Shiryu's Swordsmanship

A tournament has always been a symbol of the kingdom's prosperity, and many nobles are enthusiastic about it.

When Rhaegar arrived at the scene, the stands were already buzzing with excitement.

He spotted his father on the high platform at a glance and approached with light steps.

Upon reaching him, he realized his father was surrounded by people.

Viserys sat in the main seat, with Hand Lyonel to his right and his uncle Daemon to his left.

Rhaenyra sat in the premier seat below Lyonel, which was not an insult to her status as heir.

Perhaps the banquet last night had been a success, as Viserys wore a smile at the moment.

Seeing Rhaegar arrive, he smiled and beckoned, "Come here quickly. You went to bed early last night, so you must keep your father company today."

"The Maester said that children need to sleep early and wake early to grow quickly."

Rhaegar made an excuse for himself, but his feet obediently carried him to Viserys's side.

He was embraced and sat on his father's lap.

Rhaegar generously enjoyed his father's affection and casually picked up a fruit platter from the table.

Rhaenyra, below, noticed his bare wrist and asked with a smile, "Why aren't you wearing that bracelet? Didn't you like it very much?"

"It's too big, and it's inconvenient for me to wear."

Rhaegar casually brushed it off.

The bracelet was inconvenient to carry in its normal state, and shrinking it would easily arouse suspicion.

Rhaegar hid the bracelet in the incubator where the dragon eggs were kept, planning to find an excuse to use it later.

No one paid attention to this small interlude, and they calmly waited for the tournament to begin.

To vent yesterday's anger, the archery and melee events were canceled for this match.

They went straight to the main event: the duel!

Two contestants entered the dueling arena.

One of them was, naturally, the young man from Dorne.

He was the well-deserved protagonist of today's event.

The other contestant, however, greatly disappointed the audience.

It was a short, curly-haired swordsman.

He wasn't even wearing armor, only a light leather jerkin.

"It's Shiryu! Freer!"

Rhaegar, with his keen eyesight, immediately identified the curly-haired swordsman.

Viserys cast a curious glance, "Rhaegar, have you met any of the swordsmen below the stands?"

Rhaegar nodded, "We had tea together yesterday. He's a skilled wandering swordsman who even wanted to pledge his loyalty to me."

Saying this, Rhaegar couldn't help but chuckle.

Viserys's brow furrowed imperceptibly as he rubbed his chin, "Let me guess, you didn't agree to his offer?"

"Yes, he's a dangerous fellow with an unknown background. I wouldn't trust him."

Rhaegar popped a red grape into his mouth and replied casually.

"You did the right thing. I learned some news this morning that I can share with you."

Viserys ruffled Rhaegar's hair and gave a meaningful look to Lyonel.

Lyonel stood up and took out a small piece of paper to read:

"Shiryu Freer, from a minor noble family in Braavos, joined a certain religious organization after coming of age and frequently carried out dangerous missions."

"Two months ago, this person assassinated a prominent figure in Braavos, was wanted throughout the region, and illegally entered the Westeros Continent in advance."

"Half a month ago, he disguised himself as a wandering dancer, gained the trust of a lord's daughter, and traveled to King's Landing by carriage."

"Yesterday afternoon, during the banquet time when Prince Daemon returned, he registered for the tournament and specifically requested a duel with Diga Orlean."

After recounting Shiryu's background in one breath, Lyonel took a sip of red wine to moisten his throat and subtly glanced at Daemon opposite him.

Daemon's expression was calm, as if it had nothing to do with him.

Rhaegar listened to everything quietly, sincerely admiring Lord Lyonel's intelligence-gathering abilities.

Viserys saw his eldest son's shock and smiled happily, "I'll teach you a lesson: there are no secrets that can't be kept forever. Honor and faith are the true destinations of the strong."

"I understand, Father."

Rhaegar obediently listened to his father's teachings.

Seeing how obedient he was, Viserys's vanity was greatly satisfied.

He decided to often teach his eldest son about life and conduct in the future.

"The duel is about to begin."

Rhaenyra's crisp voice interrupted the father and son's conversation.

Inside the dueling arena, the two combatants took their positions.

As the referee blew the horn, the Dornishman twirled his spear and circled Shiryu, looking for an opening.

Compared to yesterday, the Dornishman was much quieter, perhaps intimidated by Caraxes.

Shiryu stood sideways, holding a single-handed sword, and remained still.

"Shorty, who sent you here to die?"

The Dornishman habitually taunted, intending to provoke Shiryu.

Shiryu rested one hand behind his back and spoke casually, "Everyone dies! But I don't think it's my time yet."

"Is that so? I see your death approaching."

The Dornishman slowly advanced with his spear.

"Speaking of death invites death; perhaps you are the one who will die."

Shiryu maintained his stance, holding his sword with one hand.

"You dwarf swordsman, I'm going to cut off your legs and make you a true half-man."

The Dornishman attacked first, a probing thrust with his spear.

His movements were swift, the long spear like a serpent.

However, Shiryu was faster.

Before the spear tip could reach him, Shiryu struck the spear shaft with his sword, deflecting its trajectory.

Immediately, he stepped forward with his right foot and swung his sword, striking the Dornishman's elbow.

Having landed a blow, Shiryu didn't pursue, withdrawing his foot and resuming his stance.

Under the Dornishman's resentful gaze, he said dismissively:

"Short? When your head rolls on the ground, you'll discover my greatness."

Provoked by the words, the Dornishman seethed with anger, but caution kept him restrained, preventing rash action.

For a moment, the dueling arena fell into a stalemate.

Shiryu stood his ground, while the Dornishman, afraid to attack, circled him.

Such a lackluster duel failed to win the crowd's approval, predictably drawing jeers.

They urged the two to finish quickly.

Either the curly-haired swordsman would take the Dornishman's head, or the Dornishman would quickly kill the curly-haired swordsman and be replaced by a more skilled Knight to take the Dornishman's head.

Listening to the commotion from outside the arena, Shiryu sighed, "I originally wanted to let you live a little longer, but the withering of life is as ruthless as flowing water."

"Enough with the nonsense, I'm not afraid of a shorty who can't even reach a horse's back."

Despite his insults, the Dornishman still didn't attack.

Shiryu snorted, "You're wrong, my height exceeds a horse's back. I've measured."

As his words fell, before the Dornishman could react, Shiryu moved.

His legs seemed to catch the wind as he rapidly closed the distance to the Dornishman.

The Dornishman's eyes widened in alarm, and he swung his spear in a sweeping move to force Shiryu back.

Clang--

Shiryu retreated out of the spear's range, striking the spear shaft with the flat of his blade, using a burst of force to drive the spear tip into the ground.

He stepped on the spear tip, and during the brief moment the Dornishman was disarmed, Shiryu quickly thrust his sword into the Dornishman's chest.

Pfft--

A mouthful of blood sprayed out, and the Dornishman instantly lost the ability to resist.

He released his grip on the spear, staring at Shiryu with disbelief, unable to comprehend why his death had been so swift.

"You... a sneak attack..."

The Dornishman glared at Shiryu, unwilling to accept his fate, but Shiryu kicked him to the ground.

Grabbing the Dornishman by his hair, exposing his neck, Shiryu looked regretful:

"Your teacher only taught you technique but didn't teach you to cherish your own life."

With that, he raised his sword high and severed the Dornishman's head.

Monthly votes have reached 30, collections have reached 300, and I owe two chapters.

Hmm...

I expect collections to break 500 the day after tomorrow, so I'll post three chapters then.

Thanks to Tian Shuang Jiang Lin for the 100 coin tip.