Chapter 22

Chapter 22 - Champion (5)

Volks, who had been a woodcutter, was conscripted as a soldier in a territorial war when he was 18 years old and took five lives with a single axe.

Two were farmers who had been conscripted just the same, one was a mercenary, one was a warhorse, and the last was the knight who had been riding the warhorse.

After realizing that splitting wood is tedious labor while splitting people is an exciting task, he left his hometown and became a mercenary.

When his axe had broken thirteen times and the number of people he had killed exceeded thirty, Volks was granted a knighthood.

His manners and culture were zero. His horsemanship was also terrible, and he was an under-qualified knight without the tactical capability to lead soldiers.

However, since the region of Gord views things through rose-colored glasses if someone is strong, he was treated well wherever he went.

"If you're going to surrender, say so in advance. Don't die miserably like that fellow earlier."

Volks said while tapping his palm with the axe handle.

Since he didn't use a shield, he had added iron plates to various parts of his chain mail, and combined with his large stature and two-handed axe, his momentum was great.

Eugene looked at Cressy's corpse while holding an iron round shield and a longsword.

"You could have subdued that knight without killing him just now, but did I see it wrong?"

With Volks's strength, he could have sufficiently stopped the axe. Though he might have inflicted injuries because he couldn't control his power.

"What use is surrendering after you've fought? I've never once stopped an axe in the middle! Once it's swung, shouldn't you keep hitting until either the wood or the person is split?"

"I see. I understand your way well."

As Eugene took a fighting stance, Volks wore a savage smile. This was because although he had advised surrender in words, he hoped it wouldn't be so.

He believed that a warrior's rank is determined by how much blood they spill on the dueling ground.

"Hraaaaa!"

Volks came running while shouting.

It was an uncommon majesty, but compared to the charge of a giant wild boar, it merely looked cute. Eugene simply dodged the axe that was struck down with both hands to the side.

"Try and keep dodging!"

Volks swung his axe with the momentum to tear apart everything before his eyes. The sound of the large axe blade cutting through the wind, vertically and horizontally, was fearsome.

Until now, whenever any enemy he faced got caught in this, the conclusion was the same. Whether they dodged or blocked, they were constantly cornered, and the moment they reached a dead end, they were split.

However, Eugene leisurely dodged everything while maintaining distance.

"You! How much longer do you intend to run away like a rat?"

Volks poured in even more fierce attacks while burning his fighting spirit further.

"I-Is he going to lose at this rate?"

"I certainly heard he was the direct disciple of Sir Godfrey."

"Panis! What's going on?!"

Since it appeared for a moment that Volks was overwhelming and Eugene was being pushed back, groans flowed from the Bonyard spectator seats.

The only spectators maintaining their composure were Karas, Homi, the opposing Champions waiting, and the Gord nobles.

Meanwhile, Eugene was disappointed in his own way.

'Developing my senses diligently was of no use.'

Volks's movements were so linear that it felt like it would make no difference even if he fought with his ears covered.

Whoosh!

He dodged the axe blade once more.

"You-!"

He tried to imitate even half of half of Godfrey's ability by sharpening his hearing, but it was not helpful in actual combat.

Whoosh!

'No matter how much I sharpen my senses, I can't be like Master. From now on, it'll be better to just observe the opponent.'

Whoosh!

As the axe swings missed for a long time, even the spectators who knew nothing of martial arts gradually realized something was strange.

"Phew."

Panis wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and let out a sigh of relief.

"Hwaaaa!"

Volks also inhaled a sharp breath.

"If you are a knight, fight properly!"

"I understand."

Eugene knocked up the incoming axe with his shield.

Clang!

As the opponent, who had been dodging constantly, counterattacked with power beyond imagination, the axe soared high into the air.

"Ugh."

The power contained in the shield was so great that Volks's palm was torn and blood flowed. It was fortunate just that he didn't lose his axe.

Flash.

A light flickered in the armpit of the giant who had assumed a 'hands-up' posture.

"Kwahhh!"

Blood poured from Volks's right armpit. It was a violent hemorrhage that could not be seen as an ordinary laceration. As if a giant had swung a knife in the middle of a dam and the river water was pouring out.

Thud!

Strength drained from his right hand holding the handle, and the axe head touched the ground.

"W-Wait..."

Volks is violent, but he is no fool. Recognizing it was a serious injury that required immediate action, he raised his left hand to surrender.

Flash!

A flash was also drawn across the exposed left armpit.

"Kyakh!"

Clang.

The axe tumbled to the floor. The giant, pouring blood through both armpits, writhed in pain.

"We won!"

"Served that barbarian right!"

The Bonyard spectator seats, which had been dying out, were revived in an instant.

"Unbelievable!"

"Volks was pushed back in strength?"

"Dammit! My mooooney!"

On the Gord side, there was an air of fluster. There were some who tore at their hair after having placed bets.

As the victory or defeat was decided, Volks's squire quickly ran out and dragged his lord to the physician.

Shake, shake.

However, there was nothing that could be done this time either.

"Both arteries have been cut. This is just too much."

"S-Save... please save... me."

