The iron hooves resound a high song.

The gale whizzes past the ears.

Standing beside Baldwin IV, the young witch grasps her magic staff tightly, her fingers turning a little pale due to excessive force.

Her face beneath the hood reveals a trace of excitement.

The summoned knight is merely a puppet, lacking independent consciousness, thus he now feels like he is engaged in a role-playing game.

This sensation makes it seem as if he has truly transformed into a knight.

Bang—

Knight Guy feels a tingling in his shoulder, and the lance in his hand snaps with a crack, splitting into a heap of broken wood.

Plop.

A spearhead glowing with golden light falls onto the ground.

The shield of the opposing "Heroic Spirit" knight develops cracks and then shatters into countless gleaming fragments, vaporizing into nothingness.

The Heroic Spirit Knight grips his lance, his face under the visor shows no expression.

But Nishaya furrows her brows: "Your Majesty, you were correct, Guy indeed used Demon-Blocking Gold."

Baldwin IV replied with a "Hmm": "Guy isn't a brainless fool. While he is far from being very intelligent, if he wasn't somewhat sure, how could he challenge you?"

The spectators began whispering amongst themselves.

"In this first round of confrontation, it seems Knight Guy has the upper hand, the Heroic Spirit Knight's shield was shattered, and Knight Guy is unharmed."

According to the rules of the knightly competition, lances can be replaced.

Shields are generally not included.

"It seems Knight Guy has a high chance of passing the Heavenly Father's test."

"It's Demon-Blocking Gold!"

"What a pity, if it hits, the summoned knight from the witch would have surely been dispersed."

Some knowledgeable nobles lamented.

The magic spell, after all is a manifestation of magic power.

The Demon-Blocking Gold, which has a restraining effect on magic power, can yield effects against any magical creatures.

But just having a restraining effect doesn't mean any random mortal can kill a wizard with Demon-Blocking Gold.

A knight wielding a Demon-Blocking Gold Shield could block the flames from a wizard's spell, but would still be incinerated into a dried corpse by the surrounding heat.

Guy's expression is not looking good.

He maneuvers his steed back to his starting point, accepts a new lance handed over by his attendant, and tries to regulate his breathing.

He knows very well that his plan has failed.

The opposing Heroic Spirit Knight appears fully armored, yet its armor cannot fend off the penetration of Demon-Blocking Gold.

He only needs to exert a little more strength.

If he penetrated the opponent's shield with the lance while touching their body, victory was his.

Nishaya isn't flustered, her lips beneath the visor curl slightly, she had anticipated Guy's use of Demon-Blocking Gold.

The Heroic Spirit Knight opened its hand, sparkling golden points gathered within it, in the blink of an eye, forming a brand new shield.

The Shield Spell is part of a whole with the Guardian Knight Spell.

As long as the opponent doesn't touch the knight's body, even if the Shield Spell breaks a hundred times, she can recast it a hundred times.

The sound of hoof beats rises.

A new round of charge begins.

The Heroic Spirit Knight and Guy face each other in swift charge, like two high-speed chariots colliding with a boom.

The lance shatters.

Guy rolls off his horse.

The Heroic Spirit Knight's lance likewise pierces his shield, but the tremendous force thrusts him down hard.

The Heroic Spirit Knight remains lofty on the horseback, even though his shield shatters again, he remains unmoved.

Swoosh—

A sharp short riding spear condenses and points at Guy's throat, then retracts elegantly.

The Heroic Spirit Knight turns to Archbishop William.

He timely says: "Unfortunately, the brave and fearless Mongisa Baron, Knight Guy has failed the Heavenly Father's challenge, but his courage will continue to inspire us to strive for the spread of the Heavenly Father's glory."

In the midst of booing, attendants come to help Guy.

He rises weakly, gazing at the gradually dissipating Heroic Spirit Knight, his face looking ashen: "I've lost again; it seems Miss Nishaya indeed has no interest in me."

"But why?"

"Why could Losa, while still a mere knight, win the favor of the witch?"

He can't understand it, the sense of defeat instantly ages him ten years.

Just then.

The crowd parts.

More than a dozen walking Winged Cavalry, adorned with distinctive feathers, surround a young noble wearing a Flying Wing Helmet, Black Scale Armor, and Dragon Head Cloak as he steps into the arena.

"It's Count Losa!"

"I heard the Count just defeated the two brothers of the Aladdin Family, reclaiming Eira Port, Alandler Bishopric, and also taking over a vast territory in southeastern Sinai."

People couldn't help but show a trace of envy in their eyes.

Even in the barren land of Sinai, many landless nobles consider such properties precious.

To nobles—having land and having none are entirely different matters.

Even if they never set foot on those lands in a lifetime, land-owning nobles are always superior to those who only have an empty title with no land.

Losa raised his head, looking at Baldwin IV, who holds a scepter sitting in the grandstand.

He removed his helmet and knelt on one knee respectfully: "Your Majesty."

Baldwin IV's eyes held a subtle smile: "Rise, Count Losa, my long-missed Grand Master of the Royal Knight Order, now it's time for you to come beside me and fulfill your duties."

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