A large, covered wagon rolled steadily along a muddy road, its wheels creaking with each turn. Beside it trotted a magnificent warhorse. A young man, relaxed and at ease, drove the wagon, while another, dressed in simple leather armor, rode proudly atop the horse, his golden hair gleaming in the sunlight.
A delicate head popped out from beneath the wagon's canopy, and a curious voice asked, "Enno, how long until we reach the next town?"
"Not long now!" Mike Bai, chewing on a piece of grass, answered with ease. "In about an hour, we'll arrive at Weyers, a town under the rule of the Duchy of Aquitaine."
"The traveling merchants on the road said that the local baron is hosting a festival for his daughter's sixteenth birthday. Anyone who offers their blessings is sure to be treated to a feast."
"Not only that, but the lord is also holding a tournament. Many wandering knights have come to participate." Mike Bai turned and mischievously called out to the golden-haired youth. "Who knows, if you win the tournament, you might even catch the baron's eye, be granted land, or perhaps even become the baron's son-in-law."
"You're kidding, right?" the young man, Kinn, chuckled, shaking his head. "I've only just learned to ride. Competing in a tournament would be impossible for me."
"Come on, try it! You never know, you might actually succeed," Mike Bai grinned, clearly enjoying the thought of Kinn's potential.
As their conversation continued, a small town gradually came into view. It looked no different from any other, but the area surrounding it was bustling with activity.
Thanks to the fertile lands of France, the town was rich in resources and densely populated. The festival atmosphere was contagious, drawing in locals and travelers alike.
Long tables laden with black bread, vegetables, and seasonal fruits were set up for the public. Vendors hawked goods, from fabrics to beer, while minstrels sang songs and clowns performed in the hopes of earning a few coins.
But the main attraction was at the center of the town—a simple wooden enclosure formed a ring, where a tournament was about to take place. The baron and his family sat on a raised platform nearby, surrounded by hundreds of onlookers, all eagerly watching the spectacle.
In the center of the ring, knights dressed in colorful cloaks, perched upon their proud steeds, displayed their strength and elegance for all to see. Some knights went so far as to adorn their helmets with feathers or little decorative swan motifs to make themselves stand out in the crowd.
To Mike Bai, it was all an unnecessary show of vanity.
Of course, Mike Bai and his companions were also an intriguing sight. Especially Kinn, who rode his own magnificent warhorse. Despite not wearing the traditional knight's armor, the sword at his side, and the attendants following behind him made it clear that he was not just any ordinary traveler.
As they approached the registration booth for the tournament, however, they received disappointing news.
"Are you here to sign up for the tournament?" A clerk looked at them apologetically. "Sorry, but the registration just closed."
Seeing their disappointed expressions, the clerk gestured toward a nearby area, a more opulent tent.
"Though you won't be able to compete, you are welcome to rest there. My lord, Baron Craven, insists that you enjoy the food and drink provided until the end of the festivities."
Mike Bai and his companions were escorted to a luxurious tent. Inside, basic living facilities were set up, and a long table filled with superior food—roast chicken, roast duck, and plenty of self-serve beer—awaited them. The fare was much more upscale than what the common folk had.
Although they hadn't signed up for the tournament, the three of them still took pleasure in the offerings. After a light meal, Mike Bai suggested, "You two stay here and watch the tournament. I'm going to take a look around for some business opportunities."
With the sword at his waist, Kinn moved easily through the crowd, leading Mike Bai and Anna to the front row of spectators.
The knights in the ring had started to charge at each other, their horses thundering across the dirt arena. The crowd held its breath, eyes locked on the two figures in the center, watching for the slightest movement.
The sound of hooves grew louder as the knights closed the distance. Two blunt-headed lances were aimed at each other with precision and skill.
Bang! The lances collided with incredible force, splintering into pieces. The knights were both thrown from their saddles, their bodies wobbling as if intoxicated.
"Wow!!!" The crowd erupted into a roaring cheer. For them, this was not just a competition—it was a dramatic clash between two legendary heroes, fighting to the death on the battlefield, displaying their strength and unyielding will. The spectators felt as though they, too, were living the story.
As the knights began to reposition themselves, Mike Bai turned to Kinn, smiling. "A little envious, are we?"
"That knight with the red feathers on his helmet is the favorite to win—Sir Eik. He's already scored five points, and his opponent only has one. As long as he doesn't get knocked off his horse, he'll win the tournament."
"I wish we'd arrived earlier—I'd have placed a bet on him for sure," Mike Bai sighed, then glanced at Kinn. "Come on, you should really give it a try next time. Win the tournament, get the lord's favor, maybe even a piece of land, and who knows? You could win the princess's heart too."
Kinn blushed slightly, but whether it was from the excitement of the match or the idea of the princess, it was hard to say. "I'll do my best," he said with determination.
The match came to an unexpected halt when Sir Eik's squire raised a white flag, signaling a pause. The crowd murmured in confusion.
"Well, this gives me a chance to scout around," Mike Bai said. "Stay here and watch the match, I'll go see if I can find some good deals."
Mike Bai had recently acquired a large number of spoils from mercenaries, including secondhand weapons and armor, which he had purchased at incredibly low prices. But with his pockets emptied, it was time to sell some of these goods before they ran out of money.
As he made his way back toward the knight's camp, he overheard a conversation coming from a nearby tent adorned with red feathers.
"We should forfeit, my lord."
"We're so close to victory—how could I give up now?"
"But your injuries are serious, my lord. If you compete now…"
Mike Bai, intrigued by the conversation, paused in his steps, a grin spreading across his face. He had just spotted another business opportunity.