Ugh~ how does one even properly wield a sword? Koul battled inwardly.
He'd talked so calmly to the knight, egging him on confidently, but his mind was in a turmoil.
When I accepted this match, I wasn't exactly thinking things thoroughly. I had simply wanted to free my wife as quickly as I could and gave in to whatever that cunning man proposed.
If there was a slight chance that I could free her just by this, I didn't want to let it slip by.
But now that I'm faced with the reality of it, I don't know anymore. I don't even know how to sword fight.
Koul swung his sword up and down, flipping it as he examined it.
Seeing the opposing knight take his fighting stance, Koul took his. One which erupted laughter from the audience, including the opposing knight himself.
He had no experience whatsoever in sword fights, so necessarily, he knew nothing.
The stance which he had taken was the one he found balance in. He didn't care that he was being laughed at because he had taken the most favorable stance to him.
Yeah laugh, not like you're the ones down here.
The opposing knight smirked softly, launched forward and commenced the duel.
As he came, Koul tightened his grip on his sword, ready for his attack.
Guess I'll just deflect or intercept his strikes with my swo—!!!!
Koul's eyes spread wide open, shock rippling through him as the knight's sword descended on him with so much force and impact, it crashed him to the ground on one knee.
Koul planted his other foot into the ground, his knee digging deep as he struggled to block the knight's sword with all his might.
His arms trembled, teeth gritting with muscles twitching and bulging as he fought hard to keep the sword that was pressing him down with so much weight and pressure at bay.
His confidence wasn't mere pride, after all!
Sweat broke out on Koul, his hands precipitating. His breath had long since turned into pants.
He trembled all over, his chest rising and falling with pressurizing tension as the sword got closer every second, closing in on him.
Meanwhile, across the knight's face was a big mocking smile as he stared down at Koul with a demining look that reminded him where he stood when it came to strength.
And no matter how one looked at it, the knight was clearly toying with Koul. As if it was a mere game, he was toying with him, purposely withdrawing his strength just to see Koul continue to struggle.
Where would the fun be if he used his full strength from the beginning?
While Koul used his full strength, the knight hadn't even used half his strength.
A mocking display.
Realizing this, Koul's face twisted in rage and frustration. The first because he was being toyed with, and the other because he could do nothing.
If I let on like this, the fight will end even before it properly starts. I need to do something.
Koul got ready to put all his strength into his leg that was planted into the ground, so as to lift it, and kick the knight in the crotch.
A cowardly move but so what? It would prove useful.
Just as he attempted it, the knight smirked, having already predicted this. He loosened his grip on his sword, granting Koul a brief respite.
Then in the next second, he swung his sword upward with fierce momentum, smacking Koul's chin up.
The impact threw Koul back, but as he fell, he wasn't going to let the little opening slip away.
Koul threw his leg forward, attempting to kick the knight's face up as he fell, but his reflexes were sharp.
He leaned back, and narrowly avoided the kick.
THUD!
Koul fell to his butt, kicking up only dirt in place of the knight's face.
HAHA-HAHAHA-HAHAHA!!!!
Laughter rippled through the audience, echoing loud and unrestrained.
Even the kings failed to keep straight faces, their fists pressed lightly to their mouths as they stifled their amusement.
The knights, too, couldn't hold back and soon joined in, their shoulders bobbing up and down with every chuckle.
His wives also trembled with laughter, soft and graceful, still holding onto their elegance. All except Yui, whose expression remained unmistakably troubled.
One that troubled Koul mostly were the laughter from the council elders that over took a small part of the coliseum.
He had purposely ignored the council elders when he arrived at the coliseum. He didn't even tilt his gaze toward them, and acted like they didn't exist.
Although he used a side eye to check if his brother was among them, he wasn't.
From the far corners, workers laughed and chuckled, including the regulars. It was clear to all: their king had just made a fool of himself.
Not that it was the first time.
But the loudest, most mocking laughter came from the opposing knight's side. His fellow knights, and the regulars that had escorted them.
At least I survived, Koul said, clanking his teeth together to massage his aching jaw.
"Are you going to stay down and keep amusing them that way, or will you stand up and put on a good show?" the knight taunted, his own amused grin never wavering.
This stifled the laughter of most people instantly. They whispered and murmured, wondering if it was okay for a mere knight to talk to a king that way.
Even Koul's knights, especially the vice captain, was utterly enraged.
However, King Sestrus didn't cease his mocking chuckles. And neither did the other kings.
So their reaction completely blew off the entire matter and prevented the mood from getting tense.
Give me a break, will you?!
Koul sighed, getting off the ground. He dusted the dirt off his butt then gently massaged his jaw again.
That hit really did a number on me.
"So? Will you beat me to a pulp or will you forfeit the duel?"