The Thirty-First Knight's Vow

  Ivaylo, in the heat of anger, sent an invitation to Count Lichtenstein for a duel. Duels between nobles were common occurrences, but as a mere knight, Ivaylo was challenging someone far superior in rank. Although it wasn't the first time a lower-ranking noble had challenged a higher-ranking one, Ivaylo was putting himself at a great disadvantage, which he hadn't yet realized. Meanwhile, Count Lichtenstein calmly sat back down on his throne, brought to him by his chamberlain.

  "Duel? You'd better think carefully, knight." Count Lauzitz picked up a bunch of grapes from the table, plucked one off and put it in his mouth to chew on, saying indistinctly.

  "Of course, please accept the Earl's challenge." Ivan pushed aside the nobles blocking his way, adjusted his clothes which were not cheap, although they couldn't compare to the flashy attire of Count Lautrec, but for the Windel family, it was already quite expensive. Ivan was very confident in his martial arts skills and believed that if Count Lautrec accepted the duel, he would definitely beat this arrogant Earl until his face turned blue.

  "Hmph, fine. Taber, go and take my place in this duel with the knight." Count Lautrec's mouth curled up into a sly smile as he stretched out his right hand and beckoned to one of the Imperial Knights behind him.

  "What? I'm supposed to duel you face-to-face?" Eif was stunned, he hadn't expected Count Lauteritz to let one of his knights substitute for him in the duel, but he couldn't say anything against it because when a duel occurred high-ranking nobles could appoint their own knights as substitutes, which was even recorded in the Imperial Code of Dueling.

  "Ah, forgive me, I'm busy, er, busy devouring these delicious dishes on the table, and my hundred knights are rather idle, I have to find them something to do." Count Lauteritz's small eyes gleamed with mischief, his gestures exaggerated like an actor on stage, the ostrich feathers on his head quivering with each movement of his head.

  "Hahaha~~~." The performance of Count Lautrec and his words made the surrounding nobles feel that the whole thing was ridiculous, and they burst out laughing. Indeed, even if he were the bravest knight, it would be impossible to take on a hundred knights at once. This is why lower-ranking nobles cannot challenge higher-ranking nobles, because the latter always have a large number of knights serving them, while the former can never challenge the person they should really face, and some higher-ranking nobles even make fun of their opponents by having their own knights exhaust them before taking them down themselves. This kind of shameless thing happens, but in form it is completely legal.

  "Nothing, shameless." Yifu felt unprecedented humiliation, the mocking voices and gazes of the surrounding nobles made him even more ashamed, he stomped his foot in anger and cursed loudly, but even this angry voice was soon drowned out by the laughter of the nobles. Aruo De's face darkened as he watched his brother being humiliated, he could no longer bear it and pushed through the crowd to step forward.

  "Count Lauzitz, my brother just had a bit too much to drink. I hope you won't pursue this matter any further. I apologize for my brother's rashness." Arvid bowed his head and bent at the waist in a deep bow to Count Lauzitz. Arvid knew that his brother was already caught in Count Lauzitz's trap, and if things were allowed to develop further, Yev would certainly die at the hands of Count Lauzitz's knights. Or perhaps Count Lauzitz would personally take Yev's life after cutting off his limbs. One should not underestimate the cruelty and bloodthirstiness of medieval nobles.

  "Hmph, it was he who issued the duel invitation, and I have accepted. How can we not begin? The surrounding nobles are all witnesses." Count Lauteritz rubbed his large nose with force, revealing a cruel smile. He would not let go of this rare opportunity to make an example out of someone who dared to look down on his family.

  "Your Grace, have mercy and stop this duel." Sir Wendel also wouldn't let his own son die in this unfair duel. With tears streaming down his face, he walked forward to the duke's table, knelt on one knee, and begged the duke.

  But the Duke of Mason's face was numb and expressionless, he quickly made a consideration of interest in his heart, offending his nephew who held the army for an unknown knight, which didn't seem to be worth it, so he decided not to intervene. Just as he was about to speak, Sir Eber walked up behind him, bent down and whispered in his ear.

  "Dad, they're my friends."

  "Hmm." This simple word changed the fate of the Wendel family. The eyes of Duke Mason turned around, then raised his arm, and looked at Count Lautitz.

  "Your Grace." Count Lauterbach saw the movement of Duke Mason and hastily stood up from his chair, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet. The nobles all held their breaths, waiting for the development of things, and the grand hall of the banquet was so quiet that one could almost hear a pin drop.

