129 Exhausted (1/2)

”You heard her Rickard. The decision is yours. Will you let go of hate or will you keep getting swallowed by it?”

As Rickard pushed his legs into a leap, the Spectator's words echoed in his ears.

No, he declared with an adamant resolve. He cannot. He cannot let go of the past. Even though Cecile, Marco and Veni hoped for him to do so, he simply cannot. It was too much to ask. Even though he may die today, at least he would take King Timothy with him. He may have failed in erasing the idea of chivalry, but he was sure that others would follow his footsteps.

He sheathed his hand inside his bracer and revealed a dagger. His hold on it was firm- like that of his resolve.

The others followed, loyal men who were loyal to their ideas. Just like him these dozen or so men had also been deceived by the idea of chivalry- and paid the heavy price for it.

The royal guards were fast and apprehended his men almost immediately. The thrashing sound behind indicated that most of them had already been neutralized. Rickard might have been the only one who could still reach King Timothy.

He looked forward. Just a few more paces. A few more paces and he could reach him.

King Timothy. A god-like existence above all others. Powerful, smart, beloved by all- one word from him and thousands will die, one gesture and thousands will perish. The crown on King Timothy's head was a symbol of power. But crowns can't protect one from a dagger's kiss. All men bleed and all men die, for a dagger doesn't bow to crowns.

The Vanadian Queen shielded King Timothy with her body. Such an touching scene. Well if that's her choice then Rickard would have to kill both of them.

He prepared his arms for the moment. He had taken lives before- of peasants and nobles and knights- but never had he taken the life of a royal. This would be his chance to do so.

But before Rickard could reach the royals, a young man in armor blocked his way. The young man had a gold chain dangling across his chest- an indication that he was a Marquis.

Rickard halted, clicking his tongue upon knowing that he failed. The young Marquis was holding a sword, ready to strike. And then realization occurred to Rickard. A Marquis huh? A young Marquis that somehow had burning anger towards him. He knew the identity of the young man.

”Marquis Erik” Rickard smiled. The royal guards had already surrounded him. ”Here to avenge your father?”

**********

He was uglier than he expected.

Erik couldn't believe that his father, Benedict Connel, was killed by an ugly man. Hooked nose, puffy cheeks, and abnormally wide chin.

”Leave him” he commanded the royal guards who were slowly tightening the wall of halberds around General Rickard.

The royals guards were not under his direct command and only the King had sole ownership of their loyalty. But the guards seemed to respect him enough that they stopped.

”General Rickard. I, Marquis Erik Connel of Greenwater, challenge you to a duel. With the Omniscient as witness, let us resolve our differences by the way of the sword”

”Erik” Timothy voice from behind ”Don't do this. If avenging your father is what you want, then we could capture him and you could be the executioner.”

Erik did not look back and fixed his gaze on General Rickard lest the ugly does something underhanded.

”Your Majesty I need this. My father taught me that honor is everything. Getting justice for Benedict Connel by killing a criminal in cold blood would only dishonor his name. I want justice just like how my father would have wanted it- through a duel. Don't worry, this will be the last stupid thing that I do”

There was silence. Timothy did not give his immediate blessing. Erik became aware that what he was asking for might be too much.

”But if you order me to stand down, I will follow the will of the King. But I...”

”Do it Erik” Timothy interrupted ”Avenge the late Marquis with honor. I give you my consent”

Erik smiled- a questionable smile coming from a fool who might die today. But he was happy.

”Give him a sword. That dagger he's holding would not even be able to scratch my armor” Erik commanded the guards as he unsheathed his own sword.

A sword was thrown near General Rickard and the General picked it up.