Standing before the Twilight Hall, Lita once again remembered that day in Solus City’s square.
Participating in the assessment, she happened to encounter Lady Mei Er trying to assassinate Lady Cecilia, and she herself was mistaken for the culprit, leading to her first meeting with Cecilia, and then everything that followed. It felt like a story from a year ago.
But today, that kind of situation shouldn’t occur, in any sense.
Although today’s Twilight Hall was still bustling with noise. Now the huge White Stone Plaza had been temporarily divided into neat areas. The central arena, which had witnessed countless battles, was not bathed in blood and sword light today, but still exuded a murderous air.
Around it, temporary viewing stands were erected layer by layer on top of existing seating, allowing more people to catch a glimpse of the king’s majestic presence.
And the pale branches of the Golden Tree in the center of the field glowed with a faint golden halo under the thin but warm winter sunlight, like a silent witness overlooking the crowd gathered at its feet.
“The only place commoners can directly touch the Golden Tree is probably here, right?”
Among the erected viewing stands, there was one specially prepared for the royal family. Red velvet carpets, banners embroidered with gold thread, a few small chairs, and a throne specially prepared for the king — though it would be more appropriate to call it a bed.
Today, the king unusually wore a relatively formal dark gold robe, and the golden beard on his multiple chins was neatly combed. Although the robe was still stretched taut by his round belly, it still had a kingly bearing, I suppose.
Lita wasn’t worried about the king being assassinated, after all, a row of Crest Knights were already standing below the high platform, and Aierteer was silently standing right in front of it. With a formation entirely guarded by Crest Knights, Lita felt she would rarely see such a spectacle in her lifetime.
Except for guards and examinees, weapons were not allowed in today’s Twilight Hall, and the few decorative weapon racks had also been removed. If someone could hurt the king under such arrangements, that would indeed be quite impressive.
There was another important reason for choosing the Twilight Courtyard for the opening ceremony, but that was something Lita would learn later.
“Please welcome the princesses.”
Pierre’s voice rang out. Today’s host was none other than this bald Minister of Internal Affairs, showing the kingdom’s emphasis on this grand event.
Cecilia stepped out. Her pale gold gown and deep blue shawl made her look like a golden rose blooming in winter. Behind her, Twin Moons followed with a dreamy expression, and the entire venue immediately burst into applause.
Although Lita had not yet formally entered the Twilight Hall, she imagined it was already packed with people.
Just as Lita was thinking, Rosalia entered with Brownie, and another round of applause followed. After that, Xingxian pushed a small wheelchair carrying Lilia, walking slowly inside.
Lilia’s face was pale, her lips tightly pressed together. Her hands gripping the wheelchair armrests had white knuckles. A blanket covered her legs, preventing Lita from seeing her lower body.
But Lita noticed the unwillingness and resentment surging in Lilia’s eyes before she left. Appearing before everyone in such a state was not what she wanted, but her father had decreed it, and she had to comply.
Cecilia, dressed in a light white winter court gown, said softly,
“Let’s go.”
She gently took Lita’s hand, and they walked together to the entrance before she let go.
Bathing in the applause, Lita followed closely behind Cecilia and slowly walked onto the royal viewing stand.
“Is that the exclusive knight of the Cursed Princess?”
“I heard she’s a connection of the Cursed Princess?”
“Don’t know where she popped up from, but she looks really elegant!”
‘Right, right, Lita also thought she looked handsome.’ ‘See, I told you ordinary people can’t be exclusive knights!’
This robe, predominantly gray but threaded with gold, was the latest one Cecilia had custom-made for her, and Lita loved it too. At some point, Cecilia had taken a liking to wearing silver-white clothes, while the gold favored by the royal family was draped onto Lita. Though most of the time it was just golden thread, it was still Cecilia’s little touch.
As she helped Cecilia take her seat, at the entrance, Helage was slowly approaching with Eliya riding on his shoulders.
This was the first time Lita had seen Helage at a formal event, and it must have been the first time for many people as well, as exclamations of surprise rose incessantly.
Compared to the other princesses, Eliya’s attire was much more casual. It seemed that even on such a formal occasion, her personality wouldn’t compromise.
Eliya was swinging her legs in white stockings, eagerly looking left and right, occasionally patting Helage’s visor, as if whispering something to him. But Helage continued forward like a moving mountain, silent.
The princesses took their positions, followed finally by the king.
The king entered escorted by two Crest Knights. Lita heard applause louder than any before.
The king stepped onto the platform and sat down in his large chair, followed by a dull thud, as if the entire platform shook.
Only then did Lita look down at the crowd below. In the plaza were the examinees who had passed the preliminary tests and had been waiting here. There were about a hundred of them.
Their equipment varied widely, from brand-new even ornate armor to ordinary everyday clothes. Old longswords, fiery red spears, ornate swords, and even some weapons Lita found strange—these went without saying.
The faces of the examinees showed either nervousness or anticipation, making Lita involuntarily think of herself back then.
Behind the examinees were seats reserved for some officials and nobles. Lita spotted Lai Anna among them, whom she had met in the Northlands.
And behind them were commoners, crowded together, standing on tiptoes and craning their necks to get a better view of the front, whispering among themselves. Coincidentally, Beautiful Pheasant’s exaggerated outfit stood out prominently among the crowd.
By the way, although five chairs had been prepared for the princesses, one was removed after Lilia came on stage, as Lilia remained in her wheelchair, which was probably quite conspicuous.
“Father is going to give a speech next, right?” Eliya swung her legs, full of excitement.
“The Holy Knight assessment is held once every few years. It’s natural for Father to take it seriously,” Cecilia replied.
