12 Duel 1

Time seemed to have frozen for the people around Vladimir. The bomb that he dropped made even John who knew him for so many years stupefied. The first to react was the guard that had been forgotten behind Edward.

" How dare you insolent brat! Have you any idea who is the man you are talking to?" He shouted as he drew his sword and moved to attack the silver haired youth.

"Too slow!" Vladimir exclaimed as he avoided the attempt of the guard to cut him down by moving to the right side. At the same time he stuck his left leg out to trip him up. The poor guard didn't have the time to react and fell on the ground.Feeling humilated, he prepared to stand up and fight with his life on the line,but a thunderous voice stopped him.

"Enough!" Edward shouted enraged. Figuring out the fallen knight's intentions, he couldn't help but open again his mouth.

"Cease your actions and stop bringing shame to our Order. This is a command". As he said that, he turned to the man with the pointy ears.

"First lieutenant Wardrog!"

"Yes Captain Thundergod!"

"Arrange a duel in 2 hours".

When these words sounded, everyone became dumbstruck. Not even Vladimir expected that the man who was known as the 'Iron General' would accept so easily the challenge of a fourteen years old youth.

"Captain!" The man with the name Wardrog shouted desperately.

"I won't repeat myself. It's my duty to educate the younger generation as well as protect the honor of the Order of the Red Rose". The middle aged man said as he turned around and started walking.

"Lead the Father to the Imperial Princess and send someone to guide these kids to Sophie".

Without waiting for a reply he slowly disappeared from their sights.

****

" My name is Jason Wardrog, it's my honor to meet you Father Jonas. As you probably understood, I am a commoner as well as a half-elf, but I still managed to become a knight through my graduation from the Imperial Academy. I will be responsible for meeting your needs, so please let me know your requirements" The manwith the blond hair and the pointy ears saidrespectfully. Father Jonas let out a gasp when he heard his statement.

" To be a first lieutenant in your age and with the background of a commoner... A capable person, indeed" The old priest said with admiration.

"I don't deserve these words!" The half elf replied humbly.

" You are too modest. I hope you'll forgive this kid's behavior. His admiration for the 'Iron General' made him to act recklessly".

" Don't worry Father Jonas. I understand that he didn't mean to insult the Captain's honor. That being said, it's unavoidable that the other knights won't be as tolerant as me". As he said that he looked at the guard who continued to glare at the sliver haired youth. A sigh escaped from his mouth. He coudn't help but stare at the boy that managed to disturb the Order's harmony so easily. Realizing that the youth was still as carefree as ever, he started to feel annoyed.

"You said that your name is Vladimir?"

"Yes Sir!"

" Do you know what is the punishment for being disrespectful toward nobility?"Jason asked with a smile.

Only when he heard that did Vladimir realise how reckless his actions truly were. Edward de Thundergod was a Baron while he was just a commoner. The crime that he had commited was severe enough to stir up trouble even to his family.

"It wasn't a coincidence" John suddenly interrupted. When the eyes of the others fell upon him, he continued.

"Vladimir maybe is impulsive but his instincts are very accurate. I have never seen him to misjudge someone's character. To propose a duel to the hero of the North means that the Baron Thundergod lived up to the expectations of my brother" John said stoically. From the beginning, he wasn't afraid that Edward wouldn't accept the duel or that he would have Vladimir executed, because he trusted his brother's intuition. That being said, there was something else that was making him worry. He turned his face to the lieutenant and moved his lips.

" It's my pleasure to meet you first lieutenant Wardrog. My name is John Smith. Although Vladimir isn't my blood relative he is still my brother. I can't help but worry about the duel's conclusion".

Jason looked strangely at John. He had almost forgotten his existence depite of the fact that he came together with Father Jonas.

'He said that his name is John Smith. I have never heard such a strange name. His weak presence combined with his average appearance almost make him invisible. At least he seems sensible'.

" You are afraid that the Captain will be merciless in other words. You don't seem to trust your brother's abilities very much".

" I wouldn't be afraid even if he was fighting against Captain Sophie, but it's different when the opponent is the only man that managed to become an 'Imperial Knight' when he was still a commoner". John replied expressionlessly. He wasthe one who was thiking more highly of Vladimir than anyone else. But in the end, his brother was still 14 years old. On the other hand, Edward had lived more than twofold than Vladimir. He was probably a monster on par with their father.

"I take it back. You really understimate the prowess of the knights of our Empire. As for your question, all the duels I haveseen until now had only one resultand it's exactly the result you are thinking it is". Upon hearing this, not only John's, but even Father Jonas's face became pale. Only Vladimir was still as carefree as ever.

****

Father Jonas and Jason left together to visit the princess, as for John and Vladimir, the one that was guiding them was unexpectedly the guard from before. The three of them walked silently until they reached the entrance of a big tent that was guarded by two knights.

" State your name and the pupose of your visit!" One of the guards shouted

" I am Ryan Hobbs from the Company B. I was sent from the First Lieutenant Jason Wardrogto deliver a message from Captain Edward de Thundergod. As for the two behind me, they are assigned to Company A and they are here to report for duty. Here is and their token" As he said that, he gave them Sophie's token that he was holding in his hand.

"Please wait a minute" As the guard said that, he entered the tent. After some time he exited andgestured them to proceed inside. Without hesitation, the three of them moved forward.

****

"You are finally here" Sophie said coldly as she looked at the two youths. It was clear that she was annoyed from their delay. She then turned to the knight. Upon seeing her gaze, Ryan immediately took a step forward and gave her the letter. The three of them didn't dare to disturb the young woman and waited silently for her to read it. After some time they heard a sigh coming from her direction.

" You can leave. You two stay!"

When the knight finally left them alone, Sophie couldn't endure it anymore and started to shout.

" Twenty minutes! That's all the time you have stayed in the Order. Just twenty minutes and I have to arrange a duel!" Her cold expression finally changed to an enraged one. It was natural since she even moved personally to warn them to stay low-key. Not only they didn't hear her but they even provoked a Captain of the Order.