Chapter 257 – 25. Clash! Dueling Trial (7)
Ardennes City, Square.
Crowds gathered from all over the Marquis Baekryung shouted cheers at the well-decorated central vacant lot along the new-style road. It was to see off the four knights who were going to a duel on behalf of the baron and the north, whose campaign was tantamount to victory.
“Baron, please have a good trip!”
“Knights, take care of yourself!”
“Shut up the arrogant East Coast bastards properly!”
The shouts that hit the solid gray walls rang louder and louder. After all, the popularity of the baron, who rebuilt the barren and deprived land and even corrected the people’s livelihood, could not be low. Moreover, judging from the public opinion of this duel trial, it was a very close match.
The soldiers belonging to the citadel worked hard to maintain order in the crowd. It was because he was aware that a very overheated atmosphere could lead to a major accident. Also, the way they tried to prevent such a situation was the best support they could do.
“The roads are very congested. I don’t think the victory ceremony will be as grand as this. First of all, it’s better to follow the road to the south gate. Inside the checkpoint, Captain Antoine will be waiting to provide the items he requested.”
“Thank you, soldier.”
“It is difficult to hold on to. Please lower your voice. It is just an honor to serve the savior of the frozen land. I hope you win and come back.”
Rom smiled and nodded. He, who always insisted on shabby casual clothes, was wearing a rare northern military uniform. Like the four knights who followed me, it was a symbol of representing this land as a nobleman now rooted in the frozen land.
“Shall we move slowly?”
“Lead the lead, we’ll match the stride on our side.”
We have to leave before noon so we have time to spare. After a short dialogue, the baron and the old knight took a step forward. Every time I passed the street, crowds of people on either side whistled or shouted in excitement.
And for such people, Rom, who smiled lightly, finally passed through the castle gate and arrived at the towering checkpoint.
“The weather is nice, baron.”
At the entrance of the stone-walled building, as usual, a trustworthy confidant was waiting for his superior. His name was Antoine, a stablekeeper with a few workers. He was a man who was also the commander and messenger of the Marquis of Le Moin.
“Here are the things prepared according to your command.”
Antoine bowed his head and widened the tent of the wagon. The stable keeper brought the horse, pulling the reins in his hand, and the workers began preparing to load the load that Rome and his party had picked out.
“First of all, these are swordsmanship gloves. The material is borrowed from the toughest part of the cow skin instead of metal, and the lining and palm are textured so there is no worry about slipping. Made to fit each size, we have a total of three pairs for each person, including spares.”
Fabian, a young knight, came forward to check his gloves. He nodded his head, saying that it seemed to be okay only after pulling the fine leather for no reason and wearing it carefully. It was only natural that the power of northern swordsmanship depended on how firmly the sword was held.
“Next is the belt. It’s not intended for a duel, so it’s made from soft, lightweight sheepskin to fit as many pockets as possible. It has quite a bit of durability against pulling power, so it can withstand it well, but please be aware that it can be easily cut like paper if you cut it with a knife.”
Next came Hugo, who had a huge physique. Even in the north, where he is usually taller due to his unique environment, he was truly a giant, and he showed great interest in the meals he would pack while traveling long distances.
“Rice is?”
“I have a pair of sautéed biscotti and lamb jerky, some honey and two bags of salt. Assuming unforeseen circumstances, the amount is a week’s worth.”
“A duel trial is sacred. Especially if it was presided over by the royal family. But the East is their home, and we are visitors, so we’d better stay away from the food. In that sense, I thought it should be about five days.”
“You can rest assured. In addition, we have prepared three units for drinking water assuming an extreme situation.”
It was really thorough. As if Hugo was admirable, he withdrew silently. Workers loaded a bagful of groceries onto the saddle. Then, one by one, he began to pull out the prepared items from deeper inside the wagon.
“Sir Peltier, I have forged the magic sword you gave me before. Since it is an extremely sharp sharpened knife, the cutting power is considerable, so please handle it with care. Until the trial in the East, it will be cut so well that there is no difficulty in actual combat.”
“A sword sheath?”
“The blacksmith, Mr. Ian Winchester, made it himself. They say that it has a structure that can be soldered in any direction so that the blade does not get damaged.”
Antoine carefully raised the sword from its handsome scabbard. Mathieu took my magic sword he gave me! I pulled it out and was satisfied with the blade shining in the sunlight. Feeling that the feeling of being put back into my arms is not bad.
“This is the mace Sir Hugo Henry requested.”
“Umm, that’s heavy!”
“Do you like it?”
“Everything. If it’s a weapon for a boy to use, it should be this much.”
“Here is the armed sword requested by Sir Fabien Dupuy.”
“Did you ask for one more bag as a spare?”
“Of course I am ready.”
Following Mathieu, Fabian and Hugo are armed. What was left was Guillaume Giraud, who needed a specially designed curved sword as it was a rare swordsmanship.
“It is a curved sword following the traditional crafting method of the Western Desert. I haven’t been able to find a spare, but it’s made with considerable durability, so I don’t think there will be any inconvenience in using it.”
“Let’s use it well.”
“Is there anything else you need?”
“This is enough.”
With this, all preparations are complete. The four knights, excluding Rom, leaped onto the horses with their weapons on their hips. Sensing that the horses brought by the stable keeper were quite, no, surprisingly considerable, he waited for the baron to open his mouth.
“Baron, here is the versatile dagger you requested.”
