Ziyi came with me since she hugged me tightly and refused to be seperated from me. She was worried that Roland would hurt me. And since I didn't have my weapons on me she was scared that I might not able to defend myself.

I was touched to see that Ziyi cared so much about me, but she was my responsibility, it was my duty to protect her and not vice-versa.

Once we were in Roland's quarters. Roland asked his soldiers to leave and we were left alone. Roland sat down on a chair, and started to clean his sword before he said, "say what you wanted to say."

I was quiet for sometime, because I had no idea what to say to him. Roland was one unpredictable mess, and I didn't knew him very well in my last life and I did not trust him.

He was not level-headed like duke Ashvald, and I had no idea about his thinking process.

And since I already pissed him off I am sure I was on his hitlist. What if after hearing about the rebellion he decides to tell everything to the emperor or the crown prince.

However I don't think he has such good relations with them. But then Roland does not have good relation with anyone.

"Cat go your tongue or what?" Roland finally said with impatience, "I don't have all day Xiao, just say what you want to say!"

Ziyi held my hand and said, "Zhan are you alright?"

I gave her a small smile and nodded and then looked back at Roland.

Finally after a few moments I said, "I challenge you for a sword duel."

Roland looked at me and even Ziyi looked shocked.

I added, "the looser will have to do everything the winner says."

I saw the crazy glint in Roland's eyes, and his menacing smirk was back on his face, he slowly got up and said, "are you sure Xiao, because if I win then I am going to humiliate you very badly in front of my soldiers, since I am still pissed at the things you said to me out there."

I smiled slowly, "I am sure Roland. Now tell me do you accept or not."

Roland smirked, "I accept your challenge Xiao, but don't forget that I did not warn you. Be prepared to be humiliated."

~~

The moment Roland accepted my challenge, the atmosphere in the room changed. It became heavy and dangerous.

Roland picked up his sword and twirled it in his hand before resting it over his shoulder. His eyes were shining with excitement, like a wild beast that had finally found something entertaining.

"Good." he said with a grin, "I was getting bored anyway."

He then looked at Ziyi. "Girl, move aside. I would hate for you to get splashed by his blood."

Ziyi glared at him and moved towards the wall, but before stepping away she looked at me with worry. I gave her a reassuring nod.

Roland noticed that and laughed, "How sweet. Don't worry little girl, I won't kill him."

Then he looked at me and added with a wicked smile,

"I'll just break his pride."

I said nothing. I simply stretched my hand towards the weapon rack placed near the wall and picked a sword.

The moment my hand wrapped around the hilt, my body calmed down.

No matter how chaotic my thoughts were, a sword in my hand always brought me peace.

Roland walked towards the middle of the room and pointed his blade at me.

"Come then, Xiao."

I walked forward and stood before him.

For a moment we only stared at each other.

Then he attacked.

Fast.

Far faster than I expected.

His sword came down with monstrous force, I immediately raised my blade and blocked it, but the impact still sent a shock through my arms.

He grinned. "Oh? Not bad."

He swung again.

And again.

And again.

Each strike was heavy, brutal, wild.

Roland had no grace in his swordsmanship, no elegance.

He fought like a storm.

Pure aggression.

He was trying to overpower me with raw strength alone.

I stepped back, deflecting his attacks one after another while observing him carefully.

He was strong.

Very strong.

But reckless.

He relied too much on crushing his opponent.

"Why are you only defending?" Roland laughed as he attacked again, "Scared already?"

I blocked another strike and slid to the side.

His blade crashed into the wooden floor.

There.

An opening.

I turned swiftly and struck at his ribs.

Roland reacted just in time and blocked it, but I still managed to push him back a step.

His grin widened.

"Good! That's more like it!"

He rushed at me again, this time faster.

Our swords clashed again and again, steel ringing through the room.

Sparks flew.

Ziyi stood in the corner watching with wide eyes.

Roland kicked at my knee suddenly.

I barely moved in time, but the kick still grazed me and threw my balance off.

He used that moment to slam his shoulder into my chest.

I stumbled back and hit the wall.

Roland's sword came straight for my throat.

I ducked just in time.

The blade buried itself in the wall behind me.

I drove my elbow into his jaw.

He cursed and staggered back.

I did not give him time to recover.

I charged forward and attacked relentlessly.

This time it was my turn.

I struck high.

Low.

Left.

Right.

Roland blocked each hit but now he was the one retreating.

His smirk slowly faded.

I spun and slashed across his arm.

A thin line of blood appeared.

Silence filled the room.

Roland looked at the blood on his arm and then at me.

And then he suddenly laughed.

Loudly.

Madly.

"Wonderful!" he said, licking the blood from his hand. "You really are fun, Xiao."

Then his expression changed.

His eyes darkened and he charged again.

This time he was serious.

Our swords collided with terrifying force.

He was faster now.

Sharper.

More focused.

So he had been holding back too.

I clicked my tongue and matched him blow for blow.

Neither of us spoke anymore.

Only steel spoke.

Minutes passed.

Sweat rolled down my neck.

My breathing grew heavy.

Roland's chest was rising and falling too.

Then finally, he overcommitted.

A heavy downward strike.

I sidestepped.

Grabbed his wrist.

Twisted it.

His sword fell from his hand.

Before he could react, I kicked the back of his knee and forced him down.

Then I pressed my blade against his throat.

Silence.

Roland looked up at me from the floor.

Then he started laughing again.

"You win."

I slowly lowered my sword.

Roland got up and rolled his shoulder as if nothing had happened.

Ziyi ran towards me immediately.

"Zhan!" she said as she checked my arms and face, "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine." I said softly.

Roland picked up his sword and looked at me.

"Well then, winner." he said, "What is your command?"

I looked him dead in the eye.

"Join us in the rebellion against the emperor."

The smile on Roland's face disappeared.

For the first time since meeting him, he looked serious.

~~