Knights of Tezoth

Throughout the battle, Alaria acted cautiously. Not so much as to cower in a corner — you certainly won't hone your martial skills that way — but she didn't waste her strength needlessly either. Alas, this was her main mistake. Where she relied on the opponent's prudence, expecting him to prioritize extracting the titan that weathered blows and swept aside knights standing in his path in a single stroke, he instead chose to shoot her in the back. That too was experience and a lesson — evidently, even in a melee, the heat of the moment clouded the judgment of seasoned warriors. Let it be a lesson to her.

Having left the battlefield and soon found herself in the stands, after the diligent doctors had tended to her fresh wounds, Catharsis looked down upon the ongoing circus and pondered the course of the competition. The obvious favorite was Stefania Valentine — denying that would be foolish and naive — but the reason was not her skill or cunning tactics, but rather the clear advantage of having a pegasus and the mistakes of other players. It felt as though both sides of the conflict were competing to sabotage their own chances of victory. There was no clever exploitation of weaknesses here, such as Wind might have demonstrated. Not even close. She simply had no room for error left, thanks to the efforts of others. An interesting fight, but in some ways even educational. If anyone would draw conclusions from this experience, it was Alaria herself, and she would certainly take them into account in the future. And she reminded herself once again to either learn how to shoot a bow, acquire a means of flight, or at least get some sort of arrow protection.

After that, having lost particular interest in the shooting of defenseless pedestrians, she finished her essay and, finding Yin, shared the resulting text with him.

Orvald hits Lorican, block.
Ferlutz moves 8 to the right.

Well, what will milady Stefania be up to now?

I don't really care who to hit. Was planning on Vaithcalm actually, but I'm ready to help with Lorican first, to get him out feet first faster for not shooting the wyvern while he could. So I'll fly within my shot range of Lorican and stay to the right.

Will you shoot or just fly in?

Also dissatisfied with Deus, but quite satisfied with one kill in the melee and the successes of her comrades in it, Rezara, having nothing better to do, sought out Alaria. She seemed to her a prudent and far-sighted woman, and no great reason for conversation was needed.

– You fought well, my lady, but I fear none of us had a chance from the very start, – Rezara winced at the thought of the melee. – Tell me, do you see any point in our Deus's events? We spent the whole day maiming each other for the amusement of the crowd! Under dishonorable conditions! This is not a celebration! It's a drunken brawl that everyone somehow showed up to sober. Frankly, I am very vexed and even disappointed by such an approach. No argument, in our dark times any combat training has its value, but not a melee before the eyes of the entire kingdom! Not to mention the likelihood of discord among knights from different regions of Tezoth! Many of them clearly dislike each other already...

Could Deus's plan be to make all the regions go to war with each other, while she herself sits it out in Kanamia behind high walls under the protection of the best knights? No, that's nonsense... it's her own kingdom and her own subjects after all.

Lorican takes 80-14=66 damage (164/230). Bleeding +.

Is there any point in me doing a reposition in the sky? No one can even hit me right now, right?

Isn't it time for the enemies to turn on each other?.. 🤔

- And do you have such a one among you? I haven't had the pleasure of making their acquaintance. Listen, let's be honest here — I thought the rumors about your Lady were exaggerated, but from what I've observed myself, they're close to reality. How does it happen that she's still functioning? With the utmost respect, surely people must have had the desire more than once, you know what I mean. Human patience is a fairly elastic thing, but still not infinite. There must have been individual malcontents, maybe even more than a few. Is it simply her luck? Her security contingent is clearly limited. Though what can I say, the woman is a sight to behold. Maybe that's her secret? And the fact that she's a descendant of Their Malevolence, highly respected in knowledgeable circles. If it were a man, he might not be at the helm anymore — there are plenty of unhinged folks around. Eh... and she really is luxurious to look at, anyone would want such a one at their side. How did it come to pass that she, well, you know, ended up that way?

- Sir, I'm not an expert in human psychology, but I suppose it's a combination of factors — fear, apathy, laziness, anything really; people in general are very reluctant to go against the current. And if I were you, I'd stay away from her — you truly won't survive if you pique her interest.

- Yes, speaking of luck, in some ways I wasn't so fortunate today. Do you believe in luck? I generally don't, really, but go figure — they broke a little thingamajig, and right then I clearly miscalculated something, — he shows a smashed coin — the squire's token. - There, if you don't mind, was the very face of Silia herself. Rare minting. You look at it, and it's as if luck really can leave a person in some ways. Or maybe it's all in our heads. I'm thinking, could some charm take its place, against poison? Do they even work, or is it just warming up the goyim? I think it's better to just strengthen one's immunity, maybe consume more greens or herbal breast tea. You probably know all about it, if you've studied medicine.

- Against poison you need to build up tolerance, not drink greens and herbal teas, but you're too old for that already. Try again when you become younger.

I should have spent her OD after all. But oh well..

Retreating with Axel as far up as possible, switching sides so that Tarantos hits me. Using the horn. I want Tarantos to surrender

Nay, you can shoot at Ferlukha, maybe bleed will proc. Or Ginga, 'cause he's been getting on my nerves already