Bang, Kwaang, Zeng.
The sound of metal clashing cut through the air. A porosity that deafens the ears and makes the body tremble. But people just opened their mouths in a daze.
Nobles were better off. I was less shocked because I had seen Luke’s demonstration before. But it wasn’t the young people.
“I-what is that?”
“Are these people really human?”
“Apostle of God… … .”
A power that far surpasses that of humans while taking the form of a human. That was enough to arouse people’s awe.
Most were stunned, some wondered if what they were seeing was a dream, and some even knelt down and prayed.
‘Is this a human fight?’
‘I thought the old tradition was full of lies.’
The less shocked aristocrats were also not normal. Everyone had a complicated head. How much power does that one person have?
Powerful enough to wipe out a decent amount of troops alone. Goosebumps rose again.
“It’s over.”
“hmm.”
Other nobles nodded at someone’s murmur. The subject didn’t say anything, but everyone had the same idea. No one could beat those two in the third test.
Everyone, young and old, young and old, was filled with astonishment and silence. But among them, it was none other than Ragnar, the party to the duel, who was most surprised.
‘Does this make sense?’
Kwaaang.
Again, axes and swords collided. If you look at it from afar, you’ll think it’s just a clash of power and power. But in reality it was much more complicated than that.
‘My skills don’t work at all.’
It was too fast to be seen, but Ragnar mobilized all the skills he knew.
Sometimes the weapons were joined and intertwined. If there was a gap, it caused confusion as if attacking. The clever footwork was enough to distract the gaze.
‘But nothing seems to go over.’
Each one is a skill that can be included in the essence of different actual swordsmanship. Quite a few knights could not stop even the simplest of them, and their throats would be cut.
However, Luke continued to brush off such skill as if it were not funny. Ragnar’s face turned pale.
“Nonsense!”
“what?”
“This… … !”
Ragnar trembled as he looked at Luke, who asked back. I thought about it dozens of times, but I hesitated to spit it out of my mouth.
“… It is not a talent.”
“hmm.”
jjoong.
Luke flicked his axe and looked at Ragnar intrigued. As if to keep talking. Ragnar swallowed dryly and continued.
“Talent and perception are different. No matter how talented you are, you can’t cope with this perfectly in a field you don’t know.”
“He must have this kind of talent.”
“gibberish!”
Once more, Ragnar swung his axe. This time, it was a blow that contained only pure power. With a bang, the air burst and the two weapons clashed mid-air.
“That’s not talent! It is a talent to learn and cope with what you know right away. But you… … !”
You already know all of that. Confidence that cannot exist without crossing numerous oblique lines. A cold sweat broke out as the questions so far appeared clearly.
“What are you guys?”
“What do you think?”
“It’s something older in a younger body.”
This time, Luke was surprised. It’s amazing. I’m not sure, so I may have expressed it in a vague way, but in a sense, it was the most accurate.
“Answer me. What are you guys like?”
Ragnar thought of several possibilities. Is he a prophet who has foreseen countless futures and matured? If not, is it an apostle who came down from heaven after reading his fate?
“Why are you disturbing me? What did you see in me?”
“Simple.”
Luke erased the smile from his face.
“I saw you, Ragnar. I saw a man who was excellent as a warrior, but as terrible as a king.”
“… … !”
“And when such a bastard became king, I saw what kind of tragedy befell him.”
“Tung,” said Luke as he struck the axe. Ragnar’s body was pushed all the way back. It was hard to block even though it didn’t contain much power.
“When will the king you dream of be the enemy king?”
“what?”
“Times have changed, Ragnar. If you are a good warrior, this is not the era for a good king.”
This time, Luke stepped forward and started swinging his sword. When it suddenly turned into an offensive, Ragnar was startled and struck off the attack with his axe.
Bang, bang, quaang.
“Keugh!”
Every time I blocked an attack, the shock rode up to my wrist. Meanwhile, Luke was fine. Not to mention shortness of breath, he didn’t even stop breathing.
“It was a thousand years ago that you were able to become a great king. Not now.”
“Turn it off! then!”
Ragnar, who managed to parry the attack, stepped back and glared at Luke. He gasped for breath, but Luke watched without attacking.
“Are you saying he is better suited to be a king in this era than I am?”
“okay.”
“I can not admit it.”
Yeah, I couldn’t admit it. Rather, if only Luke had become king.
“You don’t know, but he can’t admit it.”
“Then judge with your own eyes.”
With a thump, Luke hit the floor and charged like lightning. The defense was temporarily delayed, and Luke’s sword was still touching Ragnar’s throat.
“Because if you ask yourself, you’ll find out.”
“… … .”
Silence fell. Even though the winner was already decided, no one said anything. While everyone was quiet, Luke lowered his sword.
As Luke descended, Viscount Thorburn muttered reflexively.
“… A Luke Bernstein victory.”
No one really listened to it. It took a little more time for people to come to their senses.
* * *
-Take a break.
Viscount Thorburn, who came to his senses faster than others, temporarily stopped the duel. Just looking at it, it wasn’t the situation to continue the duel.
