"There have already been several reports of Infected Knights being injured and forced to withdraw from the competition due to accidental brawls…" Zofia's brows furrowed as she read the news in the newspaper. She had originally planned to team up with Flame Tail Knight for the 2v2 match, but Flame Tail Knight had suddenly disappeared and had already announced her withdrawal from several matches.
Given the current situation, Noah's current condition made it impossible for her to suppress this group of hungry wolves. They were using their own methods to usurp the points of the Infected Knights, allowing the knights sponsored by their own Knight Orders to advance.
This kind of behavior was common in the past, but it only quieted down after Noah became the spokesperson. After all, previous spokespersons would at most turn a blind eye, but Noah would criticize anyone she caught as a prime example. If it were just a fine, it wouldn't mean much, but the Shieldless League generally considered the spokesperson's will, so this season's competition was surprisingly much cleaner.
And after Noah announced her recuperation, this group of people naturally couldn't sit still.
Noah listened from the side, but kept checking the folding bow in her hand, which was clearly a bit too large. This bow was also a weapon forged by Craftsman Cat Master. After trying out the charging axe, Noah still decided to go back to using her familiar bow and arrow, as she had never let go of her archery skills.
If she really had to enter the arena, it would naturally be better to use something she was familiar with. Although she was somewhat sad to hear the news, she truly couldn't intervene in these matters now, and she also had to face the opponents they had prepared for her. In a situation where she couldn't even protect herself, Noah could only offer sympathy.
"What do we do now… Flame Tail Knight is missing. How will we handle the doubles… Even Far Tooth Knight, who we planned to use as a backup, is also missing…"
"I'll go alone," Noah said. "It's the only way. That's what they want… They want me to face two opponents alone."
"That's too dangerous. This isn't a free-for-all… They won't attack each other. One versus two is completely different from one versus one. You might have to deal with a pair of knights who work together seamlessly, and they could very well injure you through legitimate means."
"…It's alright, I'll handle it." Noah didn't lift her head, just whispered, "This body isn't mine, so I naturally wouldn't do anything to harm it. If there's truly no other way… I'll forfeit."
"Then why don't you just forfeit? Maria's score should be completely sufficient, right?" Zofia asked, puzzled. "Why do they still need you to enter the arena?"
"…Indeed, considering the points, forfeiting the next few matches would be perfectly fine." Noah nodded. "But Maria wouldn't agree. She would never allow herself, bearing the name of Nearl, to bow down to those who target her. This would not tarnish her glory, but that of the Lingguang Family."
"But you're different… You are Noah, you are not Nearl." Zofia genuinely hoped Noah would refuse this fight. The opponent might very well play dirty, and she was all too familiar with their schemes.
"You have no reason to fight an unfair battle."
Noah didn't know. Indeed, according to Zofia, forfeiting was the best option, and she had actually considered whether to forfeit. But whenever she thought of the option to forfeit, she would always recall the inspection report that was used as evidence to expel Margaret. To this day, she hadn't found out why that inspection report ended up in the hands of the Commercial Federation, and with a changed name. But this inspection report led to Margaret's expulsion, and the honor of the Nearl Family was stained.
Strictly speaking, this matter had nothing to do with her; she bore no such guilt—she also didn't know that her inspection report had been used for such a thing.
But she couldn't forgive this matter… and couldn't forgive herself for being utterly powerless.
Forfeiting, of course, is easy. Forfeiting is also smart. Many competitive knights choose to forfeit…
However, neither Maria nor Noah were competitive knights. They were raised and educated by true knights. Even if the current Noah no longer qualified as a knight, when she had the chance to step onto the battlefield in the name of a knight… how could she not accept the challenge?
Whether out of stubbornness or for honor, Noah wanted to see how far she could go…
If she hadn't been Infected with Oripathy, hadn't lost her legs, and hadn't gone blind… how far could she have gone?
Noah Guillerette still yearned to be a Knight—
Yearning for the dream of a Knight that she couldn't become, yet haunted her soul.
"It's alright, Zofia." She looked up. "I'm very strong, I won't lose."
If Margaret could do it… then I…
Noah Guillerette…
Can she do it?
Perhaps only by stepping onto the same battlefield as you can I truly understand you, and truly… bid farewell to the past.
"I won't lose."
—
Margaret originally wanted to go see Noah directly, but before she set off, her attention was drawn by the holographic billboard projected onto the building.
[Maria Nearl is about to face the challenge of two knights, Withering and Decay, alone! The match will begin in ten minutes!]
She unconsciously stopped. If she continued forward, she would be able to see Noah, whom she had longed for day and night. The other party was likely still seriously ill and unable to get up, perhaps needing her companionship and protection…
But Maria, of all days… was she competing today?
And it was a one-versus-two. Was she being targeted? Or… Margaret hesitated. She still had time to rush to the arena, but…
"Margaret." At this moment, Shining patted her shoulder. "I'm a doctor. I know Miss Noah's condition better than you. Right now, you need to rush to where you should be."
"…Shining."
"Go, trust me." Shining, pulling Nightingale, said to Margaret, "When you return victorious, Miss Noah will probably be even happier."
Shining's meaning was clear: she would handle Noah. No matter the situation, Shining could indeed stabilize Noah's condition. What Margaret needed to do now was to go to the arena and stop an unequal battle.
Margaret finally nodded, turning her head to cast a deep glance in Noah's direction—then turned back without hesitation and left.
Although it was far from here to the arena—but.
Margaret stomped her foot, then transformed into a blazing streak of fire, rushing towards the arena at an incredibly high speed.
—There was no other option but to go full speed ahead.
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