After a full day of fermentation, in every corner of the Grand Knight Territory—
From bustling pubs to luxurious clubs, from tabloids to mainstream media outlets, the news about the "Black Iron Knight" has been everywhere.
His identity, terrifying strength, and relationship with the Black Knight... every topic is enough to generate a huge online buzz.
However, the Business Federation, which should have been the first to step in and control public opinion, remained unusually silent.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Black Knight himself demolished the headquarters of a newspaper... in a physical sense.
This undoubtedly excited the already enthusiastic onlookers even more, leading to a surge of outrageous speculations.
So, what is Gregor himself, at the very center of this media storm, doing right now?
"Two o'clock, the next plot of land is... two steps back?"
"Six o'clock, I've reached the finish line."
"Why should I play Flying Chess with you guys...?"
Gnosis adjusted his glasses, looking disgusted.
"I have so many things to do, can't you find someone else?"
"But Gnosis seems to have a lot of free time..."
Ifrit returned the pieces to their places, Gnosis, a vein throbbing on his forehead, stood up and pointed at the others in the room.
"And what about them!? Aren't they just as free?"
The people being pointed at stopped talking and turned around to look. Gnosis sat back down.
After Gregor disappeared, the Knights' Arena was thrown into chaos, which was eventually quelled by the head of Rhine Lab Defense Division.
Upon discovering they couldn't find Gregor, the group returned to the hotel, only to be met by Gregor and his companion the following day.
Surprisingly, no one asked Gregor what he meant.
"The Rusty Knight issue has been resolved. I've registered you under Rhine Lab, so you don't need to worry about your apparent identity."
Saria is as reassuring as ever.
"But be aware that there are competitors within the Commercial Union, and the faction behind the Rusty Knight might cause you trouble."
"Thanks."
Gregor nodded. A public identity could indeed save a lot of trouble, and as for the so-called factions... he didn't care.
"Although I knew you were exceptionally strong, witnessing it firsthand is still truly awe-inspiring." SilverAsh's gaze grew even more intense.
"My friend, are your family members interested in moving to Kjerag? I can provide the best possible arrangements."
"They probably aren't used to the cold climate..."
Gregor politely declined, his mind flashing back to his brothers:
Perhaps Vane would be happy to?
A perfectly measured hint of regret appeared on SilverAsh's face, then he changed the subject:
"Though it may be presumptuous, I am still curious. My friend, do you truly know that Black Knight?"
By now, Gregor certainly knew who the "Black Knight" referred to.
That strange fellow, was his name "Jian"?
"We met once, we're not familiar with each other."
"What a pity..." SilverAsh sighed softly, Gregor looked on with some curiosity.
"Do you need to see her?"
SilverAsh didn't mince words, stating it directly:
"I want to establish a chamber of commerce to break into my hometown's closed environment, and for this... a strong force is essential."
Saria, who had been silently listening, glanced sideways slightly.
"You want to buy this treble champion?"
"You could say that," SilverAsh readily admitted.
Saria crossed her arms and poured cold water on the situation:
"The Business Federation does want to get rid of the disobedient assets, but the Black Knight himself is probably not willing."
"Of course, right?" Ifrit, who had sneaked up to the group, couldn't help but interject.
"How could anyone want to be treated like a commodity and sold off like that!"
Frustrated, Silence simply pulled Ifrit to the other side of the room and tried to distract her with a television program.
SilverAsh wasn't deterred by Saria's words; instead, he sensed something in her calm tone and tentatively asked:
"Director Saria seems to have some ideas?"
Instead of answering directly, Saria posed another question:
What are your thoughts on Infected?
"... Personally, I have no particular opinion. If anything, I feel sorry for what happened to so many of them."
"Disease itself does not indicate nobility or baseness of character. There are despicable people among healthy individuals, and there are noble people among those Infected. That's all."
"So, you're not opposed to hiring Infected, or even cooperating with Infected?" Saria pressed.
"Naturally, I value ability and loyalty more than... etc."
