The first day of the joust was spectacular.
Ser Loras Tyrell defeated three opponents in succession with precise lance work and elegant movents. Every ti he knocked an opponent from his horse, thunderous applause erupted.
The most breathtaking match was against Ser Robin Ryger. Both lances shattered at the sa ti, sending splinters flying. In the end, the Knight of Flowers barely won thanks to superior horsemanship.
Jai Lannister's performance was equally dazzling.
He hardly needed a second pass to unhorse his opponents, always wearing a calm, effortless smile, as if it were all too easy for him.
In one day he defeated seven challengers, including King Robert's brother — Renly Baratheon.
The expression on Renly's face when he fell was priceless.
Another surprise ca from a mysterious black knight.
Wearing plain black armor with no identifying sigils, he defeated several opponents in a row. Only when the King personally questioned him did he remove his helt — revealing it was none other than the Red Viper, Oberyn Martell, toying with everyone.
The crowd erupted when he laughed and took off his helt.
The Hound Sandor Clegane and the Mountain Gregor Clegane also won every bout.
Though the brothers hated each other, on the tourney field they were both terrifying presences.
The Mountain's massive body charging forward was like a true mountain beast — unstoppable.
As for Luke…
His bouts were actually the least exciting.
Because no one could withstand even one of his lances. His fights were even cleaner and more decisive than Jai Lannister's!
The mont the two warhorses crossed, the opponent would be sent flying — clean and neat.
It lacked spectacle. Other matches had multiple passes, and even a brute like the Mountain couldn't end fights in a single blow.
Naturally, Luke also won every match. Because his bouts were so short, he had the most victories of the day — twenty challengers unhorsed.
The six finalists after the first day of jousting were:
Loras Tyrell, Jai Lannister, the Red Viper Oberyn, the Hound, the Mountain, and Luke Jaqenion.
They would compete for the championship in two days' ti.
The second day featured the archery contest and the grand lee.
Luke also entered the archery competition.
His performance left everyone else in the dust.
Whether it was Jai or any other fad archer in the Seven Kingdoms, they all beca re background in front of him.
He put on a show of "shooting an arrow through a halberd at the gate" and then "ten stars in a string."
At incredible speed, he loosed ten arrows that all struck the exact sa spot — each subsequent arrow piercing through the one before it.
Ten arrows ford a perfect line, all nailed into the center of the target.
It was so exaggerated it seed like a miracle!
The entire arena erupted.
Noble ladies and young maidens forgot all decorum and cried out in amazent.
Cersei felt as if those ten arrows had pierced her body. Her legs trembled beneath her voluminous skirts, unconsciously rubbing together…
If the joust was an elegant duel, then the grand lee was the bloodiest and most chaotic event.
Dozens of knights fought in a free-for-all on the open field, allowed to use swords, axes, maces, and any other weapons. There were no teams — every man for himself — until only one remained standing.
There were almost no rules, except that deliberate killing was forbidden… though "accidents" happened often!
Knights frequently fought until they were bloodied and their armor dented.
Aside from Luke, none of the joust finalists entered the grand lee.
They probably wanted to preserve their strength for the final jousts the next day, or simply refused to stand under a crumbling wall.
Many people tried to dissuade Luke before the match began.
The grand lee was too dangerous and brutal. One mont of carelessness could an death on the spot, so few nobles ever participated.
Even Eddard Stark ca to劝 him to withdraw.
"Luke," the Lord of the North said with a frown, "you don't need to do this. You've already proven your valor. Tomorrow's joust is where true honor lies."
Luke smiled and politely declined.
"My lord, I ca here to enjoy myself. Don't worry, I know my limits."
Eddard wanted to persuade him further, but seeing the confidence in Luke's eyes, he could only sigh.
When King Robert loudly declared "Begin!", battle cries imdiately erupted.
n imdiately swung at the nearest opponent. So secretly ford temporary alliances. Blades flashed, shouts shook the heavens, and blood sprayed.
