Duelling challenges against the King

Exclusive interview with the latest royal challenger!

  Gauthier Wernesson is a well known duelling champion in his home region of Valie. Young, at a mere 25, he nevertheless inspires a lot of respect locally, and nobody doubts he has what it takes to face His Majesty in the Duelling Arena for the latest Royal Challenge for the Milaran throne.   “He's been constantly in Valie's duelling ring since he's been able to walk," confided their duelling master.   Indeed, Wernesson is an alumni of Valie's toddler-in-the-ring programme. Has this given him an edge over classically trained dueller?
“Certainly! Duelling is more than a sport for Gauthier, it's pure instinct! What skills over duellers have to constantly train are things he could do in his sleep!"   His performance in Valie certainly supports that: six years champion in the teenager category, and five years in the adult category! However, we still have to see if his dominance will hold outside of their provincial duelling ring. The young champion himself has no doubts.
“It's not as if duelling is different wherever you are in Milara," he confided to us shortly after issuing his challenge. “In any case, I came several times to Lernée to assist to duels, and I was there for the past five royal challenges! And every time, the only thing that was in my mind was: 'I can do that! In fact, I can do better than that!'"     What has he seen in His Majesty's fighting style that he think he can exploit?
Wernesson laughed. “Well, I'm not going to spoil the surprise, of course, but he has quite the number of weaknesses! Past challengers have simply not been skilled enough to take advantage of them. Instead, they've all preferred to focus on fancy techniques, hoping to, I don't know, intimidate the king? Well, I'm not going to rely on a single trick and hope for the best, that's for sure!"   Does he already see himself as king of Milara? If so, what would be his first measures?
"Of course! And I have lots of plans, so everyone can expect lots of quick changes! For a start, I don't think we rely enough on people's strength. Like, I'm sure we all know incredibly powerful people that aren't given roles important enough in Milara. Of course, they can always challenge some other people holding a few important jobs, but why not do that for all jobs? Or even better, why don't we test all people from the start and tell them what job they can get from that? That will spare us lot of useless efforts!"     Efforts better spent partying? What has the young champion thought of our recent exposé of duellers' party culture?
“Well, yes, partying is a just reward for our power, and for sure it's a better way to spend our time than dealing with weaklings! I found that perfectly normal and I wasn't shocked at all by your article. Fixing matches is wrong of course, and partying all night and not being in a state to fight the next day, well, let people make their own mistakes, I say. They'll learn soon enough to control themselves!"   Does he have any supporters or advisors to assist him with his entry into politics if he is successful?
“Loads! Of course, everyone wants to shake things a bit and change things, and they all want to discuss things with me and advise me. And I listen to everyone, but don't think that I'll be a puppet and let them all manipulate me like a child! No, as the most powerful, I'm the best suited to take all final decisions, as is proper!”   Well, that's certainly someone not lacking in confidence that we have here! If you too would love to see how this will turn out in the duelling arena, come to Lernée next Sunday—but be sure to buy your tickets right now while there are still any left!"