"Hm?"

Westheid looked at Mivana. This was unexpected. But the Beast-eared Maiden came to his side and lifted her beautiful, sharp face, her golden eyes firm and focused.

"Teacher West, this duel was my responsibility to begin with. I can’t let you keep standing in front of me to protect me. What I want to become... is your sword."

’She might not be able to intervene in a battle of Legends for now, but she could still fight anyone below that Tier. She couldn’t really let Westheid handle the entire fight, could she?’

’Cowardice will not be tolerated!’

"Ah, I don’t doubt that for a second. You will become my sharpest blade."

Now that Mivana had said as much, how could he possibly stop her? Westheid had been able to thrash the Grand Knights of Yonglan, and the Cursed Source Blood Talent was simply too crucial. Any Legendary Powerhouse who obtained it would experience an immediate Ascension in power.

Besides, every stacked buff caused a qualitative change. Mivana’s stats... Beastman + Yonglan Knight + Cursed Source Blood... the numbers were already through the roof. After the Wolf-eared Maiden achieved the rank of Legend, her power wouldn’t be much different from the original Heaven-Devouring Wave.

So, Westheid turned his head and said to the Knights with a smile:

"The contest between those above the rank of Legend is over. Now, let’s hand the duel over to the true parties involved."

"Using a trial by combat to find a Deputy was already abstract to begin with. Now, we’re just casting aside external influences for a proper, straightforward duel."

"Gentlemen, what do you think?"

As Duke Qinghui spoke, his gaze drifted subtly toward the Black Knight, who naturally noticed it.

’Do I have to repay the favor this quickly?’

Uther understood the unspoken message and immediately said to Lionette in a righteous tone:

"What Duke Qinghui said is not without reason. You heard him. The battle between Legends is over. Dusk Lamp Territory has already proven they have the strength to refuse. What result you achieve next is entirely up to Jinquan Territory."

"That’s right. To put it bluntly, this has always been a conflict between two Knight Territories. The Grand Knight has no obligation to help you."

"Old Hero Lionette is a respected figure. You should be more dignified. Don’t bring shame to your past achievements."

"..."

The Black Knight’s words immediately put public pressure on Lionette. The majority of the Yonglan Knights present were his Apprentices.

With their agreement and encouragement, the Lord of Jinquan Territory no longer had a choice.

"Your Grace, I understand."

Lionette said, bracing himself:

"If no Grand Knights are participating, then this old man has no fear of Beastman filth!"

"Allow this old man to summon the men of Jinquan Territory!"

The Knights of Jinquan Territory were already near the fortress, so they assembled swiftly. A moment later, the Official Knights of Jinquan Territory had gathered in the open space before the fortress.

Mivana took Westheid’s place, standing beside the chasm he had created. Her Knight’s Silver Sword was plunged straight into the ground, and she rested both hands on its hilt, closing her eyes to focus her mind.

Her posture was upright and perfect. Despite her conspicuous beast ears and wolf tail, she exuded a sharp and awe-inspiring aura that no one could find fault with. This was a Yonglan Knight in the most orthodox sense.

Lionette looked at the Wolf-eared Maiden dressed in a black coat and white shirt and sneered:

"Where are the Knights of Dusk Lamp Territory? Heh. Don’t tell me Dusk Lamp Territory has no other Yonglan Knights?"

Mivana opened her eyes and nodded calmly.

"That’s right. There is no one else. So it will be just me, against all of you."

Lionette flew into a rage. "Insolent! You think you’ve already won?"

Mivana gave a noncommittal response. She simply turned slightly to the side, raised her Knight’s Silver Sword horizontally, and said slowly:

"Before we officially begin, I have a question for you."

"Hm?"

Lionette frowned and looked up, only to hear Mivana demand:

"It’s commonplace for a Knight Lord to exploit their territory; I can even understand that. But what goes through the mind of someone like you, who deliberately abuses their serfs?"

"You could have taken all the wealth the serfs of Jinquan Territory created. But why wouldn’t you leave them even a mouthful of rations? How much could those rations possibly be worth? All they ask for is a bite to eat to survive... Why would you take away even that humble wish?"

"Hmph. You don’t even understand that? A Beastman is a Beastman, after all. You lack the considerations of a Knight Lord."

Hearing this, Lionette immediately sneered:

"The art of ruling the common folk is all about lowering the cost of governance and efficiently screening for those with the potential to be Knights."

"If the serfs are well-fed, they’ll get restless and have wild thoughts. But if they are constantly starving, they won’t have the energy to think about anything else. Only the subjects screened out from such an environment could possibly possess the Soul of Steel Will required to walk the Knight Path!"

Lionette looked utterly nonchalant, as if he were stating a matter of fact.

Mivana found it utterly absurd. Rage filled her to the point that a low growl escaped her throat.

"...For that reason? You can just openly starve tens of thousands of people to death?!"

Lionette said flatly, "Death by starvation, death by illness... it’s all just a way to weed out the weak. A necessary sacrifice, a winding path of exploration. What is there to say? The Country of Yonglan is not like that endlessly expanding, insatiably greedy Imperial. We don’t pride ourselves on population or territory. All that matters is having enough brave warriors."

"Back then, wasn’t it through such trials that our Divine Ancestor grew strong? What we are doing is merely emulating the experience of the Divine Ancestor. This is this old man’s Knightly Path!"

"I see..."

Mivana suddenly smiled, a smile of release. She tilted her head back to look at the sky, and after a long moment, she lowered her gaze to look at the people of Jinquan Territory, her eyes utterly cold.