Chapter 82 : Duel (1)
"I challenge you to a duel."
The words cut through the air like a blade.
Bismarck no longer cared that the mayor stood before him, nor did Axton.
Their gazes locked, tension rippling between them like a drawn bowstring.
This wasn't about politics or pride anymore.
It was personal.
"I accept," Axton said coldly, his tone sharp enough to wound.
The crowd that had gathered around stirred at his reply. Even Mayor Duncan was taken aback by this. He could sense the hostility between his two commanders boiling over like molten iron.
Bismarck's fists tightened at his sides. Ever since Axton had walked into the mayor's dining hall that day, things had changed.
The mayor's trust, his attention, his confidence — everything had begun shifting toward the newcomer. It was subtle at first, but Bismarck felt it deeply, like a knife twisting in his chest.
It wasn't just professional jealousy anymore.
