In the castle north of the Black Stone Mountains, humans had gathered and set up a fighting ring in the plaza.
Hundreds of knights formed a circle around it, watching warriors duel with wooden swords.
For a time, the scene was lively and bustling.
When that beautiful young woman stepped onto the ring, many people erupted in cheers all at once.
Her orange-yellow hair was tied into twin tails.
Her tall, voluptuous figure was captivating, and her wheat-colored healthy skin symbolized years of hardship.
Her hawk-like eyes were firm and sharp.
After defeating her opponent, applause and cheers rang out endlessly.
“That was amazing—simply brilliant…”
“That’s the power of the Thunder Saint!”
“Who else could possibly defeat her?”
The young woman known as the Thunder Saint merely nodded lightly, showing no arrogance.
She knew that in front of the other two of the Four Saints, she still couldn’t show off—especially with the Saintess existing above her.
If challenged by her, the Thunder Saint probably wouldn’t last even five minutes.
But
Where was the Saintess?
The Holy Queen had also vanished along with the Saintess.
Ever since the crisis in the sky had been resolved by the Silver-White Sword Empress, the two had disappeared. It had already been two full days.
Meeting that powerhouse probably wouldn’t take too long, yet when everyone thought a sacred “Evil Tree Subjugation War” was imminent, nothing happened at all.
The Thunder Saint thrust her wooden sword into the ground, waiting for the next knight to challenge her and begin the next round of sparring.
This method could liven up the entire knight order’s atmosphere and ease the tension that had built up.
It was also the Thunder Saint who had ordered the knights a few days earlier to bring beer and spices from the nearby town, leading to a series of banquets and parties.
Though the priest corps might see this as somewhat inappropriate, the Thunder Saint didn’t think there was anything wrong with it.
Moreover,
Even if the higher-ranking knights were fighting fiercely over the so-called position of divine maiden, it had nothing to do with these ordinary knights.
“Phew…”
Thinking of this, the Thunder Saint let out a long breath.
She recalled a person once called the Silver-White Sword Empress who had done something similar… Before subjugating a large monster, she had actually let her subordinates drink and make merry, yet they achieved great results in that campaign.
Now, with the Evil Tree about to awaken, she wondered if humanity could welcome another great victory like the one ten years ago.
While lost in thought, a knight she was somewhat familiar with stepped onto the ring.
“I’ll be your opponent.”
It was a petite female knight.
Her red hair fluttered in the wind.
Her tone was calm, her steps light—she resembled a master skilled in combat.
Her crimson-red hair seemed about to trail along the ground behind her small body.
Paired with that unapproachable aura, she was like a sword immortal.
Yet the moment their eyes met, the Thunder Saint felt a trace of surprise.
“From the Third Knight Order—Miss Philina, it’s been a while?”
“Miss Thunder Saint, please instruct me.”
The two performed a knight’s salute.
Ever since absorbing the weapon of the Silver-White Sword Empress, she had gained power that ordinary people could only dream of.
Even typical knight captains couldn’t last more than a few exchanges against her before being defeated.
So for this duel, the Thunder Saint was more or less certain of victory.
She also knew that Miss Philina was only here to liven the mood and let the entertainment in the knight order continue a bit longer.
It had nothing to do with victory or honor—only revelry… The army hadn’t marched yet, and battle hadn’t arrived.
She was grateful that the originally rigid and serious Miss Philina could throw herself into such lively festivities.
However, things did not go as she expected.
Orange-yellow lightning gathered around the Thunder Saint’s entire body, crackling as it wrapped around the blade of the wooden sword thrust into the ground.
It was as if even wood in her hands possessed considerable destructive power.
“This one—!”
Philina executed a beautiful spin.
Her wooden sword traced a crimson arc through the air.
The blade passed through her meaningless block without warning, pointing directly at her neck—as effortlessly as an instructor training a recruit.
Before the surrounding knights’ cheers could even fade, the duel was over.
The Thunder Saint had lost.
Was she this strong?
“Miss Thunder Saint, did you hold back?”
“Eh—as expected of our Third Knight Order! See, even you can slip up sometimes, Thunder Saint!”
“Congratulations—the ring is finally changing hands!”
But the Thunder Saint knew she hadn’t held back at all, nor had she intended to lose.
Philina’s movements were so fast that she hadn’t even seen them clearly—or rather, with just the first move, she had been completely read.
“Phi… lina?”
The Thunder Saint asked tentatively.
“What, I’m pretty impressive, aren’t I~?”
Philina’s words left the Thunder Saint quite astonished.
This young knight, originally the captain of the Second Knight Order, had been a rather introverted girl—yet now she exuded an air of majesty.
Her tone carried an attitude different from questioning or seeking knowledge.
It was as if the Thunder Saint’s next answer wasn’t to resolve her doubts, but for her own redemption.
The Thunder Saint finally understood her meaning.
Pity.
“Who are you?”
“I am Philina.”
Philina tilted her head with a smile and moved the sword away from her neck.
Seeming to feel her words were a bit improper, she added, “I’m the captain of the Second Knight Order. We should know each other, right, Miss Thunder Saint?”
A trace of hostility appeared in the Thunder Saint’s eyes.
“You are not Philina.”
“Then who am I?”
“Someone’s little trick—or perhaps a demon spy. But I guarantee you’re not her.”
The smile on Philina’s face didn’t fade.
She merely observed the Thunder Saint, even seeming a bit puzzled.
The knights below the ring began whispering among themselves.
They clearly didn’t understand what was happening.
So the Thunder Saint gave a glance to the captain of the Fourth Knight Order—a young knight with yellow hair—seated in the front row of the audience.
He understood immediately.
He directed the knights to leave the area.
Sounds of confusion and doubt spread around, but most obeyed the order and returned to camp.
Soon, only Philina and the Thunder Saint remained on the ring, facing each other.
“Now can you tell me your identity? There’s no one else here. What do you want with me?”
The Thunder Saint noticed her own voice softening slightly—like the instinctive lowering of posture a weak person feels when facing the strong.
This person’s combat strength was at least above the Saintess.
No—perhaps even the Holy Queen wouldn’t be her match.
“May I ask—do you know where the divine maiden Gabriella is?”
“Gabriella?”
The Thunder Saint vaguely recalled that was the name of the Silver-White Sword Empress.
“I’ve been looking for her all day.”
“That’s the name of the Silver-White Sword Empress, isn’t it? Who are you? What exactly do you want with her?”
“I am her friend.”