Paladin of a Fallen Order (Novel) - Chapter 25 - Cheers

Chapter 25 – Cheers

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Translated by Pratt

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The cheers died down.

The spectators were also visibly bewildered by the unexpected situation.

In the silence that was hard to break, tension and anticipation were felt rising.

Elbridge was certain.

Even those who did not come to watch the Grand Festival would hear the story of this match until their ears were sore.

The Chief Paladin of the Order of the Bloody Spear instructed the paladins under him.

“Form a formation.”

The young paladin, Felix, asked back in a small voice.

“…Chief Paladin. Was there also a formation for one-on-one combat?”

The Order of the Bloody Spear had maintained its influence by actively hunting magic beasts.

Since there was no reason to hunt magic beasts alone, the Order of the Bloody Spear also put a lot of effort into coordinated training for hunting magic beasts.

Naturally, the young paladin Felix had also learned many formations.

However, all those formations had one thing in common. They were formations that assumed the enemy was a magic beast, not a human.

The Chief Paladin replied.

“There is no such thing.”

“…We are not hunting a magic beast. Why do we have to form a formation for magic beast hunting?”

“Because we have never seen anyone fight like that.”

The attacks of magic beasts are hard to predict. Therefore, the formations to face magic beasts are made to respond to as many variables as possible.

Since Elbridge would certainly attack with movements that were even harder to predict than a magic beast’s, it was right to form an anti-magic beast formation to face him.

‘…Damn it.’

Felix felt his pride wounded inwardly.

The paladins of the Order of the Bloody Spear possessed superior skills compared to the paladins of any other combat order. That was Felix’s pride.

For five of such paladins to gather and face one person.

In Felix’s mind, the time he first met Elbridge came to mind. Elbridge, who was standing blankly alone in the vast temple.

How pitiful that appearance looked, Felix had even suggested joining the order to Elbridge without realizing it.

But now, Elbridge’s presence was incomparably greater than Felix’s.

‘…Whew.’

Eventually, Felix stood beside the other paladins.

The Chief Paladin gave the command.

“Let’s go.”

The paladins of the Order of the Bloody Spear slowly approached Elbridge, holding a long spear in their left hands and a short spear in their right hands.

The long spear in the left hand was closer to a defensive tool to block a magic beast’s frontal breakthrough, rather than a weapon to subdue the enemy.

If necessary, they would sometimes aim at the enemy’s vital spots with the long spear, but the primary means of attack was always the short spear in the right hand.

Felix silently held his breath and observed Elbridge’s movements.

Elbridge stood looking this way with his sword lowered. Unfitting for the name of the Order of the Rusty Shield, there was no shield on Elbridge’s left arm.

Just like when surrounding and subduing a magic beast, Felix crept forward while maintaining distance from the paladins beside him. Five spears aimed at Elbridge.

Just then, Elbridge bent his knees. The Chief Paladin shouted.

“Now!”

The five paladins simultaneously placed the back end of their spear shafts on the ground and stepped on the shafts with their left feet. At the same time, they lifted the spear shafts forcefully with their left arms.

The sturdy yet resilient spear shafts bent flexibly, and the spear tips aimed at Elbridge. With this posture, even an enormous weight could be received with the spear.

Even giant magic beasts had to choose one of two options before this formation.

Charge spiritedly and be pierced to death by the spears, or slow down and fall into a stalemate.

Elbridge did not run forward, but to the right.

“Side!”

The five spear tips instantly changed direction and aimed to the right.

However, Elbridge changed direction in just a single step and ran to the left.

“Opposite!”

The spear tips that were heading to the right headed to the left again.

However, because of the centrifugal force and the force of stepping hard on the spear shafts, the direction change of the spear shafts was slightly delayed. Although it was very brief, a gap appeared between the five long spears.

Elbridge did not miss that gap and dug in.

Felix clenched his teeth.

‘It doesn’t matter!’

As long as the long spear delayed the opponent’s speed, it did its part, so this was enough to have done its part reasonably well.

The five paladins simultaneously let go of the long spears and thrust their short spears. Elbridge’s sword drew a fluid trajectory, brushing three short spears aside.

There were two short spears that were not brushed aside. One belonged to the Chief Paladin, and the other belonged to Felix.

Elbridge was seen pushing the shaft of the Chief Paladin’s short spear away using his left forearm.

And Felix’s short spear was still heading toward Elbridge. Felix opened his eyes wide, waiting for Elbridge’s response.

‘I will not fall easily.’

However, Elbridge’s response was different from Felix’s expectation.

Elbridge did not dodge or deflect Felix’s short spear, but put forward his left shoulder toward the tip of the short spear.

