It is evident that the name Abelardo possesses quite a reputation.
In contrast, Losa seems to be somewhat obscure.
"Habsburg, which family is that?"
"Algo... huh, is that the remote corner of Switzerland?"
"Don't talk nonsense. That Count is quite a remarkable figure, His Majesty the Emperor even favors him, having invited him to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the Empire's army."
"What's the point? He's outstanding, but it doesn't mean his son is too, especially since he's a second son."
"Knight Avellado is a formidable knight named after the famous general Abelardo who once followed Great Emperor Charlemagne. He has swept through all the jousting tournaments in Lombardy. If he weren't so inherently unrestrained, he'd have become a vassal under some noble long ago."
The buzzing discussions made Prajna frown: "You're making decisions too early. If you judge victory by reputation, then the moment Abelardo enters the field, everyone else could simply admit defeat."
"Ha, what do you know, woman?"
Someone scoffed.
"For a knight, reputation equals power."
He looked at Prajna with disdain.
The expression on his face suddenly froze. Even though she wore a veil, just from Prajna's exposed brows, one could discern that she was a peerless beauty.
He immediately changed his tune: "Miss, what you said actually makes sense."
"I'm Knight Melgen from Lorraine. Miss, are you very interested in the jousting tournaments? Would you like me to explain them to you in detail?"
Prajna straightforwardly refused: "No need."
Melgen wanted to persist: "Miss, I am also a very skilled knight. I once won second place in a jousting tournament hosted by the Duke of Lower Lorraine."
Prajna furrowed her brows and slightly squeezed the railing, then let go, leaving a deep dent with clear fingerprints.
Melgen's face suddenly turned pale.
He's seen people who could break and crush such thick wooden railings, but never imagined anyone could leave four clear fingerprints.
"Sorry... sorry for disturbing you, madam, please forgive my presumptuousness."
Prajna waved her hand as if shooing away a fly, sending him off.
...
Abelardo's expression was not arrogant, but his eyes were full of aggression.
He sized up Losa, as if an evil wolf targeting its prey.
"Your armor was crafted by a Master Craftsman from Milan, wasn't it? I don't recognize your emblem, but I know the armor made by this craftsman is quite excellent."
"But unfortunately, both it and your mount will soon belong to me."
Abelardo's silver-gray eyes were full of coldness and disdain. He had won the title of Champion Knight multiple times in jousting tournaments.
Obviously, he did not regard newcomers like Losa as worthy opponents.
"I hope your skills are as tough as your words."
Losa's lips curled into a mocking smile—he knew well that his opponent was a proud man, and using such a tone and demeanor would most likely anger him.
And anger leads to losing one's rationality.
Yet the opposing knight's gaze remained calm and cold.
The two emotions blended perfectly, unaffected by Losa, both confident and cautious—this was quite a formidable opponent!
He took the lance and shield from his attendant, put on the helmet, and said: "Let's start quickly. After defeating you, I'll present this insignificant honor to a lady observing the tournament."
With that, he pulled down the visor.
Losa donned the barrel helmet, picked up the lance and kite shield, ordered Laine to prepare the spare lance, and urged his warhorse to trot forward.
Abelardo was the first to increase speed, launching a charge.
He used his shield to protect the weak spots on his armor, slightly shaking the lance left and right, while keenly observing Losa's weaknesses during the charge.
Ka—
A sound of shattering followed.
Both lances simultaneously struck each other's shields.
Losa felt a tremendous force hit him, flipping him over directly.
But the opponent didn't fare well either, as both fell from their horses simultaneously.
Yet falling does not signal the end of the battle.
Abelardo immediately attempted to mount again, whereas Losa did the opposite, drawing the armed sword from his waist and charging at Abelardo.
In terms of riding skill, he was not his opponent.
But he surpassed his opponent in power.
Faced with such an opponent, he must play to his strengths and avoid weaknesses.
Shrrk—
Losa's armed sword made a cut in the opponent's tunic, getting stuck in the links of the armor, unable to move further.
In films, armor often appears as fragile as thin paper.
But in real combat, a knight in excellent armor is like an indomitable heavy-duty tank.
Abelardo had to abandon his plan of remounting, drawing his half sword to engage Losa.
The two tangled for over ten rounds, sparks flew off their blades, equally matched, neither able to overpower the other.
Leopold, watching with interest, instructed the attendants to separate them, saying: "Your performances are both outstanding. No need to decide the winner now, both of you advance and face off in the final showdown."
The two had to stop and retreated to the sidelines.
Losa took off the barrel helmet and chain mail hood and let out a sigh. Laine immediately handed him a ceramic jar filled with water for him to drink heartily.
Model spoke respectfully: "Sir, that Knight Avellado is quite formidable. You're still young, best not to clash head-on with him."
Losa nodded.
"Rest assured, I know what I'm doing. If I can't win, I'll concede defeat decisively."
Model and Laine's fate depended on him, naturally they didn't want him risking his life in the tournament.
He approached Prajna and asked in a low voice: "Is it too boring?"
Prajna nodded slightly: "Indeed, somewhat."
Watching the jousting tournament with Prajna's abilities was like watching ants fight.
"Give me a moment."
Under her puzzled gaze, Losa walked directly to a nearby table overflowing with various foods and returned leisurely moments later.
Prajna suddenly felt something placed in her palm, looking down, it was a handful of hazelnuts.
Losa explained: "Eat some, it might relieve the boredom."
Strictly speaking, Prajna was not human.
But she could consume human food and it didn't matter how much she ate.
She didn't need food to replenish energy in this somewhat primitive way.
Prajna did not refuse, shelling a hazelnut kernel and placing it in her mouth, nodding slightly: "Not bad, you should go rest now, there are other opponents next and you'll need to maintain good physical strength."
"Alright."
Losa nodded.