Empire Ascension: The Rise of the Fated One-Chapter 214: Blacksmith’s Request

If a person asks royalty for a favor, it typically makes sense if they request money, information, or authority.

But when someone asks to become a test subject and demands a duel, it feels ominous; especially if the person is a skilled, battle-hardened blacksmith suffering from PTSD. When Mathew trapped Aditya with carefully chosen words, asking for a duel in a suit of unkown armor , it felt absurd.

Feeling speechless, Aditya reluctantly agreed. "Very well, since it’s a request from you elder, I shall oblige to the best of my ability. However, I’d prefer not to wear the armor as it can restrict my movements. Surely I can decline that part?"

Mathew gripped his shoulder firmly and shook his head. "No, you must wear it; otherwise, it won’t make any sense."

Bheem, irritated, sensed the pressure being forced on his friend and liege. Though Aditya had already promised, he couldn’t stay silent. "Apologies, but as his guard, I cannot allow my liege to wear unknown armor. Let me try it and duel in his place."

Mathew responded calmly knowing this guard is prince’s friend and mean no bad intent, "Relax, boy. If you were capable enough, I wouldn’t have asked him. In this village, there’s no one worthy of exchanging blows with me, except for him."

Bheem, enraged, pressed on. "We won’t know until we try, foreigner."

Before the situation could escalate, Aditya swiftly placed a hand on Bheem, signaling him to calm down. While he valued his friend’s concern, he knew Mathew was right; Bheem’s martial prowess wasn’t on par with a true expert. Besides, there had to be a reason this mad elder was so passionate about the duel. "No need to fuss over a small matter. I’m equally bored. Is the training ground free?"

Vinayak, standing nearby, nodded. "Yes, it’s lunchtime. It should be."

Aditya replied with enthusiasm, "Great!" Turning to Mathew, he said, "Elder, show us what kind of armor this is."

Mathew grinned as he gestured toward the exhibition chamber. "Excited, aren’t we? The armor is in there, along with a few other samples I’ve prepared."

Aditya nodded, following Mathew through the stone halls, his steps echoing softly in the silence. Bheem and Vinayak followed closely, their eyes darting between the cannons and the grand displays in the chamber. As they approached the far end, a large cloak draped over an ominous figure caught everyone’s attention.

Several new falconet cannons were lined neatly, their polished steel barrels glinting in the light. Aditya couldn’t help but run his fingers along the smooth, cold surface of one, his eyes bright with curiosity.

"Are these made of steel?" he asked, his voice tinged with excitement.

Mathew, focused on unveiling the mysterious object, responded without turning around. "Yes, everything here is crafted from steel."

Aditya’s heart skipped a beat as Mathew yanked the cloak off with a dramatic flourish, revealing the gleaming, full-body plate armor. The sight left him speechless. It was a knight’s armor which was elegantly designed, fully polished and more impressive than anything he had seen in books or imagined from his past life.

"Magnificent..." Aditya murmured under his breath, his earlier reluctance vanished as he became captivated by the thought of equipping the armor.

Bheem clad in chainmail armour , however, was less impressed. He eyed the armor skeptically, arms crossed. "What kind of armor is this?" he asked. "Why is it so bulky? Can someone even move freely in that?"

Mathew smirked, clearly amused by Bheem’s doubts. "Kid, I’ll let your insolence slide today, since I’m in a good mood. This is called plate armor, worn by knights: warriors of the highest order."

Bheem frowned, still unconvinced. "Knights? What are knights?"

Aditya, sensing the need to smooth over the situation, chimed in, "They’re elite military commanders, similar to our noble titles. Some hold land, some don’t, but their status and skill in battle are unquestionable." He added, catching the curious looks around him, "I’ve read about them in the royal records. Knights often accompany western merchants as guards in the past regimes, fully armored like this."

Still skeptical, Bheem shook his head. "But how could anyone fight in something like that? Can they even move freely in it?"

Before Bheem could continue, Mathew cut him off, already strapping himself into the armor. His eyes narrowed as he spoke, his tone carrying a hint of warning. "No more disrespect toward this sacred title, lad. I might just change my mind and let you try it on first."

Bheem, sensing the tension in Mathew’s words and the unspoken threat beneath them, quickly backed down, falling silent as Mathew finished gearing up. The elder blacksmith’s movements, despite the weight of the armor, were surprisingly fluid, and Aditya could feel the pressure mounting.

Aditya turned to Mathew, masking his unease with a grin. "Alright, elder. Let’s see this marvelous armor in action. But remember, I prefer to settle things with skill, not brute force."

Mathew chuckled, his voice echoed slightly within the steel helmet. "Oh, don’t worry, prince. This won’t be about brute force. It’ll be about precision and strength of will."

After few moments in the training grounds of village

The sandy training ground buzzed with excitement. Soldiers and townsfolk alike gathered missing their lunch as word spread of the unexpected duel.

Despite the scorching sun and it being lunchtime, many couldn’t resist the spectacle unfolding before them: two figures, clad in full plate armor, facing each other in a one-on-one battle. Both were wearing helmets that concealed their faces, making it hard for anyone to discern who was who.

