Chapter 218: 218
Ch . 218 The Opening Of The Competition (1)
The highly anticipated tournament finally begun . The largest stadium in the empire attracted numerous participants, and tens of thousands more spectators to watch them . Seats were arranged by hierarchy, with commoners filling up the ordinary seats, while the nobles sat on the upper deck overlooking the stadium .
The most exclusive box was reserved for only the Imperial Family, and among them included Emperor Sullivan, Empress Ophelia, Second Prince Redfield, and Grand Duke Paveluc .
Everyone was in attendance, and they all looked down at the arena with eyes shining with excitement . That also included Carlisle and Elena . Elena’s sharp eyes managed to pick out Derek among the assembly of knights .
‘…Brother . ’
Fortunately, Derek had his usual calm, and he had no sign of nervous tension . Elena cheered for him inwardly .
It was then that the tournament host’s voice echoed loudly in the air .
“Now let’s begin the first game, archery . All knights in the first group must stand in their designated positions . ”
As the host’s voice announced the start of the games, all the spectators’ eyes turned to the knights in the arena . Not one was left out, and there were a considerable number of people waiting for their turn to shoot their arrows . It was difficult to discern who was who among the crowd of participants .
Anyone who failed to land at least fifteen out of twenty arrows were automatically eliminated . From then on, extra points were awarded depending on how close to the center of the target their arrows landed .
“Let’s begin!”
At the host’s signal, the first knights in line let loose their arrows in unison .
Ssssaeaeg!
The sound of arrows slicing through air reached the audience stands . Most of the arrows hit their target, but some of them were wide . Eventually, several of the participants were eliminated .
Finally, it was Derek’s turn to step up . Elena watched with her hands folded over her chest as he lifted his bow and calmly fired his first arrow .
Swiiig!
His arrow pierced the target . It was a bullseye . Although it was only a single shot, Elena’s face brightened .
Derek fired his remaining shots with effortless grace, packing the bullseye with arrows . Elena looked at the judge overseeing Derek and read his mouth .
“Perfect score . ”
Elena breathed a sigh of relief . Carlisle, who was watching her closely, smiled .
“Do you see something good, my wife?”
Elena flushed at the fact that she was so noticeable, but she gave him a small nod .
“Yes . It’s the knight I’m cheering for the most . ”
Although she didn’t say Derek’s name, Carlisle already had a clear idea who she was referring too . He couldn’t help the sliver of jealousy that stuck in him at her remark .
“If I had participated, would you have supported me like this?”
“Of course . In fact, I would support you even more . ”
Elena replied without hesitation, and a smile crossed Carlisle’s face .
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“I think my wife knows me too well now . ”
“Of course . Who would I be if I didn’t know my husband?”
Elena’s eyes softened as she laughed playfully . Carlisle was being possessive, but even his jealousy at her brother was cute .
“If you cheer for me like you’re doing now, then maybe I’ll have to take part in the tournament if I get a chance later . ”
“Really?”
Although Imperial Family members were not barred from competition, they usually abstained because they were considered too valuable to the Empire . But Carlisle wasn’t a man to jest .
“With your support, there’s nothing I can’t do . All you have to do is look at me with those beautiful eyes . ”
The corners of Elena’s mouth twitched, and she slightly tilted her head towards him and whispered in his ear .
“I will…and I would participate for you, too . ”
Carlisle’s eyes inadvertently flickered towards the archery competition taking place in the arena, and he gave a faint smirk .
“You’d hit all the targets . ”
Carlisle was familiar with Elena’s proficiency with the bow . Even from this distant vantage point, she could easily hit all the targets . No one else knew it, but the Crown Princess was far superior in ability than anyone else in this tournament right now .
Carlisle looked back at Elena with an admiring expression .
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“It’s hard for me to resist you . ”
Ordinarily, Carlisle, a man, would have competed for the championship and shared the glory with his lady . But now, he imagined Elena winning the tournament with her own abilities and sharing the glory with him .
He gave a faint smile at the idea .
A short break was declared at the end of the archery competition, and in the meanwhile obstacles, were installed for the next trial . The number of knights participating had been cut down to about three-quarters of its original number .
The next competition was a racehorse, but a far more dangerous version with the various traps and obstacles that could cause serious injury . The large number of participants were divided again into groups, and only those who won first through fifth place could proceed to the next round . The starting line was arranged so that about thirty knights could race at once . When all the preparations were complete, the host of the event spoke to the crowd again .
“The archery competition before was just a warm-up, wasn’t it? Going forward, we will compete with full force . At the signal, race towards the finish line . Now! Ready!”
The riders’ eyes shone with steely determination at the host’s words .
3, 2, 1…Ppiiig!
As soon as the signal went off, the riders took off like a stampede . The sound of hooves thundered in the arena, and enthusiastic cheers and whoops rang from the stands .
Meanwhile, Derek silently watched the race as he waited for his turn . It was then that he overheard a loud voice not far away .
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“Lord Wickley, you got a perfect score at the archery competition, didn’t you?”
“That’s amazing . You’ll definitely be the winner of this tournament . ”
A group of knights were gathered around Lord Wickley and praising him . For some, the purpose of the tournament was not to win, but to simply to test their limits, or just to take part . Others wanted to talk about the potential winners, just like now . Their noisy voices continued in an endless stream .
“The other favorites to win are Lord Joel from Lunen and Sir Derek from Blaise, is that right?”
“Neither are a match for Lord Wickley . ”
“No, Lord Joel made a name for himself at the Duchy of Lunen, but I don’t understand why Sir Derek is picked as a favorite . ”
Derek decided to move somewhere else when he heard his name mentioned . It was a waste of time to listen to what people said about him .
“Derek? He’s the princess’ older brother, so he’s being tossed around as the winner . ”
Derek’s footsteps stopped . He slowly turned his head and looked at the person who spoke . It was Lord Wickley, a large man with bronzed skin and a long scar in the middle of his face, giving him a tough appearance . At his words, the men around him laughed in response .
“Hahaha . That’s true . ”
“Well, if he’s the princess’ older brother, then I’m sure he’s getting some help . ”
Instead of walking away from them, Derek turned his heel and approached the group .
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