He received a report that the new Oathbound Knight had arrived.
After thinking it over, considering it involved the royal Princess, he decided it would be best to meet him personally to explain the situation.
But when he finished his tasks and reached the reception room, he found no one there.
“Where did they go?”
Fortunately, Mapele was powerful and held authority in the Hall of the Holy Tree second only to the Elf King.
A quick search revealed an unfamiliar aura in the Princess’s backyard garden. At the same time, he discovered the Princess was also there.
“Hmm?”
Mapele was startled. Why was the Princess there? Wasn’t she grounded? Had the two of them already met?
Considering the Princess’s extremely resistant state, he feared they might have already had a falling out!
Mapele did not hesitate and hurried toward the garden.
If a conflict had occurred and Astrid had already refused him, the effort would be wasted! The thought gave Mapele a headache.
But when he reached the back garden of the temple, he realized his concerns were entirely unnecessary.
“Mm-hmm… okay… yes, I understand.”
Mapele sat in the pavilion, listening to the Princess explain that the two had already decided to form a Covenant, with Lance serving as Astrid’s knight.
This was naturally the best outcome, meaning a long-delayed task was finally complete.
However, Mapele did not feel much joy. He simply rejected it with a calm expression.
“No.”
“Why!”
Astrid said with a look of resentment, her voice filled with anger.
“Mapele! You don’t have the authority to manage my decisions after I’ve chosen an Oathbound Knight!”
With a light chuckle, Mapele did not reply to Astrid’s question. Instead, he shifted his gaze to the young knight standing beside her.
The pressure of a Saint Rank suddenly weighed on Lance’s heart, causing it to tighten. Subconsciously, he wanted to bow his head and admit fault.
But within a moment, a Mental Defense was suddenly released from Lance’s mental world.
A dissatisfied voice also rang in Lance’s head: ‘You haven’t even apologized to me! Why should you apologize to him…’
The petulant words ended abruptly, like a kite with a broken string. Lance was left confused, only able to silently thank his Witch Master for the rescue.
The powerful mental protection did not vanish with the Witch’s voice, allowing Lance to look Bishop Mapele in the eye with composure.
Huh?
Lance’s calm demeanor clearly exceeded Mapele’s expectations. He even wondered if his pressure had failed to release properly.
Mapele shifted his gaze back to Astrid. At that look, Astrid’s previously indignant face turned pale, and her questioning words stopped instantly.
Nothing is wrong…
How could Astrid, who was only Low-order, resist the pressure of a Saint Rank powerhouse?
She immediately became as quiet as a cicada in winter, not understanding why Mapele had suddenly become angry.
At that moment, Lance took a step forward, blocking Astrid and taking most of the pressure himself.
“Lord Mapele! Her Highness is only Low-order!”
Seeing this, Mapele withdrew the pressure and chuckled.
“You’re quite conscious of your role. You haven’t even become an Oathbound Knight, yet you’re already protecting your liege?”
“It is only right!”
Mapele’s expression turned cold at that answer.
He questioned harshly, “Then why did you agree to follow the Princess to the Human World? Do you not know how dangerous it is outside the Island, or do you not know that your liege is only Low-order? This is nonsense!”
Mapele struck the armrest, and a massive pressure struck again.
Astrid, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, felt her brain stall again, her legs trembling uncontrollably.
Even Lance was forced by this aura and could not respond immediately.
Once the pressure gradually weakened, Lance remained firm and said, “As an Oathbound Knight, I should worry about what my liege worries about and think about what my liege thinks!”
Hmm?
That was not a bad line. Mapele silently praised the young knight’s performance, starting to appreciate the young man’s resolve.
But this was not enough to convince him. He still shook his head in refusal.
“I will not preside over your induction ceremony, and I will not recognize the contract the two of you made privately.”
Hearing this, Astrid subconsciously wanted to say something, but remembering the terrifying pressure that could have crushed her, she felt fear and did not dare speak.
She only took a small step forward, standing behind Lance to support him.
Lance, however, showed no fear. He firmly stated again, “My strength is sufficient. It is enough to protect Princess Astrid!”
What?
Mapele was stunned, never expecting the young knight to claim his strength was sufficient. Once he snapped out of it, he almost laughed in anger.
A High Rank knight was certainly decent among the younger generation, but he had not even reached the Elemental Tier or become a true powerhouse!
‘I have to take him down a notch.’
Mapele sneered, “Your strength is sufficient? Fine!”
He tapped the stone floor of the pavilion and said provocatively, “As long as you can beat me, not only will I let you take the Princess, but I will also let you use one of the Sealed Objects down here permanently!”
There’s such a good deal?
Lance had not expected Mapele to mention the Sealed Objects, so he was overjoyed and immediately agreed. Seeing Lance agree so readily, Mapele’s sneer deepened. What an arrogant and ignorant boy!
Mapele raised a hand, and two illusory incantations struck Astrid and Lance.
In an instant, the three of them vanished. In the blink of an eye, they arrived at a vast, dark platform where only a few scattered Magic Crystal Lamps provided basic lighting.
“This is the Underground Sealing Room Hall. You and I will decide the winner here. How about it?”
“That is fine by me!”
Lance’s eyes were firm, and his expression was relaxed. He showed no fear, as if he could truly contend with this famous old Saint Rank.
“Very well! I will give you three moves! I will only attack after those three moves!”
With that, Mapele raised his staff, preparing to remove Astrid, who was still dazed by the sudden change in scenery, from the field. Lance quickly waved his hand to stop him.
“Wait! I still have something to say to Princess Astrid!”
Mapele frowned but lowered Astrid. Lance leaned in and whispered in Astrid’s ear, “Your Highness, do you remember what I said?”
Astrid regained her senses and nodded.
“Then, do you believe I can win?”
Astrid hesitated for a moment but still nodded. Seeing this, Lance acted as if he had gained confidence.
“Then you must hold onto that thought firmly! As long as you believe I can win, I definitely will!”
Astrid’s ears turned red, and she nodded firmly. “You will definitely win! My knight!”
Ugh.
Their whispering could not hide from the powerful Mapele, but he did not say anything, only finding them a bit mushy.
If things continued this way, even if they formed a Covenant, they would eventually cross the line between liege and knight.
“We can begin now!” Lance said, turning to Mapele after strengthening Astrid’s resolve.