Chapter 97
Even during the last guard interview, I noticed it—Koa may usually be quiet, but once she speaks, she speaks very well. Amelia, being the decisive type, was by no means inferior.
“Hmph. I’ll only acknowledge it if you prove that mediocre swordsmanship of yours to me.”
“Very well. Then please teach me a move from that prideful swordsmanship of yours.”
The argument inevitably led to a duel.
Wait, why did it come to that?
Aren’t allies supposed to avoid fighting each other?
“We have to stop them quickly.”
I tried to run toward them with the sole determination to intervene, but my legs froze when a hand rested on my shoulder. I turned my head to see Raymond placing a hand on my shoulder, and Adrien standing right beside him.
“We have to stop them, right?”
Even as I stomped my feet in frustration, Raymond and Adrien’s expressions remained calm. They even shook their heads slightly.
So… we’re just going to watch? This feels strangely familiar… where have I seen this before?
Then a memory hit me suddenly. Ah! It was the same when Raymond and Adrien were about to duel. Back then, Koa had held me back when I tried to stop them.
“What’s this? The idea that swordsmen speak with swords?”
“That’s exactly it.”
Adrien clicked his fingers sharply. Watching his grinning face, I couldn’t help but chuckle quietly.
Where did the logic that you only bond through sword clashes even come from?
Though I was frustrated by this completely incomprehensible method, I decided to at least follow their lead for now. Standing in the training yard, Amelia and Koa held wooden swords instead of real ones. After all, even allies couldn’t point real weapons at each other under military law.
“If it were real swords, I could have shown you properly… what a waste.”
“It would have been a problem if someone got hurt, so it’s for the best.”
“That’s something I should be saying!”
Even in this standoff with swords drawn, neither of them stopped talking.
I felt conflicted about whom to support.
I couldn’t say who was more correct—they were simply different. Any organization, no matter how established, requires time and process for old and new factions to reconcile. Though I still couldn’t understand why their method had to be a duel.
Still, part of me was excited. After all, this was a duel involving the female lead. I was curious to see who would win against the highly skilled Koa.
Though I insisted they should be stopped, I watched the training yard with a secretly thrilled heart. Seeing my sparkling eyes, Adrien pressed his forehead in exasperation but was completely ignored.
What do you know? This person is the female lead, after all—the female lead!
The Grand Duke’s subordinates even placed bets on who would win. Rather than treating it as a serious situation, the atmosphere was more like enjoying a form of entertainment. Soldiers laughed heartily, spectators enjoying themselves. Surprisingly, it helped loosen the tension that had stiffened their minds in the midst of the wartime situation.
Amelia struck first.
She gripped her wooden sword tightly, lowered her upper body, and charged at Koa. With a spirited “Hyah!” she unleashed a series of rapid and forceful attacks.
“Whoa.”
The wooden sword danced continuously, like a relentless storm.
Yet what was even more astonishing was Koa. She analyzed every movement, moving her arms quickly to block all the attacks.
“Wow. Incredible.”
“Really amazing!!”
The duel between the two women was far more exciting than anyone had expected. The watching soldiers began cheering for their chosen sides. What had seemed like mere entertainment now captivated everyone.
“Tch. Not bad.”
“This is just basic, really.”
Amelia retreated slightly and clicked her tongue. Koa responded with a snort.
Amelia took her stance, gripping the wooden sword with both hands. Most soldiers tilted their heads in confusion at the unusual posture, but those who recognized it—Amelia’s soldiers—cheered excitedly.
Even I recognized it. This was something emphasized in the original novel. Amelia was about to demonstrate a secret technique she had trained in over the years—the guaranteed-victory move!
“I Tamed the Mad Emperor” gave the female lead plenty of abilities. This technique was one of her powerful skills, called the First Secret Technique: Wind Cleaver.
Amelia leaped forward again with a shout. Like an arrow, she struck with blinding speed. Koa planted her feet firmly to brace herself. But as I knew, that was not how Wind Cleaver was meant to be countered.
