Chapter 335
"My lord, it's not that I don't want to go, it's just that I really don't have the strength. Now that Platinum and Monique have been captured, their fate is unknown. It would be very difficult for me to deal with several Competitive Knights by myself."
Xuan Tie was silent for a moment, then spoke:
"Here's what we'll do: 300 gold coins for a Pinecone Knights, double for Infected Knight. I can provide you with remote assistance; kill as many as you can. If we leave them unchecked, they'll eventually become a menace."
Roy cursed Xuan Tie's ancestors countless times in his mind, but still had to happily agree aloud:
"Alright, I'll gather the men first. Sir, how long will this power outage last?"
"The Supervision Committee is behind this widespread power outage. Under normal circumstances, power can be restored to the entire city in a few hours. But how long it will take depends on whether they want to restore it quickly or slowly. If you feel you can't be sure during the day, you can act at night."
Roy really didn't want to cause trouble at this critical juncture, but he had no choice but to agree:
"OK."
Oh, Monique.
I really can't do without you.
He rushed downstairs, only to find no bloody, mangled pieces of flesh as he had expected. There wasn't even a trace of blood.
Where are they?
The assassins were puzzled and asked to confirm:
Who is it?
Roy was speechless, gesturing with his hands:
"Well, such a big, living person. He clearly jumped from the roof, how could he just disappear? Spread out and search the area to see if there's any body that fell. Maybe the wind was too strong and blew him somewhere else."
July 13, 10:27 AM
The power outage in the four mobile City-State did not affect the ongoing match in the slightest.
After nearly half an hour of fierce battle in the light, the Candle Knight and the Bright Knight finally decided the victor.
"Bright Knight, you have cut off my light. I surrender. You have won."
Unable to use an electrically powered microphone, the commentator somehow acquired a battery-powered megaphone. Even if the sound wasn't that loud, it was still better than shouting.
"Oh, what a pity! The Candle Knight fought so hard, but he actually conceded! The staff at the scene have confirmed this request. So, I now announce that the contestant who has successfully advanced to the final four after a long battle is— Margaret Saria!!!"
The Bright Knight returned after six years, once again demonstrating an exceptionally high level of competition. She defeated a Grand Knight in the main tournament with her outstanding individual skill!
Look, folks! Two Knight are shaking hands—what a beautiful sight! If I'm not mistaken, this picture will be the headline of tomorrow's newspapers.
Where there are competitions, there are predictions.
Where there is a contest, there are winners and losers.
"Did I hear that right? The Candle Knight surrendered? Damn it, I've lost several months' worth of wages!"
"Haha, serves you right for not listening to me. How can a candle compare to the sun? You should go all in on the Bright Knight. But this game really strained my eyes. Even now, with my eyes closed, I can still feel two points of light."
Power had not been restored to Cavaleria by noon.
Given the hot weather today, tens of thousands of spectators crowded in the stadium are at risk of heatstroke.
The Commercial Union held an emergency internal meeting, and more than half of the members approved the decision to postpone the match between the Nightmare Chaser Knight and the Lucky Knight. The second match of the Special Tournament's quarterfinals will be held tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM.
Maria's match was also postponed.
The number of matches will be increased from two to three on July 14 to determine the four semifinalists in the special tournament.
Shi Lei left after the match, leaving Monique of the Armored Unarmored Alliance to the Doctor's disposal.
The Supervision Committee, which currently collaborates with Rhodes Island, also happens to collaborate with the Pinecone Knights.
Entrusting the Azure Gold Rank to them might allow them to serve as witnesses in crucial moments.
Based on his perception of the Jade Shield, Shi Lei deduced that Sona and the others' plan had succeeded.
Next, we'll see how the Supervision Committee will attack the Commercial Union after obtaining this information.
The power outage has caused all four mobile City-State to lose power, resulting in the paralysis of all Signal Base Station.
Unable to confirm remotely by phone, Shi Lei prepared to go to the stronghold in the area where infected people were concentrated.
He never takes chances; he needs to personally confirm the plan's success before he feels at ease. If the results don't meet expectations, it's better to know early so he can take timely remedial action.
As Shi Lei left the Bika Arena, he was found by Rebecca, who had been waiting at the exit. She informed him that the afternoon's match had been postponed and would be held at 9:00 AM the next morning.
The timing of the match doesn't really matter. We'll be playing each other today and tomorrow anyway, so it doesn't really matter.
Furthermore, they can remain in the arena after tomorrow's match, allowing them to monitor Maria Saria's movements and provide comprehensive protection.
After saying goodbye to Rebecca, Shi Lei walked to the area where the infected people were gathered.
The lack of traffic lights at the intersection rendered the established traffic rules ineffective. The vehicles of departing spectators were stuck in a traffic jam; taking a taxi was slower than walking.
After leaving the arena, Shi Lei headed west, but stopped at the first intersection.
As if sensing something, he changed his destination and headed instead to the edge of the city.
Half an hour later, Shi Lei arrived at the open suburbs. There were rows of low-rise buildings and wasteland where soil erosion had occurred due to over-cultivation.
As he stopped and turned around, the Nightmare Chaser Knight who had been following him finally appeared.
The opponent wore a blood-red mask, bright red armor, and wielded a curved-blade long-handled sword, resembling a deadly nightmare with a very imposing presence.
The moment he opened his mouth, it was in the ancient Khan's language.
This place should have been a fertile grassland, but now it has become a wasteland. Kazimierz has long forgotten what nature is; it has been corrupted by money, leaving only an empty shell.
I'm glad you chose this place as your battlefield. At least you had the courage to fight, instead of cowering away like a toy.
The rules of the special tournament are that anyone who doesn't appear within the allotted time is considered to have forfeited. If you can defeat the Lucky Knight here today, you'll win without a fight tomorrow.
