Theo’s expression went flat. He had come on business, but it felt like he was being misunderstood. Was this why the guards had left them alone?

Theo asked cautiously, “What are the winner’s rights?”

“... I'm sorry. Of course, Sir Theodore wouldn’t know the code of the Andras Empire.” Rebecca paused for a moment before explaining, “The empire doesn’t guarantee the loser’s life. Only the winner can spare the loser’s life, and the loser must hand something over in return. This is done regardless of the conditions of the duel, and rejection will bring severe punishment from your family.”

Theo couldn’t form any words in response. It truly wasn’t an exaggeration that this barbaric empire preferred to speak with swords rather than words. The winner was exalted, and the loser punished. It was a food chain that had no relationship with ethics or morality. A society with a system where the strong could do anything simply because they...