When a person is utterly speechless, they often end up laughing.
Weiss was exactly like that now.
One-on-one with a Saint Inquisitor Knight, wanting to duel me? Seriously?
In terms of personal strength alone, Weiss—having crossed over—had neither the means to enhance his physical abilities with magic nor any innate magical skills.
He could barely hold his own against ordinary soldiers, let alone compete with a noble knight.
The black-haired female knight clad in white armor also tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Her exquisite face displayed a smile that was perfectly in line with standard social etiquette, yet no matter how one looked at it, it wasn’t exactly friendly.
She stepped forward from the ranks and stopped right in front of Weiss.
Though she didn’t have the burly physique and solid muscles of a soldier captain’s deputy like Karina, her agile posture was a solid testament to her strength as a knight.
It was obvious at a glance that she was far from just some spoiled noblewoman who had bought her way into the army.
“Mr. Weiss, may I ask your thoughts? Would you be willing to teach me?”
The white-armored female knight repeated her request, deliberately emphasizing each word.
Every knight present had their eyes light up, focusing on Weiss with expressions full of anticipation.
How could a lowly mercenary possibly stand a chance against a dignified Saint Inquisitor Knight?
They expected him to obediently admit he was no brave mercenary, just a coward lucky enough to have escaped unharmed.
Lortisa clenched her fists tightly behind her expressionless calm.
It was clear these knights were arrogant and haughty, intentionally making things difficult for Weiss the mercenary—especially considering he was still recovering from an injury and had just undergone magical treatment.
Without a second thought, she was ready to speak up for the important person she served and refuse outright—
But a sharp rebuke cut in first—
“Lady Murphyana, please watch your words.”
Northen furrowed his brows slightly, his usually gentle smile replaced by a look of disapproval.
He turned toward the white-armored knight named Murphyana, his voice carrying a deliberately stern tone,
“Mr. Weiss is still healing from his injuries sustained during his encounter with the Soul-Eater True Lord. How can you so rashly propose a duel without understanding the full circumstances? Such behavior is unworthy of a knight’s ethics.”
His words hit the mark perfectly, easing the tension.
Weiss was surprised but genuinely grateful.
This Knight Commander was truly gentle, fair, and embodied the spirit of knighthood.
Murphyana lowered her head apologetically:
“Knight Commander, your admonishment is well taken! I was thoughtless and too eager to improve my skills to face the Disaster Tide. I spoke hastily.”
However, when she raised her head again, her tone shifted subtly.
Her gaze passed over Northen and burned fiercely into Weiss.
Her words were sincere but carried an undeniable, commanding force:
“But, Knight Commander, precisely because Mr. Weiss is a warrior who has faced the Soul-Eater True Lord head-on and survived, his experience is especially valuable.
If we could learn from him earlier, we would have greater confidence in battle. This is not merely for training but to defeat the Disaster Tide and ensure peace and stability on our borders.
Mr. Weiss, surviving such a deadly encounter surely proves your extraordinary courage and wisdom. Therefore, I—Murphyana, as a Saint Inquisitor Knight—once again earnestly ask for your guidance!”
Such a rousing appeal was deafening.
It sounded as if it wasn’t just about the present moment, but also necessary preparations for facing the Disaster Tide.
Anyone could tell that faced with such a sincere request, refusing would not simply brand one a coward—it would become an act of selfishness that disregarded the greater good and hoarded knowledge.
Northen cast a sidelong glance, his expression quickly shifting to one of “reluctant understanding,” and he sighed heavily:
“Mr. Weiss, please forgive her. Murphyana is somewhat overzealous, but she means well in wanting to repel the Disaster Tide. That said, you really don’t have to force yourself. If today is not convenient, we can arrange for another time when you’re feeling better…”
Beside him, Lortisa bit her thin lips.
Deep in her emerald eyes, a trace of anxiety threatened to overflow uncontrollably.
She knew all too well that these grand, noble justifications were nothing but attempts to coerce him.
When they couldn’t belittle or humiliate him outright, they would resort to setting traps.
Beneath their proud facade was the true unruly nature of nobles who couldn’t bear to see those they considered beneath them stand shoulder to shoulder.
Just as the soldier captain was about to speak up and refute, Weiss suddenly spoke, as if confirming something with them:
“Lady Murphyana, right? You’re saying you genuinely wish to have a match with me?”
Murphyana was momentarily stunned by this unexpected question and instinctively exchanged a glance with Northen.
This mercenary’s reaction was completely different from the expected script.
No panic, no excuses, but rather a… calm that was hard to read?
Suppressing her surprise, she straightened her back and lifted her chin:
“Yes!”
“It is you yourself who sincerely wishes for this, isn’t it?”
Weiss confirmed again, his tone surprisingly even.
Murphyana hesitated for a moment.
(This mercenary not only shows no sign of stage fright but dares to confront us head-on? What gives him the nerve to appear so calm?)
Though acting under orders, at this moment, looking at Weiss’s inexplicably calm demeanor, she actually felt a flicker of interest.
“That’s right!”
Murphyana’s voice rose with the pride unique to knights and an oppressive intensity about to burst forth.
“I am eager— to receive your instruction!”
—Eager to properly and harshly teach this insolent mercenary who dared sully the Knight Commander’s sight and put on airs before me!
Yet, just as the female knight’s ruthless resolve surged and her lips curled into a cruel smile, she saw a look of unexpected joy bloom on the mercenary’s face.
As if it was he who had caught her in his trap.
Weiss calmly smiled in response,
“Alright, I hear your wish loud and clear. Guidance? Of course, I’m more than happy to.”
Everyone present was momentarily stunned.
They had all thought he would have a chance to refuse, to save face and avoid a beating, but he had actually accepted.
Was he crazy? Or simply lacking self-awareness?
Northen quietly revealed a satisfied smile, clearly pleased.
Lortisa’s heart clenched instantly, her emerald pupils sharply contracting as she looked at Weiss with a mixture of confusion and deep concern.
However, what no one else could see was that within Weiss’s vision, there was a glowing point visible only to him slowly emanating from the female knight.
It was the unmistakable mark of Wishforce.