ALL NOVEL
Chapter 49
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]
Chapter 49: Jousting(2)
***
Abel Haksen moved to sit beside Olivia.
“It’s nice to see you again like this.”
As soon as he sat down, Olivia said with a smile. Abel felt his heart swell.
‘Thanks, brother.’
If it weren’t for Damien, he wouldn’t have had another chance like this.
Abel felt a sense of gratitude towards Damien deep in his heart.
“I’ll do my best to ensure Lady Olivia enjoys the match.”
Although he said so with tension, Abel was filled with worry.
Unlike his brother, he lacked skills in swordsmanship. He wasn’t confident he could entertain Olivia.
“It’s okay.”
“Yes? But…”
“Forget about that, and please tell me more about your family.”
Olivia looked at Abel.
Abel began to speak about the Haksen Estate, even though he felt it wasn’t the right place.
***
Damien returned to the waiting room.
As he entered, he sensed the gazes of knights.
Everyone looked at Damien with wary eyes.
The impressive archery skills Damien displayed had left a strong impression on them.
The fact that they were cautious meant there was an increase in competition.
But Damien didn’t care.
Even if he had to fight all the knights here, he wasn’t afraid. What mattered was Abel’s happiness.
“Participants, listen up.”
A knight in plate armor entered the waiting area. The symbol of the Earl of Copperhead was embroidered on the knight’s cloak.
They were the most loyal knights of the Earl.
“The jousting tournament will unfold over the next three days, featuring a variety of events,” the knight explained the detailed schedule to the participants.
“Scores will be awarded to the participants after each match. The participant with the highest score overall on the final day will be the winner.”
The participants nodded.
“There are three different events prepared. We look forward to your efforts.”
At these words, the participants began to buzz with excitement.
“Do not worry about injuries. A mage skilled in healing magic is on standby just in case. The matches will begin in 30 minutes, so please finish your preparations.”
With that, the knight left the waiting area.
“Young master! We’re in trouble!!”
As soon as the knight left, Victor shouted.
“What’s the matter?”
“I-if it’s the jousting tournament, don’t you need horses to ride?”
“That’s right.”
“B-but we don’t have any! What should we do? Should I quickly buy one now?”
“We do have horses.”
Victor let out a sigh of relief at Damien’s words.
“As expected of the young master. Everything is already perfectly prepared…”
“You know, the horse that used to pull the carriage.”
Victor nearly fainted for a moment.
“Young master, those are draft horses, they’re heavy and can’t run fast…”
[PR Note- Draft horse is a type of breed that is used for heavy work such as pulling carts.]
In jousting, the most important thing was the horse.
Horses that could run swiftly, didn’t tire easily and remained composed under dangerous situations.
Without such an excellent breed of horse, they couldn’t participate in combat.
“Stop talking nonsense and go get a horse.”
“Okay…….”
Victor headed for the stables with a worried heart.
***
“Young master, I’ve brought it.”
Victor handed the reins of the horse to Damien. Damien stroked the horse’s mane.
The horse raised by Viscount Haksen was very big with thick legs, giving the appearance of it being a draft horse.
As Victor had feared, the horse was not suitable for combat.
“Sir Damien, do you intend to participate in jousting with that horse?”
A passing knight scoffed at Damien’s horse.
“It seems Sir Damien is unaware. That horse is a draft horse, it is not suitable for battle.”
“Sir Walter, that’s enough. I’m afraid he may not understand that.”
The knights burst into laughter.
Damien ignored their words. Those mocking fellows wouldn’t be too late to trample in the arena.
There was something else he needed to attend to now.
Among the masters Damien had fought in the past, there was a person named Jinnaikan.
He was a nomadic tribesman from the grasslands who became a master not with a sword or spear, but on horseback.
His mastery was known as the Inmate Mastery.
He achieved a state of unity between horse and rider.
He could perform all sorts of complex ticks by communicating with the horse.
He was even able to strengthen his horse’s body with mana and shape it into an Aurorblade.
This bizarre skill allowed Jinnaikan’s horse to charge through the speed of sound with Aurorblades wrapped around its body.
Damien had fought him for half a day and won.
“Look at me.”
Damien grabbed the horse’s head, making eye contact with it.
“I’ll need your strength today. It might be tough, but hang in there.”
Damien infused mana into the horse’s body.
The horse’s pupils dilated. It seemed quite surprised by the sensation it felt for the first time.
Fortunately, the horse didn’t buck. It calmly accepted Damien’s infused mana.
Damien’s power spread through the horse’s entire body.
“The jousting tournament will begin shortly!”
Soldiers shouted as knights mounted their horses. Damien also got on his horse.
“I’ll rely on you today.”
The horse whinnied as if to acknowledge.
***
Monster hunting.
When he heard the name of the event, Jackson Cutter inwardly cheered.
‘I can finally show my true skills!’
Hunting monsters is completely different from facing humans.
Even knights skilled in killing people often died pathetically while fighting monsters.
Hence, hunting monsters requires special skills and experience.
‘I’ll make a name for myself in this competition!’
He decided to firmly imprint the title ‘Oger Slayer’ into people’s minds.
“Well then…Open the gates!”
With the soldiers’ shout, the gates of the waiting room opened. Knights passed through the gate and revealed themselves in the arena.
“Andrew Grand! Andrew Grand!”
“Gerda Born! Gerda Born!”
Nobles shouted the names of the knights they supported. The knights waved to the audience.
“Jackson! Jackson Cutter!”
Amidst that, a familiar voice was heard.
