CHAPTER 10.5: THE AFTERMATH OF THE TOURNEY MASSACRE

All this time, the Grey Knight watched in utter disbelief as the commoner named Kuro decimated and pummeled the morale of his proud army of knights and men-at-arms.

“…”

Time and time again, they tried to destroy the small army of the commoner, only to be repulsed with heavy losses each time they attack.

“…”

But the last straw was when his enemy caused a mud field to appear and ensnared two-thirds of his army. Much to his horror, arrows and fireballs rained down on his trapped men, and spears and swords finished those who reached the enemy’s front line—the remaining third of his forces.

“…”

The Grey Knight could only raise the white flag of surrender at the sudden turn of events.

The crowd was as equally stunned as the Grey Knight. No one could speak for another few moments after the defeated party raised the surrender banner, and everyone’s eyes fell on the man who caused this utter shock to all who were watching…

The commoner, Kuro.

As for Kuro, he stopped his men from carrying out the horrible carnage and walked silently away from the battlefield as his mercenaries celebrated their unusual victory.

“…”

He still couldn’t believe that he won his first ‘real’ battle.

“…”

Good thing the enemy knights were certainly stubborn, as their zeal to display their martial prowess and chivalry in the battle played a large part in their defeat. Once they were provoked, they easily played into Kuro’s palm, that’s why he stayed on the defensive. The men-at-arms were no better as well. Their heavy armor and weapons gave them a sense of superiority over Kuro’s few and ‘lightly armed’ men. As a result, they repeatedly charged his defensive lines and caused massive losses in their ranks.

After all, he ordered his mercenaries to target the joints of the armors of the men-at-arms.

Such is the folly of thinking about the ‘perceived’ superiority of armors, and chivalry.

Well, Kuro fought formation-style battles before; but those were from the games that were installed on his personal computer, and not between real, live men. The feelings within him were mixed: Kuro felt happy and accomplished, though he had this lingering ‘bittersweetness’ in his heart.

After all, even if there’s no permanent damage done, causing harm and death to so many knights and men-at-arms was something no ordinary human could stomach…

“Kuro!”

Turning around, he saw the Human Saint smiling at him, genuinely happy for his victory against all odds. Her siblings were jumping with joy as well. And though the Duke showed no emotion, he never scowled at him like he always did before…

Kuro thought that he’s almost there in granting Her Holiness’ wish. He felt relieved, and even though he’s exhausted, it was the first time he had that pleasant feeling that he had saved a friend.

Ah, now he’s about to advance into the third and final round of this Tri-Skill tournament.

He continued on his way to his private area to rest.

However…

“Die, commoner!”

“!!!”

Kuro froze on his spot as a cloaked man appeared in front of him and drew a dagger. Everyone else saw what happened, but they couldn’t do anything except watch in horror. It happened so fast, and the Duke’s guards never had the time to react…

“!!!”

The next thing that Kuro knew, he felt a sharp pain in his neck, and a thick, warm liquid poured out from it. Grabbing his neck, he was horrified to see his dark crimson blood in his hands. Then his breaths became labored as he had difficulty in breathing…

He’s drowning in his blood.

The guards and other soldiers had ganged up on the cloaked man, and they restrained him pretty well. Some even stuffed a piece of cloth in his mouth to prevent him from biting his tongue to kill himself.

“…”

Kuro, however, felt weak in his legs. He fell on the ground, only to be caught by the Human Saint’s arms…

“Kuro! Kuro!” He could hear her call out to him, but his vision had become muddled. He even felt her hand cover his neck, and something warm flowed into his open wound.

Is she healing me?

“Don’t die Kuro! Please keep your eyes open!” The Saint’s eyes were teary, and he could feel those warm tears as they fall on his face, which was turning cold, “Why is it not healing? Come on! Ruro, please help me!”

“Maddie! You know it’s impossible! You don’t have the power to resurrect a dying person!” Ruro was shouting to Madelaine as she tried to restrain her.

“What should I do!? Tell me!”

Ruro had no answer to her question. She only looked at the human saint with pained sadness in her eyes. Bending over to Kuro, the Beastman saint then performed a mana-transfer on Madelaine so she could keep up with her futile attempt at healing.

It’s impossible…you only know how to heal, Your Holiness…

Kuro saw the Beastman Saint try her best in vain as well. Well, everything’s going dark, so he thought that this would be it. His life would be over soon.

“…”

But well, at least, he never failed Her Holiness. And hey, what a magnificent prize this was. He’d die looking into the face of one of the loveliest girls he knew all his life. If only he can make her stop crying, though…

“M-Maddie?”

“Yes?”

“Y-you…y-you’re beautiful…”

And with that, darkness took over him.