CH 88

After winning his first match using Wolfslaughter, Eugene chose to utilize his battleaxe and mace to win the following battles. Although Wolfslaughter was a great sword, it wasn’t all too effective against opponents armed in plate armor. Naturally, there were some knights who chose to stick with their longsword or shortsword, but those who had received proper training considered such an act to be foolish. It was the basics of battle to choose weapons according to the situation and their opponents.

As such, although it was called a ‘swordsmanship competition,’ blunt weapons capable of smashing through heavy armor appeared more frequently as the competition continued. Rather than a ‘swordsmanship competition,’ it was more appropriate to call it a series of duels.

Since Eugene acquired all of Galfredik’s skills after taking him in as a vassal, he was able to show off overwhelming skills in the confrontations. However, the matches were vastly different from yesterday’s events.

***

“Keugh!”

Firmino, a free knight, stumbled backward after receiving a powerful blow to the shield held in his right hand. Eugene took the opportunity and narrowed the distance, then swung his mace without missing a beat. Firmino reflexively stabbed forward with his shortsword.

Clang!

However, Eugene’s gauntlet blocked Firmino’s frantic blow, and Eugene’s mace struck his helmet.

“Keugh!” Firmino staggered with a scream.

Shuack!

He attempted to regain his balance, but the mace was falling toward his head again. It was an unavoidable blow.

“Agh!” Firmino screamed with his eyes closed. But the expected blow never came.

Firmino slowly opened his eyes. The mace, which had been falling towards him with an unstoppable force, remained unmoving right in front of his eyes. Firmino trembled while biting his lips, then he spoke with a bow. “I lost.”

“The winner is! Sir Jan Eugene!”

“Uwaaaahhhh!”

The crowd once again erupted into thunderous shouts and applause when the officiate announced the results of the battle. However, Eugene did not return the passionate cheers of the crowd and instead stretched out his hand towards Firmino.

“That was impressive swordsmanship, sir,” Eugene said respectfully.

“...!” Firmino’s eyes filled with shock. He soon breathed a long sigh and took Eugene’s hand.

“How cool!”

“You’re the best, Sir Eugene!”

“A knight who knows honor! You both fought great!”

The crowd’s enthusiasm only grew at the sight. The beautiful scene was akin to a moment from a romance story, where the winner consoled the loser as a fellow knight. Moreover, it helped greatly that the winner was the champion of the jousting competition from the day before.

“Sir, about the ransom…” Firmino started.

“There is no need. I am satisfied to have crossed blades with you, sir,” Eugene interrupted.

“Ah,” Firmino expressed his surprise.

However, Eugene gave a light bow before leaving without hesitation.

“Kiek?! Again? Are you really doing this? We have to save every coin we could save to build ourselves a castle suitable for the future demon lord,” Mirian spoke with regret, but Eugene didn’t respond as he headed to the shade on the sidelines.

“Master, please have some water!”

Luke hurried to Eugene’s side and held out a wooden cup with an excited face.

“I! Will get you the best water! Sir, wait a minute.” Mirian shouted excitedly before darting into her leather pocket to literally excrete some of her ‘best water,’ but Eugene quickly placed the cap over the pocket.

Kieeeeek! Kiek!

He could feel her thrashing around, but Eugene didn’t care.

“This is the third one, right?”

“That’s amazing. I can’t believe he defeated three knights in a row without taking a break.”

“But no one’s dead, right? I thought he was a cold-blooded knight without any mercy. It’s unexpected.”

“In addition, he doesn’t ask for the ransom from his opponents. As I expected, he is a man of true honor.”

The other knights whispered while stealing gazes at Eugene. Although the swordsmanship competition wasn’t as dangerous as the jousting competition, it still had its risks. In fact, there had already been several fatalities during the swordsmanship competition.

But unlike yesterday’s jousting competition, none of Eugene’s opponents had died, and Eugene also hadn’t exercised his right to ask for a ransom from his opponent as the victor. His actions were sufficient to change the attitudes of the knights who were jealous of Eugene or had looked at him unfavorably.

‘It’s a good thing that I chose not to kill them.’

“Congratulations, Sir Eugene. This is already your third victory,” Lanslo whispered. It seemed the knight had once again snuck up after witnessing Eugene’s match.

Eugene answered after turning his head, “Even if you aren’t close with them, shouldn’t you be over there?”

