Chapter 656: Chapter 306 Knight Tournament_2
Even for knights with deeds of military merit, or those without them, the opponent can match the minstrel’s flair, creating an impressive battle record right on the spot in front of thousands of spectators, without blinking an eye.
After all, no matter which world you’re in, audiences love this.
In the preliminary rounds, Leon heard a messenger wildly praising his early opponents, claiming they slew giants and hunted dragon beasts, causing him to be on high alert.
However, once in combat, Leon unseated them with a single thrust, realizing his opponents were mere show-offs with shallow martial arts skills — nobles with too much money to burn, joining for fun, truly having nowhere else to spend their wealth.
It’s important to know that while the tournament halfway through awards generous spoils and ransom obtained from opponents, it’s not simply the King’s money-throwing celebration; the funding threshold to participate is not low.
Unlike one’s local tournaments held in Avalon, this capital event requires knights to pay a registration fee of dozens of gold crowns, not including the optional ransom collateral for armor, weapons, and warhorses.
A regional lord may host a noble knight tournament, perhaps merely as a money-throwing celebration for fun, but without ample funds, knights can hardly qualify for the King’s event.
Considering the number of participants, just collecting the fees from knight competitors reaches seventy to eighty thousand gold crowns, enough to cover all expenses including various levels of prizes.
This doesn’t include the entrance fees for spectators, though not as exaggerated as the knights’ registration costs, but with many spectators, it accumulates to a significant sum, almost akin to a tax levy.
The gambling setups in the outside casinos may even have the King’s involvement.
Adding the consumption activity in the capital brought by knights and nobles from all over, the economic benefits for the city’s finances exceed those of the tournament itself.
It’s a pity, Leon knows such fast money-making avenues can’t be replicated by himself and most lords.
With his current reputation, he might host a sizable knight event.
But to organize a grand tournament , with a large-scale venue, mature organizing team, regulations for managing thousands of people flow, and substantial prize money to attract participants willing to pay the entry fees—each item starting from scratch is typically an unaffordable sinkhole, even exhausting a noble’s entire fortune.
Without these preparations, naturally, the discussion of recouping costs or making big money from combat is impossible. This enterprise requires a ruler on the King’s level with sufficient resources and manpower to execute.
…..Testing the feel of the tournament spear in hand, Leon rode into the preparation area on the other side of the stables.
Opposed by the North Realm Knight, viewing the distant Baron Avalon through a heavy tournament helm.
In black heavy plate armor, with black heavy horse armor, the sturdy figure embodied the Sword Wing Badge patterns, the griffin shoulder sculpture gleamed golden, the helmet wings soared, while crimson like blood under the sunlight.
William regarded the renowned Southern Griffin Knight, his black armor imparting a greater sense of oppression and intimidation compared to Earl Nos’ silver armor and tunic.
Though he heard the opponent was excessively young, William still felt it might be a misunderstanding of Baron Avalon’s age.
The Northern Warhorse below pawed anxiously, vaguely sensing a predator’s presence making the war beast slightly uneasy.
Soon, the herald officers of the judging committee ordered the row of trumpeters to blow forcefully, interrupting William’s slight tension as the tournament began.
With a high shout, he spurred the horse’s side, the North Realm Knight charged forth.
Leon, silently experiencing the thunderous steps of the Black Steed beneath him.
The ground rumbled, the two “biological war chariots” accelerated ever closer, stirring the dust from the war beasts’ hooves, the horse’s tunic fluttering incessantly.
In the deafening explosion, the ridged, varnished wooden riding spears shattered simultaneously, transforming into dangerous wooden splinter debris scattered in the sky.
Simultaneously, a wave of cheers from the spectators rose like a landslide.
Iron Bone William’s blue and white robe body visibly tilted back, a streak of red paint appeared on his scoring shoulder shield.
This strike nearly knocked him off the saddle.
Though he felt he accurately struck Baron Avalon’s chest armor, the tremendous force he endured seemed as if both he and his opponent had stabbed himself in an oddly multiplied manner.
The judging committee at the sidelines recorded the results of their passing encounter, scoring both knights.
Leon merely adjusted his form slightly, casually discarding the handle of the shattered long spear, as he rode by Kovis at the end waiting, promptly catching the second riding spear Acro raised high.
Pulling the main reins, he turned the steadily slowing horse hooves; this black war steed borrowed from Baron Dawson had long since developed greater rapport and trust with its current owner than with its past one.
Covered by head armor, the proud Wuzhui Warhorse turned around, standing firmly at the start position of the earlier opponent.
Leon observed the opposite blue and white-robed Iron Bone William adjusting his posture, also swapping in a new riding spear as he turned, Leon wasted no time, immediately spurring the horse initiating the second round of a charge.
Once a mounted lance tournament begins, there is no halftime break; as long as both knights cross the next duel’s starting point, they can attack non-stop, those knights whose movements aren’t nimble may end up knocked from the saddle before running properly too.