The banner displaying the ranks fluttered in the wind.
Hex Darkenmane 7010 points flashed brightly at the top.
Hex noticed the changes in people's gazes. Some were still filled with anger but some looked amused.
Murmurs and discussion noises filled the air. If the Knights didn't stand around Hex, some would have stormed at him.
'It looks like I have pissed off the upper class. But regular people look entertained.'
Although Hex didn't care for other's opinions, it was still refreshing to feel appreciated. And as far as the upper class went, he doubted they would have liked them, even if he gave all his points to Clannad.
"It seems your heart is as black as your hair." Clannad's gaze had become icier, his words chillier. He tried to look calm but the clenched fists didn't escape Hex.
'If only he knew my heart shines brighter than the sun,' Hex thought amused.
"What can I say? I have yet to become as sophisticated as you." Hex smirked in reply.
Killing intent radiated from Clannad. But Hex just smiled at him.
'I guess I was right. He needed this win badly.' This was just the first round, losing or winning didn't matter.
You just had to be part of the top twenty to proceed. Seeing Clannad's intense reaction, Hex's suspicion grew. There was something more to it.
By now, the discussions turned into shouts and curses. It was becoming harder to maintain order.
"We should leave," Hestia whispered as she leaned into Hex. She was worried things would spiral out of control if they stayed too long.
"Follow us." Ivrain took the lead. With the help of the Hawks, they waded through the crowd.
Luckily, not everyone was against Hex. Some even helped them get through.
But as they were about to make it out, a group of elderly barred their path.
"Lord Conrad! And the council!"
People close to the team noticed the distinguished group immediately. Especially the people filled with anger rushed to complain.
The fat Tholmund raised his hand, waving the angry folk to calm down.
Hex looked at the head of the council. The old man was looking at him, his lips so thin it looked like a straight line.
"Is there a problem Sir Conrad?" Hestia walked forward and asked. As the captain, she represented the castle's team.
"We, as the council, have to uphold justice and righteousness," Conrad said, his voice loud and clear. "We will take the accused and check if they are guilty."
Hex frowned. The old fox didn't question the cherry or his claims. He took an indirect approach.
It didn't matter if the ranking could be adjusted, throwing doubt in the minds of everyone seemed enough.
But they couldn't allow Aran to be taken. Especially now that he was suspicious about Clannad, he didn't want to risk losing such a valuable prisoner.
"I don't think you need to bother with them sir," he said. "The people at the castle will verify it."
Hex knew protesting made him look guilty but he had to keep Aran.
A murmur broke into the crowd. Hearing the sneers and shouts around them, Conrad smiled.
The old crow-like lady stepped in with a nasty expression on her face. Born was her grandson and Hex's move made him look like an idiot.
"You think we can allow that? They will of course be on your side. We can't trust such a method."
The upper-class people shouted in agreement. It put the Knights in an awkward position.
The town guards appeared and surrounded them. Unless they were ready to fight the whole town, they would have to hand the prisoners over to the council.
With a nasty smile, Tholmund spoke to the guards and the crowd.
"Take those three. As the council, we always uphold justice. The truth shall be revealed."
Just as the guards stepped forward to take the prisoners, a voice devoid of emotion spoke.
"Are you saying I lie?"
Hex, who was considering a fight, looked instantly toward the source, feeling elated.
Up in the air stood the baron, his cloak fluttering in the wind. His golden hair seemed even brighter in the light of the setting sun.
Tholmund turned red. The other members looked panicked. Even Conrad looked uncomfortable. Clearly, they had not expected the baron.
The place became silent at once. Even though the baron rarely appeared, no one dared to go against him.
Even the people who were unaware of his strength knew that it was something far above theirs.
With the baron present, Conrad stepped forward. "Sir, we didn't mean that. We just want to protect the castle's name from being besmirched."
"That was not what you said a moment ago," Hex said mockingly.
The council looked at him with dark faces. Conrad was the only one who tried to smile amiably at him.
"You might have misunderstood us. We just think that as a third party, we can investigate it better. The people might be more convinced to."
"There is no need," the baron said calmly. "People are free to believe what they want. We are leaving. With everyone."
The baron disappeared as his voice fell. No one spoke for a while. The sound of fluttering banners was the only thing that could be heard.
"Ahm. Can you all move?" Hex scraped his throat and asked. His voice wasn't loud but was heard by everyone.
Everyone turned to look at the black-haired boy, standing at the front with a smile. Although some still looked at him angrily, others looked pensive.
To those paying attention, Hex started to stand out. His achievements were impressive as it was, but somehow whenever he was involved, the baron appeared.
If people had believed that the baron took him out of pity, now they wondered whether he truly was special.
The shift in their behavior didn't escape Hex but he didn't pay it any heed.
'This is how spectators are. They will support the winner and beat the loser. Nothing else will change their opinion,' Hex mused as he and his people left the crowd behind.
'One should be like the baron. So high that no praise or insult reaches him.'
Hex didn't realize that he started to look up to the man he despised.
Not only that, when he saw the massive castle gate, he felt happiness and peace. In just a month it had become his home.