The Distinguished Mr. Rose Chapter 104: Chapter 103: Emir and the Amazing Technicolor Rainbow

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Chapter 103: Emir and the Amazing Technicolor Rainbow Sir Roland hesitated, eyes glancing to his hand still shaken from his prior battles, but nonetheless he gripped tight onto his blade and dutifully approached his challenger. This was a duel, not a desperate brawl intent on taking the other’s life by any means necessary. There were no harsh emotions involved nor lingering resentments. The Emir simply wished to test him, to see whether his resolve was true or merely hollow. “What of my fellows?” Roland asked. “If I agree to your challenge, will you allow them safe passage back to Francia?” “Whether this day ends with your victory or death, no harm shall come to them. You have my word.” Lady Angelica and Sir Astolfo could only bow their heads, reluctant, as Roland prepared for one last fight. To the paladins, a duel was sacred. Chivalry rested in their hearts and wore on their lips. They could not interfere in this sacred tradition even if it meant idling by as the haggard Peer walked toward his doom. The players, on the other hand, were shackled by no such beliefs, and as a result they angrily voiced their dissent. “What kinda farce is this?” Marco said, struggling to stand up. “Listen, I ain’t gonna pretend to know about the grudges Sir Roland’s wracked up. That’s his responsibility and burden to bear. God knows I’m not a clean man myself, but don’t act like you’re doin’ us a favor by pickin’ on a guy already beaten.” Harper joined him, delivering the Emir a harsh glare. “The old mobster’s right. All of you people of this world seem to cherish honor and fairness, yet there’s nothing fair about this. Your grunt already did plenty enough to wear us down. This whole thing’s nothing but a glorified execution.” The other Peers gasped at the players blatant disrespect, but it wasn’t as if they were entirely wrong. The result had already been decided the moment Roland stepped onto the Temple Mount. Had Mister al-Balijan truly wished to slay them, he could have easily done so without all these theatrics. Well, that was if Lucius didn’t get involved. But the gentleman hadn’t done so. He patiently waited to hear Roland’s answer and acted not in retaliation even when the others heckled him. Clearly the knightly fellow had his principles, so how would he move to resolve this situation, then? Lucius was quite curious. After pondering for a thoughtful moment, the Emir regarded the group and spoke, “Very well. I wish not to let this nation’s new identity arise from unjust beginnings, but neither can I allow Roland to remain in this land until he is fully recovered. My people will never allow it. So, let us proceed as such—” The Emir raised his curved sword and pointed it at the group. “Attack in any number. Whether I face one or many, it matters not. Such aid demonstrates Roland’s convictions as well, that there exist those willing to come to his side. Struggle, resist all you can, for that will show me that he is a man worth fighting for.” The others briefly looked amongst each other, affirming their shared resolve, before staggering forth and joining Roland, exhausted though they all were. From the players to the Peers, every single person flocked beside him; and Roland struggled to contain a trembling breath, for there were no words that could express his gratitude. Angelica raised her mace and held firm her shield. “No matter our differences or the years we’ve spent estranged, I will trust in you, Roland. We will fight together, until the very end.” The Emir beheld them all, his rainbow veil shimmering in the moonlight, and for a brief second Lucius thought he saw a smile flash across the young man’s face. “You have good people with you, Roland,” he said. “I pray that their decision will not be of waste.” The light intensified around the Saracens’ ruler. It wrapped around his blades, his arms, the colors blurring in an ethereal canvas that felt both strange and divine, a power drawn from somewhere far beyond the mortal realm. Before th