How to Live as a Wandering Knight

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐭 (𝟏)

As soon as the outcome was decided, the Duke realized he was gripping his sword tightly. His palms were sweaty. He had been watching so intently.

As a ruler, one must coldly orchestrate tournaments to derive political gains.

Getting lost in the excitement of such tournaments was something ordinary people did, not the Duke.

Duke, reflecting on this, quickly spoke up.

“The contest ends here! I will not allow any further duels in the name of Brduhe. Serfs, servants, and slaves, go inside and bring out your masters. Bless the knights who fought honorably!”

The audience responded with applause and cheers, grateful for the Duke’s generosity in hosting such an event.

It was said that a well-conducted tournament could bring peace to the region for years. Such was the event’s impact in establishing the host’s authority and captivating the people.

Now, only one thing remained.

It was time to choose the tournament’s winner.

The bishop and abbot seated next to the Duke made the sign of the cross before speaking.

“It must be hard to choose.”

“He doesn’t have such a sense, does he?”

Originally, it was customary for the winner to be the commander of the victorious side. And Achladda of the Alcia tribe was more than qualified to receive it. Even Lucas of the West had brought down his opponents and won the victory himself.

The problem was that there was another knight who had made a significant impact in the tournament.

Johan of the Yeats family.

Although he did not actively fight in the tournament, the majesty he displayed was unmatched by anyone. His charge with the lance, knocking down knights and saving Achladda, was truly remarkable.

Because of this, he was already extremely popular among the crowd, even though he was not originally a knight active in the east. Even the Duke was surprised by this.

At this rate, if Johan does not become the winner, there could be dissatisfaction among the crowd.

‘𝘉𝘶𝘵. . .’

“I have heard from the Bishop of Mohsho that Sir Johan of the Yeats family is a paragon of devotion among knights. Seeing him today, I realize that these words were not mistaken.”

“?!”

The Duke was shocked at the bishop’s words.

He knew Johan was young and talented, but he hadn’t expected such praise from the bishop.

Normally, the church despised such barbaric events as tournaments, where many died despite precautions.

Such a reaction, instead of a typical sermon?

‘𝘏𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺? 𝘖𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘨𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘦? 𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘱 𝘵𝘰?’

“God loves a loyal knight.”

Despite the surprise, the Duke made up his mind.

‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘢.’

If Achladda, from the victorious eastern knights, didn’t receive the honor, the Alcia tribe might be displeased.

So much effort had been made to appease the nomadic tribes; he couldn’t just stand by.

There might be discontent, but Achladda as the winner wasn’t an unreasonable outcome. It would settle soon.

“Duke.”

“?”

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

Duke’s stewards came looking for Johan. Johan was taking a break, chatting with others.

“Sir Johan. You have been bestowed the honorable glory of this competition.”

“?”

Johan was puzzled by this. He had thought Achladda would receive it due to customs.

“Sir Knight. Congratulations!”

“Did you say something behind my back?”

“What? No, why would you think that? How could I possibly do that?”

Although Achladda feigned ignorance, he was unaware of Johan’s understanding.

Johan was not merely a knight of physical strength; he possessed a mind capable of realistic assessments in such situations.

“Well, your tribe seems quite remarkable, and you are an outstanding warrior, so I thought you might have yielded to me, thinking you owe me.”

“. . .I’m sorry, Sir Knight. I underestimated and insulted you.”

Caught, Achladda gave up and apologized, knowing it would only strain their relationship further.

“No. If you yielded, I should be thankful, why talk of underestimation and insult?”

“I assumed without speaking. . .”

Achladda worried Johan might be angry, but this too was a misconception.

“You must have thought that if you told me, I might refuse or take it as an insult. I appreciate your consideration.”

“. . .!”

“But are you really fine with not accepting it? It might mean a lot to you, although I’m not from here.”

“It’s fine. Other honors await me.”

“. . .?”

Johan was perplexed but accepted the offer, not wanting to keep the Duke waiting.

🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸🔸

The sound of trumpets and some unknown instruments could be heard, and only after the Duke’s servants and stewards shouted Johan’s name and bravery until their throats were sore, Johan could reach in front of the Duke across the arena.

Johan knelt respectfully in front of the Duke. The Duke’s children beside him caught his eye.

“. . .!!”

Johan was surprised.

The reason was the unreal appearance of Duke’s children.

Their silver hair and pale, beautiful features resembled Duke, but all of their faces looked alike as if they were twins.

Their appearance, indistinguishable between males and females, seemed like a fantasy. It seemed understandable why Duke’s children were called ‘Stars of Brduhe.’ They looked so alike. . .

‘𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤?’

“Sir Johan. I am pleased to bestow upon you the highest honor of this contest. In the West, the most beautiful and noble person would have presented this sword, but. . .”

Laughter erupted around the Duke’s joke.

“In the East, it is the law that a warrior must give the sword to another warrior. I bestow this sword upon you for the honor and bravery you showed today!”

The sword the Duke offered was <𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭>, a famous blade with a silver edge.

It wasn’t as great as Johan’s <𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫>, passed down from ancient Empire times, but it was still a remarkable sword.

Envious and admiring gasps were heard around. Johan respectfully received the sword. He could feel the Duke’s children staring intently at him.

‘𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘰𝘣𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨.’

Other knights present must have some relationship with the Duke’s children, being nobles active in the East.

But not Johan.

Suddenly, a large stone rolled in, and from the children’s perspective, they must have wondered, ‘𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵?’

After Johan left, the Duke stood up and surveyed the gathered crowd.

Now that the tournament had ended, it was time for the feast. Everyone was filled with anticipation for the drinks and food to be generously provided by the Duke.

However, the Duke had another plan in mind.

“Now that this honorable contest is over, a feast should follow for everyone. But it is too early to relax! There is another contest for the warriors gathered here!”

“???”