He had done it. It had taken a large amount of luck. It also never would have been possible if the other team hadn't moved the playing field underground.

That did nothing to change the fact that they had won. There was never a case where a team who received the Warlords prize didn't manage to ascend and be in with a chance to join the Culling.

Even the worst position in the army after the Culling was far superior to any ranking the Heri could give.

That would be his fate now. So would the fact we might be facing off with each other. That was a sobering thought. I had managed to get myself ready for the eventual battle by rationalizing that everyone there was my enemy. Now that would not be so simple.

"That was your friend who won it?"

Lost in my thoughts, I simply nodded. For once, the woman didn't win over my concern for Ben. That was until I reminded myself she existed. Then she dominated my thoughts once more. It took all my willpower not to turn to her begging for a chance to see her again. That would probably get me killed.

"I would like for you to join me for dinner if you would allow."

What the hell. I really hoped I hadn't said that. Her gentle giggle nearly made my inevitable death worth it.

"Not this time. If you become the champion of the Heti culling, I might consider it."

With that, she got off the bench and sauntered off. I was riding the high of that all the way until Bitu slammed into the ground.

"You will pay for that, you little brat."

It took quite a few of his squad members to pull him off me—more out of concern for Bitu's image than any other motive.

"I challenge you to a duel. I invoke my death right as a senior member of the Horde. The battle will take place three weeks hence."

His savage face took on an excited gleam as he was pulled away by his team. Shouting at me all the gruesome ways, he would kill me in the duel.

That was really not good. I had heard about the right to invoke a death right. It was an antiquated system, even for the Hordes. An option that was rarely used but had a never really left as part of their culture.

That culture would once again threaten my life. This time I was even less confident, I would be able to get out of it.

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As well as that, it was the day before the Culling. With my death, the team would be crippled. Any chance to replace team members came to an end three days before the Culling. Meaning they would have no chance of finding a replacement for me. Bitu was ensuring their loss.

I had to find a way out of it. I left the arena in a daze. Any concern for Ben, who was on his way to a dinner with the warlord, was long gone. 

I had to talk to Unusu. For the first time, I went to Iirin's home without him accompanying me.

Getting through the checks before the inner camp was slightly more difficult without Iirin. I couldn't just walk straight past as usual.

After a few minutes of showing proof of my identity as a member of the Heti, I was allowed in. The sights had long since become familiar. The massive buildings appearing in view were always going to be cool.

The Turin Clans tower in the camp was a little less impressive than the others; that much was true. Its presence still a stark reminder of Iirin's place in the camp compared to mine.

The manservant at the door asked me to go around to the servant's quarter and enter through that way. It was a bit of a snub but nothing I couldn't deal with.

Making my way through the building was a completely different experience. Gone were the looks of deference. In its place ones of superiority and smugness. I couldn't deal with that at the moment, so I just complied with all their random requests as they brought me to Unusu's study.

I was left in front of the simple door. Knocking a few times, I waited. I hoped that the servants didn't take me to the wrong place. I didn't want to offend even more high ranking members within the Horde.

My beating heart was calmed by a perturbed Unusu opening the door with great strength. I felt it would almost rip off its hinges.

It held strong, and Unusu almost took a step back in surprise upon seeing it was me at his door.

"Micael, what can I do for you. Shouldn't you be working on your proposal for how you would retrieve the golden flag alone?"

"Sir, I believe I have a bigger issue than that."

His disapproving look shot me back as he beckoned me into his office. It was surprisingly cozy. Pictures of Unusu with what seemed to be his family littered the walls.

It was clear the man did have a heart after all. At least for his family. 

I hoped that would extend a little bit towards me.

"So, what is this important issue?"

"A high ranking member of the Horde has invoked a death right duel against me set a day before the Culling."

That made him pause. His eyes were wide. He stared hard at me for a few seconds. After he figured I was telling the truth, he let out a breath and sat back in his chair.

"Who is it?"

"All I know him by is Bitu. He was hanging around with Eloise, the daughter of Warlord Briru. He was also the leader of the team who beat us before."

His eyes widened, all pretense of the relaxed trainer I knew him by was gone.

"That is bad. That is terrible."

"I know, Bitu is already a half step tier 6, there is no way I will be able to beat him."

His stare was for once filled with a fiery passion.

"Looks like you will become my student after all."