In the early morning of June, Sigrani accompanied Hermes II, who had just recovered from a serious illness, for a walk in the Imperial Garden. The emperor www.biquge.info's body is still in the recovery period, and although the situation is unexpectedly good, he still needs his daughter's support. The retinue and the doctor followed them at a distance, so as not to disturb the intimacy between father and daughter.

"Tomorrow, the sword competition will begin, and maybe this will be the last event I can ever meet." The old emperor spoke first.

"Don't say that, you're going to be emperor for many years?"

"My daughter," said the old emperor, laughing, and looking at Sigrani lovingly, "at my age, I only wish to see your wedding, and to embrace this grandson in the sun as soon as possible." Moreover, you are the one who will inherit the throne, and if you do not have a capable husband, the people will not obey you. ”

Sigrani bowed her head shyly and whispered, "But my country doesn't have anyone I like." No matter how capable she was outside, she was just a little girl snuggling up to her father.

"Isn't Leon of the Fields family an outstanding young man? If he wins the sword fighting tournament, he will definitely propose to you. Old Fields had hinted to me several times. ”

Hermes II saw the subtle change in his daughter's expression, and continued: "What about the captured Nacybis? I don't know where to go for such an important person, and I heard that the Count of Reims also spoke highly of him. Daughter, why don't you introduce me to her? ”

"He is now imprisoned in a foolproof place, and if my father wants to see him, I will immediately send someone to escort him over." Sigrani was scolding the Imperial Intelligence Agency, the damned Rossi.

But the emperor's words diverted her attention, "Call him, if he really has the blood of the Leus family and is really talented, let him prove everything with his sword." ”

Sigrani was secretly happy, since the emperor did not have an absolute objection, it was not impossible to take advantage of the momentum that the Rossi family had created for her. She immediately sent Atalante to Tenance afterwards, and she had full confidence in Sogland's sword skills.

On June 28, 344 in the continental Gregorian calendar, the 27th Mastar Sword Fighting Conference has entered its final day. The seven-day contest, which takes place only every four years, was founded by Hermes I in 236 in the continental Gregorian calendar to fill the gap in the national celebration that followed the abolition of slave gladiatorial fighting. During this period, the citizens of Shurasa can enjoy the carnival to their heart's content, and the government will give them a daily subsidy.

The final four contestants had been decided, and to the envy of the Mastarns, there was a foreigner among the four. Before that, the 26th conference had always reached the top 32, and it was all local players. There are two semi-finals and finals going on today. Tickets were sought-after, and gamblers made a last-ditch effort after the first six days of warm-up.

Just after breakfast time, the arena, which can accommodate 100,000 people, was already full. According to later statistics, a total of more than 130,000 people entered the venue, setting a record high. However, the 27th Sword Tournament is not famous for this.

The semi-final matchup was Leon Fields vs. Bavar Hayes, a final that was considered to have been brought forward. The other was a battle between the only foreigner and the head of the Knights Templar, Manfred Maas. Maas is already fifty-two, and sooner or later he will have to give up his position to the deputy commander; And foreigners actually use a piece of sword hand. In the minds of the Mastar people, the sword is equated with the thin sword, and the one who wields the sword can only be a woman, but unfortunately the stranger wearing the mask is a man no matter how you look at it.

The first match between Leon and Hayes was quickly brought into the stadium, and supporters on both sides erupted in applause. The two greeted each other in the manner of knights, and then saluted to the stand where the emperor was located. Hayes looked around the Emperor carefully, only to see the princess and Cosette, which made him pout helplessly. The two sides took a stand with their swords, and the game began.

Leon let out a loud shout and attacked first, pounced on the opponent. Hayes caught his slash, and the two sides began to fight.

"Your Excellency the Marquis, do you want to win the championship with such skills? Let me teach you a few tricks. ”

After finishing speaking, he let out a loud shout, pushed away the opponent's sword hard, followed by a backhand slash, and a forehand blow. The swing of the sword is swift and powerful, opening and closing widely, and there are almost no flaws. Many people haven't seen what is going on, and Leon has already taken several steps back.