SilverAsh immediately realized what was happening and looked at Saria.
"You mean..."
Saria met his gaze and confirmed his guess:
"Kazimierz has no shortage of infected Campaign Knight; they possess power, but lack a platform to unleash it."
She paused, then added:
"Of course, if you want to recruit them, you need to be prepared to face the 'attention' from the Certification Council."
(The Certification Council theoretically composed of representatives from three forces, forming a system of checks and balances.)
• Business Federation: They represent the major corporations, banks, media groups, and eSports sponsors who control the lifeline of Kazimierz.
• National Assembly: Nominally represents ordinary citizens and voters in Kazimierz.
• Knight Representatives: Representing the traditional knightly class and order. This force has been severely marginalized.
SilverAsh fell into deep thought, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table.
Recruiting Black Knight and getting involved in the sensitive political affairs of Kazimierz are two completely different things.
While SilverAsh weighed the pros and cons, Gregor discussed the matter with his brothers in the group chat.
[Gregor: We're going to the Dungeon tomorrow. Have you all taken care of things over there?]
[Vera: I'm fine with it, it's just a matter of letting them know.]
[Gorth: Almost done, the refugees have been mostly settled.]
[Vane: It's okay, I'll make them wait for me.]
[Gregor: Them?]
[Vera: The fourth brother has been in contact with Iberia officials, didn't he tell you?]
[Gregor:... No.]
[Gorth: Because he's afraid to see the boss, right?]
[Vera: She'll get a beating sooner or later.]
[Vane:... Can you please consider the person involved when you speak?]
[Gregor: Come back, I won't hit you anymore.]
[Vane: Boss, you're so kind... Did you think I'd say that!?]
[Vane: You want me to believe your nonsense? Give me a whole set of ex-husband CGs.]
[Gregor: Image JPG]
(SilverAsh, frowning in thought)
[Vane: I'm a little unaccustomed to this sudden bluntness...]
[Gregor: Coming back?]
[Vane: Cough cough! What's wrong with my ex-husband? He looks so worried.]
[Gregor: Thinking about how to kidnap someone.]
[Vane: Oh, by now they should have brought the triple crown winner home.]
Gregor paused in his attempt to reply, and carefully read Vane's message again.
[Gregor: Are you talking about the Black Knight?]
[Vane: Boss, you've heard of it? Yeah, it's in Kazimierz after all.]
[Gregor: Let me explain in detail about SilverAsh supporting the three-time champion...]
[Vane: You care about that? Explaining...]
Gregor felt increasingly guilty as he read Vane's description.
In other words... the original mace was saved by SilverAsh when they were being chased, and was subsequently bought by SilverAsh from the Commercial Union.
But now...
Gregor slapped his forehead, a sudden movement that drew everyone's attention.
"What's wrong, my friend?"
"Fine..."
Faced with SilverAsh's concerned gaze, Gregor felt increasingly guilty.
What could he say?
Did I remove your UR card from your card pool?
[Vane: Boss, why are you suddenly asking this? Have you already met the Black Knight?]
[Gregor: Saw him, a strange guy.]
[Vane: Strange? I thought you were going to say she was like Furious Rajang.]
Gregor was taken aback; having played Monster Hunter, he naturally knew what Vane was talking about.
Comparing the two, Gregor's shoulders began to tremble uncontrollably.
SilverAsh and Saria stopped talking and glanced subtly at Gregor.
"Feel sorry..."
Gregor felt he had moved a bit further away, so he went to the window and looked down. There were inexplicably more vendors around the hotel.
A flash of light appeared, and Gregor drew the curtains.
I'm going out for a bit.
Everyone looked at Gregor, Saria reminded him:
"Your popularity hasn't died down yet; going out now isn't a good choice."
"I know."
Gregor nodded, and the armor suddenly glowed. Everyone squinted as they watched the armor turn crimson and soften, then begin to take shape.
Soon after, Gregor's armor changed into ordinary knight's armor.
