Bride To His Darkness
Chapter 171: A Grand Entry

Chapter 171: A Grand Entry

"A clash of valor."

Maurice read the name of the event atop the registration form, his gaze mixed with anticipation and trepidation as he scanned the form.

The sun had risen the next day, and the organizers had begun distributing the registration forms to the citizens who were eager and eligible enough to participate in the event, whilst the citizens of EmptyHollow had to meet at the capital’s Town square to receive the form in person. The forms were intricately designed, with elegant calligraphy and an emblem depicting the blood-red moon intertwining with a silver sun, and Maurice could tell that the King must have put in enough effort to make the form stand out so trimly.

The registration form outlined the participant’s personal information, combat skills and any specific abilities they possessed. There was also a section requiring a brief description of why they were motivated to take part in this groundbreaking event. He had filled out everything except for the last one, whilst he pondered to himself his main motive for agreeing to be a part of this event.

There were too many reasons.

With graceful penmanship, he completed the form, affirming his belief and unity to forge a new path. When he was done filling the form, he handed it back to the organizers who distributed them so they could add it to the list of registered candidates.

"Ladies, and the gentlemen of GreenHollow!" Helena, the leader of the organizers, stepped onto the small stage in the center of the town square to address the crowd. "As you all know, and have been informed by the Herald himself, GreenHollow is likely to encounter another war in the coming future. We don’t know when, nor are we sure about the future of our Kingdom, but in preparation to that, we bring an extraordinary event, a bold step towards unity as we present to you ’A clash of valor’"

Helena’s gaze scrutinized the people who erupted in a mixture of gasps and murmurs, and most of the audiences were well-built men. A clash of valor had already been introduced to the people by the Herald, but to make sure they were aware of what the event truly held, she proceeded to repeat it herself. "As you all know, this grand tournament will not only feature Humans but our vampire brethren, and there is a healthy reward for the one who can emerge as the winner. To those who succeed in getting into the fourth and fifth round, you will become part of the royals and work as the King’s soldiers.... Isn’t his Majesty benevolent?"

"Shouldn’t the King’s right hand man be addressing the crowds instead?" Someone from the crowd mocked out loud, and silence ensued at his question. "You’re a woman, you don’t understand what happens in a battlefield so I demand a man with great enough experience to relay the news to us." He demanded, and the crowd of men whispered their agreement on that specified matter.

Maurice’s eyes narrowed as he wondered who was stupid enough to disrupt her speech all because she was a woman. Since he couldn’t find the person, he also raised his voice to speak. "I believe what happens in a battlefield can be explained by anyone as long as they understand the process. This is not a battle but a tournament that will decide our fate. It will be better not to question His Majesty’s choice and instead, finish what we came here for so we can all leave to prepare."

"It is fine." Helena spoke up while raising her left hand, demanding silence. There was not a hint of smile on her lips, and if one studied her small features well enough, they would see she had the close semblance to that of a man, and it was obvious that she was no ordinary woman who had been brought forth to address everyone. "Someone had said it himself, if you wish to question His Majesty’s choice then can I see your hands in the air please? Anybody?"

Helena waited for someone to raise his or her hand from the crowds, and in the end, a hand was raised, and the path was instantly cleared for a burly man to step forward. Helena sized him up with a snooty gaze, and she pointed a finger directly at his face. "You dare question His Majesty’s choice? How odd of you to judge when you’re not aware of my position."

She spoke with conviction, but her words seemed to evoke sneers and condescending laughter from the bulky man, and then he said. "You speak as if you’ve swung a sword yourself," he scoffed, "what could a delicate flower like you possibly know about the brutality of war?"

"I don’t need to hold a sword in order to understand what happens in a war." She refuted, seemingly undeterred by his belittlement. "I have studied the tactics of great generals, analyzed their feats, and devised my own strategies. I am not here to prove my strength with physical prowess, but with the depth of my knowledge." Her confidence was unwavering, earning her surprise glances from the crowds, and when the burly man sensed he was about to get humiliated, a smug grin widened his lips, his hands reaching for the hilt of his blade as he stepped forward.

"Well then, let’s see if your knowledge can match the strength of my arm." He challenged, a hint of doubt underlying his confident tone. Without hesitation, Helena’s lips curled into a lopsided smile, whilst conveying her agreement, and when she reached to get her sword, another young woman dressed in a gray-colored cloak approached the stage where she stood. When she took off the hoodie of her cloak, Maurice’s pupils dilated to see it was his sister.

"Here." She handed Helena her sword personally, her gaze darting between the burly man who dared belittle someone as talented as Helena. "Do justice to your name, and someone has to learn never to question his Majesty’s choice in front of his people." She said, her determined gaze fixated on Helena who accepted the sword.

The burly man, who was still stubbornly unaware of what he was getting himself into, climbed onto the stage to face Helena. The capital’s town square fell into a tense silence as the burly man suddenly lunged forward, his sword unsheathed as he swung it with a thunderous force. But Helena’s agility matched her intellect, and with a swift sidestep, she evaded his attack effortlessly.

A move that surprised both the crowd and the burly man.

In a seamless motion, Helena retaliated, her slender frame a blur of calculated strikes. She deflected the man’s blow with finesse, stepping in swiftly with precise counterattacks.

The clash of steel resonated through the square, drowning in the whispers of disbelief.

The once-confident man staggered backwards under the weight of Helena’s onslaught, his face flushed with surprise and humiliation. With a final decisive strike, she disarmed him, sending his sword clattering to the ground, and before he could pick them up, she had her blade on his throat, daring him not to move.

Samantha stood beside Helena, her gaze fixated on the man who had humbled himself. "Never underestimate a woman, or she can leave you at the mercy of her knees." She indicated his kneeling posture to make a point, and it was the man’s turn to get laughed at by the crowd.

"Take him away!" Helena ordered her nearby guards who showed up to take the burly man. "Not only did you dare to challenge this Kingdom’s general commander, you dare question His Majesty’s choice to send me here. It is quite obvious you lack the proper manners of our society, take him out of my sight!" Her voice rang out clearly as the man was taken away.

Meanwhile, Maurice’s eyes widened in stupefaction upon hearing the word ’General commander.’ The general commander held the highest and most powerful rank in GreenHollow, they were also close to the King and led battles in his absence. All this time, it had been a woman??

This made Maurice feel even more motivated with himself.

"I apologize for the trouble." Samantha uttered to the woman whose sharp gaze softened when they drifted in her direction. She had come back to GreenHollow as an invite from Ivan himself, he wanted her to be a part of this and represent herself as one of the judges. He had gotten busy and was unable to follow her here, that led to Samantha coming in his place, but now she felt worried that she might have done a bad job.

"You have nothing to apologize for." Helena said to Samantha who appeared relieved to hear this. "You did well, and what better way to make an entry if not like this??" Offering Samantha an amicable smile, she averted her gaze and was staring in the path where most of her companions had gathered.

"Are you looking for someone?"

"Yes," she nodded without averting her stare. "Prince Alistair is meant to be here by now, but he’s not."