Amid thunderous applause, Lita lowered the silver one-handed sword she had pressed against Xingxian’s throat, reversed her grip to sheath the blade behind her, and then gave a slight bow to Xingxian.
Xingxian slung the greatbow over his back and returned the bow with the same etiquette.
The two turned simultaneously, walking slowly toward the edge of the arena as the battered barrier finally faded away under the magicians’ control.
“What a story, truly a wonderful story! I have to record this fascinating tale and spread it to every corner.”
Claire sniffled. As a bard, she had never witnessed such a dazzling duel—there were even a few moments where she felt dying on the spot would have been worth the price of admission.
Naturally, the discussion among the Holy Knights was even more spirited. At first, they had all believed that Xingxian would surely win, but before their very eyes, they had witnessed a near-impossible reversal—the weak prevailing over the strong. Turning the impossible into possible was enough to stir anyone’s heart.
Since there were those who cheered, there would inevitably be a few dissenting voices.
“Hey, do you think it’s possible this was all for show, that the Third Princess’s exclusive knight deliberately threw the match to make a statement…?”
“Yeah, right? Didn’t you think Xingxian’s last move was a bit odd?”
This speculation was immediately shouted down.
“A show of force? What about the Third Princess’s reputation? If you’re so eager for a show of force, why don’t you take that blow yourself? And besides, what’s the point of the Cursed Princess making a statement? Easy for you to talk big when you’re not the one at risk.”
“I’m telling you, forget the final instant—if you could block even those earlier attacks, and get run through like that, I’d acknowledge it even if it was all for show.”
In an inconspicuous corner of the stands, a burly man nudged the woman sitting beside him with his shoulder.
“What do you make of that crest?”
“Although I couldn’t tell exactly what its power was…”
The woman eyed Lita, who was walking off the field, her clothes torn and battered, yet her steps, though heavy, did not seem particularly slowed. “But it should be some sort of healing ability. She was badly hurt earlier, but now there’s no sign of injury at all. I can’t think of any explanation besides the crest’s power.”
“Hahaha.” The man laughed heartily. “To heal all those wounds in an instant—she’s way better at that than you.”
“My crest isn’t meant for competition.” The woman’s tone didn’t waver at all.
“All right, all right.” The man shrugged and rolled his shoulders a bit. “You haven’t forgotten why we came here, have you?”
“No, we’re here to see if this Lita is qualified to become the Fourth Princess’s exclusive knight. His Majesty asked us to evaluate her, so we should.”
The woman continued, “But really, you just wanted to watch the duel and used this as an excuse to skip half a day of work. I know.”
“What nonsense! I’m seriously evaluating her!” The man put on a stern face, but anyone could tell it was an act.
“Even if we weren’t here to evaluate her, most of us wouldn’t make things difficult for her. We gain nothing by stopping her from becoming the Fourth Princess’s exclusive knight.” The woman couldn’t help but chuckle at the man’s expression, then continued.
“That’s true.” The man stretched and sighed. “The only ones who really have a reason to give her trouble, aside from those exclusive knights, are probably just that old stick-in-the-mud, huh?”
Elsewhere, up in the stands.
“Lady Cecilia.” Lita stood with one hand on her chest, trying hard to keep her expression calm, but the joy of victory still twisted the corners of her mouth. “As I promised, I’ve brought back victory.”
Never expecting things to turn out like this, even Cecilia felt a powerful sense of unreality, not holding back her praise at all.
“Lita, you did well. I’ll reward you properly tonight.”
In fact, at such a moment, generous praise was the most fitting response—Cecilia had never thought of suppressing or lecturing Lita.
“Hmm—?” Illya gave Cecilia the wide-eyed look of a kitten spotting a fish, her voice trailing off as she turned.
Cecilia pressed her fist to her lips and coughed lightly twice. “I mean, later tonight.”
Lita’s face immediately flushed bright red as she ducked her head, trying to hide her face, only to see Illya poking her head from under the bedcovers and looking up at her with blinking eyes.
Lita stiffened, and quickly replied before Illya’s teasing look could get any more mischievous, “Lady Cecilia, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Mm, mm, mm.” Seeing the fun was over, Illya turned away, focusing instead on Lilia, who sat silent and gloomy. “Sister, sister, aren’t you going to say anything? Give some encouragement?”
Lilia exhaled sharply and stood up abruptly. “Tristine, we’re leaving.”
Xingxian nodded slightly, slung the greatbow over his back, and helped Lilia up from her seat, following silently behind as she stormed out.