Anyone knocked out of the field or who fell injured was automatically eliminated.
The mont Luke entered the arena, several n surrounded him.
Swords, axes, and maces ca at him from all directions.
In the stands, Sansa Stark cried out in alarm, covering her mouth with her delicate hand.
Arya beside her looked displeased and clenched her little fists. "This isn't fair! They're working together while Luke is alone!"
Sansa said nothing, only stared nervously at the field.
Luke narrowed his eyes.
Whose n were these?
They wanted to kill him in the chaos?
Clang—clang—clang—
A series of weapon clashes rang out.
Luke did not fall in the first exchange as everyone expected.
With lightning speed he deflected all their weapons, then spun in a circle with a flying kick that sent all six attackers reeling.
Then he twisted in mid-air and delivered a diagonal slash.
Crack~
The sneaking mace was split cleanly in two, vertically.
The burly, bearded man stood there stunned.
A clear bloody line ran from the center of his forehead downward. His tunic and belt were also sliced apart, exposing his muscular torso.
The man froze for a second.
Then he let out a terrified scream.
He really did piss himself while standing.
He frantically touched his body, thinking he had been cut in half… but after groping around, he realized he was still whole — there was only a "blood line" down the center!
Luke had not used lethal force.
But the man's eyes had already gone blank.
He would probably never be able to pick up a weapon again.
Luke did not stop. With sword in hand, he carved a path from one end of the battlefield to the other.
No one could withstand even a single exchange with him.
Weapons were shattered, n were kicked flying, or struck with the flat of the blade until they coughed blood.
At the other end of the field, a red-robed priest was also cutting his way through, swinging a burning flaming sword.
He wielded the flaming blade with wild swings, terrifying the other knights. The fire was real and scorching hot — no one dared approach.
In the end, only the two of them remained standing.
One on the left, one on the right, staring at each other.
Luke flicked his sword in a flourish, shaking off the blood, then pointed the tip downward.
He stood there like an Eastern swordsman who could "kill with one strike every ten steps and leave no trace for a thousand miles."
The red-robed priest roared and charged.
His flaming sword swung in wide arcs, flas roaring. Every strike carried scorching heat waves that forced opponents back.
Luke's swordsmanship was actually only average… what made him truly powerful was his superhuman strength and reaction speed, which always allowed him to strike first even when moving second.
If he used full power, he could have dismbered the red-robed priest in an instant.
But for the sake of spectacle and showing off, he chose the most flashy "death by a thousand cuts" style.
Their swords clashed repeatedly in the air, sparks flying.
Luke's movents were ghostly and unpredictable, leaving the red-robed priest completely unable to read his pattern.
The priest was panting, sweat pouring down his face.
Suddenly, thinking he had found an opening, he gripped his sword with both hands and brought it down in a powerful overhead strike.
However… he struck nothing but air.
When he turned his head, he found a sword tip already pressed against his throat.
Luke stood behind him, smiling.
"You lost."
…
The herald announced loudly: "The grand lee is over! The champion is Baron Luke Jaqenion!"
The arena fell silent for a mont.
Then it erupted in a deafening roar like a tsunami.
In the royal box, Robert took a huge gulp of Dragonfla liquor and bellowed.
"Fantastic! Truly fantastic! That lad really has so skill! I want to make him a Kingsguard…"
Barristan Selmy stared at the silver figure in the field, lost in thought.
He seed to see the legendary "Sword of the Morning," Arthur Dayne, in his youth.
Eddard Stark stood by the railing, silent for a long ti.
Finally he spoke slowly:
"Even Ser Arthur Dayne in his pri would probably not be a match for this man."
Littlefinger beside him looked at him in surprise.
"You're serious?"
Eddard nodded, his expression grave.
"Serious."
Queen Cersei stood on the high platform, her erald eyes fixed tightly on the silver figure in the arena.
Her lips parted slightly, her breathing quick and shallow.
This man seed even more powerful and younger than Jai…
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