Chapter 34 (2/2)
Puhak.
The helmet fell to the ground, split in two, along with bits of gore and a fountain of blood. Heinlihi continued to twitch on the ground.
The clearing had fallen deathly silent. The match had been decided in the blink of an eye, and no one had recovered from the shock enough to utter anything.
A little while later, a cheer rose up from the Earl's camp.
”Waah! We've won!”
”Hols Mountain is ours!”
Kurotan swayed on his feet as he tried to retrieve his axe, almost falling. His armor was stained red from his own blood.
”Look after sir Kurotan! Daphne Priestess, if you would hurry.”
Soldiers ran towards Kurotan in order to support him at the Earl's orders. They took of his armor, and the priestess began to pour holy power into his wound.
The Earl was in disbelief. He had been prepared for a complete defeat, but had won so unexpectedly. Right then, someone approached the Earl.
”It has been done, as you commanded, my lord.”
The Earl finally realized he had won when he laid eyes on the smiling Luke. Overcome by emotion, the Earl grasped Luke's hand in thanks.
”Thank you! You've done well, Sir Luke.”
”Please, Kurotan deserves your kind words, not I.”
”Of course, Sir Luke. Of course.”
”Please, finish your negotiations while Kurotan is being healed.”
”All right.”
Kurotan's condition was rather severe. He had exhausted his aura and had lost a lot of blood. Fortunately, the priestess had gotten to him in time and he was able to maintain consciousness.
”Well done, Kurotan.”
Kurotan smiled, his face covered in blood and sweat. He seemed happy that he had defeated such a strong opponent while not being in top condition.
”You must be exhausted. Go to sleep, Kurotan, we will be traveling by carriage back to the fiefdom. I will have a feast prepared for you when you wake up. You will be able to recover from the blood loss.”
Still smiling, Kurotan's eyes closed as he drifted off to sleep.
Baron Tarpan was still reeling from shock at the death of his knight captain. He had paid an enormous amount of gold to hire Alexei to win the fourth match, but the fifth match had reduced all his plans into ashes.
He had not been able to finish off Lapal, the Earl's knight captain either. His own knight captain Heinlihi, had died in the hands of a previously unknown aura expert. It was a grievous loss for the Tarpan Barony.
”Ho-How could have Sir Heinlihi…”
A low voice spoke from his side.
”It's that b.a.s.t.a.r.d.”
The Baron turned to see his heir, Stefan.
”That b.a.s.t.a.r.d?”
”Kurotan was one of the b.a.s.t.a.r.ds that interfered with our plans regarding Lady Angela in the Jabel Earldom.”
”How could we have been so unlucky…”
Baron Tarpan shook his head as if unable to accept the situation.
The negotiations for Hols Mountain were finished quickly. Earl Luter, representing a Great n.o.ble, was able to bestow Earl Nigel with the rights to Hols Mountain.
The journey back to the fiefdom was cheerful.
They had lost one knight during the second match of the compet.i.tion, and Lapal had suffered a rather serious injury, but the Tarpan Barony had suffered more losses.
Luke and Kurotan were currently being treated as honored guests of the Nigel Earldom. Angela stared at Luke with shaking eyes.
”It was the best of luck that we were able to meet you two.”
”You are too kind… I hope we can continue these good relations into the future.”
The Earl laughed heartily.
”Of course, Sir Luke. Our doors will always open to you.”
Both Lapal and Kurotan were in a s.p.a.cious carriage, as they had both been injured.
Luke rode in a small carriage along with the Earl and his daughter, Angela.
”Sir Kurotan would truly make a valuable recruit. He is skilled enough to absolutely subdue Heinlihi and finish him off so quickly.”
The Earl said, half-jokingly.
”Unfortunately, my lord, Kurotan can be said to be a con.”
”A con?”
”He may be able to fight, but he is like a blank paper when it comes to etiquette or ability to command soldiers strategically.”
”What a pity. Where did you find him, Sir Luke? It doesn't seem as if he is a knight that your House has given to you.”
”I was serving in the military representing my House when I met him coincidentally.”
The Earl let out gasps of amazement as he heard the story behind Luke and Kurotan.
”Truly amazing. I am surprised that you were hiding such a gift, Sir Luke.”
To the Earl, Luke truly was a rarely seen talent. Perfect etiquette, experience as a veteran commander, and the talent to find and train other talents. The Earl smiled.
”Are you by chance looking for marriage in the Sith Empire? If you wish, I am sure I can find some suitable Ladies for you.”
The Earl slowly glanced at Angela, who blushed and avoided eye contact. Luke's answer, however, was enough to take the blush away.
”Haha, I appreciate the good will, my lord. However, I already have a fiancée.”
”Haha, how truly unfortunate.”
The Earl laughed, but disappointment was clear in his face.
Luke received six thousand Denarins once they had returned to the fiefdom. The Earl even introduced him to an opportunity to make money.
”I have heard that Baron k.u.ma has been trying to exterminate the bandits in his fiefdom. Two knights at the aura expert level would surely be welcomed with open arms. I will write you a letter of recommendation if you so wish.”
”I do not know how to reply to your kindness, my lord.”
”I hope you can help out our Earldom should we encounter any problems in the future.”
”Of course, my lord. And…”
Luke smiled slowly.
”I promise to not accept any jobs from fiefdoms opposed with Nigel Earldom.”
”I truly have judged you correctly. Let us maintain good relations into the future.”
Luke and Kurotan rode away from the Earldom, accompanied by the cheers of the people. It was a completely different picture from when they had arrived.
”It seems that I've earned a pretty good connection. Our relations with Nigel Earldom will continue to improve in the future.”
”Good relations?”
”Yes. The Earl is an exemplary n.o.ble who knows true honor. He shall be a big help to our future endeavors.”
”Huh. That's good.”
Luke glanced at Kurotan.
”How has your recovery gone?”
”I've eaten and rested well, I am all right.”
”There will be more enemies like Heinlihi, and even stronger. Prepare yourself.”
Kurotan looked at Luke.
”To us, there is no greater joy than fighting a strong opponent. The more enemies the better.”
”Truly an orc like way to think.”
Luke chuckled.
Kurotan suddenly turned serious as he asked.
”You've purchased a lot of healing potions, right?”
Luke's face paled immediately.
”We-Well I did purchase them.”
”You are ready for the ritual?”
Luke's hands began shaking, despite holding tightly onto the reins.
”Of course, b-but…”
”I will trust that you will uphold your honor and not go back on your words. If you have received, you must give, isn't that right?”
Kurotan smiled in a evil manner as he turned his horse into a dark area of the road. Luke followed, but his expression was that of someone who was being dragged off to h.e.l.l.
'I must have been crazy. Why did I have to even mess with such a simple fool?'
Luke s.h.i.+vered as he tried to imagine being beaten within an inch of death. He heaved a deep sigh as he followed Kurotan into the forest.
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