"Sudden two-person battle?"
Noah was still training when she learned from the Knight Association that the next match would be a special [Two-Person Battle], and because it was a sudden match, the opponents were kept secret. But then the problem arose—how was Noah going to fight a two-person battle? Although there were many capable people around her, she couldn't find a single one with Knight qualifications who could participate. It was either Zofia, who had already retired, or Manner, who didn't even have Knight qualifications, or Kuro, who couldn't participate due to special reasons.
And why arrange a two-person battle at this time? According to previous rules, with the current standings largely set, such a match that could drastically change scores would not be arranged, as it would be very detrimental to the subsequent schedule. The reason the other party would go so far as to arrange a two-person battle at this time...
"Is it because something happened to the Howling Guard's headquarters that made these people vigilant...? They're even planning to overturn the table for you." Zofia frowned, "What do we do now? A two-person battle, and we don't even have a second Knight ready."
"If an independent Knight hasn't found a teammate for a two-person battle, they must report it to the Knight Association, and the Knight Association will assign a suitable Knight... but that path is clearly not viable." Noah shook her head. Let the Knight Association prepare a Knight for her? It would be easier to just admit she's going to fight one against three. The Knight Association had long since become a tool of the Commercial Federation. Could Noah not see that?
Well... actually, it was a deduction. Noah didn't really have such foresight before...
A two-person battle, huh...? Is there anyone I can ask?
The first person Noah thought of was Viviana, but she is a single-word titled Knight, guaranteed to enter the main competition, and not allowed to participate in the previous Points Race. So that option could be completely ruled out. Then, who else could she choose...? While the San Hua Knight Order wasn't without Knights to choose from, their strength was clearly not up to the level of this competition.
The San Hua Knight Order was essentially still a Candle Knight fan club, with not a single member capable of entering the main competition...
This really hit Maria where it hurt. If Noah hadn't announced her recuperation, she could have intervened, but now... she couldn't possibly negotiate with this face, could she?
The other party's intention was clear: to force her into the competition under absolutely unfavorable conditions. Whether she found weaker participants or chose to have a mole planted by the Knight Association, these people had probably already prepared their countermeasures.
However, Knights of similar strength to her were mostly prominent figures in major Knight Orders, so it was naturally impossible for them to team up with Xia Guang Knight, who was openly opposing the Commercial Federation.
"...No, there's still a way." Noah suddenly remembered that little squirrel who had a one-on-one Knight duel with Maria during that chaotic battle. Although she hadn't seen her fight Maria, Maria had said afterwards that the other party was actually very strong. If she could find her... perhaps there really might be a chance...
However, what Noah didn't expect at this moment was... some things really are that coincidental.
—
"Sona! Hurry!" Grey Tail blocked an incoming crossbow bolt with her shield, shouting Sona's name, urging her to leave as soon as possible. The Shieldless League's unannounced attack caught everyone in the Red Pine Knights off guard. Or rather, the Shieldless League had been quiet for so long that people had already relaxed their vigilance, but as soon as Noah announced her recuperation, the Shieldless League immediately launched an attack on the Red Pine Knights' stronghold.
Although Grey Tail's shield could block crossbow bolts, when the subsequent self-destructing drones came rushing over with beeping alarms, she knew she couldn't keep resisting them head-on.
With two explosions, Grey Tail burst out of the smoke. Her heavy equipment was indeed slowing her down at this point, but just then, two Shieldless League members who had caught up were immediately knocked down by a red flash. Sona didn't take the opportunity to escape; instead, she circled back and rescued Grey Tail. "What are you doing back here!"
"Heard the explosion, came back to save you, Little Grey." Sona took Grey Tail's hand, and the two once again broke through the enemy's encirclement. Together, they led away most of the Shieldless League's pursuit. At this time, Wild Mane was evacuating the non-combat members of the Knight Order. Now they had to buy as much time as possible; the current situation no longer allowed them to overthink. This attack was simply too sudden... they were completely unprepared.
"This way!" The two turned into an alley. Both were intimately familiar with the alleys of the lower city. They were confident they could shake off the Shieldless League's pursuit in this labyrinthine area, but the premise was that there were no masters among these people who could lock onto them from ultra-long distances.
"I hate this job." At this moment, Hintleyya, standing on the rooftop, sighed helplessly. After her boss inexplicably went into recuperation, she immediately received other tasks: to deal with the Infected Knight here. The minimum requirement was to make them lose their combat ability and prevent them from participating in subsequent competitions...
As for why, Hintleyya never asked for the reason.
Hintleyya, the Platinum Position of the Shieldless League, an absolute elite who assassinated a Zhengzhan Knight in her debut battle. Although she usually worked hard and was unassuming, that absolutely didn't mean she was a real rookie.
In fact, her ultra-long-range sniping ability was only surpassed by two Azure and three Xuan Tie in the entire Shieldless League. And now her task was...
"Crippling two little rats..." Hintleyya's pupils narrowed slightly, like the focusing lens of a camera. Her vision instantly became clearer, and the opponent's movement trajectory became so easy to capture. She nocked an arrow, aimed, and shot—no deviation. Although she didn't aim for the head, this arrow... was aimed at Sona's dominant hand.
If it hit—Flame Tail Knight would not be able to participate.
Whoosh!
The arrow tore through the wind, coming from above, moving so fast it was almost impossible to track visually. Just then—only Grey Tail reacted, pushing Sona away and barely managing to raise her shield to meet it.
Bang!
The arrow's force was immense, sending Grey Tail flying backward before she could even brace herself. The arrow almost pierced her shield, and she was so shaken by the impact that she spat out a mouthful of blood.
At this moment, Hintleyya no longer had her usual lazy, slacking demeanor. Her eyes gleamed, like a hunter under the moonlight.
She nocked another arrow—she wouldn't miss a second time.
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