kscans

1

The game of chase between Jurchaga and Karz continues. Jurchaga has been swinging a tree branch the whole time. His stamina is impressive. His swinging technique is also quite sharp.

“I’m completely useless with bows and knives,” he says, but he doesn’t pick up any weapons.

What’s even more surprising is his agility. While Jurchaga is known to be nimble, he impresses even more now. He jumps from rock to rock, with wet leaves on them, without slipping. Somehow, he can instantly identify rocks that won’t crumble even when stepped on. The fleeing Karz is the same. While dodging the tree branch swung around by Jurchaga in all directions, he jumps to the next rock when cornered. He jumps backward and lands accurately on the next rock, as if performing acrobatics. But this man is a skilled swordsman known as “Akagarasu” (Red Raven) and feared like the Grim Reaper. He must have some talent in martial arts to engage in a game of chase with Jurchaga.

Glancing to the side, Doriatessa watches the two playfully chasing each other. Her gaze is extremely gentle.

Her clean profile is truly beautiful. Her youthful skin is translucent and radiates from within. It is a dazzling whiteness. Her chestnut-colored hair, usually tied up, is now let loose and sways in the wind.

Bard thought that she exuded a dignified beauty rather than a fragile one. She is slightly taller than Jurchaga but shorter than Karz. As a woman, she is somewhat large. Her bone structure is solid, and her prominent nose and sharp jawline give off a resolute aura. However, she doesn’t have a rough impression. Despite not showing any signs of flattery, she exudes a delicate and graceful air. Her slender hands, feet, and petite face are all well-balanced, making her appear taller than she actually is. Her perfectly beautiful face suddenly turns towards Bard. Her chestnut-colored eyes are clear and without any cloudiness.

“Sir Bard, you are a mysterious person,” she says with a dignified tone, but without any sharpness. Like the mountain breeze blowing through, it gives a refreshing feeling. Bard thinks to himself, “Her voice is pleasant.”

“Yes, that’s right,” he replies briefly.

Doriatessa turns her gaze back to the two downstream and softly says, “Yes.”

2

During dinner, Jurchaga asks, “Hey, Princess. You’re participating in the Frontier Martial Arts Tournament, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. And Jurchaga, please stop calling me ‘Princess.’”

“Oh, did I offend you? Sorry. Then, can I call you Dory-sama?” (t/n: Dory or Dolly?)

Doriatessa makes a stern face. It seems she doesn’t like being called Dory.

“No, I don’t like that either. And there’s no need for ‘-sama’.”

“Then, how about Dora?”

“Dora, huh? Yes, that’s fine.”

She seems to like it.

“So, where and when is the tournament? And what kind of events will you participate in?”

“Hmm, you don’t know? It’s a famous tournament.”

In truth, Bard didn’t know either. It seems Godon Zarkos didn’t know either, as he asked various questions.

The Frontier Martial Arts Tournament is held every five years by the Goriora Empire and the Parzam Kingdom. It will take place for seven days in early April next year. The venue alternates between the two countries, and this time it will be held at the Lordvan Castle in the Parzam Kingdom.

There are seven events in the tournament. The first event is jousting. The second event is two-handed sword. The third event is striking weapons. The fourth event is one-handed sword. The fifth event is rapier. The sixth event is a comprehensive competition where the winners and runners-up from the second to fifth events participate. The seventh event is singing.

Both countries send four representatives each, totaling forty-eight participants. The participants provide their own horses and armor, but the organizers provide the weapons.

Unlike other tournaments of this kind, there is no prize money or the right to seize the defeated opponent’s armor or horse. The only thing one can gain is honor. Flashy decorations are also prohibited. Each participant is allowed to have two attendants, but no one else is allowed near the venue during the tournament. There are no spectators. Only the participants themselves, their attendants, the organizers and their staff, and the judges and officials can watch.

Doriatessa requested to participate in the rapier event. The outcome of the first event is determined by falling off the horse. The outcome of the fifth event is determined by the judges’ decision. The outcome of the other events is determined by falling down. As Doriatessa is physically inferior to male knights, her only chance of victory is through skill. In the fifth event, there is a slight chance for Doriatessa to win.

“Dora is quick, you know. But wouldn’t it be faster to move without wearing a metal armor and instead wear leather armor?”

“That’s true. However, even with a blunted sword, a single blow can cause significant damage. In my case, one blow could render me defenseless. This plate armor is made by a skilled craftsman. It is extremely light for a full-body metal armor, yet its defensive power is high.”