Screeech—

A sword is an object made to cut, and a spear is an object made to thrust.

Armor that was difficult to pierce with a sword could be pierced with a spear. Although that was a story for when it was accompanied by the unique strength of a paladin and sufficient proficiency.

And Felix possessed that level of capability.

“…!”

Felix’s short spear pierced Elbridge’s pauldron and deeply gouged the flesh of his shoulder.

For a moment, the sensation of the spear blade scraping the bone was even felt. It was clearly a valid hit.

‘…Giving up his shoulder so easily? Did he make a mistake?’

No.

The moment he saw Elbridge’s calm eyes, Felix realized that Elbridge’s action was not a mistake.

Shhhk—

As if he did not feel pain, Elbridge swung his sword without any hesitation.

Elbridge’s sword cut the clasps that secured the helmets to the cuirasses of the two paladins.

Clatter, clatter—

In an instant, two helmets were stripped off and rolled on the arena floor.

Only then did Felix realize Elbridge’s intention.

Elbridge was not a perfectionist who tried to win the battle without injury.

Elbridge’s calculation was simple.

Rather than facing five people with an uninjured body, it was more advantageous to face only three people, even if he had to give up his left shoulder.

‘Crazy.’

Although it could be understood in theory, it was not an action that could be easily imitated. What kind of person in the world could thrust their own shoulder toward a spear tip?

Even if one could somehow imitate such a brave choice, how could they continue the next movement without any excess, like a person who did not even feel pain?

The two paladins whose helmets had been stripped off laid down their short spears and stepped back.

Because they understood that if Elbridge had set his mind to it, he could have killed them.

‘…We lost two people. The remaining is three.’

A half-beat late, the cheers of the crowd erupted.

“Waaaaaa—!”

Unlike the merely excited crowd, the announcer’s eyes were full of bewilderment.

The announcer knew that Felix’s short spear had dug deeply into Elbridge’s shoulder.

However, the announcer could not bring himself to stop the match.

A match could only be stopped when someone became unable to continue the fight. However, since Elbridge’s movements were almost no different from before he was injured, the match could not be stopped.

“Hmm.”

Elbridge approached the three paladins of the Order of the Bloody Spear while spinning the sword in his right hand.

No matter who looked at it, it was the attitude of one who held the upper hand. Felix took two steps back without realizing it, and only stopped his steps late after realizing his unsightly behavior.

The Chief Paladin said.

“Do not get excited and look for an opportunity. It is fine if two more fall. As long as even one lands a decisive blow, it is our victory…”

Even before the Chief Paladin finished speaking, Elbridge leapt in again. Three short spears aimed at Elbridge, each drawing its own trajectory.

Elbridge’s sword brushed away two short spears this time as well. It was something possible because Elbridge’s skill was clearly outstanding.

This time, too, Felix’s short spear was left.

‘This time, I will pierce more surely.’

Elbridge lifted his left arm. Was he trying to brush away the spear with his arm, just like he pushed the Chief Paladin’s short spear in the last clash?

No. Elbridge was injured in the shoulder, and the movement of Elbridge’s left arm was uncomfortable.

Elbridge’s left hand was spread wide as if telling him to stop the attack. However, Felix did not hesitate and thrust his short spear forcefully.

Felix’s short spear pierced Elbridge’s palm.

‘Good!’

That far was good. But Elbridge’s next movement was out of Felix’s expectation.

Although his palm was pierced, Elbridge still acted like a person who did not feel pain.

Felix realized late that Elbridge’s helmet had approached him by a large stride. It was a headbutt.

Thud!

Felix lost his balance and fell flat from the unexpected attack. His mind snapped awake.

‘I must get up.’

But in the very next moment, Felix realized that Elbridge’s foot was placed on his chest. Furthermore, the tip of Elbridge’s sword was touching his neck.

If it had been a real battle, he would have died here.

“…”

Elbridge said shortly.

“Let go.”

Since Felix was no different from a dead person, he let go of the shaft of the short spear he was holding.

Elbridge’s subsequent action was even more aggressive.

Elbridge twisted and pulled out Felix’s short spear that was lodged in his palm. And with an incredibly natural motion, he threw that short spear and pierced the knee of another paladin.

“Aaaaargh!”

Felix’s head spun. It was hard to understand what was happening right now.

The paladins of the Order of the Bloody Spear and Elbridge clashed exactly twice.

Elbridge subdued two people by giving up his shoulder, and subdued Felix by giving up his palm.

And he immediately threw the spear to subdue one more. Four people became incapacitated in an instant.

Until now, the most perfect victory that Felix thought of was a clean victory without a single scratch.

But Elbridge showed another meaning of ‘the most perfect victory.’

