Finally realizing that she had confided too many unnecessary things to a newly met traveler, which might affect Mr. Goki's viewing experience, Margaret quickly waved her hand.
"No, no need to say more, Nona Margaret, no need to make excuses—you have a great ideal. Regardless of the final outcome, you deserve respect."
Goki patted the practice target, which was covered in sword marks, and looked at the somewhat embarrassed Margaret. This young girl was still a bit shy.
She didn't know that the Commercial Federation, which had become a giant corporate trust, and the Knight Tournament, with its mature chain of interests, would only swallow the Souls of excellent Knights one by one.
Even her dazzling light could not illuminate a society that entertained itself to death.
Even if Margaret won the championship, Kazimierz would still be Kazimierz.
She would not only become a legend, but also be portrayed by countless virtuous actresses, starring in strange 'Princess Knight's Fall' short films.
Don't ask Goki how he knew; short films cosplaying the previous champion, Black Knight, were all over the internet, available for free online viewing and download—the actress wasn't great-looking, so Goki dragged through the beginning and end before deleting it.
However, this was not a reason for Goki to pour cold water on Margaret; he would agree with her and help her.
"Keep going, Nona Knight. Perhaps with you, this competition will become much more interesting."
Giving Margaret two thumbs up, Goki winked at her.
After all, she was an Operator of Old... Old Doctor Rhodes Island!
"Ah... Tha, thank you for saying that—no, no one has ever said such a thing to me."
Hearing Goki's words, Margaret's golden eyes widened slightly, then she smiled gratefully.
In reality... this was not a summer entertainment for a daughter of a prominent Family. Margaret's choice to become a Tournament Knight meant she had already rejected and forfeited her previously bright future.
From top to bottom, no one in her Family supported Margaret's decision, except for her sister, who was still in high school.
Her grandfather, who had always supported her, looked at Margaret with a conflicted expression, and even her aunt, also a Tournament Knight, thought her idea of competing alone was too whimsical.
Although Mr. Goki was just a stranger she had just met, and his approval was merely out of his love for Tournament Knights, it was a great encouragement for her to hear a rare voice of support.
However, Margaret then saw Goki take two steps back, adjust his black trench coat, and wave to her.
"Ha, believe me, you'll have more people supporting you during your competition today—practicing with a target is too boring. Come on, Nona Margaret, shall I practice with you?"
Looking at the longsword, shining with runes so familiar they couldn't be more so, emitting a faint golden light, Goki was excited.
Before asking, Goki wanted to test the power of this weapon, so similar to his old one.
"No, no, no, Mr. Goki, Knight duels are not as simple as they appear on TV; it's easy to get hurt, and it would make things difficult for Nona Skadi—"
Margaret quickly waved her hand in refusal. In her opinion, Mr. Goki's bodyguard and wife, Nona Skadi, was very powerful, but Mr. Goki himself was just an ordinary Mortal.
Perhaps he had learned some Victorian cane fighting techniques, but clashing with a Knight with real swords was still not—
Clang—dong!
With a heavy metallic crash, Margaret's eyes widened as she watched Goki hoist a bent, rusted, serrated machete onto his shoulder.
The next second, his gentle and amiable gaze abruptly changed, his black eyes becoming sharp and full of deterrence.
Even... far surpassing the opponent Margaret faced yesterday.
"In that case, Nona Margaret, do you think—I can be your opponent?"
Goki was not quarrelsome, but facing a Knight destined to become a champion, Goki still couldn't hold back.
"Ugh! Ha—"
For a moment, Margaret felt as if she had become helpless prey.
The "Qi" emanating from Mr. Goki was something Margaret had only occasionally glimpsed in her own grandfather and his old comrades who came to visit him at home.
That was the Qi possessed only by those who had truly experienced battlefield slaughter, having fought their way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood.
And the aura around Mr. Goki was even more intense than her grandfather's!
Clearly, Mr. Goki in front of her had been on a battlefield!
But what followed was an indomitable Battle Intent and courage.
"I apologize for my words, Mr. Goki—please enlighten me!"
Margaret raised her longsword, her Battle Intent soaring.
She was certain that her guest was indeed an extraordinary person!
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