The Grand Knight, who exuded a weighty aura, stepped before Westheid and snorted.

"I shall serve as Jinquan Territory’s Deputy in this trial by combat."

"Imperial Citizen, is this to your satisfaction?"

"The Rock Sword... Is there no stronger opponent?"

Westheid knew all the Grand Knights in the Country of Yonglan, so he saw right through his opponent at a glance.

This Grand Knight’s fighting style was exceedingly steady and solid. In terms of strength, he was among the weakest of the Grand Knights, but he was a veteran and one of the oldest of their number still living.

But none of that was the crucial part. The crucial part was that this old geezer was a human supremacist.

While the entire Country of Yonglan subscribed to human supremacism, the Rock Sword was considered an extremist even among the Yonglan Knights. He couldn’t stand the sight of anything with an impure bloodline.

The moment he saw one, he felt a visceral need to slaughter it.

"Sir Brolette!"

Lionette cried out in excitement upon seeing the Grand Knight who had stepped forward.

"Thank you."

For a Knight Lord who valued their honor, refusing a trial by combat was impossible. To evade the duel would be to be branded a coward.

However, pitting a non-Legend against a Legend was an untenable situation. Having a Grand Knight to back him up was the best possible outcome.

"It is no trouble. This is a personal conviction of my own."

Brolette waved his hand dismissively. His gaze traveled past Westheid to settle on Mivana, his eyes glinting with disgust and hatred.

"You naturally evil Beastman whelp! I will now—"

"A Racial Knight, are we!?"

Westheid cut him off, pointing an accusatory finger.

"You have no taste. No tolerance. You can’t embrace diversity. This is the limit of your vision."

Because of the deep-seated fanaticism in the Country of Yonglan, the Beastman races created by Black Renandik were severely discriminated against for their unnatural origins. This was despite the fact that they were no different from ordinary people and could even be considered weapons in the fight against Chaos.

Westheid, however, was completely unaffected by such notions. All he knew was that beast-eared maidens were adorable.

’Anyone who doesn’t like beast-eared maidens is doomed to live a relatively unfulfilling life!’

Brolette’s eyelids lowered slightly as he spoke slowly.

"Say what you will. In the end, strength is all that matters."

"So, has this duel begun?"

Westheid tilted his head slightly, a cold sneer on his lips.

Things had progressed to the point where everyone accepted the trial by combat. It was a sacred, time-honored tradition in the Country of Yonglan, and not even the most flippant observer would dare to interfere.

Thus, everyone—from Mivana, Reiya, and the others from Dusk Lamp Territory to the Knight Lords like Uther and Mephit—silently stepped back, leaving the vast, snowy expanse as an arena for the two combatants.

WHOOSH—

Brolette took a step forward. A heatwave that distorted the very air rose from his Heavy Armor as the Grand Knight’s aura surged. His powerful presence practically materialized into a wave of flame, causing the snow and ice beneath his feet to sublimate in an instant.

He had activated Rhythm of Battle Intent, one of the core skills of the Knight Path. For a Yonglan Knight, this was as natural as breathing at the start of a fight.

The Rock Sword raised his Giant Sword, which was as thick and heavy as a door panel. Magic Power gathered and clung to the blade, sending out dark, heavy ripples.

Brolette stared at Westheid, who still showed no sign of tension, and said in a cold voice: 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"Young man, you may have the Talent to ascend to the rank of Legend unimpeded, but you should know that there are disparities even between Legends."

"Ah, on that point, I completely agree."

Westheid nodded cheerfully. The gap between those of the Legendary Celestial Rank was indeed vast. After all, achieving the rank of Legend was merely the ticket to the true path from Extraordinary to Saint. If the previous Tiers were all set within the confines of the Extraordinary Path, then becoming a Legend was like removing the limiters. How strong you could become depended entirely on your own efforts.

In extreme cases, the gap between two Legends could be even greater than the gap between a Legend and a non-Legend Transcendent.

Westheid raised a single index finger, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"But let’s be clear. You’re the challenger here."

"You reckless brat!"

Brolette snorted, no longer willing to waste words on Westheid.

He raised his Giant Sword and sank slightly at the knees. The Grand Knight’s figure became as still as a statue.

"Unwarranted Strike? Looks like Old Bro has really been pushed to the edge."

The spectators watching from a distance saw Brolette’s stance and immediately recognized the technique.

It was an opening Combat Technique, similar to an Iaijutsu Slash, that could only be used for the very first strike of a battle. Furthermore, it required a long period to charge.

Such strict requirements were, of course, in exchange for terrifying power. The technique could gather one’s entire strength and unleash it in a single, instantaneous burst, delivering a blow that could even exceed the user’s normal capabilities.

In a duel between two evenly matched opponents, this single strike could decide the victor.

"What will Duke Qinghui’s response be? Hmm? What’s he doing?"

Mephit crossed his arms and looked at Brolette’s opponent, his previously mocking expression freezing for a moment.

Westheid was holding Shadow-Born in a reverse grip. He lightly ran the crimson blade across his own arm, opening several wounds. The healing from his Withered Glory Sun didn’t conflict with his Cursed Source Blood, but he deliberately suppressed the restorative effect. He let his blood drip down his arm, stimulating the Cursed Source Blood to activate.

Then, he extended a single finger in Brolette’s direction.

And that was all.

"Is he... not going to interrupt it? Or dodge? Is he just going to take the Unwarranted Strike head-on?"