章 179: Tournament Arc: Willow The Maiden (1)

"Allow me to share it with you then," he said. "It's a simple fable about a tortoise and a hare who decide to race each other. The hare, being faster and more confident in his abilities, takes an early lead and becomes complacent. Meanwhile, the tortoise, steady and determined, keeps moving forward, never giving up. In the end, it's the tortoise who wins the race, surprising everyone with his tenacity."

The Duke listened attentively, seemingly amused by the simplicity of the tale. "A children's fable, I presume?" he remarked.

"Indeed, many consider it as such," [The Merchant] leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "Many dismiss it as a mere children's story," he explained, "but I believe it carries a deeper meaning. In life, we often encounter situations where the obvious choice, the one with apparent power, doesn't always guarantee victory. Sometimes, it's the overlooked, the underestimated, who possess the true strength to prevail."