Chapter 17: Giving You What You Want to See (Part 2)

Because of the arrival of Dean, this Apprentice Knight, the Ferrchelen Knight Order held a banquet that same day—although it was called a banquet, it really just meant there were two extra pots of stew. Alcohol did not appear on the table at all. Moreover, the soldiers on duty did not leave their posts; only the soldiers who had finished eating took turns swapping with them.

Regarding this, Dean appropriately showed a trace of dissatisfaction. He even expressed disgust for the two pots of stew that the soldiers were eating with great relish.

Such behavior further convinced Potts that his guess was correct. Inadvertently, the smile on his face grew wider—for such a piece of fat meat delivered right to his mouth, the Regiment Commander of the Ferrchelen Knight Order would not let it slip away.

As for so-called mercy and justice?

When raising the butcher’s knife against Commoners and merchants for Gold Pulton, mercy and justice had long since vanished from the bottom of Potts’ heart!

All that remained in his heart was endless greed, and the tyrannical sense of power over life and death that stemmed from it.

However, before that, some things still needed to be confirmed—

“Knight Dean!”

Receiving a look from Potts, a formal member of the Knight Order standing nearby who bore the title of Knight Guard slowly stood up and walked toward the center of the room. The Wooden Sword in his hand, covered in white lime, was enough to explain the situation; however, on the surface, this formal member of the Knight Order spoke with great respect.

“I would like to ask for a lesson in the Sword Technique of the Central Knight Order!”

As he spoke, this formal member of the Knight Order bowed.

A look of displeasure was feigned on Dean’s face, but he did not refuse and walked into the arena—as a Noble and a Knight, he was not allowed to refuse such a challenge.

In fact, in most Military Camps and Knight Orders, the period after every Gathering was a high-risk time for injuries.

Because, under the influence of alcohol, some very small matters were always magnified countless times. Coupled with burning anger, accidents happened frequently.

At times like this, it was necessary for the local officers and the Regiment Commander to mediate.

However, Potts clearly did not have such thoughts.

On the contrary, he took the lead in applauding and cheering for Dean.

As for how much of it was real?

Only he himself knew.

…

The duel began!

Amidst the sound of cups and bowls clashing to act as the duel’s bell, both sides rushed toward each other at high speed—the method of the duel was simple: if the white lime on the Wooden Sword stained the opponent’s clothes, or if one was struck out of this circle with a radius of about five yards, it counted as a loss; otherwise, one was the victor.

However, this was only the result when points were called.

In most cases, when the Wooden Swords touched the opponent, it was absolutely the moment when each side fought with all their might.

This time was no exception—

Snap!

The two Wooden Swords struck each other. Amidst the crisp sound, white lime flew in all directions, blocking their vision; however, clearly, both were experts in this field. Neither was blinded by it; they merely narrowed their eyes and rapidly swung their Wooden Swords at each other.

Snap, snap, snap…

Within a few short breaths, the Wooden Swords of both sides struck each other continuously, emitting a series of sounds.

It seemed difficult to determine who was better, but everyone present, including the Knight Order Regiment Commander, revealed expressions of disdain.

Because they saw the small noble’s arm trembling imperceptibly at this moment.

Undoubtedly, the opponent might have received some training, but that was all. He was simply not presentable. Perhaps he was a good hand at performing fencing at a banquet, but real combat?

Don’t joke around; can a performance kill people?

“Cough, cough!”

Having obtained the information he wanted, Potts coughed lightly twice.

Suddenly, the situation changed drastically—

The scene, which had previously been evenly matched, instantly saw Dean gain the upper hand. With the following sword strike, a curl and a flick knocked his opponent’s Wooden Sword to the ground.

“Indeed worthy of being an Apprentice Knight of the Central Knight Order!”

Facing Dean, who had a smug look on his face, Potts was the first to applaud, and the surrounding members of the Knight Order followed his example and applauded; however, the mockery deep in their eyes was seen by Dean.

Regarding this, Dean just sneered in his heart.

He knew exactly why the other party did this; it was nothing more than to see his Strength, so as to ensure nothing went wrong.

And Dean naturally did not mind showing the other party a ‘real’ strength that fit his image.

“It is merely some basics!”

Dean spoke words that seemed humble on the surface but were proud at their core, and returned to his seat.

Such behavior undoubtedly made the members of the Ferrchelen Knight Order curse in their hearts at this small noble Dean for his ignorance; even Potts, the Knight Order Regiment Commander, felt anger mixed with killing intent boiling like water in his heart when facing Dean; however, on the face of this Ferrchelen Knight Order Regiment Commander, there remained that kindly smile.