That's amazing, Leon thought to himself. He gripped the hilt of his sword with a somewhat numb hand, and took a letting go, ready to take on the next attack. I saw Hayes raise his sword high and shout loudly: "Referee, I want to abstain!" ”

The audience was stunned, and Frank Redknapp, the deputy head of the Knights Templar, who was the referee, rushed to the field and declared Leon the victor.

"Hayes is protesting to me." From her seat, Sigrani explained to her father, "He complained that I sent Atalanta. ”

"Hey, what do you mean by that, don't you want to fight me?" Leone loudly vented his frustration with Hayes.

"Atalanta is not here, and no matter how good I behave, she can't appreciate it. You're different, Her Royal Highness is looking at you. ”

"If you win the championship, can't you also ask His Majesty the Emperor for marriage?" Leone was changing the subject. However, the word "also" undoubtedly exposed his thoughts.

"Atalanta is a good woman, I don't want to force her to do what she doesn't want to do, let it be." Hayes put away his sword and left, and Leon couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration in his heart.

Rednap leaned over to Hayes and said, "Hey, Hays, doesn't it really matter?" Charging a good man is harmful to the body and mind. ”

"You're very annoying, and I want you to take care of my abstention. I've at least got a goal in mind, you kid think about yourself. ”

The dramatic changes made the second semi-final a little more intriguing. By this time, Atalanta had already arrived at the venue, and she quickly came to the princess's side. Hayes also came to the royal viewing platform and greeted Atalanta very warmly, but unfortunately the other party did not have time to talk to him.

Atalanta whispered a few words in Higrani's ear, and Sigrani's face changed instantly, though only for a moment. Shame and anger welled up in new hearts. Sigrani took a leave of absence from the Emperor and rose to leave her seat, followed by two officers of the Guard.

"That bastard Falenci fox, Cosette, immediately send someone to inform the Western and Northern armies to intensify their investigation of the transit caravan, and to find him out." Sigrani commanded.

Cosette was about to leave to carry out the order, but was stopped by Atalanta. Atalanta advised, "Your Highness, please calm your anger, the exact intentions of Your Excellency Leus are not yet clear. ”

"Unclear? Isn't he just trying to get rid of me? I gave him everything, and he was not satisfied! "Sigrani was mad.

"But Your Highness can't be so reckless as not to poke things out."

"I know, I know," Higrani said weakly, calming down, "let me think. ”

The two guards looked at their Highness in distress and fell weakly into the chairs in the lounge.

At this time, there were disgruntled boos in the arena, and the second semi-final was quickly over. When Mas was on the fifth sword, he was pierced through the shoulder by the opponent at an astonishing speed, and his collarbone was actually cut off by the opponent's sword, and he fell to the ground.

The foreign swordsman's astonishing explosiveness and flamboyant technique amazed the Mastars present, and Maas was ridiculed and scolded by gamblers who were dissatisfied with his incompetence when he was carried off the field.

"It's a fast sword, and it's no less powerful in an instant. That person must be a famous swordsman on the mainland, and Mas is unlucky. Redknapp commented.

"You seem to be happy with the chief's defeat, huh? I think I've seen that sword somewhere. Hayes said.

"That wound will take at least a month to heal, and within that month the Knights will be at my disposal." Redknapp replied triumphantly.

"I remember, this is old Macmillan's sword. It is said to be his best work. To be recognized by the old man, it must not be an ordinary character. Leone's bad luck is here, and he won't be able to attend their wedding this year. Hayes looks pessimistically to the future.

After the baptism of June sunshine, more than 80,000 people still persevered by the start of the finals, which made the drink vendors happy. The final was scheduled for 1 p.m., and both sides were on time. On the advice of his doctor, Hermez II had returned to the palace ahead of schedule. Sigrani remained as the Emperor's deputy, and she was to preside over the subsequent ceremony.

