Capitalism is truly corrupt, Felix thought coldly. He had always been at odds with capitalist, and naturally, he wasn’t about to fall into the alluring trap of the maid’s carefully rehearsed sweetness.

“Felix, over here!”

Muelsyse waved from the sofa, calling out with a cheerful voice. Though her clone body lacked the ability to feel physical comfort, she still leaned back lazily against a pillow, acting as if she were perfectly at ease.

Aside from the Black Knight, the other contender who had made it to the North Zone semi-finals was none other than the Green Flow Knight—who had previously appeared during last year’s Knight Tournament awards ceremony. Given her age, this was likely her final appearance in the competitive knight arena.

Felix scanned the arena and noticed something unusual.

There weren’t any drones.

Was the technology not developed yet? He recalled that in his previous life, the company that had supplied drones for the knight competitions was Allen Select Technology. But at this point in time, it seemed the invention hadn’t emerged yet.

Could this be an opportunity?

The idea of getting involved crossed his mind. Felix knew that drones, while often used for legitimate purposes like surveillance and broadcasting, also found their way into more sinister roles—tracking infected individuals or carrying makeshift bombs to attack civilians living in sewers.

He understood well: the spread of drone technology was inevitable. Kazimierz would acquire small aircraft capabilities sooner or later. The only thing selling the tech would do is accelerate that timeline.

Felix leaned back thoughtfully.

In the end, he decided not to hand over the technology to the Chamber of Commerce. He didn’t want his invention gliding through the sky during a public match in the day, then becoming a tool of violence in the shadows at night.

He didn’t want to carry that guilt. At the same time, he wasn’t a pacifist or a saint. He just didn’t want to be a warmonger. That wasn’t who he was.

Besides, he wasn’t desperate for money or experience anymore. While selling the tech would generate a quick windfall, it could severely damage his long-term reputation. And reputation mattered—especially now.

Taking a sip from his drink, Felix shifted his attention back to the match, just as the host’s booming voice filled the arena, announcing the venue for today’s battle.

As the words echoed through the coliseum, dozens of stone pillars of various heights and widths rose from the ground.

A stone forest arena.

Not exactly favorable for heavy-hitting knights who fought with bold, direct strikes—attacks here could easily be deflected or absorbed by the thick pillars. On the other hand, agile fighters—like the Light Knight or Green Flow Knight—would thrive in this setting.

Felix couldn’t help but wonder if the venue selection had been tampered with.

Then he chuckled to himself. Of course it was. The entire knight tournament was under the thumb of the Commercial Federation. There was no way they hadn’t had a hand in this.

Their goal now was obvious: have the Green Flow Knight defeat the Black Knight right here, right now.

If the rebellious Black Knight were to win a third consecutive championship, it would mean all the investments the Federation had poured into the Light Knight and the Green Flow Knight would go to waste. Worse, it would elevate the Black Knight’s fame to unprecedented heights.

And that was something the Federation couldn’t afford.

If only the Black Knight had been more cooperative. But the past three tournaments had worn away the Federation’s patience. They were done waiting.

While Felix was lost in thought, the knights from both sides had already taken the stage, and the surrounding audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

The Black Knight was clad in her signature fitted black light armor. In some places, she wasn’t even wearing protective gear. A longsword rested in her hand, and strapped across her back was a weapon case—two cold weapon handles protruding from it.

Felix recognized them immediately.

Her real weapons—a pair of maces.

“Even though there’s no Originium fluctuation from her body, the Black Knight’s physical precision is incredibly refined… She reminds me of Saria,” Muelsyse said after observing her quietly for a moment.

Felix nodded. “I wonder what it would look like if the Black Knight ever faced off against Saria.”

Muelsyse playfully poked his cheek. “Why do you think of such dangerous things? The Black Knight’s doing just fine in Kazimierz—why would she go to Columbia?”

“Fair point.”

Felix didn’t continue. Just then, the host announced the start of the match, and the Black Knight and the Green Flow Knight surged forward simultaneously, rushing toward the center of the arena.

In terms of raw physical strength, the Green flow Knight was no match for the Black Knight. However, the Green flow Knight was highly skilled in Originium Arts. The sword in her hand doubled as a staff, and as a cold blue light burst forth from her side of the field, waves of green energy rippled outward.

“Ohhh! That’s the Green flow Knight’s signature Originium technique! With such a massive wave, there’s no way the Black Knight can avoid being swept away—wait, what?!”

The Black Knight had leapt atop one of the towering stone pillars and was still advancing—still fighting.

