People in Terra, governing a bizarre little country

"I wonder if any of you would be interested in representing me in this competition?"

Fiona blinked excitedly, about to speak, when Rita spoke first:

"I'm sorry, Your Grace, our mission is limited to protecting you. The rest of the mission is not within the scope of our Storm Commando's duties."

"Don't be so rigid, Rita. Participating in this competition won't do you any harm."

The Duke of Cactus seemed to offer a few words of genuine advice, which was a rare occurrence for him.

"The Kazimierz Knights Tournament is neither knightly, nor competitive, nor a contest. It's nothing more than a bunch of fancy-dressed rabble putting on a farcical show on the ring. In my opinion, their strength is not even as good as my Grey Hats. If you go, the championship will be yours for the taking."

"At that time, I must say that although the overall strength of the knight competition is not very good, the prizes are indeed generous. You can take the prize money and the knight title granted by Kazimierz and return home in glory. In a way, you can be considered a knightly noble."

The Duke of Caesar was not joking.

She could guarantee that if Rita or Fiona really went to participate in the competition, even if they didn't get first place, as long as they made it into the top four and could obtain a "single-word title," she would dare to negotiate with the Grand Knight Commander to turn that meaningless "single-word title" into a real knightly noble title.

This was a small reward for her supporting the Grand Knight Commander, and also a small way to win over the Storm Assault Team.

The knighthood of Kazimierz, though largely useless, was at least a title. It might hold little appeal for the White Wolf's daughter, but what about Fiona, a country bumpkin?

“You’re saying this isn’t within the Storm Commando’s mission scope, Rita? You’re wrong.”

The Duke of Caesar smiled.

"This is not a responsibility I impose on you, but an opportunity I give you."

Rita hesitated, instinctively wanting to refuse again. However, just as Duke Caesar had predicted, Fiona, standing to the side, finally couldn't help but speak up with a puzzled expression:

"Captain, why can't we go?"

The girl with long, bright orange hair blinked her innocent eyes, seemingly not understanding why her captain had such strong resistance.

"That's the Knights' Tournament! I love watching that. I followed the last tournament from morning till night. When the Radiant Knights swept everything to win the championship, wow, I still remember that scene clearly!"

Fiona drew her siege spear from behind her back, mimicking the Radiant Knight's sword and spear with a couple of swings, striking a standard pose from that era—raising the spear with one hand, pointing it straight to the sky, placing the other fist in front of her chest, legs spread wide, and shouting in a rather childish manner:

Our family motto is: "Do not fear hardship and darkness!"

The sound echoed in the room, lingering there for a long time.

Duke Caesar and Rita fell silent for a moment, while Fiona gaped and grinned foolishly.

"Hehe, how was your imitation? I think it's super cool!"

As she spoke, she sounded somewhat deflated:

"It's a pity that the Radiant Knight was disqualified for concealing her infected identity. We haven't heard from her since. But really, what does it matter? Isn't it amazing that an infected person can be so powerful?"

"Oops, I've gone off-topic!"

Fiona suddenly snapped out of her reverie and nodded apologetically to her captain and Duke Castle.

"Sorry, sorry. So, Captain, why can't I go?"

"because........"

Rita couldn't quite put her finger on it either.

Her intuition told her that this World Games was not so simple. But Fiona was also right; the opportunity and qualification to participate in such an event were rare, and even if the Duke of Caesar was powerful, it seemed impossible for him to tamper with the most important event in Casimir.

Well then, since Fiona is so interested, let's take her to see it.

Rita sighed softly and looked at Duke Kast:

"Then thank you for the opportunity, Your Excellency the Duke."

The Duke of Caesar smiled with satisfaction.

This is right.

She was going to send someone anyway, and since the Storm Commando team wasn't willing to go, she figured she could only send someone in a grey top hat to participate.

As everyone knows, the Grey Hat is an intelligence operative and not very skilled in combat. It might be fine if she participated in other events, but if she were to step onto the arena for a knightly competition and get utterly defeated, wouldn't the Duke of Castells have any dignity left?

The Storm Assault Team is different. Although their members are young, each one is exceptionally talented and possesses unique skills. Let's not even mention Rita's White Wolf bloodline, which can even single-handedly kill the Blood Demon Prince when she's in a frenzy; even this seemingly... silly and somewhat immature Vyvan girl, just the fact that she can lift a military-grade siege spear with one hand while shouting slogans is enough to demonstrate her innate superhuman strength.

