Chapter 20

Chapter 20 - Champion (3)

Eugene rested until the day of the promise, receiving lavish treatment.

Naturally, the pride of the knights who were not chosen was wounded.

"Sir Gallia! Please, calm yourself!"

"Quiet, woman. Is this where Sir Eugene is?"

It was not strange for someone to push aside those who tried to stop him and seek Eugene out to demand a match.

Though the city was trying to control it as much as possible, it was difficult to block, as it was a knight's rightful honor. A knight's boiling blood can only be cooled by another knight.

The problem was that the Champion duel was being conducted under the auspices of a mere free city, without the control of an authoritative noble lord.

"I believe a knight would not refuse a fair challenge! I came to protect the city and accumulate glory, not to waste bread!"

"Sigh."

To the challenger, drunk on honor, nothing else might be visible, but to Eugene, it was a nuisance. To make matters worse, it was annoying that he burst in at the very moment he was shaving.

"I am supporting the future of the city and the expectations of those who invited me. To jeopardize that even slightly for personal fame is not honorable."

"T-That may be true, but..."

Still, since he declined while citing a justification, the opponent had nothing to say.

"I am in the middle of shaving, so I'd like you to leave."

Eugene was lying on the shaving chair. Homi, who was carefully shaving his beard after creating foam, frowned while holding the razor.

The opponent also seemed to think he had committed an impropriety and stepped back for now.

"They're truly energetic fellows, aren't they?"

"Hmph!"

Homi stroked her lord's cleaned cheek with a dissatisfied face.

"I ask for the hair as well. It's better to look good since noble personages from various places will be coming."

Nod.

Homi, having finished the shaving, picked up the scissors. Ever since fate brought the two together, it was always she who trimmed Eugene's beard and hair.

Hands that were larger than an ordinary woman's but were still slender. Hands that were both talented and strong. They were the only hands he trusted even when a blade was held to his neck.

As there were many invited knights, the visits continued the next day.

Press. Press.

"Sir Knight, does it not hurt?"

It was when Eugene and Homi were lying side-by-side receiving a massage.

"It's just refreshing. Among the considerations I've received since coming to the city, this is the best."

"Fufufu!"

At his tongue, which rolled smoothly in a way unlike a knight, the maid also smiled softly.

As if to shatter such an atmosphere, a boisterous shout was heard.

"I am Knight Gart of the Domun Family! I cannot accept being excluded from the Champions! A match right now..."

"Right, right, I'll be your opponent."

However, there weren't only uninvited guests.

"Sir Karas? Were you also invited?"

"Yeah. And I've decided to become this knight's Champion at my own whim. If you want to compete, I'll be your opponent instead."

"Wait a minute!"

Thanks to Karas, Eugene was also able to rest comfortably.

"The first meeting had a mishap, but he's a good fellow."

Eugene smiled contentedly.

Cressy, who would be the easiest target, had completely vanished from the mansion, perhaps to avoid challenges.

-All the knights who came by look stronger than Cressy.

Homi spoke in sign language.

"It can't be helped. Look at the faces of those blockheads. Aren't they all stubborn and think they're the best? If one says 'A VIP has come, so please step aside' to such people, a riot will break out."

Regardless of the level of strength, they would immediately draw their blades and request a duel. That is the creature called a knight.

-One should just compete, and the stronger one can go out.

Homi was accustomed to the rule of beasts, where the strong fellow becomes the leader while living in the mountains.

"The city has its own position. It's too complex a place to use such a convenient method."

Just then, the fight outside was also decided.

"I have lost!"

Karas, who moved quickly and poured in a fierce attack before neutralizing the opponent's weapon with a main-gauche at the decisive moment. The knight was helplessly defeated before the dazzling double-sword technique.

Guests full of competitive spirit continued to visit afterward.

"I am Knight Detree of the Valmont Family..."

"Valmont of the Zweihänder? Good to meet you! I've wanted to compete with you at least once."

"No, who are you, sir?"

And Karas cut him off promptly.

He was not merely skilled in swordsmanship, but also utilized his gauntleted fists and kicks organically at appropriate moments.

Thud!

"Guh."

Detree, who was hit in the flank by the iron fist, let out a gasp and lost his balance.

For Detree, who used a large two-handed sword, victory was determined the moment his first attack missed. This was because he had to engage in an unfamiliar ultra-close-range struggle with Karas, who had closed in instantly.

