At first, they were all still and staring in shock, unaware how things would turn out. But when the dust the knight had stirred up from his impact cleared, they found Koul stiff on the ground.
His mouth agape, face pale as he gasped desperately for oxygen. Only then did everywhere turn chaotic.
"He meant to kill him!"
"He meant to kill the king!"
"I think he's dying."
"He can't breathe!"
Koul's knights rushed forward, heading toward him. Yui didn't hesitate either. At this crucial moment where Koul was fighting for his life, she completely forgot what others would think of her if she went near Koul.
She was genuinely worried and that worry weighed more than the hypocritical judgements she'd later receive.
The opposing knight that had landed the blow on Koul, drew back. He staggered, falling to his butt as he panicked.
A king. He had mistakenly attempted to kill a king.
Was it even a mistake?
He had been so overridden with anger right before the duel started. He could still control it at least and fought wisely.
But when he saw Koul's last blow, he knew the power it carried and how destructive it'd be. It could totally destroy his honor in the eyes of this many people.
So he panicked, and delivered such a destructive blow directly to Koul's chest, forgetting who he was.
He quickly darted his gaze toward king Sestrus and saw him calm. But beneath that calm, his anxiety could be sensed.
Seeing how king Sestrus wasn't as distraught as everyone else, the knight calmed down a little. But he was still skeptical.
Koul's knights reached him. The vice captain pushed aside the opposing knight and took place beside Koul.
"My lord," he called, pale as Koul himself.
His heart was pounding. He was afraid. Their king was still just a child, one the late king cherished with all his heart.
He loved him enough to even hand over the throne to him despite fully knowing he wasn't capable.
Now that the late king was dead, the knight saw it as him leaving his child in their hands. To protect and care for him.
But they've done none of that. They've judged him for his wrongs, withdrawn themselves and let him rule alone.
Even his own siblings had abandoned him.
Should a child like this who might not even know the full consequences of his actions be left to die so young and foolish?
The vice captain's heart was filled with pain.
The other knights gathered around Koul, and Yui joined them, finding place near him.
She fell to her knees, taking his still hand in hers.
"Your majesty," she choked. Her throat was filled with unreleased tears, blocking her voice from coming out.
Koul's head was raised, his mouth still hanging open as he gasped, breathing raspily.
His heart ached. Several of his ribs had been cracked and every shallow breath he struggled in and out was agonizing.
The impact left him paralyzed.
Even though his knights and wife was making such noise calling to him, he could barely hear them.
Everything around him was dim. His vision was dark, making the figures before him lose shape and swarm like jelly.
But among these multiple shadows before him, he tried his best to focus on Yui, listening carefully to her voice to hold onto.
However, his injury was too severe. He could do nothing than succumb to it.
"A healer! We need a healer!" The vice captain yelled, looking to the crowd desperately.
Two women and a man ran forward. They were workers in the palace. One among them had been the one to previously heal Koul's back injury.
They knelt before Koul, hovering their hands over his chest to access the damage. And after a moment, they turned more pale.
"I-it's critical," one of them said.
"His ribs are not only broken, but his heart is slightly compressed," said another.
The third one nodded in agreement.
They dipped their heads, clearly not powerful enough to heal him.
Their healing magic wasn't one strong enough to mend or restore broken bones. Nor could they restore his heart back to perfect shape.
They knew only to heal minor injuries and aches.
A darker cloud fell over the knights. None of them there possessed healing abilities. The talented ones with magic and abilities there specialized only in offensive skills.
That was even the reason they were knights.
Yui was completely filled with guilt and pain. Unlike most people, she was an ordinary person.
She didn't possess any magic or ability.
And now that Koul was in dire need of help, she wished she could offer him some. Only if she had been a talented.
Koul's breathing slowed by the minutes, eyes slowly closing.
[Ding!]
The all familiar screen appeared.
[Host has incurred a fatal injury. Host will die in ..59…. 58… 57…]