Revealing the Details / The Final Match of the Knockout Stage

"Zofia, are you looking for Bianca? Is there some news about the competition?" Maria Nearl's golden eyes flashed with curiosity after hearing that it was about her friend, and she asked.

Upon hearing this, Zofia first nodded to her own child before noticing Bianca standing to the side and saying:

"The format and opponent for your next match have been announced. It's a team battle, and your opponent is the Snowheel Knightclub."

"..."

Bianca's expression remained unchanged after hearing Zofia's words, showing no surprise whatsoever. If one had to diagnose anything, there was a hint of strangeness in her eyes.

As for the reason for his strange gaze, it was naturally because of this extremely familiar arrangement.

The silly goose already knew there was something fishy going on in the next match, but he didn't know exactly what kind of trickery had been used. Who knew that now, upon closer inspection, it looked strangely familiar.

Moreover, she had a pretty good idea of who these higher-ups planned to send to deal with her.

But to be honest, Bianca felt a little underestimated.

Although she had concealed much of her strength, she believed that her previous display of power wasn't too weak, so why hadn't she made any changes and instead chosen these people as her opponents?

"You don't seem surprised?"

After noticing Bianca's calm expression, Zofia raised an eyebrow slightly and then asked with some curiosity.

"Yes, what you said is all expected. So, how many against how many in this little battle?" Bianca said, nodding to Zofia, who looked curious.

"A five-on-five team battle, that's a disadvantage for you...?" As she said the last part, Zofia's tone suddenly became strangely uncertain and unsettling...

"So, Zofia, you came to see me because you were worried about this?"

"Yes, I originally came because I was worried you didn't have enough suitable teammates."

As a fairly straightforward person, Zofia made no attempt to conceal her intentions.

"I see. I appreciate your kindness, but I won't trouble Zofia with this matter. I can handle it myself." Upon hearing this, Bianca gave Zofia a gentle and confident smile and replied.

After hearing Bianca's answer, Zofia's lips twitched involuntarily, and then she said in a tactful tone:

"... Are you planning to go on alone? While you are indeed very strong, it would be safer to have teammates."

Honestly, after experiencing and witnessing so many things, Zofia wasn't surprised at all by Bianca's choice this time; in fact, she was completely unfazed.

"Yes, I think Zofia is right too. Although Bianca is very strong, it's a team battle after all, and having teammates makes things safer."

After listening to her aunt's words, Maria Nearl nodded in agreement.

The other elderly people in the tavern, though silent, shared a similar attitude with Zofia and her companions.

"..."

This time, Bianca didn't rush to answer. She simply tilted her head slightly and looked at Zofia and the others with a strange expression.

"What's wrong?"

Noticing the strange look in her friend's eyes, a hint of doubt quickly appeared in Maria Nearl's beautiful golden eyes.

"This match was specifically designed to target me..."

After organizing her thoughts, Bianca slowly posed a crucial question, "Why do you think the Commercial Union would give me teammates?"

"..."

Bianca's short sentence plunged everyone else present into an eerie silence.

Before they could speak, Bianca continued, "Based on my understanding of those people, if I go to find my teammates in the next match, then my 'teammates' will definitely get into trouble."

At this point, the goose paused slightly, then flashed a confident smile before continuing:

"So, instead of dragging others down with our teammates, we might as well just give them what they want. Since they're so confident, why not give them the chance and let them try?"

"..."

Bianca's words, coupled with her confident and dazzling smile, made the tavern even quieter.

A moment later--

"Haha, young people really have a lot of drive. Now that you've made up your mind and have unwavering belief, then go for it!"

"Yes, young people these days are so much more outstanding than we were when we were young."

"Sigh... whatever makes you happy."

P. S.: Please give me some votes to encourage me to vote.

Chapter 34 Reveals the Details

"Sigh... whatever makes you happy."

Admittedly, Bianca's words did convince everyone present. After all, they were all somewhat familiar with the Commercial Union's style.

"Well, so don't think too much about it, Zofia. I might not be that good at other things, but leave the fighting to me." Bianca said with Zofia gentle smile.

Upon hearing this, Zofia raised an eyebrow slightly, took a few steps forward to Bianca's side, and said "annoyingly"—"Hmph, no manners... At your age, you should be calling me 'older sister' instead of Maria Nearl."

Although the two had started calling each other by their first names when they became closer, Zofia didn't think there was anything wrong with it at the time because Bianca acted quite composed.

But now, for some reason, after her good intentions were politely rejected, Zofia felt inexplicably annoyed and couldn't help but "nitpick".

"... Heh~ Yes, yes, Zofia, thank you for your concern this time." After hearing Zofia's words, Bianca was taken aback at first, then smiled and said.

As he spoke, he stood up and helped the person to a stool so she could sit down.

"Pfft, that's more like it... Well then, I'll accept you as my little sister!"

Seeing Bianca's "serious" expression, Zofia finally couldn't help but laugh out loud, and then jokingly teased her.

After hearing Zofia's joke, Bianca shook her head helplessly, then replied with a smile, "Then I'll have to Zofia- neechan to be patient with me from now on."

After joking with Zofia, Bianca seemed to remember something, turned to Maria Nearl, and then asked her for a favor:

"Since Zofia is here too, could you Maria Nearl go to that shop we visited last time and buy some desserts, Maria?"

"Hmm?" Maria Nearl, who had been slightly distracted, was taken aback at first, then replied, "Of course! Bianca, Zofia, what would you like to eat? And what about you, Master Koval?"

