The Return of Lilietta - Chapter 168

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 168

Originally, according to traditional ceremony, the imperial flag would be raised, the emperor would enter accompanied by the band’s performance, give a speech about the meaning of the Foundation Day and the origins and purpose of the martial tournament, then declare the opening.

Since it was an annual repeated event, both nobles and citizens found it rather boring and hoped the martial tournament would start quickly, but this year was different.

Because the Crown Prince’s speech, presiding over the festival on behalf of the emperor, was shocking from the very first words.

“We are facing the greatest crisis since the founding of our nation.”

Gideon’s magically amplified voice echoed throughout the vast circular arena.

It was an opening that would be recorded in history.

He spoke about the demonic beasts that had attacked the Drakanis River, revealed their true nature and the mechanism of mana corruption, and announced that existing knights, mages, and even priests could not resist the corruption.

And he declared that the appearance of demonic beasts was a sign, with a high possibility that a disaster of spreading mana corruption would soon break out.

He then proved his claims by demonstrating with pre-captured demonic beasts, showing magic circles collapsing and mana becoming corrupted upon contact with the beasts, and monsters being corrupted after being bitten by demonic beasts and transforming into other demonic beasts.

“However, there is no need to worry. I have known about demonic beasts and mana corruption for four years, and have been conducting investigations and preparations in cooperation with the Magic Tower and religious orders.”

And before fear could overwhelm the audience, he introduced countermeasures.

“As one of those fruits, I formally announce the establishment of the anti-demonic beast Oathbinder unit raised by the imperial family, the Tritoma Special Knights.”

Special agents in black uniforms bearing torch flame insignia appeared in the arena in formation.

Most of them stood in perfect alignment with their hands behind their backs, while only a few stepped forward to quickly form a battle formation and smoothly dealt with two rampaging demonstration demonic beasts.

Then Isaiah Kortvan, who was to take the position of commander as the official representative of the Special Knights, stood on the platform to introduce Tritoma and briefly explain about Oathbinders.

“The doors of the Special Knights are open. Those with the courage to become Oathbinders and fight demonic beasts in the name of the Empire, regardless of social status, please apply to the Special Knights headquarters at the Imperial Palace.”

The introduction ended with Isaiah’s simple recruitment pitch.

Afterward, there was a performance where the names of several special agents were inscribed in the empty slots of the massive martial tournament bracket, and the martial tournament began immediately.

Lillieta sat with her family in the noble section, keeping her nerves on edge throughout the proceedings.

‘I never know when a named demonic beast might pop out.’

She glanced toward where Duke Adickl and Prince Joseph were sitting together.

Their faces pretending to be surprised by the talk of demonic beasts were disgusting, and she was also displeased that they hadn’t even brought Hanna, using the excuse that she hadn’t debuted yet.

‘Hanna said she would look for evidence of the conspiracy while alone at the vineyard manor. I hope she’s not doing anything dangerous… I should trust that she’ll be fine with Ethan by her side.’

While she was distracted by such concerns and couldn’t focus on the martial tournament, a voice suddenly sounded in her head.

[Notice: It is your disciple Killian Caine’s turn.]

It was her magic gun, which she had kept active since entering the opening ceremony in preparation for any possible incident.

‘Ah, thanks, Grace.’

[Complaint: This artificial spirit is no longer just Grace but the newly born Great New Grace. I would like to be called G-New-G.]

[Cuteness: Instead of G-New-G, you may also call me ‘our baby’ or ‘baby spirit’ or ‘adorable little one.’]

[Suggestion: How about changing this artificial spirit’s speech pattern to be more lovable and cute to make it easier to change the title?]

‘…No, it’s fine as it is now.’

Rita replied, drained by the flood of words.

Since the magic gun modification, the artificial spirit had shown such a shocking attitude change that it had become strangely difficult to deal with.

She had received it from Oli and tried to have a serious talk about it separately, but when she said it was burdensome and difficult to handle, Grace became happy instead and only said things like ‘Confirmed strong reaction from user. This artificial spirit’s judgment was correct! I will continue to whine hard, so please find me cute!’ so she gave up on persuasion.

