On the challenge stage, the red sun slowly rose.
Compared to yesterday, regardless of their specific moods, more people gathered around the arena.
Today's opening had a big change.
More than thirty warriors in full plate armor first stood on the stage, forming a triangular formation.
Standing alone at the very front of the formation was a wide, fat man like a ball of meat.
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
A synchronized battle cry suddenly erupted from the stage.
The more than thirty plate-armored warriors on the stage seemed to unleash an aura no less than that of a thousand-man army.
The noisy crowd instantly froze in place, as if they were witnessing a perilous battlefield with flesh and blood flying.
Attracted by their movements, the surrounding crowd instantly fell silent.
Music began to play; common Riverlands instruments combined to create a tune that was very unfamiliar to the people of Riverlands.
Although the tune was unfamiliar, its rhythm was quite captivating.
The plate-armored warriors on the stage, following the rhythm, produced the sound of clashing metal, their movements perfectly synchronized and full of the beauty of strength.
Especially the fattest man at the front, his movements felt the most powerful, yet he still maintained agility.
This agile fat man was none other than Monton Wei Shui, who had secured the C-position based on his strength.
The fully armed group dancing on the stage were the Klaeber Clan Soldiers.
The dance performed by the Klaeber Clan Soldiers was a group dance that had recently become popular in Klaeb Territory, named the Crab Claw Peninsula Victory Dance, also known as the Klaeber Victory Dance.
This group dance was a slight modification by Baron Green based on the "Axe Gang Victory Dance" from his previous life, promoted in his territory under the name of his vassal knight, Pel.
Klaeb Territory, lacking entertainment and having simple folk customs, quickly embraced this combat-filled group dance.
Baron Green originally thought Pel Knight would receive a title like "Dancer Knight," but the result was quite the opposite.
Because of the dance, Pel Knight earned the title of "Victory Knight."
After privately learning of this, Baron Green paused for a moment before patting the grateful Pel Knight on the shoulder.
At the end of the group dance, the Klaeber Clan Soldiers roared, raising their weapons in unison towards the sky, their astonishing momentum seemingly about to break through the heavens.
Hoo!
Oh!
The Riverlands crowd temporarily forgot the conflict on the stage and cheered for the Klaeber Clan Soldiers' magnificent performance.
With the "explainer's" description, they quickly learned the name of the group dance: the Klaeber Victory Dance.
The Riverlands people's favorability increased by one.
Baron Green nodded slightly with satisfaction; things needed to be done with a balance of tension and relaxation to facilitate his extreme pulling.
Baron Green stood on the stage, his sword resting on the ground with one hand.
Today, a hint of gentleness appeared on Baron Green's face, as if time had returned to the first day the challenge began.
Each match would not exceed five rounds.
Soon, the first challenger of the third day stepped onto the stage.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The clash of swords rang out repeatedly.
The challenger couldn't even attack with his sword, only passively blocking Baron Green's repeated slashes.
The force of each slash was progressively stronger than the last.
With a clatter, the challenger's sword fell to the ground.
The challenging swordsman stared blankly at the longsword lying on the ground, his face ashen.
He is so ruthless!
The surrounding crowd briefly felt indignant for the challenger who lost in just three strikes.
However, this emotion was very short-lived; they were more concerned about the next challenger, and they would not endlessly sympathize with a loser. What they looked forward to was the victory of a Riverlands swordsman.
Samwell Tarly and his sister, who arrived in Highgarden last night, secured a very good viewing spot with the help of their escorts this morning.
His younger brother, Dickon Tarly, excitedly waved his small fists: "Oh oh oh, what excellent swordsmanship!"
His kind younger sister, Talla Tarly, was more concerned about the dejected challenger who had been defeated, secretly praying that he would recover soon.
Samwell Tarly's mind was filled with the fat man who had led the dance earlier; their builds were similar, but why was that fat man so agile?
His wide, stout figure and weight seemed not to hinder his agility at all.
His excited younger brother, Dickon, asked Samwell: "Brother, can I invite Baron Green to lunch with us?"
Samwell wanted to reply that it should be fine.
Because Samwell knew that their father, Randyll Tarly, was renowned as the foremost general in Westeros and held great prestige.
Baron Green, also a military noble, would very likely be willing to associate with Randyll Tarly's descendants.
Samwell's lips moved, but he didn't know how to speak.
The current situation was Baron Green challenging Riverlands swordsmen. At this time, if he brought his brother to befriend Baron Green, he worried it would cause the Tarly family to incur public wrath and bring great trouble to his father.
"Brother?"
His younger brother, Dickon, seeing Samwell silent for a while, couldn't help but urge him again.
Samwell finally made up his mind. His younger brother was still young, and everyone knew his father didn't like him.
Although he was the eldest son, he could not represent his father and the Tarly family.
For his younger brother, he was willing to take a risk.
The anxious Samwell, just in case, had already written his last letter to his mother last night.
For his younger brother, Samwell mustered what little courage he had.
Samwell showed his big white teeth: "Dick, let's watch for now, and find an opportunity later."
His younger brother, Dickon, seeing Samwell agree to his request, couldn't help but cheer.
His younger sister, Talla Tarly, who witnessed all this, had a slight smile on her small face.
Samwell wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his hand, just as he met Talla's gaze.
Samwell and Talla almost simultaneously looked away from each other.
His younger sister hadn't smiled at him for a long time. Although Samwell didn't know why, his suddenly improved mood suppressed much of the fear in his heart.
King's Landing, City Watch.
The scrawny Dick, though dressed in the Gold Cloaks uniform, still didn't exude a heroic demeanor.
Hiding in a corner, Dick stared blankly, his trembling body suggesting he was gripped by some kind of fear.
Yesterday, he had clearly promised his sister, but today, when he reported his name at the City Watch, it was as if he was controlled by a White Walker, using the Klaeber surname.
He didn't even remember what he said afterwards, but everyone present at the time already knew.
His name was Dick Cleboe, and he was of noble birth.
"Dick Cleboe" was assigned to a relatively safe area and even had a few subordinates; he was already a small leader upon arrival.
Dick finally came back to his senses, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed.
He had to seize the opportunity; he had to hold onto the position he had so painstakingly gained.
"Dick Cleboe" decided to keep this matter secret from his sister for now.
He would be careful; if he was careful, there shouldn't be any problems.
He believed he could handle it, because everyone called him Clever Dick.