"No."
After Vogel suggested his idea, Mallos flatly refused, "It's too risky to assassinate him now."
Vogel frowned. "You suggested it first. Now you've changed your mind?"
Mallos shook his head. "Now he has a very justifiable reason—asking His Highness to witness his duel in the name of revenge."
Vogel scoffed in disdain. "Justifiable my foot."
In front of them, Thales was still staring at hostage-taker Anker, his thoughts in a flurry.
'What should I do?
'Reject him, permit him, kill him, persuade him…'
So confused.
"Byrael!"
Inside the hall, Count Godwin, who had stepped forth as negotiator, was livid as he rebuked, "You are out of line! You're playing to the crowd while coercing His Highness. Are such actions befitting of a gentleman, of a subject?"
