I didn't need more than a few seconds after hearing the message to understand the weight of what stood before me. The adventurer was still in front of me, visibly shaken, as if reliving every moment of the encounter with that being. His eyes trembled slightly, and even though he was trying to maintain his composure, it was impossible to hide the fear he still carried.
"He… didn't seem like an ordinary enemy," he said, his voice low, almost faltering. "His presence… was suffocating."
I remained silent for a brief moment, absorbing every word. It wasn't surprising. If he was the Second General, then naturally he would be on a completely different level from anything we had faced so far. Even so, there was something about that proposal… it wasn't just arrogance. There was intent behind it.
"Did he say anything else?" I asked.
"He said he wanted a fair fight. No interference. Just you and him. And… that if you won, everything would end."
I took a deep breath, feeling the air slowly fill my lungs. My mind had already reached a conclusion before he even finished speaking. I looked directly at him and said calmly:
"I accept."
Silence immediately fell over the room.
Scarlett was the first to react.
"You accepted too quickly," she said, crossing her arms without taking her eyes off me. "But… it makes sense."
Liriel, standing beside me, frowned.
"It makes no sense at all. This is clearly a trap. Demons don't make fair agreements."
"I know," I replied without hesitation.
She stepped forward.
"Then why accept?"
I looked at all of them. Rai'kanna was silent, but her eyes showed concern. Elara seemed to be analyzing the situation, while Lyannis and Vespera waited attentively for my answer.
"Because it's the best choice," I said.
Liriel shook her head.
"It isn't. You're going directly into his territory, on his terms. That's not strategy—it's unnecessary risk."
"No," I replied firmly. "The greater risk is continuing this war."
I took a few steps, organizing my thoughts as I spoke.
"If this continues, we'll suffer losses. Even with our current advantage, it's impossible to completely avoid casualties. Every battle… every confrontation… someone could die."
Scarlett closed her eyes for a moment, understanding what I meant.
"If I accept this fight," I continued, "there's a chance to end all of this at once."
"What he said could be a lie," Liriel insisted.
"It could," I replied. "But it could also be true."
I looked directly at her.
"And if it's true, this is the only opportunity we have to end this without sacrificing anyone else."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Rai'kanna was the one who spoke this time, her voice quieter but firm.
"You've already decided, haven't you?"
I smiled faintly.
"I have."
She sighed, looking away for a second before meeting my gaze again.
"Then there's no point trying to stop you."
"No," I replied.
Lyannis crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.
"You always choose the most dangerous path."
"I choose the path that solves the problem," I answered.
Vespera gave a small smile.
"And it usually works."
Scarlett then stepped forward.
"I agree with his decision."
Liriel looked at her in surprise.
"You too?"
Scarlett nodded.
"I don't like it. Not at all. But strategically… he's right. If there's a chance to end this war with a single fight, it's better than risking hundreds of lives."
Then she looked directly at me.
"But that doesn't mean we're just going to let you go alone without doing anything."
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I know."
Elara spoke for the first time since the conversation had begun.
"Has the location been specified?"
The adventurer nodded quickly.
"Yes. A desert region between the demi-dragons' territory and the elves' territory. An isolated place. He said no one interferes there."
"The Dead Region," I murmured.
It made sense. An empty place, free from outside interference. Ideal for the kind of confrontation he wanted.
"When?" I asked.
"Five days."
Five days.
Enough time to prepare. Enough time to think. Enough time… to fully accept what was coming.
I nodded slowly.
"Alright."
The adventurer still seemed uneasy.
"Are you… sure about this?"
I looked at him calmly.
"I am."
He hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded as well.
"Then… I'll inform them that you accepted."
"Thank you," I replied.
When he left, silence once again filled the room.
The girls were still there, each reacting in her own way.
Liriel was clearly unhappy. Rai'kanna maintained a firm posture, but I knew she was worried. Scarlett was serious, calmly analyzing everything. Elara was thoughtful. Lyannis and Vespera were watching, but confident.
I took another deep breath.
"You don't need to look like that," I said.
"We absolutely do," Liriel replied immediately. "You're about to face someone whose capabilities we don't even know."
"We know enough," I answered. "He's strong. Very strong."
"And you still accepted."
"Yes."
She pressed her lips together, clearly frustrated.
I walked to the window, looking at the sky. The day was clear and peaceful. A complete contrast to what was coming.
"I'm not doing this because I want to fight," I said. "I'm doing it because it's the fastest way to end this war."
I turned my head slightly.
"And because I can win."
The silence that followed was different.
It wasn't doubt.
It was understanding.
Scarlett was the first to break it.
"Then let's prepare."
Rai'kanna nodded.
"Five days isn't much time."
Elara added:
"We need to make use of every second."
Lyannis smiled faintly.
"This is going to be interesting."
Vespera simply said:
"We'll be there."
Liriel sighed, still reluctant, but finally said:
"...Then I'll make sure you're at your best."
I smiled.
"That's what I'm talking about."
I looked at the horizon once more, feeling a slight pressure in my chest. It wasn't fear. Not exactly.
It was awareness.
This time… it wasn't just another battle.
It was the battle that could decide everything.
And I had already made my choice.
"Five days," I murmured to myself.
And this time… there was no room for error.