On the stage, all eyes are on you.

Arthur and Bertrand took a stance, the two drew their swords and touched lightly, and as the tips of the swords collided, only a clank was heard, and the lightning on both sides of the stage exploded, and the roaring lightning almost illuminated the night theater into daylight.

Under the power of electricity, all the emotions of the audience present were not hidden, joy, excitement, and even a little horror, and the rapid rush of adrenaline made everyone's faces filled with an intoxicating flush.

Almost at the same moment, Arthur and Bertrand drew their swords back and jumped, and the pre-duel salute was over.

For a moment, everyone present held their breath, and the battle was about to break out, and everyone secretly guessed the outcome of this duel in their hearts.

And in the box on the second floor, there are also countless pairs of eyes staring at this place.

Miss Fiona Ivan, holding her wine glass, lay on the marble handrail of the balcony, raised her tail finger and gently printed a little glittering gold dust in the dressing box in front of her, and wiped them inch by inch on her lips.

Fiona pursed her lips lightly and popped to spread the gold-mixed lipstick more evenly.

With one arm on the armrest, she reached for the tickets in the suitcase beside her, letting them slip between her fingers.

"Mr. Hastings, whether it's out of business or affection, you must win, or my handicap will lose a lot......"

And in the box next door, Alexandre Dumas and other Arthur's friends were already jumping up and down.

"Arthur, fuck it! Although Lao Tzu missed today, I believe that you can still do it without a black gun! ”

"To the world, you are a human being. But for someone, it's his whole world! Arthur, let him feel the weight of the world! ”

"Men think about fame and women look forward to love, now the fame is in front of your eyes, just go ahead!"

"Fuck, you're done, what are you going to let me say?"

"If you don't know what to say, Mr. Disraeli, pray for him, as I did. We are in heaven, O Father who loves us! Please shelter Mr. Hastings and let him return victoriously in good health. ”

"Are you serious? Mr. Heine, do you believe this? ”

"Hmm...... At least on the surface, there is still something to be done. ”

Just as the chickens and dogs were jumping in the box, the stage gradually changed.

After a brief sword salute, Bertrand quickly resumed his trademark foil stance, only to see the Swordsman of Paris with his knees slightly bent, his knees at foot level, his upper body straight, his right arm holding the sword contracted and half-flexed, the tip of the sword almost level with his eyebrows.

This is Bertrand's unique stance play, which makes his movements smooth and fast, and his stab-based play also ensures that his center of gravity is stable in such a stance. He was like a venomous snake curled up in a clump, his delicate and slender foil may seem indestructive, but with a simple flaw, he can pierce his opponent's throat and eye in a split second.

In the royal box, William IV asked Sir George Elliott beside him softly: "I remember you said before that this young man from Scotland Yard is very capable of fighting, what routine does he follow?" ”

Sir Elliott smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, according to Colonel Fitzroy, Mr. Hastings is a swift sword master. ”

"Swift Sword?"

When the British swordsman Angelo brothers, who were waiting beside the king, heard this, they also had a judgment in their hearts.

"If Mr. Hastings is a swift sword master, I judge that he will most likely meet the enemy with an iron gate in the early stage, although the iron gate is not aggressive, but it is better to be able to defend steadily. Although it was the first time I had witnessed Bertrand's competition, according to members of the London Sword Fighting Association, the French master swordsman's attack was very sharp. Before figuring out the opponent's sword path, the iron gate that can defend against stabbing and disrupt the opponent's sword path is definitely the best choice for the test period. ”

When Sir Elliott heard this, he smiled and replied, "If Mr. Hastings were an ordinary swift sword user, I would probably think he would use the Iron Gate Posture, but he is a Fiore Stream. As you know, Fiore's followers have always played aggressively, and in order to win the final victory, they even went so far as to perform a terrifying sword technique of taking a white blade with an empty hand, exchanging the palm of their hand for a life. ”

