The Queen Who Shares Love
S2 Chapter 11 Trial of Knights

The two would-be knights fought each other. On the sidelines, Judith sat holding a pen and paper assessing the people's abilities. Flint was beside her, realizing there was one familiar face. 

"Is that guy a Duchess mercenary?" ask Flint.

"Right, one of the mercenaries I met during the last rebellion."

Flint felt that something was suspicious of Leonard, but could not explain it. Leonard's debt has been paid, especially Judith has given him additional debt should Lennonard not need to find money again by risking his life. 

"Why does he want to be a knight here?"

"Okay, I don't know. Very suspicious."

Judith thinks the same. He occasionally glanced at Leonard observing his movements. If necessary he would test Leonard's loyalty. Judith's distrust of mercenaries who only wanted money was very high let alone her first meeting with Leonard implied Leonard's madness at money. In Judith's mind, Leonard saved others just for money, not because the person was in trouble.

Fight's over. The two men bowed to each other and then alternated with other knight candidates. 

It's Leonard's turn. His skull felt pierced by the gazes of Judith and Flint. He doesn't feel suspicious. For him, the most important thing was to carry out the mission of Marquis Loid and then take revenge on Duchess Hillbright. 

He was still thinking about what he would ask for for having subdued a Duchess who used to be the Imperial Princess. A big pay is certainly not worth the hard work. He would ask for many things, if Marquis Loid reneged on his promise Leonard would defect by informing the Marquis' plan to the Emperor. 

Fight's starting. Leonard then attacked blindly at his opponent. Unable to anticipate Leonard's surprise attack, his enemy's sword immediately slammed. They saluted each other for the fast-paced match. Leonard's gaze was fixed on Duchess Hillbright with a triumphant smile.

'This is the first step of your destruction, Duchess.'

Judith knocks the questioner on the table. A disappointed sigh rang out to Flint's ears.

"Did the mercenary escape the Duchess?" ask Flint in curiosity.

"Actually his ability is great, but he has a lot of loopholes, unnecessary attacks and his temperament is bad. Doesn't reflect a knight."

"So he didn't get away?"

Pena was already brought close to Leonard's name, but there were doubts there. Considering Leonard once saved and was kind to Ariana, Judith kept the pen away. He looked at Leonard once more, giving him a chance at a little kindness to his sister.

"See the exam tomorrow."

***

Next day.

Leonard snorted dejectedly, the test for being a knight is aplenty. Yesterday he went through a one-on-one fight, a test of archery and endurance.  Plus today's group exam.

'It turns out it's harder than being a mercenary, ' Leonard's inner self.

Flint gave a briefing on the test this time. Knight candidates were divided into three groups. These three groups will take down other groups. The winning group has a greater chance of being chosen as knights.

Leonard's a group with the man he defeated yesterday. The man looked at Leonard full of hostility, because Leonard was likely chosen as a little knight.

Leonard's group implemented a survival strategy. They would wait for the right time while the other groups fought each other. Eliminating the enemy when exhausted is the most profitable way. Leonard agrees, as long as the strategy makes sense.

Exam's starting. The other two groups attacked each other, while Leonard's group just kept silent, waiting for the winner between the two groups. 

One of Leonard's group friends approached him secretly. Leonard's instincts that had been forged since becoming a mercenary warned him of the coming danger. He also avoided attacks from his group.

"What are you doing?" ask Leonard.

"I heard the number of people who escaped was only eight. In this group there are nine people. You're the most troublesome rival here. I'll beat you!" The man drew his sword at Leonard.

Leonard easily dodged and counterattacked. The one who attacked him fell down easily. All the members of Leonard's group looked at him with hostile gazes. Divisions began to arise between them.

Judith watched the incident just breathe a long breath. He crossed out the name of the person who attacked Leonard earlier. A man who wounds a friend for personal gain does not deserve to be in his army.

The winning group looked exhausted, they were up against Leonard's group. Leonard's group should have won easily but there was no cooperation between them to make them overwhelmed. Leonard defeated three men. However, members of his group were increasingly falling apart. Leonard was unable to defeat the rest of his opponents without their help.

'Damn it, why is it like this, ' Leonard lamented in his heart.

"Yeah!"

The sound of the female screams broke the course of the fight. Everyone at the training ground turned their heads toward the source of the sound. 

A servant hurriedly ran towards Judith. He whispered to his master. Judith's countenance changed, she rose to shout at the would-be knights.

"Some attacked the Hillbright residence, you guys continue the fight! I'll take care of this attack!" Judith passed, followed by Flint.

The remaining knight candidates continued the fight. They didn't help the Duchess because nobody could beat her. 

Leonard's energy began to recover, he immediately finished off one more enemy. Members of his group took pains to defeat one person. Even so, the number of Leonard's group and the enemy is one-sided. Leonard's group left 3 people while the enemy numbered 4 people. They fight one back to determine the winner.

"Yeah!"

The screams sounded back. This time closer and louder. The maid who told the Duchess was attacked by an invader. The invasion has arrived. The invader got closer to the servant preparing to swing his sword.

Leonard glanced at the servant and his group.

'Shit, what should I do?'

If he helps the servant he will lose, his revenge will not be realized. But if it continues this match, the servant could die.

Leonard gnashed his teeth while cursing. He left his group. One of the members of the group shouted.

"Why did he leave? We're going to lose!"

Leonard's steps came to a halt, he took a deep breath firming his choice. His feet stepped towards the servant, knowing he might be killed or tortured by Marquis Loid.