Chapter 308

Could it be that the most advanced armor made him invincible in battle?

Maria, this won't do! How can we let an experienced veteran completely overwhelm us?

Do you know how much money the audience here, and the viewers in front of the TV, have bet on you?

Keep it up, Maria!

While Big Mouth Mob his passionate commentary, both of the Competitive Knight in the arena had strange expressions on their faces.

Sergiac's initial battle strategy was to launch a constant offensive, hoping to tire Maria out and expose weaknesses, which he could then easily defeat.

The sharp dagger struck the armor, yet felt completely unreal, and couldn't penetrate the defenses.

This gave Sergiac the illusion that Maria was too strong or he was too weak.

Maria, on the other hand, was equally bewildered.

The Plastic Knight's initial onslaught of attacks startled her. After parrying left and right for a while, she finally realized something was wrong.

Why isn't Sergiac using his strength?

Despite the Plastic Knight's unusually fast moves, it actually lacks any real strength. It's like a lot of noise but little action, seemingly putting in effort but actually being quite relaxed.

Maria wanted to ask if the other person hadn't eaten, but she felt that saying it would be too sarcastic.

After a moment's thought, she asked in a low voice, only loud enough for the two of them to hear:

"Mr. Sergiac, you weren't sent by my aunt to deliberately let us win, were you?"

These words enraged the Plastic Knight! He quickly retreated several steps and took the crossbow from his back.

Upon witnessing this, Big Mouth Mob quickly inserted an advertisement to make the sponsor feel that the money hadn't been wasted:

"Sergiac stepped on the wall and delivered a perfect burst of fire! If Maria hadn't blocked it, the fight might have ended on the spot. What a close call!"

Surprisingly, Sergiac's armor allowed him to move so easily!

See that? This is the latest product from Howling Guard —Jack2 Special High-Performance Plasticizing Gel!

If you'd like to purchase this sought-after item, you can contact the arena front desk to reserve it. The first 100 callers will receive a 5% discount!

With Big Mouth Mob's commentary, the Plastic Knight gained the upper hand, relentlessly beating Maria. But the truth, only Sergiac himself knew.

His piercing arrows, which he was so proud of, commanded respect even from members of other Knight orders. But why didn't they even leave a crack when they struck this little girl's shield?

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Maria held a shield in one hand and a gun in the other, her eyes filled with even more suspicion.

The previous fake attack was one thing, but this arrow has definitely been tampered with; it's practically powerless.

She resisted the urge to ask if the Plastic Knight hadn't eaten, and instead hinted again:

"Plastic Knight, your true abilities are likely more than this. Unleash your full power!"

When Sergiac heard this, he immediately felt that the other person was deliberately insulting him.

This is absolutely outrageous!

I've practically drawn the bowstring to its limit, and you expect me to unleash my full power? Your sarcastic remarks are truly something else.

Fortunately, Sergiac was wearing a mask to cover his face, otherwise he would have shown his anger in front of the public.

This time, he was truly enraged.

Press the switch on the Jack2 Armor waist with your left hand to maximize the power boost function.

"Maria, perish here!"

Sophia sat in the audience, her eyes wide as she stared at the arena, trying not to miss a single detail.

Seeing Sergiac's relentless attacks, Maria was extremely worried about her safety. She feared that a single mishap could leave her disabled, ruining the rest of her life.

Soon, Sophia discovered that Maria had emerged unscathed from such a fierce attack. She instantly realized that this was all thanks to Doctor Zhong.

Absolute defense and a strong sense of security—it seems Dobermann wasn't exaggerating when he said that.

Seeing Maria holding her shield high and remaining on the defensive, Sophia knew she couldn't drag this out and give the little girl an opening, so she shouted loudly:

"Stop just defending, start attacking!"

Hearing her aunt's familiar voice, Maria's spirits lifted. A strange idea suddenly popped into her mind.

Could this Plastic Knight be someone my aunt hired to act and deliberately let me win?

Maria remembered very clearly that her aunt had said last night that she used to abuse this Sergiac. Before entering the Special Tournament, she used him as an ATM to rack up points.

It feels... a bit far-fetched.

Perhaps it's the capital behind the Knight Competition' Tournament that's using the Nearl Family's fame to attract more attention.

So they found a highly capable person to fix the match, making it easier to manipulate the game and gain more profits?

Tsk, that's probably it.

Those who participate in match-fixing do not deserve the title of Knight!

Let me, Maria Saria, put an end to this farce!

Arknights Limited-Time Beautiful Image: Boyfriend's Perspective. jpg

376 Talking to Each Other Like Chickens and Ducks (3K)

Sergiac drew his bowstring taut once more, the arrow leaving a trail of afterimages, which Maria dodged by tilting her head.

She held her shield in her left hand and extended her gun behind her back in her right. She assumed a charging stance, preparing to launch a frontal assault.

Seeing Maria finally begin to fight back, Big Mouth Mob excitedly raised his voice:

"Here it comes! The Knight from the Nearl Family launches a desperate counterattack! After being suppressed by Sergiac for several minutes, she has finally sounded the charge! Let's wait and see if her attack will be effective!"

"Huh, why is Sergiac standing still? Does he think the little Knight's attack poses no threat? Ah, I get it! Is this the confidence that the Jack 2 armor gives him?"

In the instant the two crossed paths, the Plastic Knight suddenly thrust out his dagger. Maria, however, did not draw her gun. Instead, she used her momentum to leap high into the air, performing a somersault while holding onto Sergiac's shoulder armor, before landing steadily.

However, an unexpected low rumbling sound and unnatural white smoke appeared where she pressed the shoulder armor.

