Knight’s Challenge

Translator: Cinder Translations

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Since joining the rebellion conspired by the Walter family, Ferguson has always believed he was fighting to restore the ancient and traditional order of Alden.

Yes, Paul Grayman treated the gentry so harshly—disrespecting them, humiliating them, suppressing them, squeezing them for all they were worth, and taking back their power. The once peaceful and beautiful pastoral scene was ruthlessly torn apart step by step. Surrounding the lord were a circle of cunning merchants who only knew how to flatter and ingratiate themselves, corrupting Alden's originally simple social atmosphere. The farmers were uneasy about farming, leaving their homes to flock to the cities. If this continued, the whole of Alden would gradually deteriorate, falling into an irretrievable abyss.

And he—Knight Ferguson—as a son of this land, must stand up to save it all. Before Alden became beyond salvation, he needed to eliminate the root cause of this turmoil, namely Paul Grayman. Although he was his sworn lord, he had fallen and embraced the devil.

However, now, facing this former knight retainer, now the captain of the infantry battalion—Carter Holley, who once had to look up to him—Ferguson finally understood his most genuine thoughts and erupted with long-buried resentment.

He raised his sword, pointing the sharp tip at the retainer opposite him, someone who didn't even deserve his sword to be drawn before, and shouted hoarsely: "Holley, you despicable retainer, you've only crawled up to this position by relying on Bryce's favor. What qualifications do you have to speak to me? Come on! If you think you deserve this position, draw your weapon and follow the ancient tradition—let's have a one-on-one knightly duel!"

Ferguson's steed also stomped its hooves, snorting at Holley and the others, puffing out white mist as if to provoke them.

But Holley ignored Ferguson's challenge and said, "Knight Ferguson, you are, after all, personally knighted by Lord Grayman. I don't want to make this too ugly. Haven't you considered surrendering?"

"Surrender? Hahahaha!" Ferguson laughed as if mocking them.

"Who should I surrender to? To a dead man? Or to a pile of ashes? It's simply ridiculous."

He appeared almost mad, not just speaking to Carter Holley but to everyone who could hear him, shouting louder than before: "Your esteemed Lord Paul Grayman has long been burned to ashes in this great fire, and even his bones cannot be found. At this time, you actually still want me to surrender? It's laughable. On the contrary, as the army of Alden, you should have early on corrected your course, abandoned that false lord whose body and soul have both fallen into hell, and pledged allegiance to a new lord. As long as you make the right choice, I am willing to overlook your disrespect and speak a good word for you before the new lord, so you won't be driven out of Alden like a pack of lost dogs."

Although he suspected that Earl Grayman was in grave danger, hearing those words from Ferguson still felt like a hammer striking Colonel Holley's heart.

After Ferguson finished speaking, Holley looked at him as if he were a patient with a delusion, his eyes mixed with disdain, hatred, and a hint of pity. "What are you talking about, Ferguson? Even if the new lord takes the throne, the first thing he'll do is punish you traitors to appease Lord Grayman's soul. How could he possibly allow you to speak in front of him…"

"No! You know nothing!" Before Holley could finish, Ferguson interrupted him.

"Pitiful fools! Let me tell you, at this moment, Alden Town is already under our control. The new lord will only be someone recognized by us loyal subjects, and he will set everything right, returning Grayman's many wrongs to the correct path."

"Hahahaha!" After saying this, Ferguson laughed uncontrollably once more.

"What did you say?" Major Cobb, the instructor, was taken aback by Ferguson's words, "Alden Town has…"

Colonel Holley raised his whip in front of him, stopping the major from speaking further.

In a mocking tone, he said, "Hmph, it's just the ramblings of a traitor in a desperate situation, trying to create chaos among us to survive. Don't believe it."

"You actually think of me as so lowly?" Holley's words suddenly enraged Ferguson, who had just been laughing.

Although Colonel Holley said this, he was already stirred up inside. Did that mean the traitors were striking from both ends? Any success would cause great chaos for Alden. If they killed the lord here in Babol Village, the consequences would go without saying. On the Alden Town side, if they successfully nominated a new lord, it would mean that the critical departments of the government had fallen under their control, and part of the armed forces might also pledge allegiance to the new lord, leading to a significant division in Alden.

The most frightening thing would be if they succeeded on both fronts; it would create a completely irreversible situation.

As for the side of Babol Village where he was, it seemed the lord was in grave danger.

Damn!

After cursing inwardly, Colonel Holley felt he must first eliminate Ferguson in front of him. On one hand, it was out of loyalty to Earl Grayman, and Ferguson was directly responsible for the earl's death and needed to be avenged. On the other hand, even if the traitors gained power, and the new lord they nominated took the throne, he could still claim ignorance of the events in Alden Town. In that case, it would be reasonable to seek revenge for his former lord; loyalty was always praised and was the greatest political correctness of this era.

Of course, Holley's greatest hope, or assumption, was that the administrative and military systems established by Earl Grayman over the past few years could not be overturned by a group of guys like Ferguson. Alden Town was likely still under the control of the loyalists.

In front of Holley, Ferguson continued to provoke: "Come on, Carter Holley! Since you don't believe my words, then accept my challenge! Even if you are not a knight, at least fight me like a man!"

He waved his sword, his expression filled with mockery.

Holley extended three fingers with his left hand. "Ferguson, I'll give you one last chance. Surrender immediately! Three… two…"

"Ah—!"

Holley's repeated refusals to engage ignited an endless rage in Ferguson. This clown, who was invited to duel by a knight like him, had been granted a great honor. How could he dare to refuse?

He yelled and urged his horse forward, charging at Holley with his sword.

Unwillingness, jealousy, resentment, and anger made Ferguson lose his rationality, forgetting the cold barrel pointed at him.

"Bang!"

A gunshot rang out, and the knight fell from his mount.

Colonel Holley blew the smoke from his gun and said disdainfully, "Someone like you should have faded out of this era long ago."

Ferguson was not dead; the colonel had aimed for his horse, but when he fell, his head hit a stone just right.

If only he hadn't left Alden Town at that time!

That was the last thought in his mind before he fell into unconsciousness.

TL: Well, what did he expect?

(End of the Chapter)

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