"Hi, Outlander. Isn't it hot when you wear this cloak in this weather? Leon asked.

"Fighters have to learn to cope with all kinds of situations, and hot weather is not an obstacle." The other party replied in standard official language, without any accent.

The game began, and Leon took the lead in the cheers of the crowd and slashed head-on. The opponent quickly drew his sword, and with the acceleration when he drew his sword, he swung his backhand. Sparks erupted from the swords of both sides. Leon's sword flicked off, but the other party remained unmoved.

Leon gasped, let out a loud shout, and rushed up again, wiping his sword at the other man's neck. The opponent dodged with a short body, but the contracted body immediately popped out like a spring, with a thrust. Leon retracted his sword momentum in time, slammed down with his sword, and pressed the opponent's sword to death. Seeing that he couldn't draw his sword, the other party slammed Leon sideways with his shoulder, and took out his sword and slashed with a backhand, Leon's head tilted, and the blade grazed the root of his ear.

The audience watched the first round of confrontation with bated breath, and after the two were temporarily separated, the originally silent venue instantly erupted in enthusiastic cheers. It was a great showdown, and the audience's interest was turned up and they cheered loudly for both sides.

Sigrani was also gradually drawn to the game, and the presence of foreign swordsmen on the field reminded her of Sogrande.

Leon was in a tough battle at this point, and his opponent skillfully slashed with a forehand and backhand, and the straight stab triple hit left him tired to deal with. "Too soon," he thought to himself, "only to tempt him to attack and find another chance." ”

The foreign swordsman is another forehand split. Leon didn't continue to hold back this time, but used all his strength to flick upward, and the opponent's sword was bounced away. The door between the two sides was wide open, and at this time, the advantage of the sword was reflected. The foreign swordsman withdrew his sword with surprising speed, a thunderous stab that pierced between the fifth and sixth ribs. Leon returned his sword and slashed down, and the other party just jumped backwards and avoided it.

Leon only felt a flower in front of him, and fell heavily on his back. The ambulance crew immediately rushed with a stretcher, and there was no doubt that he lost. The Mastarians erupted in frustration and dissatisfaction, and some accused Hayes of not releasing water to Leon.

Hayes also regretted a little, "If I knew that it was such a strong opponent, I wouldn't let His Excellency the Marquis go." ”

Atalanta only answered, "Only eight swords were used." ”

Either way, the first foreign fencing tournament champion in the history of Mastar was born.

The champion slowly walked onto the podium, and the scene that followed made those who left the field early regret their early retirement. When Sigrani asked for the winner's name, before he could answer, the mask he was wearing suddenly split in two and fell off. It turned out that Leon's final blow was not for nothing.

"Thorgrande Luce!" Those who knew him exclaimed.

"Looks like the gods don't want me to fool me around." Sogrend smiled and removed his hood.

"Catch him, guard!" The queen, who had not yet spoken, shouted.

"Wait, listen to his request first." Sigrani was surprised and delighted by this, and although her expression did not change significantly, her mood could be seen in her beautiful eyes that had regained their radiance.

"Thank you, Your Highness, it's simple. Let me return to Pharansy safely and unhindered within ten days. Saugrend, though polite, did not leave any excuse in his words.

"No, didn't the soldiers who died trying to capture him die in vain?" The queen intervened again.

"When we arrested him, no one died." Sigrani rebuked the queen mercilessly, though she certainly didn't intend to just put Sogrand back.

"I agree in principle to your request in my capacity as an agent of the emperor. However, you are a stranger, and you were once an enemy of our country, so we are still on the right to meet your requirements. It's not a good day to discuss such a serious topic, tonight should be a night of revelry. So please wait until tomorrow and let us discuss it before we decide what to offer you. Do you agree? Sigrani was eager to see Saugland's lame expression.

"Well, a rare celebration, do you want to enjoy it in the future?" Thorgrande said nonchalantly.