The inquisitive young noble took in the information with wide eyes. A war? With the Gauls? What sort of madness was Conrad getting them into? A Champion of the Midlands? Now she really knew Conrad was nuts. 

The Land of a Thousand Kings was just that: a land of a thousand kings. For them to actually pick a champion to represent the whole of the Midlands would require no less than a week's worth of tournament. Hell, to find a champion just for Columbus' Harvest Feasts and Celebrations took over a week. Mostly due to pride, for being known as a champion was important to a house and city-state. 

If their timing was correct, that would leave no time to draw a vote for a champion, nor to hold a tournament. Was the King going to send a personal champion with them? Did they expect Conrad to fight? If they did, might as well let the Gauls invade tomorrow.

Alejandra listened intently to the conversation, and barely managed to keep a facade of boredom about her. Conrad was still an idiot in her eyes and mind, but the King was proving to be sensible. She just hoped he didn't leave it to Conrad to choose a champion, there was going to be backlash, but if the champion lost...she wouldn't want to be Conrad.