The Female Knight of Doom - TFKOD 57: Horseback Combat

Although many attendees of the martial arts competition regarded the sword fighting event as the most spectacular, a significant number of younger spectators found the mounted martial arts contest to be the most thrilling.

This preference stemmed from the fact that, with unsharpened swords, the sword fighting matches were comparatively safe, whereas the mounted martial arts events promised genuine danger and the possibility of bloodshed.

Meanwhile, the mages and medics—who had been idle beforehand—were now on standby within the tents adjacent to the venue. Even Lady Meredith, the mage who despised the outdoors above all, was present in the shadows, observing the proceedings while delicately fanning herself with a small feather fan, her constant gentle shaking betraying her unease.

In the realm of jousting, injuries were often an unfortunate reality for those who fell from their steeds. It was not uncommon for a knight to suffer a broken rib or even a punctured lung when a wooden lance slipped through a gap in his armor, or simply from the impact of descent.

Fortunately, the duchess had thoughtfully provided an ample supply of magical potions to aid in recovery. As long as a knight’s neck remained unbroken, most injuries could be treated and healed.

Nonetheless, enthusiasts of the sport lamented that the recent shift from traditional jousting to the blade-free foil competition had dulled the excitement.

To many, the true thrill of jousting lay in the spectacle of crimson-tipped lances shattering upon armor, and in the visceral sight of knights in gleaming armor charging fiercely at each other—nothing compares to the raw beauty and adrenaline of that moment.

Participants in the grand jousting tournament are required to don a complete suit of armor, covering them from head to toe. To elevate their stature and garner admiration, most knights endeavor to adorn their armor with elaborate decorations.

Noble-born knights, endowed with generous resources, often commission their armor to be painted in rich, vibrant hues, complemented by striking family crests and intricate ornamental patterns—striving to be instantly recognizable and commanding attention on the field.

Even the less affluent knights, seeking to participate in the spectacle, might affix a few wildflowers to their armor as a modest embellishment.

Given that not all spectators were well-versed in heraldic symbols and family insignias, many preferred to gather with heraldry scholars, enabling them to identify combatants swiftly and assess the likelihood of victory for the knight or team they had bet upon.

Savvy vendors capitalized on this demand by selling detailed schedules featuring various heraldic emblems, amassing considerable profits in the process.

The only slight regret concerning the jousting was that the knights’ full suits of armor concealed their faces, preventing the ladies from beholding their handsome features.

To offset this, some notably youthful and attractive knights would intentionally select helmets with visors that could be lifted, and they would raise their visors toward the spectators as they galloped into the arena.

Such gestures typically elicited applause and a shower of bouquets from the admiring ladies. When executed upon leaving the field after a victory, this act often garnered even greater admiration and more floral tributes.

Alice’s armor was borrowed from the armory of Cloudmist Castle; its design was modest, bearing only the emblem of the castle. Being somewhat aged, the paint had begun to peel, and the emblem’s pattern was fading, lacking the brilliance of the armor worn by more flamboyant knights.

Fortunately, her opponent’s armor was likely sponsored by his lord, and the two combatants were evenly matched, leaving no room for criticism.

Nevertheless, Cecilion stood a few inches taller than the other steed, perfectly compensating for the height difference between Alice and her opponent, thereby enhancing her commanding presence.

Her jousting expertise was honed through an intensive crash course over the past few months; during that time, she had grasped the fundamental principles of the sport.

In jousting, skill alone does not dictate success as it might in other competitions. For knights unacquainted with actual combat, the mere presence of an opponent can induce considerable pressure. Charging toward a stationary target and galloping headlong into a moving rider are fundamentally distinct challenges.

Participating in a joust demands both rider and horse to summon extraordinary courage and resilience—an unyielding resolve to press forward and remain mounted, regardless of the peril.

While she possesses an undeniable reserve of courage, her ability to remain steadfast atop her horse remains uncertain—perhaps partly a matter of luck as much as skill.

Following the unification of the West Felix territories under the Duke Felix through various means, the region has enjoyed over a decade of peace, resulting in most knights never having experienced combat firsthand.

Consequently, despite Alice’s limited practical experience, her proficiency is not markedly inferior to that of her peers.

At this moment, both sides had already gripped their wooden spears and prepared to charge. As the referee’s whistle sounded, the two riders spurred their horses forward, lunging with their spears while deftly avoiding each other’s strikes—an exhilarating convergence of resolve and skill in the arena.

Cecilion advanced with unwavering steadiness, guiding her directly toward her adversary. With agile dexterity, she evaded the enemy’s attack and deftly aimed her spear at his armor.

The impact of her thrust resounded against the armor, causing her body to recoil backward. Fortunately, Cecilion’s quick reflexes allowed her to decelerate just in time. She swiftly retracted her spear, recalibrating her balance, and ultimately avoided falling.

According to the rules of the contest, she would earn a point for striking her opponent’s armor, and victory would be hers upon securing two additional points or unseating her opponent.

The two knights reached the edge of the arena, turned their horses, and prepared for the subsequent charge.