“Koa! Don’t block—dodge!”
I shouted reflexively. I hadn’t decided whose side I was on yet, but I couldn’t bear to see Koa get hurt. Even if I could heal her afterward, it was the same.
Fortunately, Koa seemed to hear me. She abandoned her defensive stance and twisted her body. Just before Amelia’s wooden sword struck, she moved quickly to redirect the attack, preventing Amelia from adjusting. She then spotted a gap in Amelia’s side as she passed and created a strike with her hand, hitting the back of the neck.
“Ugh.”
Having failed her secret technique and struck in a vital spot, Amelia staggered, losing her balance. In real combat, Koa would undoubtedly have held a dagger and plunged it into that spot. Thus, the winner of this duel was clearly Koa.
“I lost.”
True to her cheerful personality, Amelia accepted her defeat easily.
As she sat on the ground, raising her lips in a smile, Koa reached out her hand. Amelia grasped it and stood.
“Good. Since I lost, I will acknowledge and follow your thoughts.”
“Thank you. From now on, if you have any opinions, you can discuss them with Evan first.”
“I will.”
“I also apologize for my rudeness.”
It had been a magnificent duel and magnificent women.
As the two shook hands, the cheering from their subordinates erupted like thunder. No one took sides—they shouted both names alternately.
They truly had spoken with swords, and it worked.
What could have deepened divisions among the soldiers instead strengthened their bonds.
Like a festival winding down, everyone returned to their places, chatting and laughing. I also felt a pleasant relief. Then Amelia approached with firm steps and spoke to me.
“Princess Kowett. Please come with me for a moment.”
Her sharp gaze shot at me like a laser. She wanted a one-on-one conversation. Why call me all of a sudden?
As I shrank like a deer before a predator, hesitating, Raymond stepped in for me.
“What’s the matter? Talk here.”
“I want to speak with the Princess alone, Your Highness.”
“I don’t think there’s anything I can’t hear.”
Amelia glared at Raymond briefly, then seemed to resign herself. She exhaled deeply and proposed another option.
“Then please have the others step aside. If Your Highness wishes to remain, so be it.”
“Very well.”
Raymond immediately accepted. He ordered all the subordinates to leave the training yard. The noisy area fell silent, leaving only the three of us.
“Is that enough?”
“Yes.”
Amelia nodded in satisfaction and looked at me directly.
“Princess Kowett.”
“Yes.”
“How did you know I had to dodge my attack earlier? Did you study swordsmanship?”
Ah. That’s why she called me over. She wanted to see why her secret technique had failed. Wind Cleaver was a secret weapon known only to Amelia’s faction. It had been instantly read, which must have made her anxious.
Gaining Amelia’s attention was a good opportunity for me.
I decided to use it. I crossed my arms and assumed a slightly arrogant expression.
“I am a prophet. I can have prophetic dreams while sleeping.”
It was Raymond who seemed more surprised than Amelia. He flinched and glanced at me. Amelia, on the other hand, seemed convinced and nodded, her gaze fixed on me.
“I see. I thought there was something special about you.”
Hearing the word “prophet,” she must have found me trustworthy. Her attitude softened considerably.
“It must have been thanks to the Princess that the Grand Duke’s forces have grown rapidly recently.”
“That’s right.”
I confirmed calmly, though inside I was amazed. The female lead had deduced so much—it was impressive.
“So you must also have a way to resolve this wartime situation.”
“Of course.”
This time, the Grand Duke turned sharply. His large blue eyes looked down at me in surprise.
“Oh? And what might that method be?”
Amelia touched her chin, her eyes sparkling with interest.
“That is…”
I paused, and the two sets of eyes fixed on my lips with piercing intensity. Their anxious anticipation was palpable.
“Let’s discuss it alone.”
Unfortunately, I had to crush one of their expectations. Raymond’s shocked gaze at my side stung sharply.
