"Hmm.. I'll humor you…"
The knight stepped forward. "I'll fight using only one hand."
With that, he upped his pace, launching forward with his strike poised. Koul bent his knees, crouching and planting his feet to the ground for proper balance.
He stretched his sword forward, prepared.
He's fast. His agility is top notch. Rather than pace about or focus solely on defense, I should watch.
Follow his steps, his movements.
The knight struck forward, the force of his swing carrying along pressured air. But as his sword descended toward Koul's shoulder, Koul's sword shot forward, clacking against his.
Their swords clashed, crossing in midair. The knight drove forward with brute force, while Koul pushed back with all his might.
I cannot win against him in a fight of strength, so I won't let this stretch like the first one.
But even while he knew this, his strength couldn't hold up. The knight pushed harder, closing the swords on Koul.
As he struggled, his eyes darted toward his wives, Yui in particular. Unlike everyone else, she wasn't seated. She was up on her feet, her face pale with worry as she watched.
Even his other wives stared at her with confusion as it was the first time they were seeing her this worried and distraught.
The Yui they knew, after all, was one who kept a cool head to find a solution no matter the problem or situation.
She was one who swallowed insults without reciprocating and endured every inhumane treatment.
A small smile graced Koul's lips at this sight.
She seems so concerned for me. It's the first time anyone has shown a face like that to me ever since coming here.
No, even in my previous life, no one…
I guess what they say about intimacy creating bonds is true.
Koul's gaze tilted back to his opponent, his face steeled with resolve.
I can't afford to make Yui cry. I have to win this.
Casting aside every other thought, Koul raised his foot and stomped down on the knight's.
He dug his foot into his, pressing down with his heavy boot.
"Eek!"
The knight's momentum broke from the pain. He staggered back, losing balance.
Koul saw this as his chance and launched at him, his sword poised to strike across his face but—
Against a knight who was well trained and experienced, he was awfully lacking. Both in speed and in agility.
The knight recovered instantly, shot forward with speed and drove the hilt of his sword into the side of Koul's face with bone-jarring force.
Koul's body whipped sideways, the blow knocking him off his footing. Blood burst from his mouth and nose and pain exploded through his skull like wildfire.
The knight didn't relent just yet. Before Koul could even fully register the blow, he swung upward, striking down on Koul's shoulder with relentless force.
Koul crumpled to the ground, bone deep pain searing through him as the force dislocated his shoulder.
His vision dimmed instantly, his head getting light as he gasped on the floor, barely able to draw any breath.
Nothing came from the crowd gathered. They all watched as though it was all a normal occurrence.
Only Yui was ashen with a pounding heart from worry.
However, despite his plight, Koul hadn't lost touch with his resolve.
With blood streaming down his nose and mouth, his shoulder dislocated, his ribs cracked, Koul struggled to his feet regardless.
He stood hunched, unable to straighten up further.
"Come at me you fucker!" He spat out blood, desperation now fueling his nerves.
He swayed lightly, his vision dimming and clearing.
Huff! Huff!
I can't let it end like this, huff.
He was on the verge of collapsing, he knew this. But before the toll could completely take over his body, he needed to put the knight in his place.
But more than that, he needed to save his wife.
Even though his body was already a mess, he wasn't ready to step down.
He's fast, so what? He's strong and has muscles, so what?!! Strength isn't everything! I can beat a jerk like that if I put my mind to it.
It's either this or nothing! And it best be now!
With desperation and anger driving his senses, Koul staggered forward.
He's just a knight. A poorly-written side character in a budget Netflix reboot.
Seeing his eagerness, excitement streamed through the knight. He launched forward, pleased to entertain Koul's madness.
Koul raised his sword to strike and the knight poised his to intercept. But as Koul drove his forward, inches away from meeting the knight's—
PLAP!
He dropped his sword, recoiling his arm backward and drawing a fist. Koul poured his remaining strength into that fist, tightening it with all his resolve and might.
And before the knight and the crowd could finish wondering why he dropped his sword, Koul drove his power packed punch into the side of the knight's face.
Or at least, that was what he intended to do.
But again, he was nothing before a well trained knight. A knight who'd gone through so many battlefields. One who'd fought countless times for survival.
That was Koul's last attack. He had willed everything into it. And he would have won had he been faster because the knight saw it.
He saw the power within that punch. He knew if he let it hit him, it might've done more than knock him down.
So he acted….. hastily and precisely.
When Koul drove forward with his punch, the knight flexibly swept his body aside, dipped low and swept Koul off his footing with his sword.
Koul collapsed backward to the ground, and without hesitation as he was fueled with anger, the knight rammed his fist into Koul's chest.
The impact was like a shockwave of a tsunami. It slammed Koul's back into the ground and carved his chest inwardly—cracking the bones protecting his heart.
Koul's knights and his wives snapped up to their feet. Even his subjects and the council elders, including some Kings, King Aziel included, snapped to their feet.
Their shock was palpable…. as the punch was powerful enough to kill.
He meant to kill Koul.