Ready?

Kazimierz, the Nearl Family's Manor.

"Your favorite color?"

Maria tilted her head in confusion as she looked at Gregor, who was asking about her preferences.

"It's probably gold. Grandpa and the others are about the same color, since the whole family wears this color."

"Golden... I understand."

Not knowing what the other party understood, Maria asked directly:

Why would Mr. Gregor ask that?

"We need to prepare some gifts."

"Oh? That won't do!" Maria exclaimed in surprise.

"You are a benefactor of the Nearl Family, how could I let you prepare a gift!?"

Just consider it a custom.

Having noted down the colors of the furniture they were going to buy, Gregor calmed the ruffled pony.

"In my hometown, it's common sense to bring a gift when visiting someone's home, but this time the situation was special, so I had to make up for it later."

"That's true... but you didn't accept our gifts either."

During their time at the Nearl Family's house, Cyril and the others subtly probed Gregor's preferences, sending him numerous gifts in the process.

But apart from the snacks Maria gave Ifrit, Gregor himself returned everything else.

Maria's pretty face scrunched up in a frown.

They didn't receive many gifts themselves, but their benefactors were the ones thinking of giving them gifts...

If my uncle finds out I couldn't refuse, I'll probably get another scolding.

Seeing Maria's predicament, Gregor told a little lie:

"Don't worry, they're just some small gifts. As for how they found out your color preferences... I won't tell Mlynar."

"Phew... that solves the problem."

Maria breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a few small gifts, which was fine. Many knights would also exchange ornaments to hang on their weapons or armor to show their friendship.

"Oh, by the way, I also have a gift for you!"

As she spoke, Maria handed her an object.

Gregor took it and looked at it; it was a small tag.

There was a cute, cartoonish image of Ifrit dozing off on top of his head.

"... Thanks."

"Hehe, I'm glad you like it."

Satisfied with the feedback, Maria sent over another tag.

"This is for Ifrit, please give it to her."

"She'll like it."

As Gregor put the gift away, he suddenly remembered seeing a similar tag on Margaret's weapon.

Are there many such listings?

"Hmm! This is a gift to prove our friendship!" the girl said, counting on her fingers.

"Master, Grandpa, Sister, Aunt... Uncle also has some, but he didn't say anything at the time, so I don't know if he lost them."

No, it won't.

Gregor silently gave himself the answer.

Although I didn't talk much with Mlynar, she always seemed very serious.

But judging from the amount of attention Mlynar showed to the two sisters in their daily lives, Gregor could tell that she was a soft-hearted person despite her sharp tongue.

"... These tags are for attaching to weapons, right?"

The kind reminder made Maria's eyes light up instantly.

"I'll go back and find it right away!"

Although she hadn't seen her uncle practice swordsmanship in a long time, she remembered where the weapons were stored!

Waving goodbye to Maria, Gregor looked at Mlynar had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

Don't you have to go to work?

Before anyone could even ask a question, Mlynar spoke first:

"If you need to do any shopping, I can come along."

"No..."

"Miss Saria warned me that your sense of direction seems to be... a bit poor?"

The words of refusal went down his throat, and even his molten lava body felt his face burning.

"XX Hotel, please..."

Gregor certainly wouldn't let Mlynar go shopping with him. Putting aside how awkward it would be for two grown men to go together, they couldn't let each other know what they bought.

After politely declining the offer in the taxi, Mlynar offered an apology and got out of the car on her way home.

Watching the other person instantly transform into a corporate slave upon entering the company, Gregor silently apologized for his earlier complaints.

"Even the knights of the Nearl Family have to go to work..."

"Who can argue with that? My ancestors included knights, and now I'm a driver..."

The driver, quite moved, joined in the rant. After a headache dealing with the whole journey, Gregor finally returned to the hotel where everyone was staying.

Returning to the familiar door, he knocked, and before Gregor could greet the others, SilverAsh pulled him into the room.

"How's this outfit, my dear friend?"

"Um... it's pretty good."

Looking at the SilverAsh in the suit in front of him, Gregor nudged Gnosis beside him.

Why is he so excited?

"Just ask next time..."

Rubbing his aching shoulder, Gnosis looked at SilverAsh with disdain.

