From a hired knight to a master of Game of Thrones

Cole rushed to Warren's side, handed him a clean cloth, and whispered:

"Sir Warren, you've already done a fantastic job!"

Upon hearing this, Warren fell into a bitter silence.

After a moment, he sighed:

"I've let you down, and I've let the captain down too!"

After saying that, Warren picked up the clean cloth that Cole handed him and wiped the mud and blood off his face.

The next round of competition will be held soon.

Shane and another free rider, Keith, mounted their horses.

The bustling crowd held their breath again, their eyes fixed on the center of the track.

Since most people had never heard of these two knights, they had no one to encourage or support them.

For a moment, the surroundings became quiet.

first round.

Shane's blunt wooden spear pierced Keith's oak shield from the side, but the blunt tip slid sideways and nearly missed.

Keith's blunt wooden spear tip slashed down diagonally, striking Shane's forearm chainmail on the hand holding the shield squarely.

A blunt wooden gun is not lethal, but its force is terrifying.

Shane cried out in pain, his arm went limp, and the shield tilted slightly.

Round two.

Keith was clearly a veteran. Having landed a successful blow, his momentum grew even stronger. He pointed his spear straight at Shane's chest, intending to crush him with his momentum.

The moment the two horses crossed paths.

Keith suddenly twisted the reins sharply.

Almost at the same time.

Keith didn't stab the heart of the oak shield, nor did he stab Shane's chest.

Instead, he channeled all his strength into his right arm, swung the spear horizontally, and continued to smash it hard against Shane's arm holding the oak shield.

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound.

Shane felt a sharp pain in his arm, and his fingers loosened, causing the oak shield to slip from his grasp.

He lost his balance and fell off his horse.

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.

Xie En left the stage dejectedly.

The veteran referee continued to announce:

"Fourth match - Blood Hand Mercenaries, Don Quixote Knight!"

"Zenor Knights, guards of merchant Gerald!"

As soon as he finished speaking, many people started discussing it:

"I've never heard of this Don Quixote Knight before, but he must have some skill to dare to hold this tournament!"

Some people shook their heads and questioned:

"That's not necessarily true. The Bloodhand Mercenary Group has lost two matches in a row, so this estimate is unlikely!"

"Who is this Don Quixote you're talking about? I've never heard of him," someone asked, puzzled.

Some people mocked:

"A knight from out of town who has just arrived in White Harbor."

"They probably think that White Harbor is just like those small villages and towns, where anyone with a little strength can do whatever they want!"

"How dare they hold this martial arts tournament? Don't they even know if they have the strength to back it up!"

Some people countered:

"Haha, at least he has the Golden Dragon in his pocket, I believe he'll win!"

"So it's the knight who organized this tournament. Well, that's something to look forward to." Someone belatedly realized who Don Quixote was.

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.

Don Quixote raised his hand to straighten his chainmail and then pressed down on his helmet.

Then he turned his gaze to Zeno at the other end of the track.

The Zeno knights were already fully prepared, their gleaming chainmail shining brightly, and their warhorses tall and strong.

He raised the blunt wooden gun with one hand, his gaze sweeping over Don Quixote as if he were examining an insignificant object.

Seeing that the two were ready, the old referee didn't delay any longer. He raised his arm high and shouted with all his might:

"With the witness of both old and new gods, charge forth with spears—Charge!"

After warming up.

The two warhorses exerted their strength at the same time and charged out with a roar.

Zeno was extremely fast.

As the warhorses galloped, the chainmail made a crisp clanging sound, exuding an imposing aura.

He pointed his spear directly at Don Quixote's chest, determined to decide the outcome with a single charge.

Don Quixote sat up straight with composure.

His gaze was fixed on Zeno's movements, as if he were anticipating his next move.

The moment the two horses crossed paths.

Don Quixote turned the reins.

The warhorse nimbly veered to the side, avoiding Zeno's powerful spear thrust.

"Bang--!"

