Chapter 415: 413 Duel (Part 1)_1
In the dueling field, two knights stood at opposite ends, making preparations for the impending battle.
Karl Miller still had a confident smile on his face, as if he was absolutely certain of his victory in the upcoming fight.
The audience was passionately chanting the name of Knight Karl, their fervor even surpassing that of the last match.
Because this time, the opponent of Knight Karl was a renegade of the Half-Elf Kingdom–
Viscount Omar!
No, Queen Isa had already announced the revocation of his nobility title, so now he could only be referred to as Knight Omar.
Over a year ago, when Colin arranged for Vera to fake her death to break off her engagement with Prince Topaz, Count Evan of the Eastern Territory and his sister Anna were incarcerated by the old king. He planned to hand them over to the Northern Territory as scapegoats in order to gain forgiveness from Duke St. Hilde.
But it was Knight Omar who took advantage of the Savoy family’s rebellion and snuck into the royal palace prison, liberating Count Evan and his sister without authorization.
Colin distinctly remembered that back then, he had just advanced to the fourth rank. He was displaying his True Blood Form while searching for Vera in the palace when he bumped into Knight Omar and two others outside the back garden.
At that time, he had fought with Count Evan, his sister, and Knight Omar. Although he was victorious, he decided to let the three of them go, not wanting to offend the St. Prowse family of the Eastern Territory too much.
Unexpectedly, this renegade Half-Elf Knight Omar had returned to Silver Moon City.
Although Colin didn’t know what the Eastern Territory was planning by sending Knight Omar to stir up trouble at the Martial Arts Competition, this assertive attitude was completely different from Viscount Fein’s visit to Silver Moon City last time.
This indicated that the Eastern Territory had probably already confirmed the death news of Marquis Vincent and most likely had already formulated a plan for revenge.
Colin stroked his chin, suddenly looking forward to this.
Lost in thought, the duel on the field had officially begun.
Amid the rumbling sounds of galloping hooves, the two Half-Elf knights initiated their charge.
Colin’s attention returned to the events unfolding before his eyes. But when he saw that Knight Omar was radiating a strong holy light, a sense of unease arose in his heart.
Omar was a fourth rank Knight!
Colin clearly remembered that when Omar had battled with him a year ago, he was still a third rank Knight. It was unexpected that he had advanced so rapidly in only one year.
Apart from Colin, the person who most profoundly felt Omar’s sudden increase in power was his opponent, Knight Karl.
At first, the young Knight Karl was brimming with confidence, believing he could definitely defeat this notorious Half-Elf renegade and further elevate his reputation. However, when he directly faced the terrifying pressure, he realized that something was wrong.
Fortunately, Karl knew very well that backing down wasn’t an option at this point. He had to confront the situation head-on, using all his courage and faith to strive for a miracle.
Bang!
The two knights finally crashed into each other without any frills.
Their lances shattered simultaneously into countless flying wood chips.
The two war horses crossed past each other. Knight Omar sat steadily on his horseback like a rock, but his opponent, Knight Karl, was already dumbfounded and fell to the ground.
Bright red blood flowed out from the gaps in his helmet, instantly forming a small puddle on the ground.
For a moment, the tournament field fell silent.
Only the doctors waiting on the sidelines rushed over. They frantically removed Knight Karl’s helmet and breastplate, only to find that the young knight who had just been confident was now with his entire chest caved in due to the impact.
The doctor felt Karl’s chest for a while, then sighed and shook his head.
On the viewing platform, the Half-Elf nobles stared in disbelief at what had just happened, obviously still in shock.
Karl Miller, the most outstanding young member of the Miller family, the champion knight of the martial arts tournament, who was very likely to become Duke Miller, had just died at the hands of a Half-Elf renegade.
The Half-Elf maid Kathy was still holding the flowers that Knight Karl had given her, but she could never have imagined that the sender of the flowers had become a corpse.
Prince Harrison was also stunned.
His rival in love had just died like this?
Just moments ago, he had been strategizing in his mind about how to dispel Knight Karl’s attachment to Kathy. Yet, in the blink of an eye, his romantic rival had been disposed of.
The unpredictability of the world truly was beyond comprehension.
At that moment, Viscount Fein, the envoy from the East Territory, slowly stood up adopting a sorrowful expression and spoke with feigned sincerity:
“Your Majesty, I deeply regret the unfortunate fate of Knight Karl! However, this proves that he wasn’t the strongest Half-Elf Knight.
As such, this Knight Sword can only be presented to Knight Omar now.
Of course, Your Majesty, the decision of who should be awarded the champion’s prize from this martial arts competition remains yours to make.”
Queen Isa coldly glared at Viscount Fein, a surge of anger swirling within her heart.
Who else could she award the prize to now?
Could she possibly present it to the dead?
Just as Viscount Fein was about to hand over Marquis Garcia’s sword to Knight Omar, Colin suddenly stepped forward to speak:
“Wait a moment, Viscount Fein.”
“Count Angler, is there a matter of question?”
Colin didn’t seem upset that the champion of the martial competition had been slain by the East Territory’s Half-Elf Knight. At this moment, he still had a smile, saying:
“I also have a personal guard who wishes to challenge Knight Omar.”
Viscount Fein responded lightly with a smile, “My lord, I’m aware that the Northern Knights are filled with masters. Knight Omar has never dared to fancy competing with those Northern elites.”
“No, no, no.” Colin shook his head, “My personal guard isn’t a Northerner, but a Half-Elf.”
Viscount Fein was left dumbfounded.
Colin continued, “Viscount Fein, didn’t you just say that the Knight Sword is to be awarded to ‘the strongest Half-Elf Knight’? I’m afraid Knight Omar isn’t deserving of this title until he defeats my personal guard.”
Viscount Fein’s smile vanished as he asked solemnly, “May I ask who your personal guard is?”
Colin clapped twice, and a guard clad in full armor ascended the grandstand with large strides from behind.
The guard first bowed to Colin and Queen Isa before slowly removing the helmet.
“Duke Lute!”
Astonished gasps echoed around.
Everyone recognized this personal guard of Count Angler. It was the former son-in-law of the Half-Elf Kingdom and commander of the Silver Moon Guards, Ennsfa, Duke Lute!
Viscount Fein couldn’t believe his eyes. He stammered, “Lu… Duke Lute, wasn’t… wasn’t he executed…?”
Colin explained jovially, “Duke Lute was stripped of his title a year ago for participating in the Savoy family’s rebellion and was sentenced to death by Her Majesty.
However, in consideration of Duke Lute – Ennsfa’s outstanding contributions to the Half-Elf Kingdom and the fact that his partaking in the rebellion was pressing by the Savoy Family, he was granted mercy and merely exiled.
Considering Ennsfa’s extraordinary martial prowess, I took him in to serve me as an ordinary personal guard, hoping that he might atone for his past mistakes.”
Despite Colin’s explanation, Viscount Fein still appeared incredulous.
Acquiescing in serving as his personal guard, Colin had long been a figure of hatred to Ennsfa, hadn’t he? Why else would he accept being a guard for him?
And how could Colin dare entrust his own safety to such a foe?
Before Viscount Fein could regain his senses, Ennsfa had already approached Knight Omar. Without saying a word, he removed his chainmail gloves and tossed them over.
Knight Omar was also stunned.
Because this was a duel invitation!