Outside the Court of Dawn and Dusk, Lilia finally could not suppress her anger.
“Tristine, what’s the matter with you? How could you lose to that girl?”
“Your Highness, I won’t make excuses for my failure. If you wish to punish me, as the loser, I’ll accept it.”
“How boring. There will be punishment! But right now I want to know, just how did you lose? Didn’t they say that Lita was weak?”
“Your Highness, anything I say would just be an excuse…”
“I’m telling you to speak!”
Lilia roared, drawing the attention of passersby leaving the Court of Dawn and Dusk. When they saw it was the Third Princess, many quickly averted their eyes.
“What are you looking at?” Lilia snapped, glaring at everyone around. No one wanted to risk her wrath, and they all hurried away.
“Her crest gave her an incredible boost. In that moment, her speed and strength were no less than mine. I’ve never seen anyone use crest power that way, and in the final moment, my attack was broken by a strange force…”
“Enough, I don’t want to hear it.” Lilia spat. “Why didn’t you press the attack after knocking her down?”
“I judged that she had lost the ability to fight. As a knight, I should not strike at the helpless.” Xingxian replied.
“So you’ll kill when I tell you on the battlefield, but not now?”
“That’s different. On the battlefield, I shouldn’t disobey Princess Lilia’s orders. But in this situation, I believe it’s not…”
“That’s enough!” Lilia shouted. “I’ve heard enough!”
“Hey! How rude! Aren’t you going to say goodbye to us?”
Watching the backs of Lilia and her attendant as they left, Illya pursed her lips in annoyance, then got up and headed over to Herag, who had been kneeling on one knee the whole time.
Lifting her skirt, Illya plopped down on Herag’s shoulder. “Well then, I’m leaving too, Sister. Bye-bye.”
Herag slowly rose, carrying Illya on his shoulder, then fixed his dark eyes on Cecilia.
“Your Highness, farewell. We take our leave.”
Herag and Illya left as well, leaving only Lita and Cecilia nearby.
Cecilia lowered her gaze, then raised her hand toward Lita, who immediately understood and supported Cecilia’s small hand, helping her up gently.
That was how it should have gone.
But as Cecilia stood, she felt Lita’s hand suddenly grow heavy, and in the next moment, Cecilia nearly tumbled as Lita collapsed, nearly pulling her down too.
“Lita?” Cecilia frowned slightly, trying to pull Lita up, but her body was as heavy as stone, impossible for Cecilia to budge.
Moreover, Lita gave no response at all, lying motionless beneath the seats as if she had completely lost consciousness.
Cecilia swallowed hard and tried again, but the result was the same.
This time, Cecilia truly panicked.
“Lita!”
When Lita opened her eyes, the sky outside the window was already pitch black.
But the room was lit by the wavering flame of a candle set on the bedside table, already burned halfway down, letting Lita see her surroundings clearly. This was her own room—the one Cecilia had prepared for her in the palace.
Lita tried to move, but felt something weighing her down.
She sat up and saw what it was.
A blonde girl sat at her bedside—or rather, she was sitting, but her upper body was sprawled out on Lita’s covers, breathing steadily.
At Lita’s movement, the slight noise woke Cecilia at the bedside. Cecilia, propped up on Lita’s stomach, slowly got up and rubbed her eyes. The drowsiness instantly vanished from her gaze.
“Lita, you’re awake?”
“Mm…” Lita rubbed her temples. “Why am I here?”
“You fainted—not long after the duel ended. Nata and Zan helped me bring you back.” Cecilia answered.
“Nata? Who’s that? And Zan?” Lita found the names unfamiliar.
“Nata is a Crest Knight. Zan too.”
With Cecilia’s reminder, Lita remembered seeing those names on the roster.
Nata was a Crest Knight more skilled at healing than fighting, while Zan was a rather plain but formidable middle-aged man.
“I see…” Lita nodded. “Why did I faint?”
“I don’t know. Nata said she’s never seen anything like it, and I didn’t let her check you too closely.”
“Why not?” Lita asked.
“I was afraid.” Cecilia replied, lightly patting Lita’s stomach.
Oh, right—she was a succubus, after all. Letting a Crest Knight examine her would be risky.
“All right, since you’re awake now.” Cecilia stood up from her chair, and just as Lita thought Cecilia was going to leave—
Cecilia instead began to undo her own clothes.
Though Cecilia only undid her outermost layer, Lita’s heart began to race wildly.
But nothing went as far as Lita’s imagination—Cecilia merely nudged Lita with her toe.
“Move in a bit, I’m going to sleep.”