Chapter 131 : Chapter 131

Chapter 131 : The Knight Competition (2)

As the announcer's declaration ended, the two knight orders began to move.

But the directions they moved in were different from each other.

The Guberger Knights began to close ranks.

Five rows of four men.

They formed a rectangular formation and firmly raised their shields.

In contrast, the White Dragon Knights split into two lines.

They split into two single-file lines of ten men each and charged toward the firmly positioned Guberger Knights.

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

As the twenty knights clad in heavy plate armor began to run, the training ground rumbled loudly.

“The Guberger Knights are accustomed to defensive battles. They are the ones who defend the Imperial Capital, not the ones who conquer.”

Pasion explained the tactics for my sake, as I was unfamiliar with knights’ battles.

“But we conquer.”

It was a short explanation, but it was enough.

The descendants of Adjak conquer.

They would advance even if it were into Myeolji, so a training ground was a matter of course.

The members of the White Dragon Knights, split into two lines, dug into the left and right sides of the dense rectangular formation.

I wondered if it wouldn't be too much for them to enter one by one between the tightly defended shields…….

Crash!

Just as I thought that, the first collision occurred.

The knights on the left and right flanks charged and slammed their bodies in at the same time.

The spears and swords of the dense formation poured down on them.

But the left and right wings of the White Dragon Knights withstood them and pushed them back.

At that moment, a change occurred within the White Dragon Knights.

Those standing right behind the lead made a big move.

Instead of striking their weapons against the sturdy shields of the Guberger Knights, they plunged their swords into the space the shields failed to cover, the knights’ legs.

Crimson blood splattered, but not a single Guberger knight screamed.

The injured fell back and were replaced by those who were unharmed.

But the White Dragon Knights did not miss the moment they moved.

The knights on the wings poured into the dense formation.

In a confined area, twenty knights became entangled in a chaotic battle.

On the surface, it looked like a jumbled mess, but each and every one of them exuded a sharp aura, stabbing and cutting each other with astonishing skill.

Clang! Rip! Claang!

A bloody battle unfolded, unbelievable for a friendly match.

I found myself watching with a frown.

I wasn't the only one.

The spectators, who had been cheering loudly before the decisive battle began, had all fallen silent.

They were just watching the gruesome battle unfolding before their eyes.

What was even more surprising was the knights’ reactions.

They didn't stop their attacks even when their own bodies were cut.

They fought entangled, as if they would stab twice if stabbed once.

From this point on, there was no formation, no tactics.

It seemed like a contest of which knights could endure better, who could tear into their opponent more brutally.

“Is it difficult to watch?”

“……It is not easy.”

“Do not worry. No one will die. The knight orders to respect each other.”

“Respect? For that, their hands are too heavy.”

“They are each doing their best. Within the bounds of not killing each other.”

After hearing Pasion's explanation, I understood.

Despite being fiercely entangled, the knights on both sides never aimed for each other’s vital points.

Even so, it didn't make the knights' battle look any less desperate.

“Even if they don't die, they could be left with lasting injuries.”

“It is a daily affair for knights. None of them are weak enough to fall from just that.”

I could no longer retort to Pasion's words.

When it came to knights, he, who had been a knight since he was young and now led the White Dragon Knights, would know far better than I.

Clang!

The helmet of a White Dragon Knight was knocked off.

The one who revealed her bare face was Balan.

She too was covered in blood, but even with her helmet off, she gritted her teeth and charged at her opponent.

She rushed at the one who had knocked her helmet off and tackled him to the ground.

Then she stabbed her dagger into his plate armor several times.

“When the war with the demons breaks out, the knight orders will be absolutely necessary.”

“……Yes, it seems so.”

“The knight orders will be the first to charge at the enemy, and at that time, they will not hesitate to plunge their swords into the demons’ necks.”

Pasion was right.

War inevitably brings blood and knights are the ones most accustomed to blood.

The knight order, capable of willingly throwing their bodies in desperate situations and moving with cold precision according to tactics, was an absolute necessity.

“It’s over.”

In the end, all the members of the Guberger Knights had fallen.

“Victory goes to the White Dragon Knights!”

Waaaaah!

Following the announcer's declaration, the spectators raised both arms.

They roared, letting out the voices they had been holding back all at once.

But the members of the White Dragon Knights were not excited.

They helped the fallen Guberger Knights to their feet, checking the condition of the opponents they had just crossed swords with.

Balan, though limping, also took the hand of a fallen Guberger knight on the training ground and helped him up.

That sight sent a kind of thrill through me as well.

Pasion patted the shoulder of my entranced self.

“Prepare for the finals.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I had to admit that my own blood was boiling.

***

Unlike the exchange meeting for mages held in Ostrum, which followed the same format every year, the format of the Knight Competition changed each time it was held.

The 20-person team battle I had watched in the semifinals was said to be the usual way of deciding the finals.

“Still, this Knight Competition is on the straightforward side. A one-on-one match with five members selected from each team.”