"Ever since Ms. Saria brought back the news, this guy has been like this."

"Information..."

"What, wasn't this the opportunity you fought for for him?"

Gnosis raised an eyebrow.

"A meeting with that Grand Knight Commander, and an invitation was sent not long ago."

"This is what Enciodes said after reading it. Judging from the wording in the invitation, the goal this time will probably be achieved."

"That's right!"

He straightened his collar again, his SilverAsh voice revealing barely suppressed joy.

"The Grand Knight Commander's generosity is beyond expectation; not only infected Campaign Knight, but also some retired knights are included in the recommendation list!"

"Retirees are included?"

Gregor was somewhat surprised.

At first glance, retired Campaign Knight seem like old men who can no longer fight.

But the borders of Kazimierz have never been without conflict, and knights who can retire intact from such an environment are truly elite soldiers.

"Yes, thanks to you, my dearest friend."

SilverAsh's gaze softened, making Gregor feel a chill run down his spine.

"It seems you've been blinded by greed."

Gnosis, equally unable to bear that look, immediately poured cold water on his friend's enthusiasm.

"That Grand Knight Commander is indeed very generous, but don't you think it's a bit too much?"

"... I know, of course I know."

With a deep breath, SilverAsh gradually returned to his usual state.

"Although he is called the Grand Knight Commander, he is also an excellent politician. This generosity probably contains some hidden reasons or conditions."

"...Ms. Russell probably meant no harm," Gregor instinctively explained on her behalf.

"Of course, the previous speculation does not mean that Ms. Russell intends to use us in any way."

SilverAsh smiled at Gregor, shrugged, and said self-deprecatingly:

"Our size alone is not enough to entice His Excellency the Grand Knight Commander."

"But we can't let our guard down. We'll have to meet them anyway, so we can just confirm it then..."

Gnosis summarized the situation and then sighed.

"So, can you change that damn outfit now? There's still plenty of time before the meeting."

"Just getting used to it in advance."

SilverAsh straightened his cuffs, his tone regaining its usual composure.

"Although we may lack the size, we must make the right gesture. A respectful attitude will at least make the other party willing to listen to us for a few more words."

"Gnosis, you should give it a try too, after all, you'll inevitably have to attend banquets in the future."

"We'll talk about it later, or you can have a good chat with your [close friend]."

Gnosis adjusted his glasses, turned and left, leaving the two of them alone.

SilverAsh hung the suit he had taken off on the hanger and shrugged.

"Don't worry about it. In Yan terms, he's just jealous."

SilverAsh skillfully caught the tossed teacup, once again displaying a polite smile.

"It seems you have something to say to me, and I hope it's something you need my help with."

"... Then you guessed right."

Gregor extended an invitation to accompany him shopping.

In his view, SilverAsh was an aristocrat, so his taste in furniture style should be similar to that of the Nearl Family.

After learning the purpose of the furniture, SilverAsh's gaze softened back to its previous gentleness.

"My dearest friend... you have once again brought me news that I cannot refuse."

After changing into casual clothes, SilverAsh asked Courier accompany him.

"By the SilverAsh Clan's name, SilverAsh will go all out for this shopping spree!"

Gregor: "..."

There's no need to use so much force.

A moment later, the three arrived at their destination.

"Yes, according to the travel guide, this is the largest shopping mall."

The Courier and looked behind him.

"Mr. Gregor, shall we head straight to the furniture section?"

Gregor scratched his head and looked at another area.

"I need to go buy some snacks. Can you please take care of the furniture?"

"Of course, I've already learned about the Knight family's interior design style from magazines."

SilverAsh patted Gregor on the shoulder and shoved him toward the food area.

Please.

The group parted ways, Gregor began searching for the location of the grilled sandworm legs.

After his search proved fruitless, he had no choice but to ask the staff for help.

"Lead the way, me?"

Looking at the tall knight before him, the man lowered his head in disappointment.

"Has my image really sunk to the level of a salesperson...?"

"Um, sorry?"

Realizing he had the wrong person, Gregor instinctively prepared to leave, but the man instantly realized what was happening.

"It's alright, it's alright. What are you looking for? I'll take you there."

"Thank you."