"Woah! We got battle!"

"Who are they, what kind of armour is that?"

The crowd grew restless as Karan Singh, the security chief, took his place as referee. His hand raised in the air, the signal everyone awaited with bated breath. The onlookers whispered in anticipation, their eyes glued to the armored figures standing still, weapons at the ready.

With a sharp downward motion of Karan Singh’s hand, the duel began.

"Commence the duel!"

Both warriors surged forward, their armored boots kicking up sand as they closed the distance. Steel clashed against steel with a resounding clang, and the crowd erupted into cheers. The combatants exchanged a flurry of blows, swords ringing against each other with precision. Mathew wielded his sword with strength and control. Aditya, despite the unfamiliar weight of the armor, matched his strikes with fluidity and finesse.

In the first exchange, Mathew launched a powerful downward strike aimed at Aditya’s shoulder, forcing him to step back several paces to avoid the blow.

The older warrior’s brute strength was overwhelming, and Aditya felt the weight of each swing as Mathew relentlessly pursued him with heavy, horizontal slashes that tested the prince’s defenses.

But the young prince was agile, even in the heavy plate armor, he quickly adapted. With each clang of their blades, Aditya studied Mathew’s movements.

The second set of strikes was different. Finding his rhythm, Aditya launched an aggressive counterattack. As Mathew swung wide with a diagonal slash, Aditya sidestepped and countered with a precise thrust toward Mathew’s stomach, but the elder warrior managed to deflect it with a quick turn of his wrist. Seizing the moment, Aditya followed up with a series of sharp, upward slashes, pushing Mathew back and taking advantage of his opponent’s overcommitment.

The crowd cheered louder, sensing the tide turning as Mathew found himself on the defensive. Aditya’s confidence surged, and he pressed on with calculated strikes, landing a quick horizontal slash that grazed Mathew’s side, leaving a matching dent in his armor.

Then came the third set of exchanges. Both warriors with their armor already bearing the marks of battle, charged at each other with renewed vigor.

Sparks flew as their blades collided, the sound of steel meeting steel echoing across the training ground. Aditya aimed a precise diagonal slash toward Mathew’s neck, but Mathew deflected it with a powerful parry, countering with a heavy downward blow that dented on Aditya’s breastplate.

The clash intensified, and Aditya retaliated fiercely with a quick thrust aimed at Mathew’s chest, forcing the older man to shift his weight and parry just in time. The audience was enthralled by the balance of power between them.

On the fourth exchange, Aditya spotted an opening. In a deft move, he angled his sword’s hilt and struck Mathew’s helmet with a well-timed tilt.

The force knocked the helmet off Mathew’s head, sending it clattering to the ground.

The crowd gasped in surprise.

"Hey, its the rowdy blacksmith"

"Isn’t he the foreigner who stopped the fight last night."

"Is he alright?"

Mathew, though a brute in appearance, was known for his care toward the soldiers and villagers, despite his gruff nature. Seeing him vulnerable like this, many spectators were momentarily stunned.

Mathew;s face now exposed with sweat, didn’t back down. He raised his sword once more, determined to continue the duel.

But Aditya had already read his movements. With a swift and skillful maneuver, Aditya disarmed him, twisting his sword in such a way that Mathew’s weapon flew from his hand. A moment later, Mathew stumbled and fell to the ground in defeat.

For a brief moment, there was silence. Then, as Aditya removed his own helmet, the crowd erupted into a deafening cheer.

"It’s the prince! It’s our Imperial Prince."

"No wonder he won. Glory to Prince!"

Recognizing their prince, the crowd erupted in unison, celebrating his victory. Aditya extended a hand to help Mathew up. The older man, still breathing heavily, accepted the hand with a grin, his eyes filled with pride.

Bheem soon approached, starting to disperse the gathering. "Everyone, get back! The duel is over!"

"Well fought, lad," Mathew said, patting Aditya’s shoulder as he stood. "You’ve got skill."

The two exchanged a respectful nod, a sign of mutual recognition. Despite Bheem’s efforts to break up the crowd, cheers continued to echo through the training ground. Aditya smiled, "It was fun, elder. But why the sudden request?"

Mathew’s expression shifted, revealing a hint of emotion. "Since childhood, I’ve always dreamed of becoming a knight," he said, his tone growing somber. "A being who is revered as the true epitome of justice..." He sighed, gazing up at the sky. "Justice that is still pending..."

Not wanting to dampen the mood, he inquired, "So, how was the armor? Any feedback for your elder? With the surplus steel, I’m sure your soldiers could afford to commission it."

Aditya noticed the fleeting grief in Mathew’s eyes but quickly shifted his focus to the idea of outfitting soldiers in plate armor. While their forces were competent, equipping them with such protection would enhance their defense against sword and arrow attacks.

However, he also recognized the potential mobility issues, especially since their soldiers were primarily rangers. Perhaps this armor could be assigned to the imperial guards instead, elevating the capital’s status among other member kingdoms. Aditya concluded that customization would be necessary to ensure it suited their needs effectively.