreude…

“He’s not a chess piece,” Thales continued calmly, “They’re both not.”

He clenched his fists. “No one is.”

Maybe someone else could.

Without burden and scruples, move the chess pieces with a clear conscience, or willingly be a chess piece.

Maybe the Duke of Star Lake could, maybe the second prince could…

Maybe Doyle could, maybe Anker could…

Maybe Mallos, maybe Vogel…

But he could not.

Because he was Thales Jadestar.

He was Thales.

Just Thales.

“They are not chess pieces. They are just Doyle and Anker, just…human beings,”

Thales continued profoundly, “The most straightforward, and also the most complex…Human beings.”

Puzzled, the watchman asked, “Your Highness, what do you mean?”

Thales took a deep breath, smiled and blinked at the watchman. “What I mean is, fuck ‘sacrificing a pawn’.”

Mallos finally sensed something amiss: in that moment, the prince’s gaze lacked its previous unease and hesitation, and the frequent gravity and agony were missing too.

Instead, it was more determined and brighter than ever.

“Wait a minute.” Mallos’ expression changed. “You plan to—”

But when he realized what the second prince’s intentions, it was too late.

In the next second, right when Doyle was about to reach Anker, right before their hostile gazes met squarely, before the debt between their families was about to be repaid in blood, Thales put on a solemn expression and stood upright!

He commanded loudly, “Hold on!”

The Duke of Star Lake’s voice rang throughout the hall.

This caught everyone’s attention instantly; even Doyle stopped in his tracks.

Everyone looked bewilderedly at the prince.

“Your Highness?” Anker frowned and queried subconsciously, worried that there would be a sudden change in circumstances.

Thales lips curled upwards as he glanced towards Mallos.

The latter felt inexplicably uneasy and even ignored Vogel’s quizzical gaze.

“Earlier, my personal guard captain told me!” Thales said loudly, with arms held high, “In this duel, whether it’s you, Anker, or you, Doyle,” he looked at the two, his eyes blazing and his words incisive, “He said, both of you would strive to die!”

Thales yelled, “And seek defeat!”

As soon as this remark was made, an uproar spread through the crowd.

Only those who had expected it, like Count Godwin, the Duke of Iris Flowers, One-Eyed Dragon and Duke Val, did not react. They knew what was going on.

Amongst the guards, Mallos and Vogel exchanged looks but each received only bewilderment from the other.

What’s going on?

Why, why in this matter, and in such an overt way…

In the eye of the storm, Anker and Doyle exchanged a glance. Both were at a loss.

“Exchange actual sacrifice for a greater benefit, or a smaller loss,”

Thales smiled. He glanced at the two and went on confidently and loudly, “And fight a losing battle. Would you?

“Would you?”

The prince’s questioning sparked more heated debates in the hall.

Anker and Doyle were stunned for a few seconds before both spoke almost simultaneously, “Your Highness—”

But the prince’s smile had turned cold.

“But I dislike that!” Thales roared, interrupting the two who were caught by surprise.

“The Northland barbarians may be barbaric,” Thales raised a wine glass that may or may not have been his, held it in mid-air before him, and said with a keen gaze, “But they never compromised.”

Yup, most of the time they never compromised.

Thales gently loosened his grip and allowed the glass to drop. It shattered into pieces on the floor.

He looked around the hall. Some people were surprised and confused, some had no idea what was going on, some looked somber, whereas some were relaxed. He chuckled. “Therefore, I have decided to add on to the bet, as encouragement.”

His words again made everyone puzzled.

Only Thales was smiling as usual. “And increase the motivation for both of you.”

A glimmer flashed across his eyes, which locked the dueling opponents in focus. “To ensure that this is an honest-to-goodness, exciting, fight-to-win…

“Memorable…”

Thales’ smile froze and his voice deepened, “Duel to the death.”

What?

In the next second, from nobles to guards and servants, everyone was shocked and did not know how to react. Thales roared, “Anker Byrael!”

Anker shuddered.

“In the name of the Duke of Star Lake, I, the second prince, Thales Jadestar, swear to Sunset Goddess!”

Thales’ expression was unprecedentedly solemn and indifferent.

