The day of the duel arrived.
Keyla woke before sunrise.
The mansion was still quiet when she stepped into the training courtyard. The morning air was cool and fresh as she unsheathed her sword.
For nearly an hour, the sharp sound of steel cutting through the air echoed across the empty yard.
Her movements were precise and controlled.
Step.
Turn.
Strike.
Her blade flashed like silver lightning in the rising dawn.
Servants who passed by occasionally stopped to watch from afar, whispering among themselves.
"Lady Keyla is already practicing again…"
"She never misses a day."
After finishing her routine, Keyla calmly wiped the blade clean and returned it to its sheath.
She bathed, dressed in her fitted leather combat attire, strapped her sword across her chest, and walked outside the mansion.
Her horse was already waiting.
By the time General Don and Lady Dhalia stepped outside, Keyla was already seated comfortably on the saddle beside the carriage.
Lady Dhalia blinked in surprise.
"Lady Keyla… will you not ride with us in the carriage?"
Keyla smiled lightly.
"Nah."
She gently patted her horse.
"I wouldn't want to intrude on your sweet time."
"I'll just ride beside you."
General Don laughed loudly.
"Hahaha! That's my daughter."
The small procession then set out toward the Royal Arena.
---
The Royal Arena
The news of the duel between the Crown Prince and Princess Keyla Aragon had spread throughout the Kingdom nine days ago.
By morning, the arena was overflowing.
Dukes.
Marquesses.
Barons.
Military commanders.
Officials of the court.
All had arrived with their families.
Young noblewomen whispered excitedly among themselves, many of them spinsters eager to see the princes up close.
The royal princes and princesses rarely appeared in public outside official ceremonies.
Today was a rare opportunity.
Even the common people filled the outer stands in great numbers, cheering and talking excitedly.
The arena itself was enormous.
Two large battle stages had been constructed in the center.
To the north side of the arena, a magnificent pavilion stood beneath a grand canopy of golden silk ribbons and embroidered banners, reserved for the Royal Family.
Trumpets sounded.
The Master of Ceremonies stepped forward.
"I welcome everyone to the Royal Arena!"
His voice echoed through the massive crowd.
He raised his staff high.
"His Royal Majesty!"
"Emperor of Deharan, Albeit Aragon!"
"And Her Majesty, Empress Kahlahn Aragon!"
"Rise and bow!"
The entire arena stood instantly.
Thousands of people placed their right hands on their chests and bowed their heads as the Emperor and Empress entered the pavilion.
After they took their seats, the announcer continued.
"As the Royal Princes and Princesses take their seats…"
"Entering now!"
"His Royal Highness!"
"Commander of the Deharan Army!"
"General Don Aragon!"
"With his lady, Lady Dhalia!"
"And his daughter…"
"Princess Keyla Aragon!"
Murmurs swept through the crowd.
"So that is her?"
"The warrior princess?"
"She's beautiful…"
Keyla walked calmly beside her father, her expression neutral.
She ignored the whispers.
As they took their seats, the announcer spoke again.
"I am General Dracona, Master of today's ceremony."
"I will oversee and judge all battles today."
He raised his arm toward the stages.
"Before the main event, our new soldiers will compete for promotion!"
Excited cheers erupted.
"One thousand soldiers will fight today!"
"Five hundred on each stage!"
"The final ten warriors remaining on each stage will be promoted to Captain and officially knighted by His Majesty!"
Thunderous applause erupted.
General Dracona pointed to the right stage.
"Five hundred soldiers — stage right!"
Then to the left.
"Five hundred soldiers — stage left!"
The soldiers climbed onto the platforms.
Among them were several female warriors, standing confidently with spears and swords.
Some spectators murmured in surprise.
"They look fierce…"
General Dracona raised his hand.
"When the bell rings, the battle begins!"
"The only rule…"
"Do not fall off the stage."
"Whoever falls is eliminated."
"Fight until only ten warriors remain."
He raised the hammer.
CLANG!
The bell rang.
The moment the bell sounded, chaos erupted.
Five hundred warriors surged toward each other.
Steel clashed instantly.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Swords struck shields.
Spears thrust forward.
Some soldiers were knocked off the stage within seconds.
A massive soldier swung his axe wildly, forcing opponents back.
But a female soldier with braided hair slid under his attack and kicked his leg.
The giant stumbled.
She followed with a spinning strike that knocked him off the stage.
The crowd roared.
"Did you see that?!"
"She threw him out!"
On another side of the stage, three soldiers surrounded a calm looking woman holding a spear.
They attacked together.
But she stepped back gracefully.
Her spear moved like a serpent.
One strike.
Another.
Then a sweeping strike knocked all three opponents off balance.
Two fell off the platform.
The third surrendered immediately.
The royal princes leaned forward in interest.
Prince Damis laughed.
"That woman is impressive."
Prince Eris nodded.
"She moves like a veteran."
Keyla watched silently.
The second stage was even more brutal.
Warriors fought in clusters.
Some formed temporary alliances to eliminate stronger opponents.
A tall soldier with a longsword stood surrounded by five men.
Instead of retreating, he charged forward.
His sword moved in powerful arcs.
One soldier fell.
Another lost his balance and tumbled off the stage.
The remaining three hesitated.
He smiled coldly.
Then attacked again.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Even Lady Dhalia gasped in excitement.
"This is incredible!"
General Don nodded calmly.
"Good fighters."
The Emperor watched thoughtfully.
"These new soldiers are not bad."
Meanwhile on the first stage, the number of fighters had already dropped drastically.
From five hundred…
To one hundred.
Then fifty.
Then twenty.
Exhausted warriors panted heavily.
Sweat and dust covered their armor.
But none dared retreat.
Finally—
After two full hours of relentless combat—
Only ten warriors remained on each stage.
They stood in a rough circle, breathing heavily.
The bell rang again.
CLANG!
The battles ended.
The crowd burst into thunderous applause.
General Dracona stepped forward.
"The twenty warriors remaining…"
"Are the new Captains of Deharan!"
The crowd cheered wildly.
But everyone knew…
The real battle of the day had not yet begun.