It didnt take long for the army to reach the castle walls despite the solid ground turning into a liquid slush underneath them. Any attacks were repelled by the mages barriers, so they managed to preserve their strength as well. Ralph stared up at the castle walls. Now that the castle lay right before him, he realized just how large it actually was. Even if he craned his neck back, he couldnt see the top of the wall. If dragons had castles, then the castle would have to be at least this big to house them. Could the castle be housing a dragon? Ralph bit his lower lip and kicked his legs a few tis, flinging muck off of them. He looked behind himself, awaiting orders from above. Lord Briffault was in discussion with the rest of the commanders, but it didnt seem like theyd co up with a plan any ti soon.
We should scale the walls, the infantry commander said, glaring at Lord Briffault.
Lord Briffault shook his head. And what if the wall were to fall over and crush our n? That wall is so large that it seems like half our army could fit on it. Can we afford to lose half our army?
If your only argunt against my plan is that sothing impossible might happen, then thats no argunt at all, the infantry commander said. The castle walls will fall over? Nonsense! Castle walls are ant to be impenetrable. Why would it possibly fall over?
The ground isnt ant to move either, Lord Briffault said. He pointed up at the sky. And suns arent ant to attack people. If soone purposely made the wall collapse, then
Then it works out, another man, the cavalry commander, said. The army didnt have a cavalry, but it felt wrong to strip a man of his previous authority based on minor details like that. If the castle walls dont fall, our n will have entered. If the castle walls do fall, then we have another way in that doesnt involve climbing the walls.
Wait, hold on a second, the infantry commander said. The gate is opening.
Huh? Lord Briffault and the cavalry commander turned around. The tal of the castle was rising, and a lone man dressed in golden armor strode outside. He had a tal helt, but a prominent mustache seed to pass through the material as if it didnt exist.
I am Sir Edward, the golden man said. To proceed beyond this point, youll have to defeat in a one-on-one duel!
Ralph scratched his head. Was this the owner of the soul, or was it another man occupying another mans soul? How would sothing like that happen in the first place? Ralph froze as a chill ran down his spine. Wasnt he also another man inside of this mans soul? What if he beca stuck here like this golden soldier? He couldnt let that happen. Ill duel you! Ralph shouted and stepped forward. His hands tightened on his short spear and shield.
A challenger appears, Sir Edward said and drew his sword. Excellent, lad. State your na and station. I am Sir Edward Baron, head of the Baron household, Marquis of the Baron territory.
Ralph pursed his lips. I am Ralph.
Sir Edward paused. A mont later, he pointed his sword at Ralph. And your surna? And your title of nobility?
I am Ralph, Ralph said again.
Sir Edward sighed and lowered his sword. I cant duel soone who isnt nobility, he said. It wouldnt be fair. As soone whos trained since young, only others like can compete. He raised his head and looked around at the army. Are there any others among you whovewhat are you doing, young man!? Did you just stab !?
Ralph pulled back his short spear and stabbed Sir Edward again. It bounced off the marquis armor, but Ralph wasnt deterred. Like a woodpecker, his spear repeatedly knocked against Sir Edward until, finally, a hole appeared in the nobles chest plate. Ralph deflected Sir Edwards attempt at counterattacking with his shield and stabbed into the nobles chest, burying his spear halfway into the mans body. Sir Edward groaned, and Ralph placed the bottom of his foot against the nobles stomach. He twisted and pulled with his hand while pushing with his foot. His spear flew out with a squelch as Sir Edward fell to the ground on his back.
Good work, soldier! Lord Briffault said. I knew I wasnt wrong to praise you earlier.
Ralph looked around. Do you think well go insane again and start killing each other? Or does that only apply to genies?
Lord Briffault checked his hands. Once he made sure they were still red, he exhaled. Everyone, check yourselves for signs of corruption! If youre corrupted, dont touch anyone, and dont let them touch you!
A few minutes passed as the soldiers did a thorough check. Thankfully, it seed like theyd only start killing each other after attacking a genie. Lord Briffault nodded as the n equipped their armor once again. He walked over to Sir Edwards fallen body and crouched beside it. For a noble, he was really weak. Lord Briffault used his index and middle fingers to close the nobles eyes before looking up at Ralph. What did you say your profession was before dying?
A farr, Ralph said. But I think I picked up the warrior profession after becoming a blood soldier.
Lord Briffault nodded and patted Ralphs shoulder. Good work, once again. Now that hes been defeated in an honorable, one-on-one duel, we can proceed.
Can we really? Ralph asked and pointed at the gate. Several minutes had passed since hed defeated Sir Edward, but the gate hadnt moved. And there were no signs of any other entrances opening up.
Ah-hah! Sir Edwards eyes shot open. Thats because Im not dead yet! He sat up, and his heart fell out of his chest. His eyes widened as he, and everyone else, stared at it. A mont passed before Sir Edward coughed. Huh. Its still intact. I thought it broke in half when my wife left . He leaned forward, picked up his heart, and stuffed it back inside his chest. He spat on his palm and rubbed his saliva on his gaping wound that was dripping golden liquid. There. All better.
Ralph and Lord Briffault exchanged glances as Sir Edward stood up and drew his sword. Which one of you is next?
Ralph stepped forward. I, I guess itll be again.
A shudder racked Sir Edwards body, and he took a step back. N-no, no, he said. Like I said earlier, I cant go around fighting peasants. It wouldnt be fair. He swallowed and avoided Ralphs gaze. Arent there any nobles brave enough todid you just stab again, young man!?
Ralph lowered his head and stared at his hand. It was holding his spear, and the tip of the spear was embedded in Sir Edwards stomach. Ralph raised his head and looked Sir Edward in the eyes. Is that a rhetorical question?
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