When little Angelo heard this, he couldn't help but shake his head: "If it's a Fiore swordsman, plus it's a young and vigorous young man, then I guess most of them will start with a bull gesture and go straight to the enemy's face or throat, and the Italians like this style of play." It's a pity that if Fiore's swift sword training is not good, it is easy to be slashed by the opponent in the first round by seizing the flaw in the pace, I hope this Arthur Hastings tries not to play too aggressively. Bertrand was able to win 49 games in a row in London, which also shows that he does have some quality. ”

When Lionel on the side heard this, he just smiled and stepped forward to explain: "As far as I know, although the swift sword is his housekeeping skill, but in today's duel, he doesn't plan to show his ability to press the bottom of the box as soon as he comes up. ”

"In front of a master swordsman?"

Big Angelo frowned when he heard this: "This young man can't help but take life too lightly, when facing a real master, it is only possible to survive if he goes all out at the beginning." Swords have no eyes, and they won't give you another chance. ”

William IV was a little curious: "You mean, this Mr. Hastings also knows other schools of swordsmanship?" ”

"Not strange." Talleyrand took a sip of champagne: "This kid has more than ten ways to play playing cards, and it is not a novelty to know how to play swordsmanship." ”

The Duke of Wellington also joked: "At least he should be able to train the basic swordsmanship of the Scotland Yard police." ”

When Lionel heard this, he also echoed: "As you said, Arthur told me before that his swordsmanship was slowly studied by himself on the basis of the police officer's swordsmanship. ”

When little Angelo heard this, his attitude towards Arthur, which was still a little dissatisfied just now, suddenly changed. For no other reason, Angelo Jr.'s sword moves are an important source of moves in the Scotland Yard Police Officer's Basic Sword Training Manual.

He complimented, "Is that so?" Then this young man is quite hardworking. ”

William IV also laughed and said: "What this makes you say, I am really looking forward to it more and more, what kind of routine will he have?" ”

And just as everyone was speculating, suddenly, a thick white smoke screen began to spread from the stage.

The mist instantly covered Arthur below the calf, and in a burst of exclamation, he dragged the 48-inch-long English short sword behind him, the blade pointing forward, and the tip of the sword was submerged in the mist, and the ratio of man to sword showed a perfect forty-five degrees.

"Long tail? This guy isn't kidding, is he? ”

"Heh, I have to say, it is indeed very Fiore's style of a swordsman, this young man doesn't treat Bertrand as a human being!"

"It seems that he is very confident in his pace! Directly use the long tail to open up the middle lane and lure Bertrand to attack. I have to say that this move is really easy to get used to, especially for swordsmanship. If Bertrand didn't attack in this situation, he would be letting this young man step on his face. ”

Before the discussion had completely died down, all of them heard the hoarse and magnetic chant from under Arthur's mask, like a church choir chanting a hymn.

"Young knight, listen to me.

Honoring Madame, fear your God.

In this way, your reputation will grow.

Practice chivalry and hone your craft.

The art of dueling that ennobles you,

Brings you honor in war.

Become the best gladiator in a duel.

spears, spears, swords, and hammers,

No matter what kind of weapon, it should be dealt with bravely and calmly,

Then they were crushed in duels.

Rushing, sinking, every move is useful,

Charge, hit. Or, contempt for his sparse martial arts.

That is why, those wise swordsmen,

He was so respected that he made everyone jealous.

As I said, you should be able to:

All art has a length and a scale,

This is the general outline, and the long sword is universally ......"

Arthur read this, thanks to the liquid carbon dioxide he had obtained from Mr. Faraday, and the already thick white mist rose and tumbled from behind him, and a huge smoke screen swept directly into the height of the three-story building.

Under the illumination of the lamp, Arthur's figure was almost completely wrapped in the white mist, and everyone could only see a vague figure lurking in this mist, but they could no longer judge his movements.

And Angelo, the big and small in the royal box, saw this scene, even the two masters had to be amazed by this scene.

