From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

On a large expanse of muddy land outside Baigang City.

A makeshift, rudimentary arena for knightly duels was hastily erected.

In the very center is a straight, compacted dirt road.

A thin wooden pole was stuck in the middle of the mud path.

The outer perimeter of the arena was enclosed by a thick wooden fence, hemp rope, and shields.

This was to prevent the warhorses from charging out and also to prevent the surrounding spectators from getting carried away and causing chaos.

Meanwhile, seven or eight free riders stood by the fence to maintain order.

They were the free riders that Tom and his two companions had befriended during this time.

Don Quixote hired them to maintain order in the makeshift, rudimentary jousting arena for a day.

Outside the fence, a large number of civilians had already gathered to watch the spectacle.

On the other side, on several raised wooden platforms, stood some businessmen whom fishmonger Rodney knew.

More than a dozen white flags with blood-red hands fluttered in prominent positions throughout the arena.

The air nearby smelled of earth, horse sweat, sea breeze, ale, and roasted meat.

In the distance, you can see the sails of ships on Biting Bay.

In order to attract more onlookers.

Don Quixote employs several cooks to grill meat around him.

He provided free barbecue and cheap beer to the civilians who came to watch.

Although each person receives a small amount, it is enough to attract many ordinary people who want to get something for free.

In less than an hour, a noisy scene had gathered around the simple knightly duel arena.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Rodney looked at Don Quixote beside him, completely bewildered:

"Sir Don Quixote, the expenses you incurred in organizing this semi-public tournament must far exceed the compensation my employment service could provide!"

"I don't understand your purpose in doing this."

"Our Bloodhand Mercenary Group has only been in White Harbor for a short time," Don Quixote smiled.

"To convince everyone of the strength of our Bloodhand Mercenary Group and the knightly qualities we possess."

"Wouldn't it be quick to achieve my goal by holding a small, semi-public knightly tournament like this?"

Three days ago, Rodney planned to have two knights who had long been employed by him test the strength of Don Quixote and his companions.

Don Quixote, however, suggested that they take the opportunity to hold a small, semi-public jousting tournament.

Because the knights on both sides of the duel have already been chosen.

One side consisted of four members of the Bloodhand Mercenary Group, while the other side comprised numerous knights recruited by Rodney.

Outside riders are not allowed to participate.

Fishermen, sailors, free knights, and others from the vicinity of White Harbor City are also welcome to observe.

It is neither entirely private nor open to everyone.

Therefore, it is a semi-public, small-scale knightly tournament.

As for why not hold a public knightly tournament.

Rodney was just an ordinary businessman in White Harbor, without the status or prestige of those wealthy merchants.

Not to mention Don Quixote.

In short, they were just ordinary people and had no right to hold a public martial arts tournament.

Even so, in order to organize this semi-public, mini-knight tournament.

Not only did they leverage Rodney's connections, but they also spent the equivalent of over ten golden dragons of Don Quixote's bribes.

White Harbor is ultimately a commercial city, more pragmatic and money-oriented than the castle-like cities of the North.

As long as there is no rebellion or disturbance, the lord sometimes turns a blind eye.

It is common for people to pay for martial arts licenses in order to gain fame.

It's not uncommon for wealthy businessmen to directly bribe city organizers to host large-scale knightly tournaments.

But without the tacit approval of the White Harbor City authorities and the acquiescence of the Mandalay family.

Even if it's just a small, semi-public martial arts tournament.

That was an act of provocation.

It would be very easy for the White Harbor garrison to disperse and attack them!

It was upon seeing the extraordinary courage and charisma in Don Quixote, a quality rarely seen in ordinary mercenary knights, that Rodney had already come to acknowledge Don Quixote's status in his heart.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

A sworn knight belonging to the White Harbor garrison, invited by Rodney and lured by Don Quixote's money, loudly proclaimed:

"Remember, a fight is not about killing, but about demonstrating courage and skill."

"If you win, you'll have the finest chainmail, a strong warhorse, and the chance to be bestowed a title by the lord!"

"If you lose, you either get out of here or practice again."

"You are all doing this voluntarily, as witnessed by the old and new gods."

"This martial arts tournament officially begins!"

After a series of polite words,

The Oath Knight, clad in full plate armor, took a few steps back with little interest, only to be surrounded and flattered by the merchants around him.

Not long after, an old knight, also from the Mandalay family, acted as referee and announced:

"The lance is the knight's arm, and the horse is the knight's leg."

"If you can't master sprinting, you don't deserve to be called a knight."

Listen up, everyone!

"Charge with spears immediately, one-on-one!"

"Start from the starting hurdle and charge in a straight line!"

"Shoot down the opponent and shatter their shield to win!"

"If you miss all three shots, you lose!"

"To concede, you must raise your gun above your head, and both sides must immediately stop fighting!"

"Witnessed by the old and new gods, the first round of the contest begins!"

"The first duel: Knight Tom from the Bloodhand Mercenary Group versus Knight Cassius!"

Upon hearing this, Don Quixote, who was standing on a high platform to the side, turned his gaze toward the makeshift arena.

Tom was the first to take the court.

His opponent was a free rider who had been employed by one of Rodney's businessman friends for a long time.

Two riders rode to the ends of the track, reined in their horses, and pointed their lances diagonally at the ground.

Immediately afterwards, the two knights rode slowly, controlled their horses, swung their lances, and thrust at a fixed target as a warm-up before the competition.

Not long after.

The two knights raised their blunt wooden spears, which were used for jousting.

This is a hollow, easily broken wooden spear.

At this moment, the old referee gave another whistle:

"--charge!"

The two knights' horses started moving almost simultaneously.

From walking to running!

Then it turns from running to rushing!

The horses' hooves pounded on the wet mud, making a dull, drum-like sound.

Many civilians watching the spectacle immediately held their breath.

Soon, the two spears crossed in mid-air!

Unfortunately, none of them hit the target.

"Hahaha, just as expected, they're all unknown free riders." A coachman laughed discontentedly.

"Tsk tsk, with this kind of ability, I could give it a shot."

"It's alright, at least he didn't fall off his horse. I watched that martial arts tournament last time." Some people offered a more objective assessment:

"One knight couldn't even control his horse properly; he fell off after only a few steps!"

"I almost choked laughing!"

Inside the arena, Tom pressed his spear against the ground, rapidly adjusting his breathing:

"Phew, damn it, don't be nervous, don't be nervous, isn't this the chance to become famous that I've always dreamed of!"

I must catch it!

"The opponent's strength is nothing special, not as strong as I imagined, about the same level as me."

"I can win! I, Tom, will definitely win!"

After Captain Don Quixote stated that he would not be the first to appear.

Tom and his two companions argued for quite some time about the order of the performances.

In the end, it was thanks to Tom's outstanding performance that he managed to secure the position.

He had been looking forward to this for a long time.

We absolutely cannot fail!

……

PS: (Please recommend and read this!)