According to the rules of Brave Man's Game, being knocked out of the Weapon Circle meant defeat.
Although Bear Slayer had merely been thrown hard enough to leave his nose swollen and face bruised, without suffering any substantial injury.
Under the gaze of countless witnesses, however, his face was mottled blue and red. He ground his teeth for a long while, but could only drop to one knee and bow his head to his opponent:
"Elephant Thrower, your valor reminds me of the heroes who once shone across Turanze. Please allow me to fight at your side on the road ahead, heed your command at any time, and seize supreme glory for our oldest, shared ancestral spirits!"
By the rules, provided there was no deep-seated grudge between them, the victor should have displayed his magnanimity at this point as well: "Bear Slayer, you are the strongest opponent I have ever seen, and in the Era of Glory, you will become my finest comrade. Then let us fight side by side, challenge the Golden Clan, unite all the armies across Turanze, and head north, north, all the way north, until those gutless rats of Holy Light Land once again tremble beneath the iron hooves of Turan Heroes!"
The witnesses would also shower them with praise. "What an unprecedented and unparalleled battle! The ancestral spirits will surely rejoice in your valor and grant you their blessings!"
With such a happy ending for all, it counted as a standard, classical, textbook game of Brave Man's Game.
After that, many among the witnesses would grow restless, leap into the Weapon Circle, and challenge other witnesses.
The two Gladiators from just now would become new witnesses, bearing witness to even more breathtaking duels.
By the rules, the loser would submit to the winner.
The winner,