Chapter 169: Chapter 168: Knight Competition

No one knew when the New Year celebration customs of this world had been passed down. According to Blanche, it seemed this festival had existed since the early days of the Empire, carrying the meaning of ringing out the old and welcoming the new.

Lurans’s birthday also happened to fall on this day, so December 28th was a doubly joyous occasion for the nobles of the Wushan Territory.

At five in the afternoon, before night had fully fallen, the banquet had already begun.

Today, Lurans was dressed with rare formality. As the host, he welcomed the arriving nobles and raised his glass in celebration.

The nobles, even the ever-critical Earl Jesus, raised their glasses and offered their birthday wishes.

Ronin, dressed in formal attire, naturally wouldn’t miss this banquet.

Here, besides Lurans and Blanche, he had become the third center of attention.

“Ronin, will you be participating in the Knight competition later?”

The one speaking with Ronin was Viscount Vittorino Dennis of Sharp Horn City.

Sharp Horn City faced the Screaming Sea and was the port connecting the Wushan Territory to the Royal Capital. Traveling from Sharp Horn City to the Royal Capital was much faster than going by land.

If Blanche didn’t travel by Griffin, she would come via Sharp Horn City.

Despite Viscount Dennis’s pot-bellied appearance now, he was a Professional Knight with Silver Level strength. In his youth, he had been an expert at charging into the fray on the battlefield.

“I will, Viscount Dennis.”

Ronin clinked glasses with him and took a small sip.

“Ah, then perhaps I can congratulate you in advance!”

Viscount Dennis said with exaggeration, “Today’s champion will surely be you.”

As the two were talking, the “One-Armed Wolf,” Baron German, also walked over. “Ronin, please forgive my rudeness last time, which was caused by my injuries.”

The first time Ronin went to Mountain Forest Town, he had escorted Marina and her brother home. At that time, Baron German had claimed to be in pain from his injuries and did not receive him personally, not even offering him lunch. This was indeed a breach of etiquette.

German’s reasoning at the time had been simple: he didn’t want to appear too close to Ronin and attract trouble from the Hyde Clan.

But he never expected that five months later, Ronin would have undergone a complete transformation.

“Baron German, I’ve always remembered your gift.”

Although German hadn’t appeared personally at the time, Lady Flavia had given Ronin money, grain, horses, and other supplies, which had been a great help to him early on.

He clinked glasses with the baron. “Perhaps tonight, I can give you an unexpected gift in return, to thank you for your generosity that day.”

“Oh?”

German looked skeptical. ’A gift?’

He and Ronin had very little interaction. Lake Town and Mountain Forest Town didn’t share a border, nor did they have any business dealings. He really couldn’t imagine where this gift would come from.

“I look forward to seeing what kind of gift it will be!” German said.

Ronin’s gaze passed through the crowd and landed on Baron Reisen, who was chatting and raising his glass with other nobles, completely unaware that his good days were coming to an end.

“I’m sure it won’t disappoint you.”

Ronin wasn’t adept at attending such banquets.

Although he wasn’t idle, communicating with so many people was a mentally draining affair.

Fortunately, after the banquet’s announcer, Bretton, loudly proclaimed, “The Knight competition officially begins,” all the nobles’ attention shifted to the event.

Night had now fallen, but the plaza outside the banquet hall was as bright as day, illuminated by six Magic Crystal Lamps.

Wushan Castle might seem to be in its twilight years, but even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. These six large Magic Crystal Lamps alone were enough to make many nobles envious.

Ronin couldn’t help but look at the old, white-bearded man sitting beside Lurans.

The man was Miloslav Ture, a close friend of Lurans. He held a string of impressive titles: dean of the Wushan Extraordinary Academy, Honorary Count of the Wushan Territory, Honorary Viscount of the Oduin Kingdom, local administrator for the Silva Magic Energy Chamber of Commerce, and a Seventh-level Earth Element Great Mage.

It was said that half of these six large Magic Crystal Lamps were a birthday gift from him.

Miloslav seemed to sense Ronin’s gaze. He smiled faintly, stroked his white beard, and gave a slight nod.

Ronin felt a little awkward. ’Is a Great Mage’s Spiritual Power really this strong? He could sense even that.’

Left with no choice, he could only smile, raise his glass, and toast him from a distance.

Miloslav raised his glass, took a sip, and said to Lurans beside him, “This grandson of yours is quite remarkable. His spirit is incredibly vibrant. His future achievements will be no less than your own.”