“It’s fine. No one cares about what I do anyway,” Lanslo answered while looking at the group of knights with a smile. He continued. “By the way… are you intentionally not asking your opponents to pay the ransom?”

“Everyone is poor. They are different from the knights who made their residence in the castle,” Eugene answered. Most of the participants in yesterday’s jousting competition had been high-profile knights with residence in Winslon Castle. Plate armor and equipment for the jousting competition were extremely expensive, and it was extremely rare for free knights to possess such valuable items.

However, one could participate in the swordsmanship competition with just chainmail or a plate coat. Of course, the loser had to pay their ransom, but many free knights participated in the matches because everyone’s ransom was fixed at fifty silver coins.

“As I expected. Thanks to your actions, it seems as if those who were staying at the inns are re-evaluating your character, not to mention those who were with you at the campground. They understand that you are an honorable knight who knows chivalry,” Lanslo said. He looked at Eugene in a new light. But Eugene wasn’t acting in pursuit of chivalry and honor.

“Then, they might consider joining the group I’ll form during the mock battle,” Eugene stated.

“I don’t know about the knights from the castle, but maybe those who were staying in the village… Ah! Don’t tell me…?” Lanslo exclaimed as if he suddenly understood.

Eugene responded in a quiet voice, “It’s better to have more knights, right?” Eugene’s plan was to recruit not only the knights from the campground but all those who were staying in the village as well. As such, he did not demand ransom from the losers of his matches, unlike in the jousting competition.

‘If I could have it my way, I would rob them of everything they have, but I must endure it for the greater good.’

Eugene hid his innermost thoughts while continuing. “I heard that the holy knights and those from the main castle have already formed a group to participate in the mock battle. Is that true?”

“Yes. There’s the matter with their statuses as well, and it’s common for knights of similar levels to gather and form a unit,” Lanslo answered.

“Hmm. Then they will have about forty people. I guess they are planning to fill the rest of the ranks with hired mercenaries, right?” 

“They are practically overflowing with money. In addition, they look down on free knights. They truly believe that they are the only true, honorable knights,” Lanslo replied. Although Lanslo spoke in a soft tone, Eugene felt as if he was mocking them.

But Lanslo was correct. “Noble knights” were born into wealthy, affluent families where they received a thorough education, and were essentially plastered with expensive equipment. As such, they avoided mingling with free knights. This was because noble knights only considered themselves to be true knights who knew honor and dignity. For them, free knights were simply arrogant, stubborn beggars who couldn’t differentiate sticks from stones. On the other hand, holy knights were famous even amongst knights, and this was why many noble knights were desperate to join the ranks of the holy knights.

“Including their aides and the mercenaries, the actual number of troops must be quite large,” Eugene stated.

“That’s right. Moreover, it’s human instinct to align oneself with the advantageous side. In the end, no matter how merciful you are during the competition, it’s still unknown how many of them will actually join your side,” Lanslo said.

“You have a point. However, quite a few of them will change their minds after the final match of the swordsmanship competition,” Eugene remarked.

“What?” Lanslo asked. He already knew that Eugene was strong, and there was a high chance that he would win the swordsmanship competition as well. But what did that have to do with choosing sides in the upcoming mock battle?

“Master, your next opponent has been decided. The match will start in thirty minutes.” Luke reported after rushing over.

Eugene nodded before responding. “Good. Who is my opponent?”

“The Lord of Colben, Baron Eindolph,” Luke answered.

“Baron Eindolph. Is he in the main castle?” Eugene asked after turning his gaze towards Lanslo.

“Yes,” Lanslo answered.

“Then he should be in the same group as the holy knights during the mock battle, right?” Eugene asked.

“Well, most likely,” Lanslo replied.

“Good,” Eugene stated.

‘Good? What is he talking about?’

Lanslo’s curiosity was resolved thirty minutes later.

***

Boom!

Baron Eindolph was knocked far away with a battleaxe embedded in his chest plate.

“Keugh! Uagh!” He managed to keep his life thanks to the expensive armor, but his cough was mixed with blood due to his broken ribs.

“M-master!”

“My lord!”

Baron Eindolph’s aide and servants hurried to his side and loaded his body onto a stretcher.

“The winner is Sir Jan Eugene!” The officiate declared, and Eugene left behind the loud cheers and approached Baron Eindolph. The baron’s aides paused, believing that the honorable black knight would offer a word of comfort to their master, just as he had done until now. 

