Chapter 277: ???????????? ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????? (6)

Chapter 277: The Faithful Count (6)

The Elf King was quite a talkative man when it came to things he liked.

And the group battles that took place in the tournament were events the Elf King could not help but love.

Horses and over a dozen knights moved across the wide plains, clashing against each other in group battles that were no different from actual battles.

Aside from the fact that the weapons were not sharp, many people died. When the priests heard such things, they became disgusted, but for the knights, this was just an opportunity to prove their bravery.

As the Elf King continued to talk, Johan inadvertently yawned. The Elf King asked with a shocked expression.

“Count. Surely you are not sleepy?”

“. . .It’s a misunderstanding. The air inside the tent is stuffy.”

“Ah. Is that so? Open the tent’s door. It seems the Count is uncomfortable.”

The Elf King gave an order with a face that had become cheerful again. The knights behind him bowed their heads as if they understood Johan’s feelings, looking apologetic.

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“Count Yeats is participating in the group battle!”

The news that was quickly relayed by a northern knight heated up the fiefdom where the people from the north had gathered.

“Is that true?”

“I checked several times. They said it was definite!”

“Let us call the priests and give thanks to God! Give thanks for this honorable battle!”

“. . . . . .”

The priest next to the knight was able to endure without cursing because he had deep self-control. Prayers to God were not supposed to be for things like this.

Nevertheless, the knights were so excited and enthusiastic that they kept shouting and throwing their glasses.

A formidable opponent that they had not even dared to expect had personally stepped up.

Some knights were so happy that their eyes welled up with tears.

He was still young, but no one ignored Count Yeats’ fame as a knight.

He had defeated monsters such as trolls, ogres, and basilisks in succession, which were monsters that an average knight would gain fame for defeating just one.

It was not just monsters. Sir Karamaf, who had defeated formidable knights in duels and wiped out noble families, and Emperor Cardirian of the Visalfurk family, who had never been defeated in any unfavorable battlefield, fell before Count Yeats’ sword.

The Count’s fame was now blazing like the sun. Among the feudal lords, there were many who were jealous of his fame and harbored grudges from defeats, but the knights were not.

For the knights, it was an honor just to be able to compete against him and win!

If the Count fought against the people from the north, it was something to be truly thankful for. Normally, it was something they would not have expected. He was also the host, but he fought so fiercely. . .

However, seeing him step up like this, it was clear that the young Count was trying to generously step forward to let go of grudges and uphold the honor and bravery of knights.

“Isn’t it time for this now!”

“You’re right.”

In group battles, it was common for knights and families who were on good terms to form teams.

In this situation, the knights from the north and their friends, and the other knights and their friends could not help but be separated.

Naturally, Count Yeats would be on the latter side, so the knights from the north could face Count Yeats in battle.

“You take the Elf King.”

“What?! Didn’t you say you would take him?!”

“What nonsense are you saying. . . Keep your promise!”

Originally, they had fiercely fought over ‘who would face the Elf King’ because the Elf King was considered the most honorable opponent.

It seemed like they had come to a conclusion, but the priority changed again because of Count Yeats.

Someone had to act as bait and someone had to face the other knights. Even if they were defeated in one blow, everyone wanted to face the most famous knight.

“Since things have come to this, let us leave it to God’s will.”

“That is a good idea.”

“Priest! Please come here.”

“?”

The priest, who had been waiting while sighing, ran over, curious about the knights’ call.

’What were they asking me to do again?’

“Why did you call me, Sir Knight?”

“Please choose who among us should face Count Yeats so that God will be most pleased!”

“. . .The name of God is not to be used in such places. Sir Knight.”

“Ah. Don’t be so uptight. Come on! Choose!”

“No. . . I’m not really interested. Is there a reason I need to know my opponent?”

Johan had a rough idea of who his opponent was. He must be from one of the feudal lord families in the north. He must have hidden his face and family because it could be dangerous for his life if he attended too openly.

If that was the case, there was no need to force him to reveal it. Wouldn’t it be considered showing him kindness?

The audience shouted for the knight to take off his helmet in front of the Count, but Johan ignored them and awarded him the honorable wreath.

The winner of the tournament had the right to give this wreath to whoever they wanted. It was a truly honorable right.

“. . .?”

Johan was momentarily flustered. The knight had given him the wreath. The knight spoke in a low voice.

“I give this wreath to the most honorable Count in the Empire.”

“. . .Thank you. I will gratefully accept your kind gesture.”

The knight bowed his head and slowly stepped back. It was normally given to lovers or one’s lord, but he gave it to Johan.

‘Did he not have anyone to give it to?’

“Isn’t this a confession of love?”

When Caenerna said that, Johan replied as if he could not believe it.

“It seems like you have heard too many love poems.”

“You wouldn’t have such thoughts if you looked next to you.”

Johan turned his gaze to the side. Iselia was glaring at the knight with a serious expression.

“!”

If he was trying to serve him as his lord, it would not have been a big problem. However, if it was a confession of love, its meaning was different.

Iselia did not care much because she thought that Johan could sleep with anyone he wanted, but if Iselia was sitting next to him, giving him the wreath in such a way was not much different from proposing a duel.

The elf was not one to remain still after receiving such a proposal.

Suetlg shook her head and blamed Caenerna for being mischievous.

“Don’t say strange things. He must have given it to Your Excellency Count out of respect. Iselia-gong. You don’t have to think useless thoughts.”

‘Will she yield if she loses?’

Caenerna tried to ask, but she held back. Unlike Johan, Iselia was not the type to joke around.

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It had been a long time since Johan rode a normal horse. Furthermore, his armor was armor without any enchantments.

Of course, that did not mean he was wearing low-quality items. The horse was the finest warhorse in the south, and the armor was armor that the dwarves had personally offered.

The Elf King’s strategy was simple but effective.

━If the enemies charge at the main camp where the Count is, I will command the flanks to surround them!

Surrounding them while moving seemed simple in words, but doing it on a chaotic battlefield filled with dust required excellent skill. And the Elf King was someone who possessed such skill.

That was why Johan had agreed to the Elf King’s strategy. He could not think of a better method than that.

“. . .??”

“No way. . .?”

The knights who were with Johan were flustered and lost for words.

The number of enemy knights charging from the front was far greater than expected.

‘What is going on?’

“These despicable b*stards! Didn’t you say you would take the right flank?!”

“I only lost my way by mistake! We have to move together now that things have come to this!”

“. . . . . .”

Johan was also lost for words.

He had not expected the enemies to abandon the strategy and victory of the tournament and aim for Johan alone like this.

“Your Excellency! We will protect Your Excellency!”

“Thank you.”

The knights shouted fiercely. They were at a disadvantage in numbers, but their spirits were not crushed. They were determined to never retreat until reinforcements arrived.

However, they soon realized that their thoughts were wrong.

“. . .!!”

The young Count was knocking down knights left and right with his blunt sword.