On their shopping trip, the two exchanged names, much to Gregor's surprise.

"Markowitz, are roasted sandworm legs a product manufactured by your company?"

"Of course, this snack is very popular, and I'm here to survey how much people like it."

"So dedicated..."

Seeing the other person's serious expression, Gregor thought of Mlynar once again.

Are the Kuranta born beasts of burden?

"I wouldn't call myself dedicated; it's just my job."

Markowitz's reply was flat, but the trembling of his horse's ears betrayed his joy.

Seeing this, Gregor couldn't help but sigh:

"You're a good person."

Markowitz suddenly jolted awake, Gregor asked in confusion:

"What's wrong?"

"Um, it's just that..."

Scratching his face awkwardly, Markowitz didn't know how to answer.

You can't exactly say that what the other person said reminded him of his own colleague.

[You're a good person, so can I ask you for help with my job?]

[You're a good person, want to work overtime together tonight?]

[You're a good person, so I'll take this transfer order.]

Seeing the other person's convulsing expression, Gregor carefully said:

Did I say something wrong?

Despite being incredibly tall, he was surprisingly polite...

Markowitz sighed, but decided to offer some advice anyway.

"Mr. Gregor might not know this, but when you hear this at Kazimierz's company, it usually means someone has work to do and is trying to avoid it, so..."

He didn't finish speaking, but Gregor already understood what he meant.

"It was my oversight, but what I said earlier was indeed a compliment, so please don't misunderstand."

"Praise...?"

Chewing on the word, Markowitz couldn't help but sigh.

"If I could, I wouldn't really want to be a good person."

Feeling Gregor's questioning gaze, the man smiled wryly:

"Did you know that my job includes food investigations, and I always get refused when I ask people questions?"

Everyone says I have a serious face, but what can I do about it?

"Some colleagues recommended I go for a more serious style, but I can't even afford a decent suit..."

The man kept talking, while the tall knight listened silently.

Markowitz only snapped back to reality when he unknowingly reached the exit.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you listening to so much..."

Gregor shook his head, indicating that he didn't care.

"Then, I'll take my leave now."

Relieved, Markowitz, knowing he had exposed his embarrassing past, prepared to leave.

"Mr. Markowitz," Gregor called out to him.

The man turned around in confusion, and the black-clad knight scratched his head.

"Although it's a bit strange, please believe that... good people will be rewarded."

"..."

Markowitz opened his mouth, paused for a moment, and then responded with a smile.

As his colleagues commented, the smile seemed rather incongruous on his otherwise serious face.

"Thank you, I will try to be a good person."

After saying that, the two went their separate ways.

A moment later--

Gregor: "..."

Markowitz: "..."

"Um, is there anything else?"

"I..."

The knight's armor creaked as Markowitz anxiously awaited a reply.

"... I'm lost."

"Puff--"

[Ding-dong—Mr. Enciodes, your companion is waiting for you at the central counter...]

After the announcement echoed throughout the mall, SilverAsh and Gray quickly arrived at the counter.

Markowitz had left, leaving only the gray-faced knight huddled in the corner.

Although SilverAsh and his companion bravely kept their expressions in check, Gregor could still sense the smile lurking beneath their muscles.

Is there any navigation system in this Daichi...?

"Ah, what's that?"

Seeing the Courier's puzzled expression, Gregor couldn't help but sigh.

"It's nothing, let's go."

"Yes, the data on food audience acceptance has been collected."

"Okay, I'll check the situation in the other blocks."

"Knights' preferences... I doubt any knight would accept a food advertisement, right?"

"Okay... I'll give it a try."

After hanging up the phone, a weary Markowitz sat by the fountain and ate his cold breakfast.

Several cunning Fowlbeast approached silently. Markowitz sighed and still tore off a few crumbs from the sandwich and threw them down.

Before he could even appreciate the Fowlbeast fighting over food, magnificent music began playing from the screen above his head.

The Fowlbeast was startled and flew away, and Markowitz also shifted his gaze.

A face appeared on the giant screen atop the Central Building; it was one of the spokespeople for the Business Federation, a truly important figure.

[People of Kazimierz, once again, declare that the registration period for the Honor Championship is about to expire...]

That's great...

