As Wolfram stood among the knights, still catching his breath from the intense match with Baturay, the energy in the training grounds had begun to settle. The knights congratulated him, patting him on the back and offering words of praise. The match had showcased Wolfram's skill and cemented his place as a warrior in their eyes. However, as the cheers and conversations filled the air, Aslı stood a little apart, her sharp gaze fixed on Baturay.
Baturay was still regaining his breath, his chest rising and falling with each heavy intake of air. Aslı, seeing this, slowly approached the center of the training grounds. Her expression was calm, but there was a gleam of something fierce in her eyes. Reaching to her sides, she drew the two swords she carried at her hips—both elegantly forged, shining in the light, and unmistakably deadly. Aslı fought in the style of a dual-wielding swordswoman, a rare and deadly art form that few mastered. The knights watched in awe, the tension rising once again.
Walking toward Wolfram, she spun the swords effortlessly, their blades humming through the air as she approached. She stopped in front of him, meeting his gaze with a playful yet determined smile.
"Now that the fun is over, it's time for a real fight, Wolfram," Aslı said, her voice soft but with an edge of challenge. She glanced over at the knights, then back to Wolfram. "But first, I want you to rest. Sit back and watch. Pay attention, alright? Learn how it's really done."
Wolfram, still amused by the turn of events, nodded and leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. He had seen Aslı fight before, but he knew well enough that this was no ordinary display.
Aslı's eyes darted to the group of knights gathered nearby, and they instantly stiffened under her gaze. She let her eyes land on one knight in particular: Sir Ludwig von Amsberg, one of the more seasoned knights who had defended Kaiser Anno earlier against Aslı. It seemed that Aslı was triggered by his speech back there.
"What about you, Sir Ludwig?" Aslı called out, twirling her blades. "Will you be my opponent? Let's show Wolfram how a real warrior dances."
The knights exchanged glances, their surprise evident. A woman was openly challenging one of their best swordsmen to a duel. Sir Ludwig, caught off-guard, cleared his throat and hesitated.
"Are you serious, Duchess Aslı?" Ludwig asked, his brow furrowing. "I think we've seen enough for today. There's no need for a show."
But Aslı was not one to take no for an answer. She flashed a dangerous smile, her swords lowering to her sides, their tips just above the ground. "Oh, don't worry, Sir Ludwig. I won't do anything too bad. Just a short match, a little demonstration."
Her tone left no room for argument. The knights, eager to see what would unfold, waited with bated breath. Sir Ludwig, sensing the tension from his fellow knights, knew he had little choice but to accept the challenge. After all, refusing a duel in front of his peers—especially to a woman—would be seen as a sign of weakness, and Sir Ludwig was nothing if not a man of honor.
Reluctantly, Sir Ludwig drew his sword, a long, heavy blade designed for precision and power. Compared to Aslı's lighter, dual-wielded swords, it was clear he favored strength and endurance.
"Very well, Duchess. I accept your challenge," Ludwig said, taking his stance.
They began slowly, both fighters testing the waters with soft, cautious strikes. Ludwig's long sword came down in slow, calculated arcs, but Aslı's blades were swift, moving with the fluidity of water as she parried each strike effortlessly.
At first, it seemed like a simple exchange of blows. Ludwig's strikes were heavy, precise, but Aslı was faster. Each time he swung his sword, she would block it with one of her own and bring her second sword dangerously close to his neck or chest, showing that if it were a real fight, she could have ended it.
As they continued, Ludwig grew more frustrated, his strikes becoming harder, faster. But Aslı remained in control, deflecting each blow with one sword and countering with the other.
Three times, Ludwig attempted to land a more serious blow, each time growing more aggressive. But Aslı, with her grace and skill, avoided every attack, countering by bringing her second sword to his throat each time. It was a dance—a deadly, elegant dance where she moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior, her every move deliberate and calculated.
On Ludwig's third attack, his patience reached its limit at that moment Aslı said "I think you've rested enough now, Wolfram. What do you say? Have you learned something from watching? hearing this Ludwig charged forward with a powerful swing, but Aslı, in a brilliant display of control, turned her sword at the last moment and struck Ludwig's hand with the flat of her blade. The blow wasn't meant to wound, but it was strong enough to make Ludwig drop his sword with a loud clang.
