The damp, salty smell of river water lingered in the reception hall long after the Fishman Priest had gone.

Raylo sat in the lord’s seat, the fading twilight outside the window reflected in his eyes.

Moonlight hopped from the table onto his lap and nuzzled its head against his hand, purring softly as if to comfort him.

The Eternal Giant Turtle’s strategy was clear and utterly ruthless.

The Black Water River was the most important water source for the Jade Swamp. If the great river were to be completely controlled and no longer feed the swamp, the wetland ecosystem that had flourished for centuries would face utter devastation.

For the Demons living there, it was akin to pulling the rug out from under them.

From the moment the Eternal Giant Turtle made its decision, war was inevitable.

As an ally, Black Stone Territory had to send troops.

This was both a promise and a perfect opportunity for Raylo to eliminate the Jade Swamp, Black Stone Territory’s greatest threat.

"Ed."

Raylo’s voice rang out in the quiet reception hall.

"My Lord."

"Send word. The Knight tournament that was postponed because of my trip to Thunder Dragon City will be held tomorrow morning in the square before the castle."

A flash of excitement appeared in Ed’s eyes. He straightened his posture, his voice resonant.

"Yes, My Lord!"

The next morning, the first rays of dawn had just washed over Black Stone Territory.

The great square before the castle was already a sea of people, the atmosphere as lively as a festival.

Aside from the essential personnel needed for city defense and patrols, almost all the Knights in the territory were gathered here.

They were clad in fine Armor, Long Swords at their hips, their eyes burning with eagerness and martial ambition.

The square’s perimeter was packed with townspeople who had come to watch, craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the territory’s Knights in all their glory.

In the center of the square, a sturdy dueling platform constructed from massive stones and hardwood stood ready.

Raylo stood on the castle terrace, with Ed and a few of his Personal Guards behind him.

Alex presided over the preliminary rounds.

He stepped forward, cleared his throat, and announced the rules of the competition in a loud voice.

Then, Raylo stepped onto the platform. The clamor in the square ceased instantly as thousands of eyes fell upon him.

"My Knights!"

Raylo said.

"You are the foundation of Black Stone Territory, the sturdy shields and sharp swords that protect this land. Your glory is the glory of Black Stone Territory."

"Today, you stand here not for me, nor for some empty title. You stand here for yourselves—for the swords in your hands, for the families and the land you are sworn to protect. I need stronger warriors. Black Stone Territory needs stronger Guardians. And that power is something you must seize for yourselves, earned through your own sweat, courage, and will."

"On this platform, there is no distinction of status or rank. The only thing that matters is your strength. Prove your worth—to me, and to everyone here!"

"Now, I declare the Great Knight Tournament has officially begun!"

There were no more lengthy speeches. Raylo’s words rang out like a war drum.

"ROAR!"

A roar like a tidal wave erupted, soaring into the sky. The Knights raised their Weapons, the frenzied wall of sound threatening to shatter the very clouds above.

To ensure every Knight who signed up could participate, Raylo had specifically split the preliminary rounds into morning and afternoon sessions. This allowed Knights with patrol duty or other morning tasks to compete without compromising the territory’s defenses.

Fierce duels erupted immediately.

A heavy Two-Handed Greatsword whistled through the air, only to be deflected by an agile Shield in a shower of brilliant sparks. A swift Thrusting Sword lunged like a striking viper, but its opponent dodged it by a hair’s breadth.

Flares of Fighting Spirit constantly collided and erupted on the platform. Each clash of Weapons drew gasps of astonishment from the crowd.

The fights were intense, but the combatants pulled their blows.

This was an internal selection, not a battle to the death. The key was to showcase one’s strength and skill.

Raylo watched from the terrace all day long.

He saw many familiar faces who had improved, and also discovered a number of promising newcomers.

Black Stone Territory’s ranks of Knights were growing in a healthy and rapid fashion.

As the last rays of the setting sun once again bathed the land, the day-long preliminary rounds finally drew to a close.

After dozens of grueling elimination matches, the eight strongest Knights emerged and advanced to the next stage.

Early the next morning, just as the sky began to lighten, the square was once again abuzz with activity.

The atmosphere for the finals was more solemn than that of the preliminaries, and the anticipation was even greater.

Every one of the eight finalists was a top-tier Great Knight.

Every match today would be a true clash of titans.

Several chairs had already been arranged on the castle terrace.

Raylo took the center seat. To his left sat his sister, Lillian, who had made a special trip from Amber Territory, along with his mother, Lady Anna, and his younger brother, Arthur.

Lady Anna was still a woman of remarkable beauty, her bearing one of noble grace.

Lillian, by contrast, was brimming with excitement. Her amber eyes shone as she periodically whispered to Raylo, analyzing the fluctuations in the Knights’ Fighting Spirit from a Caster’s perspective.

"Brother, that Knight of yours, Thor—his Fighting Spirit is as solid as a mountain. It seems he has a strong affinity for the Earth Element. If he’s able to advance to Earth Knight, I bet his power will far surpass his peers."

"I am looking forward to it as well," Raylo replied.

Meanwhile, Lillian was holding Coal Ball, whose little head darted about curiously. It was clutching a piece of Crystal Sugar Lillian had given it, munching on it with a loud CRUNCH.

This time, it was Personal Guard Captain Ed who presided over the finals.

Even his usually stern face held a trace of excitement.

"First match of the finals: Thor versus Mark!"

As Ed’s resonant voice rang out, two burly figures stepped onto the platform.

One of them was none other than Thor.

He was built like a veritable Giant Bear, and he wielded a Giant Sword to match his massive frame.

His opponent, Mark, was an experienced, veteran Great Knight, renowned for his solid sword-and-shield skills.

The moment the battle began, Thor launched a charge.

Each of his steps on the platform sent a dull THUD through the solid stone-and-wood structure.

Mark didn’t dare meet the charge head-on. He immediately raised his Shield and turned, attempting to use his agility to outmaneuver Thor.

However, Thor’s Giant Sword, though seemingly clumsy, covered a massive area with each swing. The wind pressure from its savage force was enough to make Mark’s stance unsteady.

"Hah!"

Thor let out a sharp cry. The pale yellow Fighting Spirit around him swelled dramatically as a heavy layer of Earth Element Magic Power spread from his feet to envelop his entire body.

Earth Bear Bloodline—Power of the Earth!

This was the talent he had begun to awaken after his promotion to Great Knight. As long as his feet were planted on the ground, he could draw power from the earth, endlessly replenishing his stamina and Fighting Spirit while greatly enhancing his defense.

The color drained from Mark’s face.

He felt as if he were no longer facing a man, but a moving mountain.