‘Is this how I die?’

Duke Brans sensed his end looming.

But…

‘No, I absolutely can’t meet my end here. There’s a reason that I must return alive.’

The Duke pictured Claudia’s face and steeled himself.

‘If I take care of that guy and capture Siegfried as a hostage… the chances are looking grim, but there’s a way out.’

The Duke resolved on his one path to survival.

“Come as you may. Entertain me until my very last.”

Duke Brans’ lines made it seem as though he was bracing for death, though his inner heart was starkly different. 

Jake assumed his battle stance in response. And next to Jake, Siegfried also drew his blade and assumed a combat stance.

The Duke’s eyebrow twitched.

“Do you intend to throw your lot in as well, boy?”

“Would you label me a coward?”

“Hmph, I never expected you Republican dogs to play fair in the first place.”

Though he gave a prickly answer, the Duke thought to himself that this was an optimal turn of events. 

In a duel between Masters, a weaker person trying to lend a helping hand only became a burden. In fact, Duke Brans believed that his probabilities of holding Siegfried hostage had just increased.

“I do apologize, but I prefer fights in which I will win without a doubt.”

 “Very well. Then come-”

The Duke almost let his sword slip out of his hands as he spoke. He had thought there would be no more that could faze him, with all that had happened in this short time. But this...