To eliminate all enemies at an absurd speed and in the most certain way, even if it was accompanied by wounds and pain.

The only impression Felix felt was one.

‘Bold. And practical.’

Until now, he had believed that the spear technique of the Order of the Bloody Spear was the most practical. However, Elbridge’s sword was showing something beyond that.

Felix felt as if his consciousness was blossoming and advancing to a level one step higher.

*

Now, there was only one person standing in front of Elbridge. The Chief Paladin of the Order of the Bloody Spear.

Elbridge and the Chief Paladin quietly faced each other.

The injured person was Elbridge, and the Chief Paladin had not suffered even a small scratch yet.

However, everyone in the arena knew the direction of this battle.

Perhaps the Chief Paladin of the Order of the Bloody Spear also sensed defeat, as he forcefully gripped the spear shaft.

Even if he were to lose, a determination to block Elbridge’s attack at least once was felt.

However, instead of rushing at the last opponent, Elbridge asked the announcer.

“Announcer.”

“Yes?”

“If I win. Can the victory of this match be recorded as the victory of the Order of the Rusty Shield?”

The announcer looked at the leader of the Order of Spring Rain and Moss, Scarlet, with a bewildered expression.

Scarlet nodded. She did not forget what Viveca had said before entering the arena.

However, the announcer shook his head after a brief deliberation.

“…It is not allowed by the regulations. Because Sir Elbridge participated as the champion of the Order of Spring Rain and Moss.”

“I see.”

Elbridge’s right hand reached for the back of his neck. His gauntleted finger undid the latch between the helmet and the cuirass and took off his helmet. Elbridge’s hair spilled out of the helmet.

At the unexpected behavior, all the spectators remained silent and looked at Elbridge.

Elbridge said.

“I surrender.”

“…Yes?”

At that sudden statement and action, the announcer, the Chief Paladin of the Order of the Bloody Spear, and all the spectators were bewildered.

A surrender unrelated to the context of the match?

It was a hollow result. However, there was no one booing Elbridge now.

Because there was no one in this arena who could boo after seeing Elbridge’s active performance.

Elbridge paid simple respects to the Chief Paladin of the Order of the Bloody Spear and leapt down from the stage.

The announcer declared late.

“The winner… The Order of the Bloody Spear!”

It was the custom of the Grand Festival to loudly chant the name of the winner.

However, the spectators did not chant the name of the winner, the Order of the Bloody Spear. They were merely bewildered.

Even though Elbridge had come down from the stage, the arena was still quiet.

Hacon and Arvid approached Elbridge and patted his back.

“It was amazing!”

Scarlet also praised Elbridge’s performance.

“I knew you fought well, but to think it was to this extent… First, go inside! Because I will treat you right away!”

However, only one person. Viveca still did not understand the current situation.

“Why did you suddenly surrender? It was obvious you would win if you fought!”

He felt like laughing for some reason.

Everyone who participated together knew the reason, but only the person concerned did not know the reason.

“It is because of you.”

“Because of me? Why suddenly blame me…”

In the end, Elbridge burst into laughter.

And, messing up Viveca’s hair with his gauntleted right hand, he said.

“Even if you do not know well now, you will know by this time next year.”

Leaving only those words, Elbridge headed to the waiting room.

Viveca remained bewildered, looking at Elbridge’s back.

*

Elbridge sat alone in the waiting room and whispered softly.

“Goddess. I wanted to make the name of the order known in a slightly higher place… but it turned out like this. I am sorry.”

Then, the goddess’s voice filled with laughter was heard in his ear.

– Sorry, you say? Elbridge. Did you think your goddess was so thirsty for glory that she would even covet the dream of that child, Viveca?

“That is not it.”

– If you know, that is enough. And Elbridge. I cannot understand why you feel guilty.

“That is because…”

– You are my most cherished child. Can you really hear nothing?

“What are you talking about?”

– Listen quietly. For you will know that there is no reason at all for you to feel guilty.

Elbridge listened quietly as the goddess said.

Late-started cheers of the spectators.

That shouting began to be heard faintly all the way to the waiting room.

At first, it was a small shout.

However, that shout gradually grew, and finally became incomparably larger than the usual cheers.

Countless spectators were chanting the name of one who was not on the stage.

Every spectator was shouting Elbridge’s name and the name of the Order of the Rusty Shield with all their might.

Elbridge stood up from his seat and headed to the arena.

When Elbridge, who had disappeared, revealed himself again, cheers that could shake the arena erupted once more.

Since this arena was built, there would have been no cheers larger than this.

“Rusty Shield! Elbridge! Rusty Shield! Elbridge!”

Only then did Elbridge whisper softly.

“I can hear it well now. Goddess.”