"... Do you need me to come with you?"
Seeing this, Saria did not offer any further advice, but instead raised another question.
"Ifrit said you have a bad sense of direction, so I can travel with you."
Gregor silently turned his head away, Ifrit quickly changed the subject.
"Haha... Boss, where are you going? I'll go with you!"
"Go find the Black Knight."
Seeing that Gregor did not refuse, Ifrit ran to his side with a smile.
"Go back to the lobby and wait."
Ifrit nodded and disappeared after being touched.
Silence gasped softly, Saria asked again.
"Don't you need someone to accompany you?"
"No need, I can hitch a ride."
Gregor pushed open the door and glanced back at SilverAsh.
What is your budget?
SilverAsh was taken aback for a moment, then gave a number.
Gregor nodded, closed the door, and left.
"Shall we go to the Knights' Arena?"
"No, let's stay away."
"Aren't you the driver? What are you going to do if you're not going...?"
Brush--
A sharp arrow was pressed against the neck of a passerby, Centaurea remained expressionless.
Are you still going?
"No, no!"
Someone fled in a panic, Centaurea sighed, slumping over the steering wheel.
My gaze drifted to the window on the second floor of the hotel, but it was blocked by curtains.
"They call it an investigation, but wouldn't it be better to let the reporters do it..."
Centaurea glanced at the vendors around the hotel, silently watching the hidden cameras concealed in the food.
Reporters at Wine Report will do anything for a story...
"ε=(´ο`*))) Sigh"
Leaning back in her chair, Centaurea covered her eyes with her arm.
The warm sunlight streamed through the glass, bringing an irresistible sense of drowsiness.
She yawned. Since the target wouldn't be out anytime soon, she figured she might as well take a nap...
As consciousness faded, the foal was about to drift into a sweet dream.
Beep beep beep--
Centaurea gritted her teeth, determined to ignore this spoilsport passenger.
Beep beep beep!
Centaurea sat up abruptly, gritting her teeth as she stared out the car window.
"I already said I'm not a taxi... uh?!"
The prepared rebuke got stuck in his throat. What came into view was not the face of the citizen being searched, but a red gold brick.
It sat firmly against the car window, its gold so pure, its size so realistic.
Centaurea instantly snapped out of her daze, mentally calculating its weight and the equivalent of several months' allowance.
The "passenger" outside the car window was completely shrouded in knight's armor, making it impossible to see his face.
Only that gold brick, shining through the glass, emanated a silent call.
Centaurea bit her lower lip, forcing herself to tear her gaze away from the gold bricks:
"I told you I'm not... um!"
The second gold brick was placed on top of the first one.
"... Get in the car."
Centaurea's fingers had already pressed the car door unlock button uncontrollably, and she tried to comfort herself:
Since the target won't be revealed anytime soon, and I'm just earning some reasonable extra money to supplement my household income, it should be fine, right?
The car door opened, and the heavy-looking rider sat in the back seat.
Centaurea started the car, trying to suppress the sound of pleasure:
Where are you going?
A calm electronic sound began:
"Block Zero."
Centaurea was startled and subconsciously glanced at it in the rearview mirror.
The voice didn't come from the knight himself, but from a small blue television he was holding.
Looks familiar... I feel like I've seen him somewhere before...
[Investigation target: A strange man wearing a television on his head, extremely dangerous...]
Centaurea: "..."
Cold sweat beaded on her forehead, and the girl's fingers tightened slightly around the steering wheel.
Could it be such a coincidence? They couldn't have really discovered my identity...
Seeing that the driver didn't react for a while, Gregor became a little puzzled and leaned forward slightly.
Centaurea jolted violently, accidentally triggering the windshield wiper switch!
The windshield wipers started swirling rapidly, Gregor sat back in his seat and fastened his seatbelt.
To ease the driver's mood, Gregor tentatively started a conversation:
"Master, what do you do for a living?"
Centaurea smiled with relief.
We're doomed...