Looking at the smiling spokesperson on the screen, Markowitz was filled with envy.

People of such importance must face far less pressure than insignificant people like me...

"Mr. Czarny, the meeting is about to begin."

"Knew..."

Above Markowitz, in his top-floor office in the Central Building.

The man, his face grim, leaned back in his chair. It was hard to believe that the person in question was the same smiling man on the screen.

His fingers tapped along with the ticking of the clock, and as the bell rang, Czarny got up and left.

Leave the office and take a special elevator to the mezzanine.

When Czarny arrived at the room, many of his colleagues had been waiting there for a long time.

"Too slow, Czarny."

The obese Feline was squeezed into the cramped seat, glaring at the newcomer with displeasure.

"Everyone's time is precious, couldn't you have come earlier?"

Czarny didn't reply; he simply walked quietly to his seat and sat down.

Feline wanted to say something more, but as the indoor lights dimmed, she shut her mouth.

"Gentlemen," Czarny, surveying the members at the long table.

Anyone want to quit?

No one answered.

To reiterate, up to three times.

Once it was confirmed that no one had left, documents were continuously passed from the long table.

"This is a final warning before you open the file."

Czarny's forehead was covered in cold sweat as he carefully picked up the document.

"Is there really no one who wants to quit?"

The crowd stirred slightly, but then quieted down again.

This is a pointless question.

Everyone here is a glamorous spokesperson, but you are just a spokesperson.

The only ones who truly have the power to decide what to say are the companies represented by the screens behind them.

In the silence, Czarny opened the document.

Once someone started, the sound of documents being flipped through filled the air.

Gradually, people could no longer remain quiet.

"What... what is this?! Has Russell gone mad?!"

"What does this have to do with us! Why are you showing me this!?"

"Damn it! It's not just Russell, you've all gone mad! The whole [Kazimierz curse!] is insane!"

Noises, panicked cries, and shouts of abuse filled the air.

In the darkness, panic and excitement mingled, and desire and greed grew ever stronger.

Gradually, the wind direction changed.

"Wait, this plan... might actually work."

"Russell doesn't want us to have an easy time, and she won't either!"

"Will Victoria offer assistance? How can we ensure the authenticity of this information?"

After trembling as he finished reading the plan he already knew, Czarny raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

"I'm sure you all understand what we're doing now." The man swept his gaze across his colleagues with a gloomy look.

"Final warning, anyone want to quit...?"

After a long silence, one person shakily raised their hand.

"I... I want to quit..."

Czarny glanced at Feline, who had been making things difficult for him, and gave a mocking smirk.

"You may leave now, Dace Des."

Feline stood up unsteadily, her body drenched in sweat, making her look as if she had been caught in a hot rain.

Thump--

Those thick legs couldn't support his body, and Dace sank back into the chair.

The crowd cast mocking glances as armored knights approached from both sides.

"Don't come any closer! I can walk by myself! I can walk by myself!"

Feline waved his hands in vain, but was eventually held down firmly by the knight.

"Let me go! Let me go, you bunch of lunatics!"

Feline was pressed onto the table, her eyes, squeezed into slits, fixed intently on Czarny.

"You're all insane! That's treason! It's treason!!!"

"I'm quitting... You're taking the entire Business Federation to its death!"

Czarny lowered his eyes and clenched his fists tightly.

"You can't quit." He looked up.

"No one can get out."

The screen behind me lit up, displaying the logo of the Czarny Company.

Like a signal, more screens lit up.

Each different logo represents a financial behemoth.

Feline's eyes widened from shock to fear until the screen behind his seat lit up.

Fear turned into despair.

[Sorry, we will have a different spokesperson.]

A processed, hoarse voice came from the screen, and Feline closed his eyes in pain.

Yes... he was just a spokesperson.

Dace opened his eyes as the knight's sword grazed the skin of his neck.

"You will all die..."

No one answered; only mocking laughter rang out.

Pfft

The laughter stopped.

"Perhaps." Czarny lowered his head again.

"But that was after we failed."

Bright red blood spread down the table until it reached him.

As he stared at his reflection in the blood, Czarny's gaze grew increasingly fierce.

Are you ready?

Czarny, everyone stared at him with the same look.

Yes...

They are ready.