Chapter 496: With You

"You call that a gauntlet?"

The thing was heavier than a light rapier.

A gauntlet should be a gauntlet, and a gauntlet with armor is still a gauntlet. But this? It was a one-piece creation, with alloy plates attached to the glove to protect the fingers.

Strictly speaking, it should have been called a gauntlet with armor, but since it contained fabric, calling it a glove wasn't entirely wrong either.

Duke Chamaris nearly spat blood when he saw Windsor's gauntlet. Trembling with rage, he shouted, "This is sophistry! First, gauntlets are not like this! Second, how do you explain the scars all over Baron Pavane's face?"

Windsor... was truly corrupted by Duke. As Duke's knight captain, from the moment he swore allegiance, his fate was tied to Duke's.

He strictly remembered Duke's instructions before leaving and launched into acting that barely reached the level of a minor award nomination.

"First, I swear on my lord, Duke Marcus, that this is absolutely a gauntlet. Second, I merely threw the gauntlet at Baron Pavane's face, like this."

In front of Duke Chamaris, newly appointed Deputy Commander of the Alliance and Grand Lord Mograine, and the most significant victim, Jandice, that bastard Windsor carelessly threw the gauntlet he had already taken off once more at the unconscious Baron's face.

"Slap!" A loud sound, painful to witness. What's the difference between this and being slapped with a brick? Baron Bas Pavane's face was becoming unrecognizable.

"Bastard—" Chamaris cursed.

"You..." Mograine was lost for words.

"Ah!" Jandice covered her mouth in shock, looking at the tragic figure who might have become her man.

Windsor, who was quite handsome, continued to feign ignorance: "But ah! Baron Pavane ignored my challenge! Is he even a man? As a noble! I'm a baron, and he's a baron! How can he so cowardly reject me? This despicable, timid, pathetic man dares to call himself a great Lordaeron noble?"

With that, Windsor picked up the heavy gauntlet again and slapped the unconscious Baron Pavane's face in front of Chamaris and Mograine: "So I, again and again, challenged Baron Pavane!"

"Splutter!" Laughter erupted not only from the Stormwind side but also from some Lordaeron folks.

You're really overdoing it! Challenging him again and again? You sure you're not just venting?

Watching the once strong, handsome knight captain put on a mentally challenged expression and publicly beat the unfortunate Baron, the people of Stormwind felt greatly relieved.

Jandice, still covering her mouth, had tears blurring her eyes.

She knew!

She knew it was all Duke's backup plan.

Without Duke's command, Windsor, who always held himself to the knight's code, would never have done this. Marco wouldn't have caused trouble. Windsor wouldn't have used over ten thousand private soldiers to confront Mograine, the most renowned general of the Alliance.

Even if Duke was temporarily absent, he still took care of her, looking after her and the Barov family.

Last year, when Duke came to the Barov house for grain, he promised that he would protect the Barovs if they ever needed help.

Today, Stormwind's attitude was not yet clear, but evidently, Duke was fulfilling his promise.

Many men are willing to make promises, but few keep them when facing great risks, especially when opposing the most powerful human kingdom. Yet, Duke did it.

Originally, Jandice had lost hope.

King Aiden's folly had ruined the whole kingdom.

Without the kingdom, all nobles were like castles on a beach, seemingly grand but collapsing with one big wave.

Her two disloyal brothers had first betrayed the Alliance, then disappeared, leaving her unsure how the Barov family would be treated after the war.

Once, even non-dukes who sought her hand in marriage had been at least first in line to inherit a grand duchy.

Now, a Lordaeron baron dared to approach her, acting as if marrying him was beneath her.

Her Lordaeron friend had secretly written, urging her to accept this humiliating marriage.

"Give up! You are no longer the high and mighty duchess. Alterac may not have fallen, but it's close. The king of a fallen kingdom has no good end, and the nobles fare even worse."

"Throughout history, how many families involved in betrayal have seen their men hanged, their daughters become playthings of the victors, dying in bitterness?"

Truth be told, Jandice felt this coming the day Alterac fell.

But back then, Duke was still supporting her spirit, opening his broad chest as a shelter for her and the entire Barov family.

Even her parents doubted Duke would protect them to the end, but she emotionally wanted to believe Duke's promise.

It wasn't until the news of Duke being cursed in Lordaeron that Illyria's soul nearly collapsed.

From that day, she truly gave up hope.

But now, she suddenly realized that her daily prayers seemed to have been answered by the gods.

Yes!

Duke is still miraculous!

He is still the creator of miracles!

Even if he's temporarily absent, he's still firmly in control.

In that case, what is there to worry about?

I'm so stupid!

I should have believed until the very last moment!

Even if everyone thinks Duke will die from the curse, I should not have given up hope!

Jandice suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with tears, her gaze firm.

She smiled.

A radiant smile.

Then Marco smiled, even the righteous Reginald Windsor smiled. Not only them, but all the people of Stormwind also shared knowing smiles.

Yes!

Duke might die.

Duke's will shall be passed down, even if only they remain on this path.

But whoever wants to bully us, have you asked us?

Have you asked if our fists are fierce?

Have you asked if our swords are sharp?

We'll slap anyone who's shameless.

We'll cut the claws of anyone who dares reach out.

Duke, you are with us.

We are with you!

*translator note - I do believe that ther person actually throwing down is Turalyon but im not 100% sure yet. I will edit it later in the day once I am sure.