Ch.161Victory Commemoration #2

Around noon, with my body and mind feeling languid on the bed, Helena, who had left to meet the king, returned with a rather surprising story. It wasn’t that the story was absurd, but rather that it was something I hadn’t expected.

“Holding a festival to celebrate victory is certainly plausible. But the fact that they’re specifically connecting it to knights…”

“They must really want to show off. Well, it makes sense. They won without much damage despite the significant difference in national power.”

That’s right.

I nodded as I watched Helena answer before I could even finish speaking.

It was as if she was saying there was no need to discuss further since we had the same thought.

In a way, it gave me goosebumps, but in another way, I was grateful that we didn’t need to talk at length.

After all, our bodies were intertwined, and I was feeling heavy and languid.

“Still, I think the purpose itself isn’t bad. The competition might seem too harsh, but if someone stands out, they’ll have more opportunities to become a knight.”

“Yes. Even if they don’t climb all the way to the top and win, knighting someone is a privilege that belongs to each noble.”

I thought that while a competition where only one person becomes a knight couldn’t help but be harsh, there were still opportunities to become a knight even without winning. It’s similar to how in audition programs, people other than the winner sometimes debut as well.

Of course, to get that far, one would need to survive through fierce competition and stand out.

“…Tsk.”

I clicked my tongue, wondering if I was drawing conclusions that favored those with privilege too much.

Realistically, it would be impossible to train everyone who participated as knights, but it still felt uncomfortable to just cut them off so decisively.

“What’s wrong? Is there something you don’t like?”

Seemingly uncomfortable with my displeased expression, Helena asked with noticeably anxious eyes.

Whenever I saw her unconsciously being so attentive, it seemed like she was the servant rather than the master, which made me inwardly laugh with a sense of emptiness.

“No, it’s not that… It’s just that each territory will only select one candidate. The rest will clearly be rejected, and I was wondering if there might be some consolation for them. Even though it’s a competition, it’s ultimately a festival celebrating victory, so it feels wrong to send them home dejected.”

“Ah…”

Only after hearing my answer did Helena relax her anxious demeanor, nodding with a soft sound of admiration.

Perhaps she had been so focused on the competition aspect that she had momentarily forgotten it was also a festival.

“You have a point. We can’t let people leave a festival feeling depressed.”

“Thanks for understanding. But… is it realistically possible?”

“Well, even though we have money, we don’t know how many will participate, and even if the number is small, we can’t give away anything too valuable. People might come just for the prizes without any intention of becoming knights.”

This festival would likely be held periodically, not just once.

Having concluded that, I thought she was right in saying we needed to maintain appropriate boundaries considering future participants.

“Of course, I think giving something is a good idea. We just need to determine the extent based on the situation.”

“Good. Let’s wrap up this discussion here. What else did the king say?”

“Besides that… after coordination, he said to set a selection period of about two months in each territory, and to report immediately when each territory’s representative is determined. After that, a date will be set…”

.

Afterwards, Ellen formally received her knighthood in front of the nobles, and Ive, who had been occasionally harassed among the nobles, showed a relieved expression as if she had barely survived.

Normally, people who stand out are always sought after by nobles wanting to bring them to their territories, but thanks to her background as a duchess, such attempts were quite rare.

Moreover, it hadn’t been long since Helena had distinguished herself in battle, and her image was still vivid in the nobles’ minds.

Especially impressive was how she had crossed swords with Helix without regard for her own safety.

“Even with the Duke’s words… it was still quite difficult.”

In the carriage returning to the territory, Ive let out a groan as she slumped her body.

They had become quite close, so she seemed comfortable showing such a relaxed posture.

Some might have criticized her for lacking tension if they had seen this, but it looked good to me.

A certain level of courtesy was necessary, but we weren’t strangers without affection.

“Yes, you did well.”

Though they had mostly stayed together, there were times when they were separated.

I gently stroked Ive’s cheek, recalling the nobles who had tried to approach during those gaps.

Whether due to being the youngest of the three women or because of the magic that prevented aging, her skin felt remarkably smooth.

“We’ve finished all the necessary post-war procedures, yet more work comes… Aren’t you displeased?”

Ellen looked at my hand stroking Ive’s cheek with envy as she spoke.

Probably everyone in this carriage felt the same way, but since it was a royal command, they couldn’t refuse.

Especially when it came with such a good justification.

“I’m not happy about having more work… but I think it’s good to have an opportunity to lift people’s spirits. Broadly speaking, this is also about taking care of the territory’s people, which is a noble’s duty.”

Asking them to be patient a little longer, I did the same thing to Ellen that I had done to Ive.

Thanks to this, her slightly displeased expression softened, and Ellen also became somewhat drowsy.

Helena was already asleep, using my lap as a pillow, unaware of what I was doing.

Perhaps because of this, we were able to travel quietly until we reached the mansion in the late afternoon, as the red sunset blazed its final glow.

It was so quiet that I dozed off briefly during the journey, but I was satisfied that nothing had happened.

