Mountains were all around. A shade of black passed by, a crow, looking down at the village bellow as it flew. It was a large kingdom the town was in.
Screams of cheering were heard alongside some gasps, indicating another battle of torture, a battle of the worthy.
It was a tradition. Each month, there would be a battle in which weak, poor, or completely sick people fought, fought for victory, and tried to prove themselves worthy.
A sick tradition nonetheless, since many had lost their lives in the clash. Only the strongest remained.
Those who won, which was only one person out of the many, would be rewarded with a piece of land and would become a part of the knights.
The raven landed itself on a branch in an alleyway, turning its head to the sounds coming from the square. Swords dropped to the ground, already broken from intense fighting. There were only three people remaining and only one who would live.
People watched with interest and anticipation, like it was a hobby of theirs, not minding the already dead bodies being dragged away by the knights.
The battlers were sweating and shaking, tired from the constant movement. Since their swords had broken, they continued with bare hands, trying to stay alive and breathing even if it hurt.
One of the men was more brave and intelligent in combat, which was visible. Out of the twelve of them, he had already defeated five by himself. His streak didn't last. Just as he was about to knock one of his opponents, a sharp blade went through his chest, splattering blood all around. As if that wasn't enough, he was knocked down onto his knees. Everyone gasped, looking at the victim, the one who had killed one of the battlers.
It was forbidden to intervene the battle to those who weren't shoved into it since the beginning. It would result in death if someone had suddenly ruined the competition.
It was hard to make out the face of the person who intervened due to the hood over the head, but by the body shape, it was a woman. She was barefoot, dressed in white.
It was some shabby polearm, most likely picked up from the pile of useless weapons. Yet, it came in use to kill even if rusty.
The knights, of course, went straight into action, trying to catch the woman. They failed, each one of them being knocked over as she made her escape.
The two men who were left alive made their way out of there, too, being left alive due to the sudden interruption.
《_____》
The knights were the most ruthless out of all the current five nations, yet they were defeated by some woman wearing a white dress and a hood over her head. Even as the best, they were getting yelled at by their general.
"Over the years, this nation hosted all those duels, not once has this happened. Not. Even. Once. Some woman interrupted, and you punks let her go because you apparently can't climb roofs?!" Antez, the general of still fire, mocked his own subordinates while eating.
They didn't even dare look up at him. "Whatever, it's just important no one finds out, especially the other generals and higher ups. If word gets out, it will also reach the kings ears and will be the doom to me."
《_____》
That one slip up didn't stop the tradition. The general was sure it was a one-time thing, but still assigned more guards to be at the square.
Just as they thought no one would interrupt, the same woman dared step forward and join the fight. Many had already thought she's there to save them, yet out of the six men that were still standing, she killed two, ripping them apart and staining her clothing.