In the meeting room where the key members of the White Dragon Knights had gathered, a discussion about the next battle immediately followed.

It was a meeting that proceeded without any joy for winning the semifinals or praise for the knights who had worked hard.

However, I had adapted to some extent.

Watching the bloody battle of the semifinals and listening to Pasion's explanation had certainly helped.

I came to realize that the toughness of the knight order was by no means a concept, but rather a culture that was taken for granted.

‘Choosing not to join the White Dragon Knights after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony might be the best decision I’ve made in this life…….’

But that wasn't the end of the surprising scenes during the meeting.

A young-looking knight raised his hand and asked Pasion a question.

“Sir Pasion, what was the format when you won the Knight Competition?”

“For me, it was a one-on-one single-round match.”

“The pressure must have been considerable.”

“Not really. I knew I was going to win.”

Pasion said so and laughed heartily.

It was a confidence he could have only because his skills backed it up.

The other knight order members also slammed their hands on the table and laughed.

Perhaps because the knight order members were so tough, I had assumed a military-style, top-down command structure would be in place.

However, contrary to my expectations, they spoke their minds to each other without formality in a very comfortable atmosphere.

But perhaps a knight order is one that gets things done when it's time.

Pasion pointed at me and said.

“You will go out as the first knight.”

“Yes, I understand.”

I wasn't against it. No, I was rather expecting it.

That was because among the knights gathered here, there weren't many who were uninjured.

As I readily accepted the first turn, the Vice Commander urged me.

“The first turn is very important as it sets the momentum.”

“Yes, I will not disappoint you.”

“The one who wins the first battle can stay and continue to fight. As you can see, we have many injuries, so could you, no more and no less, take down just two and come back?”

The second semifinal match had not yet been held. So it was unknown who the opponent would be.

But I answered confidently.

“Three. I will take down exactly three and come back.”

At my confident declaration, the knight order members once again slammed the desk and laughed heartily.

Seeing Balan, wrapped in bandages all over her body, also smiling brightly, it seemed she had become a proper member of the White Dragon Knights.

Pasion, too, with a smile on his lips, said to me.

“It won't be easy. The opponent will be the Rosamund Knights.”

“Hasn't the semifinal match even started yet?”

“One does not need to see to know.”

The Imperial Knights, named after the Empire itself.

But I was not intimidated.

On the contrary, I was able to raise my will to fight.

“Yes, I will definitely do it.”

“It’s good to have confidence. I wish you were a member of our knight order.”

“Haha…….”

“Well, you’re raising the name of the Adjak family even now, so it doesn't matter. Balan! Bring the armor!”

When Pasion called for Balan in a loud voice, she promptly stood up.

Then, dragging her limping leg, she brought the armor and handed it to me.

The plate armor, with the Adjak family’s dragon pattern embedded in the center, looked clean, as if it were new.

“The finals are just three days away. You must wear this when you compete then, so get used to it in the meantime.”

I accepted the armor and answered energetically.

“Yes, I understand.”

***

The semifinals ended with an overwhelming victory for the Rosamund Knights, just as Pasion had predicted.

With this, the White Dragon Knights and the Rosamund Knights were set to face each other in the finals.

I wore the gifted plate armor and walked through the Imperial Capital with Pasion.

“Is it awkward?”

“Yes, it is awkward, but it’s not uncomfortable.”

“I asked Agamben and had the armor made in the style you like.”

“A style I like…… do I have one?”

In truth, I didn't use any particular equipment except for Maron.

The clothes I was wearing now were just the Tello uniform and I had fought in the Tello uniform until now.

So I was puzzled that Agamben knew a style I liked.

“In the first place, the Tello uniform you are wearing was no ordinary uniform. He had you try on several and continuously supplied you with the one that fit you best.”

“Ah…… so that’s how you know. He is as meticulous as ever.”

It seemed I had been receiving a lot of consideration without even realizing it.

Perhaps that was why, despite never having worn plate armor before, it wasn't uncomfortable. It wasn't too heavy, nor did it restrict my movements.

‘I have the Intangible Armor, but I should start looking for some good defensive gear soon.’

As I was needlessly touching the plate armor, a man who approached with disciplined steps greeted Pasion.

“Sir Pasion, good day.”

“It’s been a while, Kadon.”

“This is…… Sir Polarin, I presume.”

“That’s right. A child of our family.”

“As expected of the Adjak family, there is no end to its talents.”

And the man called Kadon and I also shook hands.

“Are you perhaps participating in the Knight Competition finals?”

“Yes, thanks to Sir Pasion, I am.”

“Haha, opinions are divided on which side will win.”

I was already feeling many eyes on us.

Not only the citizens of the Imperial Capital, but also the knights who had already been eliminated from the Knight Competition had not left the capital in order to watch the finals.

I answered Kadon.

“No matter how strong the Rosamund Knights are, we will win.”

As if satisfied with my confident answer, Pasion laughed heartily.

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