"I-I've lost!"

Before he could properly display his skill, he was caught from behind by a physical technique and the main-gauche blade touched his neck.

"He's certainly overwhelming among the invited knights."

Karas's overflowing confidence was not a bluff. He was like a knight who had built his reputation through duels alone.

Karas received the victor's applause with exaggerated movements. A maid with an flushed face wiped his sweat with a towel.

It seemed he might be enjoying a hobby rather than just showing goodwill toward Eugene. Since the rumor that he was kind to subordinates but prickly toward fellow knights was true.

Maintaining the best body condition like that, the Hall War finally arrived just one day away.

* * *

Just as Bonyard looked forward to victory, the Gord Kingdom nobles were also certain they would win.

"It was so eyesore how they struggled to reduce the annual tribute bit by bit. I am glad to be able to teach them a lesson this time."

Andar, the host, laughed while lifting his glass.

"Muscular merchants should teach the pig merchants about being penny-wise and pound-foolish!"

The nobles laughed and chatted at the banquet gathered a day before as if they had already won.

"We cannot yet confirm that we have won, but..."

"Ay, what are you worried about? It is just a single city at most. Even they were busy running around everywhere in a hurry."

"That is true."

The nobles who approached cautiously were merely moderating excessive excitement, yet they did not doubt the victory itself. It was because the preparation time and the difference in capability between both sides were that great.

"The King of Roman has done a proper job."

Compared to most royal families who only took the legitimacy from the Ancient Kingdom, Roman, in the center of the continent, went a step further.

They placed the 'Duty of Balance', which was the banner of the Ancient Kingdom, on the first page of their legal code and exercised influence in all directions.

"Whenever a fight seems to have broken out, they step in and lecture, or they cause an army to rise at their whim saying a swarm of monsters has appeared, and ask to cross the border."

To the Gord nobles with the blood of raiders, Roman could not help but be an enemy-like nation that interfered at every step.

"Even if they act up, they should at least act up within bounds... aren't they truly eyesore fellows? Yet they have power, so sigh."

However, the potential of Roman, which shared a border, could not be ignored at all. No matter how hateful, there was no choice but to endure because their fists were scary.

However, an anomaly occurred.

The King of Roman suddenly proclaimed an empire, and the country was turned upside down. Having ascended as Emperor, he is pushing forward with measures to strengthen imperial power. To the Roman nobles who had been living peacefully, it was no different from a bolt from the blue.

Taking advantage of that chaos, every faction acted up aiming for profit, and the sparks even flew to Bonyard on the frontier of the continent.

"Now, now, everyone, for the King of Roman... no, I suppose I should say Emperor now? A toast to the Emperor of Roman!"

"Cheers!"

As Andar held up his glass, glasses full of excitement were exchanged.

"But I'm curious as to why he suddenly claimed the title of Emperor."

"It's because of legitimacy. Since he became King by luck as his elder brothers died of illness or in foreign lands one after another. He threw a gambling move out of spite after being harassed so much by the great nobles."

"I heard they're already on the verge of entering a civil war. They say the words 'You traitors!' came out six times during the last royal audience."

Every kingdom, free city, mercenary, and knight is paying attention to the center of the continent.

If a large-scale war breaks out in Roman, opportunities for profit and loss, honor and success will spring up like mushrooms after rain.

"He won't back out, right? A monarch of a nation couldn't possibly be that gutless."

"Absolutely not."

"He'll either crush all opponents and ascend as a hegemon or be deposed; it's one of the two. Backing out is nonsense."

The mantle of being the descendant of the Ancient Kingdom has deep meaning on this continent. Excluding the alien races, no one dared to call themselves Emperor. Let alone if it were Roman.

"Good, good. Now we can comfortably enjoy tomorrow's fight."

The Champions prepared by the Gord nobles were knights famous for their bravery in the kingdom.

When they wore armor over their characteristically sturdy physiques and swung axes, a bloodbath would break out on the battlefield.

In a dismounted state, they are grim reapers who can drive any knight on the continent to their advantage. No matter what knight Bonyard invited, they shall fall while spewing blood fountains!

* * *

The next day, the path of the Bonyard Champions toward the dueling ground was modest.

Citizens passing by, boys receiving pocket money and soliciting customers, and guests and merchants arguing to save even a single copper... everything was just like usual.

