Chapter 6: Days Before the Duel

It's been 8 days since the king declared that I'm now part of the Order.

But there's still a chance to change that if I purposely lose the duel.

The king even gave me his sword, thinking it wouldn't be fair for a kid like me to fight an Order's warrior.

"Hey Kazu, you there?" I heard a voice accompanied by a knock on my room's door.

I've been cooped up in this room for eight days, forbidden to leave the palace and only allowed to train indoors. The room has a fancy chandelier hanging from the ceiling, a large red curtain on the window, and a set of kitchen tables and chairs near the chimney in the corner.

"Come in, Ayaka," I replied, staring at the ceiling as I lay on the bed.

And with that, the door opened.

"I was just wondering... I haven't seen you train even once..." Her boots made a thudding sound as she approached the side of the bed.

"I know you're strong, but facing a warrior from the Order is no joke," she added.

"So you're here to lecture me?" I turned my head to look at her.

"No, I'm here to help you," she said, throwing a pillow directly at my face.

Startled, I jumped to my feet.

"What the heck was that for?"

"Come on, let's train. I know a place," she said, turning away and walking.

I followed her and ended up in an arena-like structure. It has an open area right in the center, surrounded by towering wall. The seating arrangements are made out of stones, stretching from the bottom all the way to the top of the arena. It's like a staircase that can fit thousands of people, all at once.

"I didn't know the palace had this kind of stuff," I said, my eyes wandering around along with my body.

"Of course you wouldn't know. You didn't leave your room for the whole eight days," she replied.

I froze and turned to her.

"How did you know? Are you a stalker?"

She just smiled teasingly, like a joker in a deck of cards.

"Heads up!" she exclaimed, jumping at me with her sword, launching a surprise attack.

It was faster than I expected. My eyes widened as I tried to think of what to do.

She's fast! I can defend myself with my sword if I...

I reached for the sword on my hip, but...

Nothing?! Where's my sword?! I'm sure I brought it with me!

I caught a glimpse of the sword Ayaka was holding... And there it was. The sword was in her hands, the one she used to attack me.

"Dead," she said, stopping just before the sword could cut through my shoulder.

I just stared at her, shocked by her swift movements.

I underestimated her... I could have defended myself if I hadn't let my guard down... She even managed to take my sword, and I had no clue...

What the heck am I doing...

"Here," offering the sword back.

"Surprise attack, failed. But since you're in a duel, surprise attacks aren't really useful," she explained, fixing her cloak.

"Round 2, a head-on fight. Don't be afraid to hit me. Just avoid attacking directly at my face. My cloak can take it, but I can't," she said, drawing her sword and taking a stance.

I chuckle, bracing myself for what's about to go down.

"Sure, I'll give it a shot," I reply, tightening my grip on my sword.

I catch a glimpse of a frown on her face before she launches another direct attack.

This time, I manage to block the first attack, then the second, third, fourth... She's attacking from every direction imaginable. Our swords clash with a resounding clang after every swing.

She's got some serious power and speed for a princess. No wonder, she's an adventurer after all, to search for her sister. That explains her impressive moves.

As her 20th attack comes hurtling towards me, I decide to go on the offensive. Instead of just blocking and waiting for our swords to meet, I go for a swing.

Half of her sword goes flying through the air, lodging itself in the wall.

This might destroy her fighting-

"Nice try, but the fight's not over!" she shouts, ducking and hurling her split sword.

The blade zooms straight for my face as she dives underneath it.

I can't use any moves that would expose my true strength; they might see me as a threat. Can't risk that.

I sidestep to dodge both attacks, but she catches on quick, changing her direction to match mine.

I can't let her get too close...

I don't know how she fights up close, so underestimating her isn't an option.

I won't repeat the same mistake!

To create some distance, I dash backward as she keeps up her lightning-fast movements.

I'm struggling to control my strength yet, afraid I might accidentally hurt her if I carelessly unleash an attack. It feels like riding a bike with two flat tires!

With only one plan in mind, I swing my sword through the air, creating a smokescreen on the floor. But she's unfazed, closing in without hesitation.

Alright, bring it on!

I raise my sword high and keep my left hand ready to grab her wherever and whenever I get the chance.

I swing my sword to divert her attention and sneakily move my left hand towards her head. But there's a twist. Before I can reach her head, she spins her whole body, and the next thing I know, her foot is hurtling towards my face.

——

"Whoa-!!" I find myself staring at the same old ceiling, complete with a fancy chandelier, after being startled by my own voice.

"Good morning, sleepy prince," a familiar voice chimes in from the corner.

"Hayuki? What brings you here?" I ask, getting up from the bed.

There she is, Hayuki, wearing a black hood and sitting in a chair in the corner of the room. I caught a glimpse of the outside and the stars, with the street lights in the town below shining brightly.

"I'm here to give you a heads up about tomorrow," she says.

"Tomorrow? What's happening tomorrow?" I scratch my head, trying to remember.

"It's your big duel day, you goofball! By the way, that fight you had with that girl the other day was impressive!" She playfully claps her hands.

Tomorrow's my duel? and the fight the 'other' day? Am I asleep for 2 days?!

"Oh, come on. What do you want?" I ask, skeptical.

"Well, Ayame asked me to warn you. We received a threat from some bandits, but these guys don't seem like your usual bandits. They're threatening to turn the palace into ruins on the day of your duel."

