Lord: I can see loyalty.

The tavern's lunch was simple yet exquisite. Sir Leeson seemed to know the place well, casually ordering a few signature dishes and also asking Vance and his two companions for a glass of local fruit wine.

"I'm truly sorry about what happened just now." He raised his glass in apology. "That's just how the capital is. It looks glamorous on the surface, but there are undercurrents beneath. You'll get used to it eventually."

Vance picked up his glass, but his gaze couldn't help but drift outwards.

"Sir Leeson," he lowered his voice, "you mean the people behind them..."

Sir Leeson paused as he cut the steak on his plate.

"Ignore it." He raised his head, his clear eyes showing no fear.

"Do what you're supposed to do." Risen forked a piece of meat. "If they wanted to make a move, they would have done it already. Since they haven't, it means they won't do anything for the time being, at least not openly."

He chewed on his meat, his gaze fixed on the bustling street outside the window.

"Come on, I need to take you to meet someone. It was through him that I got you invitations to the Knights' Party."

After leaving the tavern, Lison led Vance and the other two into another alley.

This time, instead of going to those grand commercial streets, they wandered through relatively quiet neighborhoods, taking many detours. After walking for about 15 minutes, they stopped in front of a three-story mansion.

This house is not old like the Sir Leeson's, but rather a brand new royal-style house.

The walls were covered with light yellow stone slabs, the windows were large and bright, and the relief above the door was a soaring eagle with its talons clutching a gold coin.

Two elaborately decorated carriages were parked at the entrance, and the drivers were chatting idly nearby.

"Declan Hawke," Lison introduced softly, "one of the most famous wealthy merchants in the capital, dealing in minerals and weapons. I've known him for almost ten years, and I trust him."

He went up and knocked on the door.

Soon, a well-dressed servant came out to greet him. Upon seeing Sir Leeson, he immediately put on a practiced smile: "Sir Leeson! The master has been thinking of you. Please come in."

The group was led into the house. The first floor was the reception room, which was much larger than Sir John Leeson's house and more ornately decorated, with dark wainscoting, crystal chandeliers, and several landscape paintings hanging on the walls.

The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, dispelling the chill of late winter.

"Sir Leeson!"

A loud voice came from the stairs.

Vance looked up and saw a slightly overweight middle-aged man walking briskly down the stairs. He was wearing a dark purple velvet coat with a gold brooch with a ruby ​​on the collar and three or four rings on his fingers.

She was adorned with jewels and looked somewhat bulky, but the smile on her face was genuine.

"Declan, it's nice to see you again." Sir Leeson stepped forward, and the two shook hands.

The wealthy businessman Declan Hawke's gaze then shifted to Vance and his two companions, his smile unchanged: "These are the distinguished guests you mentioned?"

"This is Mr. Vance Gilbert," Lison introduced, stepping aside. "A nobleman from the southern border, he is very interested in knightly swordsmanship and wants to take advantage of the knights' evening to try his luck in the capital."

Sir Leeson did not reveal the true identities and needs of Vance and his companions, since there was no need for it. The wealthy businessman Declan was just a businessman and would not affect the target.

Vance stepped forward and performed a well-practiced aristocratic bow: "I have long admired Mr. Hawke's name. I apologize for my intrusion in visiting you today."

"Oh, don't be so polite, just call me by my name!" Declan waved his hand. "Rison's friend is my friend. Come, come, sit down, don't stand and talk."

After the group sat down, servants quickly served hot tea and snacks.

Declan first chatted with Lisson about recent events, nothing more than business matters, such as another batch of goods being seized and a debt not yet being collected. Vance and the others couldn't get a word in edgewise, but just listened quietly while looking around the reception room.

"By the way," Declan changed the subject, looking at Vance, "Mr. Vance wants knightly swordsmanship? That's not something easy to come by."

Vance nodded, his expression sincere: "I knew it wouldn't be easy, so I came to the capital to try my luck. I heard the Knights' Gathering might offer a chance..."

"A party?" Declan smiled, a hint of mystery in his smile. "The party is still a few days away, but there's an opportunity right now."

He stood up, walked to the window, and pointed outside.

Do you know what area that is?

Vance followed his finger and looked out the window. There was a wide street with respectable mansions on both sides, and occasionally a carriage could be seen passing by, with pedestrians dressed in fine clothes.

"This area is one of the three major entertainment hotspots in the capital." Declan turned around, his smile widening. "Casinos, theaters, arenas—you name it, we have it. I also have some connections here. If you're interested, feel free to come and have some fun; put it on my tab."

Sir Leeson raised an eyebrow: "Decland, you didn't bring us here just for fun, did you?"

"Of course." Declan walked back to his seat, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "I heard there's a knightly duel here recently, related to that knightly gala you've been asking about."

The three of them exchanged glances, and Lison's expression also became serious.

"What kind of showdown?"

Declan put down his teacup and leaned forward slightly. "This duel of knights is said to be organized by that mysterious host family behind the party."

"The purpose is twofold: first, to screen, and second, to attract, to select those unknown knights who are truly capable and want to exchange ideas. After all, those who are invited are mostly nobles with some connections, and it is difficult for people of ordinary status to be selected."

He looked at Vance, his gaze carrying a deeper meaning.

"Of course, Mr. Vance already has an invitation, so there's no need to compete for that spot. But it wouldn't hurt to go and see what's going on. You can get to know the style of the party, and you might even meet some other knights who are also attending. That would be even more helpful in sharing your experiences."

Leeson pondered for a moment, then nodded. "That makes sense. Where is that duel?"

"It's not far." Declan stood up. "I'm going over there to discuss some business. I can give you a ride. The carriage is right outside."

Two carriages, one for Declan and Lisson, and another for Vance, the three men, and another attendant, rumbled deeper into the city.

The scenery outside the window gradually changed.

The streets are getting wider, the buildings are getting more and more magnificent, and the pedestrians are getting more and more luxurious.

Occasionally, you could see a few knights-like figures riding by on horseback, their eyes meeting and exchanging glances.

About fifteen minutes later, the carriage stopped in front of a huge oval building.

The building was somewhat like the Colosseum at Cavill Fortress in the South, which Vance had heard about. Although smaller in scale, it was more exquisite, with light-colored marble exterior walls and arched windows and columns arranged in a staggered pattern.

People came and went at the entrance, including nobles in fine clothes, knights with swords, and waiters in uniforms.

"We've arrived." Declan jumped off the carriage and waved to Vance and the others. "The most bustling place in this area, the Emerald Arena."

Vance followed Lisson into the arena.

The interior was more spacious than he had imagined, with an oval-shaped sandy area in the center and tiered stands around it, where many people were already seated.

There were noblemen and noblewomen dressed in gorgeous clothes, knights in full armor, and some people who looked like merchants, chatting in twos and threes.

Declan pointed to a particularly beautifully decorated area in the center of the stands, "That's the VIP section, usually for large families. Our seats are here; the view is good, and they're not inconspicuous."

He led a few people through the crowd and sat down in the nearby seats. The seats were on higher ground, overlooking the entire sandy area, and were relatively isolated, making them ideal for observation.

On the sand, knights were already preparing.

There are two groups of people above, each with about five or six riders.

They rode tall warhorses, the horses were lightly armored, and the knights wore half-armor and carried long spears.

Sunlight streamed down from the open-air arena, making the armor gleam.

"The first match is a horsemanship duel," Declan explained, leaning closer. "The rules are simple—two teams charge at each other, using lances to stab the other off their horse. Whoever falls loses, and the team that's left standing wins."