As someone who had once personally suffered the torments of the Path of Life and Death, the Silver-haired Princess was more than qualified to say so.

A Knight Lord said coolly,

"No one wants to suffer. Those lacking resolve will always try every trick in the book to escape it. That’s why we don’t need their consent. It’s for their own good."

Upon hearing this, Mivana shot to her feet, a low, beast-like growl rumbling in her throat as she said,

"Glorifying suffering, praising hardship, and believing it to be a necessary path—this is why the Knight Realm is so sick."

"’It’s always been this way’ is not a valid reason. I will never accept an approach that betrays the Knightly Path."

Mephit stroked her glass of fruit wine and said slowly,

"What you’re saying might have some merit, but this is how we’ve always done things. Since the system still functions, there’s no need to change it."

The youthful and beautiful Grand Knight looked toward the Wolf-eared Maiden, her eyes full of mockery:

"Besides, what do you know about the true Knightly Path? Don’t talk as if you’re one of the Divine Chosen. When has the Divine Ancestor ever glanced your way?"

"..."

The words and gazes of both sides clashed, and the once-amicable atmosphere grew tense.

Multiple Legendary Powerhouses were present, and even though none had truly ignited their fighting intent, the mere act of them getting serious made the air grow heavy. The Beastmen pouring wine and performing nearby fell to the floor with a THUD.

"It seems we do have a significant disagreement."

It was Westheid who broke the silence:

"But that’s fine. The King’s Tour itself is the process of putting a Knightly Path into practice. So let us debate. Truth is honed by argument. Is there any part of the Knightly Path that cannot be spoken of?"

Uther thought for a moment, then said in a somber tone,

"If it were just about practicing the Chivalry Knightly Path, there is precedent for that, and it wouldn’t be too difficult. Many Knight Lords could reluctantly accept it. Why not just promote the Chivalry Knightly Path instead?"

The Lord of Yingxi Castle was trying to persuade him out of goodwill, but Westheid just shook his head firmly.

"Abolishing serfdom is the foundation. It’s not up for negotiation."

Uther frowned. "That will make your King’s Tour exceptionally difficult."

The difficulty of a King’s Tour depended entirely on the level of recognition one received. Although it was said one must conquer the entire realm, if the King Claimant themselves had a great reputation and their platform was popular, then a simple spar to prove their strength would be enough to earn acceptance.

But abolishing serfdom... That was like uprooting the very foundation of many lords. It would escalate the situation directly from a friendly spar to open warfare. If a lord refused to comply to the death, it could even lead to the utter annihilation of their entire clan.

Once a King’s Tour begins, it cannot be stopped. One must either conquer the realm, carving a bloody path through all of Yonglan, or accept defeat and death. There is no other way.

"That doesn’t matter either. Glorifying suffering is a chronic disease. Just let me be the one to cure it."

Westheid was completely unyielding.

It wasn’t just because this was Mivana’s wish. The amount of worship and faith that liberating the serfs could bring was simply unimaginable, and Westheid was counting on this achievement to become one of his Great Enterprises.

Accumulating the Great Enterprises needed for Ascension was a long process. Liberating the serfs alone was certainly not enough, but small deeds add up, and he would eventually gather what he needed.

When his Ascension was at stake, there was no room for compromise.

Duke Qinghui stood up abruptly, clapped his hands, and said,

"Alright, everyone. I have made myself clear, and I trust you all fully understand. When you return, you may convey my Knightly Path’s philosophy to the others. For now, please continue to enjoy the banquet. If you wish to leave, feel free to do so. I won’t see you out."

The Knight Lords fell silent. Westheid’s attitude was so absolute that they knew it was useless to persuade him further. They all began contemplating how they should respond.

"Please wait."

Just as Westheid and his companions were turning to leave, Mephit stopped them.

"What is it? Is there another problem?"

Westheid turned back. "I’ve already made my position on the King’s Tour perfectly clear."

"It’s not about the tour."

Mephit brushed down her pleated skirt, which covered her thighs, and smiled.

"I would like to see Viona’s grave. May I?"

