Knight: Becoming King of the World

Chapter 100: Chapter 88: One Punch to Crush Your Melee Dream

As Henry and the other nobles emerged from the Forest Hunting Ground with their respective kills, the last rays of the setting sun washed over them.

Edmund’s hounds wagged their tails, trailing beside the column of horses, but didn’t dare approach Henry’s and Bain’s mounts.

At the exit of the Forest Hunting Ground, the Free People, who had spent the day picnicking and enjoying themselves, had already gathered. They craned their necks, curiously watching the nobles return.

They discussed the winner of today’s wolf hunt as the aroma of roasting meat filled the air. The Free People had already begun preparing their evening feast to celebrate the success of the Wolf Hunting Festival.

When Henry’s figure came into view, the crowd erupted, especially when they saw the pile of Grassland Wolf carcasses stacked high on another warhorse behind him.

The Free People recognized Henry’s banner and knew he was the day’s big winner.

"Look! It’s the honorable Baron! He has more kills than anyone!" one of the Free People shouted.

The other nobles also emerged from the Forest Hunting Ground one by one. Upon seeing Henry’s haul, they all instinctively nodded in acknowledgment. The title of today’s top hunter belonged to none other than Henry.

Edmund and Calvin exchanged a glance, then rode forward together to Henry’s side.

Then, all the nobles unanimously agreed, declaring Henry the foremost hunter of the Wolf Hunting Festival.

The news spread like wildfire among the Free People, and they began to cheer, celebrating Henry’s victory.

"Long live Henry!" someone shouted, and soon the entire crowd was cheering along.

"Long live Henry! The Wolf-Hunting Hero!"

The children joined the cheering as well. They might not have fully understood what it all meant, but they could feel the adults’ joy and excitement.

Henry watched his fervent subjects, swearing to himself that he hadn’t planted anyone in the crowd. ’And "long live" is a bit premature,’ he thought.

The Free People began to light bonfires and perform grassland dances, making the Wolf Hunting Festival even livelier because of Henry’s victory.

Henry smiled and waved to the crowd. Bathed in the firelight, his figure seemed exceptionally tall in the eyes of Edmund and the others.

Boras kept glancing between the sky and Henry, muttering something under his breath.

Henry and the other nobles decided to spend the night in the lodges at the Forest Hunting Ground to rest up for the next day’s combat tournament.

Though not as luxurious as their castle quarters, the lodges were comfortable enough to provide a necessary rest for their weary bodies.

When Calvin heard that the next day’s mysterious competition was combat, he felt an irrepressible surge of excitement. He wanted to prove his strength in a contest of power.

The Free People and merchants who didn’t get a lodge weren’t worried about the nighttime cold.

They had brought heavy clothes and warm blankets, which they spread out by the bonfires, sitting in circles. The flames crackled, sending sparks dancing on the night breeze and warding off the chill.

The ever-present Minstrels began to play their instruments, their pleasant melodies mingling with the firelight and lifting everyone’s spirits.

Boras, meanwhile, found a quiet corner and gazed up at the star-dusted night sky, seemingly lost in thought.

Henry watched all of this quietly from the window of his lodge, his heart filled with satisfaction and peace.

’Competing with the other nobles in a "turkey shoot" wasn’t his real goal. He wanted to show them that following him would be profitable. His grand plan required a larger army...’

As Henry was quietly looking out the window, Bain entered the room carrying a blanket.

"My lord, you should get some rest."

Henry turned and suddenly noticed that Bain seemed to have grown taller and broader.

"You’ve grown up, Bain."

Bain’s mouth fell slightly open, and then he smiled. "My lord, you’ve been telling me that for three years... no, four years now."

Henry shook his head. Back then, Bain had been just a scrawny, short beggar. Henry had taken him in on a whim of kindness, never worrying about whether he could actually be trained into a Knight.

But now...

"My lord, your bed has been prepared," Bain said, his voice deeper and stronger than before.

Henry turned around, smiling and nodding. "Bain, it seems you haven’t let your new authority make you slack off on your Martial Arts training."

A proud smile appeared on Bain’s face. He straightened his back and replied, "Yes, my lord. I have been training diligently, hoping to be able to fight for you when you need me."

Henry walked over and clapped Bain on the shoulder, feeling his solid muscles.

"Your efforts have not been in vain, Bain. I’ve seen your growth, and I’m proud to have an Attendant like you. You will become a Knight."

Bain’s eyes instantly blurred with tears. He clenched his fists and said resolutely, "My lord, I will not disappoint you. I won’t bring you shame in tomorrow’s combat tournament."

Henry nodded, knowing Bain’s words came from the heart.

"I believe in you, Bain. In tomorrow’s tournament, I also want to see just how many men you can defeat."

Henry lay down on the bed. With a loyal Attendant like Bain at the door, he felt completely at ease.

The night deepened, and the sounds of celebration gradually subsided. People began to return to their blankets, curling up in their warm clothes and drifting off to sleep.

The next day, as the first rays of sunlight entered the Forest Hunting Ground, the sound of children crying arose. The day’s competition was about to begin.

The competition was set up in a clearing in the hunting ground, already surrounded by excited Free People, Hunters, and newly-arrived self-employed farmers who had come to watch the spectacle.

After several explanations from Claude, the first event of the competition began: the full-armor Hand-Half Sword and shield combat tournament for the Knight’s Squires.