Defying the Duel

The moment Black heard Rowan's plan, his eyes lit up.He immediately grasped Rowan's intentions and inwardly marveled, His Holiness truly has a brilliant mind. This tactic might actually lure them out!

Without hesitation, Black selected a hundred soldiers—those with the loudest voices and the sharpest tongues—and sent them to provoke the enemy.

Before long, the group arrived at the city gates and, without missing a beat, began hurling insults at the top of their lungs.A barrage of taunts, as sharp as arrows, rained down on the defenders atop the walls."Cowards!""Spineless rats!""Gutless wretches!"Their words struck like whips, turning the faces of the soldiers on the walls an angry shade of green. Hands clenched into fists, bodies trembled with rage—yet they could do nothing but endure the humiliation.

Within the walls of the Lorland Principality, the atmosphere grew tense.Finally, someone could no longer stomach the disgrace.

A commander named Karen, his face flushed with anger, stormed toward Soro and saluted fiercely."Lord Inquisitor, we cannot allow this to continue! Their mockery is intolerable! I humbly request permission to lead a force outside the gates and teach them a lesson they won't forget!"

Soro remained silent, deep in thought.The enemy's verbal assault was eroding morale within the city, planting seeds of frustration among the troops.It was a dangerous sign—if they faltered before the battle even began, defeat would be inevitable.

Despicable tactics, he cursed inwardly, clenching his fists. The urge to personally charge out and crush the enemy gnawed at him.

His gaze shifted to Karen.Sending him out might not be a bad idea—at the very least, it would allow them to gauge the enemy's strength.

With a solemn nod, Soro warned, "Karen, be extremely cautious. If you find yourself outmatched, retreat immediately. Do not fight recklessly—understood?"

Karen's expression was firm as he pounded his chest."Rest assured, my lord! I will not let you down!"

With that, he turned and gathered his troops. Fueled by fury, they flung open the gates and charged toward the enemy.

From a distance, Black watched as soldiers surged out of the city.A flicker of satisfaction flashed across his eyes.

His vice-captain, Rigg, noticed the movement and immediately grew excited."Captain, leave this to me! I promise I'll take them down!"

Black nodded slightly but leaned in to murmur, "Good. If you manage to capture their leader, push forward immediately. This might be our chance to break through their defenses. Do not waste this opportunity."

Rigg's eyes gleamed with anticipation. With a swift motion, he spurred his horse forward, brandishing his longsword as he led the charge.

Karen, spotting the incoming enemy, narrowed his eyes.There was no backing down now.

As they neared, the two warriors exchanged sharp words, each trying to assert dominance.

"Hah! Today marks your death! You dare challenge the Lorland Principality? You'll never leave alive!" Karen bellowed.

Rigg scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk."Bold words from a coward! You finally crawled out from your hole—only to march straight to your grave!"

The time for words ended.

In a flash, their blades clashed.

Steel met steel, sparks danced through the air, and the ground trembled beneath the thunder of hooves. Dust swirled around them, shrouding the fierce battle as weapons whistled through the wind.

Behind them, soldiers roared in support, their cries merging into a deafening battle hymn that sent shivers down spines.

The clash was brutal, neither side willing to yield.

Then—Rigg saw his opening.

With a sudden burst of speed, his sword flickered like a silver phantom. A cold arc sliced through the air—striking true.

Karen's body stiffened. His eyes widened in shock.He gasped, struggling to speak, but only blood poured from his lips.

With a dull thud, he toppled from his horse, lifeless.

The soldiers of Lorland gasped in horror.

"The general… The general is dead!"

Panic spread like wildfire.

Their formation crumbled as fear seized them. Some turned and fled toward the city gates, desperately seeking refuge.

Rigg saw his chance.

"Charge! Do not let them escape!"

His men surged forward, hacking down the fleeing enemies, pushing them ever closer to the gates.

Panic-stricken, the Lorland soldiers pounded on the massive doors.

"Open the gates! Let us in!" they screamed.

But atop the walls, Soro watched in grim silence.

He gritted his teeth.If he opened the gates now, the enemy would storm inside. The city would fall.

His heart twisted, but the decision was clear.

"Close the gates. Now."

With a heavy groan, the gates creaked shut.

Those still outside pounded desperately, their cries filled with despair.

"Please! Open the gates! We're on your side!"

But there was no mercy.

Arrows rained down from above, loosed by Lorland's own archers. Magic flared, fiery spells illuminating the darkening sky.

Screams filled the air. Soldiers fell—some struck down by enemy blades, others by their own comrades' arrows. The battlefield became a hellscape of chaos and carnage.

Rigg, seeing the sudden shift, cursed under his breath.

"We're being cut down—fall back!"

With great reluctance, he ordered a retreat. The enemy's defenses had held firm—for now.

Within the city, fear gripped the hearts of its people.The battle had left them shaken, uncertain of what the future held.

Outside, the soldiers of the Holy Church continued their taunts, their jeers cutting through the cold night air.

But no matter how vile their words, the defenders remained steadfast. Orders had been given—no one was to engage the enemy.

In the palace, the king and his ministers gathered in urgent deliberation, their expressions grave. The fate of the nation hung in the balance, and every decision carried the weight of survival or destruction.

Meanwhile, in the Holy Church's camp, Rowan stood outside his tent, gazing at the towering walls of Lorland.

A flicker of frustration crossed his face.Breaking through those walls wouldn't be easy.

If we force an attack, we'll suffer heavy casualties.

No—he needed another way.

His only hope lay in the spies embedded within the city.If they could act at the right moment, perhaps the tide of battle could be turned.

Deep within Lorland, inside the secret chamber of Duke Leo's manor, a clandestine meeting took place.

Duke Leo sat stiffly in his chair, his expression dark and unreadable.

Opposite him sat Ivan, an envoy of the Holy Church.

The fate of the war—and the city—now hung upon the words they were about to exchange.