Chapter 81.1: ???????? ???? ???????????? (??)


    I, too, underestimated the situation, as did Suetlg-nim.


    The tournament was not a ce to casually adjust ones strength and show off. It was a battlefield where notable foes attacked each other on sight.


    To survive, one had to defeat the oing opponents, and defeating them inevitably drew attention.


    Yulska of the Gemarti family!


    Johan of Yeats. Come.


    Yulska spurred her horse, her long hair flying. Her eyes were filled with anger, but her movements were steady. She, too, seemed like an experienced knight.


    Be careful of him! Hes the one who defeated Sir Boriska.


    I know!


    Ordinary knights, while charging on horseback, did not thrust their spears straight ahead, but diagonally, fearing the impact and subsequent collision.


    However, Johan thrust directly forward.


    Whether it was due tock of experience or true confidence in his strength, Johan ultimately won, and Boriska fell.


    ?


    Boriska of the Petreo family was a well-known knight in this area, and they were knights who followed him. Johan was unaware of this.


    The two knights split to either side, aiming to attack Johan. It was clear they could read each others intentions.


    In this tournament, where fighting with blunted weapons, unconventional methods were necessary to defeat an opponent.


    Unhorsing them, removing their helmet, breaking their weapons. . .


    The knights targeting Johan seemed to aim for both unhorsing and helmet removal, attacking fiercely from above. Johan, putting his weight on the saddle, deftly withstood the attack.


    In mountedbat, quick judgment and horsemanship were more important than excellent swordsmanship. The two knights, failing to finish in one strike, turned their horses again.


    Thats when Johan counterattacked.


    Johan, barely breathing, swung his weapon. The two could not synchronize their attack every time. Johan first struck at the torso of the knight who charged first.


    Once. Twice. Thrice.


    On the third strike, the knight was unhorsed. Despite blocking the attacks with his shield, Yulska was astonished by the strength that shattered his opponent.


    But the fight was not over. Johan, strapping his shield to his arm, grabbed Yulskas arm and swung her off her horse.


    Another unhorsing.


    Cheers erupted from the stands.


    To the audience, it appeared as though Johan had defeated two knights at once.


    Johan of Yeats!


    The troll yer of Marcel!


    It was natural for the name of a knight who performed well to spread quickly. Moreover, the mercenaries following Johan excitedly touted his skills.


    Duke, impressive! To recognize the skill of a new knight at a nce. I couldnt even guess.


    If you want to know how great that knight is, look at his burning soul. No adornment can hide the soul.


    Duke Brduhes words left his children in awe. Of course, the Duke was inwardly surprised.


    . . .


    Unlike other nobles, Count Jarpen was not the type to make rmendations based on lineage and connections.


    It was clear he sent someone truly worthy to this eastern region.


    Duke touched his forehead. He hadnt made a tant mistake, but he was reflecting on his own judgment.


    .  ,     .


    Sir Lucas is doing well, Duke.


    Yes, Im watching.


    As the initial sh and melee almost ended, the prowess of skilled knights became noticeable. Several knights had already knocked down many and were breaking through the formation.


    Knights from the west were in a slightly more advantageous situation.


    The knights from the east, on closer inspection, were mostly warriors from outside the Empire, many of whom were quite different from the Empire-style knights.


    They preferred lighter armor over heavy metal armor, agile and enduring horses over bulky, muscr ones, and lived by their own customs rather than faith and honor.


    Naturally, they were at a disadvantage in such Empire-style tournaments.


    Nheless, knights from the east also made their presence felt.


    The Duke hoped that they would perform well, or if they lost, they would lose honorably. He watched the unfolding situation with a sharp gaze.


    If the situation turned too unfavorable for the eastern knights, the Duke nned to dere the fight over in his name.


    Oh. It might end morefortably than expected.


    After toppling three knights, no one else dared to attack. Partly because they were too busy focusing on their surroundings, but also because they were wary of Johan.


    The enemies did not specifically target Johan, who was standing still.


    The knights engaged in several small skirmishes, getting entangled and separating repeatedly.


    Thanks to this, the space around them grew more open, giving Johan, who was waiting at a distance, some breathing room.


    .   . . . ,      .     -.


    Its themander, capture him!


    If we take down themander, victory will be ours!


    !


    Johan lifted his head. Western knights who had broken through the formation were aggressively attacking Acdda.


    Acdda, true to his centaur nature, dodged the enemies by jumping here and there, but the knights were relentless, chasing him persistently.


    As the battle reached its midpoint, if themander were to be unseated or surrender, it was highly likely that the Duke would dere the end of the fight.


    !


    ,  !


    !    !


    Surprisingly, the audience cheered for Acdda. Even those who usually disliked centaurs had to acknowledge his honor in this situation.


    The sight of more than five knights desperately attacking a single person was not considered honorable for knights, perhaps in war, but not here.


    Why dont you surrender already, centaur!


    If I had my bow, these humans would have been dead long ago! What about it, why not try one-on-one?!


    . . . . . .


    The knights expressions wavered when hit with a painful truth. They believed they couldnt beat Acdda one-on-one.


    The knights, who would need a lifetime of riding to achieve unity with their horse, were no match for the centaurs who were born with this unity.


    !


    Euclyia, Acddas cousin, joined the fray with a wild Eastern war cry, wielding a spear. Just as the tide seemed to turn, three more knights rushed in to block his cousin.


    Acdda eximed in a hollow voice.


    Do you have no pride or honor? The very people who called me a savage are acting. . . just like that.


    Shut up, you cursed wretch!


    How dare a centaur speak!


    Acddas taunts clearly ignited the knights anger. They attacked ferociously, indicating the fight was far from over and bloodshed seemed imminent.


    The Duke frowned, his hand already gripping his sword.


    Drawing the sword would signify the end of the fight.


    And thats when Johan stepped in.