The Knight from the Fairytales-Chapter 44: Good Guy Card x1

"Hahahaha, thank you, brother."
Cú Chulainn's gratitude towards Beihai was genuine. Otherwise, no matter who won or lost today, the other wouldn't be happy. This matter might even become a thorn in their hearts.
With this outsider's intervention, it seemed today's duel could be called off. As for tomorrow's affairs, why worry about tomorrow now?
"Yes, thank you."
Ferdiad couldn't help but express his thanks as well. Meeting his old sworn brother again, it wasn't with fine wine and flowers, nor glory and shared beliefs, but rather on the brink of turning against each other.
Fighting his sworn brother to the death was the last thing Ferdiad wanted to see.
The situation had come to this mainly for two reasons.
First, they served different masters. Second, it was due to provocation.
Ferdiad had endured and endured, but the other's taunting was very effective. One must understand that a warrior cannot tolerate being insulted, let alone being labeled a coward.
A knight's virtues cannot be trampled upon. A warrior's honor cannot be tarnished.
"Stop handing me 'good guy' cards, you two. And since I helped you, I need you to pay a price."
Beihai had originally wanted to watch a bit longer, but he couldn't quite stand these two being all lovey-dovey, pulling and tugging at each other right here.
Their gazes were practically weaving silk threads. The key point was, Beihai could ignore whatever you two were doing, but could you at least put away the two spears currently pressed against each other's necks first?
Cú Chulainn and Ferdiad snapped back to reality and hurriedly withdrew their spears.
"Sorry, sorry, my deepest apologies. As for payment, brother, I don't have any spare gold, silver, or treasures on me. I can't promise you a lifetime of wealth, but I can give you this suit of armor and my weapon."
Ferdiad fumbled for a long time; not a single coin jingled in his pocket. He could only hand over the armor he relied on for survival.
Seeing him offer it without hesitation, Beihai felt a bit disdainful. First off, this armor definitely wouldn't fit him. As for selling it for money, was he short on those measly scraps?
"Don't take off your armor just yet. You are a warrior. You should know what this set represents, right?"
"I know. But if not for you, today would have been my last day. Compared to my life and my brother's life, this is nothing."
"Hahahaha! Ferdiad, you're just giving it away like that? Are you planning to fight me in cloth robes?"
Cú Chulainn started teasing from the side, seemingly not taking the life-or-death duel to heart at all. Whether it was today or tomorrow, it all seemed beyond his consideration now.
At this moment, it was just like usual. He and Ferdiad were brothers, not mortal enemies.
"Don't get cocky. I might actually feel more agile without it, maybe even swing faster."
"Well, I'm not as foolish as him. However, I don't intend to take advantage of him. Besides, Ferdiad is right. My life and my brother's life cannot be measured by such things."
Cú Chulainn made a gesture with one hand, striking a very cool pose. Then, a long spear appeared in his grasp.
"Here you go, young man. This is what I'm giving you. It's a magic spear forged from sea monster bones. I originally wanted to save this move as my trump card.
Hahaha, Ferdiad, looks like my talent is still better than yours. Otherwise, why would Master teach this move to me?"
"Sigh. Master, in her old age, knew you couldn't beat me, so she taught you this move for self-defense."
Ferdiad didn't back down, brimming with confidence in his martial skills. Looking at it this way, whether it was that old lady or Ferdiad himself, they both doted on this Cú Chulainn.
"You two are handing over your very lives and livelihoods to me. But have you misunderstood something?
I don't want these things from you. I only want one thing: tell me your master's location."
"How can that be? Master's location isn't that hard to find. Take these first; consider the information an extra."
Ferdiad wasn't having it and directly shoved the armor into Beihai's arms.
"Exactly, exactly. Look at you, all tattered and torn, not looking like a knight at all. Even if you really want to meet my master, you have to accept this magic spear. How else will she know who recommended you?
With your great talent, she might even praise me later."
Cú Chulainn wasn't to be outdone either. By the time Beihai regained his senses, he found himself holding a magic spear in his left hand and cradling armor in his right.
"Do you think I'm collecting red envelopes? I genuinely don't want these."
Returning the armor and magic spear to them, Beihai walked to the front of the armies, facing them.
"First, I came to gather information. Second, to help you stop this war."
As his words fell, he threw a punch, smashing the entire area to pieces.
All the soldiers were terrified, but they didn't retreat. They still stood guard on the sidelines, just not daring to act recklessly.
There was no helping it. Queen Medb had given the order; retreat was impossible. Even if they were all killed, they couldn't retreat.
One must remember how many soldiers Cú Chulainn had slain single-handedly in this very place, even tossing soldiers' heads before Queen Medb.
Yet the soldiers could only follow the ancient custom of surrounding him and then stepping forward to duel one-on-one.
Without the command to withdraw, these soldiers wouldn't retreat a single step even if they all died. Even after the story's events, they didn't occupy a single inch of the country's territory. They just took the bull and retreated with the entire army.
That's how it was in this era. Warriors had their own honor. The true culprits were never these soldiers, but the monarchs who started wars for some inexplicable reasons.
While the soldiers didn't dare advance another step, Beihai sat down. Cú Chulainn and Ferdiad did the same, sitting on the ground together.
"You want to stop this war?"
"Of course. Since I've seen it, I have to intervene. Whatever your reasons are, as long as they're talked out, there won't be a problem."
Beihai naturally knew what the other side wanted. They just needed to hand over the bull, and the problem would be solved.
He just wasn't sure about the king on Cú Chulainn's side. His brain should be fine; he shouldn't be willing to sacrifice the entire nation for a bull at such a critical moment.
"However, tomorrow's battle between me and Cú Chulainn must still proceed unless the King's command arrives."
Both Ferdiad and Cú Chulainn had been delaying and stalling, but once truly on the battlefield, they must go all out. It was a respect for themselves and each other.
Therefore, once the fight began, neither would hold back. There would be no intentional stalling during their combat.
"I know. I will resolve this matter before the two of you determine a victor. Don't worry, at least you won't be fighting today."
"Young man, I believe you. I didn't expect you to be not only skilled in hand-to-hand combat..."
"Enough. I'll say it again. I am a swordsman. Can't you two even see that?"
"Nope." x2