A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

The herald was shouting, ”Beauty bestows her love as lances are broken! Fight fearlessly, brave Knights, for fair eyes await great deeds!”

The band occasionally burst into frenzied tunes, expressing both victory and contempt. The countryfolk muttered amongst themselves, complaining that a perfectly good festival was about to be ruined at the hands of a Jewish Knight. The older Knights and Nobility chattered on, sighing over the decline of the Franks’ martial spirit and reminiscing about the great deeds of their youth.

To break the silence on the tournament grounds, the band once again struck up a long and rousing tune. But just as it was about to end, a lone horn blast suddenly pierced the air—the call of a challenger, coming from the north end of the field.

The Knights on the field spurred into action, charging toward their chosen opponents.

About four Knights glanced at Eric, then turned to look at Rufus, as if asking for his permission.

After all, the atmosphere stirred up by the crowd was impossible to ignore. And this was indeed a perfect opportunity for Rufus to build his Reputation.

Rufus nodded. Emboldened, the four Knights charged toward Eric.

Yuge, apparently wanting to show off, started to charge forward but was pulled back by Eric.

”What’s wrong?”

”This is a duel between Knights. Don’t let them outnumber you. We need to force them into one-on-one fights. We’ll split off to the sides and make them separate.”

Eric yanked his reins, forcing his Warhorse to veer to the right.

Yuge hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to obey Eric and galloped off to the left.

However, the Knights charging them had little interest in Yuge. Only one gave chase, while the other three continued their pursuit of Eric.

Eric circled the field, intentionally charging toward a pair of dueling Knights. Just before impact, he violently wrenched his reins to the right. His Warhorse let out a sharp neigh, nearly losing its balance and threatening to topple over. But just as it was about to fall, the Warhorse suddenly reared and stomped its front hooves on the ground, stabilizing itself and successfully changing direction.

The three Knights hot on Eric’s heels were caught completely off guard by his maneuver and yanked hard on their reins.

The Knight at the front wasn’t so lucky. He crashed directly into the dueling pair. After the collision, his saddle strap snapped, and both he and his horse went down. He struggled on the ground for a moment but couldn’t get back up.

The remaining two Knights barely managed to regain their balance as their Warhorses reared up, whinnying in panic.

Eric seized the opportunity, swinging his Lance and striking the nearest Knight. With the sound of a splintering Lance, his opponent was unhorsed.

Eric then hurled the broken shaft of his Lance, striking the other Knight’s Warhorse in the head. The startled animal began to bolt wildly around the field, its rider unable to control it.

Just then, Eric sensed something and ducked his head sharply. He was still hit. Though the blow only grazed his Helmet, it was enough to make his right ear ring.

It was Rufus.

He gave Eric a triumphant smile.

The arena erupted in thunderous cheers. Scarves and handkerchiefs waved overhead as a continuous wave of applause proved the crowd’s intense interest in the match.

”Bloody his face!”

”Now that’s a true Frank Knight!”

”Kill him! Kill him! Make that Jewish Knight pay with his life for Christ!”

”...”

The next moment, however, Eric parried the Lance with his Shield. The sheer force of the blow made Rufus lose his grip, and the Lance flew from his hand.

Eric immediately drew his War Axe and swung at Rufus, who tried to block with his Shield.

But the force from the War Axe was so shocking that it sent his Shield flying upward. The Shield smashed into his chin, knocking a tooth out and drawing blood from the corner of his mouth.

’Is this some kind of joke? Is this guy a monster?’

Eric gave him a contemptuous smile, then shook his reins and charged forward.

”Bastard!” Rufus knew it was a provocation. He drew his own War Axe and gave chase almost instantly.

Rufus chased after Eric, clashing his War Axe against Eric’s. But no matter where Rufus aimed his attacks, Eric blocked them with near-perfect form, his hand not even trembling.

’You’ve got to be kidding me! You’ve got to be kidding me!’

’He even started to suspect that in past tournaments, the other Knights had been going easy on him because of his Identity.’

’Impossible! Impossible!’

Eric, for his part, had no intention of finishing Rufus off so quickly. ’I have to make this at least look like a real fight.’

He galloped toward the arena exit, and as he drew near, he sounded his horn.

The long, drawn-out blast of the horn was completely out of place with the band’s music.

The surrounding crowd, including Rufus, who was still chasing Eric, all took it as a provocation.

The sound of the horn instantly ignited their fury.

A provocation! A blatant, shameless provocation!

”Damn it! Damn it all! Are there no true men left among the Franks?! That such a shameful thing could happen!”

”Look at him! A half-Jewish Knight, openly mocking the noble Franks in their own arena!”

”Christ is ashamed of us! Where are the true Christian Warriors?!”