First round. Lynn won.
Loras's face changed instantly.
Not coincidence!
That deflection technique. That timing—striking second but arriving first!
Besides my brother Garlan, I've never seen anyone else do that!
On the high platform, Renly Baratheon's smile froze.
He looked anxiously at Garlan Tyrell beside him.
Garlan had already stood.
He stared at the Black Knight in the arena. His usually steady face filled with disbelief.
How is this possible?
"AGAIN!"
Second charge!
Loras's mind was chaos.
I'm not facing some nameless Black Knight.
I'm facing my brother—the one I've never beaten since childhood!
That feeling of being completely seen through. Completely suppressed. Helpless.
It descended on him again.
Massive psychological pressure.
Before the match even ends, I've already lost half!
CRACK!
This time, Loras's lance missed again.
Lynn's lance tip struck precisely at the moment between exhausted force and unborn strength!
Loras swayed violently on his saddle. Nearly fell.
This round—lost. Lost again.
"No..."
Loras let out an unwilling whisper.
Then forced himself to rally.
I can't lose!
I'm the Knight of Flowers!
The Seven Kingdoms' most beloved knight!
How can I lose to a nameless crow!
Third charge. The final charge!
Loras charged almost with closed eyes. Staked everything on this desperate strike!
He saw the Black Knight charge toward him.
That posture. That silhouette.
Even the charging stance—identical.
Lynn's figure completely overlapped with his brother's in memory.
Even... traces of my own style mixed in?
A fear from the soul's depths shattered all his pride and fighting spirit instantly.
I can't comprehend this absurdity.
Loras's hand trembled uncontrollably.
That single tremor decided everything.
CRACK!
No earth-shattering explosion.
Lynn's lance simply guided. Deflected.
Loras lost all balance.
He arced through the air—elegant yet pathetic—then slammed into the ground.
The entire arena. Deathly silence.
On the high platform, Petyr Baelish's vision went black.
His entire body collapsed from his chair.
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