Sebastian asked again.

The girl said,

"If I lose, I will no longer pursue this matter."

Sebastian nodded and then turned to Marquis Frankimir:

"Marquis, what do you think…"

Marquis Frankimir could tell Sebastian was intrigued.

He hesitated for a moment, looked at Gunnar, and said,

"Gunnar, are you willing to accept her challenge?"

Gunnar's expression was grim.

Rejecting an honor challenge in the Northern Territory was considered cowardly; he had no choice.

He coldly glanced at the girl and said,

"I am willing, but… I want to change the stakes. If I win, I demand that she become my slave!"

Upon hearing Gunnar's words, Astrid's companions immediately glared at him, but they were stopped by the girl.

"That's acceptable, but I also want to change the conditions. If I win, you will likewise become my slave!"

Astrid said calmly.

"Gunnar! Astrid! Don't go too far!"

Marquis Frankimir exclaimed angrily.

"Marquis, it's alright. Since they have made their decision, I think we should respect their choices."

Sebastian said smilingly.

Marquis Frankimir was hesitant.

He knew these two troublemakers were both chiefs' offspring from major tribes; if either became the other's slave, a string of problems would follow.

However, just as he hesitated whether to intervene, his expression shifted slightly, and he looked towards the castle.

His ears twitched slightly, and the hesitancy on his face disappeared. He looked at them again and said,

"Very well, if you both insist, then proceed with the challenge, following the ancient rules, until one party leaves the challenge area or can no longer stand."

With Marquis Frankimir's order, the crowd quickly made way, clearing the ground for Astrid and Gunnar's honor challenge.

Isaac Cavalry drew a circle around them, and amid the crowd viewing, the two confronted each other, swords raised.

Then, with a loud shout from Astrid, she charged at the boy.

"Bang!"

"Thud!"

"Clang!"

The two instantly clashed.

Despite their young ages, both of their strengths were outstanding among their peers, and for a moment, the battle was evenly matched.

Sebastian watched the fight with great interest.

Even by his critical eye, these Northern Territory youths were exceptionally strong.

He compared their strength to Bold's Demon Hunting Knights, hmm… much stronger than the Apprentice Knights.

But clearly, the girl named Astrid was stronger in raw strength.

And here it was not about technique, but Transcendent power.

After several rounds of fighting, Gunnar's speed notably slowed down, clearly showing fatigue and being relentlessly beaten by Astrid.

Astrid's companions cheered her on, while Gunnar's side was silent.

But…

Was it really so?

Sebastian's gaze deeply observed the boy getting closer to the boundary.

Empowered by the power of the Blood Favored, under his blood-red eyes, a restless power was brewing inside Gunnar.

Just as Gunnar was about to step out of the circle, his face twisted fiercely, and he let out an angry shout.

A pale blue light burst forth from his body, and amid the crowd's exclamations, his aura surged, counterattacking and slamming the attacking girl to the ground.

"Boom—!"

A loud rumbling sound as Astrid was smashed to the ground, unable to help but spit out a mouthful of blood.

Seeing that pale blue power, Sebastian looked enlightened and then turned to Marquis Frankimir:

"Marquis, if I'm not mistaken, that must be some kind of Totem power, right?"

"Heh, it seems… this boy hasn't truly converted to worship the Divine Lord as he claimed!"

Seeing the pale blue glow, Marquis Frankimir's expression also darkened.

He snorted coldly, ready to stop the challenge, but Sebastian stopped him:

"Marquis, do not be hasty. I see the girl has not given up yet. As for the Totem power…"

Sebastian paused, smilingly continued,

"Regardless of what he used, we didn't forbid them from relying on the power of 'Faith' before this honor fight began."

With that, he looked back at the challenge field.

On the challenge field.

Astrid coughed while struggling to rise.

She gripped her short sword, and with both mockery and laughter, she looked at the boy:

"Gunnar…"

"Is this your 'conversion'?"