The hot spring sun poured down on Rommel as well.

Despite being close to the sea, the naval headquarters, sturdily expanded with marble bricks, was far from pleasant.

Even in an open space, the air would feel stifling with hundreds of vigorous men gathered in one place, suffocating anyone who entered.

Edward heard the sound of his lieutenant’s footsteps approaching but paid no attention, his gaze fixed on the officers and soldiers moving in perfect unison.

In his mind, he was speculating on the whereabouts of the admiral who was supposed to oversee this task.

Admiral Marco Lindell, a baron, had submitted his resignation to the emperor, citing health reasons. He wasn’t alone—many senior officers who felt humiliated by the presence of a superior much younger than themselves had done the same.

As a result, more than half of the navy’s leadership was now vacant, and Edward had only a week to reestablish the chain of command.

‘Had this been during a war, we’d have surely lost.’

The merciful emperor had deferred acceptance of Admiral Lindell’s resignation and granted him indefinite leave.

The emperor didn’t want to be seen as unceremoniously dismissing loyal commanders overnight.

‘It feels like I’m playing an invisible game of tug-of-war.’

What Lindell wanted was to see Edward—who was like a thorn in his side—cast back to the sea.

What he didn’t realize was that the emperor had no intention of granting that wish.

Perhaps the baron thought he’d be summoned back once the navy’s command structure became chaotic.

But this only made it easier for Edward to take control of naval headquarters.

Rebuilding the chain of command could be done, and with all his opposition conveniently absent, his work was actually progressing more smoothly.

Edward hoped this delicate balance could last as long as possible.

“Vice Admiral, sir, you have a visitor.”

Edward turned his tired eyes to Livia.

Major Livia, clad in a crisply pressed uniform, stood at attention, gazing steadily at him. Her neatly trimmed silver hair, a rare sight in the Empire, swayed slightly below her ears.

Despite being the only woman among Edward’s aides, Livia often forgot that fact herself. Her pale khaki eyes glimmered with curiosity.

‘What has piqued her interest this time?’

Judging by her expression, she had come on behalf of Beyhern, who was likely busy drafting reports in the office.

Instead of correcting her for addressing him as Vice Admiral before his official appointment, Edward directly asked about the matter at hand.

“If the visitor’s business isn’t urgent, could you escort them to the main hall’s drawing room, Major Livia? I’d like to finish observing this drill before I return.”

“They didn’t seem very patient, sir. They’re from the Imperial Guard.”

“The Imperial Guard?”

Edward repeated, puzzled. He couldn’t think of any reason why a member of the Imperial Guard would seek him out.

“Ah, perhaps…”

Edward’s expression subtly stiffened. If they were from the Imperial Guard, they might be delivering a command from the emperor.

“Inform them I’ll be there shortly, and treat them with respect in the meantime.”

“Well, sir…”

Before Livia could explain further, loud voices echoed from the corridor of the main hall. Both Edward and Livia instinctively turned their heads toward the sound.

“You can’t go this way.”

“Out of my way! I must meet Baron Adrian immediately!”

A towering, rough-looking man barged past the guards blocking his path and strode onto the training grounds.

His sweat-drenched auburn hair, streaked with red, was a tangled mess, and his piercing green eyes gleamed with an unsettling intensity.

Still in his Imperial Guard uniform, complete with a sheathed longsword at his waist, he looked like he had come straight from duty.

“You…!”

The brash knight, glaring around as if surrounded by enemies, finally locked eyes with Edward. Edward calmly asked, “Are you from the Imperial Guard?”

“Are you Baron Adrian?”

“Yes, I am. May I ask your purpose here?”

The knight’s eyes blazed with hostility. Edward’s expression remained neutral as he met the knight’s gaze, unfazed by the animosity directed at him.

Edward’s unflappable demeanor seemed to irritate the knight, whose neck and forehead veins bulged with tension.

“I am Fabian. I have long admired Lady Xavier with all my heart. This engagement is utterly unacceptable. Let us settle this like men, with our swords. Until one of us falls!”

As soon as Fabian’s fierce challenge ended, a wave of gasps and murmurs rippled through the onlookers.

A scandal involving the Vice Admiral?

What a shocking turn of events!

The soldiers were quickly swept up in a frenzy of excitement.

Edward, observing the impassioned knight who seemed more intense than anyone he had encountered on the battlefield, calmly asked, “Is this true?”

