07. The Lance Competition and Poisoning

The next day, everything ended in the blink of an eye. All matches ended with a single strike, as if planned. It was no different from his match with Pierre.

As if there would be no peace for the Pergos Empire that trampled a country filled with knights bound by their sense of duty.

“Those who rose with barbaric power! By that same power they shall fall. The pride of Sanders grand duchy will protect the continent!”

Knights from Sanders either shouted angrily at Greg or proclaimed to the audience what kind of country Sanders had been.

Those unaware of the inside story were thrilled by Caleb’s magnificent performance. They simply thought Caleb’s skills were exceptionally outstanding. They considered the defeated nation’s spirit valiant.

Among the spectators, only Rudbeckia and Greg weren’t smiling.

‘Damn it. What kind of duty is that? So all that crying and begging to spare their lives was just an act? I should have brought hostages here. Should have killed them right before their eyes to make them come to their senses.’

At the same time, Greg was watching everything from the highest viewing stand on the side where the tournament bracket was displayed. Even from a distance, his distorted expression was visible.

He had threatened today’s competing knights that he would kill their hostages immediately, not just one but their entire families. He would exterminate three generations.

All of them had begged and pleaded to spare their lives, so he expected them to fight desperately to kill Caleb.

He’d been duped.

What was Sanders anyway? What were chivalry and pride? He couldn’t understand why they would send themselves and their loved ones to the afterlife. Then again, he couldn’t understand affection for loved ones either.

The next day, Caleb became the finalist for the championship match to be held after a day of rest. His opponent would be determined while he rested.

Normally, one would visit the tournament grounds during rest periods to assess potential opponents, but he didn’t want to move an inch from his bed. He didn’t even get up at the sound of his growling stomach.

“I’m coming in.”

It was well past lunchtime. With a brief knock, Rudbeckia entered the room with simple refreshments. She had come looking for Caleb, concerned that he hadn’t shown up in the dining hall even at lunch.

The potato soup and bread, which she had asked the chef to reheat, were steaming. As the savory aroma filled the room, Caleb slowly rose, pulling back the blanket.

“Really. Cal, I can’t live because of you.”

“It’s just going hungry for a day.”

“You won’t die. But you still need to eat, Marquis Finis.”

Rudbeckia emphasized the word ‘marquis.’ Several lives had already faded before their eyes.

That much responsibility had been added to their shoulders. Her tone urged him that he must bear that weight, that he could bear it.

She sparkled with sharp, intelligent eyes as if she had forgotten all of yesterday’s sorrow.

“Rud, are you okay?”

“About what?”

“General Tally, or yesterday’s knights… did you sleep well?”

Caleb examined her with a worried voice, checking if she had suffered from nightmares during the night.

Fortunately, Rudbeckia hadn’t experienced a memory surge, but she couldn’t say she slept well. Even just hearing the sound of horses crying, the image of those who closed their lives with empty eyes appeared vividly. Who could understand the feeling of having the sight of death constantly replaying so vividly before one’s eyes?

After finishing everything Rudbeckia had brought, Caleb placed the plate on the floor and opened his arms wide. On rare days when Rudbeckia received scolding, he would spread his arms wide like this and wait for her. Whenever she saw this pose, even from a distance, she always ran and nestled into his embrace.

Rudbeckia hesitated for a moment before slowly approaching and nestling into his arms. She buried her face in his shoulder and remained quietly still.

Tears began to form in her tightly closed eyes. A quiet and lonely silence filled the room.

* * *

The final match bracket was confirmed, and preparations for the finals were complete.

Even the weather was solemn. The sky was covered with dark clouds. Yet no raindrops fell. There was simply not a single proper ray of light.

Today, Rudbeckia went alone to cheer.

Zeno had left to gather information about the status of hostages taken to Greg’s territory, and Elfleda was confined to her home under house arrest due to what she had said to the Crown Prince.

Rudbeckia sat in the stands and surveyed her surroundings. The deafening cheers of the spectators filled the arena. From the highest viewing stand above the tournament bracket, Emperor Adam and Crown Prince Baningo looked down at the arena.

Next to them, Greg stood with a death-like expression. It was clearly because he felt awkward, having promised the Emperor that he would deal with his brother after the Fabio War ended, but it kept being delayed.

“For the final! The protagonists of the championship match! Marquis Caleb Finis of the Blue Whale Knight Order who will decorate the finale, and Werner, a mercenary from the Fabio Kingdom!”

Rudbeckia’s heart pounded at the word “Fabio.”

Even if he had only followed orders, it was Caleb who had started the war in the Fabio Kingdom and seized victory. How resentful must Werner be?

‘Their skills are evenly matched. The will to win…… Mental strength will determine the outcome. Cal. You mustn’t waver.’