But her abilities go far beyond that. With her inexhaustible energy, exceptional physical endurance, and unwavering will, Fiona is, in the realm of mortals, a pure numerical monster.

She may not have fully developed yet and may not be as tall as Saria, but where would such a pinnacle of mortals come from in a mere knightly competition at the World Games?

Even if there are, how many? How could Fiona possibly make it to the semifinals?

What? You're saying someone might surpass mortals? Hahaha, how could that be possible?

When this was told to the grey-hatted dukes of Caesar, they didn't believe it.

How many people who are beyond ordinary mortals would even look at such a small competition? Do you think you're some big shot with so much free time that you're either wearing a sturdy shirt and practicing Tai Chi or wielding a sword to chop seafood every day?

You're overthinking it.

The Duke of Caesar patted Fiona on the shoulder with satisfaction:

"Keep it up and try to get a good ranking. I'll reward you with something else."

“That won’t be necessary,” Rita quickly replied. “The Storm Assault Team is only under the command of the Council of Londinium. It is our duty to receive orders and protect His Highness the Duke’s safety. As for rewards, there’s no need for them.”

Duke Caesar glanced at Rita and asked in return:

"You have brought glory to the country, why shouldn't I reward you?"

Rita, neither humble nor arrogant, calmly retorted:

"Leaving aside whether Fiona can win a place, it's too early to draw conclusions now. Even if she can represent Victoria and win a prize, bringing glory to the country, then the country should naturally be the one to reward her."

“Inflexible,” Duke Caster scoffed, saying nothing more.

She was just doing it casually as usual, and it didn't matter if her intentions were discovered.

The Stormtroopers, and those who still claim to be loyal to "Victoria," won't be able to keep up their act for much longer.

In the end, that position will only belong to her anyway.

However, she was a little curious about who Duke Windermere would send.

"She can't possibly do it herself, can she?"

...........

"I would like to do it myself, but Ernst won't allow it."

Duke Windermere shrugged and looked at Daphne.

"Don't look at me like that, he won't let you go on top of him either."

She curled her lip, looking disdainful.

"Hmph, saying that the arena is dangerous and bloody, and that it would be bad if we got hurt. Really, what kind of arena is this? Is it more dangerous than the battlefields I've been on?"

She was, after all, a legitimate Grand Duke of the Frontier, a true military noble. While her status might not be as prestigious as Wellington's, known as the "Death Knell of the Empire," she was still one of the "Twin Blades of the Empire," her combat prowess far exceeding that of ordinary people. What was there to worry about?

If it weren't for giving Ernst face and also for having some fun, she wouldn't normally bother watching these kinds of entertainment competitions. After all, how could she not see through the shady dealings?

A competition? I feel it's less prestigious than the wargames I played with the staff headquarters and the staff group. Anyway, in the end, the winner is predetermined.

Defiance could somewhat understand Ernst's predicament. After all, her mother was a duke; if she were really sent into battle, what would the opposing team think?

If you win, it's a diplomatic incident; if you lose, it's a matter of interpersonal relationships; if you get injured, it's a personal injury incident.

just forget it.

As for herself, she is the heir. The effect is about the same.

"Mom, you should just send a sword guard, that should be enough."

Defiance sighed softly and offered her suggestion.

The swordsmen of Windermere are all exceptionally skilled. While their full strength is unleashed within a sword formation, they are not incapable of fighting alone.

Theoretically speaking, this should be enough for playing low-level matches.

Isn't the Knights Arena just a low-level game? It's a noob game, okay? I feel like if the Sword Guard goes down there, they can easily stomp on low-level players.

Duke Windermere thought about it and agreed.

"Then let's send a sword guard."

Simply fry some fish.

Chapter 362 Lich: Off to the sports meet, don't mention it.

Leitania, Trillintelme.

The land of music, the land of art, the land of Originium Arts.

Letania has many names, each one resounding throughout the land. But in Terra's modern history, its most famous title is undoubtedly that of the Witch-King.

Otto Dietmar Gustav von Utica, also known as Herhunzoren, was the previous ruler of Letania and possibly the most powerful ruler in the entire history of Letania. He was known as the man who had grasped the essence of magic.

Whose Originium Arts reign supreme? All pale in comparison to the Witch King. A towering pylon rises upon the land, unleashing calamities that vanquish the vanguard.

This is the evaluation made by the historian of Yan Kingdom regarding his amazing performance in the Battle of the Four Emperors.

There is no exaggeration, only the facts. That's precisely why it's so amazing.

