Chapter 51: El Cid, the Death Knight [8] - Ordonez's Scheme
After lunch, Count Gormez walked swiftly towards his chambers. But as he took quick steps, he noticed that his guest room was open.
Curious and turning to the right, he now made his way towards this new room, only to notice Rodrigo standing in the room. Not backing down, he walked further, making heavy step sounds that caught Rodrigo's attention, causing him to turn back.
Both of them now gazed at each other, Rodrigo and Gormez, both their eyes filled with hatred.
"What do you want?" Gormez cut to the chase and asked directly, as he didn't want to spend any more time wasting while talking to a traitor.
"You have shamed my father, and I'm here to get his name back. But not the way you left it. I want it clean, so he can once more wear it proudly." Gormez, on the other hand, with a stern and serious expression on his face and with a deep voice, stood firm. "I cannot apologize. It's not that I do not want to… It's simply because I don't know how to."
Rodrigo shook his head and walked a few steps forward. "People will only respect you even more for doing this. You—" Interrupting, Gormez raised his voice, "I said no!"
"Rodrigo, just go home."
However, hearing that, Rodrigo instantly knelt on the ground. "I ask nothing for myself… I merely request, in a humble manner before you, please have pity on a proud old man."
Gormez had no mercy for Rodrigo, and this act didn't move his heart either. Rather, he even went with mockery. "I have no pity for those who have outlived the usefulness of their lives."
"Count!" Rodrigo raised his gaze, his eyes once again bloodshot. This terrifying gaze almost caused Gormez to falter and fall back, but he steadied himself with just a single step to the back.
Rodrigo clenched his fist but remained in control, lowering his voice again. He wanted to solve this in peace. "Count… I beg you."
"See… Two words are all I ask for. Can you not say, 'Forgive me' even once?"
Rodrigo's eyes were filled with a few drops of tears. His request was earnest. He wanted Gormez to not even show any gesture but merely utter these two words like a doll. But even Rodrigo knew that this was something that would hurt Gormez's pride. "I cannot."
"And I will not."
"Just leave."
"Count, just why are you so stubborn? Why do you want to stain mine and Chimene's life with your blood?"
It was as if Rodrigo was declaring that if Gormez did fight Diego, then it would be Rodrigo who would take his father's place and kill Gormez, which was in all ways possible! But again, Gormez took it as an insult. "Don't test my patience, Rodrigo."
"Just leave. No one will think anything of you if you forfeit the fight against the King's Champion."
"Champion this, Champion that…"
"Count, you have been blinded by your position!"
"What you say is boiling my blood, but I stand before you to seek mercy, with shackles binding my arms. Don't force me to commit any crime…"
"You are already a criminal Rodrigo, but I can surely see how you are different from the rest. Looks like the spirit of a warrior within you is still alive. No wonder I had chosen you to be my son in my initial days…"
"I once again say, go home Rodrigo. By killing you, this champion will not have any extra honor. So, run away. Forfeit."
Rodrigo, gritting his teeth, pulled out his sword and pointed it at Gormez. "I'm asking for the last time, will you or will you not?"
Gormez, astonished by Rodrigo's audacity and at the same time, furious, pulled his own sword out. "No." And with that, both of them started the battle, where Rodrigo was representing his old man - of course, this was supposed to be carried out in the presence of an audience and the king, but due to the escalation of their talk, they decided to do so in secrecy.
Ordonez, who stood just outside the door, previously having followed Gormez, enters the room while announcing, "And I will be the judge." Not really objecting, both Rodrigo and Gomez began their fight.
Rodrigo thrust his sword forward, making the first move. He swiftly moved towards Gomez, swinging his sword right after repeatedly, but Gormez, on the other hand, was able to block all the attacks with ease. Clang! Clang! Rodrigo thrust his sword yet again.
Gormez seized an opportunity, swiftly sidestepping Rodrigo's thrust and countering with a quick slash. The exchange continued with both fighters displaying remarkable agility and precision. Rodrigo, fueled by adrenaline, attempted a daring spin, hoping to catch Gomez off guard. Yet, Gormez, ever watchful, anticipated the move and skillfully dodged the attack.
It was now Gormez who jumped forward. Raising his hand high, he displayed a vertical slash which otherwise would have cut Rodrigo in half if he hadn't used his blade to defend. Clang! Rodrigo then single-handedly lifted the blade, deflecting the attack that caused Gormez to take a few steps back. Rodrigo then aggressively took five steps forward and swung his sword with great force - such was his strength that even after Gormez defended the attack with his blade at the last minute, the attack caused his blade to fly away to the side - leaving a few bruises on his hands.
Gormez wanted to get his sword back, but Rodrigo didn't let him. He raised his sword and pointed at Gormez, the tip barely touching his neck. "If not for you being my love's father, I would have cut you into pieces right here and now."
Gormez could feel Rodrigo's anger, who had his blade pointed at him that trembled. Gritting his teeth, Rodrigo left while saying, "Looks like a battle will be inevitable… a battle to death."
And with that, he exited the room. Ordonez, who saw all this happen. He picked Gormez's sword and walked towards him, slowly and gently, giving him support so that he could get up.
"Looks like you've become old.", Ordonez said, chuckling.
"No, I—"
"Such a shame. I thought you could be of more use…"
"Huh?"
And before he could add anything else, Ordonez stabbed Gormez, piercing his heart with the very sword that he picked up…
Confused, he stares at Ordonez, who merely whispers, "I will make Chimene believe…"
"Believe that it was Rodrigo who killed you…"
Gormez, his eyes bloodshot, stared at the devil in the front. Ordonez… he realized that everything was Ordonez's scheme.
His eyes blurred and tears followed, recalling his entire life that he had lived until now… He saw his daughter's face, the time when he spent peacefully with his wife, when he lost her, when he met the brave young Rodrigo and his friend Diego and… how he was gifted the sword by his own daughter which became the instrument that pierced his heart.
'Forgive me… Chimene… Rodrigo…', and with that, he feel down, gripping the sword, leaving a trail of blood followed by huge pool.
And there echoed Ordonez's evil laughter, his shadow mimicking him.
"Your death will lay the foundation for my unification with Chimene. Hahahaha!"
"…"