Chapter 83 - Martial Arts Competition

                                    

                                          
After the recent attack, Princess Renner's journey had to be cut short, and her entourage returned home. The escort mission of the Last Defender of the Way adventurer team also came to an end.
It was around 4 PM, with the sun hanging low in the sky. At the capital's city gates, two groups parted ways. The royal knights surrounded the princess as she made her way to the palace, while four adventurers at the back of the procession took a different path.
The adventurers didn't expect that, just as they were about to part, a knight in magical steel armor and a curved-top helmet rode out from the group to block their way. Dismounting, he took off his helmet and cradled it in his arms; it turned out to be Grand Knight Wade. He approached Sean and Stella with a warm smile.
Sean and Stella instinctively took a step back.
Wade moved his right hand, removed his iron gauntlet, and stored it in his spatial ring. He extended his broad palm toward Sean. After a brief pause, Sean reached out to shake his hand.
Wade looked at the young man and woman before him, and while shaking hands, he remarked, "Thanks to you, I would have been lost in the flames. In that critical moment, you didn't just think about saving yourselves; you risked your lives, going back and forth in the fire to help others.
"You already possess the noble qualities of a knight! Seeing such excellence in young people, I know the future of our Re-Estize Kingdom is surely bright!"
"Absolutely!" Sean and Stella nodded vigorously.
Wade then stepped in front of Barrett, his expression full of regret. "I used to have some biases against adventurers. When the assassin attacked, I not only misunderstood you but also affected your fight.
"After this incident, I've come to realize that there are many honorable adventurers; we can't judge them all the same. But honestly, your elbow strike was pretty powerful! My jaw still hurts," Wade said, chuckling as he rubbed his chin.
Barrett generously replied that it was nothing, smiling as he shook Wade's hand. The knights closest to the royal family often had rigid mindsets, filled with ideas of honor, justice, and fairness. Yet, they could recognize their mistakes and stand tall even after taking a hit.
It was unexpected for Barrett that this esteemed Grand Knight would come forward to apologize. In the past, when he encountered other knights who knew they were in the wrong, they often sent a squire to convey their apologies with small gifts.
In truth, Barrett thought that since Wade felt guilty, it would be more straightforward for him to just give a few gold coins.
The Grand Knight waved goodbye to the four adventurers and told Sean that if he ever wanted to join the kingdom's longbow unit, he could come to him for a recommendation. He stepped into the stirrup and mounted his horse, kicking up dust as he galloped off to rejoin the cavalry escorting the princess's carriage.
As they watched Princess Renner's royal carriage depart, the four adventurers found themselves at a loss for what to do. At Barrett's suggestion, they decided to wander around the capital together.
Arriving in the western district, they passed through the old, weathered high walls and were greeted by a vast circular outdoor structure. The three-story stone building had yellow-brown walls, resembling a giant, round cardboard cutout standing on the ground. It appeared to be something like an arena.
Inside the circular structure, the sounds of bustling voices, shouting, and cheering spilled out through the walls, reaching the ears of pedestrians outside. Small doors opened frequently, with groups of people coming in and out, clearly indicating the lively atmosphere within.