“If you win the duel and kill your opponent, then my father, His Majesty King Kessel,” Thales said coldly, “Him and I, we will fully support you. We will reopen your family’s case in the courts and seek justice on your behalf!”

Anker was stunned!

Not just him. Mallos, Doyle, Vogel… After everyone realized what they had just heard, they were equally shocked and incredulous.

Surprised, Anker asked, “You…represent His Majesty?”

Thales sneered, “Indeed. The Jadestar Royal Family will speak out for the Byrael family!

“Until you are satisfied.”

There was a clamor amongst the guests as incessant voices filled the hall.

Anker did not expect this. He glared at Thales’s expression, his breathing disrupted as he was beside himself.

Fully support…

Speak out for the Byrael family…

On the other hand, Doyle looked like he had been betrayed, and stared incredulously at the prince he once served.

Beside Mallos, Vogel angrily clenched his teeth and asked in a hushed tone, “His Majesty…How can he claim to represent His Majesty?

“And support Byrael…No, this is too rash…”

Mallos furrowed his brows.

But Thales spoke again with the same solemn voice as before. “But Anker, if you lose in the duel and die,” he said coldly, “Then I promise, on behalf of my father, on behalf of the Jadestar Royal Family…

“That the Byrael family dispute…”

A cold gleam flashed across Thales’ eyes. “Shall end here.”

The meaning of this sentence was unclear, leaving the guests puzzled for a while. Until Anker, whose expression was fluctuating, probed, “Your Highness, I don’t unders…”

But Thales raised his voice and interrupted everyone’s thoughts.

“As the price for witnessing your glorious duel, as punishment for your insolence and transgression…”

The Duke of Star Lake’s voice reverberated between the pillars of Mindis Hall and garnered respect, “If you lose, the Byrael family case will never be reopened, will not be re-tried, and no dissent will be accepted.”

Thales stared coldly at Anker, who was gradually consumed by shock, and said chillingly, “No matter how much grievances you have, how many legal bases, how many reasons.

“The kingdom will ignore all of them.

“And move on to the next chapter.”

Amidst the discussions of the guests, Anker was rooted to the spot.

He took a few seconds to comprehend the prince’s “bet”.

Win the duel, and receive full support…

Lose the duel, and the case would never be re-tried…

Anker looked up in a daze. “But, my family land, never re-tried, I don’t understand…”

Thales interjected his query coldly, “Anker, you said you wanted to reenact my legendary journey in the Northland through this duel?”

Anker frowned.

“Since you have decided to resolve this matter with an ancient Empire custom and enjoy its conclusive convenience,” Thales scoffed, “then you have to bear its barbaric and antiquated price.”

Anker was stunned.

Thales raised his head and looked around the hall at those who were looking at him. The guests lowered their heads wherever his gaze landed.

He continued gravely, “This is the truth of duels, the real ancient Empire custom and Northland’s way of doing things.”

Looking at the two opponents, both stunned, Thales revealed a gentle smile. “With such a stake, you’ll be motivated to win, no?”

There was a buzz in the hall as everyone pondered Thales’ intentions.

“Alright, I think I’m starting to understand,”

Vogel was racking his brains. He probed, “That guy has been forced into a corner by His Highness’ use of royal supremacy, so now he has to kill Doyle and cede to us the moral high ground in order to have his family’s case re-tried.”

The vice-captain looked towards Mallos doubtfully. “But isn’t His Highness worried that…that kid from the Doyle family would want to kill his opponent too in striving for the royal family to fulfil their promise and close the case?”

Mallos looked at the Duke of Star Lake’s profile and lowered his head.

“No,” the watchman responded to Vogel’s query softly.

“You still don’t understand.”

The vice-captain looked flummoxed.

In the hall, as if they had figured something out, Anker and Doyle exchanged a look.

“What’s wrong, Byrael?”

Color returned to Doyle’s eyes, which blazed with eagerness. “You afraid of losing?”

Anker did not reply immediately.

After a long pause, he sneered. “Alright. If that is your wish, Your Highness.”

He looked directly at Thales. His tone was determined as usual, but with added hostility. “Come on. Let the duel begin.

“Just remember your promise. If I win…”

Thales chuckled, “I guarantee it. The royal family will give you full support and stand with you!”