Unfortunately, for people living in modern times, the Witch King is a thing of the past. Under the rule of the Twin Queens, the shadow of the Witch King that once shrouded Letania is gradually dissipating. Everything that this legendary emperor did seems to have become a thing of the past. No one dares to mention his name anymore, no one dares to openly study his legacy, and even the Twin Queens changed the name of Letania's capital to avoid his influence.

Trinitylme is the city's current name; as for what it used to be called...

At least the written record has been erased. As for how long it will take for the impressions in people's minds to be erased, no one knows.

In any case, in the minds of a certain group of people, this influence will last for a long time—they are known as rebels against the existing order of Letania, or as the "remnants of the Witch King."

Being the Gemini Queen isn't easy for them either. Just chasing after remnants of the Witch King's faction, like the Eastern Fan, across the land is already incredibly exhausting. And to make matters worse, there's unrest everywhere on this land.

Lateran and Letania were on good terms, and Letania promised to help Lateran host its international summit. However, for reasons unknown, Lateran somehow managed to move the summit, which was supposed to be held there, to Shelag instead.

This forced Liselotte Ivignad, who had originally planned to personally attend and make an appearance to boost her international influence, to abandon the idea.

She didn't want to go too far from Letania, not only to guard against the Witch King's remnants taking advantage of the situation, but also to be wary of her sister, the Ruthless Authority Hildergard Helimmat, seizing power.

Whether Helena actually had this idea or not is not important; what is important is that she felt Helena might have this idea.

Just as there are two suns in the sky and two masters in a country, it is essential to take precautions. Ivignad believed that her sisters had made similar preparations.

But she really didn't expect that the Sherag World Expo, which she didn't attend in person and wasn't the Lateran World Expo, would inexplicably give her a stab in the butt—opening her eyes wide!

Airships, isolation layers, and a suspected immortality technology that uses Originium to replace the body. Any one of these items would be a treasure that would cause a sensation on Terra.

But Scherrag deliberately showcased everything at once. Moreover, it wasn't just a showcase. According to the message brought back by the delegation, their Prime Minister Ernst intended to give away the airship technology and isolation layer information to every country that joined the World Summit free of charge.

Their generosity is almost unbelievable.

Ivignad had to admit she had some regrets. She regretted not taking the extra effort to go to Khelag herself, to see for herself what kind of person that leopard-faced snow leopard was, and to experience Khelag for what it was really like.

After all, this approach was still a bit too advanced for Terra.

In Terran parlance: You haven't dug up anything here, have you?

In Earthling terms: closed off, religiously worshipping, seemingly possessing cutting-edge technology, capable of upheaval with a single move. Are you the Fallen Empire—the Stagnant Holy Authority?

But that wasn't all. The delegation also brought back another piece of news.

Kazimierz has already taken the lead in joining the "All Nations System" proposed by Sherag. The Grand Knight Commander of the Overseer Council has planned to greatly expand the scale and format of Kazimierz's most popular knightly competition, with the "All Nations Games" as the latest goal, and invite the nations of Terra to the Grand Knight's territory to participate in the grand event.

This is intriguing.

As a good neighbor of Qazimir, the Queen of Letania was somewhat aware of the internal struggles within Qazimir.

The plan to legitimately nationalize the Business Federation's signboard, while preventing the Business Federation from objecting, would make them appear as the party "unwilling to expand the culture of chivalry." This strategy is quite interesting.

However, the question is, why would Kazimierz include this system in Sherag's "All Nations System"?

Could this have something to do with Sherag?

Several guesses arose in Ivigna's mind. Given the greed and arrogance of the Kazimir people, getting them to do something willingly wouldn't be easy. Could this plan have been proposed by Sherag?

If that's the case, then it certainly makes sense, but in that case, Ivignad's evaluation of Prime Minister Sherag and his think tank would have to be raised another notch.

The fact that the leader of a closed country could offer constructive advice on the problems of the Terran nations shows they came prepared.

Of course, this idea is currently just a guess.

It's also possible that the Kazimierz people simply wanted to capitalize on the popularity of the World's Fair, so they deliberately approached Kjerag and obtained this label. It's like rebranding; there's no real connection, but it allows them to sell for a higher price and better quality.

If that's the case, then Ernst's vision is undoubtedly short-sighted. Allowing rebranding might quickly boost the influence of the [World of Warcraft System] in the short term, but the cost is a decline in public trust. If it were Ivignad, she would never do such a thing.