Chapter 182: Reason behind Britannia

The echoes of Gareth's victory still pulsed through the arena as Lucian rode towards the center, his heart hammering a frantic rhythm against his ribs. His opponent, Sir Frederick, a knight from the northern province of Cimmeria, loomed large in the saddle. Encased in armor that seemed forged from dark iron, he looked more like a walking fortress than a man. His broadsword, as wide as Lucian's forearm, gleamed menacingly in the afternoon sun. A ripple of amusement, bordering on cruelty, ran through the crowd. They had seen the newcomer, his lean frame dwarfed by his opponent's imposing stature. Whispers of "foreigner" and "fool" reached Lucian's ears, laced with a sickening relish for his impending defeat. Lucian met their gazes head-on, a steely resolve hardening his features. He wasn't here for their amusement; he was here to prove himself worthy. He raised his hand in a gesture of respect, the glint of the midday sun reflecting off his polished armor. Sir Frederick, a sneer twisti