Although emergency public relations had been done, Maria's displayed strength had already spread. So, the problem arises.
How should the aftermath of this match be handled now?
Even Noah probably hadn't expected Maria to make such rapid progress in training these past few days. Should it be said that she is indeed Margaret's sister? However, her display of strength came at a rather inopportune moment. The melee round was about to begin, and her outstanding strength, coupled with not having joined any Knight Order, made her a natural target. The so-called melee might very well turn into a 1-vs-many siege.
Of course, the best way would be for Maria to join the San Hua Knight Order, which Noah sponsored. The San Hua Knight Order is a large Knight Order with enough ability to protect Maria's safety. But as soon as she made this request, Maria immediately refused, unwilling to join the San Hua Knight Order no matter what. Although Noah didn't know what Maria was thinking, after repeatedly stating the dangers, she still decided to respect Maria's decision.
The most troublesome point was the melee. Melee, capture the flag, or control points are common rule types in real-time competitive games. As for which specific rule would be chosen, even Noah, as a spokesperson, wasn't very clear.
Of course, it wasn't all bad. The current Maria now had offensive capabilities, combined with her inherent endurance in battle, making her tactical choices more comprehensive. Opponents facing her would no longer find it so easy to target her. Overall, Maria's increase in strength itself was indeed a good thing; it would be even better if she could hide her strength a bit more.
Seeing that Maria Nearl wanted to maintain her status as an independent Knight, Noah could only think of other ways.
Compared to the troubles around her, Plastic Knight's situation was even worse. During the previous battle, Maria had indeed gained a lot of attention, but correspondingly, the reputation of the Plastic Knight she defeated became a stepping stone. Although it's not uncommon for a Knight to become a stepping stone for another Knight, as Maria's fame grew, Plastic Knight's reputation was significantly diminished. After all, he was a Plastic Knight defeated by a single sword strike, and many manufacturers announced the termination of their sponsorship to him on that very day.
In an instant, Plastic Knight went from a popular star to an object of disdain. He was mentally prepared; Knight sports was like that—your rise to fame and your downfall often happened in an instant. At least he still had his life, didn't he?
He still remembered that when he faced that sword strike, if he had tried to withstand it head-on… he would probably be half-crippled, if not dead, by now. This might be the Stone source art of the Lingguang Family.
As a loser, he should be like a rat scurrying across the street. He should find a dark corner and hide for a while, but once the craze passed, he would eventually have his day. Lately, he wasn't weak; among the competitive Knights, he was considered a leader, but Maria Nearl grew too fast. When he first watched the match, he thought she was just a girl with immature techniques. After only a few battles, the opponent had already reached a level he couldn't imagine.
Some talents are truly undeniable. Even in a limited number of matches, a genius can gain enough momentum to improve and then overcome their obstacles in one leap.
Compared to those favored by heaven, he was just making himself miserable. Recognizing his place and honing his skills was the best way to maintain his position.
But the tree desires stillness, yet the wind will not cease. When Plastic Knight Serkiyak returned to his residence, he saw a man in a suit at the door. The man greeted him warmly, shaking his hand, while simultaneously complimenting Plastic Knight and disparaging the Xia Guang Knight who had just defeated him.
"Mr. Serkiyak, no, Mr. Plastic Knight, I am your loyal fan. I've watched every one of your matches. I truly feel it's unfair that you lost to that little daughter of the Nearl Family family. Those people simply don't see your value. But, it's alright. I'm here, Mr. Plastic Knight. Compared to those sudden newcomers, I trust the veterans who have been on the battlefield for a long time. You surely don't want to see that person, utterly lacking in competitive Knight spirit, flaunting her power on the arena you've cultivated for so long, do you?"
The other party's rhetoric was too slick; people with such rhetoric are generally not trustworthy.
"It has nothing to do with me. I'm going home."
He intended to drive away this strange person. As for what deal the other party discussed with him, he didn't care. He also had no intention of targeting this so-called new Knight. After all, he was a man with a bottom line.
"Wait a moment, Mr. Serkiyak, to prove my sincerity. I've already picked up your child from school, and he's in my car right now."
Before he finished speaking, Serkiyak's dagger appeared directly at the man's neck, but the man showed no fear. On the contrary, he sneered, "Has a peaceful life made you lose your vigilance? Some deals you are not allowed to refuse."
"You beast!" Serkiyak watched as two other bald men wearing sunglasses emerged from the car behind him, and between them, they held a boy of about ten years old. He could be sure that was his son.
"You can start making your choice. Will you accept our proposal, restore your original status, and defeat that annoying Nearl who knocked you down from the clouds?" The man just smiled, "Or choose to let your family live in fear, dreading every day. To become a rat hiding in the sewers?"
"…" Serkiyak was not a despicable person, but he did have a weakness, and his family was his greatest weakness.
Probably sensing Plastic Knight's hesitation, the man gestured, and the two bald men holding Serkiyak's son seemed to use a little more force, causing the child to cry out in pain instinctively.
"I agree! I agree to everything! Let go of my son!" Serkiyak quickly raised his hands in surrender. With his son under control, he truly couldn't think of a plan that would satisfy both sides. He really couldn't understand why these people were so insistent on making him a tool to deal with Maria Nearl. He was just a defeated opponent of that new Nearl. Or perhaps, these people were starting to get scared? Were they afraid of another Nearl stepping onto the champion's stage?
…He dared not think further. Those matters at the top were not something he should be involved in.
He was just forced to become their tool… he only needed to think of it that way.
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