Lurans laughed heartily and glanced down at Ronin in the crowd below.

Although his eyes showed great satisfaction, he still had to be modest. “That boy’s temperament is still lacking. If he can’t persevere, I’m afraid he’ll have trouble even reaching the Golden Level.”

As they spoke, most of the nobles had already moved to the second-floor terraces and corridors, looking down from above at the illuminated plaza.

The plaza was now surrounded by Knights from the First Knight Order, who would ensure that the aftershocks of the battles would not spread.

The Knight competition had only one requirement for its participants—no matter where you came from, as long as you were a Professional Knight under the age of thirty, you could compete.

Since Ronin was going to compete, he didn’t go up to the second floor. He walked to the entrance of the banquet hall and asked a Knight beside him, “Galier, are you participating?”

Galier was a Bronze Level Knight. If he were to compete, Ronin couldn’t be one hundred percent certain he could defeat him.

Galier gave a bow. “Lord Ronin, according to the rules, I cannot participate.”

“Why not? I seem to remember you’re thirty, aren’t you?” Ronin asked, confused.

Galier explained, “The rule for the Knight competition is under thirty years old, which doesn’t include the age of thirty.”

Ronin understood. “That’s a real shame. If you participated, perhaps you would be the champion of this competition.”

“Thank you for your acknowledgment!” Galier said gratefully.

Ronin wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but Galier’s attitude toward him today seemed even more respectful.

As they spoke, the Knight competition had begun.

The first to take the stage were two “Support Level” Basic Level Knights.

Although their strength was a bit weak, being able to compete under the gazes of so many nobles was an opportunity for these Knights.

If they performed well and earned the appreciation of a certain noble, their path in life would become much smoother.

Although there were no flashy Combat Skills, the contest of Power, Body Technique, and Swordsmanship still drew cheers from the nobles.

Especially when a victor emerged, some nobles would even take out Gold Coins and hand them to a servant as a reward for the winner.

Nobles were never stingy when it came to things that could please them.

The matches between Knights proceeded one after another. The identity of the victor in the plaza changed constantly; so far, no one had managed to win three consecutive matches.

At the same time, the strength of the competing Knights grew stronger, from Basic Level to Intermediate, and from Intermediate to Advanced Level. The spectacle of the matches also became more and more brilliant.

The light from the clashing Combat Skills was sometimes so bright it even dimmed the glow of the Magic Crystal Lamps.

The rewards from the nobles also grew larger. A victor who won a single match could earn at least several dozen Gold Coins.

“The winner, Sir Rogner Ironhoof of Pasture City!”

Bretton announced excitedly. He was very interested in such fierce battles.

If not for his role as the announcer, he would have wanted to go down and compete himself.

Of course, he was only at the “Support Level.”

On the spacious second-floor terrace, Marvin Viscount was beaming, his face flushed. The surrounding nobles were all toasting him, praising him for having such a fine son.

With just one more victory, Rogner would become the first Knight of the night to win three consecutive matches, allowing him to step down, rest, and directly participate in the final contest for the championship.

“Lord Ronin, are you not preparing to go on stage yet?” Galier asked with a smile.

Ronin shook his head. He and Rogner were on friendly terms. Rogner had expended quite a bit of energy in the last battle, so it was better to let him win his third match and get some rest.

Just then, a figure leaped down from the second floor and landed in the center of the arena.

“Jamie Monson of Black Python City has come to challenge.”

Ronin’s brow twitched. ’This is the first Professional Knight from Black Python City to take the stage.’

“They say the Knights of Black Python City are powerful. Do you know anything about this man?” Ronin asked.

Galier nodded slightly. “The Mengsong Territory is a Baron’s Domain under Haid’s County. That land was once called Needle Forest Town and belonged to the Wushan Territory.”

“However, Needle Forest Town was later occupied by the Black Gold Brotherhood. Although it was recaptured during several suppression campaigns, it was ultimately granted to the Hyde Clan due to their outstanding military achievements.”

Ronin understood.

It was very common for nobles to reward Knights who had distinguished themselves in battle with fiefs.

’The master of the Mengsong Territory must have received Ossen’s reward in this way, completing the transition from a Knight to a true noble.’

However, as far as Ronin knew, every time a campaign against the Black Gold Brotherhood was successful, a piece of the reclaimed land would be awarded to Ossen Count.

In this way, the Count had already acquired several pieces of land from the Wushan Territory.

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