Ethan had not expected the man to quit like that.
For a moment, he just stood there, gripping his sword tightly. From everything he had learned and all the drama he had seen, he knew one thing. Nobles who sat in those stands were greedy. They could not accept defeat easily, and they hated losing above all else. Yet here was Baron Bragot, bowing his head.
The Baron pushed himself up with effort.His beard covered in dirt and his face had gone pale from exhaustion. He looked at Ethan with sharp eyes, though there was no longer any fire in them. His voice was steady but low. "I lost. You win."
He let those words hang in the air before taking a step closer only to see Ethan standing there shocked.
"Shouldn’t you be happy?" he asked in a mocking manner yet strangely it was quite calm.
Ethan blinked, his lips twitching slightly. "I am. But I am shocked," he admitted honestly.
Bragot snorted, shaking his head. "Don’t put on a show now. Even if I am hot-blooded, I am still a warrior. I see things clearly. Since I have seen the difference in our strength, why should I fight and get beaten by you for nothing?"
With those words, he turned his back and walked away, leaving the arena.
The crowd erupted instantly.
Cheers and shouts filled the air. Many men clapped and yelled Ethan’s name, praising his strength.
Some were thrilled, others felt it ended too quickly. For a few, it was lackluster. But those few were mostly men who wanted a longer fight. The ladies, however, leaned forward with sparkling eyes. To them, Ethan’s tall figure in his armor and the way he wielded his sword was a feast to watch.
"He looks so strong."
"I never thought a commoner could fight like that."
"That strike of his... It was incredible."
The words of admiration poured out. Some even whispered things that made Ethan’s ears burn slightly. He almost raised his hand and blew a kiss out of habit from his past life, but he froze just in time.
His mind jolted with a warning.
’Shit. I was just a step away from being doomed.’
He knew well enough that in this medieval world, such a gesture was no light thing.
A kiss thrown toward the crowd meant interest, even intent for marriage. It would have ended badly, especially with Julia sitting right there who might think of him as a playboy.
Nothing had been decided between them yet, but Ethan carried a hope deep inside. If something did happen, he would accept it. If not, then that was fine too. Still, he would not ruin it all with a careless act.
He felt a faint shiver run down his spine and quickly turned back toward the center. Duke Philip rose to his feet.
His hands came together in applause, his deep voice echoing across the field. "Well done, Baron Ethan. You have proven your strength before everyone here."
The Duke let the crowd calm down before raising his hand. His eyes swept across the nobles seated in the stands. "Now, is there anyone else who wishes to challenge, or is this trial decided?" His voice, amplified with mana, rolled across the estate like thunder.
The silence that followed was heavy. Ethan’s eyes scanned the stands, waiting for the next.
His hand tightened around the hilt of his sword as he wondered what would happen next. For a moment, it seemed no one would move. The Duke was about to declare the trial over when a voice rang clear.
"I will go."
All eyes turned as Baron Fenwick rose from his seat.
Baron Fenwick then made a small bow towards Baron Fenwick and then turned towards Kael
"I accept your challenge."With that he stepped forward.
His steps were slow but firm as he entered the arena. The moment his boots touched the dirt, Ethan felt a subtle pressure, like a weight pressing against his chest. It was not overwhelming, but it was enough to make his instincts sharpen.
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
From all the details Oliver had told him, he already knew this man would be the end boss of the event. Calmly, he called out. "You are the one who started all this. I have not offended you, nor do I hold any enmity with you. So why are you causing trouble?"
Baron Fenwick’s lips curled into a thin smile.
His eyes glinted, sly and cunning, like a fox watching its prey. His tone was calm, almost polite, but carried a sharp edge. "Either you are too young to understand, or you already know."
"So stop your act young man."
"Barony of Blank should cease to exist. Its erasure will pave the way for the new generation to step up. I also have a chance to break through to Advanced rank, so naturally, I need resources."
His gaze was cold as he continued. "And you Blanks seemed suitable for it. In fact, if not for the restrictions, I was willing to put the entire barony at stake."
His words echoed in the ground, startling everyone.
Gasps filled the air. "What?"
"Has he gone crazy?"
The nobles in the stands murmured with shock. Some leaned back in disbelief, while others stared at Fenwick as if he had lost his mind.
Duke Philip’s expression hardened at those words. He knew Fenwick’s ambition. The man had the ambition to aim higher, but he lacked a bit of talent.
Ethan tilted his head slightly, studying Fenwick. His voice was calm,and his tone steady. "Aren’t you being too overconfident? What if you lose?"
Fenwick let out a low laugh. His sharp eyes never left Ethan’s face. "I am confident, not arrogant. If I lose, so be it. As humans, we must strive forward. Until my death, I will always raise my sword."
He ended his words by stepping into stance, his sword drawn causing slight fluctuations in the surrounding mana.
"You are at the late stage of Intermediate Knight, right?"
Baron Fenwick’s question made Ethan raise his guard at once. He did not answer but locked eyes with him, staring into those piercing pupils that seemed to search his soul.
Ethan could feel it. The man in front of him was in the same realm as him. For a brief moment he even thought of using the breakthrough card tucked away in his mind, but he forced himself to calm down.
’No, Ethan... you can’t always rely on cards. This might be a valuable experience for me. I shouldn’t give it away unless I am at the losing end.’