Chapter 23 (1/2)
Chapter 23: To The Sith Empire
TL: Warriormonk
Editor: Isleidir
“Since you were knighted in the Hansel Kingdom, the Sith Empire will not recognize you as a knight.”
“Is… Is that so?”
“Well, I mean you probably won’t be treated as though you were a peasant, but it will be hard for you to be acknowledged as a proper knight.”
Luke looked carefully at Lemington.
“Would you have any words of advice for me?”
“I do indeed. If you wish to be acknowledged as a knight by the Sith Empire, there are a few ways. I will tell you one such way.”
“I do not know how to thank you.”
“I’m only telling you this because I consider talents like you to be absolutely necessary to our Sith Empire. Listen carefully.”
The method proposed by Lemington was simple. Luke’s eyes narrowed after listening to his explanation.
“I have to win in a tournament held by a lord?”
“Yes. In the Sith Empire, strength is everything. The n.o.ble lords of our empire hold martial tournaments on a regular basis. Many reasons exist for this, but the main reason is to find hidden talents.”
“I see.”
“Whoever wins these martial tournaments are awarded with money and are knighted by the n.o.ble lord holding the tournament. This is how the Sith Empire discovers and raises talented warriors.”
“Even if I win the tournament, however, would I not have to serve as a knight of the n.o.ble lord holding the tournament without a say in the matter?”
Lemington calmly shook his head.
“Why would I recommend this method to you if that were the case?”
“The winner of the tournament is given a choice. If you decide to accept the land given to you as award, you will have to serve under the n.o.ble lord, but if you do not accept the land you can become a free knight and choose to serve whoever you wish.”
Luke’s face brightened up.
“How practical. Why would the n.o.ble lord do that, when he doesn’t have anything to gain?”
“The important thing is the discovery of talented warriors. The n.o.ble lords of our Sith Empire know what is truly important.
“Truly, a tradition befitting the Sith Empire, where the strong rule.”
Luke nodded his head while looking very impressed.
“Anyway, you have chosen the perfect time to enter our Empire.”
“What do you mean?”
Lemington smiled as he explained.
“About two days ride southwest from here lies the lands of viscount Jabel. The viscount is hosting a martial tournament in about a week.”
“Is that so?”
“Since you are entering the empire in hopes of finding success, I am a.s.suming you have the skills to back up your ambitions. That’s why I’m telling you this.”
“It seems like a good opportunity.”
“Win of the martial tournament of Jabel viscountcy, and become a knight of the Sith Empire. It will make it easier for you to find a lord to serve.”
“I sincerely thank you for the information, sir. I will go to the Jabel viscountcy as soon as possible, if you will tell me the exact location.”
Lemington happily nodded in approval.
“I am not unfamiliar with viscount Jabel, I will write you a recommendation. You will be able to avoid the preliminary rounds that are meant to weed out the weaklings.”
“Thank you, but I will have to politely refuse.”
“Why?”
Luke gripped his fists.
“Since my ambitions are as such, I will climb from the very bottom to be able to stand proudly at the top. I will only accept your good wishes, sir.”
Lemington laughed loudly.
“An excellent att.i.tude. Good. I will give you the specific directions to the viscountcy.”
Luke and Kurotan headed towards Jabel viscountcy as soon as they left the border outpost.
“You are quite impressive.”
“What?”
“How can you so easily convince the officer of a country on which you are not on good terms with?”
“Oh that? I definitely had to keep on my toes and use my head.”
Luke shrugged as he looked at Kurotan.
“I much prefer dealing with you instead.”
“Why?”
“I don’t have to calculate this and that.”
Luke smiled as Kurotan looked about stupidly in an attempt to understand him.
“So you will partic.i.p.ate in the martial tournament in order to become knighted?”
“Yes, but it will be you partic.i.p.ating, not me.”
Kurotan’s eyes widened.
“How so?”
“It’s not an easy thing to change your nationality. In addition, I have a loving and understanding family in Hansel Kingdom. I do not wish to betray them.”
Luke smiled and looked at Kurotan.
“A person who was an orc, like you, would not really attach meaning to your nationality right?”
“Of course. Nationality means nothing to me. Not just me but my fellow tribesmen either…”
“So you can be the one to become knighted. Knighthood is pretty useful, you know. You can use it to solve most problems that you might run into…”
“I do not really understand, but I will do as you order. Is it all right for just me to have knighthood though?”
“It is. I am technically your lord. I won’t be ignored anywhere I go if I have under me an officially knighted warrior.”
Kurotan frowned.
“I don’t know if I can communicate with any humans other than you.”
“No need to worry too much. All you have to do is what I tell you to do.”
“All right.”
The new lord of Esteban earldom, Reynold, was frowning.
‘Luke, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d, where the h.e.l.l are you and what have you done?’
He was worried sick about his currently missing little brother. An investigator from the church of Flora had visited the earldom a couple days ago.
“I am Lancaster, from the church of Flora. I’ve come to the earldom due to a case I am investigating.”