The Conversation Ends and an Invitation / The Situation and the Title

"I originally intended to gradually reveal my strengths through the competition, a gentler approach. But who knew that this unexpected event would occur today..."

In the end, Bianca's expression was one of utter helplessness, and she even wanted to cover her face... Overall, today's events had both good and bad aspects.

On the bright side, the Germans don't need to continue playing this tournament, and their "chips" have even been doubled.

The downside is that she might not be able to go out much afterward...

P. S.: Sorry, there's no third update yet. Things at home aren't over yet. I'll try to add more tomorrow. Please urge me to update more.

Chapter 56 End of Conversation and Invitation

"Then the second question is about my purpose in approaching Maria Nearl... Actually, it was a coincidence that we met. I remember the first time we met was right after I registered; we even bumped into each other."

Seeing that Manner had fallen silent again after hearing her words, Bianca continued.

Although it seems like a coincidence, the truth is that the silly goose was too busy avoiding Maria Nearl to even approach her.

To be honest, if we hadn't bumped into each other that day, given Bianca's personality... if she wanted to complete the mission later and approach the pony with a "purpose," she would probably have struggled for a long time.

"I know what you're worried about, Mr. Manner, but there's no need to worry. I have no ill intentions towards Maria Nearl or the Nearl Family. As for the person you saw that night, it was someone I asked to protect Maria Nearl and the others."

"I don't have the habit of dragging my friends down with me."

To allay Manner's concerns, Bianca simply laid everything bare without any concealment.

"Huh?"

Unlike her uncle, who remained calm and composed, Maria Nearl was completely taken aback after hearing Bianca's words, looking at her friend with surprise.

"If you want to know, I'll tell you later." Looking at Maria Nearl's adorable expression, Bianca couldn't help but ruffle her hair and say softly.

"Um."

Upon hearing this, Maria Nearl nodded and stopped asking questions, choosing to listen quietly.

"..."

Watching the loving interaction between the two girls in front of her, Manner raised an eyebrow slightly, but ultimately said nothing. Instead, she changed the subject, saying, "You've certainly done a good job protecting them, but at the same time, you've tied the Nearl Family to you, at least in their eyes."

After speaking in a relatively calm tone, Manner turned his gaze back to Bianca, wanting to know how the girl would respond to his question.

Upon hearing this, Bianca was taken aback at first, then said apologetically:

"I'm sorry, that was an oversight on my part. I had thought about many things before, but I forgot about this aspect."

"But it doesn't matter. Whether the 'Nearl Family' becomes distant or close to me afterward, it won't stop me from protecting them. So, what does Mr. Manner think?"

To be honest, Bianca had really overlooked this point, because there were so few Nearl Family now... so few that she hadn't even thought about it from the perspective of a family.

However, because there are few people, whatever choice Manner, the former head of the family, makes, it's all pretty much the same to her.

After all, the person that the goose wants to protect is still there, and that won't change no matter what choice she makes. Even if Maria Nearl and she are no longer friends, it will still be the same.

But...

Thinking of this, Bianca's eyes suddenly turned strange. Surely Manner wasn't that old-fashioned?

"Your method, or rather, what you obtained by exchanging chips."

Hearing Bianca's clearly meaningful words, Manner's golden eyes flickered slightly. Instead of answering directly, she continued to ask other questions.

Although Bianca's power and character stirred a sliver of hope and excitement within him, it did not mean he would easily move the Nearl Family into the house.

"Freedom and power are used as bargaining chips to exchange for the right to supervise."

"Just as you said before, Mr. Manner, there is no absolute fairness in this world. But... I will try my best to ensure that those within my reach have relative fairness."

As Bianca spoke, she didn't notice the confident smile that had reappeared on her lips, nor did she realize how dazzling she appeared in the eyes of others.

"You're probably not from Kazimierz, and I can't discern your race. So why did you choose to give up your freedom? According to you, you were just passing through at first."

Gazing at the "sparkling" Bianca before her and listening to her words, Manner's golden eyes flashed with a hint of confusion as she asked a question she didn't quite understand.

Before Bianca uttered those words, Manner had assumed that the girl's approach to negotiating with those above was more about using terror to "threaten and coerce," and that it might not last long.

That's why, even though he had mixed feelings and saw hope for change in the city, he still didn't act rashly...

However... after Bianca said these words, Manner was first stunned, and then she was filled with disbelief and confusion.

"Mr. Manner, have you forgotten my initial answer? I have always protected and helped only those who need help, not specific places or individuals." Bianca smiled slightly before continuing:

"Here I witnessed suffering and injustice, and so I naturally want to use my own hands to change things and fight for them. It has nothing to do with region or anything else; it's simply because I came here first and I saw it."

"..."

Bianca's answer left Manner speechless. He slowly lowered his eyes, concealing his emotions.

He saw many things in the dazzling young woman before him... including things that reminded him of something he missed. At the same time, he felt a pang of envy, envying the girl's immense power...

Go do what you want to do.

As soon as she finished speaking, Manner stood up, turned around, and left the tavern without lingering.

Because by this point, he had learned everything he wanted to know. As for whether Bianca's words were true or false, let time and people be the witnesses.

Before that, he will protect the Nearl Family...

"Uncle Manner just left like that? He didn't even stop you, Bianca!? You know, he tried to stop me when my sister wanted to become a gladiator..."

Maria Nearl watched her uncle leave before she recovered from her shock and whispered to Bianca.

"Heh~ Because Mr. Manner had no reason to stop me. He said he was teaching you because he was worried about you, afraid you would get hurt." After hearing Maria Nearl's words, Bianca chuckled and continued:

"But I'm different. I have enough strength to firmly uphold my beliefs and steadily walk on my own path."

