The young thief Wood chose a two-handed hammer with a long spike at the top, a circle of spikes at the waist of the hammer, and a pointed aper at the bottom of the handle, for a reason. His hands felt the weight of the hammer, and in an instant he felt that he had become invulnerable, and any enemy seemed to fall to the ground in pain under his hammer attack, which was far beyond the reach of a sergeant with an ordinary cross-handed one-handed sword, tomahawk, and spear.

His partner had a similar idea. When Ander picked up the Six-Bladed Hammer, it looked like anything should have been smashed a few times. Both of them like to use heavy weapons, but both of them make the same mistake: the hammer is a hand-to-hand combat weapon in close combat, because the weight is large, and the hammer head with a forward center of gravity consumes a lot of stamina. And it swings with a large amplitude and slow speed, and is easily attacked by spears, spears, and swords that take advantage of the gap. Ender, who uses the six-bladed hammer, was hit by Isabel, who is agile and flexible in his combat style, who seized the opportunity to hit him with one blow.

In addition, from the 14th century to the 16th century, when the prototype of plate armor appeared, infantry soldiers began to use two-handed long hammers and heavier hammers to break plate armor. In this way, the hammermen and halberders were incorporated into the infantry spear phalanx.

Perhaps influenced by the Hammermen, Wood also wanted to use a two-handed hammer as a weapon. As for the Achilles' heel of the two-handed hammer, it was almost completely ignored by him. Therefore, from the moment he picked up the two-handed hammer, his fate had already doomed him to not live today.

This is indeed the case. When Wood grabbed the hammer in both hands and slammed it out, Isabel dodged to the side, grabbed the gap and slashed it with the short sword in her hand against the hammer. If he didn't let go and throw away the hammer, both of his hands would be cut off on the spot.

"Ahh Wood screamed in fright and threw away the hammer in both hands. As you keep retreating, reach for the one-handed cross sword on your left waist.

Want to draw your sword? Isabel wouldn't give him a chance to draw his sword easily. As he immediately rushed forward, he turned the short sword he held in his right hand in one direction, and the tip of the sword was pointing downward. At the moment when the opponent intends to use the round shield worn by his left arm to resist the attack, he raises his right arm and slashes the sword horizontally at the opponent's throat like lightning with the blade of the short sword he is holding upside down.

After the sword slashed, Wood's whole body was as still as a clay sculpture. Standing still, his right hand, which tried to draw his sword, hung limply. Slowly closing his eyes, he involuntarily fell backwards, and a large amount of blood sprayed into the sky like a blowout from the wound in his throat.

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When Isabel returned to Nottingham Castle, Mary, Duchess of Richmond, was enjoying lunch, as she had said. However, Mary's lunch had come to an end. When Mary saw that Isabel had really arrived as promised, she was in a good mood and asked the servants to bring her a few exquisite dishes.

Today is Saturday, the first day after the day of fasting. Mary asked the valet to serve Isabel a tempting variety of aromatic meat dishes. After a storm and clouds, Isabel slowly lowered her knife and fork and leaned comfortably back in her chair.

Isabel looked at Mary, who was unhurriedly sipping the cider in her glass, and also picked up the glass and took a large sip of the ale. As she lowered her glass, she heard Mary's gentle laughter, "Now, can you explain to me the duel that happened today?" ”

"Well, the cause of the duel may not be what you think. Still, let's start with the theft on Thursday morning. ”

"Well, the suspects in that theft changed their confessions?"

Isabel took another sip of ale and shook her head, "No, two of the younger thieves think they're guilty of theft among the misdemeanors and deserve bail. ”

Mary nodded, just quietly letting her continue, "But, I think these two guys are still the second-degree culprits in the murder case. Not only are they subject to the same punishment as the other two first-degree principal offenders, but they are not entitled to bail for felonies committed. ”

"Well, so these two younger thieves are dissatisfied with the judge's verdict and want to use a judicial duel to solve the question of whether they can be released on bail?"

"Yes, at least the laws of the kingdom do not yet provide for a magistrate to bail anyone who cannot be bailed. The two thieves could be released on bail as long as two sureties were found and promised to appear at the next court session, and both magistrates agreed to bail. ”

Mary pondered for a moment and smiled lightly, "It seems that these thieves are familiar with the laws of the kingdom. ”

Isabel leaned back in her chair and fiddled with a dinner knife in her hand, "These are just a few of the criminals I have caught, and many more criminals are still looting or committing violence in the northern lands, and they are very contemptuous of and resistant to the laws of the kingdom. ”

"Isabel, I only knew that there was chaos north of the Trent River, and I didn't know what caused it. Now, I finally know some of the reasons. ”

"Mary, chaos never comes out of nowhere. As long as there is confusion, and reasonable measures are taken to control it in a timely manner, His Majesty can know that the magistrate has not neglected his work. ”

"It is God's mercy to Your Excellency that Your Excellency can have such a daughter as you. If there is no good order, there will be chaos such as bestiality, tyranny, and sin. ”

Isabel nodded, "Mary, you're right, I remember seeing it in some book." ”

"You've read these books too?" Mary stood up and looked at her with a smile, "Isabel, let's go." The weather is really nice today, and I want to go horseback riding in the county for a while. ”

As the two left the Duke of Richmond's dining room, Isabel recalled, "After the rebellion in the North had been suppressed a few years earlier, the King's royal publisher had published a great deal of books proclaiming hierarchy, order, and condemning the rebellion. ”

Mary walked to the side and glanced at her, "yes, I also saw these books from my father's library. ”

Isabel changed the subject while expressing her appreciation, and quietly said to the Duchess: "Mary, has His Highness mentioned to you when he will return to the county?" ”

"Wait, let me reminisce." The Duchess looked at her with two eyes open.

Then, Mary lowered her head a little shyly and whispered, "Your Highness seems to have said that you will come back to meet me in about three to four days." ”