He straightened his body, looked at Dean, and said slowly: “We need a real Knight to help us carry out a long-distance garrison mission! And your previous performance makes me think you are a very suitable candidate!”

“Where is the garrison? You know, I only just arrived at the Tier Territory today and haven’t had a good rest yet!”

Dean’s eyebrow twitched, and he spoke with the manner of a Noble, carrying some dissatisfaction.

“I certainly know that, so I am now speaking to you in my capacity as the Ferrchelen Knight Order Regiment Commander, Knight Dean Ken!” Regiment Commander Potts emphasized his words, revealed his long-bared Fangs, and a smile that was yet not a smile appeared on his face, “Your destination is about fifty li away! To arrive before dark, please set off immediately!”

Saying this, Regiment Commander Potts stood up and walked toward the outside of the room; after reaching the door, as if he had thought of something, he paused, and without turning his head, said: “Knight Dean Ken, please follow my orders, otherwise, you will face a military tribunal… Also, that place is near the Snowplains Dense Forest, where Barbarians and Snow Wolves appear from time to time!”

After saying this, Regiment Commander Potts walked away without looking back, leaving Dean sitting in the chair, feigning a stunned look, as if he could not accept it.

Humph, you kid who doesn’t know the height of the sky and the thickness of the earth, you have experienced the power of the Regiment Commander!

The formal members of the Ferrchelen Knight Order looked at Dean, who was staring blankly and clearly confused, and could not help but sneer in their hearts at the same time; then, they just narrowed their eyes and admired Dean’s pitiful appearance at this moment—in fact, they had been waiting for this moment for a long time, ever since the so-called banquet began.

And their Regiment Commander indeed did not disappoint them; however, they did not want it to end like this. Whether it was their own thoughts or the secret order given by their Regiment Commander before he left, they all knew what they should do.

Therefore, the following scene occurred—

“Tsk, isn’t that outpost the one that was attacked by Barbarians last time?”

The member of the Knight Order who had dueled with Dean suddenly asked.

“Yes, that’s the one… four of us died there!”

Another member of the Knight Order nodded with a grave expression.

“I heard their bellies were slit open by those Barbarians, and their intestines flowed all over the ground!”

A member of the Knight Order standing nearby said with a look of fear.

The remaining few members of the Knight Order also nodded continuously, and then they seemed to suddenly notice Dean, whose face looked a bit off.

“Knight Dean is a Knight with powerful Strength; surely he won’t be worried about the harassment of those Barbarians?”

The member of the Knight Order who had spoken first, the one who had dueled with Dean, asked with seemingly good intentions.

“Of course!”

Dean answered in a tough tone; however, the members of the Knight Order present all heard the slight tremor in his voice; this embarrassed appearance of forcing himself to look strong while enduring fear really delighted these members of the Knight Order; with an inexplicable excitement, they suppressed their smiles deeply while instilling the horrors of that place into the small noble before them, until Dean left, their mouths did not stop.

“Do you think our Knight Dean will be too scared to sleep tonight?”

Standing at the entrance of the Ferrchelen Knight Order, the member of the Knight Order who had spoken first said with a mocking look.

“How could that be? He is a noble, brave Knight Master; at most… he will just wake up in the middle of the night!”

Someone beside him immediately agreed.

“Maybe he’ll wet his pants!”

Another one said.

As soon as these words came out, the members of the Knight Order immediately laughed unscrupulously—before, they had scruples because Dean was present, but now that Dean had clearly walked far away, they didn’t have to hold it in anymore.

However, such laughter clearly attracted attention; a Subject of the Tier Territory serving in the Ferrchelen Knight Order subconsciously looked at these formal members of the Knight Order.

“Swine, what are you looking at!”

The member of the Knight Order who had spoken first raised his hand and swung it.

Snap!

Amidst the sound of a loud slap, the serving Subject of the Tier Territory staggered and nearly fell to the ground, only managing not to fall by leaning on the gun barrel in his hand.

However, he looked as miserable as he could be.

Such a miserable appearance again made the members of the Knight Order burst into laughter; and that serving Subject of the Tier Territory covered his face and quickly lowered his head, looking angry but daring not to speak.

Undoubtedly, this appearance made the laughter of the members of the Knight Order even more unbridled.

Therefore, none of them noticed that in the distance, a pair of ice-cold eyes were silently watching them; and then, they quietly disappeared.