Chapter 34: A Three-Way Rivalry

There was a noontime halt, although being at noon didn't really feel like it as the condition outside never changed due to the persistent coldness.

"So it's Vaissien and I in the finals, huh?" Ferm smiled was eating his hot pork meat soup.

"Yeah. Good luck for both of us." Vaissien answered with an air of enthusiasm, as well.

"By the way, how much is the prize?"

"Ferm, didn't you hear? It's a sack of rice and three silvers. If I'd win, mom's gonna be happy, you know? After all, 3 silvers is already a lot." Elaine answered him.

"Ha-ha-ha! Is that so? Then I'll do my best."

Rayha and Elaine were first degree cousins. Both their mothers were siblings. Since childhood, they've been very close friends. Ferm, on the other hand, had been an orphan like Vaissien. He never saw his parents, but he never felt lonely, as his grandmother's everything to him.

"Vaissien, why are so eager to win? You've had your stocks, right? And Cimmy can also do anything. You won't need extra food, at all" Rayha asked him.

"Oh, about that, Chief Feldor said that if I win this tournament, he'll allow me to have a match with brother in front of the crowd today. Isn't that nice? I mean, I don't want the public to see me as someone useless. My sister's always dignified by her hard work, and brother is the same because of his skill and strength. I want to prove something too." He wore a very serious look.

"Hey, Vaissien, you'll gonna kill me later, won't you?" Ferm swallowed his saliva as he watched Vaissien's serious look.

"What are you saying? Let's have a fair fight. You've gotten stronger too, you know?"

"By the way, what's Cimmerian doing?" Elaine asked.

"Actually, he's with sister Belle. He's currently helping Sister in managing and budgeting our money."

"Wait, look, guys! What's he doing? I mean, isn't it stupid to put your money on the table in a public place?" Rayha was worried.

As they put their gazes upon Cimmerian who was counting some coins with Belle on the other table, they suddenly became worried.

There had been a common practice in the village that whoever dared to act any unreasonable public display of wealth will be subject to what they call "legal plunder," which means that other villagers could snatch the coins as they willed, and it wouldn't be illegal. This was enacted years ago by the village and the Royal Parliamentary Court (RPC) approved of it. The RPC could also be called as the supreme court of the kingdom. It has a total of 10 (Nobles) justices and 1 Chief Justice (the Duchess). It reviewed and edit all policies adopted in every city and village. After a deliberation, the court didn't see it as something unreasonable. However, it was limited only to villagers not for outsiders, and it didn't apply to merchants, as well.

"Shouldn't you remind him? Maybe he forgot?" Elaine became worried as well.

"No need." Vaissien replied casually as if it's nothing important.

Outside the two young women's knowledge, about a month ago, two villagers tried to do it. As a result, one was strangled, and the other one had a knife plunged into his hand. Since that incident, the villagers had learned their lessons. As it was legal to steal it, Cimmerian actually didn't mean to hurt the two, he was just shocked and acted on reflex. He even apologized and helped one of them to stop the bleeding.

Anyhow, the two women's worries were unfounded.

A few minutes later.

"Okay, the Championship round will now begin." Feldor announced.

The crowd flocked again like fragments being glued together.

"The final round would be Vaissien v. Ferm."

The two got into the stage. Without delay, they readied their swords and started positioning for the fight. Although it was freezing outside, it was just tolerable inside, so the two continued to fight topless.

"Begin."

"Vaissien, here I come."

"Come."

The moment this was uttered, Ferm, for the first time, unleashed his true speed in the eyes of all the spectators. He was no longer smiling like usual. It was as if he was a completely different person. Ferm had been a lively person since he was a kid. He was the happiest lad in the village. He had always been smiling to all the people. However, what people failed to see was that deep inside, no one actually understood him. He'd felt a bit lonely in his heart.

(I have to win this fight. I want to be the one to duel with him.)

Since he was a kid, he'd been thought of as a frivolous, useless, and dumb boy. He understood and embraced this fact wholly in his heart. However, one day, when he saw Cimmerian fighting those much bigger than him even if he was beaten into pulp, he was intrigued by him. Cimmerian became the embodiment of confidence and light in his eyes. He looked up to him as someone always better than he was. Because of that, they became friends, and he liked their friendship very much. Thus, when he knew that Cimmerian suddenly became strong, far stronger that what he was before, he couldn't stop the uneasiness in his heart. His will to be strong too ballooned until he had caught up to him.

(All I want is to be side by side with him.)

This was the sole reason why he learned sword arts. He had to be someone who'd be good, no, best at it. This was a requirement to be in Cimmerian's side. For the past months, he'd trained himself to death. Well, he also wanted this duel with Vaissien in order to test the extent of his own development. So he took this fight seriously.

The two threw so many heavy slashes. The villagers were silent as they watched the spectacle. They couldn't identify who's better. Their speed was almost the same. Their Martial arts were also similar. After all, they both were under the care of Feldor himself.

(He's not bad. Seriously? I knew it would be hard to defeat him. But I never thought it'd be as hard as this. What should I do. What would brother do in this situation? We're on the same level.) Vaissien honestly complained in his mind.

(I won't lose to you.) Ferm thought.

The battle continued in a few minutes until it stopped. Both were breathing heavily.

"Amazing. You're good, Ferm!"

"You too. Before we continue, can I ask you a question?"

"What's it?"

"Who's stronger, you or your brother?"

"I don't know. I'm planning to challenge him now so I'd know. Anyway, let's continue."

"Fine."

The two clashed again in full speed. A few minutes later, the winner could already be seen. Vaissien was still in his same strength, but Ferm began to feel exhausted. When Vaissien noticed this, he immediately increased his number of slashes from different vulnerable angles. Due to this barrage of assaults, Ferm's grip strength abated bit by bit. And suddenly, his sword fell from his hands, and Vaissien's wooden sword was at his neck.

"Okay, the victory goes to Vaissien." Feldor announced.

The two stepped out from the circle.

"It's a close fight. Thanks for the good duel."

"Yes. Thanks as well."

The villagers were so loud as they sorted the money on their bets. Some voted for Ferm and some also for Vaissien. Now,

(Tsk. I have to train well again, I guess.)

Ferm thought after reflecting on the duel...