Before Ludwig could recover, Aslı's two swords were at his neck, the sharp blades resting gently against his skin. Her eyes locked with his, and her smile was both victorious and playful. "I win, Sir Ludwig. As you can see," she said, her voice smooth with satisfaction.
The knights stood in stunned silence. The duel had barely lasted a few minutes, and yet Aslı had completely dominated the exchange. She had defeated Sir Ludwig with ease, using her speed and precision to outmatch his strength.
"Now, I think I've had my fun," Aslı said, smirking as she walked past Wolfram. "I believe you're rested enough for your next match. What do you say, Gengiz?"
The knights were left in awe, their admiration for Aslı reaching new heights as they whispered amongst themselves. Wolfram, standing amidst them, met her gaze and gave a knowing smile. He had seen many skilled fighters in his time, but Aslı's display of dominance left even him impressed.
And as the crowd of knights began to disperse, the air still buzzing from the spectacle they had just witnessed, it was clear that Aslı had once again proven why she was not only a Duchess of Ephesus but also a warrior in her own right.
As Aslı gracefully withdrew her twin swords from Sir Ludwig's throat after the sparring match, the knights erupted into applause, unable to hide their admiration for the duchess's skill. The rhythmic sound of clapping reverberated across the courtyard, their cheers a clear indication of the awe Aslı had instilled in them. Even those who had once doubted her strength now found themselves utterly captivated—not just by her abilities but by the undeniable presence she carried.
Sir Ludwig, though somewhat bruised from the duel, couldn't help but smile as he approached her. His pride had taken a hit, but even more than that, he found himself smitten by Aslı's beauty and prowess. There was no anger, no frustration in him for losing to her. In fact, all he could feel was admiration. "I must admit, Duchess Aslı, I wouldn't ever want to face you on a real battlefield. That was... remarkable."
He spoke the words with genuine sincerity, and though the idea of losing to a woman might have troubled other men, Ludwig could only marvel at how effortlessly she had bested him. Deep down, he found himself drawn to her, the elegance with which she moved, her sharp mind, her undeniable strength. He didn't dare voice it aloud, but as he bowed respectfully to her, it was clear: he was captivated.
Aslı, however, paid little mind to his hidden admiration. She turned toward Wolfram, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "So, have you rested enough, Gengiz?" she asked, her voice light but filled with challenge.
Wolfram had been watching the fight with a calm, measured gaze, and now that it was his turn, he stood up slowly, rolling his shoulders and giving her a smirk. "I'm ready," he said, his tone confident.
Without a word, he walked over to his weapons. This time, instead of choosing a standard sword, Wolfram took out two weapons—a dagger given to him by Kara and a short sword, perfect for agile, close-quarter combat. He held each weapon in his hands, the dagger in his left and the short sword in his right, mirroring the dual-wielding style that Aslı herself favored.
The knights watched in silence as Wolfram shifted his stance. It was a subtle change—his body lowered slightly, his center of gravity stabilized. The way he held his weapons now was reminiscent of the stance Aslı had used, but with Wolfram's own unique touch. The knights exchanged glances, clearly impressed by how fluidly Wolfram adapted to the dual-wielding technique. Baturay, who had fought Wolfram earlier, watched with renewed curiosity.
As the two faced off, Aslı's expression shifted. She had teased Wolfram earlier, but now, there was a seriousness in her eyes. She tightened her grip on her swords and, without warning, rushed at Wolfram with surprising speed. Her movements were fluid, her swords cutting through the air with lethal precision as she unleashed a flurry of attacks.
But Wolfram was ready. Despite the ferocity of Aslı's strikes, he dodged and parried each one with ease, his movements smooth and calculated. He seemed to anticipate her every move, stepping back just in time to avoid her slashes, blocking her strikes with his short sword. The duel became a breathtaking display of agility and precision—Wolfram, moving like a shadow, effortlessly countering every attack that came his way.
