Chapter 31 (2/2)
”Haha, it seems that you are quite sharp. Well, it wouldn't matter if the other fiefdom did not object, but we are on quite bad terms with Tarpan Barony.”
”I don't think that would be the problem.”
Luke bared his teeth in a smile as he looked at Kurotan, still stuffing his face with food.
”I am a knight of the Hansel Kingdom, but my va.s.sal was knighted in the Sith Empire after winning a martial tournament.”
Viscount Nigel and Angela lit up at Luke's words.
”Oh, could it be true?”
”Yes, my lord. He has an official knight's identification as well, so it shouldn't be a problem for him to enter the knight's compet.i.tion. Also, he may be my va.s.sal…”
Luke trailed off before smiling.
”Kurotan is even more skilled than I am. He may not be useful for many things, but he is a born fighter.”
Angela opened her mouth carefully.
”Could it be possible that you could send him to fight for our fiefdom in the knight's compet.i.tion? We were able to enlist four knights, but we have not been able to find the fifth member.”
”Well, it's possible. But…”
Luke once again trailed off, looking reluctant.
”I would ask for ample compensation. My va.s.sal might not look like it, but he is an aura expert capable of increasing his physical strength through aura.”
”Ohh! Is it true?”
The Viscount jumped up from his seat, unable to contain his excitement.
”You may test him if you wish, but it is true.”
”You do not have to worry about the compensation if that is true. I will spare no funds in order to win this compet.i.tion.”
”Thank you for your understanding, my lord. My training has been long, and my pockets…”
Kurotan continued to stuff his face, oblivious to the conversation that centered on him.
Viscount Nigel forewent the process of testing Kurotan. He had chosen to believe his daughter's testimony of Kurotan's might, and how he had easily dispatched three knights.
”The knight's compet.i.tion is in ten days. Please, make sure you rest fully. You will have servants, of course.”
”Thank you for your generosity, lord.”
The rooms provided by the lord was luxurious. A very full Kurotan sank into bed.
”The cus.h.i.+oning on this bed is amazing. Humans sure do know how to make interesting things.”
”Kurotan, you're a human too, now.”
”I'm still not used to it. Anyway…”
An evil smile from Kurotan.
”It's your turn.”
Luke shuddered slightly as Kurotan slowly made a fist.
”It's true that it's my turn. But we can't carry out the tribal ritual right now.”
”Why not?”
”You stupid b.a.s.t.a.r.d. We have to finish the knight's compet.i.tion and receive the reward from the Viscount. We don't have any healing potions right now.”
”Is that so?”
”We can carry out the tribal ritual in ten days, after we've purchased healing potions with the prize money.”
”Well, I guess that works.”
Kurotan continued to roll around in bed, when he suddenly asked Luke.
”What the h.e.l.l is this knight's compet.i.tion, anyway?”
”Hm, how should I explain this to you? When you were an orc, there were conflicts between tribes, right?”
”Of course.”
”How did you guys resolve the conflicts?”
”Simple. We'd fight until the warriors of one tribe were all dead.”
”You simpletons… Knight's compet.i.tions happen to prevent exactly that. Each tribe is picking out five warriors to fight, and the first side to win three times is the winner of the conflict.”
”I see. I understand.”
”Our opponents will be from a small Barony, so I am not that worried. You will be able to win easily.”
”That's a pity. I was hoping for a strong opponent.”
Luke stared blankly at Kurotan before smiling and tapping the hilt of his sword.
”Well, that was a good meal. Do you want to duel? It'll be closer than before, since I've become an aura expert.”
Kurotan did not seem intrigued.
”It's not very fun to fight a hatchling that has just learned to control his aura…”
”You stupid b.a.s.t.a.r.d. Won't that change when I've become more fluent in my aura control? You'll be helping yourself by training me.”
”Keung, I guess that makes sense. All right, let's have at it.”
”I've already checked the location of a training field, follow me.”
A few apprentice knights were already at the training field, sweating profusely.
Luke and Kurotan walked towards an unoccupied field, wearing chain armor.
Luke frowned slightly as he raised his sword.
”It seems that I'm still not able to control my aura easily.”
”You think that's something you can accomplish in a few days?”
”Isn't there a quicker way, though?”
Kurotan bared his teeth in a smile.
”Yes there is. That's to battle until you drop to the ground.”
”G.o.ddammit…”
Luke cursed, kicking the ground and shooting off towards Kurotan in a blur.
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