Chapter 444 - 205
Maxi studied Ulyseon's face with concern. More than his wounds, it was the sting of defeat that appeared to trouble him. Carrying his helmet at his side, Ulyseon glared at the victor before storming out of the arena.
"Will you excuse me for a moment, my lady?" Garrow asked as he watched his friend leave.
Maxi nodded eagerly. "Are you going to Ulyseon? Let me go with you."
"No, my lady," Garrow said quickly. "You should stay. It will be Sir Riftan's match soon."
Maxi was already rising from her seat when she awkwardly froze at his firm refusal.
Gabel placed a hand on her shoulder. "Please think of the lad's pride, my lady. Rovar would be embarrassed to see you in his current state."
"What is there to be embarrassed about? Did he not fight bravely against Livadon’s champion?" Maxi protested, but she settled back into her seat nonetheless.
Garrow gave a respectful nod before descending the stairs. Maxi watched him go when suddenly, the trumpet sounded, announcing the start of the next match. She redirected her attention to the arena as the administrator introduced the new contenders: a young knight from Wedon's Royal Knights and one from Balto's Southern Confederacy.
The third match of the day began. Despite their evident skill, the duel failed to captivate the audience, which was still reeling from the intensity of the previous fight.
Maxi's eyes swept across the noblewomen, who were speculating about the next contenders, then over the audience. Occasional cheers rose from the stands, but the earlier excitement had faded. Finally, the match ended with a lackluster reception.
"Sir Varis Hector is the victor!" the administrator announced from the podium.
The audience offered light applause. The knights quietly left the arena, seemingly unfazed by the crowd's tepid reaction. Without delay, the administrator announced the participants of the next match.
"Entering the fourth match is the commander of the Knights of Phil Aaron, Sir Richard Breston!"
The nobles' board expression shifted to keen interest at the mention of Richard Breston. Bunching her skirt, Maxi craned her neck over the balustrade.
As hushed anticipation fell over the stadium, the administrator shouted, "And his opponent, none other than Sir Ursuline Ricaydo of the Remdragon Knights!"
Gasping, Maxi whipped her head around, half expecting she had misheard. But Gabel's equally shocked face confirmed it.
Her eyes snapped back to the arena. Ursuline Ricaydo, resplendent in Remdragon Knight armor, followed a colossal figure, clad in heavy steel. Maxi held back a groan. Ursuline looked small next to the northerner, who towered over him by at least two heches (approx 24 centimeters) and nearly doubled his size.
Maxi seized Gabel's arm. "W-We must stop the match."
"Stay calm, my lady," Gabel said evenly. "This is an official duel. Unless Sir Ursuline forfeits, no one can stop it."
"B-But.. The man openly declared that he would not honor the knight's code! Who knows what he intends to do."
"Sir Ursuline is quite adept at fighting against bigger opponents. He will not be beaten so easily."
"S-Sir Richard Breston is the victor!" the administrator's voice rang out.
Clerics promptly rushed into the arena. After looking on with an ashen face, Maxi sprang from her seat. If not treated properly, Ursuline could lose the use of his arm forever.
She dashed into the arena and elbowed her way past the converging clerics. Seeing the hierarch bent over Ursuline, attempting to heal his arm, she roughly shoved the man's hand away.
"You could cripple him if you don't connect the bones, muscles, and nerves properly! We must inspect the wound first. Is there anything to stop the bleeding?"
The startled young cleric hurriedly removed his belt and offered it to her. Maxi snatched it from him and strapped it above the knight's wound. Soon, the bleeding stopped. The clerics stood awkwardly around her, unsure of what to do next.
"We must get him to the infirmary," Maxi said impatiently.
Ursuline, his face as white as a ghost, finally spoke through clenched teeth. "I can walk there myself."
When he attempted to rise, Maxi firmly stopped him. "No. You could aggravate your wound."
Humiliation flashed across the knight's face, but Maxi knew her priority. His arm needed immediate and proper care; his pride would have to wait.
She stepped aside, allowing the clerics to move him to the infirmary. Moments later, as he was brought in on a stretcher, Ruth directed them to a cot.
"Put him here!"
A wave of relief washed over Maxi as soon as she spotted Ruth. The ever-prepared sorcerer began setting out various medicines and tools next to the bed, issuing instructions as he did so.
"I will heal the wound. I need the clerics to remove his armor. My lady, please take a look at his head injury."
Maxi promptly removed the knight’s dented helmet, revealing his bloodied head. The gruesome sight filled her with rage. How could a man do this to another? Suppressing her anger, she grabbed a clean linen and gently began to wipe the blood from Ursuline's forehead and temple.
The helmet had saved his skull from fracturing, but a deep cut marred his temple, and there were dark bruises on his cheekbone. After carefully inspecting his wounds, Maxi healed them with magic. Meanwhile, Ruth used a peculiar device to stitch Ursuline’s arm. She watched anxiously until a somber voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Will he be able to wield a sword again?"
Startled, Maxi looked up to see Riftan.
Ruth searched the commander's impassive face as if trying to gauge his thoughts. He said calmly, "I cannot promise anything."
There was a pause.
"I see," Riftan replied.
Then, he spun on his heel and left the infirmary. A wave of anxiety overwhelmed Maxi, and she hurried after him.
Out in the waiting room, Richard Breston was getting his shoulder treated.
He sneered upon seeing Riftan. Leaning against the wall, he taunted, "I've never seen that face on you before. Is your dog's condition worse than you thought?"