Seeing the two engage in such a childish exchange, Big Mouth Mob was at a loss for words. Relying on his strong professional skills, he forced himself to explain:

"Maria finally got her wish and got close to Sergiac. But she didn't draw her gun. Was she trying to provoke her in this way?"

Big Mouth Mob clearly saw white smoke coming from the Plastic Knight's shoulder armor, but dared not say a word about it.

The arena beneath his feet was entirely sponsored by Howling Guard Company. And the armor Sergiac was wearing was the company's latest Jack-2 model. If Maria broke it just by touching it, how would they ever sell it again?

You can't say things carelessly, or you'll get fined.

Sergiac, standing in the arena, glanced sideways at the smoking shoulder armor and asked in confusion:

What did you just do?

"Mr. Sergiac, don't you feel it's getting hot somewhere? Or is it that Howling Guard Company didn't consider heat dissipation for this latest armor?"

"Heat dissipation? That's something the craftsmen who build the mechs should be concerned with, not something we need to discuss."

Maria's sharp gaze swept quickly across the new armor, gathering information and making analyses.

She had just witnessed the Plastic Knight's high-difficulty moves and was certain that the armor was very light.

Judging from its appearance alone, the lines are full and robust. It may have used Victoria's top-notch craftsmanship and Columbia's Originium- enhanced bone lining technology.

Such high-quality armor shouldn't have such a basic mistake in the design of its heat dissipation vents.

Unless, someone did it on purpose.

Thinking of this, Maria narrowed her eyes.

I see, I get it! All of this was a dirty trick pulled by the forces behind the Knight Competition!

Their design was to avoid being forced into a defensive posture during matches. Sergiac only needed to continuously increase the power output to overload the armor and eventually break it. This way, any loss could be attributed to the armor's malfunction, not to any personal fault.

Ha, what a brilliant scheme!

Was it really necessary to go to such lengths just to guarantee my advancement to the special tournament?

Although Maria 'guessed' that this was most likely the work of the Commercial Union or the Supervision Committee, she wouldn't voluntarily withdraw from the competition based on such speculation.

Why should she foot the bill when others are managing the investments?

If I withdraw from the competition, wouldn't I have participated for nothing?

If he fails to obtain the title of Competitive Knight, the Nearl Family's Knight noble title and crest will be taken away by the association without any room for negotiation.

Maria's gaze grew increasingly resolute, determined to prove to the world that she was worthy of being Competitive Knight.

Even knowing that the Plastic Knight was rigging the race, she was determined to give it her all and win over the audience.

Come on, take this shot!

Maria charged again, launching a fierce attack on Sergiac, but was easily blocked by him. This made her even more convinced that he was deliberately putting on an act.

"Mr. Sergiac, you are a very strong Competitive Knight. Your speed, combat skills and experience are all impeccable."

Wearing such specially made armor, you can't beat me. It's a pity I can't have a fair fight with you, because I have reasons why I can't afford to lose.

Maria wanted to express her desire for a fair fight with Sergiac. She also understood why he had agreed to participate in such a fixed match.

Everything is driven by self-interest.

But to Sergiac, these words were a blatant provocation. The two were completely talking past each other, each believing the other understood them.

"The quality of the armor is none of your concern. Little Knight of the Nearl Family, do not underestimate the technical prowess of the Howling Guard, or you will pay a heavy price!"

So you're unwilling to admit to match-fixing?

That's right, let's see who's the best then!

Seeing the two Knight fighting at close range, Big Mouth Mob perked up, maintaining his excited tone:

"Wow, amazing skill! Sergiac managed to make such a perfect parry using only a bow and dagger. This is all thanks to the new mech!"

While the commentators kept praising the Plastic Knight, Maria displayed the Special Skill her sister had used to win the championship.

To master this move, she practiced countless times at home, just to learn this tricky technique.

Move, move, suddenly turn around and strike!

Sophia stared wide-eyed in the audience, recognizing Margaret's winning move at a glance.

In an instant, the scene fell silent.

Big Mouth Mob stared in disbelief at the scene before him for several seconds before gradually coming to his senses:

"Sergiac, who had just been in the lead, lost consciousness with a single sword strike!"

But how did she do it? That sudden counterattack, just like in that year's final! Maria Saria, the youngest Knight of the Nearl Family. Was she hiding her true strength from the world?

An untitled independent Knight defeated the vanguard of the Howling Knights! It seems Maria Saria's Originium Arts are not to be underestimated; she defeated the Plastic Knight Sergiac with her own strength!

I am pleased to announce the results of today's first match! The winner is— Maria Saria!

Amidst the cheering and roaring stands, several members of the starting lineup of the Competitive Knight whispered among themselves.

No way.

The name 'Saria' is an inescapable legend in the history of the Knight Kazimierz.

Seeing the Plastic Knight Sergiac suffer a regrettable defeat due to a malfunction in his new armor's cooling system, one Knight, appearing uninterested, rose to leave the scene.

"Stop looking, let's go."

"You're leaving already?"

"That's right. With Maria Saria's current level, she's no match for us. If you're worried about something going wrong, don't just accept experimental equipment from wealthy clients. You'd better go back and thoroughly inspect your weapons and armor, so that other Knight don't get a piece of the action."

"Haha, okay, let's go then."

Seeing that Maria had won the preliminary round, Shi Lei used his mind to cancel the Jade Shield.

They then followed the departing audience out and walked along the passage to the designated C2 venue to wait.

Most of the participants in this competition went to watch Maria's match. They only returned to the venue sporadically after Maria's match ended.