Chapter 389: The Troubled Borien
Olivia had originally thought everything was over, that it was time to embrace her own pain—and Corleon's amusement.
However, what she considered an ending came too soon.
The third person to arrive at the clock tower was Knight Borien.
He had been summoned by Corleon.
When he pushed open the door, one could see bruises on his face—obvious signs of having taken punches. His armor was dented.
“Long time no see, Knight Borien,” said Corleon. “It looks like you’ve been troubled lately.”
Borien knelt on one knee and forced a smile.
“I shouldn’t be troubled. The Glory Knight Academy has been in the spotlight lately. Those respectable knights often visit, and the children get to admire their valor up close. Perhaps they can find their own path to knighthood from their conduct and demeanor. So, I should be glad.”
“But each one of them wishes to challenge me. In front of the children, I cannot refuse battle. Even if I’m defeated, I cannot set a bad example. At the very least, if I face defeat with composure, it might help the children learn how to accept defeat in duels throughout their future knightly lives.”
The moment Olivia, now emotionally recovered, heard the words “knight duel,” her eyes lit up.
Corleon said, “I think it’s not only because of the children. More so, it’s because you, as the president of the Knight Guild, cannot avoid it.”
Borien responded, “I once thought that it might be too arrogant for me to set the standard, since I myself could not meet it. But within the Glory Knight Academy, preserving the honor of knights is my duty. So I entrusted this standard to the Administrator.”
Corleon continued, “And besides that?”
Borien lowered his head. After a brief silence, he said, “Besides that... I also yearn for such honor myself.”
Corleon asked, “After all that’s happened, do you still yearn for that honor?”
Borien replied, “Perhaps I’ll give it up in the future. But at least for now, I believe I should hold fast. Especially when those knights challenge me to duels to prove their qualification as knights—I feel even more strongly that I must uphold this honor.”
At that moment, Olivia interjected, “I wouldn’t mind dueling them in your stead.”
She looked eager and ready to jump in.
To her, the Glory Knight Academy truly seemed like an interesting place.
Borien chuckled. “If you’re willing, you’re always welcome to visit the academy. The children often engage in knight dueling games.”
He knew Olivia was the Pope’s cherished goddaughter. Now that she had grown, her playmates were busy with their own matters.
Perhaps she simply wanted to be among children her age.
Olivia looked indignant. She was a proper knight, not someone playing childish dueling games.
But Corleon cut her off before she could retort. “I still remember the day Knight Borien was officially conferred knighthood. That day, you were so eager for honor. Perhaps even then, your heart was already set on winning victories on the battlefield for your lord and claiming glory for yourself.”
Borien looked slightly embarrassed.
Corleon continued, “So why have you now lost that firm conviction?”
Borien answered, “I lost Lain. I don’t want to lose more. I speak of yearning for a stable life, but it’s just an excuse for my cowardice. I still desire honor, but I’m afraid to abandon everything for it. I’m no longer pure. That’s why I no longer have firm conviction. I can’t reach the pinnacle. I am unworthy of being called a knight.”
“Even though I see the path to knighthood ahead of me, I just can’t bear to give up everything I have now.”
“So, when honor comes again, I feel even more unwilling to let it go.”
Corleon said, “Even if it brings you suffering?”
Borien replied, “If suffering is the price for honor, then it’s fair—and worth it. At least under your protection, those people won’t kill me.”
“You once told me, as long as I still live, I still have everything.”
A smile finally appeared on Corleon’s face. “Rise. I hope this confession eases your heart.”
Borien stood up. No longer hiding his pain, he grimaced. “But I have to say, that guy really hits hard.”
“I told them I was answering your summons, but they still blocked my path and challenged me to a duel. He said it’d be quick and wouldn’t take too much time.”
Corleon asked, “So, did you win or lose?”
