The Restoration of Rome: In the Name of Augustus

Chapter 29 The Priest's Swordsmanship

As Guy and Gerald finished their conversation and were about to head to the dungeon to "visit" the Assassins, a young man dressed in black monk's robes rode an old horse and slowly strolled to the gate of the Knights' headquarters.

The Templar Knights at the entrance nodded in greeting upon seeing that the visitor was a priest, but then subtly blocked his path.

"Young priest, this is the heart of the Knights' headquarters. Please tell us the purpose of your visit."

Jacob reined in his horse but did not dismount. He made the sign of the cross and smiled, saying, "May the Lord bless you, children." He paused, his tone as casual as if discussing the weather, "I have come to join your order."

The knights were stunned, exchanging bewildered glances. They sized up the unremarkable priest riding an old horse, and hesitantly began, "Excuse me, Father… to join the Knights Templar, one needs noble status, a letter of recommendation from the archbishop, and mastery of the sword. You…"

Jacob grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth. "My surname is Komnenos, and the Queen Mother is my sister. I have a letter of recommendation from William of Tyre, who was once an envoy to Constantinople and we are acquainted. I also know a little swordsmanship, which I learned from the Roman Emperor's captain of the Varangian Guard..." He glanced down at his empty waist, scratched his head awkwardly, "But, right now, I have no sword..."

The knights immediately fell into deep respect, bowing their heads and speaking with utmost deference: "Please forgive our rudeness, Your Excellency. The Grand Master is inside; please come in."

Accord nodded, lightly kicked its flank, and slowly made its way through the cleared gate. Behind it came the suppressed murmurs of the knights and the distinct sound of them swallowing.

The sun shone brightly in the stone courtyard. Guy and Gerald strode out, just as Jacob dismounted and bowed to them from a distance, his voice clear and bright: "Good day, gentlemen!"

Guy abruptly stopped, squinted his swollen eyes to examine him, and then recognized him.

"It's you?" he said rudely. "The priest who was with that kid? What are you doing here?"

Jacob nodded slightly, his tone neither humble nor arrogant: "Lord Guy, Grand Master Gerald. I am Jacob, the younger brother of Queen Mother Maria Komnina. I have come to apply to join the Knights Templar on the Queen Mother's orders and with a letter of recommendation from Mr. William of Tyre." He handed over a roll of parchment.

Gerald didn't take it, a mocking smile playing on his lips, his voice icy: "Ha, the Empress Dowager is truly cunning. One 'son' suddenly appearing wasn't enough, now she wants to cram her brother into my knightly order? Is the Komnen family planning to treat Jerusalem as their own backyard?"

His words were harsh, but he didn't immediately wave him away. The Jacob's surname and Archbishop William's influence compelled him to be cautious.

Jacob seemed to have anticipated this. He calmly withdrew his hand and continued, "Your Excellency, Grand Master, please allow me to speak. I am well aware that as a former clergyman, my swordsmanship may be questioned. Therefore, before coming here, I had an audience with the King and received his promise—if I can spar with you, Your Excellency, in public and remain undefeated for ten moves, it will prove that I am not a weakling and am qualified to receive formal knighthood. Only then can we discuss joining the order."

"Spar with you? You think you can?" Guy was already seething with anger because of what had happened before. When he heard that this young priest dared to challenge the Grand Master, he felt it was absurd and infuriating. This was simply a punching bag delivered to his door.

"Why should the Grand Master have to deal with you personally? I'll handle it!" he practically roared, ripping off his cloak to reveal his armor underneath. "Bring me your sword!"

Gerald frowned slightly, but did not stop him. He also wanted to see what kind of confidence this Komnen scion had.

The weapon was quickly brought over. Guy took a blunt training sword, weighed it in his hand, and eagerly assumed a fighting stance.

