Nathan frowned slightly.
Upon seeing Nathan's frown, Szymon assumed that Nathan was not up for the challenge.
He immediately began to tease, “Heh, Mr. Cross, if I lose, my life will be on the line but you only have to bark three times if you lose. If you're not up for the challenge, then I’ll ask you to kindly see yourself out and never bother me regarding the... Err... What's it called? The imperial jade seal ever again.”
Carlos' glowered, “Your Grace, do you know how respectable President Cross' identity is? Asking him to bark three times if he loses might be worse than you losing your head! Give it up, Your Grace. President Cross is not going to play this game with you!”
Szymon lifted the corner of his mouth into a smirk. “Just admit that you have no guts. What’s with all the explanation? I heard that Mr. Cross is from a wealthy family and has trained in the military. He has even been elected as president of Eurasia! I assumed that Mr. Cross is multitalented! Looks like I was wrong. He is nothing but a scaredy-cat who can't even accept a challenge.”
Carlos' rage was off the charts. He opened his mouth, ready to retort.
Just then, Nathan spoke up. “Szymon, I had originally intended to make this a peaceful interaction out of respect and consideration for the relationship between our countries. However, you have conned us out of our national treasure, and now, you're mocking us. Since you've decided to make things difficult for yourself, I'll gladly do as you wish. I accept the challenge. Once I win all three rounds, I will make sure you can no longer complain.”
Szymon had not expected that Nathan would agree to it.
His eyes immediately lit up. A look of twisted ecstasy was written all over his face.
“How thrilling! You truly have the character and charisma of Eurasia's God of War and president! I like you! Hahaha!”
Nathan replied calmly, “Don't be too happy. If I lose, I will be humiliated without a doubt. But if I win, you would have to protect that head of yours!”
Nathan's words immediately caused Szymon's smile to stiffen.
Indeed!
He had successfully convinced Nathan to join the challenge.
However, if Nathan successfully completed all three of his tests, that would make him look like a performing clown.
Szymon narrowed his eyes. “Looks like you're very confident, Mr. Cross, but I don’t think that you can win against the elites that I have chosen from the three thousand scholars, and can win thrice in a row.”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Salute to the General