Zeno's blunt wooden gun struck empty air.

His expression changed.

Don Quixote's horsemanship was so skillful.

The two horses clashed again.

Don Quixote's movements were slow.

But the spear he was holding unexpectedly struck Zeno's chest.

Suddenly, a tremendous force, far exceeding Zeno's expectations, surged from the blunt wooden spearhead.

"Bang--!"

The blunt wooden gun shattered instantly.

Zeno's oak shield then shattered and broke apart.

Zeno was thrown off his horse and crashed heavily into the mud, spitting out a mouthful of blood. He couldn't get up for a long time.

A moment of silence fell over the crowd, followed by cheers.

Don Quixote's horse stopped in the center of the field, sitting upright steadily.

He leaned the broken gun against the muddy ground, his right hand on the front of his helmet, his upper body leaning slightly forward.

He gave a proper and solemn knightly salute to the audience on the platform and by the railing.

Cole jumped around so much that his voice became hoarse from shouting:

"The master won! The master is amazing!"

Alden and Adele beside him cheered loudly.

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.

The long spear contest concluded with Don Quixote's easy victory.

The second event followed immediately, and it was also the last event in this hastily organized, makeshift martial arts tournament:

—A chaotic melee!

Many free knights used blunt-tipped weapons such as leather-bound swords, round-headed axes, and iron-bound staffs.

At the same time, players can fight freely within the arena, without fixed opponents or turn-based combat.

Everyone fights for themselves; there are no allies or factions.

Elimination criteria include falling to the ground, surrendering, and being seriously injured; the last one standing wins!

Generally, one cannot mount a horse again after falling off.

Attacking those who have fallen is also prohibited, as is attacking from behind, using poison or hidden arrows, and using sharpened weapons.

Of course, these are just theoretical rules.

In fact, some knights often secretly carried sharpened weapons, which they would draw when the battle got out of control.

They also disregarded chivalry and ganged up on lone individuals.

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.

The old referee read the rules of the melee once more, his voice booming through the sea breeze:

"Listen carefully, knights!"

"Once the battle begins, there are no factions, no allies, no hidden attacks, no poison weapons, no backstabbing, and no chasing downed people!"

"Only one person remained standing"

"—The ultimate victor of today's chaotic martial arts competition will be..."

Prize money: 10 gold dragons!

"And the knightly honor that will be remembered by everyone present!"

After a pause, the old referee's gaze swept over the sixteen free knights who were already eager to fight in the arena.

Shout again:

"The old and new gods bear witness!"

"—The free-for-all martial arts competition begins!"

The moment the last few words were uttered.

The old referee abruptly stepped back and quickly left the arena.

Sixteen free knights instantly surged towards the center of the arena like wild horses, wielding blunt weapons.

The once orderly formation crumbled in the blink of an eye.

There are no allies, no factions, and everyone is an enemy.

The situation on the field became chaotic.

The shouts of battle, the crisp sounds of blunt weapons clashing, and the neighing of warhorses soon filled the entire arena.

The sound faintly drowned out the sea breeze and the cheers of the audience.

...We have to be careful in this kind of straightforward melee!

Don Quixote did not act rashly.

His gaze swept quickly across the entire arena, taking note of the actions of every Free Knight.

Because the other free knights were not wearing plate armor, he did not wear a full set of plate armor even though he had purchased it in White Harbor City.

He tried.

Wearing a set of plate armor significantly boosted his overall combat effectiveness and survivability.

Name: Don Quixote

[Identity: Knight]

【Spirit: 2.15】

[Qi and Blood: 3.30]

His current strength is already among the top-tier knights, and if he were to wear plate armor...

This is far too much of a bullying for these free knights who are only wearing chainmail.

That would also be detrimental to publicizing his strength, his reputation, and the reputation of the Blood Hand Mercenary Group.

Don Quixote wouldn't be overly worried about the situation before him.

……

PS: (Please recommend and read this!)