Military Parade

Ryan hadn’t expected that after the blonde girl went down and rallied everyone, they would achieve victory without even needing to switch out players.

What he found even more unbelievable was that the knight attendant named Kumi Inhomsen had actually awakened a Guardian Spirit.

As the large knight order with the shortest founding time and least background, prior to this, besides Ryan himself, there had only been two Guardian Spirit awakeners.

Other major knight orders all had at least ten or more.

Even the fallen Blue Lion Knight Order still had six.

The common belief was that only high-born noble offspring could awaken Guardian Spirits.

While Kumi wasn’t the first example to break the noble monopoly, it greatly boosted the morale of the Black Dragon Knight Order members.

They smoothly won the subsequent arena battles and team battles, especially the team battles, which surprisingly turned into a one-sided affair this time; they only lost three men while taking down nine of their opponents.

It was now the Blue Lion Knight Order’s turn to request an extended rest period.

“Well done!”

Ryan wasn’t so incompetent as to need the blonde girl to speak for him or prompt him at such a time; he immediately walked in front of his soldiers and praised loudly, “You are all excellent.”

Perhaps because they had never heard Ryan speak so many words of praise, every member of the Black Dragon Knight Order was incredibly excited and knelt down.

“Your Highness, please rest assured, we will also win the third round of trials!”

Someone said, mustering their courage.

“I believe you can do it, keep up the good work!”

Recalling the blonde girl’s words and actions over the past few days, Ryan selected what he could do now to imitate.

“Yes!”

Everyone responded in unison.

This time, even Ryan could tell that they weren’t just humoring him but were responding from the bottom of their hearts.

Returning to the stands with a slightly lighter step, Ryan noticed the blonde girl staring intently in the direction of the Blue Lion Knight Order.

Although he could understand this behavior, he felt a tiny bit of displeasure.

“I will crush them.”

“If that’s the case, that would be wonderful.”

But the blonde girl’s answer was still so unexpected, “However, they are a stubborn lot; even if they lose, they won’t change.”

Gazing at the undisguised sorrow in the blonde girl’s eyes, and recalling the Blue Lion Knight Order’s plight, Ryan dismissed his unnecessary displeasure and said,

“Do you want to go over and instruct them a bit?”

The blonde girl shook her head resolutely, offering no explanation.

“What do you think the outcome will be next?”

“We’ll have a slight edge.”

“Hmm, I think so too.”

Ryan wasn’t agreeing just to save face.

Rather, he was quite familiar with Ceredu Yaros, the third son of the Blue Lion family.

The opponent was not only a Guardian Spirit awakener but also a famous genius general in the empire… though not comparable to him, he should not be underestimated.

Indeed, even though the Black Dragon Knight Order still won all three battles, each one had become difficult and drawn-out again.

Especially the team battle, where the opponent split their commanders into three, responding to the Black Dragon’s tactics with three small teams fighting independently.

Although the situation where the others panicked when their commander was besieged still occurred, the situation was clearly much better than in the second round; ultimately, the Black Dragon Knight Order paid the price of six men falling to secure victory.

The “casualties” were double that of before.

‘It seems the revival of the Blue Lion Knight Order is not a pipe dream.’

Ryan evaluated in his mind… However unwilling, he would have to interact more with the Blue Lion Knight Order in the future, and perhaps even lead the Blue Lion in tasks; he certainly didn’t want to be dragged down by a bunch of greenhorns.

The blue-haired youth, Ceredu, also realized the fact that their family was about to be allied with the royal family; after the third round ended, he comforted his subordinates and quickly rushed to the stands, praising,

“Your Highness Ryan’s Black Dragon Knight Order has truly opened our eyes; we concede defeat willingly.”

“You weren’t bad yourselves.”

Ryan naturally had no intention of exposing such polite pleasantries and responded with his usual slight coolness.

Ceredu was not new to conversing with Ryan and harbored no dissatisfaction.

But before retreating, he couldn’t help but glance at the blonde girl, first frowning slightly, but then quickly shaking his head lightly and turning to walk off the stage.

This series of actions, on the contrary, left Ryan somewhat puzzled… This was completely different from his predicted development.

Flora was not surprised, but she noticed a problem.

The competition had ended, yet neither side had dispersed.

‘Could there be another event?’

Soon, she sensed a new group of people approaching from afar.

She finally understood why Ryan hadn’t initially sent his stronger soldiers or held back.

As she was thinking, a familiar figure entered the training ground.

Gold-rimmed glasses, dressed in a scholarly manner.

It was Assistant Morick.

He quickly walked in front of the two, bowed to the Crown Prince, and said with a solemn expression,

“Your Highness, they… have arrived!”

“Good.”

The Crown Prince couldn’t help but show a look of joy, startling Flora.

It was the first time she had seen the Crown Prince display such an expression.

Morick, however, did not find it strange, but instead looked towards the entrance with a worried expression.

Soon, a banner first caught everyone’s eyes.

The members of the Black Dragon Knight Order, who had been delighted by their victory moments earlier, quickly sobered up, looking as if they were facing a formidable enemy, utterly nervous.

The members of the Blue Lion Knight Order, on the other hand, had eyes practically spitting fire, staring intently at the emblem on the banner with gazes that seemed to want to flay and devour the opponent alive.

A plain white jade background.

Neither ferocious nor claw-waving, nor possessing any sharp eyes… a simple wolf head, about the color of a clear sky.

To be honest, this banner was a bit too reserved and understated.

It conveyed no sense of grandeur or dominance.

But as the army beneath the banner appeared, everyone present felt an overwhelming sense of suffocation and oppression.

Despite there being only nineteen riders.

Despite them wearing leather armor or light armor of varying shapes and qualities.

Despite their weapons being a mixed style, chosen for convenience and ease of use.

Yet, every step they took on horseback was so orderly.

Each rider tacitly maintained enough space to turn their horse or evade ranged attacks.

Even after dismounting, each person vigilantly observed both sides, guarding against potential flank attacks.

Even without an order from their superior, they would quickly form two lines, passing through the training ground gate in unison.

After just three steps, the nineteen individuals’ strides and arm swings had already adjusted to an astonishing consistency.

One might have mistaken them for a ceremonial guard marching in.

What was most shocking and terrifying was that none of this was done deliberately to impress anyone.

Rather, it was clearly a natural result, ingrained in their bones like eating and sleeping, from long-term training and strict military discipline.

Upon reaching the platform, the mountain-like sturdy general leading them came to a perfect stand-at-attention; behind him, the eighteen men immediately and uniformly unslung their completely different weapons, knelt on one knee, and said in unison,

“Greetings, Your Highness Ryan!”

Their voices boomed like a great bell, shaking the heart.

Many even had the illusion that these mere eighteen riders could slaughter the hundred-odd people present.

The leading general performed a standard military salute and declared loudly,

“The Azure Sky Knight Order, Fourth Division, Squads Five-Seven-Six and Five-Seven-Seven, have arrived at the designated location as ordered! Nineteen expected, nineteen present!”

After speaking, he knelt on one knee and said solemnly,

“Azure Sky Knight Order, Fourth Division Commander, Flax Mounten, greets Your Highness Ryan!”