"Uh"
King Liao Dekuan, having come back to her senses, took a sip of black tea from the cup in her hand. Her fair face was filled with solemnity. She hadn't expected someone to come and try to take her beloved so quickly. Or rather, she had always anticipated this day, but she hadn't expected it to arrive so soon. Now, she could only cast a pleading look at the Queen beside her.
However, the Queen was also a bit indecisive. If she didn't agree, after all, someone had'saved' Guinevere, and this favor had to be repaid. If she did agree, her favorite youngest daughter would be taken away. She was currently in a difficult position.
After a moment of silence, the Queen was about to set aside her pride and refuse.
"Please wait, Your Majesty the Queen. I would like to test whether this King has the ability to protect Princess Guinevere."
Unfortunately, after waiting for a long time, the anxious Liang interrupted the Queen's decision. This made the Queen suddenly change her mind. If this young woman truly could defeat their guards, then marrying Guinevere to her might not be out of the question. After all, they couldn't keep their daughter by their side forever; finding a good, capable reliance was also a good option.
The Queen's current thoughts, if Liang knew, would surely make her want to strangle herself for being so talkative. But Zeus could understand the Queen's feelings. After all, human life is limited, and one must plan it well to live without many hardships. This is what nurturing parents hope for. They don't need you to be incredibly capable, as long as you can live a healthy and peaceful life, that is their greatest wish.
"Good, I accept your challenge."
Artoria stood up and said seriously to Liang. As a knight, she chose to respect her opponent, and the ultimate way to respect an opponent was to give her all.
"Perfect, a chance to test the strength I've been training for so many years."
Liang excitedly clenched her hands, sensing the surging magic within her body. She was very confident in her strength now, but she had forgotten one thing: one of life's three great illusions, 'I can win'.
"Alright! But there must be three rounds. That child named Liang will be the first round, Nasha you'll be the second. Go! Call the boss for the third round, it's her."
Following the Queen's command, everyone began to head to the training grounds.
"My dear, if King Arthur wins, do we really have to marry Guinevere to her?"
As they walked, King Liao Dekuan quietly pulled the Queen aside, speaking with a hint of trepidation.
"Alas~! I'm also reluctant, but it's best to find a good home for that child. Her two older sisters have already married the daughters of two dukes and started families. But it's Vier who worries me the most. It's better to entrust her to someone capable of protecting her for a lifetime. After all, we can't protect her forever."
The Queen looked at Zeus, who was walking ahead, and said. A hint of reluctance flashed in her calm eyes, but she quickly suppressed it. However, King Liao Dekuan, who had been her spouse for decades, still noticed the slight redness at the corners of her eyes. She also sighed deeply. Children always have to leave their parents' side and fly outwards. As parents, besides praying, they can only do their part.
"Let's go! Don't let the youngsters laugh at us."
The Queen pulled King Liao Dekuan's arm, following at the very back of everyone.
"Hey~! This power is too unfair, isn't it!"
The first round was Liang's battle. Dressed in knight's armor, she truly exuded a heroic and dashing aura. Liang, showing off a bit in front of Zeus, slowly walked onto the stage, her heart incredibly excited. She hadn't expected that the moment their swords met, a bucket of cold water would be poured on her. It was then that she retrieved information about King Arthur from her past life memories: the opponent possessed an incredibly overbearing red dragon bloodline, with astonishing strength. Liang subtly covered her numb tiger's mouth, muttering to herself, 'This isn't just astonishingly strong; it's like facing a strongman with a hundred or even a thousand-pound hammer. Facing such a cheater with bloodline advantages, it's simply not giving us purebred humans a chance to live.'
"I can't help it; I was born this way."
Although it was just a casual complaint from Liang, Artoria unexpectedly replied with a serious expression. However, her words made Liang's heart clench. It was a stab to the heart, my friend! Do you know how infuriating your words are? They're practically mocking! No wonder even that big dog was angered away by you.
"Magic release!"
Taking a slight breath, releasing the suffocating feeling in her heart caused by Artoria's words, Liang began to activate the magic within her body. In this magically altered world, it wasn't just mages who possessed magic; knights and martial artists generally had these special powers, though their usage was cruder. As Liang spoke, the ground around her was instantly crushed by the powerful magic. Using this momentum, Liang raised her greatsword and quickly slashed at Artoria, but Artoria's superhuman intuition allowed her to dodge it.
"Did you teach her that move?"
Below the stage, Zeus, drinking black tea, looked at Nasha, who was already in armor, and asked.
"No, Your Highness. That was developed by Liang herself."
Nasha calmly reported to Zeus. She hadn't expected Liang to actually 'develop' moves; it was even more surprising than seeing a sow climb a tree.
"Although her strength has greatly increased, she is still too far behind her opponent."
Knowing the reason, Zeus didn't dwell on the details and began to watch the match on stage. Liang's breathing was already becoming erratic.
"You are a respectable opponent, but you cannot defeat me."
Artoria looked at Liang, who was already panting, and said infuriating words with a straight face.
Liang grumbled unhappily. She didn't have the energy to talk to this person right now. After all, magic release was very tiring, and with her magic reserves, lasting even a minute was a struggle. If she continued like this, she might start consuming her own life force. But for the person she liked, she was still willing to fight.
"Then I'll finish you now."
Artoria became slightly more serious, her speed increasing and her strikes becoming more powerful.
Facing this monster, like a meat grinder, Liang ultimately couldn't hold on. With the breaking of her greatsword, Liang lost.
"Go! Take her back to the room to rest."
With the declaration of victory, Artoria stepped off the stage to adjust herself, while Liang stared blankly at the broken sword in her hand. She hadn't expected to be defeated so quickly and so miserably.
Zeus quickly called a maid to pull Liang back and had her take Liang to rest. She had been more than kind to her compatriot; moreover, this person had also put her in a difficult position. After this match, Zeus felt she had no choice but to get married.
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