As the blaring sound of the horn echoed, in the midst of the crowd's cheers, Shard led his chestnut horse into the arena, sword in hand. On the other side, the Knight, fully armored like him, entered the field. With the crowd chanting their names, both waved to the audience.
The afternoon sun was particularly glaring today, but as it was not yet summer, the sunlight was not so scorching.
Under such sunlight, in the gaze of thousands, dueling with someone who is known not to be human yet looks human was enough to make even Shard feel a chill in the depths of his heart.
The two led their horses to the center of the field, bowed to each other, and then mounted their horses. His Majesty the King, seated at the topmost spot in the viewing gallery, surprisingly did not leave despite the presence of a relic here. He picked up the golden pistol on the small table before him, smiled, indicated to Queen Diana to cover her ears, and then pulled the trigger toward the sky.
Bang!
