Maria was still training. The injuries she sustained from the previous free-for-all were actually quite significant, but after a night's sleep, her back no longer ached, her legs no longer hurt, and all her wounds had healed.
She never used to have such a rapid recovery ability for wounds, but after yesterday's free-for-all, she truly felt a sense of rebirth.
While she couldn't say she had fallen in love with fighting because of it, she at least no longer resisted it.
Perhaps it's truly only by participating that one can understand why Sister is so powerful. Sister challenged the entire Knight competition by herself, although she also said she regretted not challenging Black Knight…
However, Maria was very happy, especially during her battle with Sona. She rarely experienced the feeling of communicating with others through combat. The words seemed not to need to be spoken by mouth; they were understood when weapons clashed.
It was a pity that although Sona stayed with her until the end, she didn't leave any contact information. It was rare to meet a Knight worth befriending, but she didn't seize the opportunity. This was probably the only thing that annoyed her.
But as long as she kept moving forward, nothing bad would happen later!
As long as she entered the main competition, the Nearl Family's noble status could be preserved. Sister Noah would definitely be very happy, after all, she had always supported her.
If it weren't for Sister Noah's support, even if she secretly participated, she would never have received Manner's guidance, nor would she have been able to keep winning until now. Thinking of Sister Noah, a warm smile appeared on her face again. When Sister Margaret wasn't around, she could also protect Sister Noah well. Maybe Sister Noah would even ask her to be a bodyguard in the future, and then she and Sister Noah could always go out and play together.
Being by Sister Noah's side, it felt like a dream…
Maria imagined herself pushing Noah's wheelchair, going out to see flowers together, eating together, chatting about other things. Sister Margaret would definitely be very, very busy in the future, so at that time, it would probably only be her accompanying Sister Noah! Maria thought her reasoning was sound. When Sister Margaret was busy with official duties, she could always stay by Sister Noah's side and help her with all sorts of things.
For example—for example… bathing together?
Maria's face flushed, and the sword in her hand went off track. She put down her shield, touching her burning cheeks, "No… it can't be, Sister Noah can't bathe alone, right… Maybe she'll really need my help someday."
She seemed to have completely forgotten that Kuro was also with Noah…
Maria, lost in her thoughts, didn't notice an extra person in the training ground. Under Noah's arrangement, Kuro did not enter the training ground. Noah wanted to talk to Maria alone. She pushed her wheelchair, slowly making her way along a small path to Maria's side. She didn't go forward immediately but stopped her wheelchair where she was. This was Zofia's garden, and also Maria's training ground. Because it hadn't been tended for a long time, weeds grew everywhere. If Kuro hadn't cleared a path the last time he visited, Noah wouldn't even have been able to enter alone.
At this moment, Maria seemed to have just finished her training, as the sound of the training sword being swung was no longer heard.
Noah pondered how to begin. What she was about to say would surely be a blow to Maria. Although she would certainly compensate Maria, first… she needed Maria to agree to her proposal.
Noah, who was adept at business negotiations, found herself at a loss for words at this moment. After all, she wasn't facing a business rival, but Maria, whom she had always doted on like a younger sister. Her words would undoubtedly strike a blow to the other party, and to put it more seriously, her words might even make Maria feel betrayed.
After all, she was the one who initially supported Maria's participation, and now she was the one asking Maria to withdraw…
Perhaps Maria would see her as fickle?
Thinking that Maria might ignore her in the future, her heart felt tightly squeezed. Her weakness was the people around her. Attacks and conspiracies against her, she could laugh off, even repaying evil with good. But once it involved the people around her, she couldn't deal with it with a normal mindset.
This was her biggest weakness…
But this was also for Maria's safety. By giving up the competition and staying by her side, she could protect her better.
Protecting Maria, just as she protected Margaret in the past… Noah finally raised her head and pushed her wheelchair forward.
"Maria."
Hearing Noah's voice, Maria first stiffened. Remembering what she had just said, her face suddenly turned crimson.
"No… Sister Noah, when did you arrive?"
"Probably when you were resting," Noah replied, "I have something to tell you."
"...!!" Could it be that Sister Noah heard what I just said? Ah?!
At this moment, Maria was completely flustered. She had only imagined a scenario where she might need to help Sister Noah bathe when they lived together in the future. She absolutely had no ill intentions! But to Sister Noah, it probably sounded like she had some improper thoughts.
Heaven knows, I am a die-hard fan of Sister Margaret and Sister Noah's CP! How could I possibly have any improper thoughts about Sister Noah?!
Although Noah, preoccupied with her thoughts, hadn't heard Maria's soliloquy earlier, both of them were now in a state of deep thought. The more flustered one gets, the more prone to mistakes. Maria and Noah were clearly in such a situation.
"Maria, what I'm about to say might disappoint you... but I feel I must make it clear to you. After all, I've always treated you like a younger sister."
"...!"
Sister Noah usually doesn't speak in such a roundabout way. She must have heard everything just now! She must be considering my feelings, which is why she's so hesitant.
"Don't say it! Sister Noah! I understand everything you're saying!"
"...? You know?"
"I know!"
"...Oh, then... what are your thoughts?" Noah was a little flustered. Had Maria seen through her thoughts all along? She had always thought that Maria wasn't very good at guessing others' thoughts, but it seemed she might have been prejudiced. Perhaps Maria was a very sensitive person... which meant she might have known that there were people against her in that competition?
If that's the case, then I don't need to waste so much breath. It's a simple matter: it's dangerous for you to continue competing now. As your sister, I can't let you continue to take risks!
"Although Sister Noah, you treat me like a younger sister, and I'm very happy about that... but, I want to achieve my dream (to be your bodyguard and stay by your side) even more. Even if Sister Noah and Sister Margaret both object, I will never give up!"
"...?" Noah tilted her head. Margaret objects? But I haven't even had a chance to tell Margaret the details yet? However, it's true that if Margaret knew about this, she would probably be like me and tell Maria to give up competing. After all, it's too dangerous. But it turns out Maria's dream is to get a title in the Knight Championship? No... she's not that kind of person. So her dream...
Perhaps it's like her sister's, to protect the Lingguang Family all by herself?
...This child is too sensible. It's not yet time for her to work so hard...
Noah was deeply moved. Facing such a child, she could no longer view her with the eyes of a younger sister.
For a Knight who insists on protecting her family, she must show respect.
So her expression became serious, "If Maria, you insist on this... it will be very hard in the future, and there will be dangers. Are you really sure?"
"No problem!"
"If that's truly the case... alright, I agree."
"Eh!?"
"I agree with your idea. Your idea has been conveyed to me. Although I initially wanted to persuade you... but, you've already made up your mind. I cannot stop a mature Knight."
"...Um... eh?"
Maria was bewildered. Agree? Agree to what? Agree to let herself stay by her side?
But... I'm not yet capable of standing on my own.
So what did Sister Noah agree to?
"...Alright, originally I wanted you all to stay at my place, but staying there would only affect your training. Since you want to continue, then face the next competition with all your heart and soul. I will always support you." Noah smiled, showing a relieved expression as she gained a new understanding of Maria. "Unconsciously, Maria... you've really grown up."
"...Uh, oh." Maria didn't quite understand what had happened... but Sister Noah praised her.
In any case... it should be a good thing, right?
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