Mivana’s words weren’t merely an attempt to shirk responsibility; they had already reached a consensus in their previous conversation.

Regardless of who took the throne, the position of Knight King was one they had to secure. Only then could they exert enough influence over the Country of Yonglan.

Westheid was inclined to let Mivana take the position. After all, she was a genuine Yonglan Knight—of pure and proper stock, one might say.

But under the current circumstances, the resistance Mivana would face in her ascension to the throne would likely be even greater than that for a foreigner.

A little more resistance wasn’t a problem, however. In the end, victory would be decided by strength.

"Mivana... you really are something else..."

Westheid met Mivana’s determined, beautiful golden eyes and couldn’t help but shake his head with a wry smile.

"Don’t you understand? You don’t need a qualification to become king. Power itself is the justification for rule..."

Duke Qinghui’s lecture came to an abrupt halt as a long-awaited notification popped up before his eyes.

[The web of affection you have woven has borne fruit.]

[You have shared Mivana Frostburn’s Talent: [Cursed Source Blood].]

[Cursed Source Blood]

[A conceptual authority born from the twisting union of the supreme Chaos Undivided and the essence of a Beastman. This is an unrepeatable miracle.]

[Follow the bloodline of strife, obey the instinct for blood. Slaughter and battle are the inescapable curse of all living things! For all of eternity, it shall never end!]

[All Attributes are greatly enhanced. You gain traits such as "Blood Fury," "Bloodthirst," and "Blood Frenzy." Attacks inflict unblockable bleeding, weaken enemies, heal you based on damage dealt, and grant you buffs, resistance, and super armor.]

After a moment of stunned silence, Westheid was filled with a sense of solemn awe.

’Excellent! As expected of a true Tier T0 Combat Talent. Compared to Reiya’s two developmental Tier T0 Talents, Mivana’s was born purely for battle.’

’Although the [Cursed Source Blood] Talent originated from the remnants of two Chaos Source Gods, it has undergone a special evolution. Its authority has long since surpassed their Energy Level, becoming the product of an ultimate, crucible-like evolution. Every Tier T0 Talent possesses its own unique characteristics.’

The instant [Heart and Soul’s Gift] completed the transfer, Westheid felt his own domineering ambition surge! It exploded! It went wild!

’Mmm... a power like this is enough to make a man pitch a tent.’

Meeting the wolf-eared maiden’s pleading yet resolute gaze once more, Westheid—having just gotten the [Cursed Source Blood] Talent for free—couldn’t bring himself to go against her wishes. He quickly changed his tune.

"But then again, everyone has their own talents and preferences. It’s unwise to force duties upon someone against their nature. If you truly don’t want it, then leave it to me."

Westheid placed his hands on Mivana’s shoulders and helped her to her feet.

"You don’t need to worry about all that. I’ll help you achieve your ideals."

"Yes!"

Mivana nodded emphatically in complete agreement, solemnly raising her sword.

"My sword fights for you!"

"West, I don’t mean to pour cold water on this, but don’t forget the Knightly Path Expeditionary Army."

Reiya spoke up, reminding him, "Whatever we do next, we first have to deal with the aggressive Expeditionary Army. Nearly all the Grand Knights of the Country of Yonglan will be gathered... It could get a little tricky."

The Country of Yonglan may be the smallest of the Realms of Order, but it doesn’t lack for those at the Legendary Celestial Rank. Even if the Expeditionary Army can’t rally every Grand Knight, there will still be more than a dozen Legends.

That many at the Legendary Celestial Rank—and Yonglan Knights, no less—would be enough to make an ordinary person’s blood run cold, crushing any thought of resistance.

Even the white-haired Dragon Lady, who had eyes only for Westheid and looked down on everyone else, couldn’t feel completely confident, admitting that they needed to think rationally about a counter-strategy.

"The Expeditionary Army? Grand Knights?"

Duke Qinghui, however, showed not a shred of anxiety. Instead, he just smiled faintly and said:

"A minute ago, I might have given it some thought. But now...? They’re nothing but clay chickens and pottery dogs. What is there to fear?"

"I ask the two of you to bear witness!"

...

At the Boundary River of the Dusk Lamp Territory, after Westheid had taken Mivana away, the Qinghui Guard took over defensive duties. They built fortifications alongside the Beastmen of Dusk Lamp Territory, completely blocking the border and preventing the Expeditionary Army’s vanguard from advancing a single step.

However, they were no longer in a hurry to advance. During this time, word had spread that the vanguard was blocked, and the main body of the Expeditionary Army quickened its pace. Knight Lords from all across Yonglan gathered for the grand occasion.

Batch after batch of expeditionary forces arrived, forcing the temporary encampment to expand again and again. Countless tents and simple campsites were erected across the snow-covered hills and plains. The Expeditionary Army could have easily raised a fortress out of thin air, but using such extravagant resources now would have been far too wasteful.

Fortunately, most of those participating in the expedition were Yonglan Knights and their retinues, so the army wasn’t excessively large. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to accommodate the entire force.

"SCREEE—"

A sharp griffin’s cry echoed through the clear sky. A squadron of Yonglan Knights mounted on magnificent Griffins swooped down from the clouds, decelerating abruptly over an open field and beating their wings to come to a halt.

Each of these selectively bred Griffins was the size of a two-story building, true behemoths in every sense of the word.

Merely folding their wings kicked up a gust of wind that felt like it could tear a man apart.

The surrounding soldiers of the Expeditionary Army murmured amongst themselves at the sight.

"Are those... the Griffins from Yingxi Castle?"

"Nowhere else but Yingxi Castle breeds Griffins that large."

"That means... that Grand Knight has come as well..."