Seeing the other party's confidence and arrogance, Shi Lei shook his head, not optimistic.
"Ha, what an impatient person. Isn't it tomorrow's match? Why can't you wait to face me?"
Hearing that he could speak fluent Khan's language, the Nightmare Chaser Knight found it incredible:
How do you know my language?
You are neither Kuranta nor a kinsman of my ancestors. Then, who are you?
Shi Lei has a system that provides real-time simultaneous interpretation capabilities. This allows him to read various books compiled in different languages without any obstacles.
Judging from the Nightmare Chaser Knight's agitated state, he probably comes from a very ancient tribe.
But what does this have to do with him?
I am who I am. If you want to uncover my true identity, you'll have to see if you're qualified.
The Nightmare Chaser Knight held his long-handled sword across his chest, beginning to take the battle seriously.
Previously, he had always thought that Lucky Knight was a guy who only relied on Sarkaz sorcery to win.
Upon meeting him today, the other party exceeded the Nightmare Chaser Knight's expectations, which excited him.
[Not bad, it seems you have the potential to become my opponent. After defeating you, I will challenge the Bright Knight and complete my own Heavenly Path.]
After finishing his speech, the Nightmare Chaser Knight began to wield his long-handled sword, unleashing powerful Originium Arts.
In an instant, hundreds upon hundreds of armored Knight wielding halberds appeared behind him. Their clothing, masks, and weapons were all very uniform, giving them an imposing presence.
[Excellent, very impressive.]
Shi Lei gave this Originium Arts high praise. But the next second, he changed his tone:
Unfortunately, you chose the wrong opponent.
As soon as he finished speaking, a terrifying Psychic Power swept over him, rendering the Nightmare Chaser Knight unable to resist.
The thousands of phantoms vanished instantly, as if they had never existed, leaving him standing alone in the same spot.
Shi Lei shook his head and turned to leave.
[It's over]
Just as he was withdrawing his Psychic Power, he suddenly discovered that the Nightmare Chaser Knight had regained consciousness.
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Although the Nightmare Chaser Knight regained consciousness, he was unsteady on his feet and knelt down, supporting himself with his hands on the ground.
Shi Lei was quite surprised to see this. This was the first time he had ever seen someone who could regain consciousness in a short time after enduring the Psychic Power of the Archon Realm. His previous opponents were mostly physically strong, with very weak mental abilities.
"Ha ha..."
The Nightmare Chaser Knight was panting heavily, his whole body covered in sweat as if he had just been pulled out of the water.
His legs became weak and powerless due to the intense mental stimulation, and he could only maintain a kneeling position.
Although only a few seconds had passed, it felt to the Nightmare Chaser Knight as long as a year.
This person is amazing!
While he was shocked, he also felt an overwhelming sense of excitement.
[I never expected to encounter such a formidable opponent in Kazimierz. I've decided to make you my challenge target on the Heavenly Path! The Bright Knight, that kind of recreational Competitive Knight, is ultimately lacking.]
Upon hearing an unfamiliar term, Shi Lei asked in return:
What is the Heavenly Path?
This sentence completely baffled the Nightmare Chaser Knight, leaving him stunned for a long time. He stared at the Lucky Knight before him, asking with a strange look:
[You don't even know the Heavenly Path? Then how do you know the Khan's language?]
Shi Lei doesn't believe there's a necessary connection between what language one speaks and what race one belongs to.
[What's wrong with knowing the Khan's language? It's not like only the Khan knows that language. When traveling abroad, it's essential to be proficient in several foreign languages. What's the problem with that?]
"..."
Upon hearing this, the Nightmare Chaser Knight fell silent. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.
Looking at the Lucky Knight who had defeated him, he suppressed his arrogance and explained to the other party:
In my tribe, whenever a warrior comes of age, he takes the weapon given to him by his parents and travels to a distant place to choose a powerful opponent to challenge, thus demonstrating his courage and honor.
Only cowards would search near military bases. But I am different. I traveled thousands of miles to Kazimierz to challenge the strongest opponent and prove my courage.
I originally thought this person would be Bright Knight, but you are far superior to her; there's no comparison.
After listening to the Nightmare Chaser Knight explain the specific meaning of 'Heavenly Path', Shi Lei shrugged and said:
[Now that you've lost, don't bother participating in tomorrow's match. Also, you've completed your Heavenly Path, so you can go home and reunite with your parents.]
The Nightmare Chaser Knight gradually regained feeling in his legs and stood up shakily. The surge of Psychic Power, like a raging storm, still hadn't brought him back to his senses.
I didn't come to Kazimierz to participate in those amusement-filled competitions. Now that I've found a challenge, there's no need to go to the arena anymore.
Shi Lei understood the meaning behind the words and asked:
What? You've already lost, do you want to challenge me again?
Yes, that's exactly what I'm thinking. I'll challenge you again when I'm back to my peak condition.
The Nightmare Chaser Knight displayed arrogance and disdain towards everyone, including Maria. However, he showed only respect and humility towards those who had defeated him.
Shi Lei was puzzled and shook his head, asking:
What's the point of trying again? If you try ten times, a hundred times, the result will be the same.
[I know.]
You know nothing.
Faced with such stubbornness, he didn't know what to say. After a pause, he continued:
Don't take advantage of my kindness. Since you already understand the difference in strength, why do you keep challenging me? Are you using me as a training dummy?
Daring to challenge a powerful opponent is already a symbol of courage. Defeating that opponent only demonstrates that your strength has reached a certain level. Courage and strength are clearly two different indicators; why conflate them?
Faced with the question, the Nightmare Chaser Knight wanted to refute it, but he found that he couldn't find a suitable reason.