As Jackson turned his head, he saw Sofia Russell waving her arms.
Jackson Cutter smiled and waved back at Sofia Russell.
Dum! Dum!
At that moment, a soldier beat the drum. It meant that the monsters would be released soon.
The knights looked at the iron door on the opposite wall.
Although they didn’t know what kind of monsters were prepared, dull and rough sounds could already be heard.
The knights stared at the iron door with tense faces.
As they were to be faced as a group, it was clear that the monsters wouldn’t be ordinary.
And the knights’ expectations were exactly right.
“Chieekk!”
As the iron bars opened, a monstrous figure leaped out.
The moment they saw the monster, the knights exclaimed in horror.
“…It’s a troll!”
Known for their tough skin that swords couldn’t pierce and their ability to tear humans apart effortlessly.
They were monsters famous for their high vitality, not dying even after being slashed multiple times.
Not just one, but three trolls appeared that even low-class knights found challenging.
Chiekk! Chieek! Chieekk!
The trolls charged towards the knights as if they had been provoked.
“Run! Don’t fight them head-on!”
At someone’s shout, the knights began to disperse. The trolls chased after them.
“This is madness. Releasing trolls.”
Jackson Cutter clicked his tongue as he rode his horse.
An aura could cut a troll’s tough skin with ease.
However, it was the same for the trolls. With their strength, trolls could easily kill knights.
Even low-class knights might be able to withstand a single blow. But junior knights had no chance.
“Well, I guess I have to accept this level of danger, right?”
While the knights hurriedly fled from the trolls, Jackson attempted to attack instead.
Jackson Cutter circled around the trolls.
The trolls’ eyes filled with killing intent as they saw Jackson charging towards them.
Chiek! Chiek!
The troll swung its palm to grab Jackson, but it missed.
“Take this!”
Drawing his sword, Jackson slashed at the troll’s thigh. A groan escaped from the troll’s mouth.
But trolls are monsters that are known for their regenerative powers, the sword wound was gone in an instant.
“It seems this won’t be enough!”
Jackson spurred his horse again and circled around the troll.
Whenever the troll showed an opening, Jackson slashed its legs with his sword.
“Who is that knight?”
“Not only brave but also skilled.”
Nobles sitting in the stands admired Jackson Cutter.
As the nobles’ cheers grew louder, Jackson felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
“See that? This is me! Jackson Cutter! The Oger Slayer, Jackson Cutter!”
Jackson swung his sword again. A long gash appeared on the troll’s thigh.
That’s when it happened.
The sound of hooves came from behind. He instinctively turned his head.
Damien was charging in his direction.
Chiekkkk!
As the troll caught sight of Damien, he swiftly whipped his horse, urging it to run faster.
“You fool!”
Jackson Cutter scoffed at Damien’s actions.
Though trolls seemed muscle-headed, they were actually very fast and dangerous monsters.
One moment of carelessness could result in their hands crushing one’s body. Knowing this well, Jackson continued to circle the troll, looking for openings.
“Don’t you realize charging head-on is suicide?”
Indeed, as he thought, Damien wasn’t such an exceptional knight.
‘This is my chance.’
As the troll was about to attack Damien, Jackson Cutter aimed for its abdomen, intending to split it open.
Even the troll would suffer grave injury if its stomach were slashed open, spilling out its entrails.
Chiekkk!
The troll swung its hand down, just as Jackson was about to rush forward and aim for its abdomen.
The horse Damien was riding leaped high.
The troll’s palm slammed into the ground. The horse on which Damien rode used the troll’s forearm as a foothold.
Damien and the troll were now at the same level.
Damien swung his sword and struck the troll in the throat.
Blood sprayed onto the ground.
At the same time, the troll’s head fell to the ground.
***
‘It’s not easy to control a horse.’
Unlike weapons, horses had their own consciousness and emotions, making them difficult to handle.
However, Damien’s talent compensated for any lack of experience.
Damien quickly grasped the reins and commanded the horse.
‘Let’s go!’
Without waving the reins or kicking its sides, the horse moved.
With each stride, Damien could feel it.
He felt how powerful the horse’s muscles were and how it moved.
‘So this is how it moves?’
Damien manipulated mana in rhythm with the horse’s movements, enhancing its movements with infused mana.
With each hoofbeat, the horse’s speed noticeably increased.
What was initially sluggish movement gradually became agile. Suddenly, it sprinted like the wind.
Chieeek!
Seeing Damien, the troll raised its arm. The horse’s fear was palpable.
‘Don’t be afraid!’
Damien reassured the horse.
‘I’m here!’
Damien’s strong will also influenced the horse. Without fear, it charged towards the troll.
‘Run!’
The horse leaped. The troll’s palm struck below.
The horse rushed over the troll’s forearm. Despite the narrow width, the horse didn’t waver.
Reaching the shoulder, it was an ideal position to strike the troll’s neck.
Damien swung his sword, beheading the troll. The headless troll collapsed behind the horse.
The horse leaped again, landing gracefully.
“Wow!”
“What did I just witness?”
The nobles erupted in cheers.
The horsemanship Damien had displayed was something they had never seen in their lives.
“Good job.”
Damien patted the horse’s neck. It neighed happily.
Damien glanced sideways. Jackson wore a look of disbelief.
“Thanks for the distraction.”
With Damien’s comment, Jackson’s expression crumpled.
“You fucking bastard…!”
Damien didn’t bother to listen to the words, he urged the horse forward again.
There were still two trolls left to deal with.
[Translator – Kie]
[Proofreader – Kawaii]