Touching the bruise on his face, Borien replied, “Do I look like someone who won? Gary Floyd, a knight from the territory of Earl Dailin Butler, evaluated as Tier Four by the Warrior Guild in the first year of the New Testament Era—he’s very strong. He didn’t even draw his sword. He knocked me to the ground with a squire’s flanged mace, then punched me twice with his armored fists.”
“His strength is frightening. I even suspect he could shatter my jaw with one punch.”
Corleon said, “Earl Dailin held a martial tournament in his territory in the last year of the Old Testament Era, before the Eastern Crusade ended. Gary Floyd was the champion of that tournament.”
“It’s just that Earl Dailin’s territory is remote, and the prizes weren’t attractive, so he never gained much fame.”
“Now, Knight Gary Floyd represents Earl Dailin’s will—coming to observe the Knight Guild and spread his name.”
Borien said, “I think the Knight Guild disappointed him.”
Corleon replied, “So now his main goal is fame. He’s given up on the guild.”
Borien asked, “Isn’t he afraid Earl Dailin will be angry?”
Corleon answered, “He’s the Earl’s most favored knight. I simply didn’t say it too directly, but the truth is: Earl Dailin wants to spread his knight’s fame so he can attract knights from Greenwood to his tournament, making it replace the guild’s role. Dueling you was just a form of entertainment—the kind of story people in York City love most besides political drama.”
Borien said, “It looks like he’s succeeded.”
Corleon remarked, “Who told you not to have officially evaluated any knight yet?”
Borien said, “I’ve lost every duel lately. I can’t be arrogant enough to evaluate others as knights—especially since my knight evaluation standards aren’t widely accepted.”
Corleon said, “But this way, you can at least ease some pressure. The knights you do confer can draw attention.”
Borien said, “That’s what politicians would do. A knight should remain pure.”
Corleon said, “But the Knight Guild was created for Agamemnon’s political needs.”
Borien responded, “Regardless of why it was founded, it represents the honor of the kingdom’s knights.”
Corleon said, “But that honor has now been defiled.”
Borien sighed anxiously. “It’s because of my incompetence. Honestly, I still don’t know what to do. Maybe if a councilor handled it, things would go smoother. At least the guilds under their watch have already taken action.”
“But even though I know my own incompetence, I still greedily want this honor. That must be the sin of greed I’ve committed.”
Corleon said, “A little greed keeps people moving forward. You’ve done well.”
Borien’s expression turned complicated. “Even if I haven’t evaluated a single knight?”
Corleon replied, “At least you insist on confirming someone is truly a knight before granting them the title. That seriousness deserves praise.”
Borien said uneasily, “Previously, my contact with knights made me arrogant, thinking I could distinguish them. But once the guild officially formed, I realized the knights I had known were no longer pure. I discovered I didn’t truly have the ability to see a knight’s will.”
Corleon said, “Who can say they truly understand the human heart?”
He looked at Borien, as though seeing through his soul.
Borien opened his mouth, wanting to reply, but found himself speechless.
Corleon continued, “But don’t worry. I’ll help you.”
Only then did Borien manage to speak. “You’ll help me?”
Corleon nodded. “Guilds are political decisions of the Senate. But aside from Agamemnon’s political intentions, the Knight Guild has special meaning beyond politics. That’s why the Church can offer a little help.”
Borien suddenly felt his face stop hurting, his body relaxed. “Then what should I do?”
Corleon said, “Before that, come with me to see something.”
As his voice fell, the scene changed suddenly. It felt as though they were standing in mid-air, before a strange tree.
Instinctively, Borien stepped back.
There was nothing behind him, but though his feet stepped onto blank space, it still felt like solid ground.
Olivia frowned. She was never comfortable with being suddenly shown another space.
That’s why, after Corleon projected the fifth floor of the clock tower as the castle, they needed to open the door to descend to the first floor.
It helped lessen Olivia’s discomfort—otherwise, no one could adapt to the world Corleon saw.
But once she realized where they were, Olivia’s eyes sparkled.
“The Hall of Heroes. Perhaps you’ve heard of it, but never seen it,” said Corleon.