"I didn't expect that! I really didn't expect it! ”

William IV couldn't help but ask, "What exactly is that poem just now?" I don't sound like English, it's not French, it's like German. ”

Hearing this, little Angelo bowed slightly and complimented: "Your Majesty, you really have a good eye." As you say, it is the German language that Mr. Hastings has just recited, not only in German, but also in medieval Old German, which is the martial art poem "Zettel"! ”

“《Zettel》？” William IV couldn't help but wonder: "Is that poem the famous Zettel?" So, what is the sword move that this Scotland Yard lad used today? ”

Little Angelo smiled and nodded: "That's right, you must have guessed it." ”

Bertrand glanced at the stage in front of him with very little visibility, his eyes searching, but he never dared to make a move.

However, with the sound of the audience scolding and cheering, Bertrand finally had to move.

He staggered forward, then jerked forward, stabbing forward with a clean lunge.

Almost at the same time, the thick fog in front of him broke through a large black hole, and the 48-inch-long English short sword slashed upwards like a moonfish, directly deflecting Bertran's sword edge, Bertrand lost his balance slightly, but before he could steady his footing, Arthur's deputy came to him in an instant.

Suddenly, the blower laid under the stage turned violently, and the wind blew out from the specially reserved brick cracks, blowing away the thick smoke screen on the stage, and almost all the audience instantly locked their eyes on this classic picture that could almost be used as a freeze-motion oil painting.

A foil and an English short sword were frozen in mid-air in the wrestling, while Arthur's second-hand fist was pressed against Bertran's throat half an inch, and the Parisian swordsman broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead, and in the moments before he was about to die, he locked Arthur's arm with his left arm.

Bertrand slammed into Arthur's chest, forcing both of them to retreat to their pre-strike positions.

Bertrand stabbed his sword between the bricks, and he fell to his knees, gasping for air.

Judging from the beads of sweat the size of soybeans on his forehead, even if he was acting, it took a lot of effort for the Paris Sword Master to catch this move just right.

This kind of stage with a complex environment is no longer comparable to a simple dueling table.

Bertrand looked at Arthur and whispered at the corners of his mouth: "If I had known, I wouldn't have taken this job, the risk is indeed a bit high." ”

No one could see the expression under Arthur's mask, but Bertrand knew that he must be smiling: "Mr. Bertrand, you regret it now, it's too late." After receiving this money, you can obediently accompany me to perform this scene. Big deal, I'll give you a little more bonus. ”

Bertrand heard this, and after resting for a while, the Paris Sword Master stood up again, and he loosened his arms and neck: "It seems that I can't do it if I don't show some real skills today." ”

Arthur also raised the tip of his sword and turned his long tail into a bull position: "Good cooperation, Mr. Bertrand." ”

There was still a thin mist in the audience, and in the blurred night, who was still shouting for the audience who had just fallen into silence for the shocking picture: "That misty sword master from Germany, German longsword Guwu, Lichtnerr?!" ”

When Arthur heard this, he just smiled and nodded at the shouting audience: "Sir, not only is it fast, but it also has German martial arts moves. As we all know, swordsmanship is about change. ”

As soon as Arthur finished speaking, the audience immediately erupted in cheers.

In the box, Angelo also smiled and applauded: "Pragmatic young man, you know that it will not work to use a swift sword for foils. It would not be wise to switch to a long sword, Your Majesty, as you can see, this is indeed a Lichtner stream. ”

And Bertrand, opposite Arthur, also lifted his dueling suit jacket, revealing the off-hand weapon hanging on his belt, which were three authentic French short swords.

Bertrand said loudly: "That's right, swordsmanship has to change. ”

"Three swords?" Arthur smiled and asked, "Are you going to use the Four Blades?" ”

"Guess what...... Look at the sword! ”

Between the lightning and flint, three short swords were thrown, and in an instant, they were already close to Arthur's eyes!

(End of chapter)