Chapter 126: A Duel with Real Swords

“Hiss hiss hiss. Be careful!”

Linda raised her eyebrow, gritting her teeth in pain.

“Stupid Linda, who told you to badmouth the Captain behind her back.”

Lijie spoke softly, roughly tying a bandage around Linda.

“And even though you knew the Captain found out, you still dragged me into it and talked for half a day. Were you afraid the Captain wouldn’t hit you hard enough? ‘Fortress’ isn’t supposed to be used like that, right?”

After tying a death knot with a force that seemed intent on strangling Linda, Lijie calmed down, returning to her usual lazy, low-energy state.

“Tch.”

Although Linda was beaten up badly by Rosetta, at least no Sacred Seal was used.

No matter how strong the Captain’s body is, beating her up without using a Sacred Seal would only leave some surface wounds.

After all, she’s just that tough~

“Do you even understand a woman’s heart, you little fox?”

Linda started her grand speech again.

“I got caught eavesdropping by the Captain, so getting a beating was inevitable. Of course I had to share it with you! Otherwise, wouldn’t it be weird if only I got beaten up? It’s just a pity I couldn’t drag you down with me, little fox…”

“Fortunately, I’m not an idiot like you.”

“You think the Captain was really angry, but I actually think she was secretly delighted after hearing what I said~”

Linda said with a mischievous grin.

“She didn’t hit me as hard today as she did last time I caused trouble. Maybe she’s even savoring my words in secret, thinking they struck her heart perfectly, and will reward me later without realizing it.…”

“Sigh.”

Lijie sighed and held her forehead, not wanting to deal with her anymore.

Linda leaned against the wall to rest, eyeing Lijie who was putting on her uniform and adjusting her collar.

“So? Even our ‘Swordmaiden’ is interested in today’s duel?”

“Not really.”

Lijie adjusted her almost perfect appearance in the mirror, answering indifferently.

“I see.”

Linda clasped her hands behind her head, mocking.

“After all, sensitive feline types like you, and perfectionist weirdos who wear it on their face, can’t accept being completely defeated by that Count, right?”

Lijie’s hand, fixing her collar, froze for a moment. Her fist almost tightened uncontrollably.

This could be said to be her greatest defeat, even a humiliation.

In her duel with Luo Xiya Kelden, she had lost fairly and squarely in swordsmanship.

You know, the reason why the Saint Key Knight Order is so strong is because the baseline entry requirement is a high-tier transcendent talent.

Compared to the Black Knights who were built up with drugs, the Saint Key Knight Order is more powerful and pure.

Every seemingly ordinary Knight here is an irreplaceable legend in their own story.

And Lijie, possessing the Windwalker Sacred Seal, was among the best of them.

Because her Sacred Seal, which enhanced her speed limit, was in some sense closer to a time-type Sacred Seal than a wind-type, giving her a tremendous advantage in one-on-one duels.

On the battlefield, however, she was lacking, only able to act as an assassin to disrupt the fight.

Yet, in the one-on-one with Luo Xiya, she lost simply and cleanly.

Her speed was inferior, her swordsmanship as well. She lost so easily it was almost careless.

Because in that instant the two drew their swords, the outcome was already decided.

She still remembered the cold look the Count gave her, as if she wasn’t even worth noticing.

Even though there were safer ways, she seemed to be in a hurry and used her strongest attack right from the start.

Compared to those transcendents who lost because their spells were broken, Lijie felt her own defeat was even more thorough and humiliating.

“But I think you’re too sensitive.”

Linda said.

“It was just a duel. There are so many people not as good as you. You only lost to her and Saintess Highness. What’s the big deal?”

Linda was straightforward.

Her ‘Fortress’ made her a total pushover in one-on-one fights, so she was strangely relaxed about it.

After all, the battlefield was where her talent shone.

“It’s pointless to explain to a muscle-brained idiot like you.”

Lijie said with disdain, tugging Linda toward the door.

“Hey, hey, hey! I’m still recovering!”

“No.”

***

“Your Highness, the crowd is getting bigger.”

Rosetta stood by Roman’s side, her hand on her sword, looking down.

The final match of the exchange was held in the square in front of the Papal Palace.

The surrounding area was already packed with people, a sea of heads, a spectacle that looked like the whole city had turned out.

“Will…they see me from here?”

Roman nervously gripped the hem of his skirt.

He still felt embarrassed by his outfit.

Did Milis also get forced to wear this by the Holy Throne?

He was curious.

“They won’t, Your Highness.”

Rosetta answered, then added:

“Just as the Holy Throne said, before your Coronation Ceremony begins, only she will watch over you.”

These words made Roman’s heart skip.

Suddenly, following his intuition, he looked in a certain direction.

On the central platform of the Papal Palace, Sylvia stood holding her scepter, dressed in her sacred robes.

At that moment, her violet eyes met his.

Just as Sylvia said, today he would remain in her gaze, beneath her eyelids.

Enjoy today’s festivities to the fullest.

Sylvia’s voice echoed in his heart.

‘Mm…’

Roman had also learned the Transmission Spell from Lady Catherine. He never expected his first use would be with the Holy Throne herself—it was truly a strange feeling.

As time passed, Roman looked down and his eyes narrowed when he spotted a familiar figure.

It was a silver-haired girl with the same hair color as him, still in her usual white and gold holy robes—much more modest than his ‘rebellious’ outfit.

“Milis?”

Roman blurted out.

“Yes, she is Saintess Highness. In a sense, you two share a similar origin.”

Rosetta explained.

“Has she reached the Sanctuary?”

Roman asked anxiously.

“Maybe only half a step away.”

Rosetta considered carefully before answering.

“When Saintess Highness truly enters the Sanctuary, even I might find it hard to defeat her.”

Hearing this, Roman’s breathing slowed.

He then looked at the figure standing opposite Milis, emotion overflowing in his eyes, gentle ripples spreading.

The dark hair flowed in the air with a faint fragrance. Luo Xiya adjusted her state, then opened her ocean-blue eyes, meeting Milis’ gaze.

The audience grew quieter.

There was no referee here, no commentary—not the passionate spectacle Roman had imagined.

On the field stood only two duelists, and the battle had begun the moment they took their places.

Luo Xiya stared at Milis without blinking, her breath and heartbeat perfectly steady. Both were waiting for the right moment to strike.