"----"
A suffocating pressure began to spread through the vast reception hall.
Rocket and Salilo stared at each other as a terrifying aura gradually took shape around them.
Rocket intended to use the aura of a Legendary-tier expert to suppress Salilo.
But Salilo was the head of House Renitra, born into the Empire's second-ranked knightly family. He was also the vice commander of the Empire Knights and a Legendary-tier expert himself.
Though he was not as renowned as Rocket, Salilo's strength was beyond doubt.
He was already level ninety-six, only slightly behind Rocket. In terms of individual strength alone, he was not much weaker than Rocket. If not for Rocket's status and the influence of House Bigusle, which posed a considerable threat to him, he would never have willingly settled for second place.
That was precisely why, now that House Bigusle had fallen on hard times and Rocket had come under the Empire's suspicion, not only being ordered to temporarily leave the Empire Knights but also seeing knights of all ranks within his family suspected of colluding with the enemy and betraying the nation, resulting in most of House Bigusle's people being detained, Salilo seized the chance to assert himself. He intended to force Rocket down from his position.
Rocket naturally would not let him have his way.
But Salilo would not easily let this opportunity slip away either.
The two could not help releasing their mana, their overwhelming auras blazing around them like flames and instantly making the air tremble.
"F-Father!?"
That was Geno's cry.
The knight who had been wearing a smug expression moments ago was now trembling all over, his face pale. From such close range, he felt the clash between Rocket and Salilo's auras, and the pressure had left him completely unable to breathe, nearly causing