"Hmm... Bianca, you're right. It seems we can't afford to be too lax in our swordsmanship."

Upon hearing this, Maria Nearl pouted slightly, then slumped onto the table, her expression looking somewhat like she was about to cry.

Heaven knows, Maria Nearl was already under considerable pressure because of Bianca's excellence, and now... with someone unleashing their power, that pressure exploded instantly.

Now she no longer expects anything else; she has changed her goal to simply not holding anyone back. Not holding anyone back is a victory!

As for the craftsmen, Maria Nearl decided to give it a try; she would do her best to create a weapon suitable for Bianca!

"You're only just realizing this? As a member of the Nearl Family, you can't let your swordsmanship go to waste." Zofia raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing her child's words and said with a hint of annoyance.

"Yes, yes, I will definitely study hard under your guidance, Sister Zofia."

"Such a perfunctory response..."

"Where can I find it!"

Just as the two were playfully bickering, the old knight looked at Bianca and suddenly sighed, saying:

"Should I say that Bianca, you little girl, are too naive, or should I say that you trust us too much? You speak without any restraint."

"Yeah, you're treating us like family at all. Not only did you spill everything in front of that Manner guy, but you also made us old guys the audience."

The old craftsman Koval, who was drinking his wine, echoed this with a helpless expression.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't do that outside. I'm telling you about today so you can be mentally prepared."

After listening to the elders' words, Bianca smiled and shook her head, then explained helplessly.

The reason why Daigo spoke so bluntly today is largely because he doesn't want to get entangled with Manner.

Knowing Manner's character, both concealing information and acting as a riddle-teller could easily lead to misunderstandings and distrust. Therefore, it's better to reveal everything directly and use honesty and sincerity to gain some of his trust.

"You know what you're doing. As for what happened today, none of us will gossip about it, so just go ahead and do it." As he spoke, bald Martin placed a glass of mixed juice in front of Bianca.

"Yes, thank you."

"Haha, there's no need to thank me. Rather, we're also looking forward to changes in this place. Keep it up, little girl."

While Bianca was enjoying a gathering with her friends, the higher-ups of various factions in Kazimierz were re-evaluating her, deciding on their next actions and attitudes.

Manner's residence--

"You went to see the child, didn't you, Manner? How did it go?"

"!"

Manner had just returned home and hadn't even had a chance to relax when a familiar voice suddenly rang out, startling him completely.

"You came because of Bianca? If you had told me earlier, I should have received you, Mr. Russell."

After realizing what was happening, Manner's expression returned to calm, and she spoke respectfully to the somewhat aged-looking woman in front of her.

"No need for you to go to so much trouble, I'll be leaving soon. There's still a lot to do after today's commotion. Besides, I need to see this young man myself later." The blonde Kuranta woman waved her hand gently and said casually.

"..."

Upon hearing this, Manner opened her mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed the words back. After hesitating for a moment, she finally said:

"She... Your Excellency Russell, you should go see her yourself."

"It seems you have a high opinion of this young man. However, based on the current investigation... he is indeed a very good kid." Upon hearing this, [Grand Knight Commander] Ioleta Russell nodded slightly and sighed to herself.

After speaking, she turned her gaze back to the man in front of her...

"Is that wandering swordsman who went on distant journeys returning?"

"..."

"Has that wanderer not returned yet, who traversed the battlefield strewn with corpses and the boundless wasteland, at the end of the fortress burned by artillery fire?"

"..."

Afternoon--

After the party ended, Bianca, who had put on a slightly disguised act, was walking back in a good mood, while pondering what had happened earlier.

Today, while having a happy gathering with Maria Nearl and the others at the tavern, Silly Goose unsurprisingly received several invitations. Some were from the Grand Knight Council, and others from the Commercial Union.

Although Bianca didn't particularly like these invitations, she knew she couldn't refuse them if she wanted to achieve her goals. They were both a test and an initial negotiation.

However, even if she accepted these invitations, Dai'e didn't plan to go alone. After all, it wasn't like before, when she was the only "person" on the surface; now she had Rita to accompany her.

"..."

Gradually regaining her composure, Bianca quickened her pace, heading straight for her knightly order's encampment.

After all, besides her own knights, there was someone she had missed dearly waiting for her there.

After carefully maneuvering around and avoiding a group of people, Bianca quietly returned to the Knights' encampment and went straight to her room.

Since the Immortal Blade Knights were established, and for the convenience of training and other matters, Dai'e rented an area and stopped staying in hotels, instead settling down here.

However, before Bianca could even reach her room, she encountered the person who had been waiting for her.

"Welcome back, Durandal."

The short-haired, beautiful maid bowed gracefully to Bianca and said gently.

Looking at Rita in front of her, Bianca's beautiful blue eyes flashed with a smile as she replied, "Yes, I'm back."

"Miss Sakura is waiting in her room. She has also prepared some snacks and black tea for you, Durandal. Please come in." With that, Rita gracefully gestured for you to enter.

"Thank you for your hard work, Rita. It's been so long since I've had your tea. Let's go together." Even though she knew the person in front of her was also "herself," Bianca still said it instinctively.

"It is my honor, Durandal."

After saying that, the two girls walked together toward the room.

P. S.: I've combined the two into one. As for whether there will be more tonight, it depends on the situation... I've been having a lot of trouble at home lately, so I'll try to write as much as I can. I was in a good mood at first... but then everything started to feel off.

Chapter 57 Situation and Title

After a brief discussion with "themselves," Bianca, accompanied by her adjutant Rita, soon went to keep her appointments with various parties.

Well, although Dai'e didn't contribute much during the negotiations, the environment still made her feel somewhat restrained and unhappy.