Chapter 62

The Imperial knight loosened his body and steadied his breathing. He glanced back and forth between the Sword Demon Ferzen and Urich.

‘I am a member of the Order of Imperial Steel. The honor at stake isn’t just my own.’

The honor of a member was the honor of the Order. The Imperial knight no longer had the urge to back out of the fight.

“Hey, gramps, you know me?”

Urich said, looking at Ferzen. Ferzen turned his threaded glare into a smile.

“Of course, I do. I’ve been watching you go in and out of the Sun Warriors barracks, as well.”

“What, you’ve been following me around? You have a weird hobby...”

The Imperial knight who had been listening in on the conversation snapped.

“How insolent! Do you even know who you are speaking to!”

“He’s just a sturdy old man, no? You must have been pretty decent with your sword back in your days.”

Ferzen cackled at Urich’s words.

“How full of yourself can you be? You dare you spew such nonsense before General Ferzen?”

The Imperial knight exclaimed, and Urich’s eyes widened at the name Ferzen.

‘Hmph, even barbarians can’t help themselves but be in awe of the famous name of the Sword Demon Ferzen.’

Urich grabbed Ferzen by his shoulders and lifted him up.

“This old man is that famous sword demon? Goddamn, I must’ve heard your name at least a few hundred times. So, you’re that strong, huh? Is it true that you stopped a hundred men all by yourself on a bridge?”

Ferzen’s body was quite heavy and solid for an old man, but Urich lifted him up like he was a child.

“Ohohoho, please put me down. With my body, at my age, it’s a bit painful to withstand the strength of a young man.”

“Ah, my bad, you’re over seventy years old, right? Can’t really be of any use then.”

Urich put Ferzen down with a grin.

“Raise your sword, barbarian! I’ll put an end to your antics right here!”

The Imperial knight yelled as if he had run out of patience. Urich looked at the Imperial knight, shrugged him off, and then continued to speak to Ferzen.

“I’ll be right back after I beat that guy, so you stay right where you are, old man. I have a lot of questions for you.”

Urich said as he pointed his finger at Ferzen. It was an arrogant and insolent behavior that would never have been acceptable if he were an Imperial knight.

‘General Ferzen must have grown soft with age to find such insolence refreshing. I won’t forgive such behavior. I’m going to break your neck, barbarian.’

The imperial knight muttered with murderous intent. Even a blunt sword could be a deadly weapon if wielded properly.

Woosh!

Urich’s sword ripped through the air. Without blades, the sword was more like a blunt weapon.

“Did you know that...”

Urich suddenly posed a question to his opponent.

“Shut your mouth. Actually, I’ll make sure you can never open that mouth of yours ever again myself.”

“So hostile. Anyway, back in my hometown, we ate some of our dogs every now and then... but those dogs were pretty quick to realize when something was off, and when they did, they barked like crazy. Then we’d just beat them to death with a club like this.”

The Imperial knight was speechless. Instead of replying, he got into the Wolf Stance: a stance where the knight raises his sword and stretches his arms to mid-height. Keeping both arms straight to maintain the stance required a lot of strength, but it was a great stance for parrying and countering the opponent’s attacks.

“With that being said, I’ll beat you like I beat those dogs.”

Urich strode forward with his back slightly bent and arms swinging low.

‘What a poor defenseless stance.’

The Imperial Knight crept forward on his toes. Urich’s stance was one that delayed both attacking and defending by a beat. It was only useful for making him look big for intimidation.

‘I’ll parry his attack first, then break his leg.’

The two men entered the swinging range. Urich’s arm was the first to move.

Clank!

The two swords clashed.

‘He’s quick.’

The Imperial knight was shocked. Urich’s arm moved with more speed than he had expected, and the accelerated swing of his sword felt heavy. He was almost unable to block Urich’s sword and allowed the attack to land on him.

Krrrg.

Urich pushed the Imperial knight back with their swords still locked. The knight’s knees and back were shoved back as the two swords made a loud grinding noise.

“Huh? Huh?”

Urich shoved the Imperial knight with his strength, whose entire body bent backward as he was pushed back.

‘I can’t shake his sword off; his strength is insane.’

If he withdrew his sword, Urich’s sword was going to land straight on him. And throwing his sword away wasn’t an option.

‘I have to kick him.’

Before the Imperial knight could move his leg, Urich raised his left hand, still pinning the knight with only one hand.

Thuck!

Urich slammed his fist down on the top of the Imperial knight’s head. Even though he held himself back, the Imperial knight’s upper body stumbled to the ground as the veins in his eyes popped, turning them red.

“Kaaagh!”

The Imperial knight screeched as he straightened his stumbling body. He raised his sword to strike down on Urich. It was a move of sheer reflex that was ingrained in him after years of rigorous training.

‘He’s resilient. I guess his Imperial knight title isn’t for nothing.’

If Urich had struck him with his full force, the knight would have died from severe brain trauma. A helmetless head of a person was never going to be able to withstand Urich’s strength.

Urich also raised his sword with the intention of landing his finishing blow.

“Stop.”