Vogel frowned at these words.

‘You guarantee it…

‘Is it appropriate to say that?’

“What is he planning to do?” Vogel looked at the second prince disgruntledly.

Mallos merely responded calmly, “Save a life.”

‘Save a life?’

Vogel was baffled.

“When we were prepared to ‘sacrifice a pawn’,” Mallos turned around, his eyes ablaze, “He wants to save a life.

“Lives, actually.”

Vogel’s confusion doubled.

But fortunately, he did not have to wonder much longer.

“Mallos, since the duel is about to begin,” Thales commanded his personal guard captain loudly so that the whole hall could hear him, “fetch the ‘Sentinel’.”

Sentinel.

The mention of this name struck many in the banquet hall.

Mallos frowned. “Sentinel? But Your Highness, isn’t that…”

“Yes.”

Thales cut him short plainly. The prince turned to face the guests; there were sparks in his gaze. “Gifted by the Duke of Western Desert, the Fakenhaz family heirloom, the National Sword of the Ancient Empire that represents their infinite trust and loyalty to me. I believe it should be befitting of this duel?”

At these words, everyone was stunned.

“Your Highness?”

Anker from Western Desert asked, “You intend to lend your sword to one of us?”

He and Doyle looked at each other, exchanging a multitude of guardedness and hatred.

Thales laughed, but he shook his head.

“You’re from Western Desert, Anker,” he looked at Byreal collectedly, “So you should know that tribe leaders in the Great Desert always regard their guards as brothers, as wingmen,”

Anker nodded skeptically, but what Thales said next drained the color from his face.

“Challenging them in a duel is tantamount to challenging the leader himself.”

Thales’ tone was indifferent. While it stirred the crowd, he recalled an orc warchief that he once met, and the latter’s memorable ‘buy one plus two get one free’ duel rules.

“And unfortunately,” Thales’ expression was calm as he said in a steady tone over the crowd’s chatter, “Danny Doyle is my, that is, the Duke of Star Lake’s personal guard.

“By challenging him.

“You have challenged me.”

Dumbstruck, Doyle was rooted to the spot.

Anker’s eyes widened.

As soon as he said this, many reacted. “Your Highness—”

But Thales ignored all of it and went on as if he couldn’t hear them. To that end, he used hell’s senses to block out all voices.

“And Baron Doyle!” he roared, “Is my honorable guest,”

Thales looked grim. He pointed squarely at Old Baron Doyle who had slumped into his wife’s arms and was stupefied.

“Today, any threat, harm or challenge that he faces at my banquet, in my Mindis Hall.

“Is an offense against me personally!”

The two dueling opponents were no longer the focus of attention. All eyes were on the prince, filled with doubt, fear, unease, apprehension, admiration, disdain, or a combination of the above.

Until Thales looked around the hall murderously, driving away all the odd stares.

“No—” Vogel subconsciously stepped forward to stop the prince, but found his arms clamped by Mallos from behind!

“Constellatiates, listen carefully!

“As Doyle’s master, as the master of this banquet, and as the master of this manor…”

Thales’ expression was harsh and ruthless. His voice shook the domed ceiling, his tone was resolute.

“I, Thales Jadestar…”

Standing on the upper tier in the banquet hall, undaunted by the gazes cast at him, he raised an arm and said loudly and clearly, “I shall fulfill my duties and exercise my rights as master in accordance with the ancient customs of the Empire!

“I shall accept on behalf of Danny Doyle the legitimate challenge to duel issued by Anker Byrael.”

Thales’ gaze was cold. He lowered his hand and pointed towards the two dueling opponents who had been rendered speechless.

“And fulfill this duel of blood revenge.

“Until there is a clear winner.

“Until life and death is determined.

“Until the ancient ceremony is complete.”

The banquet hall sunk into a deep silence after he uttered those words.

Thales lowered his gaze and sneered.

“Don’t worry, Anker.” He smiled and looked at the bewildered Anker and dumbfounded Doyle, “The conditions and stake that I mentioned before are still valid.”

Thales bowed his head slightly as the firelight drew a shadow on his face. “As long as you…”

He put away his smile and ended his sentence coldly, “Kill me in the duel.”