Gawain planted his sword in the ground and looked impassively at the knights before him, an estimated thousand in all. He was calm and confident.
In a youthful voice, he declared, "You may try to defeat me through successive challenges. If I deem you worthy, you may enter the city gate behind me."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "But if I knock you down, then return quietly to wherever you came from."
Some of the knights sneered, others remained indifferent, and a few quietly gripped their swords.
But none of them truly underestimated Gawain. Humility and respect for every opponent were among a knight's most important qualities.
The first challenger stepped forward, someone Gawain knew.
Pindo Delion, formerly a member of the Britain Chalk Knights, wore standard-issue plate armor and had short brown hair. Steady and meticulous, he had been responsible for coordinating commands before Agravain entered the center of power.
He was already twenty-five, skilled with a sword and especially adept at thrusting. His fighting style was somewhat similar to that of Tristan, who was younger than him.
The old knights in this group could have joined the Knights of the Round Table Order directly, but to prove themselves worthy and test their own abilities, every knight except the three examiners had chosen to undergo the trial.
Pindo drew his sword and nodded to Gawain.
Then Challenger Pindo lunged at Gawain so quickly he seemed to blur.
Pindo's sword had no cutting edge, only a point. At a glance, it could even be mistaken for an iron rod.
However, it was a little longer than an ordinary broad-bladed sword.
Gawain smiled confidently and likewise extended the tip of the Sword of Revolving Victory, trading blows with Pindo.
Sparks flew. Pindo's swordsmanship was extremely unusual, and he was a knight Anno