“…So that’s how it will be, and there will be much to do. Not that you need to start right away, but just so you know what will begin tomorrow.”

“I understand. His Majesty’s intentions are admirable… but it will mean more work for us.”

As soon as we arrived at the mansion, Helena called for Andy to give instructions for tomorrow’s tasks and outlined a simple blueprint. Since we had to wait for all participants to gather within a set deadline, we spent the time handling the usual paperwork.

The deadline was set at ten days, considering the time needed to spread the news.

Participants could apply at the entrance of any military camp stationed in the north, south, east, or west of the territory.

The intention was to save people from traveling long distances.

However, since this made it unclear where people living in the central area should go, a large tent was set up nearby.

Because of this, various parts of the territory became quite noisy, with people showing different reactions.

Some didn’t care at all, some were happy to have something to watch, some wanted to participate but were too afraid, and others eagerly signed up.

After the promised ten days had passed, Helena was handed the list of participants.

“Two hundred and thirty-three…”

I thought regretfully as I watched Helena flip through the papers with a disgruntled expression.

If it had been an even number, it would have worked out perfectly, but being odd made that impossible.

Moreover, since this was a tournament rather than a survival competition where people killed each other, a bye was inevitable.

“Nothing we can do. One person will have to advance with a bye.”

“…Yes. We’ll just have to consider it good luck. But I don’t like the idea of choosing based on the list; it feels unfair.”

“Then we should decide without looking at the list.”

Leaving Helena wondering how to do that, I called for Ive, who would be engrossed in her research alone.

Since the end of the war, she had been fixated on some unknown project, often shutting herself in her room, so I had to call her out.

Still, it was surprising that she never failed to show up in bed regularly.

Given her personality, I would have expected her to stay holed up without sleeping.

“Ah… did you call for me?”

Not long after sending a servant, Ive entered the office.

Despite not sleeping well and focusing on research, which should have been tiring, she showed no signs of fatigue.

“Sorry to call you when you’re busy. I have a small favor to ask.”

“Oh, yes…! Anything you say!”

Ive’s eyes sparkled at the word “favor,” and she answered loudly.

That made me feel even more apologetic about calling her.

It was such a trivial matter that there was no need to disturb someone busy.

Still, feeling I had to do what needed to be done, I spoke while swallowing my guilt.

“Could you pick a number between 1 and 233?”

.

“My goodness… to think they would select knights this way. I’ve seen all sorts of things in my life.”

“Indeed. His Majesty had quite an ingenious idea.”

From young children to old elders, various people commented as they bustled toward a specific location.

They were heading to the dueling ground that had been busily prepared in the eastern clearing recently.

Though the dueling ground looked somewhat shabby as it was set up temporarily, it was adequate for spectating. Above all, the weather was warm, making it suitable for outdoor activities. Even in summer, it wasn’t too hot.

“Oh… it looks quite impressive.”

The arena built by mobilizing the territory’s soldiers had a fairly decent appearance.

From its circular structure reminiscent of a bullring to the simple benches installed above, it had all the necessary elements.

Because of this, the territory’s soldiers were exhausted, and many knights and magic battalion members who had helped were haggard.

If Helena hadn’t provided performance bonuses and supplies, some might have collapsed from fatigue.

People gathered one by one at the completed arena, eventually forming a massive crowd.

With all seats filled, many people stood watching, creating what looked like a wall of people.

“Welcome, everyone!”

As someone shouted loudly to quiet the bustling noise, silence fell as if on cue.

The man who had shouted stood in the middle of the barren dueling ground, receiving everyone’s attention.

From his armored appearance and his voice loud enough to reach every corner of the arena, he was clearly a knight.

People felt their assumption was correct as they intently watched the man’s mouth slowly open.

“By the Duke’s command, I hereby commence the dueling tournament to select a knight!”

As soon as the duel was announced, people let out loud cheers.

Since they rarely had the chance to see duels in their lifetime, expectations were high.

Even if it wasn’t a flashy duel with auras flying, but rather a blunt fight.

No, perhaps it was even more entertaining because it was like a neighborhood brawl.

Zion and Helena had the same thought as they watched those in the dueling ground with interested eyes from their hidden seats.

Though they wielded wooden swords, their untrained, wild swinging was somewhat pitiful.

However, as they swung their swords while sweating profusely, the dull sounds created thrilling tension.

Because they were farmers, or because they had aspired to be knights, both had sturdy bodies.

Starting with the man who gained the upper hand by striking his opponent’s wrist by a hair’s breadth, every participant was physically fit.

Even a young man who appeared small and somewhat slender gave a strong impression of being solid.

“How many matches today?”

“About thirty matches… Of course, we might cut it short depending on circumstances. It’s easier to reduce the number of matches than to increase them.”

That makes sense.

Zion nodded while keeping his eyes on the arena.

He inwardly thought it was just the right amount, neither too few nor too many.

Moreover, it would be impossible to finish over a hundred matches in a single day.

Also, rushing through them so hastily would leave no time to enjoy the spectacle.