Chapter 102: Chapter 83: The Next to Appear

White mist billowed around the training grounds. The dense, white steam, like smoke spewing from a volcano, obscured half the sky.

A sharply dressed announcer took the stage to declare that the fifth day of the Hunting Competition was entering its final phase. He then invited the competitors from both delegations to come forward.

The first to take the stage was a member of the Amel Glorious Knight Order, the Black Iron Tier Barbarian Bear Knight, Gray.

He was built like a bull, possessing immense strength, with a bald head and bearish eyes. He wore a suit of pitch-black Armor, the chest plate engraved with the insignia of an "Iron-Eating Bear."

Although a Knight, it was said that because he had been transferred into the Glorious Knight Order midway through his career, he lacked the honorable bearing that most Knights developed through years of training.

Instead, he carried a vulgarity and arrogance rarely seen even among common folk.

Many Knights in the Glorious Knight Order disliked him. But his father was the leader of the Barbarian Bear Knight Order, and he himself was not only powerful but also adept at playing politics.

As a result, not even the devout Captain Victor could have him transferred, and was simply stuck with him.

What the Knights hadn’t expected, however, was for Gray to shine in the Hunting Competition, racking up an impressive six-victory streak without a single defeat.

Facing him was a handsome, tall Demon Hunter from the Rose Hunter Corps, which was under Viscount Yarilan’s command. He also served as the corps’ temporary deputy leader.

The perfumed, elegant ladies in the audience went wild the moment they saw the Demon Hunter. Their previously graceful composure vanished. They shook their wine glasses, splashing drinks wantonly toward the stage, just short of spreading their legs and saying, "Insert me."

In response, the Demon Hunter on stage simply gave a wicked, mysterious smile.

This gesture drove the countless noblewomen in the stands into an even greater frenzy.

If Baron were here, he would surely recognize this man as "the adaptable Andre."

Lewis chuckled. "Your subordinate is quite popular with the young ladies, Viscountess."

Viscountess Yarilan also smiled. "Most Demon Hunters are fickle. Please advise the young ladies not to get involved with them, Lord City Master."

"And what about you, Viscountess?" Ferdinand, leader of the Iron Thorn Gang, took a sip of tea from the cup a maid handed him. "I heard Chairman Liuxia once admired you, but you refused..."

"That’s ancient history. I’m sure both Chairman Liuxia and the Viscountess have long forgotten about it," Stephen said slowly.

The moment he spoke, Viscountess Yarilan, who had been about to formulate a reply, simply smiled and remained silent.

Ferdinand narrowed his eyes but found it improper to say anything more.

Lewis glanced thoughtfully at the leader of the Glorious Knight Order beside him, Captain Victor, who said with a deadpan expression:

"The leader of the Iron Thorn Gang’s words toward Viscountess Yarilan carry a hint of hatred. In my opinion, this is likely due to the death of his son, Savi, which was reported in the newspapers."

"Ferdinand, the gang leader, may be blaming Viscountess Yarilan, who issued the bounty quest, for his son Savi’s death. Therefore, to vent his anger over his loss, he intends to make the Viscountess lose face in our presence."

He spoke loudly, making no attempt to conceal his words from the others. It was the equivalent of using an ultimate ability at point-blank range.

Ferdinand’s face went white.

Stephen burst out laughing and sipped his tea.

The corner of Viscountess Yarilan’s exquisitely sculpted lips twitched, but in the end, she simply accepted the black tea from an attendant with grace and composure, took a delicate sip, and pretended she hadn’t heard a thing.

Lewis, who had only wanted to ask Victor to pass him a champagne glass from the other side, saw the situation and hurriedly tried to smooth things over:

"Faith Knights are like that. They have to abide by the Eight Knightly Virtues, so they tend to be blunt. Please, everyone, forgive him."

Stephen set down his teacup and said with a faint smile, "As far as I know, Captain Victor is currently a Bronze Tier Faith Knight, is he not?

Has he already fully embodied the Virtues of Humility, Honesty, Valor, and Mercy from the Eight Virtues?"

Unlike Contract Knights, who only need to be acknowledged by their Contractor, complete the contract, and then simply wait for an opportunity to advance in Tier.

Faith Knights have far more to consider.

This is because their power is derived entirely from and relies upon the [Knight Law], a Third Profession Law.

Therefore, to gain power, they must adhere to the spirit behind the very word [Knight] and its corresponding laws with the piety of an ancient pilgrim.

That spirit is the Eight Virtues.

The Eight Knightly Virtues, exclusive to Faith Knights, must be embodied in stages corresponding to their Tier.

Black Iron: Humility and Honesty.

Bronze: Valor and Mercy.

Silver: Sacrifice and Justice.

Gold: Spiritual Essence and Honor.

Each Virtue corresponds to one of a Faith Knight’s Authorities. Only when a Knight has fully mastered the Virtues required at each stage will the Church arrange a promotion ceremony to the next Tier.

"If I may be so bold, which deity does Sir Victor worship?"

Before Captain Victor could even answer the first question, Stephen posed another.

In addition to upholding the Eight Knightly Virtues, a Faith Knight’s journey—be it signing a contract of Law, receiving a second Secret Silver Heart through baptism, or undergoing a promotion ceremony—often requires the participation of a deity.

Thus, Faith Knights usually have their own religious faith, dedicated to a specific deity.

This is also the origin of the name for this particular branch: Faith Knight.

It is worth noting, however, that many Contract Knights also believe in deities and revere the Eight Knightly Virtues, and will occasionally call themselves Faith Knights.

To avoid confusion, Faith Knights therefore often refer to themselves as "Divine Envoy Knights."

The leader of the Glorious Knight Order pondered for a moment before answering, "Only the ordeal of ’Mercy’ remains, but I expect it will be completed soon."

"As for the deity Mr. Stephen asked about, please observe the Holy Cross Engraving I received when I advanced from Black Iron to Bronze Tier."

He removed his vambrace, revealing the bulging contours of his muscles. A cross was engraved into his skin with Gold and Red Copper, and upon this cross hung a radiant figure—the Holy One.