She clasped her hands together and prayed desperately. Prayer? Given her knowledge of his skills, prayers shouldn’t be necessary.

Please don’t let him get hurt. She prayed earnestly to the gods with sweaty palms.

— Flutter!

The flag went up, and the two horses at each end slowly walked toward the center. All spectators held their breath, watching in an atmosphere where the result seemed like it could come in the blink of an eye.

The two men positioned their horses in the center, seemingly intending to settle the match with their lance skills.

How many minutes had passed? The two exchanged evenly matched blows until sweat dripped from their faces. If they had competed with their own prepared lances instead of the provided weapons, the one with the sturdier lance would have won.

— Clang!

The two men were still exchanging blows. Even while drenched in sweat and growing increasingly tired, they maintained playful childlike expressions. Then, Caleb grinned and quietly opened his mouth.

“Let’s accept it.”

“Thank you for joining me.”

— Neigh!

The horses’ strained whinnying made it hard to hear, but the word “thank you” clearly pierced Rudbeckia’s ears.

‘Thank you…?’

Rudbeckia’s mind only awoke from silence after running through numerous possibilities several times.

‘He’s an ally. Cal asked him to join the rebellion!’

The target of revenge and judgment should be the Perron imperial family. It was clear that the two had agreed to work together on this undeniable truth. Relief and exhilaration spread through her heart that had been pounding with anxiety.

— Flutter

Just then, a white bird with blue-dyed feather tips perched on Rudbeckia’s shoulder. It was Zeno’s messenger bird. While she read the note tied to the bird’s ankle, her face mixed with relief and worry.

“The winner of the Pergos Empire’s lance competition has emerged!”

Rudbeckia looked forward in surprise. The messenger bird, startled by her sudden movement, thought its mission was complete and flew back to its master.

Though she hadn’t seen how it ended, she could tell. Werner had raised the white ribbon on his wrist in surrender without falling from his horse. The two men laughed heartily as they shook hands and bumped shoulders, whispering something.

It was hard to believe they had been clashing lance tips with their lives at stake just moments ago. They rode their horses around the stands, greeting the audience, before Werner entered the tent first. Caleb stopped near Rudbeckia and untied the white ribbon from his wrist.

“Is he an ally, Cal? One who will join our revenge?”

Caleb nodded as he tied the ribbon directly onto Rudbeckia. He moved very slowly because he had much to say.

Since people were watching this scene considering it very romantic, the slower the two acted, the better.

A scene the public wanted. A scene the noble ladies had been waiting for. Though it grated on their nerves, both Greg and the Emperor had no choice but to watch the spectacle.

“Is he trustworthy?”

“I’m certain. Even in that brief moment, there are things you can feel just from exchanging blows, right?”

As he said, even without words, just by exchanging swords, you can tell if someone feels good to fight with or if they seem suspicious.

Since he was so confident and with such a bright expression, no further doubt was necessary.

“The news is that the hostages are still alive. We need to rescue as many as possible before Greg enters his territory. Can we ask him right away?”

“Of course. He’ll be glad to finally have something to do. I need to go to the Emperor, so you go out and catch up with him. I told his clever aide to look out for someone matching your description—he’ll recognize you immediately.”

Caleb kissed Rudbeckia’s cheek with a loud smack as if rewarding the audience who had waited for them.

Thrilling screams erupted from noble ladies here and there. He grinned and waved his hand, circling once more toward the audience.

Was it because of the atmosphere? Or because of the fuss from people nearby? Rudbeckia’s face burned hot, and she kept fanning herself as she left the stands.

“The winner is Caleb Finis! Marquis Caleb Finis of the Blue Whale Knight Order has won! He has brilliantly decorated his farewell match as a knight!”

Once again, ear-splitting cheers were heard. Following the announcer’s words, Caleb stood tall before the viewing stand where the Emperor sat.

The Emperor came down to the edge of the stand and looked directly at Caleb. Then, after turning his gaze left and right toward the audience, he opened his mouth.

“A winner has emerged from the Blue Whale Knight Order that protects Pergos! This proves that the Europa continent is stronger and safer because Pergos protects it!! Now I hope that Caleb of the Blue Whale Knight Order will fulfill his duties as marquis in the northern Finis.”

Caleb responded with a forced smile mixed with mockery.

“You have made great contributions to unifying the continent! And successfully concluded the lance competition commemorating it! Duke Greg Rufus! You are the pride of the Pergos military. Excellent, excellent. We will hold a banquet for the winner at the Knight Hall, so I’ll see both of you again then.”

Despite his words, Emperor Adam clicked his tongue while looking at Greg. His lip movements seemed to form curses.

“Tsk. I tried to give him an honorable death as my younger brother. Now look at this mess. I should have just killed him.”

Greg stroked the vial in his pocket and smiled crookedly as if thinking himself foolish.

* * *