84 Inability To Fake (1/2)
I stand here in a coliseum. In front of me, my adopted father stands and looks at me with a sad smile. And then, he says,
”Let me test how much of a man you have become in all these years.”
”…”
”So, what do you say? How about a duel between father and son?” He asks as if it really is a question.
”It's your realm. I can't deny your wish, can I?” I ask.
”Well, unfortunately for you, Irium, you can't.” He says and takes a long breath.
And so it is decided that the two of us, father and son, will fight a duel against each other?
”What would be the rules of this little duel of ours?” I ask.
”How about we both go all out?” He suggests.
”Are you kidding? You are an experienced mage and I don't even know anything about magic. Going all out will be completely unfair towards me.” I say, with a bit of a scowl.
”That's true.” He only smiles in return as he says so, ”But you were willing to go against people far more powerful than me to save that woman, were you not?”
He points in the stands, at the woman (or Angel) sitting in the stands. I don't think there's any point in telling who that Angel is. Beside her is a human mage I know very well. And beside the two of them, at a little distance, is the second-in-command of this realm.
”Saving her – that is my responsibility.”
”Oh come on! You saying that even after taking to Priscina's AI makes it sound lame.” He tells me so.
”…” Well, it's true. When Priscina's AI broke a dam inside my head and let my real feeling show, my answers to her questions changed. And my answer to her 'Roswaisa?' had changed from 'responsibility' to 'wife'.
But what does that mean? Have I accepted her as my wife? Is that why I am so desperate to save her? Is it not my guilty conscience of having my plan getting her killed that is driving me but love? I don't think so. I feel nothing inside of me that I have never felt before, and love definitely is something I have never felt before.
”Well, looks like you took it more seriously than I thought you would.” My father says in a mocking voice and then asks, ”So then, do you agree to the rule for the duel – go all out?”
Surprisingly, my conscience tells me I'll be fine and that I should agree to his condition. And well, one of the few people in the world that I respect told me to follow my conscience, so that's what I will do.
”Yes, I am fine with it.” I say as I look directly at my opponent for the duel, and he looks directly at me.
”Alright then, the duel only ends when one of us dies or gives up.” He says.
And despite what you would expect me to say, my answer is, ”That's fine with me.”
*****
”Did he just say he is fine with it?” I ask, confused as to why.
”He most certainly did, Roswaisa.” Trevor says with a smile.
”But … why? Why is he agreeing to something like this?” I can't bring myself to understand anything that is going on anymore. First of all, Irium will be fighting his father. Second, he will be fighting him to death. Third, he is at a great disadvantage.
From an emotional standpoint as well as from a logical standpoint, this doesn't make any sense at all.