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"What you paid me is for killing people. If you want me to say nice things, the money has to be calculated separately," Bronn said dismissively. "If the payment is enough, I could even help you with weaning. It'd cost far less than what he did, and in a more gentle way."
Ian rolled his eyes and ignored the bastard. He understood exactly what Bronn meant. Rolle's training methods were brutal, which basically spared him from being beaten.
And as everyone knew, getting beaten was the quickest way to progress.
However, Ian believed that improving his strength quickly wasn't as important as maintaining his image. After all, he had gained near-leader status in Sir Wilder's alliance. First, thanks to the Lannister name; second, thanks to the image Wilder had crafted of him as "the old woman descending to earth."
If he were to be beaten in training, his face would become swollen, and that could easily cause him to lose his temper.
Despite his reservations, Ian knew Bronn's advice had merit. Compared to the pseudo-actual training with Rohr, focusing on the basics might actually be more beneficial at this stage.
Thinking this over, Ian cast a questioning glance at Rohr.
Rohr nodded in agreement, signaling that the plan was sound. He waved to Chiggen, telling him to go to the manor's training ground and fetch the two scarecrows. Once Chiggen returned, Rohr turned to Ian.
"Alright, today we'll start with the basics, the core movement: stabbing," Rohr said.
"Stabbing?"
"Against unarmored or lightly armored enemies, slashing is more effective. But in battles between knights, stabbing is the most efficient way to wield a sword," Rohr explained patiently. "A skilled knight can easily break through the defenses of chain mail, light plate armor, and most types of armor with a stab. If the angle is right, he can even penetrate some higher-quality plate armor."
Ian nodded thoughtfully. He'd read studies on the subject. To break through the roughest iron plate armor requires over 130 joules of energy, while the energy needed for swinging blades and axes ranges from 60 to 130 joules. The maximum energy from a swing can reach around 200 joules.
This meant that slashing against a fully armored knight wouldn't likely be an effective way to deal a fatal blow.
"Stabbing is different," Rohr continued. "Because the force is concentrated on the tip of the sword, less energy is needed to pierce the armor, as long as the armor's strength and toughness remain the same."
Ian understood. That was why Rohr had said stabbing was the best technique when fighting knights.
"So what if the opponent is wearing high-quality plate armor or heavy armor?" Ian asked, not to argue, but out of curiosity.
After all, all his knowledge came from books, and its practical application was nowhere near Rohr's hands-on experience.
"In that case, there are targeted attacks, but personally, I prefer to have a hammer as a secondary weapon when dealing with such enemies. It might be easier to use than the sword you've been training with for years."
"Well, that makes sense," Ian muttered, thinking about Rhaegar's past losses to Robert.
"Alright, right now, you need to focus on the basics of swordsmanship. Don't worry about those complex issues just yet," Rohr said, then asked, "Do you know what the core secret of the sword is?"
"Stab the enemy with the pointed end?" Ian recalled, remembering what Jon Snow had taught Arya.
"Stab the enemy with the sharp end? Seven hells! Do you think you're still in the learning stage?" Rohr laughed, shaking his head. "Do you intend to stab someone with the hilt instead of the sharp end? Hahaha!" The sound of his laughter was muffled by his wine-soaked mustache.
"The hilt of the sword can indeed be used for attacks, but not by stabbing—it's for smashing. If you can't find an opening in the opponent's defense, or if your stance allows it, you can strike them with the hilt, like a hammer."
"If the angle is right, this move can sometimes work as well as a hammer strike. But for now, the move I want to teach you is stabbing," Rohr said, raising his sword to shoulder height. "Watch closely. The secret to a stabbing sword strike is that the sword and your forearm must form a straight line."
With that, he pushed the sword forward, and as his arm straightened, he suddenly increased the speed, thrusting the tip of the sword straight into the scarecrow, piercing it instantly.
"This is the most basic stabbing move—flat stabbing. Now, it's your turn to try it," Rohr said to Ian.
At first, Ian didn't think much of the technique. But as he approached the scarecrow and watched Rohr apply force with his sword, he realized that what Rohr had pierced wasn't just straw, but the wooden supports inside the scarecrow.
Ian took a deep breath, raising his heraldic sword to shoulder height in the same position Rohr had used earlier. Then, he thrust the sword forward. The tip of the sword sank into the scarecrow's body, but it only hit the inside. The wooden stake shifted slightly before the sword passed through the back of the scarecrow.
"When stabbing, the tip of the sword should be pointed straight ahead, not tilted to the left or right!" Rohr corrected him. "Try again."
Ian thought back to the way Rohr had drawn his sword and then executed the strike. This time, the sword tip sank a little deeper into the wooden stake, and the impact caused a jolt that numbed his jaw.
"Not bad, you're improving fast," Rohr nodded in approval.
My swordsmanship has reached a higher level! Ian silently cursed to himself.
"But you still haven't grasped the core secret of the stabbing sword that I just taught you. The sword and your forearm must be in a straight line!" Rohr said, taking a sip of wine. "Straight line!" he repeated, walking over to Ian.
"Let your forearm become part of the sword," Rohr said as he grabbed Ian's wrist. "Relax, kid, relax."
Ian felt as if his wrist were being gripped by an iron vice. It felt as if his bones might snap at any moment if Rohr wished it.
Rohr's strength was only about 10 points higher than Ian's, so logically, there shouldn't have been such a huge difference. Could it be due to his mastery of technique? Ian couldn't help but wonder.
"Relax," Rohr repeated, his grip still tight. "If your fingers and wrist are too tense, the sword won't stay aligned with your forearm when you thrust it out. The force won't transfer properly onto the sword. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Ian nodded, as humbly as a first-year student on his first day at school.
"Try again!" Rohr handed the sword back to Ian. "Remember, when you thrust the sword, loosen your grip slightly at the 'tiger's mouth,' and let your little finger and ring finger press the hilt to generate force."
Ian thrust the sword again. This time, the tip sank just a little deeper into the wooden stake.
"The movements are much more controlled than last time. Practice it on your own for now. You're still far from becoming a true swordsman. Don't rush it," Rohr said, taking another sip of wine.
Ian didn't reply, silently reflecting on Rohr's movements as he resumed his training.
His training continued until dusk. At that point, a messenger arrived from Sir Wilder, informing Ian that Sir Simon of Darry City had been invited to Sir Willy's castle.