Alice’s opponent appeared resolute to avoid further hits, maintaining a cautious distance during their charge. This strategy limited her opportunities to strike, as her less refined skills hindered her timing.

Meanwhile, her opponent raised his lance and launched a sidelong thrust toward her.

The opponent’s chosen stance was remarkably cunning.

She attempted to evade, yet the maneuver proved exceedingly difficult to sidestep.

At that critical moment, however, Cecilion suddenly withdrew, deftly avoiding the trajectory of the opponent’s lance. His movement was so swift that the spectators could scarcely perceive it, and even Alice herself was momentarily bewildered by what had transpired.

The tip of the enemy’s lance merely grazed her armor, failing to land a decisive strike. In that instant, Alice observed the opponent’s balance falter under the force of his own blow, causing him to tumble forward from his horse.

According to the rules she understood, a fallen rider inevitably signaled defeat.

Is that all? She halted, momentarily stunned.

A murmur of disapproval swept through the crowd, their voices rising in boos, as they sensed that the adversary’s victory had come far too easily.

The attendants who had been waiting discreetly to the side swiftly stepped forward to offer aid.

Alice secured victory in the first round of this inexplicable contest. Though the moment felt somewhat surreal, she knew that winning was ultimately what mattered. Raising her spear toward the audience, she acknowledged their gaze.

The applause was modest; after all, from the spectators’ perspective, seeing a competitor fall from his horse on his own was far less dramatic than being unseated by an opponent. Yet, this was merely the initial preliminary, and expectations remained modest.

The attendants gently assisted the fallen knight away, while Cecilion carefully escorted her back to the preparation area.

Kent was waiting for her there, and unlike the rest of the audience, he appeared genuinely exhilarated, “That guy actually fell on his own—fantastic! As expected, such moments only happen in the preliminary rounds. It’s my turn to step onto the stage soon, and I truly hope I face an opponent like that! By the way, your horse is truly remarkable—armed with such a steed, you’re destined to triumph against any challenger.”

Alice, still somewhat lost in her thoughts, gently tapped him on the shoulder and wished him the best of luck in his upcoming match.

Kent’s performance was remarkably graceful and assured. Though young and inexperienced on the battlefield, he possessed the spirited courage of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.

His steed, Lightning, mirrored his own lively nature—vibrant, swift, and with a hint of daring recklessness. As they entered the arena, their synergy was evident; in the very first round, they unseated their opponent, eliciting enthusiastic applause from the spectators.

With no face shield on his helmet, he chose a bold gesture: he removed the entire helmet and tossed it into the air.

This daring and handsome display was met with a second wave of cheers and a cascade of floral bouquets. Yet, such bravado came with a cost—he failed to catch the falling helmet, and it shattered upon hitting the ground.

But those were minor details; the victory was the most important thing.

Kent took his battered helmet and went to the stands with Alice. They watched the last matches of the preliminary round and then visited Knight Philo together.

According to the schedule, he can rest for another day. He’s still in good spirits and will probably be able to play again the day after tomorrow.

He listened to the two’s description of the match and smiled, “Anyway, you won, so I didn’t teach you both anything for nothing.”

“Of course!” Kent was in a great mood after his victory. “I was personally taught by the winner of the jousting tournament in the royal capital. How can people keep up with me!”

He was in high spirits, engaging Knight Philo in lively conversation about various matters, including the intriguing horse Alice had somehow come into possession of.

Alice, meanwhile, remained quiet and appeared somewhat preoccupied.

Knight Philo listened attentively to him with a gentle smile, refraining from passing any judgment.

Only after Kent finished speaking did he gently address Alice, “Kent, I have something I wish to discuss with Alice. Please go back first.”

Surprised, he responded, “If I had known you had something to say, Sir Philo, I wouldn’t have spoken for so long! I watched Alice perform on the court today, and she was quite impressive. Still, she seemed a little hesitant. If she dared to be more assertive, like me, she could become even more formidable.”

A straightforward man, Kent bade farewell to Knight Philo and Alice and departed, leaving her to remain in Knight Philo’s company.

He turned to Alice with a gentle gaze, “Kent has been speaking incessantly, yet you remain silent. May I ask what thoughts are crossing your mind?”

She gently shook her head, “It’s nothing, really. I’m just a little concerned about your health.”

Knight Philo raised a reassuring hand, “There’s no cause for concern. It’s quite natural at my age to feel a bit weaker than the younger folk. Rest assured, it won’t impact the competition scheduled for the day after tomorrow.”

His voice then softened, almost a whisper, “In any case, I have no intention of passing away in an infirmary bed.” Unbeknownst to Alice, he spoke these words quietly, unnoticed by her.

She appeared somewhat distracted, and soon, she excused herself.

Recognizing that she carried other concerns, Knight Philo chose not to press her further, respecting her silence and allowing her to depart.

Alice had been in a daze all day, thinking about the previous game. As she walked towards the castle, she kept replaying the scene in her mind, contemplating every minute and every second of the picture.

Meanwhile, she was halfway there, and seemed to finally be certain of a few things.

She called out to the god and asked him the question that had been bothering her all afternoon.

“Cecilion, did you… help me cheat during today’s contest?”