  "That's enough to end this farce, I have more important matters to discuss with you later." Duke Mason spoke out loud, calling Count Lautzitz by name, his voice stern and powerful, the simple words echoing strongly in the hall, people lowering their heads wherever Duke Mason's gaze fell, and this sentence was enough to stop the duel between Count Lautzitz and Eve.

  "Yes, your illustrious duke." Count Lauterbach immediately bowed respectfully and did not mention the duel again. The surrounding nobles saw that there was nothing exciting to watch and started eating and drinking again. Although they were no longer discussing the commotion at the banquet, they couldn't help but secretly speculate about what special connection this unremarkable knight family had with the Duke of Meissen. Whispering voices occasionally echoed in the grand hall of the banquet.

  "I'm deeply sorry, I never thought my invitation would bring such disaster to you and your family." After this incident, the men of the Wendel family lost interest in attending the banquet. They bid farewell to the duke and left the hall, while Sir Eber followed them to the door and stood on the steps to apologize to Sir Wendel.

  "No, Sir Edbury, though I may be dull, yet I am deeply aware that you have repeatedly protected my sons. This is something the Wendel family will always remember." Sir Wendel felt a deep sense of loss in his heart. He had always been proud to be a direct knight of the Duke of Mason and had striven for this honor all his life. But now, he and his family were apparently worthless in the eyes of this very Duke of Mason, leaving him feeling extremely bewildered and helpless.

  "Where, you are the knight who has served the Herman family for generations, and it is our Herman family that owes you." Sir Eber said with a sigh, in a very regretful tone. Although he initially helped the Wendel family because of Arwode's lifesaving grace, as he gradually got to know Sir Wendel and his family, he knew that this was a straightforward knight who was loyal to the Herman family, while his own father was purely motivated by interest, completely ignoring human feelings and knightly honor. This was something he could not agree with no matter what, so he tried his best to appease Sir Wendel.

  "Ah~~." Suddenly, without warning, Ivan drew his sword, his actions extremely unexpected. General Ralph, who was standing right behind Sir Eber, immediately placed his hand on the hilt of his own sword at his waist, thinking that Ivan had lost his mind due to the humiliation by Count Lautrec and was now trying to harm Sir Eber.

  "Sir Ebro, I offer you my sword." But Yves did not make any move to attack Sir Ebro; instead, he knelt down on one knee, holding his sword in both hands and presenting it to Sir Ebro, saying: "I, Yves, heir of Black Marsh, provisional knight, swear to God that I will offer you, Lord Ebro, my sword and my life, faithful until death without any second thoughts; if I break this oath, my soul will not rest in peace and my body will not be preserved."

  "What? What are you doing?" Sir Ebril was taken aback, not expecting Yves to make such a sudden oath of allegiance, which was truly beyond his and General Rael's expectations.

  "I also offer you my sword." Arwade watched his brother's actions, suddenly realizing that his family had offended the most powerful Count of Lautrec and now only by relying on the first heir of Duke Meissen could they save their family. He too drew out his sword with a loud clang, presenting it with both hands and swearing allegiance.

  "And mine." Sir Wendel saw his sons' actions and knew that now only this Lord Aber was truly willing to help his family, and he felt that it would not be a bad choice to pledge allegiance to this Lord Aber who was even more just than the Duke of Mayson.

  "You put me in a difficult position." Sir Ebril's thin eyebrows knitted together, his hands clasped behind Wendel, the knight who was supposed to pledge allegiance to his own father but instead swore fealty to him, leaving him somewhat taken aback.

  "Sir, if Sir Wendel and his sons are sincere, then you should accept. Whether loyalty to the Duke or to you, isn't it all loyalty to House Herman?" General Ralf saw no malice in the people of House Wendel and let out a breath of relief. The legend of the Double Knights on the battlefield was still fresh in his ears, and it would be good if Sir Eber could get their service.

  "Alright, I, the eldest son of Duke Mason and first in line to the title, Sir Abel accept your allegiance. Let us join hands to defeat the Saxons." Sir Abel solemnly took the swords from Sir Wendel, Yves, and Arvid, lightly tapping them on their backs, accepting the allegiance of the Wendel family, completing this simple yet extraordinary knight's oath ceremony at the entrance of Duke Mason's tower gate.