The Imperial knight flinched at Ferzen’s word. Despite being completely run by his fighting instinct, he managed to stop his arm.

“Go see the palace physician. This is not a battlefield, are you sure you want to throw away your life here?”

Ferzen said as he patted the knight’s shoulder.

The knight clenched his teeth as he grabbed his dizzy head. He left the barracks after expressing his respect to Ferzen.

Ferzen stared at Urich. Even through his blurry vision, Urich’s overwhelming strength was obvious.

‘He’s strong. Maybe too strong.’

Even for a barbarian, Urich’s strength was beyond explosive. Ferzen was in awe.

“Does that mean I’ve passed? I can compete in the jousting tournament?”

“Congratulations, you’ve passed. Your strength fits your nickname, ‘Armor Breaker.’”

Ferzen complimented Urich, and Urich shrugged in joy.

“Thanks for the compliment, but you on the other hand don’t look as strong as your Sword Demon title. Is it really true that you fought a hundred men on that bridge?”

“Mm, it’s more like I stopped a hundred men, rather than fighting them. Ohoho, that was more than five decades ago, when I was a young warrior like you,” Ferzen replied with a grin.

“If you’re that strong, let’s go. You and me. I’ve never lost a fight in my life either.”

Urich said as he waved his sword, but Ferzen responded with a shake of his head.

“If I, who is merely an old man, were to fight you, who’s at the prime of his physical life, the outcome would be obvious. I can’t beat you, nor do I duel with anyone else. I am a legend and a symbol; I must never lose.”

“Is that how you weasel out of fights? Huh?”

“Learn to be humble, Urich. Even though I may be okay with it...”

Ferzen slightly opened his eyes. The old man’s eyes were finally visible, though only just. They were pale, murky eyes with cataracts as if they were coated with debris.

“...the laws of the Imperial court are strict, and unbridled foals are often slaughtered without a word.”

“Thanks for the advice, gramps.”

Urich smiled, and Ferzen responded with an elderly chuckle as if he wasn’t scarily ferocious just a second ago.

“Of course, an old man’s words are merely an empty echo to the young ears. you will only learn through experience, just like how I learned all my lessons through countless mistakes and failures.”

“To a warrior, failure means death. We don’t get second chances, so we have to live on with our heads held high at all times,” Urich responded as he raised his sword.

“That is also one way of living life, Urich the barbarian. I wish you the best of luck in the jousting tournament.”

Ferzen turned around and walked away from Urich.

“Hold on, I still have a lot to ask you.”

Urich tried to stop Ferzen. He had heard the legendary tales from several people, so he wanted to know if they were all true.

Ferzen twisted his body ever so slightly to dodge Urich’s arm.

“You are arrogant. I’m sure you have always been the center of attention. You’re strong and you’re a good fighter, so you probably got whatever you wanted with ease. You probably had all your questions answered as well, or you got them with your fists. I can see right through your entire life with my white eyes. Why should I answer your questions and satisfy your curiosity?”

Ferzen said as he hopped backward.

“You old man...”

Urich felt like he had been exposed—he felt naked.

“How did I manage to hold off a hundred men on that bridge? Did I really charge at the enemy camp all by myself and return with the head of the enemy captain? Is it really possible to take down an entire castle all by yourself? Of course, you’re curious—that’s what fame does. It makes one wonder ‘Is it really true?’ just like your Armor Breaker nickname. And of course, I will not be giving you my answers. Hohoho!”

Ferzen disappeared like he was running away. Urich had a sour aftertaste in his mouth.

“What the hell is wrong with that old man?”

* * *

Through a series of twists and turns, Urich managed to secure himself a spot in the jousting tournament. When Phillion heard the news, he was pleased and told Urich that he needed to get himself armor.

“Full plate armor?” Urich said with sparkling eyes.

“Nope, a chainmail, at best.” Phillion killed off any hope that Urich had in a second.

Urich and Phillion left the palace and headed to the street lined with smithies. All they could see in this alley were forges littered with armory and metal tools.

“We’ve been through this before, but you can’t wear armor made for a normal human body.”

The smell of iron and fire mingled with the smithies. These were private forges, not Imperial workshops. Forges that dealt with Imperial steel didn’t allow access to the public.

“An armor for this hunk?”

The smithy said as he looked all around Urich.

“A big, shiny armor.”

Urich said with hope filled to the brim, but the smithy replied with a hesitant look.

“Hmm, I’m afraid that will be a bit difficult in my shop.”

The same was true for the other smiths.

“We don’t have enough metal on us.”

“You have a unique body. It’s not just your size that’s the issue, it’s those massive muscles.”

“It’s possible, but not in the timeframe you want.”

The smiths declined their request one after another. Phillion’s face grew darker.

‘It’s ridiculous to compete in the jousting tournament without armor; they won’t even let him compete in the first place.’

A warhorse and armor were the two requisites for the jousting tournament. Without having both of them, competing was impossible. They had Kylios for their warhorse, but Urich was too big to even rent an armor from somewhere.

