Before the duel began, no one from Sain Territory had anticipated such an outcomeâthat their Lord, the Bronze Level Baron Reisen, would actually be defeated by a nobody.
When Reisenâs shoulder guard was dyed red and Ridderâs longsword was pressed against his neck, Philton and Joffrey finally snapped out of their daze.
Raising their longswords and shouting, they rushed forward all at once with a dozen or so Professional Knights and thirty-six cavalrymen.
They all depended on Sain Territory. If Baron Reisen were killed, their own status would be massively impacted, and they might even lose everything they currently possessed.
Therefore, they would absolutely not stand by and let this happen.
Of course, Ronin wasnât about to let Ridder be surrounded.
"Charge!"
His Cloud Stepper shot forward as he led Macken and the others in a charge.
The two sides instantly surrounded Ridder and the fallen Reisen, but the fighting didnât start because Ridder had Reisen at his mercy.
"Baron Ronin, killing a nobleman is a crime against the Kingdom!"
Philton roared, "Not even Wushan Castle will be able to protect you!"
Ronin had never intended to kill Reisen here. Doing so would grant him no benefit other than ridding him of an enemy he had already defeated.
Reisen had an heir. Even if he died in the duel, Sain Territory would not become a lordless land; his son, Moravi, would simply become the new Baron of Sain Territory.
Ronin wouldnât gain the territory; heâd just bring a heap of trouble on himself.
"No need to be so tense, Philton."
Ronin offered a friendly smile, but in Philtonâs eyes, the young Baron was far more dangerous than the last time they had met.
Philton remembered the first time he had met Ronin; it was the day Princest died.
Back then, he never would have imagined this young Baron would one day threaten Sain Territory. He had even figured the man wouldnât survive the winter.
Yet he could never have imagined that just over three months later, the Baron he served would be lying helpless at the feet of his enemyâs subordinate.
Ronin gestured for Ridder to sheath his longsword, making his stance clear:
"Baron Reisen and Ridder agreed to a normal duel, not one to the death. I never intended to take your lordâs life."
With that, he dismounted and walked over to Baron Reisen. "Baron, how are you? Can you still stand?"
Reisen let out a muffled grunt, his gaze full of pain and enmity, but he didnât answer.
Seeing that the situation wasnât going to escalate, Philton immediately waved some men over. One helped Reisen sit up while two others frantically removed his armor.
Soon, the wound underneath was revealed.
Ridderâs strike had been incredibly precise. It had slipped through a gap at the shoulder guard and sliced open a large piece of flesh.
If not for the enhanced durability of a Bronze Knight, and the fact that his armor had impeded the swordâs momentum, Reisenâs arm might have been completely severed.
Then Wushan Territory would have had another one-armed lone wolf, in addition to Baron German of Lake Town.
"Thatâs a pretty serious wound."
Watching them frantically try to bandage the wound and stop the bleeding, Ronin couldnât help but point out:
"Baron Reisen, I have a Mage of the Light Attribute with me. If you wish, I can have him use his Healing Skill to ease your injury."
Reisen looked at Ronin, his eyes lighting up.
Only to hear Ronin continue, "However, Elronâs aptitude is not particularly high, and heâs rather slow at refining Magic Power. Casting a Healing Skill is quite taxing for him. If you want him to heal you, youâll have to pay."
He held up a single finger. "One Hundred Gold Coins per treatment. If..."
"Heal!"
Reisen gritted his teeth and forced out the single word, his face pale, though it was unclear if it was from blood loss or anger.
Ronin gave Elron a meaningful look. The Mage stepped out from the ranks, smiling, and gave Reisen a respectful bow.
"Greetings, my Lord Baron. It is Elronâs pleasure to serve you."
With that, he began to sketch out the Magic Patterns for the Healing Skill. He was a little slower than usual, but after just five or six seconds, a brilliant light erupted from the patterns and shone down on Reisenâs wound.
The Healing Skillâs effect was instantaneous. The bleeding slowed at a rate visible to the naked eye.
"My Lord, your injury is quite severe. A single Healing Skill wonât be enough."
As the Magic Patterns for the Healing Skill faded in the air, Elron added, "It would be best to apply the treatment two more times."
Reisen stared at Elron without speaking.
Ronin said, "Do it! As if Lord Reisen is short on a bit of coin?"
"Right away~"
With that, Elron began casting again.
After two more Healing Skills, the wound stopped bleeding completely and had already formed a scab.
Elron offered a friendly reminder: "My Lordâs injury is quite severe, so the Healing Skill can only do so much. Please continue to bandage it. He must not engage in any strenuous activity for some time after he returns, otherwise the wound may split open again."
This warning, at least, was genuine. The Mage hadnât held back on the effectiveness of his Healing Skill.
After his subordinates finished bandaging him, Reisen was helped to his feet.
It wasnât just the defeat. To be beaten head-on by someone of a lower Level, and in front of his own Knight Squad... Reisen was utterly humiliated.
He stared at the harmless-looking upstart before him, rage and hatred boiling within him, but he no longer had the strength to fight.
Ronin knew the other man hated him, which was why he hadnât been afraid of offending him from the start.
"Reisen, according to our agreement, now that youâve lost, your men are not to cross the midway line between Grey Soil Village and the Black-collar Tribe starting today. Also, you need to pay the 100 Gold Coins to ransom Finris and the others."
"Oh, and one more thing. Those three Healing Skills come to 300 Gold Coins total. Iâll ask you to settle that bill as well."
"Hmph! Sain Territory keeps its word!"
Reisen said coldly, though having lost so much blood, his voice was far weaker than his earlier boasts.
"Within five days, I will have Philton deliver the Gold Coins to the Grey Soil Tribe."
With that, he glanced at his men on either side. "Letâs go!"
As they watched Reisen being helped onto his horse and the party from Sain Territory slowly depart, Roninâs men finally broke out in cheers.
"We won!"
"The Commander is incredible!"
"Thatâs our Commander!"
...
Ronin also gave Ridder a thumbs-up. "Well done, Commander!"
He also asked with concern, "You were sent flying by his Combat Skill several times. How are you feeling? Do you need Elron to treat you?"
Ridder was not in great condition at the moment either.
Flaming Tornado might be an area-of-effect Combat Skill, but being sent flying that many times had still rattled his insides. He, too, had coughed up several mouthfuls of blood.
"Healing Skills are not very effective on internal injuries."
Ridder shook his head. "Once weâre back, Iâm afraid Iâll need to recuperate for a few days. I wonât be able to fight."
"Then rest well. Sain Territory wonât be causing any trouble for a while."
The party from Mountain Forest Town also began their slow return.
Mountain Forest Town had won the battle. Amid the cheers and joy, everyone now had a newfound respect for Ridder.
The Commander of Mountain Forest Town was no longer just an Advanced Level Knight. He was a man who could fight above his Level and was even capable of killing a Bronze Knight.
This was prestige.
But Ronin knew this victory was only temporary. This duel was just the beginning of his conflict with Sain Territory.