Although the little pony was a bit confused about how the conversation had suddenly turned to her, it didn't stop her from agreeing, and even feeling a little excited, to Bianca's request.

This was the first time Maria Nearl had ever heard Bianca make such a small request since they had known each other for so long.

It was incredibly rare... it even gave her the feeling that it was a once-in-a-century opportunity.

"We old folks don't need any snacks. We're way past the age of having them. You guys eat." Hearing this, Koval looked up at his two old friends and answered for them.

"As for me, I'll stick with the same stuff from last time..."

After listening to Bianca and her aunt describe their tastes, Maria Nearl left the tavern with a smile on her face.

"..."

Seeing someone's departing figure, Bianca and Zofia shook their heads helplessly.

Because they realized that their friends and children were incredibly gullible. They were, in a sense, extremely naive...

"It seems I'll have to teach Maria Nearl a thing or two about this later. Alright, Bianca are you so abruptly sending her away? Is something the matter?"

After making a remark, Zofia turned her gaze to the person beside her.

Meanwhile, the old men present also looked over curiously, both openly and secretly, after hearing Zofia's words.

"There's no other way. After all, I don't lie, so this is the only method I can use." Hearing this, Bianca shrugged slightly and said with a hint of helplessness.

"As for sending them away, I wanted to give you a heads-up, Zofia, so you could feel more at ease."

That's right, after much deliberation, the silly goose decided to tell Zofia and the others about Sakura's existence.

As for why she didn't tell Maria Nearl, it was because there was no need... Telling her would only cause her worry and fear. Besides, she had absolutely no idea how to tell her friend.

"Um?"

Seeing the puzzled Zofia in front of her, Bianca stopped teasing her and slowly explained:

"You all know that the Commercial Union is targeting me, but if they can't get rid of me through the competition, they will definitely resort to underhanded tactics."

"If it's a direct assassination, I'm not afraid. But I'm afraid they'll target Maria Nearl and you."

At this point, after noticing the serious expressions on everyone's faces in the tavern, the silly goose continued:

"So, I asked a friend who happened to be passing by to secretly protect you. Don't worry, she's very powerful."

"I see, so that's why you sent Maria Nearl away." Zofia didn't comment on Bianca's actions, because that wasn't her focus at the moment.

"Well, Maria Nearl is different from you. She's not mature enough yet. Telling her some things might only make her worry. Besides, I haven't figured out how to say it yet..." Hearing this, Bianca nodded slightly and then spoke her mind without any reservations.

"Hmm, don't overthink it. Now that you know, I'll be more careful about this aspect. Just focus on the competition and win the championship."

After hearing Bianca's words, Zofia snorted softly, patted her shoulder, and said seriously with a smile.

Suddenly, the old knight, who had been drinking on the side, also spoke up:

"Don't worry, Bianca, since you've reminded us, we'll protect Maria Nearl even without your friend."

"Yes, Old Ferguson is right this time."

"Huh? What do you mean by 'this time'? I've been right all along."

"Alright, alright, you two stop arguing in front of that young girl." Bald Martin shook his head helplessly as he watched the two start bickering again.

He then looked up at Bianca and said, "Just like Old Freak said, now that we know, we'll definitely be careful about this. Just go ahead and do it."

"Yes, thank you."

Looking at everyone in front of her, Bianca's beautiful blue eyes were filled with a gentle smile.

Aside from occasional minor hiccups due to differing opinions, I quite like everyone here and the atmosphere.

"I'm home! I bought some dessert, let's all eat together."

Maria Nearl, who had returned with some snacks in a good mood, was completely unaware of what she had just missed...

P. S.: I hope the second update will be written quickly, at the latest by 6 AM tomorrow morning. I still want to have perfect attendance.

Hungry... I need to hurry up and get some food.

Chapter 35: The Final Match of the Elimination Tournament

Flameblade Arena

Welcome! Welcome everyone to today's Flameblade Arena!

[Rest time is always too short--what? Still think it's too long? Come on, shouldn't we at least do a symbolic cleanup?]

How many people came for Bianca! How many wanted to witness the splendor of the Nearl?

Big Mouth Mob's voice, as always, resounded throughout the arena through the loudspeakers, reaching everyone's ears.

[You've probably all heard about this match beforehand! That's right, this time Bianca, as an independent knight, will face five knights from the Snowheel Knightclub alone!!!]

[Let's cheer for her courage! Let me see for myself how much this courage is truly worth in your hearts!!]

[Please welcome this season's strongest rookie, Bianca!!]

"Oh, Bianca! Bianca!!!"

As Big Mouth Mob's declaration fell, a huge cheer erupted in the arena.

Because of her overwhelming dominance in the previous matches, Bianca now has quite a few fans who like and admire her, and many are even willing to spend money to support her.

[On the other side are the five knights of the Snowheel Knightclub, they are...]

As Big Mouth Mob's voice faded, a thin but filthy black mist slowly appeared in the arena and spread outwards.

The fans in the stands, who had been smelling the nauseating odor, gradually quieted down, watching the two sides enter in silence and shock.

"Um?"

Bianca, who was not slow to enter the arena, instinctively held her breath after smelling the scent, and looked at her five opponents with an indescribable expression.

Then she discovered that it wasn't just her... The three "normal" opponents were also looking at the two Sarkaz knights in the arena with utter disgust and even loathing.