68
68
Maverick's POV
Master Frederick stood there with his knife held at Master Blake's neck, panting heavily. He had won the fight, but it had required a great amount of effort.
"Winner: Master Frederick!" I announced in a loud voice.
Sounds of cheers filled the field. The elders who had placed their money on Master Frederick began to celebrate, while those who had bet on Master Blake were feeling defeated.
"I can’t believe Master Blake actually lost. I mean, his aura was always so fearsome, and his machete could cut through anything. Frederick definitely has made sufficient improvements," Master Gerald said as he began handing out coins according to the elders' bets.
"That simply goes to show that some of us are more observant than others," Master Rob said, coming to claim his wager.
"Oh please, spare me. We both know that you made a simple guess. There was no way anyone could have known that Frederick was going to win that fight. I mean, the auras were basically even. Master Blake's aura was probably even stronger. So, there was no way you could have known that," Master Gerald argued.
"You see, many of us elders, during our years of experience, choose to build on either observation or strength. You picked Blake based on his strength without knowing what lay underneath. But thanks to my observation, I was able to tell that Frederick would win."
"That's enough out of you, Rob," Lord Mark said directly to Master Rob. "You won the bet, and that's it. Anyone could have won that fight, you know. Blake just got a bit too slow, and Frederick capitalized," Lord Mark said.
"Blake didn't get slower during that fight. It was simply Frederick's amazing skill and ingenuity that allowed him to win. Throughout the entire fight, Blake only managed to hit Frederick a few times, and only one of those was a true hit. Just admit it, when it comes to observation, neither of you is anywhere near my level," Master Rob said as he turned away from them, wearing the face of an all-knowing sage.
"Okay then, what about Henry? Did he know about Frederick's skills as well?" Master Gerald asked.
Everyone turned to look in the direction of Master Henry, who was currently counting his winnings.
"Oh, about that—I simply chose Frederick because Rob did. I mean, I'm no one yet at the observational level of either of you guys to predict who would win between those two. To be honest, if I were to pick using my own intuition, I would have actually picked Blake instead. So, I guess that's it," Master Henry said and continued counting.
"How can such a weakling like yourself be called a combat-based elder? Of all the elders, I am certain that you are the weakest one. Considering how low your observational skills are, I don't think your combat skills are that good either," Master Hoffman said, looking angrily at Master Henry.
"Hey, what's your problem? I don't think we’ve had any reason to fight since the conference room. Oh, now I get it—you placed your wager on Blake, didn't you?" Master Henry said with a proud smirk forming on his face.
"Well, so what if I did? If you observe that battle closely, I personally feel Blake let Frederick win," Master Hoffman said, folding his arms and looking away.
"That's entirely wrong," Lord Mark, who had also lost money, turned to look at Master Hoffman sharply. "Blake had no intention of losing that fight to Frederick. That fight was as intense as you witnessed it to be. Neither side wanted to lose, but eventually, one winner had to be decided, and Frederick emerged victorious. Replace the wrong bits, and we just have to accept it. There's no need to poke holes in the fight—let's simply enjoy the fact that we witnessed a great fight today," Lord Mark said.
"Well, I guess you do have a point. But I won't have sniveling little weaklings who couldn't even place a sure bet speaking to me in such a manner," Master Hoffman said.
"Who was it you called weak?" Master Rob asked, looking at Master Hoffman, surprised.
"I'm talking about Henry, of course. He's the weakest of all the combat-based elders, and it is clear for all to see," Master Hoffman said.
Master Rob looked at him for a long while, then a smile broke out on his face, and he began to laugh loudly. The surrounding elders began to laugh as well.
"Is he serious?" Master Francis asked, slapping a nearby wall, trying to contain his laughter.
"I mean, I lost money, but that has got to be funny. He actually thinks Henry is weak," Master Gerald said, laughing very hard.
Master Rob laughed and laughed, and then, when he was satisfied, his expression became firm again as he looked at Master Hoffman seriously. "One does not attain the title of Combat Master without earning it. When it comes to being enigmatic, they should call you the Enigmatic Master instead of me, because apparently, your true strength is not well known," Master Rob said with density in his voice.
"You don't have to defend him. I sense no tense aura coming from Henry the way I sense it from the other elders. If I were to pick an elder to fight in a life-and-death battle, I would not hesitate to pick Henry," Master Hoffman said.
Master Rob looked at him for a short while and then began to laugh all over again. He laughed and laughed until he was satisfied, and the other elders around laughed as well. "Clearly, when it comes to observational skills, you are obviously the least trained. You spend your life earning a silver tongue and wisdom when it comes to jurisdictional affairs. So it is best if you do not try to judge combat abilities. After all, we all have what we are good at," Master Rob said.
"Say whatever you want; you still won't convince me that Henry is strong," Master Hoffman said and then walked away.
Master Henry, who they were talking about, was busy filling up his own bag with coins. When it was full enough, he walked away as well.
Master Frederick calmly and carefully removed his dagger from Master Blake's neck. He backed away slowly, and then, when he was far enough, he fell to the ground weakly.
Master Blake also collapsed to the ground, exhausted. After all the energy they had spent in that fight, they were both hemorrhaging. At a point in that fight, both of them had been running on adrenaline, and now it was taking its toll on them.
Master Blake was having a harder time because he was bleeding from several places on his body.
"Lord Desmond, please see to it that Master Blake gets sufficient medical help," I said, pointing in Master Blake's direction.
"Yes, of course, Your Majesty," Lord Desmond said, and without any hesitation, he got to work on Master Blake.
To my surprise, he had a portable medical kit right there in his garments, though it was not visible to the eye. One after another, medical tools were brought out from his garments, which he used to treat Master Blake's wounds, and before too long, the wounds were treated and the bleeding completely stopped.
When Lord Desmond was done with his work, he walked away from the field. There was a good chance he was headed right for his research lab, where he would stay until he was called upon.
"Well, apparently, the mission to meet with Ryder's elders cannot go on tomorrow. It will be postponed until further notice, and when I have decided on the perfect date, you all will be called upon once more and sent on the mission. For now, you are all dismissed until further notice," I said, and I walked away.
What I heard from the corner of my ear was what Master Blake and Master Frederick were saying to each other.
"I guess I was wrong about you, Frederick. Maybe old age clouded my brain, and I forgot just how well your dexterity is. I underestimated you, and for that, I lost and suffered a crushing defeat. Well, from this and from the fight in which I defeated you years back, we must be about even," Master Blake said.
"I definitely have to admit that you were really formidable. I mean, I had to fight you to my peak and use everything at my disposal. If my aim had been a bit off, I may have lost. To be honest, I think you may be the most intense adversary I have ever faced as well as the greatest rival I have ever had," Master Frederick said to Master Blake.
"It's about time we put this petty foolishness behind us and stopped quarreling like little girls," Master Blake said and stretched out a hand.
I had turned to look behind me now, and I saw Master Frederick join his hand with Master Blake's, symbolizing their newfound friendship. Their camaraderie left me in awe.
But I was also inspired by the fight I just witnessed. I knew that if I was ever going to be a competent king, I would also need the strength to back it up. Therefore, without any hesitation, I began heading for my own private chambers for personal training.