About the time I was picked up and adopted by Tallulah

"There are quite a few celebrities here today! Mr. Orson, it really was the right decision to come here today!"

Like Orson but also different, Maria was also looking at the scene in front of her with sparkling eyes, but she was not paying attention to the buildings, but the interiors of the buildings, the knights who were hurrying back and forth, wearing clothes of different styles and printed with different company logos.

"Look, Mr. Orson! That knight over there with a tiger carved into his body is the much-discussed Tao Pohu Knight! It's said that he never participated in team battles before, and was only responsible for stabilizing the team's morale! He just recently switched to a forward role, and surprisingly, the results are quite good!"

"Hmm! That's the Shame Knight passing by! Don't be fooled by the "shame" in his name, but that knight is incredibly powerful! He can chop four enemies with a two-handed greatsword in close combat, and he can also constantly keep his opponents within range and kite them from a distance. But in the last team competition, the Shame Knight gave away 10 points in one go, so his current score isn't very high..."

"There's even the Ahoge Knight! That knight is a living legend! It's said he was once a king of Victoria. I don't know why he came to Casimir to participate in the knight's games, but don't anger her! She'll bankrupt your family."

Maria talked enthusiastically about the various knights passing by her. It didn't seem like they were here to take Orson to sign up, but rather like they were here to chase their stars in person.

"Ms. Maria really knows a lot."

"Eh—well, it's okay... I've only recently started seriously considering participating in the knight competition, but I'm actually quite familiar with these knights. After all, they're all very famous seniors."

Maria responded, ruffling her hair sheepishly.

She is so energetic, as if she is a patriot who came over to show off to me that Frost Star cooked for me today.

"I heard they're filming a pre-match promotional video for the Knights' Games today, so I'm lucky to see a lot of famous knights. Ah, that's Mr. 'Plastic' Knight Serchiak over there."

It seemed that Maria saw an acquaintance again, but this time, perhaps because the noise was a little loud, the person also noticed Maria.

"What's the matter? I don't sign autographs for anyone... Wait, you... No, I must have seen it wrong. You're not a knight, are you?"

The Plastic Knight looked at Maria, and for a moment he seemed to have thought of something, but he quickly shook his head. After all, he couldn't see any knight-like temperament in Maria.

"Uh……"

Plastic Knight's question stumped Maria, leaving her unsure how to respond. Meanwhile, Orson took a step forward.

"Although we are not yet, we will become the focus of the competition and leave our mark in the most prominent position on the wall of all-time stars!"

"Oh, Mr. Orson, how can you say such embarrassing things so seriously...!"

"Hey, is it really that shameful..."

After Orson finished speaking confidently, Maria, who was embarrassed by the situation, tugged at the corner of his clothes.

It seems that I need to find Lao She to learn how to speak cool words later...

"Having ambition and goals isn't a bad thing, but overly unrealistic goals are poison. Especially in the arena of knightly competitions, this place can't survive on momentum alone."

Plastic Knight spoke calmly, with the air of someone who had experienced this. It was a bit like Kal'tsit's way of teaching herself and Red that "if you don't maintain your nails regularly, they might break."

"The waters are really deep... By the way, why is Mr. Serkiak called Plastic? This suit doesn't look like it's made of plastic."

Orson looked at the plastic knight in front of him, whose main weapon was a crossbow, and who was wearing a set of equipment with a light blue metallic luster and printed with the marks of the "Howling Knights". He was a little curious that this set had nothing to do with plastic.

"The name in the knightly tournament—"

"I know that! It's said that Mr. Plastic Knight once participated in a team elimination tournament. At the end of the fight, his crossbow was out of bullets and his dagger was broken, but there were still three hours to go. Then, Mr. Plastic Knight managed to hold on to the end using a plastic training sword left on the field!"

Maria explained to Orson enthusiastically.

"That's amazing... No, why would a crossbowman use a two-handed sword to fight someone in close combat, and even win?"

Orson grumbled in a low voice that the doctors in the Terra world were all so powerful that they could easily crush the enemy, and it looked like the archers in the Terra world were probably similar to the archers on the moon next door.