“Thank you, Captain.”
“By the way, would you really be okay with just one?”
“Yes, this length is just right for cutting and eating jerky.”
“I didn’t mean to, but yes.”
The only weapon that the famous invincible knight of Lumière, the hero of Limousin, accompanies in a duel trial is a dagger, which he often uses while camping or cooking. Other than that, Rome, who had only to pack dueling gloves and a belt, recalled the conversation they had before leaving the mansion in a moment of leisure.
‘Romuald, have you decided on four people to help you duel?’
‘I’m thinking of Mathieu Peltier, Fabien Dupuy, Hugo Henry, Guillaume Giraud.’
I still remember it clearly. The time when I was grading those who challenged me at a banquet. As for old knight Mathieu Peltier, he was the last of the continental class powerhouse. The Illusion Sword he wielded through his magic sword was at a level that even a first-class swordsman could not easily defeat.
‘When I evaluated it with my own eyes, it was 90 points, 60 points, 55 points, and 30 points, right?’
‘Yeah, it’s the old standard.’
‘It was when we got drunk and fought. But the other three. Even so, why are you taking a crap with 30 points?’
‘If you look at the order of skill alone, it’s next to Sir Peltier. I don’t know where I learned the dance sword, but it’s technically quite complete. It’s just that my physical training and experiences weren’t in harmony yet, so my score was low.’
Currently, Dongto is walking on Suntan-daero. Even so, there was no way In-seon neglected to select a candidate for a duel who had a lot of luck in a region when he had no worries.
‘My real concern is that they will receive some sort of curse or threat until they are dueled. As you’ve heard, it seems that the Eastern Valor has a witch attached to it. Even if I say it’s fine, I’m not confident enough to completely prevent Sir Peltier and the others from becoming incurable.’
‘It makes no sense if the famous knights can’t preserve even one of their bodies. But if I talk like this, our kind-hearted Seobangnim will say another damn thing. In that sense, it was something I wanted to follow, but it’s a pity. Even if you say witch, you’re giving a fuck in front of a occultist like me.’
‘Lucienne, if you stay, there will be no one to protect Oriane or Françoise. At least because of your mysterious power, you can go back to the East with peace of mind.’
‘What do you agree with? But don’t treat me like a kid who put her mother and bijou on the water’s edge. And I can’t keep up with it, but there’s a way to alleviate that worry. There was a kid I used to teach this and that for a while, but he was pretty nice, so I didn’t kill him and kept him alive. He’ll live in the East.’
‘… Did you have disciples?’
‘A toy to kill time rather than a disciple? Life is so hectic that I don’t even have the taste to keep harassing me. When she came to visit, she was almost a dead man.’
‘How do I know if I’m alive with that?’
‘I get a letter every year. Well, most of them say hello in a frame, and the main topic is all about asking questions about things you don’t know. Anyway, I was contacted until last year, so the odds are pretty high.’
If Lucille of Saint-Buch sent it, you would know. Having said that, Lucienne handed over a flute and a note.
‘Make a bonfire in the open, and throw the note into the flames. Then he will come.’
‘The eastern part must be wide?’
‘The place of the trial is LeBlanc Castle? If it’s there, even if it takes some time, it will eventually come. Because the location of the letter was never out of the area. Besides, with the knowledge I gave her, I’m sure I can prevent pretty much any witch’s enchantment.
‘Take care of your disciple…’
‘Oh, and he’s really strong. He was docile towards me, but he seemed to have a temper at first. If you don’t listen, take out the flute and blow it. Maybe just showing it will work.’
It is true that the radical method sounded somewhat embarrassing. However, the baron, knowing that it was her daughter’s own concern and her expression of affection, replied obediently.
‘So don’t worry, if you ask her, even a bitch who thinks she’s a witch or a slut won’t be fooled. She’ll be able to fight fairly and completely rule out dirty witchcraft. Where are the dogs trying to play tricks on the sacred dueling trial?’
‘I don’t think that’s what you meant…’
‘What did you just say?’
‘Yeah, I’m having a good trip.’
How ironic it would be if a person had to get hurt to save him. The reason for choosing a duel rather than a war was also in the context of not wanting someone who had nothing to do with this event to be hurt or lose their life.
“One last check before we leave, gentlemen.”
The player on the northern side, the spearhead is Guillaume Giraud.
“There are no absolutes in this world. From my point of view, the victory in this duel trial is more advantageous for us, but even so, you may be seriously injured by the unexpected rise of a strong person. Because of that, as the husband of Madame Lemoang, to whom you are loyal, I will give you three orders.”
The second line is Hugo and Henry, a mace-handler.
“First, win as much as possible.”
The 3rd line is Fabian Dupuy of the Northern style authentic sword.
“Second, if it is difficult, survive.”
The manager is the welcome sword, old knight Mathieu Peltier.
“Third, be sure to survive.”
And the last captain is Romuald, Baron of Ardennes.
“After that, I will take care of it.”
“I understand what you mean. It won’t disappoint.”
“Then, pack your things.”
The hero of Limousin, the invincible knight of Lumiere, never loses.
That’s why the wife, standing on the watchtower on the roof of the winter residence, waved her hand.
“Come on, you!”
The young lady grabbed the railing and shouted.
“Come on, Romuald!”
The maid bowed politely and shouted.
“Come back, Master!”
So, before long, in the north, in the frozen land.
“Then let’s go… !”
Five warriors galloped across a snowy field.