"So, the duel is getting even more attention? Does that mean I'm becoming popular?" I grin.

"Uh, yeah, I guess so. Just try not to repeat the same way how you got beaten by a girl... It's, uh, kind of..." She trails off, trying to find the right words.

"How can I say it without hurting your feelings?" She added

"Moved on! Back to the point, don't you think it could be a trap? They want the Veiled Guardians to focus on the duel so they can cause trouble elsewhere?" I suggest.

"That's exactly what we're thinking too. It's probably a trap because who announces their plan like that?" She nods.

But then it hits me how I got defeated by Ayaka, due to my own ignorance and overconfidence. I underestimated her and thought I could take her down easily.

"But if these guys are arrogant enough, they might just go ahead with their plan. Whether we know about it or not, they believe they can bring us down,"

"We've considered that too! For a new member, you're really something,"

I stand there, pausing for a moment, trying to figure out if she's being sarcastic or genuinely complimenting me.

"Ahem... Anyway, that's why I'm here. You'll handle the duel and give us a signal if the threat is genuine. Meanwhile, we'll investigate every corner of the kingdom for any other troubles," she explains.

"What kind of signal? How am I supposed to send a signal in the middle of a duel?"

"Maybe throw a rock or something? That's a smart choice, by the way. Just be careful with your aim! I almost got hit last time, you know that?"

So she was the one who picked up on my signal that day... Oh, and she's the one who bought me this cloak too...

A small smile forms on my face as I approach her.

"Thank you,"

"For wha-"

Her words are cut off as I pull her into a hug.

"What are you- You know you don't have to- I mean-" she stammers, before finally hugging me back.

"That wraps up your first mission. I have to go now. Your princess will be here in 3..."

"Wait, what are you-"

"2..."

I turn my head towards the door.

"1..."

And a knock on the door sends shivers down my spine.

"Kazu? Are you awake now? I'm coming in!" the voice of Ayaka calls out.

I turn back to Hayuki, but she's nowhere to be found, just an open window.

What was that? Some kind of ninja move? I didn't even hear Ayaka take a single step! How did she know?

"Oh, you're awake! I'm sorry I hit you pretty hard! Are you okay? Can you still fight tomorrow?" Ayaka asks, concerned, as she grabs my chin and checks for injuries.

"Don't worry, I'm fine! Thanks for helping me out,"

A wry smile appears on her face.

"That almost sounded like sarcasm..."

"No, I mean it! It was a good fight. It made me realize how ignorant I was."

She flashes a smile, her eyes filled with determination.

"That's good to hear,"

A quick silence enveloped the room.

"Hey, Ayaka. Can you do me a favor?" I meet her gaze.

She stares at me for a moment, before responding,

"Uh, yeah sure. Anything for you, Kazu!" She leans in closer.

"I just need you to grab a rock tomorrow and throw it in the air when I give you the signal," I explain.

"Wait, what? Are you planning to cheat?" she questions, raising an eyebrow.

"Cheat? No, not at all. It's for an emergency. Just throw it outside the arena, okay?"

"What emergency? What's going on, Kazu?" She leans forward again, this time with a hint of concern on her face.

"Do you trust me?"

I gently place my hand on her shoulder.

"I do, but can you please tell me what's happening?" She sits on the edge of the bed, waiting for an explanation.

"Are duels always such a big deal, attracting attention from all over the kingdom?" I inquire, sitting down beside her.

"Yeah, people from all walks of life come to witness the duels. Merchants, traders, warriors, adventurers, and even bandits can enter freely only for that day" she responds.

I raise an eyebrow, waiting for her to catch on to my hint.

"Ah! Bandits! I see it now! The facility might seize this opportunity to seek revenge, right?" She clenches her fist in realization.

"Bullseye! And it's not just us they're after now... It's the entire palace. They might have discovered your true identity,"

"I understand now! I should inform my father about this—" She rushes towards the door.

"Wait! I'll come with you!" I call out, following closely behind.

We sprint through the palace hallways towards the throne room.

She pushes the door with urgency, causing it to crash against the wall with a thunderous sound.

There stood the King in front of a long, large table where the elders sat, as if engaged in a discussion.

But when I caught a glimpse of the elders sitting and turning their heads to us. A sudden realization explodes in my mind.

"Father! I need to talk to you! The Faci—" she begins, but I quickly cover her mouth.

"It's nothing, Your Majesty. Just a silly prank," I interject, hoping to divert attention.

She swats my hand away from her mouth, clearly frustrated.

"What prank?! No! This is serious, Kazu!"

I lean in close and whisper in response.

"I know! I'll tell you something!"

I take her hand and pull her outside the throne room, leaving the King and the Elders behind, who are still processing the situation.

"We can't discuss about the facility openly in front of the elders. One of them could be an undercover of the facility," I explain as we continue walking down the hallway, putting distance between us and the throne room.

She thinks for a while and lights up.

"Right! You're sharp, Kazu! Without the King's help... So, what's our plan now?"

"Just do the favor I'm asking. Trust me," I say, stopping and turning to face her directly.

Confusion and fear give way to determination as she looks at me.

"What if we fail?" she whispers, her voice barely audible.

"We won't. I promise. I'll protect you, I'll protect this palace, and I'll protect our Kingdom. So... ?" I extend my hand, offering a handshake.

And a grin formed on her face.

"I'm in! I will just pretend I didn't beat you up the previous day!" And her laugh echoed around the hallway.