Seeing how the tension between the two had risen, Lady Amari Yui decided to intervene.
She said:
"Since you are so eager to duel, do it in the dueling arena. This way, you will entertain the other guests as well."
As she said this, she thought:
"And to think that even if I had intervened to stop this, the duel would have happened anyway," she sighed mentally.
Although she had noticed what Ryushin Tenku had planned, she decided to do nothing, as she was sure he would ultimately achieve his goal.
Besides, no one would die, and she was sure the second prince was also planning something.
Thus, Ryushin Tenku and Suzuki Kyōi sheathed their swords again and headed to the dueling arena.
The dueling arena, which had been silent until a moment before, began to fill with people.
Although fighters and spectators would usually start gathering here after midnight, due to the news of the imminent duel between Ryushin Tenku and Suzuki Kyōi, the arena had become crowded.
Among those people were Amari Yui and Schadet Oporitorco, who was being carried by his nanny.
Ryushin Tenku and Suzuki Kyōi would have the honor of holding the first duel of this banquet.
Ryushin Tenku had a happy expression;
his plan had gone as expected, and he would finally have the opportunity to fight and defeat another member of the Imperial family.
And for him, there was no better place to do it than within the dueling arena.
Defeating Suzuki Kyōi in front of countless guests would be the perfect stage to gain additional fame, respect, and to show that he hadn't become a member of the Twelve Stars by chance.
Once inside the arena, the guardian knights stationed there raised their swords in salute.
"Have you come to duel, young master?"
"Right. I have come to duel with Suzuki Kyōi, so pay attention to the duel and intervene if things get out of hand. Also, I would like one of you to bring us two decent swords to use."
"YES. I wish you to have fun and a good duel."
The shrewd guardian knight replied to Ryushin Tenku, and the young man nodded, satisfied.
"That would be perfect."
The doctor, too, read the room and decided to observe the duel between Ryushin Tenku and Suzuki Kyōi, expecting that one of them would get injured during the duel.
Now, countless people stood in the wide, round arena, waiting for the duel to begin.
Not long after, the guardian knight returned with two swords.
Ryushin Tenku told Suzuki Kyōi to choose his weapon first.
"Please, choose the one that best fits your hand, Your Highness Suzuki Kyōi."
"Ryushin Tenku. Your arrogance reaches the skies, even though you have just become a member of the Twelve Stars."
Nakamura Kyōi didn't bother comparing the blades and simply grabbed the nearest one.
Once he took his stance and raised the weapon, the air around him changed completely.
The burning anger in his eyes was replaced by a cold concentration, and the sword he held diagonally showed no visible tremor.
"Before we start, what do you say we make a wager under oath?" Suzuki Kyōi asked, his tone and expression confident.
Intrigued, Ryushin Tenku asked:
"What is the wager about?"
Suzuki Kyōi pretended to think for a moment and said:
"If I win, you must give me a Phoenix heart, bow to me, and tell me everything about the confrontation between you and my brother, not leaving out a single detail, understand?"
Ryushin Tenku considered Suzuki Kyōi's request and finally said:
"Understood. In that case, if I win, you must give me a Dragon heart, convince Lady Amari Yui to fight me, and grant the Ryushin family access to a gold mine."
Suzuki Kyōi frowned and said:
"Fine, but access to the mine will be given temporarily and for only 2 origin cycles."
Since Ryushin Tenku had already expected something like this, he smiled and promptly agreed.
Since they had both come to an agreement, they both made an oath.
"I swear on my Origin," they both said.
Once the oath was made, they both had satisfied expressions.
--------------------------------------
Suzuki Kyōi was convinced of victory, given that a few months earlier, he had defeated another member of the Twelve Stars, Gensō no tsurugi, who belonged to another of the Four Great Families.
Thanks to that victory, he gained fame and prestige within the imperial palace.
But what he gained the most was not fame or prestige, but resources.
So, he was sure that if he defeated Ryushin Tenku as well, he would gain access to additional resources from the family.
Meanwhile, Ryushin Tenku was convinced of victory because the reason Suzuki Kyōi had won against another member of the Twelve Stars was him.
This was because a few days before Suzuki Kyōi's confrontation, he had a clash with Jin Gensō, causing him an injury that for anyone not part of the Four Great Families or the Imperial Family would have been fatal.
So, after winning against Suzuki Kyōi, he would surely gain several gold tablets and perhaps one platinum tablet issued directly by the patriarch.
Moreover, if he managed to defeat Lady Amari Yui... No, no point in thinking about that now.
***
Ryushin issues platinum, gold, silver, or bronze tablets based on their achievements.
Even the bronze tablet, considered the lowest grade, issued directly by the head of the family would still bring respectable rewards.
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Inside the arena stands
After hearing those words, everyone was euphoric, and the duel for them acquired a new meaning.
It was no longer just a duel for honor and respect; it had become a duel for resources and power.
Each of the present felt involved in this epic bet between the two master swordsmen.
The involved factions prepared intensely for the imminent duel.
They decided to start a bet.
Because of this, every strategic move was evaluated carefully, as the outcome of this clash would have consequences for everyone.
So, in the end, they all placed bets. Most people bet on Suzuki Kyōi due to his recent victory against Jin Gensō.
Despite this, all the members of the Ryushin family bet on Ryushin Tenku's victory.
After hearing the oath between Ryushin Tenku and Suzuki Kyōi, Lady Amari Yui frowned.
Even though she was fairly certain of what Suzuki Kyōi was planning, she could do nothing.
Despite this, she did not dare to complain because of Suzuki Kyōi's status, as he was a prince of the Empire she served.
Back to the MC
"Seeing what's happening, it's likely that a duel will occur soon, and that they have made a bet regarding its outcome."
"Not only him but many present in the stands, where one of those two people should be a Ryushin judging by the events that have transpired" thought Schadet Oporitorco.
The nanny, noticing his attention on the duel, thought:
"It seems he is quite curious about this duel. I hope that by watching it, he develops a great fighting spirit that will lead him to train hard."
***
A nanny within the Ryushin family was responsible for the upbringing of a Ryushin child, and their future largely depended on how strong and reliable the child became.
***
The duel between Ryushin Tenku and Suzuki Kyōi was now about to begin, and the atmosphere in the arena was electric.
All eyes were fixed on the two swordsmen as they prepared to fight.
Ryushin Tenku, with a confident smile on his face, grabbed the sword offered to him by the guardian knight and prepared for the challenge.
His determination was palpable, aware of his goal and the consequences of victory.
On the other side, Suzuki Kyōi maintained a focused and resolute expression.
He had already demonstrated his skill in the past and was now determined to win this duel as well.
With the oaths taken and the bets placed, the duel took on an even more intense dimension.
Every move, every parry, would impact not only the swordsmen but everyone who had bet on their outcome.
In the arena, the spectators held their breath, ready to see who would prevail in this epic confrontation between a member of a Great Family and a member of the Imperial Family.