In all events, participants are free to choose their armor. However, it is common sense to use metal armor in the first to fourth events and the sixth event, while leather armor is usually used in the fifth event. That makes sense, Bard thinks. Rapier fights rely on technique. Heavy equipment is a hindrance. Even with a lightweight metal armor, metal gauntlets and helmets hinder movement.

It is said that the Frontier Martial Arts Tournament attracts talented young knights from noble families who are expected to become future generals. Bard is slightly worried about whether Doriatessa can win against opponents who can win while wearing plate armor.

5 (t/n: this is how it is in the raw. don’t ask me)

After finishing dinner, Doriatessa approached Bard. She knelt on her right knee and placed her right fist on the ground. Her left hand rested on her bent left knee. This is the posture when vassals or subordinates serve their lord. It is rare for a knight to take this posture in front of another knight. If it were to happen, it would probably be when they completely submit to the other and make a request.

“Sir Bard, I am grateful to have met you. I will never forget that you saved my life and even obtained the head of a demonic beast. But more than that, I have been touched by your strength, kindness, righteousness, and greatness. I can talk to you surprisingly honestly. When I am by your side, I feel at ease, become stronger, and things become clearer. Sir Bard, I know this is an unreasonable request, but something in my heart tells me to cling to you. I really want to win in the martial arts tournament. I want to win in the fifth and sixth events. I want you to guide me.”

The crackling sound of the burning bonfire dyed Doriatessa’s silver armor red. Bard closed his eyes and pondered for a while. Then he opened his eyes and looked at Karz, asking, “Karz, do you think Doriatessa-dono can win?”

Karz simply shook his head, as Bard had expected. However, the fact that he could clearly shake his head meant that he had some insight into the skills of the participants in the martial arts tournament. Bard asked Karz again, “Can you guide her to victory?”

Karz didn’t answer immediately, furrowing his brows slightly. “Hmm. Karz Rowen, I command you. Do everything you can to help Doriatessa-dono get closer to victory.”

Karz stared back at Bard, and Bard took it as a sign of agreement. He then turned to Doriatessa and said, “Karz Rowen will train you. Work hard.”

And so he spoke.

3

“Take it off,” Karz said.

Doriatessa, who was told this, looked puzzled. She was in the middle of her usual sword training before breakfast. Doriatessa never missed a day of practice. In fact, Karz was the same, but he trained in a place where no one could see him. Gordon Zarkos might not have noticed Karz’s training.

“He’s telling you to take off your armor. He’s probably going to give you some training,” Jurchaga translated. (t/n: i like this guy the most. i feel like we’re quiet similar, except for his stamina. i’m usually done within 30 seconds =D )

Understanding this, Doriatessa took off her armor. Without waiting for her to finish, Karz walked away to a different location. Confused, Doriatessa followed him with her sword in hand.

Karz faithfully followed Bard’s command to live as he pleased. In other words, he became a very unsociable and quiet man. Although this surprised Bard, the atmosphere became rather calm. If this attitude brings peace to Karz, Bard has no objections. Karz hasn’t lost his tongue, so he’ll speak when necessary.

Karz stopped and turned around in a grassy area, drawing his sword. Doriatessa also drew her sword.

“I-Is it okay to strike?” Doriatessa hesitated.

It’s no wonder Doriatessa hesitated. Neither of them were wearing leather armor. They were holding real swords. And they were magical swords at that. One might wonder if they really intended to train with these. When asked, Karz remained silent, just standing there. After a short hesitation, Doriatessa struck with a probing attack.

In that moment.

A loud noise echoed, and Doriatessa was blown away. Bard’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe what he saw.

Karz had struck Doriatessa’s right cheek with the flat side of his sword. No one strikes a knight’s cheek. It is an act of disrespect. Especially with the flat side of a sword.

Doriatessa, lying in the grass, raised her upper body and placed her left hand on her right cheek. After a while, she stood up, raised her sword, and attacked Karz with a determined expression.

With a loud sound, Doriatessa was thrown back as if blown away. Karz had struck her left cheek with the flat side of his sword again. This time, she immediately stood up. Her changed angle revealed her expression. Her right cheek was swollen and red. She placed her left hand on her left cheek, looking frightened. Whether she noticed or not, blood was flowing from her nose. Bard was about to rush over, but he managed to restrain himself. Jurchaga watched their training with a pained expression. Godon Zarkos watched with a vacant expression.