"This is knightly competition. No matter how well prepared you are, unexpected events will occur. Don't expect it to be too good to be true."

The Plastic Knight spoke calmly through his mask before being called away by the uniformed staff.

Judging from the other party's unexpected patience with himself and Maria, it seems that Plastic Knight is an old veteran with younger juniors around him.

"Knightly competitions are truly professional...their reputations are well-deserved."

Maria sighed quietly as she watched the Plastic Knight walk away.

"Then let's sign up too, Mr. Orson! Even though everyone is strong, we still have to work hard!"

"Just keep working hard in this manner."

Orson nodded, and then went to the Knight Competition Registration Office with Maria.

At the same time, in the bar of "Bald Martin".

"Maria! If you're here, say something!"

Zofia pushed open the door of the bar in a hurry and shouted Maria's name.

"That girl isn't the type who would come to the bar to drink so early in the morning. What's wrong, Zofia?"

Bald Martin smiled and asked his furious aunt while wiping the cup.

"I clearly told her to wait for me to come over so we can register Orson together—that idiot, she'll definitely tell!"

--------

"Please say that again!?"

"Um... I'm Maria Linguang. I'm here to recommend Orson as a follower knight of the Linguang family to participate in the Casimir Knight Competition. Is there anything wrong?"

In front of the registration office, after Maria stated her identity and purpose, the noisy registration office suddenly became silent.

Then the next second——

"Are you the sister of Knight Yao of the Linguang Family?!" "Your follower knight? Can you tell me more?" "Why did you choose to add a follower knight at this time?" "Ms. Maria, what do you think about Knight Yao's experience?"

“Ugh, wow…!?”

Countless self-media newspapers appeared out of nowhere like suddenly refreshed monsters, and instantly surrounded Maria and Orson.

"Puff, woo, woo, woo..."

Countless microphones, recorders and mobile phones were poking at the two of them. Orson, who was still in a daze, was poked by several big and thick stick-like objects (referring to microphones).

"What...what's going on?"

Maria was obviously panicking. Faced with the countless pairs of eyes that suddenly appeared in front of her, the young Pegasus didn't even know what to say.

—Anyway, let’s get Mr. Orson out of here first… Ugh, there’s no way we can squeeze out!!

Maria tried to force her way through the crowd, but it was clear that the interviewers outnumbered her. If it weren't for the chained check-in counter, Maria and Orson would have been experiencing the authentic rush-hour rush hour rush to get on the subway in Casimir, let alone squeeze out.

"Ms. Maria! Why would you choose such an ordinary guy... Wait, wait, Orson? Isn't that the name of the Infected Knight who's said to become a supernova!?"

Some people noticed Orson's name and his deeds in the underground arena, and the situation instantly became more out of control.

Just when the two were about to be swallowed, the reporters were suddenly lifted up by some force and thrown aside.

"This way, follow me."

A cat-eared girl emerged from the gap in the human wall, grabbed Maria's hand, and forcibly pulled the two of them out of the encirclement.

“Thank you for your help…!”

Maria and the cat-eared girl fled the media encirclement in one breath. Orson, who followed behind them, had a subtle expression.

The 'Cat-eared Knight' who rescued the two was none other than Rosemary.

08. Reunion Movement and Rhodes Island's Participation in the War

The "mysterious cat-eared girl knight" - Rosemary appeared and helped the two temporarily break through the siege of media reporters. After that, everyone immediately escaped from the Knight Association's building.

Although there were some overly dedicated reporters chasing them along the way, Rosemary lifted them up high with her mind and threw them into a puddle/trash can nearby.

After turning many corners, they arrived at a remote and secluded alley, where the fast-running reporters finally disappeared temporarily.

"Ha...ha...why did it turn out like this? Anyway, thank you so much for your help."

Maria panted and complained softly. Although the escape route was not long and tortuous, the oppressive feeling of being chased by the media was much more than she had imagined.

"You're welcome. Helping others is a normal thing."

Rosemary still had an expression as if she hadn't woken up yet, but she was much more cheerful than before she untied the knot in her heart.

"Please allow me to express my gratitude to you once again... Um, you're so cute. Why are you in the Knights' Association, little sister?"