‘It is going to be an immense disgrace to the prince’s name if the man sponsored by him can’t compete because he couldn’t find an armor!’

Phillion scanned the street with desperation.

“This is supposed to be where all the best blacksmiths of the world are gathered! Where are the skilled smiths?”

Out of anger and frustration, Phillion spoke brashly in front of the blacksmith. It was an immature behavior that was quite unlike him.

“The real masters are in the Imperial smithy,” the blacksmith retorted. In the Imperial smithy, a blacksmith could get his hands on all the Imperial steel he could dream of. That’s where all the renowned smiths were.

“We’re all second in our class below them. It’s the truth, so we might as well admit it.”

The smith said dejectedly.

Word quickly spread through the streets that Urich was unable to find an armor because of the size of his body. One of the smiths heard the rumor and came to him.

“I can make you a set of chainmail for the price of three pairs.”

“Three pairs? That’s enough money to buy a plate armor!”

Phillion frowned. Chainmail, depending on their quality, cost anywhere from twenty to fifty million cils. Three of those equated to a plate armor, though it may be on the lower side in quality.

“A plate armor for a big guy like him would cost just as much more. You won’t be able to fit him into existing designs, and it will require more iron to cater to his size. It looks like you’re in a rush; you won’t find any other smith who could do this work in time for you in Hamel,” the smith claimed with confidence.

“And how exactly are you going to get it done in time?”

“I’m going to disassemble the two suits of chainmail I’ve made and re-fit them. That would allow me to make a set that even that hulk can fit into. I’m asking for the price of three sets for my labor.”

The smith was convincing, and Phillion had no other options. Everything was going to fall apart unless they managed to find an armor for Urich.

After paying the smith, Phillion anxiously waited for days as he continued to train Urich.

“Sir Phillion, how is the tournament preparation going?”

Whenever Pahell would ask him this question, he answered with a forced smile.

“Everything is going swell without a single issue, my prince.”

Unlike his answer, his stomach churned in anxiety.

A day before the opening of the jousting tournament, a set of chainmail arrived at the Swallow Palace.

Cling, cling.

The chains clashed and made a clear ringing sound. The greased-up chains were sparkling.

“Hmph.”

Urich, with the help of Phillion, donned the chainmail. He tightened the waistband to distribute the weight of the chains over his shoulders and pelvis. Underneath the chainmail, he was wearing leather clothing to prevent the chains from being in direct contact with his skin.

“Hup.”

Urich took a deep breath. Finally, he put on the teardrop-shaped helmet and lowered the faceplate. His vision was drastically narrowed.

‘The smell of metal.’

As he breathed in, the metallic smell returned with his breath. It was an unfamiliar, stuffy, and heavy sensation, but strangely, a sense of security ran down his spine. It wasn't a bad feeling.

Clunk.

The chains clinked with every movement. Over the chainmail was a cloak and a robe with the crest of the Porcana Kingdom.

Urich looked up at Phillion. Phillion seemed disgruntled.

‘This is bad.’

Phillion couldn’t look Urich in the eyes.

‘The chains aren’t tightly woven, the links are thin, and even the iron looks weak. This is the cheapest of the cheap. The chains might break and dig into his flesh—let alone protect him. I can’t send him into the tournament in this chainmail.’

Phillion imagined a scenario where Urich failed to block the jousting spear and received a direct blow. Although the tip of the jousting spear was blunt, a blow with the momentum of the warhorse was not to be taken lightly. A weak chainmail would quickly snap and break, and its broken rings would penetrate the leather layer and dig deep into the flesh.

‘It’s too dangerous to compete with cheap armor.’

Phillion had an ominous feeling. His mouth curled.

‘Do I stay quiet for the prince even though the risk is obvious...’

Phillion did anything and everything for the prince.

‘But if Urich dies because of his request, the prince might break down with him.’

Urich looked at Phillion through his faceplate. He could feel Phillion’s anguish.

Clunk.

Urich looked down at his chainmail. A cold chill ran down his spine as he recalled the chainmail worn by the mercenaries.

‘The links are bigger and thinner than what the mercenaries wore.’

Mercenaries were professionals who battled for a living. Their equipment was never shabby. In fact, they were comparable to that of an average standing army.

Urich was an excellent warrior. He had keen eyes to quickly distinguish good armory from bad, and the armor he had on right now was a bad one.

“...Urich, I have something to tell you.”

Phillion decided. He couldn’t let Urich enter the tournament like this. Urich had done so much for Pahell until now, and he couldn’t let him go in harm’s way.

“Shh, it’s okay. Trust me, Phillion.”

Urich put his finger up to the lip portion of the faceplate. He shook his head as he stopped Phillion’s words and continued as he put up his thumb.

“This is a great armor; I’ll wear it well. I’ll repay you with victory.”

Urich covered the chainmail with his cloak. The cloak fluttered, embroidered with a herring and a fishing boat on a white background. Through the helmet, Urich’s eyes glowed golden. Urich the barbarian. However, for now, he was a knight representing Porcana. Tomorrow, by the time the noon bell rang, Urich would be standing before the spectators once again.