For a moment, it was as if Wolfram had become Aslı's teacher. Each of her strikes, no matter how swift or powerful, was met with the perfect counter. It was as though he knew her fighting style intimately, as though he had memorized every possible move she could make. The knights were in awe, watching in disbelief as Wolfram gracefully avoided every attack.
As the duel progressed, Aslı grew more determined. She realized that her earlier tactics would not work against Wolfram. With a frustrated growl, she managed to land a powerful strike, disarming Wolfram of his short sword and sending it clattering to the ground.
The knights gasped, wondering if Aslı would finally take control of the match. Wolfram was left with only the dagger in his hand—the small, unassuming blade that Kara had given him years ago.
For a moment, the knights thought the fight might be over. After all, what chance did Wolfram have with only a dagger against Aslı's two swords?
But then, in a move that stunned everyone, Wolfram calmly reached behind him with his free hand and tied it behind his back. He now stood with only one hand, holding the dagger in his left, his right arm rendered useless.
The knights, Baturay included, stared in disbelief. Aslı, her expression hardening, narrowed her eyes at Wolfram. She knew he was good, but this... this was unexpected. The duel was no longer just a sparring match—it had become a test of skill, a demonstration of who was truly the better fighter.
With a silent nod, Aslı charged again, her swords flashing in the light as she delivered powerful, precise strikes. But once again, Wolfram deflected every blow. Even with just one hand, he moved with expert precision, using Kara's dagger to block her attacks, maneuvering around her strikes with ease. His footwork was impeccable, his reflexes sharp. He blocked each of her dual sword strikes with such finesse that the knights couldn't believe their eyes.
The clash of metal on metal echoed in the courtyard, but it was clear that Wolfram was in control. Despite being at a disadvantage, he fought with the grace and confidence of a seasoned warrior.
Aslı's frustration grew, but she couldn't break through his defenses. Every time she swung her swords, Wolfram would parry, twist his body, and evade, leaving her unable to land a meaningful hit. The knights were left speechless—Wolfram was proving that he was far more skilled than anyone had realized.
And then, in one fluid motion, Wolfram saw an opening. He stepped inside Aslı's guard, disarmed one of her swords with a quick, calculated strike, and in the blink of an eye, pressed his dagger against her throat. The fight was over.
The two stood there, their faces inches apart, their breathing heavy. Wolfram leaned in close, his voice a whisper in Aslı's ear. "I win," he said softly, his tone confident yet respectful.
Aslı froze, her heart racing as she realized just how skillfully Wolfram had beaten her. She hadn't expected this—not from him, not so soon after his earlier fights. His talent, his precision... it left her momentarily speechless.
But then, with a sly smile, Aslı recovered. She glanced down at the dagger still resting against her throat, then back up at Wolfram. "Alright, you may have won today, Gengiz... but you've lost something in return."
Wolfram frowned, confused by her words. Before he could react, Aslı swiftly sliced the edge of his tunic with her remaining sword, the fabric tearing cleanly away. The knights gasped in surprise as Wolfram's tunic fell to the ground, revealing his chiseled, muscular torso—the product of years of intense physical training.
Aslı's gaze flickered to Wolfram's body, her eyes trailing over the lean muscles and scars that covered his chest and arms. She had seen him fight, seen him at his most skilled, but now... she was seeing him in an entirely new light.
For a moment, the world seemed to still. The knights stared in disbelief—not only had Wolfram just defeated Teutonic knights, Baturay, and now Aslı, but his transformation from a prince to a warrior was undeniable. He was no longer just the boy they once knew—he was a true warrior, respected by all who had witnessed his strength and skill.
Wolfram, seemingly unbothered by his torn tunic, stood tall and composed. He met Aslı's gaze, his expression calm but amused, as if challenging her further. The duel may have ended, but their unspoken rivalry remained.
The knights gathered around him, their admiration palpable. They clapped him on the back, offering their congratulations, and Baturay, watching from the sidelines, finally nodded in respect. "You are truly a warrior, Gengiz," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
And as the training grounds began to calm, one thing was clear—Wolfram was no longer just a prince. He had proven himself a fighter, a leader, and now, a man deeply respected by all who stood in his presence.