After confirming that it was safe, Maria finally had time to take a closer look at the small-statured Rosemary from the Filin tribe in front of her.

"I'm here to participate in the knight competition as well."

Rosemary responded calmly.

"Eh? Sorry... I'm a bit too narrow-minded."

Maria originally thought that Rosemary was the child of a knight, but it turned out that she was also participating in the knight competition like herself.

"It's okay, please don't worry about it. Are you okay, Orson... meow!"

Rosemary shook her head to indicate that it was not a big deal, then looked at Orson and said his name very naturally.

But the moment she said it, Rosemary's tail and ears drooped immediately, as if she realized that she had said the wrong thing.

The reason why Rosemary was so panicked was because she and Orson had different "missions".

According to the previously set plan, Orson and Rosemary were "strangers" to each other in Casimir.

It is easy to understand if you think about it. Orson is currently set as "a refugee infected person hanging out in Casimir". How could he possibly know Rosemary who is currently affiliated with Rhodes Island?

"Orson?"

Maria obviously noticed the name Rosemary said and tilted her head curiously.

"Well, that... this is how we, the Filin people, greet each other: Ao Sei~"

Knowing that she was almost in trouble, Rosemary tried to get away with it by acting cute and stupid.

"Hmm...does the Filin people have this way of greeting?"

Maria tilted her head in disbelief, but when she saw Rosemary, who was trying to look calm despite being a little flustered, the only thought in her mind was "kittens are so cute."

"Yes, it's a relatively new way of greeting."

Rosemary explained reluctantly. She looked at Orson and wanted to go over and let him rub her, but she had to force herself to restrain herself.

"Um, nice to meet you! I'm Orson, and this is Miss Maria. What's your name, Miss Mysterious Film Clan?"

Feeling that something was wrong, Orson immediately came over to smooth things over, but he almost let the cat out of the bag himself.

Just when the situation was getting a little weird, another female figure appeared in the alley.

"Rosemary, our Rhodes Island's active operator, is also the candidate selected by Rhodes Island Company to participate in the Knights' Games this time."

"—!"

Orson was also very familiar with this voice. Looking in the direction of the voice, a green cat head appeared in the alley. It was Kal'tsit, the true queen mother of Rhodes Island.

“…” “…” “?”

Kel'tsit walked into the alley and looked at Orson in silence. Orson also looked at Kel'tsit in silence with a cold sweat on his face. Maria beside him tilted her head, confused about the current situation.

"Hmm...Crack"

Kal'tsit looked at Orson, then looked at Maria who was beside Orson and was not in any condition. She silently took out her cell phone and pressed the camera button for the two of them.

"Why are you taking pictures?!"

Orson, who has been tortured intensively by the Shura Field recently, has more or less realized that his current situation is not good. He was caught and photographed by Kal'tsit, and the consequences are even more tragic than one can imagine.

"Nothing much, just recording the information about your future knights."

"Recording information...um, may I ask who you are?"

Maria looked at Kal'tsit, curious about the identity of this lynx.

"I'm Rosemary's employer, Kelsey, the CEO of the pharmaceutical company [Rhodes Island]. Nice to meet you, Ms. Maria."

Kal'tsit greeted Maria in a formal business manner and handed her a business card.

"Hello, Miss Kelsey... Uh, Rhodes Island?"

Maria took the business card with some confusion, as she had never heard of this company.

There are only so many large enterprises in Casimir, and each enterprise has its own knight order. Maria has never heard of a pharmaceutical company called "Rhode Island".

"It's understandable that Ms. Maria didn't know. This year's Knight Competition Business Association has introduced two foreign chambers of commerce: the [Reunion Movement], which focuses on security and employment, and the [Rhodes Island], which focuses on medical treatment and pharmaceuticals."

Kal'tsit explained, and Maria nodded as if she understood.

"Rhodes Island can heal various injuries, provide temporary boosts to your abilities, and offer some physical assistance, such as helping you kill those scumbags who enjoy building harems."

Kal'tsit said this while looking at Orson, who was already covered in cold sweat.

Although he wanted to explain that he was just a passerby, he had become a follower knight living with Maria now, so no one would believe him.