‘Since it keeps insisting it’s young, a baby, it really does seem like a smart little child… It is true that it was born not long ago…’

Though she felt like she was being drawn in, thinking what was the point of defeating a young artificial spirit, Lillieta decided to just go along with it appropriately.

‘While watching the match, let me know if anything unusual happens nearby, G…New-G.’

[Cheer: Of course, user! Trust and leave it to G-New-G!]

[Impression: A baby’s cuteness is indeed useful. I feel like shrugging shoulders I don’t even have.]

Rita left the excited artificial spirit alone and looked down at the arena.

The black-haired gunner Killian, Maxwell Roan’s friend, was taking position against a large mercenary.

‘The opponent’s level is, hmm… If he loses here, I’ll have to make him train all night. Until he doesn’t drop his gun even while dozing.’

As if her thoughts had been conveyed, Killian suddenly looked up to check the spectator seats, shuddered, then raised his magic gun with a determined expression.

When he raised the ‘gun’ that nobles treated as a toy with his slender body, the opposing mercenary snorted and lifted his heavy axe.

And in less than a minute, he was knocked unconscious by consecutive non-lethal shots to his forehead.

Rita unconsciously smiled with satisfaction and thought.

‘Honestly, there were many openings, but well, this is passing. He didn’t forget what he learned.’

As soon as his opponent fell, Killian looked up at the spectator seats and somehow confirmed her expression from the distance, then breathed a sigh of relief.

The following martial tournament was a sensation.

Special agents they’d never seen before, dressed in black uniforms, used extraordinary techniques and abilities to defeat famous knights and mercenaries one after another. In the later rounds, only special agents remained, competing against each other in the finals.

The winner was Wolf Stormguard.

He who had openly defied her on the first day of training, after receiving the victory cup, prize, and bouquet on the platform, looked around as soon as he came down and bowed deeply toward Lillieta.

“What’s that? Who is he greeting?”

“Why is the winner…”

The nobles around her all murmured. Among them, the quick-witted ones recalled the boat trip and the Frontier Festival shooting competition and glanced at Lillieta.

Rita opened her fan to hide her proud smile and thought.

‘He handled it well. Once he officially joins the unit, I’ll have to teach him much more.’

She had grown fond not only of the special agents who had been Beacons in the Ash Era, but also of special agents like Wolf whom she’d met for the first time.

She looked forward to the day she would wear the same uniform as them. Then she would be called a commander, not a temporary instructor.

* * *

The martial tournament ended smoothly without any particular incidents by Lillieta’s standards.

Objectively, it wasn’t.

From the Crown Prince’s crisis declaration and demonstration of demonic beasts, to the appearance of the Tritoma Special Knights and their sweeping performance in the martial tournament, this opening ceremony was a series of incidents and sensations.

Separate from the bustling atmosphere, the scheduled festival began smoothly.

After the martial tournament ended and the sun set, various performances took place inside Lamcard Arena, and night markets spread out in the squares around the arena.

The main events like the night parade and lantern release were scheduled for tomorrow, the actual Foundation Day, but even today as the eve festival, many citizens enjoyed the festival in the streets until late at night.

And Beacon decided to take turns guarding the night market around Lamcard Arena where the most people gathered. To respond quickly in case a named demonic beast appeared.

Except for Ethan, who was to monitor Duke Adickl’s movements near Hanna, the remaining six formed pairs of two, disguised themselves appropriately, and planned to take three-hour shifts until dawn when the night market closed.

During the unpopulated dawn hours, Tritoma special agents were scheduled to take turns monitoring.

From 6 PM to 9 PM was Olivia and Lucas’s turn, from 9 PM to midnight was Lillieta and Gideon’s turn.

She covered her conspicuous blonde hair with a brown wig and brought a yellow bird beak-shaped half-mask that Oli had prepared in advance.

It was similar to what Gid had used at the Duke’s masquerade party, a magical tool that, though hastily made and unable to change body type or voice, had the effect of making faces difficult to recognize.

‘I wonder if Gid will come in Sion’s appearance. That seems like it would stand out too much…’

When she came out of the Creme Dome at the appointed time and entered the back alley near Lamcard Arena, she saw a familiar black-haired man wearing a silver metal mask.

Rita approached him and whispered.

“You didn’t wear a wig? And didn’t change your body type either.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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