The knight fought because…

'Why do you fight?'

A question echoed in Dunnford's mind as he was dodging Haze's barrage of spear thrusts. Though the speed of Haze's thrusts had dropped due to the cut on his upper left arm, Dunnford was having a newfound problem in dodging them. Having lost an ear, he was unsure if it was the loss or pain that numbed his movements. What was certain was that: the blade of the spear was able to inflict small cuts on him once every four thrusts, and Dunnford was accumulating damage.

For someone who wasn't used to pain, Dunnford was suffering from the wounds he was sustaining.

He thought that once the distraction—the monster—was handled, he would be able to concentrate on his opponent. However, he didn't expect that pain from his wounds could distract him to the point that he found difficulties focusing.

'I'll ask you again: Why do you fight?'

The question conjured in his mind, its voice was unmistakably Ignes's.

That question was one of the three questions, commonly asked before a duel in the sanctum. Designed by Zeni to remind a swordsperson of oneself.

Clang!

Dunnford parried one of the spear thrusts. He chose to add parries, despite its ineffectiveness against Haze, to add chaos to the fight—which he hopefully could capitalize.

As the pain from the cuts continued to distract him, he couldn't help but curse himself for not noticing this weakness.

Every move he made ached, every drop of rain on the wound stung, and every cut he received added more pain.

Despite that, why was he still fighting?

Because…

He had made a promise when he arrived at the sanctum. That in return for Ignes teaching Ray the sword, Dunnford would help the sanctum to deal with its matters. That was why he was here fighting against Haze.

But that wasn't the whole of it.

There was the matter with Kadas and the squad he had left behind.

And…

***

When Dunnford was brought to the sanctum by Ignes, the boy couldn't help but be skeptical regarding the situation.

As someone who had grown inside the alleyway of Lune, it was only natural for him to have doubts on everything. That was what he had to do to survive; had he not doubted people who claimed wanting to help him, he would have died from long ago.

'Here,' Ignes approached Dunnford, who was sitting on the grass of the open field, with a bowl of soup, 'eat up.'

She offered the bowl to Dunnford.

Still not trusting this woman who had defeated her, he gave her a glare. Free food was too good to be true.

'What's the catch?' he asked.

'There's no catch,' Ignes replied.

'Everything has a catch.'

'The catch is: I want you to grow up healthy. Now eat.' She placed the bowl of soup on the grass in front of Dunnford. The smell wafting in the air, the boy hated to admit, was making his mouth water.

'So that I can fight for this place? That's the catch, isn't it?'

'You're free to choose. Regardless of whether you'll fight for the sanctum, we'll shelter you until you're older. The sanctum isn't like the alleyway. Think of us as your family.'

'My family abandoned me in the alleyway,' Dunnford said.

Truth be told, he didn't know if what he said was true. It was just that he had no recollections of his family. Not even a vague idea of what they might look like.

As far back as he could remember, he had originated from the alleyway. Alone.

'There must be people who took care of you,' Ignes said. However, she continued not on this sensitive subject. 'Try to ease up, Dunnford. This place isn't the alleyway, and I assure you that you're safe here.'

With that said, Ignes walked away.

The boy glared skeptically at her back. He was still wary of the sanctum.

Dunnford was about to stand up and leave the bowl behind without trying it, but his rumbling stomach argued otherwise. Not to mention, the smell was tempting.

Thus, he took the bowl and helped himself a spoonful of soup.

His eyes welled as he swallowed.

'It's… warm…'

***

Dunnford was—grateful to the sanctum for picking him up.

There were so many reasons as to why he was fighting this battle: the deal, Kadas, and sanctum. Ultimately, his reason to fight was…

I fight—because I had made the commitment by my own volition.

Faced with a barrage of spear thrusts, Dunnford stepped in to dodge.

Having found his resolution, he decided that he needed to take this step forward to win against Haze. With lesser distance between them, the spear thrust would reach Dunnford faster, and he would have less time to react.

However, this had to be done.

***

Finally, Haze thought in response to Dunnford stepping in. He had expected this move coming from him. Had he remained dodging his thrusts and sustaining the cuts, he would lose because of the accumulated damage. You have to do this.

Haze knew—that this fight would reach its climax. That the outcome would be decided by this moment.

And he did not intend to lose.

Victory goes to the strongest fighter.

Instead of unleashing a barrage of thrusts, Haze held his thrust. All he needed was one thrust that would hit his opponent.

The closer he was to him, the harder it was to evade the thrust.

Thus, he held onto the thrust, even when he was within his sword's range.

He kept holding on.

Closer.

I've underestimated you, Dunnford, he admitted. Haze too, like Dunnford, had found his resolution. I will unleash my fastest thrust, even if it means losing an arm.

Finally, Haze unleashed one thrust. His fastest today, with the closest distance.

He raised his sword, but…

The spear stabbed Dunnford's stomach and pierced through his body.

***

The pain—from having a piece of his body gouged out by the spear—was immense. It was enough to make his consciousness slip away.

However, Dunnford was determined to win. He held onto his consciousness and kept pressing forward despite his stabbed stomach.

This feat earned him his opponent's surprise; slowing Haze's reaction speed.

The end of this battle, Dunnford thought.

He shouted his determination to gather strength, his voice was loud enough to compete against the heavy rain.

He raised his sword, coated the blade with wind Elemental Magic, and swung it down.

The blade mercilessly slashed Haze.

'Next time…' Haze said. 'I'll… wi—'

Splash!

He fell to the wet ground, rendered unconscious.

I think… Dunnford thought after facing Haze. We could have been allies…

It surely could have been, had he been picked up by the monster worshippers instead of sanctum.

Splash!

Having lost consciousness, Dunnford too fell to the wet ground.