"It’s the Black Knight!"

A figure was the first to leap from the back of a Griffin, landing with a crisp thud. His dark, somber Armor clashed with that of the surrounding Knights.

Yonglan Knights had no special requirements for their Armor, unlike the Imperial War Knights, who were each issued a set of Mechanical Battle Armor.

According to tradition, Knights only needed to wear Armor to show their status. Whether it was heavy or Light Armor, and what style or color it was, came down to personal preference. Even wearing a single piece of Arm Armor counted.

However, most Yonglan Knights wore Light Armor made of Secret Silver Alloy. This craft was a specialty of the Country of Yonglan and could even be considered one of its few top-tier technologies.

’If you’re going to use something, use domestic! Mechanical Battle Armor? Can’t get used to that foreign stuff!’

In such an environment, an unconventional Knight was either a fledgling newcomer or a Grand Knight who had developed their own unique style and aesthetic.

And the Lord of Yingxi Castle, Uther the Black Knight, was undoubtedly the latter.

The heavy armor, which seemed to absorb light, accentuated the man’s tall and imposing figure. Upon the armor’s almost ferocious lines, Enchantment circuits pulsed as if alive, breathing with a faint, flickering scarlet glow.

His graying temples and resolute face complemented each other perfectly, giving him an air of authority without him having to be angry.

A pair of black Dual Swords were crossed on his lower back. His cape whipped in the cold wind. Uther glanced around before striding forward.

Behind Uther, other Yonglan Knights dismounted from their Griffins in succession. They were all apprentices of the Black Knight, following their teacher with a somber, deadly air.

"Lord Uther!"

"Lord Uther..."

Although this Black Knight’s reputation in the Country of Yonglan was complex, earning him mixed reviews, he was nonetheless a multiple-time champion of the Knight tournaments and an unquestionable star.

And in the Country of Yonglan, a Grand Knight of the Legendary Tier held a position that commanded absolute respect.

"Hmph."

Uther held his head high. In response to the greetings from the Knights on either side, he gave a slight wave and a nasal grunt in reply.

Uther’s objective was clear. He headed straight for the highest point of the fortress, which stood between the mountain cliffs.

On the snow-covered highlands, nearly half of the Expeditionary Army’s Knight Lords had already arrived. Among them were several Grand Knights seated in places of honor.

When the burly Knight in black Armor approached, the crowd, deep in heated discussion, fell silent and turned to look at Uther.

"Lord Uther has arrived."

"Another Grand Knight, even?"

"We thought you wouldn’t make it. Isn’t Yingxi Castle quite far from here?"

"..."

"I came by Griffin. I only brought a group of my students and attendants."

Uther’s deep voice rang out. He waited a moment, sitting down on a newly added, large stone chair before continuing his explanation.

"As a Yonglan Knight, how could I ignore a Knightly Path expedition? I will never be absent from a single battle!"

"A new battlefield will bring a new victory!"

The sunlight shone on the Black Knight’s face, giving him the pious and resolute look of a pilgrim.

However, those present were far from moved. Instead, their expressions turned to pained awkwardness.

’Holy shit, don’t be so damn eager!’

Uther was indeed one of the most enthusiastic participants in expeditions, but the results... were far from satisfactory. This was especially true for a few small-scale expeditions where he, as the sole Grand Knight in command, knew only how to charge recklessly.

In those expeditions, the Knightly Path’s grand army suffered heavy losses, with casualties so appalling they were hard to look at.

At this point, no one had any confidence left in Uther’s command abilities. Even if his students praised their teacher to the high heavens, they would just be labeled as sycophants.

It was only out of respect for the famous Grand Knight that no one wanted to be the one to point it out.

But not everyone was worried about offending the Black Knight.

"My apologies, Lord Uther, but I’m afraid command of this Knightly Path expedition cannot be entrusted to you."

A rather young Knight sitting across from Uther spoke up, her tone unabashedly mocking.

"Given your past ’glorious achievements’ in command, I fear you’d have trouble winning everyone over. Besides, there are plenty of Grand Knights on this expedition. Each generation has its own role to play. We have to give the younger generation a chance to train and prove themselves... like me, for instance, no?"

Hearing this, Uther lowered his gaze to the female Knight with sky-blue hair. She too was seated on a stone chair, proof of her status as a Grand Knight.

Her long, well-proportioned legs, clad in white over-the-knee socks, were crossed. Her silver-gray Light Armor covered only her joints and vital points, while the exquisite, gold-trimmed inner lining clung tightly to her perfect figure.

Hmm... how to put it? As expected of an Extraordinary World, where concepts like gravity and human biology could be utterly defied. Even though she was covered in combat attire, the young Knight with sky-blue hair still displayed a series of delightful curves.

At this moment, however, the female Knight propped her cheek up with one delicate hand, a smile that could only be described as arrogant gracing her beautiful, refined face.

The sight was infuriating. The Apprentice next to Uther instantly saw red.

"You’ve gone too far!"

"How dare you slander Lord Uther so easily?!"

Instead, it was Uther who raised a hand, silencing his cursing apprentices.

"Mephit... this is your first expedition, isn’t it? It would be best for you to listen to a senior’s advice."

The Black Knight said slowly, in the tone of one who had been there before.

"Even having become a Grand Knight, you’re still a notch below your older sister. And even for the Star Lake Sword, her first expedition didn’t go smoothly."