'Hold!'

Seeing the change in knight's posture enemy warrior frantically gestured her to stop.

'Don't be too rush, fair lady!'

'You see, injured as I am I would like to not overexert myself!'

'Oh? And what is your suggestion then?'

'First, take a look!'

Champion waved over to his fellows who have already picked their weapons and assembled around in a wide circle with their bows raised and ready.

'I won't go as far as to proclaim that I'm absolutely sure about winning against you…'

'But don't you agree that at least holding you, entangling you, should be within this Champion humble abilities?'

Martha frowned. The enemy was obviously weaving some sort of plot as he spoke but what he said this far really made sense.

Moreover, hold her? She was positive that if he really went out this person was capable of threatening her life, not merely blocking her advance.

'Aaand' - Champion continued - 'As we fight I can't help but wonder if these brothers will just patiently watch or - perhaps - try to contribute with their bows?'

'Sure, you will be able to withstand some crude shooting with your fancy armor and lightning movement skills of a knight'

'But what about those charming angels by your side?'

'And if you do manage that - for how long?'

This was another fair point.

Collected young lady Celine aside, it was questionable whether Chatty who were still sobbing in embryo position would actually behave at that time or if she would break into a fit and complicate things further.

'I am prepared, and so are they.'

Yet she didn't move.

'Ah, that thing with knights again. You just have to be stubborn!'

'Listen, I'm explaining this to you precisely because I'd really like to avoid this kind of thing!'

'Forget my injury, these brothers over here would condemn me to death if I had let such fairies be disfigured and scarred'

'Even more! - Yes, girl, I'm aware - We are so close to the city, why would I risk dragging things out?'

'So?'

'So!' - he raised his left, healthy arm, - 'Three moves!'

'Let us do it like this, lady, I'll take your three moves!'

'If I manage it with ease - well, this should make it obvious that holding you won't be necessary, right?'

'I'll just plain slaughter you!'

'So you would surrender in that case, alright? Not that it matters for me if I'm really that stronger, haha'

'And what about if I'm to come out on top in this test of skill?'

'Why, that's obvious as well! Since fighting a stronger opponent will only add to my worries, as I have declared before, I'll just drop the matter and let you pass!'

'Just like that?'

'Just like that!'

Martha felt weird about this suggestion.

'Then what about us telling on you as soon as we come to city walls?'

The person shrugged his shoulders.

'This is naturally a risk but if you are shown in our bout to be so strong, I wouldn't be able to shut you down any time soon anyway'

'And then I will be risking being caught right in this place, without even a chance to flee'

'I’m just managing my risks here, girl'

Martha carefully thought the deal over. It went without saying that her enemy probably didn't even consider the possibility of losing and was aiming to cut things short to avoid the hassle and dangers of military involvement, just like he said.

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However this was also an opportunity. If Martha could capitalize on this Champion underestimating her and ended up delivering fatal strike herself - this, once again, would behead the opposition and open a path to life.

Still, something felt off. There was no way this shrewd person was really frank and open about his motives.

Seeing as the knight has started to seriously ponder about the matter Champion began to speak again.

'Ah, one moment! Given that you are mounted and I am not, wouldn't you consider it to be against the test agenda if we fought like that?'

'Could you, perhaps, jump down from your horse first?'

Jump down?...Sure a skilled Champion wouldn't find a rider to be too much of a trouble? And to actually try to make bargain out of it?

Then the sudden realization hit her.

So this was it! The thing this person was actually afraid of! He feared that Martha would just abandon the notion of defending her companions and run through the ranks of enemy straight to the city. Given that she didn't need to waste her strength covering girls and stay in place near them she would make it to the stationed nearby military faster than in any mentioned scenarios.

This was indeed a real threat to this deserter!

Struck with an enlightenment, young lady Celine by knight’s side clutched tightly thin dagger she had already retrieved from pierced skull of a slain bandit. Being rational and smart in her studies she immediately understood that this was indeed the best way.

However, Martha have smiled wryly.

She wouldn't even consider this option.

'I will not step down from Cavalier. This is my advantage and I will not forego it'

'If you don't like it, feel free to attack, I will be sure to fight with my everything'

'However, if otherwise, I can take up your suggestion'

'Don't worry I'll only use this fine steed to fight and kill you in three moves and won't run from my comrades here'

'This, I shall swear on my name as one of Roseblades!'