“And if it is? Will you back down?”

“I would at least like to discuss it first.”

Fabian scoffed, stomping his foot impatiently.

“I don’t like wasting words between men! We’ll settle this with our swords!”

With that, Fabian unsheathed his sword, its blade gleaming with deadly sharpness. His eyes, fixed on Edward, were ferocious and predatory.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding. Perhaps we could talk things through first?”

“Draw your sword! I won’t entrust Yelodia to a coward!”

“…….”

Fabian was relentless. Edward, realizing that further conversation was futile, calmly drew his sword.

At that moment, Fabian’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Isn’t that a training sword without a sharpened edge? Are you mocking this sacred duel?”

“I’m not mocking the duel, Sir.”

What nonsense.

‘Let’s see if you’ll still talk like that with broken limbs.’

Grinding his teeth audibly, Fabian charged like a whirlwind.

But when their swords clashed for the first time, Fabian felt a chilling shock run down his spine.

He had narrowly avoided breaking his wrist.

The sheer force radiating from Edward’s blade was extraordinary, carrying the unmistakable aura of a master swordsman.

While Fabian grew more cautious, Edward’s eyes remained calm, like a still pond. They revealed nothing of his intentions.

“Let’s see if you can block this!”

Fabian’s biceps bulged as he brought his sword down toward a vital point on Edward.

Edward, remaining composed, watched Fabian’s arm closely before sidestepping at the last moment. Then, he struck Fabian’s wrist with the hilt of his sword.

“Ugh!”

Fabian staggered, nearly dropping his sword.

However, his beast-like sense of balance quickly steadied him, and his sword clashed loudly against Edward’s.

“Damn it! You fight dirty!”

Fabian, now relying solely on brute strength, used his powerful legs and core to drive his blade down with all his might.

*Bang! Bang! Bang!* The sound of steel colliding echoed ominously.

Fabian was a head taller than Edward, with a much larger build. Each swing of his sword forced Edward back, step by step.

“Give up on Yelodia! If you don’t want to die!”

“…I’d rather not.”

“What did you say?!”

At that moment, Edward darted sharply into Fabian’s guard.

Startled, Fabian flinched, and Edward unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks.

Now it was Edward’s turn to take the offensive, and Fabian barely managed to fend him off.

Although Fabian didn’t panic like a novice, he couldn’t hide his growing dismay. Edward’s strikes consistently targeted his weaknesses—spots his captain had repeatedly warned him about.

As Edward’s onslaught continued, the officers and soldiers watching couldn’t help but be amazed.

“As expected of the Vice Admiral. It’s like he’s herding a rabbit.”

“Still, that knight is pretty impressive. He’s got guts. I thought all the ground forces were useless idiots.”

“Wow, that last move was something. I don’t think I could’ve blocked it.”

Fabian gritted his teeth and swung his sword with all his strength. Yet, his attacks no longer fazed Edward.

‘Damn it. How is he this strong?’

Fabian was thoroughly shaken. His recent joint training with the Imperial Guard had left him too busy to keep up with external affairs.

While his subordinates often whispered among themselves and gave him odd looks, he’d paid it no mind.

But now, Yelodia was engaged to be married—to a mere baron who had just received his title!

It was an unthinkable scenario, even in his worst nightmares.

Rushing to the naval headquarters, Fabian had only one thought: to sever the bond between Yelodia and that Baron Adrian, by any means necessary.

Hence, he devised the plan to appear as a love-struck noble fool, challenging Edward to a duel in a fit of jealousy. Breaking one of the baron’s limbs was supposed to be a bonus.

‘I thought a duel would force him to yield.’

A deep sense of defeat washed over Fabian.

Meanwhile, the spectators filling the corridor showed no concern for Edward. Some officers even placed bets on how many exchanges Fabian would last.

“By ‘Lady Xavier,’ do you mean the Vice Admiral’s fiancée?”

“That’s right! Fighting a duel for the lady he loves—how romantic!”

“Hah, I thought this place was dull as dirt. If I’d known it’d be this exciting, I would’ve signed up here sooner.”

Even Lieutenant Beyhern joined in the conversation. Major Livia, observing beside him, nodded in agreement.

“I hear Lady Xavier is stunningly beautiful. I’d love to meet her.”

“Well, you’re in luck. You’ll meet her today.”

The voice that suddenly interrupted their chat was clear and elegant, belonging to a refined young lady.