The courtyard buzzed with quiet anticipation.
Royal ministers stood at the sides, whispering among themselves.
Garius walked at a steady pace, hands relaxed.
Hesbeirn and Gilmon stood in position, prepared to face each other.
But then—
Garius kept walking.
Right toward them.
Both men frowned in confusion.
Then—Garius pulled out two wooden swords.
Gilmon narrowed his eyes.
Hesbeirn tilted his head.
Neither of them moved.
Because this wasn't what they expected.
Garius smirked, tapping the wooden blades together.
"Hmm? I didn't ask you two to duel each other."
His grin widened, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Come at me!"
Hesbeirn chuckled, shaking his head.
"Hah… I should've known."
Gilmon sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"…Seriously?"
On the sidelines—Alf merely shook his head.
Because he already knew.
This was just how his lord was.
Always challenging.
Always playing.
Always reminding everyone exactly who they were dealing with.