Sure, this person expected her to refuse. He just wanted to confirm her character and intentions.

To this, Martha could only sigh.

The warrior clapped his left hand against his hip excitedly.

'Fine! What a fine woman! Roseblade! I knew you had outstanding origins!'

'Ah, I wish I could return the honor and swear to uphold my part of bargain as well but I have no fancy name.'

'See, I am a bastard, my lady! I know my father but he doesn't know me!'

'Very well, let me measure your skill, knight!'

With this Champion grabbed somewhere from the bushes short and broad sword and slowly approached Martha.

However, what was the meaning of this?

Such a weapon, good for defending but not having enough reach to even pass the difference of height provided by presence of warhorse, couldn't possibly threaten her life, right?

Did he really intend to just take three moves defending?

Martha shook her head. She would ponder about these things as they would come.

Hesitating in battle meant defeat!

In an instant blurry motion she spurred the horse and within the moment arrived before cautiously advancing Champion.

Cavalier rose up with his forelegs lifted and menacing over the opponent's head.

Then, carrying a terrifying impulse Martha swung down her sword with a loud shout:

'First strike!'

Against this two-pronged attack the enemy warrior first ducked and rolled to the side and then raised his sword in a frantic cover.

However, the loss of a stable ground provided by hasty escape and the fact that he held his weapon with only one hand put him in a sever disadvantage.

Their weapons met and after a momentary clash the short and broad sword was forced down opening a collar bone for a fierce stab.

Champion grunted and then performed another roll, now backwards, looking darkly at his mangled flesh.

'Nice move' - he said grimly, his laughs and smiles gone.

Martha, however, was disinterested in this person’s minute changes of expression.

She felt really good about this attack earlier, it appeared coming from a very sweet spot so she expected if not a fatal wound then lopping enemy’s arm at the least.

Surprisingly, this person didn’t even lose his fighting ability.

Such was the strength of a champion!

Unwilling to let her enemy a single opening to recover Martha reined Cavalier again and arrived upon a man in same two-pronged attack again. For it worked once and proved effective!

‘Second strike!’

Champion cursed and thought for a moment to defend himself again. However the instance he raised his eyes upon warhorse towering stature and remembered astonishing impact of the first strike he had instantly dropped the notion.

Instead, he gripped his short sword tight, tucked handle onto his chest and lunged under the Cavalier who was already descending his forelegs where this annoying little human had just stood.

There, pressing himself on the muddy ground, gazing upon the sleek muscular body of a warsteed, where armor plates covering the sides were hanging all down, with toned and pulsing belly of the beast fully exposed, the warrior clenched his teeth and sprung forth in a stabbing motion.

Cavalier body shook and astonished gleam passed his eyes soon to lose focus.

His enormous body fell to the ground with a loud thud in wild convulsions and would have buried the enemy underneath if Champion hadn’t already slipped away leaving his blade in horse gut.

Martha, who had jumped down the moment Cavalier lost his balance, felt her heart tighten as she glanced at this proud and loyal animal who served her for years.

However, the best she could do right now was to finish off their common enemy and avenge her partner. With this, she readied her sword once again.

Suited for the mounted battles this huge weapon was now unsupported in her hands and yet, she was holding it without any strain.

Champion looked at his left hand still trembling after the recent exchange, deep frown on his face.

He then bellowed to his accomplices scattered around:

'Weapon!'

Someone hastily delivered another crude broadsword and Champion had just reset his stance when devilish black figure clad in graphite armor who was actually taller than him appeared right above his head with already descending sword.

'Third strike!'

Enemy warrior raised his weapon to defend and it was immediately pushed back into his own chest.

Then he was pushed back again. And then some more.

Until he was smashed against the ground with his body half-buried into the earth and mountain-like pressure still squashing him deeper in the mud.

Blood was streaming from the corners of his mouth and bones all over his body were clearly cracking with snapping noises.

And yet this person was smiling - for he still held his blade!

Martha's sword, unstoppable as it seemed, was still separated from warrior's flesh by this unyielding piece of steel.

He didn't let go! He endured! Champion parted his lips with a dry laugh to say something when his expression suddenly froze.

Because at this moment Martha had readjusted her grip and shouted, her voice resounding as clap of thunder:

'Fourth strike!'