The vital spots such as the heart or lungs were unharmed, but he had lost too much blood. His lips gradually turned pale, and his yellow teeth chattered.

"I will continue to accumulate honor. Next opponent, come out."

Eugene said in a dignified voice as he pointed his blade at the Gord Champions.

When he glanced toward Bonyard, there was Homi with a distressed face. It seemed she was resentful of her throat that could not boisterously proclaim her lord's glory like Volks's squire.

Pat!

Karas tried to stroke her head as a form of consolation but was intercepted by Homi's hand.

"For honor."

The second Champion to come out, Badel, pointed his sword at Eugene.

His family was of the traditional western nobility who had settled and lived there even before the sea raiders arrived. Unlike other Gord knights, they were wary of violence and revered the virtue of moderation.

"Sir Badel! Hang in there!"

A young lady cheered loudly.

"Please protect the glory of Gord!"

Other spectators also responded by shaking their fists.

Grateful for that heart, Badel held up his shield. It was a heater shield in the shape of a blunt inverted triangle.

'Dangerous. This person... he is a truly dangerous knight.'

The sword's speed is like light and the movement is flexible like a feather riding the wind, with power that overwhelms even Volks.

A danger signal sent by his entire body. Even though he hadn't even used his body yet, beads of sweat flowed down Badel's forehead.

It was Eugene who charged first. Since he realized that imitating his master was useless, he would merely seize victory.

Clang!

Badel's arming sword and Eugene's longsword collided.

Naturally, Badel was the only one who lurched significantly. He desperately held up his shield and blocked the second strike.

Crunch!

The thick shield was torn apart with a single blow.

It wasn't split into two, but the top of the shield was all shredded and dangled to the side, hanging from a thin strand. The V-shaped shield had become a W-shape.

"W-What on earth is this?"

"My goodness."

Everyone was horrified by the destructive power that transcended common sense. Count Andar spilled the wine he was drinking, soaking his beard and top.

In that interval, Eugene's third attack flew. The iron shield positioned sideways struck Badel's chest while parrying his sword.

Thud!

"Gah!"

Eugene was certain from the sensation felt at the edge of the shield that several ribs had cracked.

Clatter!

Badel dropped his sword and was sent flying disgracefully. He trembled and reached for his sword, but he didn't even seem to have the strength to crawl.

As Eugene approached step-by-step, screams erupted from the Gord spectator seats.

Grip.

The moment he grabbed Badel by the collar.

"Mercy!"

Someone shouted.

"Sir Badel! No!"

"Knight of Bonyard! Please, mercy!"

"Do not kill an honorable knight!"

Eugene scanned the Gord spectator seats. Noble ladies covering their mouths or eyes, and men with sorrowful expressions. It was a reaction they didn't show when Volks was being carried out while bleeding profusely.

"I watched your side just now when Cressy was dying."

Eugene had remained alive for some time even after he opened his eyes.

"He wasn't a close person, and his attitude of trying to hide behind and earn money easily was poor. Even so, it was quite something to see someone I had shared a meal with for a short time die miserably."

At that time, he discovered a knight in the Gord camp who was mourning the enemy's death alone while making the sign of the cross. Needless to say, it was Badel.

"Your respect was honorable. Will you admit defeat now?"

"...I have lost."

When Badel conceded, Eugene released him and stepped back.

Immediately, Badel's squire ran over and took him to the physician.

"We must strip off the armor and lay him down right away!"

The physician, who finally had something he could do, began to take measures with all his might.

"Victory!"

"Glory to the honorable knight!"

"Long live Sir Eugene!"

Hot cheers were heard from the spectator seats. The difference from when he defeated Volks was that even from the Gord camp, a few praises came out.

"I will complete my honor until the end!"

Eugene declared while lifting his sword high.

Where had the initial spirit gone? From the Gord camp, which had become quiet, the last runner came out. It was Lipton, holding a shield and a one-handed axe.

'I must attack first!'

Judging from Badel's fight, going defensively meant certain defeat. Lipton charged as soon as the duel began.

After giving a fake as if to attack with the axe, he swung his shield as a surprise, but Eugene did not fall for it and struck back with his own shield just the same.

Bang!

As the two shields collided, Lipton alone was sent flying backward.

Flop!

He fell disgracefully onto the ground, and the shield he had never once lost on the battlefield slipped from his hand. If he had lost even the axe, it would have been a great disgrace.

When Lipton stood up with difficulty, his squire quickly delivered the shield to him.

Applause poured from all sides for Eugene's chivalry as he waited while the opponent prepared to fight again.

'Where on earth did such a monster spring from?!'

Lipton screamed inwardly.

He is a knight with perfect offensive and defensive balance, enough to be praised for being an iron fortress when defending and for driving with two weapons when attacking.

The number of enemies he had beaten to death with a shield was the best on the continent!

But it was of no use if that shield was in a state of being shattered.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Lipton backed away repeatedly at Eugene's slashes that were pouring in fiercely.

The round oak shield reinforced with iron around the edge became a rag in an instant.

"Ugh!"

The back of his hand was deeply cut through the shredded shield and blood poured out.