Westheid said nothing, instead looking to the lord of Dusk Lamp Territory. Mivana nodded and said,

"It would be wrong to stop someone from paying respects to their blood kin... Please, follow me."

......

Mivana led Mephit outside the main city. Given that they were going to mourn the dead, a large entourage was inappropriate, so the attendants were dismissed. Only Westheid and three others went along.

The altar, built by the Beastmen of Dusk Lamp Territory for their former lord, was covered in crimson flower petals. They swirled in the gentle breeze, eddying around the visitors’ calves.

Mephit walked onto the altar, took off her long, white silk gloves, and gently caressed the marble stele with her fingertips.

The Knightess, clad in an exquisite, pristine uniform, lowered her gaze. The manic light in her indigo eyes subsided, and her voice was low and trembling:

"Viona... Viona, my sister... to think you would lie here for eternity. How could you pass on with such a clear conscience?"

"Despicable... How utterly despicable..."

Seeing Mephit’s body tremble, Mivana couldn’t help but step forward and say,

"Teacher Viona was our savior. Though it might not be appropriate for me, the one who hurt her, to say this, she had no regrets... Not even at the very last moment of her life."

"Do you think I’m grieving?"

Mephit suddenly turned her head and asked.

Her soft, sky-blue hair was parted into bangs over her forehead, obscuring half of her left eye, the ends curling in slight disarray. This Grand Knight was about the same age as Mivana, her pretty face still holding traces of youth.

But the smirk now playing on her lips was filled with mockery.

Mivana was taken aback. "But Teacher Viona was your sister..."

"Sister? HAHAHAHA..."

The blue-haired girl covered her cheeks and let out an unrestrained laugh, then slowly shook her head.

"No, no, no. I’m not sad because my blood sister died. Quite the opposite. I’m angry... I’m so fucking angry!"

Mephit drew the Silver Sword from her waist and, still in its scabbard, slammed it into the flower petals. Her exquisite beauty was completely replaced by resentment as she snarled through clenched teeth,

"How could Viona die like this? How could she?! What did she take the Zitherheart Clan’s mission for?! And to save Beastmen, of all things!"

"Why did it have to be Beastmen...? As a member of the Zitherheart Clan, what she should have done was slaughter every last one of you! Only then, only then... could we wash away some of our sins and stains."

The blue-haired girl swept her bangs back from her forehead, staring blankly up at the gloomy sky as it shed a faint, silvery-gray light.

"Naive, foolish, cowardly... She ran from the Zitherheart Clan’s duty. Or did she think this was the right thing to do? How ridiculous."

The Beast-eared Maiden was startled by Mephit’s outburst. Her beautiful golden eyes went wide, her expression one of naive confusion.

Reiya raised an eyebrow and said bluntly, "What is she freaking out about?"

Westheid tilted his head and said,

"I happen to know why, but since the person in question is right here, we should see if she’s willing to speak for herself."

Mephit heard Westheid and tilted her head, smiling.

"Duke Qinghui, you know the reason?"

Westheid said, "Ah, the history of the Zitherheart Clan. Do you need me to say it? You are..."

Before the man could continue, Mephit interrupted,

"Descendants of Black Renandik."

"The Zitherheart Clan are the descendants of Black Renandik."

"Black Renandik?"

Reiya was a little surprised. "The creator of the Beastmen... His entire faction and even his bloodline were eradicated by a joint force, weren’t they?"

"Old influences die hard. All the more so for a supreme Powerhouse beyond Legend who created a massive empire... But you are correct. After the combined forces crushed him, not only should his faction have been wiped out, but no trace of the main culprit’s bloodline should have remained."

Mephit spread her hands. Unlike her earlier madness and rage, the Grand Knight’s delicate face was now filled with piety.

"Our ancestor was merely from an unfavored, collateral branch of Black Renandik’s line. The only thing that made them special was their secret faith in the Yonglan Riding God."

"And so, when Black Renandik was killed and all his descendants were about to be purged, a miracle we never dared hope for graced us... The great Divine Ancestor saved us."