Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Count Lava's Knights are the Eagle Knights.
If Count Lava becomes a Duke, they might be promoted to the Two-Headed Eagle Knights.
The Knight Commander soothed his knights.
"Quiet. Don't be rash. Duke Louveaen has changed, and I heard the Jet-Black Knights played a big role in the internal strife. The outcome might be different this time."
Everyone stood at attention at the stern voice.
But even if they tried to calm themselves, what could they do about the rumors they had heard about the Dukedom?
There were hardly any battles won head-on and fairly, and most were won using strategies that exploited the terrain?
Besides, the Duke, who was said to be a master of such terrain-based strategies, wouldn't even come to the battle himself.
It was much better for the traditional Count Lava to become a Duke than for a bastard to take the Duke's seat.
Even the Imperial Family had subtly hinted at such expectations!
Besides, the Jet-Black Knights weren't even a proper Knight Order. Weren't there rumors that they were no different from a mercenary group?
Just then, a soldier who had been on watch ran over.
"Reporting! Two horses with the Black Hawk Flag are approaching!"
"Two horses?"
The symbol of the Jet-Black Knights was the Black Hawk.
The Jet-Black Knights' emblem was a Black Hawk engraved on a blue flag that only the Dukedom could use.
But two horses?
"Is it the vanguard? Are the rest following behind?"
"Maybe they're coming to greet us first."
When the Vice-Commander said that, the Commander nodded, saying, "That's possible."
Unlike the previous Exchange Tournament, this time they would be facing new faces.
Then another soldier ran over.
"Commander, that's... a Unicorn!"
All the knights widened their eyes and looked back at the soldier.
"A Unicorn?"
"Does it really have a horn?"
"Yes, it, it really has a horn. And..."
The soldier hesitated before speaking.
"The other party identified themselves as the Commander of the Jet-Black Knights."
\ \ *
Jin glanced at Nina. Nina sat upright on the Unicorn, looking calm.
Jin recalled the conversation from yesterday.
"Just the two of us? We're going with just the two of us?"
"We don't need to fill ten slots. From what I can see, there aren't even ten knights left."
After the civil war, they accepted knights who wanted to retire. As a result, knights who were tired of fighting humans left.
Thanks to that, the Jet-Black Knights now had fewer than ten members.
"But we can't leave the Dukedom empty. So, let's go and take care of it ourselves."
"Really..."
Jin pursed his lips.
Was it really okay?
He couldn't bring himself to say it. He knew Nina was strong.
He knew, but the other Knight Order was not to be trifled with. They would also put forward the best ten they had carefully selected.
"Okay."
Jin nodded. If Nina said so, he would trust her.
Nina spoke with a face full of apology.
"Jin, I'm sorry, but it won't even be your turn."
At those words, Jin replied, "Yeah, yeah."
But now that they had arrived and were telling them that there were only two of them, his heart was pounding.
A signal was given to enter the temporary camp.
As they entered, luxurious tents were set up in an orderly fashion.
Jin, who had no memory of using a tent without holes, was impressed by the tents made of smooth and thick cloth.
It was the first time he had seen a Knight Order with so much money.
The soldiers' curious gazes were directed at the Unicorn.
"Y-you must dismount from here."
Nina jumped off the Unicorn, and Jin also got off. A soldier grabbed the reins and stared at the Unicorn with mesmerized eyes.
"Please come this way."
A knight who had come to greet them opened his mouth towards Jin. The words were polite, but the tone, gaze, and expression were not.
'I guess that guy thinks I'm the Commander?'
'Leave it.'
Jin and Nina exchanged such glances and followed the knight.
The Knight Order was lined up in front of the most luxurious tent at the innermost part, and the Commander of the Eagle Knights was standing in front of them.
"Greetings, I am Terivolta, the Commander of the Eagle Knights."
It was a tone that clearly lacked courtesy, but the two, who did not know noble etiquette, remained calm.
"Hello, I am Nina La Delio, the Commander of the Jet-Black Knights."
She simply imitated what she thought was polite.
A moment of anger spread among the Eagle Knights. However, Terivolta was surprised in a different way.
"You? The Commander?"
"Yes, I am the Commander."
Nina straightened her shoulders.
Her long silver hair was tied in pigtails, and she had golden eyes and a neat face.
She had buttoned up her black uniform to the neck, but no matter how you looked at it, she just looked like a young girl.
"Is that true?"
"Duke Luvaine's seal is on my Unicorn's saddle."
After a brief commotion, they realized that she was indeed the Commander.
"But why did only two of you come? If you are planning to postpone the Exchange Tournament..."
"Ah, it seems like two people will be enough."
Silence filled the air at Nina's words.
"What did you say?"
"'I said two people will be enough.'"
Nina said with a bright smile. Jin straightened his shoulders and stood firmly behind Nina.
If those guys got angry and attacked, he must not be separated from her.
Sir Terivolta's well-groomed mustache trembled. However, he continued to speak.
"This Exchange Tournament is supposed to be a match between ten people! Two people are not enough. This matter should be passed on as our victory."
"If I say two people are enough, I'll give you that Unicorn if you win."
"!!"
Sir Terivolta flinched.
He had just been greatly impressed by the Unicorn.
No, who among those who ride horses would not be captivated by that Unicorn?
Who wouldn't be tempted?
The other knights seemed to feel the same way, giving him fervent looks.
'Let's just do it, Commander!'
'There are only two of them. We can definitely win.'
'It seems that the little girl is just relying on the big guy behind her.'
'It's a Unicorn.'
This was a hand that had to be played. If he backed down now, he would later hear complaints from Count Lava.
"Alright. But we must write a contract first."
"Good."
Nina and Terabolta exchanged contracts written on parchment.
Unlike a typical Exchange Tournament, it was a match between two people and ten people, but they both accepted the challenge.
They would unconditionally accept the results.
If Nina lost, the ownership of the Unicorn would be permanently transferred to the Count's family. The rest were the same conditions as the usual Exchange Tournament.
After stamping their signet rings, the match began.
The stands of the square arena were filled with farmers. They wore clothes that looked poorer and had darker expressions than the territory residents in the Louveaen territory.
Jin felt suffocated by the air of despair that pressed down on the arena. He tried hard to shake it off, but Nina was calm.
Blunt Iron swords were given to each of them. After a while, the Eagle Knights came in one after another.
Jin was impressed by their shining armor.
"Isn't that heavy?"
"It must be heavy? The only Knight Order whose armor isn't heavy is the Temple Knights."
"How can you fight Bellac in that state? You'll just get trampled to death?"
"They probably won't wear it when fighting Bellac. That's for human combat."
Nina finished her stretches.
Jin asked anxiously.
"If you hit that with this Iron sword, will it even do any damage?"
"Ah, Jin."
Nina straightened her back and smiled.
"It will, it definitely will."
A moment later, the ten on their side and the two on this side stood side by side and raised their swords to greet each other.
"Then, we will start the duel, starting with number 1."