Only the city guards, who lived by the blade just the same, and a fair number of citizens bowed their heads solemnly and wished for victory. Their number was only about thirty percent.

"Is it normally this kind of atmosphere? I thought it would be a more cheering atmosphere."

"There are various circumstances."

At Eugene's question, Panis gave a bitter smile.

"To the laborers or travelers from outside, or even those living in the city who have nothing, it is like a fire across the river. Since it's not a war, there won't be any plundering."

This was a part Eugene had also thought of.

"Since the upper crust of the city will be replaced if we lose, those who aim for the vacant spots must be burning with the ambition for success."

"That is a somber story."

"On top of that, the belief that Gord will win is dominant."

Part of it is that the city is controlling information, and naturally, most citizens bound to rely on rumors.

"This side is a single city, while that side is a noble coalition. This side was in a position of holding back, while that side moved with purpose. It is obvious to people which side will have the advantage."

"If we lose after they cheered for us, they might be noticed afterward in the city."

"Precisely."

Panis pointed at the citizens who were seeing them off.

"Those who have lived in the city for a long time and have strong pride, or those who operate businesses, cheer without worrying about such things."

Panis's face as he listed the sad stories was calm. It was because his belief in Eugene and Karas was firm.

After moving for about two hours out of the city, the promised place appeared. In a Hall War, the side being attacked has the right to decide where to fight.

"I see the opponents we'll fight over there. To think that those with bodies like bears have as much greed as pigs."

Indeed, befitting their ethnicity, all the Gord Champions were large in stature.

'Is this how the Roman soldiers felt when facing the Germans? Since they're at that level, the country remains intact even after being adjacent to Barcia in the north.'

Eugene, who had always looked down upon his opponents everywhere, discovered someone larger than himself for the first time.

"It is Knight Volks. He is the opponent to be most wary of."

Panis pointed to a giant fellow with a two-handed axe slung over his shoulder.

"I ask of you. Please, protect the city."

Panis believed in his cards, but he was one with the blood of a merchant naturally flowing through him. Upon seeing a Gord knight who was like a man-eating bear, an instinctive fear rose.

"Actually, the truly tricky ones are the other two. Even if we set aside Lipton, to think that even Badel would have come."

Karas pointed to the two Champions behind Volks with a troubled face. They were a knight with a sword and shield, and a knight with an axe and shield.

"To recognize them immediately... they must be famous fellows."

"The fellow with the sword is a knight named Badel, the son of a swordsmanship family that has continued for 700 years. Lipton is a fellow who boasts the best shield technique even in Gord, which is famous for using shields well."

"How do you think it would be if you fought all three?"

Karas shrugged his shoulders.

"The fellow Volks is at an extreme. Either I win without a wound even though I'm drenched in sweat, or conversely, I go to the afterlife from a single axe swing."

"It certainly doesn't seem like he's an opponent one can exchange blows with normally."

When I stayed in Kingdom's End or when I was with the Beard Mercenary Troop, the axes I saw were all for woodcutting.

On the other hand, that one was an axe made for splitting people from the start. Just the blade alone was longer than Eugene's head and was sharpened enough to shave with.

"Badel or Lipton... I'll definitely have to spill blood. I think I can win, but if I'm unlucky, about one or two fingers might be cut off. Those Gord fellows have prepared quite properly, haven't they?"

Aside from his pride in his own strength, Karas objectively evaluated the chances of victory.

"If you wish, I can even change the order."

"If I back out here, I'm not a knight. I'll win against all three, even if only through persistence."

Unlike Panis, Karas is a knight. He does not step onto the stage while weighing profit and loss or the chances of victory. Whether it works or not, he merely challenges while believing in his sword.

Knights do not lead a religious life as passionately as priests, but in some ways, they had a more devout belief than that.

The belief of pursuing honor while staking one's life! The depth of that led a knight to a stronger path. This alone is a common point of all knights, transcending nations and ethnicities.

Eugene's group entered the dueling ground. Today, the fate of Bonyard, the lives of the knights, and glory shall be redefined here.

'The difference in power between both sides is severe.'

This was Eugene's evaluation.

Karas is certainly a strong man who is not inferior compared to any of the Gord Champions, but he is alone.

The other invited knights of Bonyard were clearly inferior in level compared to those four. If Eugene had not been there, defeat would have been certain.