A lady with good curves walked through the hall, several guards following behind her. She paused in front of a door and signaled her guards to wait outside before entering. Her guards stood alongside the others already stationed there.
Inside the room, she saw Vishi and Johann sitting weakly on their separate beds. Vishnu lay awake on an elevated bed positioned between them. She also noticed Shika sitting on a sofa near Vishi's bed, close to the window.
Seeing her enter, Johann said,"Miss Rodriguez?"
He tried to stand, but Sarah quickly moved closer and gently stopped him, making him sit back down. For some reason, Johann couldn't bring himself to meet Sarah's eyes as she sat on the edge of his bed.
Is he ashamed of his loss? Sarah thought.
When Johann remained silent, Sarah turned toward Vishnu and asked,"That commotion in the glass cabinet… is he back?"
Vishnu met her gaze and replied in a low voice,"I guess."
Sarah nodded."So the plan worked, huh?"
Shika, sitting with her legs crossed on the sofa, asked,"What plan?"
Sarah hesitated for a moment, then said,"The Supreme and Sir Alex planned to use the duel to their advantage."
She paused and shifted her gaze toward Johann."The Supreme was waiting for an opportunity to awaken the Black Knight within Vishnu once again."
Shika interjected,"So Sir Alex intentionally beat Vishi too harshly, forcing Vishnu to step in and save him. Then the Supreme would attempt to kill Vishnu, placing him in the same situation we were in when we were four years old."
As she spoke, Shika glanced at Vishnu with a hint of sorrow in her eyes.
Vishi listened silently.
Sarah continued,"That wasn't all. They also considered that Vishi, having just lost his mother, would lose control. They knew he had been diving deep into the history of Ardia and the Order. That kind of mental pressure needed an outlet, and they expected him to release it during the duel."
Vishi finally spoke,"Everything went according to their plan."
"No," Sarah replied firmly. She paused and looked straight into Vishi's eyes."It didn't."
"They never considered that you would be able to land a fatal blow on Sir Alex."
Vishi asked suddenly,"Who exactly is this Sir Alex, in terms of status?"
Shika stood up and answered,"He's from the previous generation — the head instructor of the Black Knight Commandery."
Sarah added,"And the only person the Supreme regards as a friend. Someone he believes would never betray the Order, even in the direst situation."
Shiva then spoke up,"Don't get me wrong, but while fighting you, I could tell Alex was holding back."
Vishi nodded calmly."I sensed it."