Doriatessa, with an expression of intense anger, attacked Karz again. With her wet clothes dripping, she let out a growl and charged at Karz. Karz effortlessly evaded all her attacks with minimal movements. Although he still had no expression, Bard felt a gentle aura from Karz.

Dodging another powerful attack, Doriatessa stumbled forward. Karz swiftly moved his body, and unbelievably, he kicked Doriatessa’s rear. Doriatessa let out a small scream and fell forward, straight into the river. She quickly resurfaced and shook her head, but her sword was missing. She must have dropped it in the river. Doriatessa took a deep breath and dived back into the water.

Thinking it was his turn, Jurchaga assumed a diving posture. Karz swung his sword. No, he didn’t actually swing it. Since there was a distance of about twenty steps, there was no way the swing could reach. However, Bard felt as if the tip of the sword, which was swung quickly, reached the rock in front of Jurchaga’s feet. Understanding Karz’ will not to interfere, Jurchaga shook his head sadly.

The river is not very deep, and the water is clear. After diving a few times, Doriatessa picked up her beloved sword from the water. Karz, without changing his expression, calmly readied his sword. Doriatessa showed a fierce expression. With drops of water flowing from her wet clothes, she attacked Karz. Karz effortlessly evaded all her attacks. Her face, now filled with anger, continued to attack. Her nosebleed had stopped. When the excitement of battle fills one’s body, minor bleeding stops.

In the end, Doriatessa couldn’t land a single hit, and she collapsed in the grass. She lay there with her sword still in her right hand, looking up at the sky, breathing heavily. She wouldn’t be able to get up for a while. Karz sheathed his sword and quickly returned. He faced Jurchaga and gestured with his facial expressions towards the bonfire. He was demanding food to be cooked.

Jurchaga showed thoughtfulness by making a thick soup and adding water to reduce the heat for Doriatessa, who was most likely in pain. After breakfast, they resumed the training. Jurchaga prepared lunch. Normally, unless one is a farmer during the busy season, there are only two meals a day. However, after using up a lot of energy in a short period of time due to the training, it is necessary to replenish nutrients, or else the body’s movements may become sluggish. Bard thought that Jurchaga was a quick-witted man.

Training continued in the afternoon.

The next day, Karz prohibited all training. It was probably to allow them to rest. Bard’s herbal ointment seemed to have taken effect as the swelling on Doriatessa’s cheeks had mostly subsided. After breakfast, Doriatessa gazed at the waterfall and eventually fell asleep peacefully.

Bard took a walk around the area on Yueitan as a reconnaissance. He found a large Yufu tree by the riverside. It was the season when the fruit ripened. The fruits were a shade between pink and red, and they were plentiful. The size of the fruit was only as big as the tip of a thumb. They sparkled like jewels when they caught the sunlight. Bard picked one and put it in his mouth. When he bit through the skin, the soft flesh spread in his mouth. The seed was surprisingly large and hard. He carefully avoided biting the seed and crushed the flesh in his mouth. It was juicy and refreshing, with a faint acidity and mild sweetness.

“This is a good fruit,” he thought.

When he compared the fruits from several trees growing side by side, he realized that the fruit from the tree he first ate was far superior in taste. It was strange even though they were growing under the same conditions. Furthermore, he found that the fruits growing on the side facing the river on that tree tasted the best. So he picked a mountain of fruits from that side of the tree. They washed them in the waterfall basin and placed them on Sharpa leaves. Everyone gathered around and tasted them. When eating Yufu fruit, the seed remains in the mouth. Everyone spat the seeds into the waterfall basin, as if they were children. Eventually, Doriatessa also imitated everyone and started spitting the seeds. In the end, it turned into a seed-spitting competition between Jurchaga and Doriatessa, with Doriatessa emerging victorious and laughing innocently. After a good laugh, she seemed to feel the pain in her mouth again and crouched down, holding both cheeks. Bard watched her while taking care of his leather armor.

The next day, Doriatessa continued to strike while Karz evaded in their training. Doriatessa’s swordsmanship was quite impressive. She might be better than Bard in terms of technique. She must have become accustomed to attacking with a real sword, and her focus on the attacks increased, bringing out her true skill. It is difficult for a man to reach this level at the age of nineteen.

The season is heading towards winter. They cannot camp here forever, but they decided to stay at the foot of the waterfall for a while.