“Are you saying the winner should receive some sort of reward?”
I ask Princess Lily as I see crowds of people filling the sides of the main road. Zoroa went ahead of us to inform the gatekeeper of what’s going on, and I’m pretty sure word quickly spread from there when she told the gatekeeper about our race.
Still, that’s good news in that it will keep the road open for us.
People yell words of encouragement to Princess Lily, mostly young women, but for some reason, men and families cheer for me even louder.
“That’s our country’s savior!”
“He looks nicer than I expected.”
“Daddy, where’s the dragon? The white dragon?”
“Master Rust is receiving more support than them.”
Roa whispers, sounding kind of satisfied. Zoroa and Lismist’s faces turn stern, as I’m sure they heard this. But they’re acting like they didn’t.
As people cheer around us, Princess Lily and I keep talking.
“You don’t think you will lose, do you? Then how about a wager?”
“Isn’t betting frowned upon for someone of high birth such as yourself?”
I try to softly stop this.
“Don’t you think people need determination if they are to stand at the top?”
“And you’re saying something like betting falls under that umbrella… Very well. What should the bet be?”
“If the savior of our country wins, I will tell you the secret behind the magic crystal I gave you the other day. How about it?”
For a second I don’t know how to respond, because that really does interest me.
“And if we lose?”
“You will become mine, of the second princess of the Kingdom of Kalzart, Lilienthal Kalzart.”
Proposes Princess Lily with a smile while joining the fingers of both hands.
Despite how bright her smile looks, I can see her eyes are not smiling, and decide I have to totally defeat her.
“Very well. I accept that bet.”
“Master Rust!”
Roa is about to say something, but I raise my hand and stop her.
“Don’t worry. I’m sure we’ll win.”
I say with confidence, and Roa reluctantly steps down.
“Well then, let us begin. Whoever reaches the mausoleum first will be declared the winner. Zoroa.”
“Yes! Gatekeeper, give us the starting signal.”
I hurry to get ready too.
We form a line outside the gate, and everyone’s eyes are concentrated on the gatekeeper who was suddenly given this task.
He raises his hand up high.
“Very well. Is everyone ready?”
“Yes. Begin.”
“Understood. Three, two, one… Start!”
The gatekeeper swings his hand down.
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