His stance was standard, a traditional knightly swordsmanship starting position, carrying the ferocity honed from charging against Saladin's cavalry and slashing on horseback on the battlefield. However, his agility in foot combat was clearly lacking. Coupled with long-term alcoholism and emotional instability, his steps appeared somewhat unsteady, and his breathing was also filled with heavy, rattling noises.

Jacob silently accepted the other sword. His stance was unique; unlike Guy's upright posture, he was slightly hunched over, his weight firmly planted between his feet, as if rooted to the ground. Guy curled his lip in disdain. What kind of move was that? It looked like a barbarian swinging an axe!

"Begin!" With a command from the observing knight, Guy roared and strode forward, his blunt sword whistling through the air as he unleashed a powerful slash! He intended to crush his opponent with absolute force.

Accord did not take the blow head-on. His body slid half a step to the side and back like a fish, precisely dodging the blade. At the same time, with a flick of his wrist, the tip of the sword, like a viper's tongue, swiftly pointed at Guy's exposed wrist, which had been exposed due to excessive force.

A soft "snap!"

Guy grunted, a sudden numbness shooting through his wrist, his attack crumbling instantly. Shocked and enraged, he swung his sword again, but Agnes's swordsmanship was completely different from what he was familiar with. There were no wide, sweeping strokes, only precision, ruthlessness, and efficiency. Every movement Agnes made perfectly avoided his main force, the tip of his sword always appearing at his most vulnerable angles, targeting joints, wrists, and gaps in his defense.

After only five or six moves, Guy was already panting heavily, his defenses showing numerous weaknesses. Jacob seized an opportunity, his sword deftly brushing against Guy's and gently deflecting it. With a clang, Guy's sword flew out of his hand and landed on a stone slab a few steps away, making a crisp sound.

Guy stood frozen in place, his face filled with disbelief, then overwhelmed by a tremendous sense of humiliation, his face turning from red to pale.

"Enough!" Gerald's voice broke the silence. He walked forward expressionlessly and picked up another training sword from the ground. "It seems I have to test His Majesty's judgment myself." He then turned to Guy, his eyes filled with silent disappointment.

Gerald's swordsmanship was clearly several levels above Guy's. His movements were concise and efficient; Jacob could clearly feel the rich combat experience contained in each strike, with tricky angles and powerful force. His defense was impenetrable, while his attacks came wave after wave like a tide, putting immense pressure on Jacob.

For a moment, the only sounds in the courtyard were the rapid clanging of blunt swords clashing and the heavy breathing of the two figures. They were locked in a fierce battle, neither gaining the upper hand, and had already exchanged seven or eight blows in the blink of an eye.

Jacob could sense that Gerald's strength was indeed superior to his own, and that he would inevitably be defeated in a prolonged battle. His mind raced, and in the instant that their swords clashed and their bodies drew close, he deliberately let his footwork falter slightly, creating a tiny, unnatural opening as his upper body leaned back.

Gerald's eyes flashed, and his sword immediately pressed down, precisely breaking through Jacob's defense, the tip of the sword lightly touching his chest.

All movement came to an abrupt halt.

Accord took two steps back, slightly out of breath, lowered the tip of his sword to the ground, and bowed to Gerald: "As expected of the Grand Master."

Gerald stood with his sword in hand, staring intently at Accord. That last flaw was clearly...deliberate?

He handed the training sword to his attendant, a smile playing on his lips, though still tinged with condescension: "Ten moves have passed. You've fulfilled His Majesty's promise. Your swordsmanship... so-so, but not entirely without merit."

He turned to Guy, whose face was ashen, and the surrounding knights, and raised his voice: "Since the Queen Mother has given her permission and Bishop William has recommended you, and I have personally verified your martial prowess, then, according to the agreement with the King, I, Grand Master Gerald de Redford of the Knights Templar, approve your application. From this day forward, you will be a novice brother of the Knights Templar."

Ya Ge lowered his head, concealing the fleeting glint in his eyes, and replied in a deep voice, "I will obey the Grand Commander's orders."