Indeed, the Commercial Federation didn't want another Shining Knight to rise.
Rather, anyone in Kazimierz, in the Great Knight Territory, who still clung to the so-called Knight spirit was an eyesore. Compared to letting problematic Knights enter the main competition, the Commercial Federation was even less willing to see Maria, who was almost a replica of Margaret, make it into the main competition.
When Zofia entered the main competition, the Commercial Federation arranged the worst possible opponent for her. The Commercial Federation was doing the same now—they wanted to erase the Lingguang Family's noble status.
The animosity between capital and Knights seemed to have existed since ancient times. In the era when Knights were still lords, these merchants and Knights were already at odds. Now that Knights had fallen, and everyone with eyes knew that the Knight Association and Knight tournaments themselves had become playthings of the Commercial Federation, only the Zhengzhan Knights on the border still preserved the traditions of Knights. There were no Knights left in the Great Knight Territory.
Those who were granted the title of Knight were, at most, just a group of glamorous products of capital.
Miracles don't happen twice. Before entering the main competition, Maria Nearl must lose.
No Knight from the Nearl Family family would be allowed to win the championship again!
This was the consensus of the Commercial Federation.
Of course, probably the only one who opposed this consensus was Noah Guillerette, the spokesperson for the Commercial Federation. However, her opinion didn't really matter. After all, Kielanlet, due to its own Knight family background, was only used as a representative of a Knight family transitioning to business and pushed into the position of Commercial Federation spokesperson. What was truly needed was for this spokesperson to keep her mouth shut.
So, the Commercial Federation directly ignored Noah's protests and declared that this competition was completely fair and open, with no cheating whatsoever.
As for whether Noah believed it, that was not something the gentlemen of the Commercial Federation needed to consider.
Although Noah herself had long anticipated this, she had already focused most of her energy on strengthening and improving Maria herself. These days, she had given up most commercial activities and sent Kuro directly to Maria's side. After all, Kuro would not leave her, and for Kuro to train Maria, Noah herself also had to be present.
However, Kuro could only teach physical combat techniques. As for Stone source art, of course, Manner himself was needed.
The Nearl Family family's Stone source art was light, and light had thousands of development directions, such as Margaret's blindingly strong light that almost required sunglasses to look at, or Maria's gentle light. Light, as a Stone source art, was inherently ever-changing and truly not something that could be taught by anyone outside the Nearl Family family.
To Noah's surprise, after Maria learned that her next opponent was such a person, she showed no sign of backing down; instead, she became even more determined. According to her, if it were Sister Magarette, she would definitely choose to face it head-on.
In short, although it was a last-minute effort, on this day, Kuro and Manner completely became Maria's coaches, giving Maria a harsh lesson in Stone source art and martial arts.
After Maria was exhausted, Noah instructed Kuro to carry the already unable-to-stand Maria back to Zofia's house and toss her into the bathroom. Noah then went to Uncle Manner's side and asked with some concern, "Can Maria… handle that Rust Copper now?"
"…?" Manner was silent for a moment. "I don't know how strong the so-called Rust Copper is, but the current Maria does remind me of Margaret."
"…May I take that as a compliment?"
"…," Manner felt he must have said the wrong thing. In front of Noah, the word Margaret was a positive term. However, Manner meant that the current Maria had a similar kind of reckless courage as Margaret once did – immature, heedless, with only a surge of isolated bravery.
Margaret, relying on that reckless courage, won the championship but was then exiled. Maria now, perhaps, was following in Margaret's footsteps.
"Having courage is a good thing, but I hope she doesn't just imitate her Sister Magarette…" Manner sighed, "She is not Margaret, nor will she be. Right now, she's just a clumsy imitation."
Noah didn't quite understand Manner's words. She believed that if there were more Margarets in the world, it would be a good thing. However, she didn't refute him. She knew that Manner wasn't as indifferent as he appeared. Given Manner's qualifications, he could have easily become one of the most powerful people in this country, yet he remained here. If a free wanderer stays in one place, it means there is a treasure he must protect there.
With Margaret gone, that treasure was undoubtedly Maria.
In fact, Manner had always doted on Maria, but this doting was not obvious… it was hard to detect.
But Noah understood, because Manner had always been by Maria's side…
Although she was still very worried about the next day's match, all she could do now was trust Maria.
Trust Maria Nearl, trust in miracles, and believe that brave people will always forge their own path.
Noah gripped the back of her wheelchair tightly. Never had she so yearned to stand up, to stand before everyone, to shield others from wind and rain.
She silently left Manner's side and, accompanied by Kuro, returned to her home. By her bed, there always lay a sword—a silver-white sword with the Kielanlet family crest engraved on its hilt.
The Kielanlet family was known for its archery, but their family heirloom was a silver sword.
Only the head of Gilete could possess this sword. In other words, this sword was the symbol of Gilete. On the day her grandfather passed away, Noah gained the right to use this sword, but she had never drawn it. After all, when she received this sword, she was already blind and crippled. She could never become the Knight she had always wanted to be, nor could she ever again wield this sword, which symbolized the glory of the Kielanlet family.
Now, it was like an ornament, always placed by Noah's hand, yet never picked up.
She had long forgotten the courage and glory passed down through this sword.
But this time…
Noah fumbled, finally touching the hilt. In her memory, this sword was taller than her… but now, as she touched the scabbard, she felt as if the sword was only about as long as her arm.
She gripped the hilt with one hand and the scabbard with the other, slowly applying force.
But just like before… it didn't budge.
This sword had not acknowledged her…
Noah's hand trembled slightly, not surprised by the result.
She had tried it when she first received the sword. Her grandfather used to say that when she could draw this sword, it meant she had truly become the heir of the Kielanlet family.
Perhaps she really wasn't worthy…
She smiled and put the sword back in its place.
However, she didn't see that when she held the sword, the phantom behind her slightly opened its eyes. It gazed at the sword as if gazing at a long-lost comrade—
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