Vote for Your Knight! - Chapter 5
“Stop!”
From somewhere, a sharp voice reached them, causing the hammer to halt right in front of the man’s nose. Although an impertinent voice, the executioner felt an imposing authority that compelled him to obey.
The lord, who had also flinched at the command, regained composure and angrily shouted, “What are you doing? Hurry up and kill him!”
“But isn’t it a waste to kill someone like him?”
“What do you mean a waste…ugh!”
The lord who had been responding angrily was suddenly stunned. Before he knew it, the owner of the voice was beside him, smiling broadly.
It was Princess Edith.
“P-princess! How did you get here?”
“I heard you had urgent business that couldn’t wait, so I came to observe.”
“But this place…!”
“By the way, did he have an official trial prior to this execution?”
“…Huh?”
Edith’s sharp question left the lord momentarily frozen. Of course there was no official trial.
Edith chuckled. “No trial? Then it seems we need further investigation.”
“T-this matter is under the jurisdiction of the Pius estate! This man is in league with pirates!”
“And the evidence?”
“W-well, the evidence is…”
Nothing came to mind. They hadn’t meticulously prepared for such things because, in this land, the lord’s word was essentially law.
Edith stared at him coldly. “The pardoning power of the Emperor and his successors extends throughout the Empire.”
“What?”
“This man, I will pardon him.”
“P-princess!” The agitated lord whispered to Edith urgently, “You came to recruit me for the Cartamen, didn’t you? I lost. I’ll do as you wish.”
“That’s no longer necessary,” said Edith calmly. “I found this S-rank gem, so why would I bother with a C-rank bauble?”
* * *
Coustou.
That was the name of the man who had once been a slave and, just a few minutes ago, on death row.
‘They’re releasing me just like that?’
More importantly, the Princess was pardoning him? He was more bewildered than pleased.
His life had always been a series of hardships. Luck had always eluded him.
He stared at the Princess waiting for him not far away. A girl with golden hair like honey. A subtle streak of red spread across her cheeks which hadn’t yet shed all of its baby fat.
Objectively, he couldn’t deny she was cute and lovely. Her clothes were comfortable and simple, as if she had traveled a long way, but there was an undeniable vitality and charm about her.
Beside her stood a man, covered in a robe. Judging by his imposing stature and the sword at his waist, he seemed to be the Princess’s personal guard.
‘She must want something from me.’
Coustou approached her with a wary look on his face.
“I heard you pardoned me. Thank you.”
Edith examined the man as he bowed deeply.
‘His gaze is as cold as ice, and his expression is as hard as stone.’
But beneath that was the face of a boy.
“Raise your head.”
The attractive young man with that captivating face lifted his head, his golden eyes shining.
‘The golden eyes embedded in well-tanned bronze skin! I really want him for the tournament.‘
And the skill he displayed earlier at the execution grounds! The strength he effortlessly wielded, tossing trained soldiers aside as if they were nothing!
Edith bit her lip, wanting to cover her mouth with her hand, barely holding back her admiration.
She glanced at Dmitry. He seemed to share the same sentiment.
‘This guy is incredible!’
While she was inwardly rejoicing, Coustou calmly said, “Well, tell me the terms of my pardon.”
Edith was taken aback. “You knew I expected something in return for pardoning you?”
Surprisingly, it was Coustou who now seemed confused by the situation. “Normally, in this situation, people would say, ‘I didn’t pardon you expecting something in return,’ right?”
“That would be an obvious lie.”
“Well, true.”
The Princess was an oddly frank woman. She extended her hand to the bewildered Coustou.
“Before that, let me introduce myself. I’m Edith, the princess who might just be your ‘lifeline.’”
Coustou stared down at her small, white hand. “Are you asking me to shake hands with you?”
“Yes. Why not?”
“I’m a former slave.”
“So what? Just take my hand already. My arm is starting to hurt.”
At Edith’s urging, Coustou hesitated for a moment before taking the Princess’s hand. There was a certain strength in her small hands.
After the handshake, Coustou clenched and unclenched his fist, his palm uncharacteristically sweaty.
“My name is Coustou.”
“A good name.”
“But why did you say you might be my ‘lifeline’? Haven’t you already spared my life?”
Edith flashed a cheerful smile, sending a shiver down Coustou’s spine.
“A pardon can be revoked at any time.”
“What?”
This was an unexpected turn of events.
“Earlier, you asked what the terms were, right? I want you to participate in the upcoming knight tournament, ‘Cartamen.'”
Cartamen!
Even a former slave like Coustou had heard of it. The ultimate goal that every aspiring knight dreams of from the moment they first hold a sword. The gateway to glory and honor that opened a path to becoming a Knight of Equis.
“Participate in the Cartamen and become one of the final survivors. If you fail to do so, I will revoke your pardon.”