"Hyaaa!"

He somehow swung the axe with his remaining hand, but the axe was sent flying far away with a single shield bash.

"I have lost."

Lipton admitted defeat before the sword held at his neck.

"The gods have handed down their judgment!"

The Roman noble who had been sitting in the seat of honor came forward and shouted.

"Bonyard City has the right to possess everything that was agreed upon! This is guaranteed by the sacred law handed down from ancient times! Anyone who dares to break the oath shall receive judgment from the gods and suffer in the fires of hell!"

It is common for the representative of the observers to solidify the result in the name of God.

However, today the content was strangely grand. It seems the Roman noble's feelings were mixed in because of the drawing of lots.

'What will happen from now on.'

Eugene scanned the Gord nobles. Even if it was a sacred duel, there would naturally be a grudge against him, who had appeared as a Champion and made them lose face.

Indeed, some nobles could be seen glaring at Eugene, while others were licking their lips.

"Wahahaha! It's the first time in my life I've seen a shield split like that!"

"I agree."

Meanwhile, there were nobles who were laughing and chatting. It was Count Andar, who had suggested the drawing of lots.

'Unexpectedly, the reaction isn't bad?'

Count Andar held up a full wine glass toward Eugene and gulped it down.

"Those Gord fellows anyway."

"If they weren't that desperate, why on earth did they do such a project?"

On Bonyard's side of the spectator seats, they only looked on as if it were absurd.

'I've earned money and didn't fall into the bad books of a powerful noble, so that's that.'

As always, Eugene was thinking positively.

* * *

It was quiet when going out to fight, but it was the opposite when returning in victory.

"For the Champions who saved the city!"

"Glory to the honorable victors!"

The city guards and the mercenaries under contract were mobilized to line up. Even though he hadn't fought on a battlefield, it felt as if he had become a triumphant general while passing between them.

The members of the grand meeting also opened their wallets. Children cheered while waving small flags, and young women scattered flower petals from baskets.

"It's embarrassing as I did nothing."

Only Karas grumbled.

"It's not that you did nothing. You blocked the knights who were bothering me and managed my condition."

On Eugene's head as he spoke with a smile, there was a flower crown placed by some girl.

"Are you teasing me right now?"

"I'm speaking sincerely."

Karas let out a sigh as he looked at Eugene.

"I thought you were a great knight, but my imagination was lacking. To think you'd smash those three as if handling conscripts. It's a miracle that I'm still in one piece after acting up to a person like this. I'll have to visit a temple later and pray."

"Are you joking?"

"I'm also speaking sincerely."

It was truly a fight where much was gained. Aside from the compensation, Bonyard is a location good for aiming for opportunities for success as it is connected to several countries.

In such a place, it was of great significance to be granted privileges such as immunity from crimes below a serious offense and the right of night passage.

However, there is one regrettable thing.

"It's a pity there are no spoils of war or ransom since it wasn't a war. Setting aside Volks, if I had caught Badel or Lipton, their families would have paid a handsome amount of money."

Karas looked at Eugene, who was licking his lips, as if it were absurd.

"You're greedier than you look. Can't you hear those voices praising your name?"

People everywhere were shouting Eugene's name.

"Victorious Knight! Victorious Knight!"

"Sir Eugene, look this way!"

"The Victorious Knight of Bonyard!"

'Victorious Knight' is an honorable title awarded to one who has defeated all enemies alone in a Hall War, requiring one to defeat at least three people.

Unlike a trial by combat, it does not occur easily and is a difficult honor as famous knights from everywhere are gathered.

In this confrontation as well, Karas had stepped forward bravely, but honestly, it was impossible to win against all three.

"They say he defeated three Gord knights in succession alone."

"But why does he look so fine? He doesn't even seem to have broken a sweat."

"I suppose he wasn't hit even once."

"Is such a thing possible? The Gord knights' palms are as large as our faces!"

"That's why it's even more so. Would those vicious axe-wielders have just backed off on their own?"

There are quite a few famous paintings depicting a returning Victorious Knight.

A duel fought on behalf of thousands of lives!

The knight who has returned after striking down all enemies alone!

It is like a crystal that compresses the romance of the people of this era into one, so it cannot help but be popular.

And in such hero narratives, the grubby truths are omitted.

Armor covered in scratches, a face drenched in sweat and fatigue, disheveled hair, blood-stained clothes, a severed hand or a blinded eye... even a half-corpse being carried on a wagon after suffering severe wounds.

Was there ever a Victorious Knight like Eugene who returned without spilling a single drop of blood and looked just like a famous painting?

One thing certain is that this sight today will be remembered forever.

"Are you watching well? You must transfer it just as it is, no, even more grandly. Make Sir Eugene's achievement continue even a thousand years from now!"

"Leave it to me, Chief. My brush cannot be approached even by time. Besides, I don't even need to omit or add anything."

Panis had prepared an artist who had graduated from the Roman Academy with a lot of money. This was possible because he was certain of victory.

The artist began to sketch the Victorious Knight returning like a hero amidst passionate cheers. This is scheduled to be exhibited in the place with the best view in the mansion for the city's VIPs.