The Viscount’s judgment was correct. It took a full hour for people to come to their senses.
“Hey, pinch my cheek.”
“You did it before. Because it is real.”
“I never thought I would see a match like this in my lifetime… … .”
“Are these people going to be kings now?”
The villagers were still in shock as the shock had not fully subsided, but inside, a crucible full of excitement was boiling.
Would it be like this if God’s apostles fought, or would it be like this if ancient heroes fought? What if such great people become our kings?
‘The best. It’s like an old legend. Long live the King!’
‘I think I’ll spread some more food even if I’m afraid of the king in the center.’
‘Integrated? Do I no longer have to fight the barbarians?’
Some were stimulated by pure romance, while others were interested in practical gains. Others rejoiced at the integration itself, which eliminated division.
The existence of the ‘king’ is finally starting to come true. Even nobles could feel this strange heat on their skin.
“… Let’s start the next duel soon. Warchief, are you all right?”
“I’m fine, don’t worry.”
Again, the viscount quickly declared resumption before the situation became untidy. Ragnar, as if recovering from the shock of his defeat, entered the arena with a calm expression.
Ragnar looked at Logaine and nodded his head.
“Come up.”
“yes.”
Loghain did not refuse the call. Loghain’s weapons were a one-handed ax and a shield. It was the main armament of a typical barbarian.
“It’s been a while since I’ve competed with the warchief.”
“How long do you think you can last?”
“Well, we should try to endure as long as we can.”
With a smirk, Loghain stood up. Youngjimin’s eyes were colored with anticipation again. Can we see the same battle as before this time?
Unfortunately, their expectations were not met.
Kwaang, bang.
“Great, turn it off!”
Logain was not a superhuman like Luke or Ragnar. Of course, when compared to normal humans, he was excellent enough to be said to be at the top.
His reflexes were excellent, his physical abilities were innate, and he had skills that surpassed his mighty attack power. But it wasn’t enough to overcome the vast differences in ancient bloodlines.
Kwaaang.
“Cuck!”
When Ragnar swung his ax properly, Logain flew through the shield. The shield was half-shattered and tattered, and Loghain rolled a few times before groaning.
“You are also the warchief.”
“You need to improve your skills.”
“If you can get me a dragon’s heart, that’s it.”
The two laughed at each other. The duel ended in a friendly atmosphere, but the young people looked disappointed on the contrary.
‘Wasn’t candidate Wang all the same?’
‘It seems that only the two of them were special.’
The interest in the eyes of the local residents toward Loghain disappeared. Logain knew that too, but didn’t really care.
Because he had no intention of becoming king in the first place. As Logain descended, Ragnar’s gaze turned to the remaining two.
“Who will come up first?”
“I will go.”
Bjorn. Sparks flew from Ragnar’s eyes. Seeing this, Bjorn was taken aback.
‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
I don’t think I have any memory of having a grudge. Although he rejected the offer to join the subordinate, it wasn’t to the point of being so angry.
While tilting his head, Bjorn grabbed his two axes, his own weapons.
“Let’s begin.”
“… Bjorn Veldine, do you really intend to become a king?”
“Why are you asking that out of the blue?”
Bjorn’s brow narrowed. I couldn’t figure out the intent of the question. But Ragnar snarled.
“Answer me. Are you truly seeking the position of king?”
“exactly.”
“under.”
An immediate answer without the slightest hesitation. A laugh escaped from Ragnar’s mouth.
“With your bowl?”
“Is there a problem?”
“Don’t you think it’s an undeserved seat?”
“ha ha ha!”
blatant insult. However, Bjorn instead burst into laughter. Ragnar’s eyes widened at the sight.
“What’s funny!”
“Warchief, what do you want to do as a king?”
“what?”
“I asked what you would like to do as a king.”
Ragnar’s eyes were slightly confused. What do you want to do as a king? I opened my mouth to answer right away.
But when he opened his mouth, nothing came out.
‘Unification of the North. Independence from the imperial family. Make the North Great… and… … .’
I closed my eyes for a moment. The integration of the north and the independence of the imperial family all happen the moment you become king.
It could be said that the Great North was also made at that moment. And then what? After becoming king?
“… We must fight against foreign powers.”
“You mean the empire?”
“Yes. There’s no way they’ll just leave us alone.”
From noble mtl dot com
If Ragnar ascends the throne and the North is united, the imperial family will not stand still. In particular, northern independence would be absolutely unacceptable to them.
As a king, what you have to do is to win permanent independence against such external pressure. Having made up his mind, Ragnar’s eyes opened.
“I will establish a country of northerners that will not be interfered with by anyone. That is my goal.”
“indeed.”
Bjorn nodded. Certainly, that ambition might ignite a fire in the hearts of all northerners. It’s been a long time since everyone suffered from the imperial family’s pranks on food.
But Bjorn glared at Ragnar with cold eyes.
“As expected, I should be the king, warchief.”
“What?”
“You will be a lousy king.”
Ragnar’s face twisted at Bjorn’s sincere words.