84 Chapter 84: New Tactics (II) Punishments

Killian had heard some of the talks while walking, it was the same with other groups of knights. More and more of them came over to bow and greet him, but he merely stared at them with indifference until they felt uncomfortable and stepped away.

The training area that he had used when he trained, was filled with knights from the barracks and the Valen estate.

A few knights with the crest of a Griffin on their robes walked over and not only bowed but got on their knees with a full greeting normally reserved for special circumstances, or only for the head of the family.

They even nodded and greeted Dante with respect, as he held the only title of escort knight to the young heir, putting him at a similar rank as the commander of the knights.

"Young Lord, we have dispatched several of our knights to scout the forest for the arachnid creatures."

The young man not much older than Killian was still on his knee while reporting.

There was no hint of disbelief or ridicule when mentioning the creatures Kilian had warned about.

"If anyone makes contact and a fight is inevitable, make sure to use the harpie steel swords."

Killian replied and both of the knights nodded and got on their feet.

The other knight turned towards the flock of people on the training grounds.

"We also believe we should do these younglings a favor and help them train to be fine knights."

"Snort."

Dante quickly looked away when Killian gave him a stern look. However, he did notice how the Valen knight had also referred to the knights from the barracks.

Killian smiled one of his less genuine smiles, but to the others around, the subtle change in his features only gave him more surprised looks from others, as his delicate features were brightened in the sun in the same instant.

"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea. Why don't we have some mock battles, I am sure the Valen knights can give them some pointers."

The smile slowly became more sinister but no one noticed.

Killian walked in among the group of people and spoke up.

"We will start with 2v1 spars, to train how to fight together against one enemy, in this case, a Valen knight will be the enemy. Make sure to notice why it is you fail."

His last words were brought by some discontented noises from the crowd, as Killian had stated even before the matches had started that the barrack knights would fail in a 2v1 fight.

Dante stepped forward and together with the two Valen knights from before and set up several spar areas with a 2 to 1 ratio of the barrack knights versus a Valen knight.

Each area had a circle drawn in the dirt, marking the test area.

Dante then yelled for all to hear.

"If you step out of the area, you lose, if you are knocked unconscious you lose. For the barrack knights, both must be out of bounds or unconscious for the Valen knight to win."

The words were heard as the knights fell silent, awaiting their turn to step into a circle. Both sides were seething and resentful for different reasons.

The barrack knights were especially complaining that they were being looked down on, and although the Valen knights were silent and firm, Killian knew they had been waiting for this moment.

'They just want to beat up the people who didn't treat me well.' Killian thought and smiled a genuine smile.

The Valen knights had always been proud of him, and as the young heir, it was their right to fight for his honor.

'Though some could claim it is dishonorable to have others fight for you.' Still, Killian smiled.

'I will enjoy it very much anyways.'

He thought back on the ridicule and harsh treatment he had had during his stay in the barracks, and with a raised hand he gestured for the first fight to commence.

'Let's hope my Grandfather brought a good healer with him, or we might have too many injured.'

I tall man decked out in armor with a Griffin emblem, stepped into the ring, and stood still,l waiting, both of his hands resting on the hilt of his sword made from dark harpie steel.

The man was waiting patiently on two knights opposite from him, both wearing armor, and slowly circling to the side.

"Young Lord, my name is Bran, today I will guide these younglings at your request."

Killian simply nodded without a reply.

In the same instance, Bran lifted the sword with ease while facing Killian and sliced it in the direction of an incoming attack from one of the knights.

The speed almost seemed instant, and the heavy sword's blunt side was smashed into the abdomen of the knight, who had been unable to dodge it.

The knight's armor was heavily dented and a wheezing sound came from the man who was hunched over on the ground.

His partner was too stunned to follow up in the battle, and Bran bent down over the man on the ground.

"I wonder if our young Lord felt the same pain when metal boots were kicking him."

The knight's eyes became large and he crawled away from Bran in panic.

"Again."

Bran raised his sword with the sharp tip pointed at the younglings.

"Your calculation of my blind angle was wrong, assume I have none, now attack, again."

The partner who had been idle suddenly took off for the circle's edge.

A big hand grabbed the man by the collar of the armor, and the force of the pull increased the distance to the edge of the circle.

"You would leave your injured partner behind?"

Bran spat out his words at the youngling, his hold keeping the man from escaping the fight.

" I am not even attacking you guys, I am only defending."

Bran smiled as if he was being magnanimous to them, but his smile only made his face seem mor eerie to the knight, who was facing someone much stronger than himself for the first time.

"I admit defeat! I give up, we both give up, you win."

The plead was desperate, but Bran just shook his head.

"That is not how it works. I am not letting you leave your friend behind, and you are not unconscious yet, so I guess we have to keep going, isn't that right Young Lord."

Everyone stared at Killian, some with the hope the young man would not let this one-sided beating go on, but they were met by an indifferent look and a short reply.

"That is correct Knight Bran, please continue."

Bran continued, but made sure to properly teach them as he pointed out their faults, and showed them the correct path.

The knight on the ground had gotten on his feet, and after two more failed attempts to leave the circle, the two barrack knights had started to frantically attack Bran.

The tall man was amused and seemed to enjoy his new teaching role.

Finally, the two barrack knights collapsed, unable to stand anymore from the constant near-death battle.

"You did well." Bran praised them, in a tone too chippy for the atmosphere around them.

Everyone was stunned, only the Valen knights seemed as if this was normal. They had all gone through these kind of mock battles themselves, but that didn't mean they empathized with the barrack knights.

Some even walked over to Killian with pleas to stop it but were blocked by Dante.

Killian looked at the scared expressions in the crowd and spoke up.

"Continue."

'They never once considered their own actions against me and the commoners.'

He thought back on the horrible night he had lost his scout team, they had all been sent into the forest to die.

"Next!"

Bran yelled, and a couple of Valen knights dragged some new barrack knights into the circle.