This was pure, unrelenting physical prowess. Felix watched, astonished, as she used the protrusions on two adjacent stone pillars for leverage, springing between them like Mario in a video game. With precise movements, she climbed to the top without even breaking a sweat.

Up there, as the summer wind swept across the battlefield, the Black Knight stood tall—her golden hair fluttering in the breeze, a subtle smile curving the corners of her mouth. She fought against the wind, fierce and radiant.

“So cool…”

Muelsyse couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

Felix nodded. Muelsyse had said exactly what he was thinking. The Black Knight was, without a doubt, dazzlingly cool. Even the spectators who had originally cheered for the Green flow Knight found themselves captivated by the Black Knight’s fearless elegance. The cheers around the arena grew louder and more fervent.

“Her title is natural-born warrior,” Felix said with a smile. “And I think it suits her perfectly.”

“Saria may surpass her in raw strength,” Muelsyse replied thoughtfully, “but when it comes to combat technique, the Black Knight clearly has far more experience.”

After hearing that, Muelsyse paused to think, then nodded in agreement.

On the battlefield, the Black Knight appeared to say something to the Green flow Knight. Then, in the blink of an eye, their bodies clashed—movement blurred, weapons collided, and a dazzling flash of light exploded from their clash, forcing some spectators to squint against the brilliance.

As the blinding light faded, the Black Knight stood tall atop the stone pillar, her expression calm and composed. Below, the Green flow Knight had dropped to one knee. The water from her Originium Arts was already being drained away by the arena’s built-in system, leaving the battlefield looking as if it had just been thoroughly washed.

The Green Knight seemed unwilling to admit defeat. She struggled to her feet, but before she could regain her stance, the Black Knight came crashing down from above. With a swift strike of her sword, she sent the Green Knight flying—her body flung from the arena like a sack of grain.

“…Oh! And with that, the Black Knight claims victory over the Green Knight of the North Zone! She will represent the Northern and Southern Light Knights in the final round of the 21st Arena Knight Competition!”

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause. Along the outer edge of the venue, the sound of gamblers howling and groaning filled the air—it was obvious that wagers had been riding heavily on this match.

“Let’s go get the Black Knight’s autograph,” Felix suggested.

“Eh? Is that okay?” Muelsyse’s eyes sparkled with interest. Though she hadn’t immediately taken a liking to the Black Knight, she couldn’t deny her strength—and now, she felt a growing admiration.

Felix nodded. “Guests with VIP tickets are allowed to meet the victorious knights after the match. Getting an autograph won’t be a problem.”

This particular fan meeting wasn’t one of the many activities mandated by the Commercial Federation. After all, meeting a few admirers didn’t count as a business obligation.

Felix had originally come today with the intent of meeting the Black Knight himself. He hadn’t expected Muelsyse to join him—when he was preparing to leave that morning, she suddenly said she wanted to watch the knight competition, too. There were no scheduled updates at the Botanical Garden, no meetings either, so she decided to take half the day off and tag along.

Naturally, Felix had no objection.

When the two arrived at the VIP lounge, several wealthy businessmen were just stepping out. Their expressions were sour, faces stiff with unspoken frustration. It was clear they had tried negotiating with the Black Knight—and failed.

At some point, what was originally meant to be a casual fan meet-and-greet had quietly morphed into a series of profit-driven discussions with business representatives.

Pushing open the door, Felix saw the Black Knight seated inside, now dressed in a sleek black outfit. Though she was no longer on the battlefield, the aura of strength and determination around her remained just as sharp.

Another reason for the Black Knight’s soaring popularity was simple—many men harbored a desire to conquer. A strong, beautiful woman like her stirred that instinct. Why? Those who understand… understand.

“Ms. Black Knight, we meet again.”

Felix greeted her with a pleasant smile.

She looked up, her tone calm as ever. “So, it’s you…”

“Ms. Black Knight, I’m a big fan! Could I have your autograph?”

Before she could respond, Muelsyse stepped up beside Felix, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled sweetly.

The look was so charming, even the Black Knight found herself unable to utter a single sarcastic remark.

The Black Knight looked slightly surprised but still picked up the pen, signed her name neatly on the paper, and handed it to Muelsyse.

“Thank you, Miss Black Knight. I really enjoyed your fight. Good luck in the finals.”

“…Thanks.”

The Black Knight gave a polite nod. She could sense genuine kindness from Muelsyse, and as a fellow woman, her attitude naturally softened in response.

Muelsyse smiled again and sat politely to the side.

Felix took a seat on the sofa opposite the Black Knight. “The Business Federation is starting to get impatient, aren’t they?”

“Snort.”

At the mention of the Federation, the Black Knight let out a cold snort of disdain.