But what Eugene said after taking off his helmet caught them by surprise.

“You need to pay the ransom.”

“...?”

“He has a title, land, and I heard he even hired mercenaries to join the same unit as the holy knights. Hurry up and pay the ransom,” Eugene continued.

“Y-yes!” The aides hurriedly answered before counting silver coins and putting them in a leather pocket. They politely offered the bag of coins while noticing the cold glint in Eugene’s eyes.

Eugene tasked Luke to retrieve the ransom before heading towards the shade in the sideline. 

The observing knights started whispering after witnessing Eugene’s unexpected action. “Why did he ask for the ransom this time?”

“I’m not sure.”

“And look, even though he didn’t kill his opponent, Baron Eindolph is basically crippled. With an injury like that, even if he consumes a mana stone every day, he will be bedridden for at least ten days.”

“Hmm. Is he trying to prevent his opponents from participating in the mock battle?”

“No way.”

Lanslo frowned while eavesdropping on the knights’ conversations.

‘Perhaps…?’

Lanslo hurried to the officiate and asked about Eugene’s next opponent.

“Baron Feren of Belmart,” the officiate answered.

“Is he staying in the main castle?” Lanslo asked.

“As far as I know, he is staying in the annex, not the main castle,” the officiate replied.

“Hmm.” Even though most of the knights who were staying at the annex were without titles, they were already sworn-in to a lord. As such, it was almost certain that they would fight with the holy knights as well.

‘Now, now.’

A strange smile came to Lanslo’s lips as he realized something. Thirty minutes later, the match between Eugene and Baron Feren concluded just as Lanslo predicted.

***

“Kuaaagh!” Baron Feren collapsed on the muddy floor with a pained scream before struggling.

“Uagh! Arggh!” He continued to shout.

“M-master!” Baron Feren’s aides flocked to his sides. His arms were bent in strange, unnatural ways, and tears continued to flow down his face. Eugene had overpowered his opponent with his bare hands this time around.

“The ransom,” Eugene calmly said.

“What?”

“He has a title, land, and I heard he even hired mercenaries to join the same unit as the holy knights, right? Hurry up and pay the ransom.” Eugene continued.

“...!” Baron Feren’s aides were struck speechless. Eugene was repeating the same words from the previous match. Unless they were a fool, anyone could recognize Eugene’s intentions.

‘Is he saying that he is going to cripple anyone who joins a unit other than his?!’

They understood Eugene’s intention perfectly.

***

“T-That evil heretic! Is he choosing to inflict serious injuries only on the sirs who are planning to fight alongside us?” Iod gritted his teeth. He himself had already achieved five consecutive victories. He had been doubtful when Baron Eindolph suffered broken ribs, but he became certain when two more knights were left in a crippled state after Baron Feren. Only the knights from prominent noble families who decided to fight with the holy knights were left with serious injuries and were forced to pay their ransoms.

“Hmph! Does he really think that the others will betray us? It’s vile, disgusting, and stupid. Would you not agree, Sir Dircht?” Iod continued.

“Yes. I do not think that the others will betray us. However…” Dircht said.

“Hmm?” Iod responded.

Dircht was looking toward the group of knights who were from the village within the castle. He spoke with a serious expression, “They are gathering while feeling vicarious satisfaction with the heretic.”

“…I must take care of him in the finals,” Iod said. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he turned to his aide before instructing, “Bring the holy sword.”

“Yes, sir!”

Iod checked his equipment once again after putting on a belt holding the longsword of the church. All of his weapons, including the longsword, contained silver. The weapons themselves were of excellent quality, but their true power would come into effect against monsters with mana stones or the undead. In addition, his plate armor was lavishly decorated with silver, and it was infused with the divine power of a high priest.

Iod unsheathed his longsword.

Ziiing!

The sword revealed its slim figure while emanating a clear, resonant sound. The blade symbolized the faith of the holy knights and the honor of the church.

“Even if you don’t kill him, you must leave a mark on his body, Sir Iod,” Dircht said.

“Leave it to me. I will reveal the true identity of that heretic to the whole world,” Iod answered with confidence. Exposing the heretic’s true identity would be equivalent to achieving their purpose in participating.

Iod headed toward the stadium, where the final match was scheduled to take place.