“One thing you need to understand about nobles or those like them who think of themselves as above the masses is that they have a *need* to maintain that image at all times. It’s part of the reason why you hear of so many stories of those types doing silly things like getting their asses killed for the same of ‘honor’ or ‘face’, really.” - Thorsten Bogdanovich, retired mercenary, best known for having collected thirteen noble heads in one battle.

“That’s an interesting proposal,” cut in the young woman Reinhardt already kept a note on before the sputtering noble could say a word in reply. Reinhardt even noticed the amused look of schadenfreude on the woman’s face, though the noble likely hadn’t, since he didn’t have the keen eyesight innate to Reinhardt's kind. “What do you all say, my fellow councilors?”

“Looks like an agreeable option to close this debate one way or another to me,” replied an old dwarf from the other side of the room, probably one born in the Empire, given his lack of the typical dwarven brogue. “Councillor de Kars had been complaining about this matter for months on end, and now that we have both sides present, a direct comparison seems like an apt solution to find out who’s right in this matter.”

“I agree,” said another councilor, from her looks likely one of elvish descent, as the pointed ears and gaunt physique were unmistakable. “We have two parties who each claimed to be better here, I see no reason not to have them solve the issue between themselves instead.”

“Quiet in the council chamber, please!” warned an older bespectacled councilor who struck the wooden gavel in his hand against the table a couple of times. Reinhardt recalled that the man was the one who gave permission to speak for the councilors who wished to bring up issues, so probably the master of ceremonies or similar. “I would like to call a vote on this subject. Those who approved of Captain Edelstein’s suggestion that they should solve this disagreement on the field of battle, raise your hand and say ‘aye’.”

Roughly nine out of ten councilors raised their hands and intoned a respectful “aye” a moment after the old man made the announcement. There was no need for a count at that point.

“The ayes have the majority. Councilor de Kars, as the challenged party, do you accept?” continued the old man without pause, placing the ball back at the nobleman’s court. The only ones who had not voted “aye” just earlier were the ones Reinhardt pegged as nobles as well as a couple others who just looked squeamish at the idea of violence.

The situation at hand clearly put the nobleman on the backfoot, as he had not expected the sudden turn of event, not Reinhardt challenging his words like that on the spot. He probably wished to spit out some select curse words, but the position he was in prevented him from doing even that as he eventually nodded and quietly grumbled his acceptance.

After all, backing out at that point would have utterly killed his argument once and for all and also smeared his reputation.

“As the challenged party, by the laws of Emperor Reynald the IInd, I have the right to choose the method of the duel,” said the nobleman after a moment, which was received with nods from the other councilors. Bernd quietly explained to Reinhardt that it was an old custom of the Empire that the challenged party would get to choose the method or when and where the duel would take place, and the challenger would pick the other. “I propose a duel to death or surrender, with real steel!”

If the nobleman thought that the prospect of death would have deterred Reinhardt, he guessed wrong, as Reinhardt just nonchalantly replied without missing a beat with an “I accept.”

“One moment,” interjected the young woman once again. “This duel is supposed to be about which amongst you are better qualified to train our troops, so I do not feel that a test of individual prowess would have much use for that, don’t you agree?”

Her objection was welcomed with agreement and murmurs from the other councilors for the most part, before the master of ceremonies hit his gavel once more and gestured for the young woman to speak once more to clarify her point.

“I think since we are assessing which of them could train better soldiers, we should have the duel done in a group fight, with only the youngsters allowed to participate. Say… those below twenty?” continued the woman once more to the nods of others who were listening. “Not like there’s any point if we were to pit the veterans at each other in this case anyway,” she added. “I’m not sure what would be an appropriate number of combatants for this, I believe we should leave that for the related parties.”

“If we were to choose only those under twenty, there are a dozen of the most promising and skilled young knights in my entourage,” replied the nobleman after a moment of thought. “There are others in my former territory, but it would require a few days to call them here.”

“Why waste the time?” interjected Reinhardt. “You already said that you got the most promising ones here. A dozen on each side sounds good to me, one serving as commander while the rest as the soldiers.”

“Is that an acceptable proposal, councilor de Kars?” asked the master of Ceremonies to the nobleman, who thought for a moment before he signaled his approval. “Very well, then as the challenger, it is your right to choose the time and venue for the duel, Captain Edelstein. Have you decided?”

“The ruins between the sixth and seventh walls, tomorrow at noon,” replied Reinhardt with a toothy smirk that made the nobleman blanch somewhat at the sight. “I would also like to ask the esteemed councilors and as many members of the militia who happened to be free at that time to act as our witnesses.”