“The Light Knight’s last two matches were clearly rigged. He still won, of course. Now he’s plastered all over the daily ads—endorsements, appearances, the works. Looks like the Business Federation is certain he’ll win the championship. He’s been packaged too perfectly.”

“Do you think the Chamber of Commerce will try to stop you from appearing in the finals?” Felix asked calmly, his tone devoid of emotion. “Because you’re the Black Knight—a natural-born warrior.”

The way he said it didn’t annoy the Black Knight at all.

“I’m not interested in the Federation.”

She answered coolly, “I’ll win the championship and prove it with strength. I don’t need their schemes.”

“I believe in you, Black Knight. I’m one of your fans.”

Felix smiled, a gentle smile that gave people a sense of warmth, like a breeze in spring. “I’ll be there to watch the final.”

“…Thank you for your support,” the Black Knight murmured, her eyes glancing across Felix’s face, her voice softer than before.

Afterward, the two of them left the VIP lounge. Muelsyse let out a quiet sigh.

Felix glanced at her. “Worried about the Black Knight’s future?”

Muelsyse nodded slightly. “I think she understands the situation, but she just doesn’t care.”

“In theory, the problem could be solved if she bowed her head to the Federation,” Felix said mildly, “but then… she wouldn’t be the Black Knight anymore.”

He didn’t offer more commentary.

“The Black Knight knows perfectly well what she’s facing,” he continued. “But sometimes people only react after they’ve hit a wall.”

Maybe it was stubbornness. Maybe it was her refusal to kneel to capital. Whatever it was, it was part of what made her the Black Knight.

“Come on. Let’s go get something to eat.”

“But I can’t eat,” Muelsyse pouted. “I can only watch you eat.”

“Fine, fine… Next time we run into Trimount, I’ll treat you to dinner.”

[You have triggered the B-rank quest: [Rainy Night Knight]]

[Quest Details: In three days, the Black Knight will face the Light Knight in the championship match. You know she has the strength to win, but you also know—the moment she does, the Business Federation will make their move.]

[Quest Requirement: Ensure the Black Knight survives.]

[Reward: 80,000 EXP]

[Special Reward: Unknown]

Felix’s mood took a sharp turn for the worse. Originally, he had planned to work silently behind the scenes and only step forward to claim the results when the time was right. He hadn’t expected this mission to completely disrupt his original plans.

To protect the Black Knight’s safety? No—did the Black Knight even need his protection?

Or had the Business Federation deployed some kind of weapon or killer move that even she couldn’t resist?

Besides the Armorless Union, there didn’t seem to be any other serious threats.

But just the thought of going up against the Armorless Union made Felix uncomfortable. At his current strength, he stood no chance against their assassins. He was just a support—so what real power did he have?

Maybe… maybe the plan he had in mind before could still work. The only question was: would the Chamber of Commerce be willing to give him that much face?

After returning home and parting ways with Muelsyse, Felix began preparing his equipment for what lay ahead.

Starting with raw materials, he worked to create a combat-ready coat. The synthetic fibers were designed to cover the thigh area, and the chest portion was reinforced with mechanical armor plating.

He raised his crossbow and fired a bolt at the armor, then inspected the result.

“Two points of durability lost… The fiber absorbed most of the impact force. Should be enough to withstand bullets.”

On the battlefields of Kazdel, there were still mercenaries wielding firearms—most of them modified air rifles or heavy-duty crossbows. They could be just as lethal.

If possible, Felix didn’t want to burn bridges with the Chamber of Commerce. After all, he planned to settle in Kazimierz permanently, and he’d still need to source materials from them.

He checked his current status with the Business Federation: Friendly.

“I wonder if that’ll earn me some leeway when I act in the next few days…”

—

“The long-awaited finals are finally here! Welcome to the 21st Knight Competition!”

“I’m your host and commentator tonight, Rag! Now, let’s welcome the undefeated champion of the South District—the Light Knight! He’s never lost a match since his debut and has earned the title of the Ever-Victorious Knight! His fans are the most loyal of any, and they’re here in full force to cheer him on! Look at them—young, beautiful girls everywhere!”

“And on the other side, we have the winner of the North District, the natural warrior herself—the Black Knight! Wait, what? The Black Knight might be running a little late! But everyone, please don’t go anywhere—it’s time for our commercial break!”

—

A gentle drizzle fell over the Grand Knights’ territory of Kawalerielki. Felix looked out toward the bustling arena in the distance. He was seated on the edge of a rooftop, a pair of thermal imaging binoculars in hand, rainwater dripping steadily from the tips of his shoes.

Tonight… the air was thick with murderous intent.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep