Chapter 167: Humiliation
The Elephant Hunter's strength clearly exceeded Ian's estimation of maximum human strength. However, considering that the Ibbenese are not strictly speaking the same race as humans, and given the player's initial +3 strength bonus when choosing Ibbenese bloodline during character creation, this situation was still somewhat reasonable in this fantasy world.
Thinking of this, Ian breathed a slight sigh of relief. Fortunately, he had held back and hadn't let Keith fight him—otherwise, Keith facing this monster would probably have ended no better than Jorah.
In the seventh battle, Suda's side didn't change their lineup, still choosing to send the Elephant Hunter.
Hazan's side, at Ian's suggestion, once again sent out the water dancer Yada.
Water dancers are a natural counter to these muscle-bound brutes.
As Ian expected, the Elephant Hunter started with three javelins, but Yada dodged them all. When the two sides began close combat, the Elephant Hunter couldn't even touch Yada, and in the third minute of the battle, Yada found an opening to kill him.
In the eighth match, it was Hazan's turn to send someone up first. This time, Ian suggested sending Keith, wielding a Valyrian steel sword.
Suda, on the other hand, sent the wounded Ander Poole, as Suda only had this last champion remaining.
This was another battle without suspense. More precisely, the outcome of the tournament was already decided the moment Ian completed three tasks: equipping Yada with the Valyrian steel sword, poisoning the two turncloak water dancers, and sending Bronn to infiltrate Suda's side beforehand.
Hazan's side, by eliminating two of Suda's participants without loss at the start, completely disrupted Suda's tactical plans, making them vulnerable throughout the subsequent matches.
Although there was a minor incident during the match involving an Elephant Hunter capable of instantly killing Jorah, Ian's strategy provided a high margin for error, allowing them to completely absorb such an unexpected loss. In fact, it wasn't even a loss for Ian himself—if Jorah died, Ian would collect his commission.
The first chapter of The Art of War is titled "Laying Plans," a term with three layers of meaning: calculation, assessment, and strategy. It involves assessing the strength of both sides, calculating success and failure, and making a comprehensive plan.
First plan, then decide.
For Ian, the outcome was already decided before anything even began.
Sure enough, despite Ander's exceptional swordsmanship and astonishing strength in his final battle, he could only die in frustration when facing Keith, whose strength was not much weaker and who wielded a Valyrian steel sword—despite his leg injury and perhaps even resentment directed at Darren Grafson.
Just as Keith severed Ander's head, Ian, sitting in the stands, received a kill notification from the system.
[Subordinate successfully killed one player, gaining 2 points, seizing 12 points, 2 skill points, and an additional 3 strength points.]
Because Ander was killed by Keith, Ian's gains were halved, but overall still quite substantial, even with the unexpected bonus of skill points.
However, at this point, gaining skill points from killing players was quite normal, including for Ian himself, who already had skill points remaining.
The updated stats are:
[Ian: Strength 35, Agility 27, Spirit 22
Skills: Basic Etiquette, Basic Common Tongue Literacy, Sword Mastery, Advanced Horsemanship, Intermediate Lance, Intermediate Skinchanger, Greenseer Foundation
Attribute Points: 0
Skill Points: 4
Points: 76
Items: Basic Skill Selection Scroll, Skill Upgrade Scroll]
His points had returned to 76. He could borrow a few more from Celia later, and he should be able to reliably maintain his position as the top player on the leaderboard.
Exiting the system, Ian looked at Prince Hazan beside him, who had already stood up, allowing his servants to check his armor.
He knew that the first act of today's grand drama was finally about to begin—this was just the first act; what had just happened was merely an appetizer.
After inspecting his armor, Hazan picked up his warhammer and personally ascended the fighting platform. With several champions still alive, his decision to personally fight Suda Tetrus brought him immense honor. Not only the nobles on Hazan's side, but even those on Suda's side cheered for him.
Of course, they were unaware that this was all part of Hazan's plan.
"I, Hazan Moharis, Prince of Pentos, challenge Suda Tetrus today!" Hazan pointed at Suda, who had also ascended the platform. "I may spare your life today, but you must kneel and submit to me! And swear to the Lord of Light to stay away from my betrothed forever."
Humiliation.
The cheers and applause abruptly ceased, and the entire arena fell silent.
No one had expected that Hazan would choose such a moment to humiliate Suda.
Although the power of Pentos was held by the Magister's Council and the Grand Council, legally, Pentos belonged to the citizens of Pentos.
The title of Prince, the ruler in Pentoshi ceremony, was a translation from the Common Tongue. According to Pentoshi tradition, this position should be called 'First Citizen.'
The citizens of Pentos were free—to make them kneel was tantamount to mocking them as slaves.
And just now, Hazan had told a noble Pentoshi to kneel—this was not only an insult to Suda, but to the entire House Tetrus.
"Ahhh!" Suda was indeed enraged on the spot. He hefted his battle-axe and charged straight at Hazan. "I will kill you today!"
Hazan did not dodge, but instead swung his weapon head-on, engaging Suda in fierce combat.
Soon, Hazan had successfully suppressed Suda.
On the fighting platform, Hazan wielded his long-hafted hammer like a spear, quickly cornering Suda. Hazan's attacks were exquisite, forcing Suda to parry and leaving him powerless to mount a counterattack. Hazan deliberately pounded Suda's raised shield with each blow, causing Suda to groan with each strike, his hand holding the shield trembling uncontrollably.
Soon, Suda exposed an opening and was repeatedly knocked down by Hazan's hammer. His screams were piercing even from the platform, more than ten yards away, a testament to the extent of his injuries.
Yet, he gritted his teeth, quickly rising each time he fell, shield held high, refusing to surrender. Hazan, equally uninterested in a quick victory, continued to humiliate and toy with Suda.
"Kneel down and swear allegiance to me!" Hazan repeated this phrase over and over.
Finally, on the other side of the stands, Groiro Tetrus couldn't hold back any longer and stood up. He clenched his fists, gave a few instructions to his servant, and stormed off.
A moment later, a servant of Magister Tetrus arrived at Ian's side of the stands and announced to Magister Godin Haucot, who was sitting behind Ian:
"Lord Groiro Tetrus demands an immediate convening of the Grand Council and orders Prince Hazan to appear at the Council Palace today to explain and publicly apologize for the humiliation of House Tetrus, or war will be inevitable."
After speaking, the servant hurriedly left, seemingly fearing for his life if he remained in this hostile place.
Just after Magister Tetrus left, Hazan seemed to have finally lost interest in toying with Suda. He swung his hammer, knocking Suda, whose hands were nearly shattered, to the ground, and stepped on his visor.
Hazan, still wielding his hammer with both hands, first smashed Suda's right kneecap with one blow, then broke his left leg with another.
"I'm giving you one last chance. Swear allegiance to me!" Hazan roared.
But only a feeble, mocking laugh echoed from beneath his feet.
"Kill me!" The words from Suda's throat were barely audible, but Hazan still understood his lip movements. "Kill me!"
"No," Hazan shook his head, responding with his own lips. "That's not part of the plan."
Then, Hazan ignored Suda, leaving the fighting platform with Suda lying there, his limbs crippled.
Suda now lay like a specimen, a display of the disgrace of House Tetrus.
(End of Chapter)
[Community Goals Ongoing]
500 PS = +1 Extra Chapter
10 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter
Reviews are always appreciated.
P1treon Soulforger (30+ advance chapters)