The duke is shocked to learn that he has lost the battle. He tells the duchess that killing her would be the only way he could win. The duke says that he will bring the duke and duchess gifts when he returns. He says that if the money is an exchange from the life he has killed, he thinks he has never killed anyone. He adds that the duke's soul is attached to the dead, and that maybe their souls are attached to him as well. He admits that his greediness and his self-righteous hopes clouded his heart. He feels that his future is not what he wants to give to his students. He surrenders, saying that he is still the one who won.