"Tell me, what's the reason?"
"I'm sorry, Keira, I can't tell you. It would violate the Brotherhood's rules."
Triss narrowed her eyes, playfully leaning into Keira's ear as she spoke.
"If you can't say, then why did you say there was a reason? Why pique my curiosity?"
Keira froze, rolled her eyes upwards, looking utterly speechless.
She turned her head to Sir Karl, smiling as she said, "Sir Karl, won't you seriously consider our cooperation for the Martial Arts Tournament?"
"As far as I know, Bardu's local economy isn't doing too well. The tithes it pays to the King are consistently at the bottom every year."
"Bardu's lord is named Raymond Ael, and he shares your surname."
"Oh, my, isn't that quite a coincidence?"
Keira feigned a look of confusion, but a playful smile hung on the corner of her lips.
She watched Sir Karl silently, as if certain there was a connection between him and Raymond.
"It is indeed a coincidence, but does it concern you? Keira, you're meddling too much," Sir Karl replied calmly, his face expressionless.
"I don't think His Majesty the King would be pleased to see his Royal Advisor privately using his authority to investigate matters concerning nobles without his permission."
Sir Karl naturally heard the veiled threat in Keira's words, and he was not to be outdone, returning the jab.
"You! Hmph, as a knight enfeoffed by Raymond, your granted territory is within Bardu."
"Given Bardu's economic situation, even paying tithes to your lord is a problem, and you'll end up having to pay out of your own pocket."
"I am sincerely discussing cooperation for the Martial Arts Tournament, which could bring you a considerable sum of money, and you don't care?!" Keira asked, her face incredulous, loudly questioning Sir Karl.
"As for money, I have plenty of ways to solve it, no need for you to worry."
"The most suitable thing is for you and I to keep our distance," Sir Karl replied lukewarmly, slowly.
"Sir Karl, you're going too far! What exactly have I, Keira, done to displease you, that you target me at every turn?" Keira slapped the table, asking with a displeased expression.
Facing Keira's interrogation, Sir Karl remained unperturbed, glancing at Triss, who looked conflicted at the moment.
"Triss, you can explain it to her slowly. I'll be taking my leave."
Triss nodded lightly, giving Sir Karl a grateful look.
Then, Sir Karl decisively turned, pushed open the door in a few steps, and left, ignoring Keira's shouts.
"Stop! I want to hear your explanation personally!" Keira moved, immediately intending to chase after him.
At the same time, Triss immediately blocked Keira's path, repeatedly saying, "Enough! Keira, stop being so unreasonable."
"What, I'm being unreasonable? I just want an explanation! Why does he treat you and me differently?!" Keira pointed to herself, asking with a bewildered expression.
"Keira, the cause of this matter was originally your doing. It's only right that Sir Karl dislikes you. Do you remember when you said you burned a letter?"
"When did I say… Uh, it seems there was such a thing." Keira froze, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face.
Triss saw Keira's expression and knew that she hadn't taken the matter of burning the letter Sir Karl gave her to heart at all.
She treated it as an unimportant trifle and forgot about it immediately.
"Keira, what I'm about to say, you'd best take to heart."
She sighed helplessly and began to tell Keira about Sir Karl, including some information she could disclose… A few days later, in the outskirts of Vizima, to the resounding blast of horns, all the participating knights paraded in full regalia, carrying banners and escutcheons as they entered the arena.
The knights on horseback saluted King Foltest, who presided over the Martial Arts Tournament from the seats above, and a host of noblewomen.
"Look, it's Count Daniel from Maribor."
"Look, they are the White Rose Knights, loyal to the King."
"Oh! Lord Karl! Victory!"
"Lord Karl, you will surely win the championship!"
The crowd in the stands cheered loudly, and Dalton and Philip were naturally among the spectators.
Thanks to Sir Karl's status as a participant and Triss's care, they were able to sit in the front row without paying an entrance fee.
Sir Karl was also in the parade, but he was at the very back of the procession, appearing exceptionally inconspicuous.
However, there was nothing to be done, as the arrangement of positions in the parade, both front and back, was meticulously considered.
And Bardu, among the places from which the participating knights came, was considered a remote rural area.
He had only obtained his qualification to participate by defeating Adris in a previous duel, taking his place.
"Silence! Welcome, Sirs, to this year's Martial Arts Tournament. It is an honor to host this grand event."
"Next, I will briefly explain the schedule of the competition. The morning will be the opening ceremony and a team free-for-all."
"The afternoon will feature an archery range exhibition match, followed by the official mounted jousting, then the mounted jousting semi-finals, and finally, foot combat."
"The team free-for-all consists of teams of five. The team's goal is to defeat the opposing team. Attacking downed opponents and opponents without helmets is strictly forbidden."
"These are the rules of the competition. Please look forward to it."
After the host stepped down, Lord Foltest, who organized the competition, stepped forward.
He majestically surveyed the surroundings, then spoke loudly.
"In the name of the Kings of Temeria throughout the ages, and by the grace of the Goddess Meritele, we gather here today…"
"In times of peace, we should not let our martial arts grow rusty, nor our courage fade."
"Therefore, I have summoned the bravest knights here to test their skills, to strengthen their bodies, and to entertain the court…"
"I demand that every participant remember the Way of the Knight, to fight for your honor, and for the lord you serve."
"And even more, to fight for the honor of the lady you serve. Let justice and grace guide your arm, and let kindness reside in your heart."
"Remember that this is a noble competition. Your opponents are respected brothers, not sworn enemies."
After Foltest finished his speech, outside the arena, the Martial Arts Tournament staff and attendants were arranging the numbers of each team, ensuring no errors.
"Sir Karl, please follow me. You have been assigned to the Nymph Team," the attendant said politely, gesturing with his hand.
Sir Karl followed the attendant. Soon, he arrived in front of a tent.
He was assigned to an inconspicuous team, and the team members were all like him.
Four people had blue ribbons tied to their arms, and the ribbons were embroidered with the image of a lake Nymph.
"Hey, guys, our last team member is here," a brown-haired, bearded middle-aged man shouted with a smile.
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