“Right, right, after all, the Royal Selection is imminent. Bringing in fresh blood now will definitely cause big changes in the future.” Eliya smiled as she looked over the faces below, then casually added, “But Sister, since Sister Lilia probably doesn’t have a chance, are you thinking of competing in the Royal Selection?”
Cecilia’s eyelashes fluttered, but she didn’t speak; Lilia’s hands gripping the wheelchair armrests tightened imperceptibly.
Eliya’s unintentional words had accurately touched some unsettling reality. The fresh blood might not only come from the royal family, but also from Glen, who was acting in the shadows.
“Hey, hey, how come you’re both silent? What I said makes sense, right?” Eliya poked Helage’s knee as if seeking approval, since her height only allowed her to reach his knee.
“Your Highness is correct,” Helage rumbled in reply.
Just then, Pierre’s various opening remarks were coming to an end. The king’s massive body slowly rose from his seat. The movement caused the wooden platform beneath him to let out a creaking groan of complaint.
He then stepped to the edge of the platform. Even without amplification magic, when the king spoke, his thunderous voice oddly suppressed the noise of the entire venue, reaching everyone’s ears clearly.
“Silence.”
The simple word caused the clamor in the square to vanish as if cut by a knife. The sound of the cold wind whipping the flags suddenly became distinct. All eyes converged on the platform.
The king squinted his small eyes, almost hidden beneath heavy eyelids, slowly sweeping over the upturned young faces below. His fat palm patted his round belly, then he spoke, his voice echoing in the empty square:
“Those standing here today are the outstanding ones who passed the preliminary test.”
He paused, as if letting the words settle.
“Among you, some are born of nobility, receiving the best training since childhood; some come from commoners, breaking through here with passion and real skill; and some crawled out from the borderlands, battlefields, and mercenary companies, having experienced life and death.”
Many examinees unconsciously straightened their backs, as if honored by the king’s words.
“But here, under the witness of the royal family, none of that matters.” The king’s voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable authority: “The Holy Knight assessment does not test your birth, nor your past. Whether you are qualified to serve this kingdom, to hold one of the Golden Leaves, to bear the responsibility of protection — all of that is in your own hands!”
Well, although Lita could see at a glance that most of the people below were connections, the king could say whatever he wanted.
“The rules of the assessment need no elaboration. For thousands of years, the kingdom has always been like this. Your first step is to show your strength here. Show it as much as you can! Let your performance catch my daughters’ eyes, and mine! Prove with your excellent performance that you are worthy to become Holy Knights.”
“Those who perform exceptionally well may even receive the blessing of Golden Blood, and may also gain the Qualification to be a candidate for my daughters’ exclusive knights!”
Candidate — that word was a bit unfamiliar.
But thinking that each princess already had her own exclusive knight, and the king wouldn’t allow them to have multiple absolutely loyal guardians, this statement was probably just to liven up the atmosphere.
Sure enough, the king’s words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring ripples among the examinees. Many people’s eyes lit up, their gazes involuntarily drifting toward the several noble young ladies on the platform.
Crest Knight! Exclusive Knight! Those were positions many Holy Knights dreamed of! Not only did they mean higher status and more abundant resources, but also getting closer to the power center of the kingdom!
For those who were already wealthy and influential, it was one thing; for ordinary people, this was truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rise to the top. She herself had fantasized about something similar before — though now her fantasy had become a reality beyond expectations.
But Lita still believed many people had come for this very reason.
She could even feel some glances from below landing on her — curious, scrutinizing, envious, even jealous.
Lita pursed her lips, maintaining a solemn posture, calmly meeting their stares with her dark red eyes, while inwardly she was already overjoyed.
‘Well, nothing I can do about it. I’m Lady Cecilia’s good baby, after all.’
Just as Lita was quietly gloating, the king suddenly changed his tone.
“In Solus City, my daughter once proposed an interesting rule: whoever could bring the tail of a Dream Demon would be directly eligible to pass.”
Several more gazes from below turned to her. Only one person had successfully fulfilled that condition, and that person was now standing beside Cecilia.
Although to most people, this sounded like she was deliberately getting a backdoor, the fact that she was now an Exclusive Knight was also a kind of backdoor in a sense.
“Now, I will also propose such a rule. Whoever brings me the heads of those desperate villains who call themselves the followers of Glen, I will grant them the qualification to become a Holy Knight without assessment. As for whether they qualify to become a Crest Knight, that depends on the value of that head.”
As soon as the words fell, the entire venue was in an uproar.
Lita could feel Cecilia’s breathing grow heavier. Not only her, but the other princesses were also surprised. Cecilia probably hadn’t thought that far back then, but the king was different.
Shifting contradictions — that was what the king did. He let these examinees, soon to be Holy Knights, eliminate a potential threat for him.
“Of course, having only one special condition might be a bit boring.” The king cleared his throat again and spoke once more.
“Some people think the kingdom is growing corrupt, its strength no longer at its peak, power concentrated in the hands of a few, and that the Holy Knight assessment is just a joke. Right?”
No one dared to respond. Because what the king said was the truth, but a truth no one could openly acknowledge.
“Good, very good!” The king clenched his fist, the size of a stone mortar. “The initial assessment was supposed to be one-on-one combat, but surely some of you are dissatisfied fighting opponents you consider weak, thinking it won’t prove your real strength. Now, I’ll give you a second chance. If you think your strength is underestimated, then prove it to me. Prove you are stronger!”
“Use the Crest Knights, granted my Golden Blood, as your opponents. Prove it! If you can manage that, I will not only allow you to become Holy Knights but also grant you the honor of drinking Golden Blood!”
“All Crest Knights present! Hear my command!”
Boom.
All the Crest Knights straightened up as one.
“From this moment on, you must not refuse any examinee who challenges you. Do not use the power of Golden Blood. Use your true strength to prove that the glory of the royal family cannot be tarnished!”