Felmer explained everything to his squad, and they looked at him in anger and worry.
"This is the most stupid and risky deal I have ever heard," Elna said angrily.
"Do you know your position?" The captain asked. "You are a prince and the only wielder of the badge. The chancellor is the man who is the wisest and the most powerful in the kingdom. It is too risky."
"Can anyone else fight him then?" Felmer asked. "C'mon, tell me."
They looked at Felmer and then at each other. They knew they couldn't fight Holtif. Melfer stepped forward and stood beside Felmer.
"Why are we distrusting him now? He passed the trials, opened a literal realm, and has the badge and the first jewel. Why are you worrying so much now when you didn't back then?" Melfer supported Felmer.
"He has a point…" Felmer added
"You want him to be the king, but won't let him fight a chancellor?" Melfer asked sternly.
Felmer tightened his sword belt and adjusted his clothes. He picked up his coat and put it on.
"You guys can argue. I am going…" Felmer said and left the room.
They looked at him leave and felt bad for distrusting him.
"C'mon, guys…" Melfer said and followed Felmer out of the room.
Flexin followed him. Lelis shrugged, picked up her bow, and left the room.
Felmer walked swiftly through the corridors and left the grand palace. King Salter and his commanders were waiting outside.
"We will advance first with the cavalry and the archer battalion. The main army will join us at the battlefield." The king said as Felmer rode his horse.
"Fine…"
"I am trusting you with the fate of my kingdom. Don't lose…"
"I won't…"
As they got ready to leave. The rest of the squad arrived and joined them. On the king's signal, the troops began to advance. The cavalry marched through the roads of Bernis, chanted war songs and moved towards the southern gate.
Halfway from the border, in a vast plain, the two forces stood face to face. The Falvarian army was divided into three columns. And stood on the southeast, south, and southwest of the defenders.
As the cavalry stood face to face with the 360,000 troops of Falvaria, the 120,000 troops of Germaiyin arrived on the battlefield from the east, the north, and the west. They stood far from the cavalry and covered all the openings.
Holtif stood in front and stared at Salter, who still couldn't believe his eyes. Salter had already sent a messenger to the Falvarians. And they had accepted the deal.
Holtif got off from his horse, and on his signal, the Falvarians brought a prisoner. It was Holtif Rasfer. A wave of shock ran through each Germaiyinian.
'Two Holtif? Who is the real?' Everyone had the same thought.
The prisoner Holtif had his face beaten up. His hands were tied behind his back, and his mouth was covered as well. But he had the flame and sternness in his eyes. The one which the real Holtif had.
"I have heard that men fight well when their mistresses are watching them…So don't lose." Melfer whispered and winked at Felmer.
Felmer smirked and got off his horse. He looked at the soldiers. They were looking at him. They were trusting him. Felmer stood prepared on the battlefield. Ready for the one-on-one battle.
The Holtif on the horse generated a flame on his hand and burned his face. As the ashes fell, the actual person behind the mask was revealed. Every Germaiyinian gasped. He got off his horse and stood ready for battle. It was Golfiz.
Felmer stood ready for the battle, and the new revelation had made the fight a bit more interesting. Golfiz walked ahead and stood in the centre.
'Don't worry, it's just eyes watching. He is just an enemy.' Felmer calmed his mind and blood flow.
"Of course, you don't know me. But I am sure you remember the forest." Golfiz said aloud.
Felmer said nothing; he nodded. He understood what Golfiz meant.
"Mr Prince, won't your involvement in this battle violate the peace treaty?" Golfiz asked mockingly.
"I am an exiled prince. So it doesn't matter."
"Hmph…" Golfiz was about to say something, but he was interrupted.
Felmer stood right in front of him, full of anger. He gave a side blow to Golfiz, and the immense pressure sent him flying to his right. Golfiz had no time to act. He got up immediately and generated a wooden sword.
'Generated from magic. Of course, it is not a regular wooden sword.' Felmer thought.
"Training under the Devil's Master, I learned a lesson. Soldiers don't talk much in battle." Felmer said and rushed at Golfiz with immense speed.
Golfiz instantly generated a wooden shield and blocked the attack. He attacked Felmer from the right. Felmer ducked and struck the shield with the tip of his sword. It was strong. Golfiz retreated. Felmer followed with a strike from Golfiz's left, and Golfiz blocked with his sword. He stomped his right foot on the ground, and a wooden branch emerged from below. It headed straight for Felmer's face, and he leaned back to dodge it. Felmer tried to steady himself, but Golfiz kicked him in the chest.
Felmer stood up and took a battle stance.
'He is good…' Felmer thought.
Both of them generated magic in their feet and headed straight at each other. Felmer deflected his attack and grabbed him by the wrist. Felmer pulled him and hit his knee into his abdomen. He struck his shield with force and broke it. Golfiz stumbled and got away from him.
Felmer immediately rushed at Golfiz. Upon reaching, he attacked from his right. Golfiz blocked. Felmer then attacked from his left, and Golfiz blocked yet again. Felmer delayed his movement, and Golfiz attacked at that moment. Felmer parried his attack again and stabbed his shoulder. Golfiz hit Felmer's sword and got away from him. He tightly grabbed his injured shoulder and stared at Felmer.
He stood straight and thought of a trick. Golfiz placed his hand inside his pocket, and a thought came to him. He gathered an immense amount of magic in his legs and rushed at Felmer. Felmer tried to defend, but Golfiz actually bypassed him. And suddenly, from the back of Felmer, a magical beast appeared. Felmer turned, and the beast bit his right arm.
Felmer shouted in pain and stabbed the beast in its head with his left hand. Felmer immediately retreated the Germaiyinian forces, and held his wound tightly.
Golfiz smirked at Felmer and generated more magical beasts. All of them were different.
'How? That isn't wood. Then…Wait! Don't tell me!' Felmer thought. He seemed to understand the source of the beasts.
Golfiz took his hand out of his pocket and looked at Felmer. His hand glowed with yellow light. It was a gem. The second jewel.
"He is using the jewel? That is unfair!" King Salter was angry.
"Cheating?" Golfiz smirked. "I am using my resources…"
He pulled out the badge and tried to use the regeneration power of the first jewel. But nothing happened. He was shocked.
"The powers of the jewels won't work when they are in the badge. Only if they are in that sword. You can't pull them out! You should have known that, Mr Prince." Golfiz mocked
Felmer understood what sword. And now he thought about it as well.
'This really is unfair…'
Felmer took out a handkerchief from his pocket and covered his wound.
"Felmer, come back! We will fight head-on with the army!" Salter shouted.
"Don't think of any crazy ideas! Come back!" The captain shouted as well.
Felmer thought about what to do.
'Not the blood ritual. I will run out of magic faster than he. Then…'
Suddenly, an idea struck his mind. His squad was calling him back, but he paid them a deaf ear. He calmed his mind, heart, blood flow, and the wind of his magic. The sword began to glow with immense light. He generated the cyan flame on his thumb and spread it on his sword. The flame spread on the sword and surrounded it. His experiment had worked out fine.
"I will fight!" He answered.
The squad and Golfiz looked at Felmer's transformed weapon. The squad stopped calling him. They only looked in amazement.
Felmer stood straight and took his signature stance. He was ready for round two.