Chapter 306: Chapter 45: Indignant That Duke Qinghui Picked the Peach

The procession continued on for some time before Westheid saw a Qinghui Guard on a Griffin descend from the sky.

"Your Majesty! We’ve spotted a Knight Order, and they’re marching this way!"

The wolf-eared maiden beside Duke Qinghui shook her head, her violet-black hair slapping against the cheek of the man behind her. She turned her head and said:

"West, another group coming to join us?"

"Most likely. How many groups has that been today? Never mind, it’s a good thing. Let’s go take a look."

At her words, Westheid waved his hand with a smile and urged the Griffin he was riding to accelerate.

The surrender of Yingxi Castle had set public opinion in the Country of Yonglan ablaze. With a highly respected Grand Knight like Uther now backing him, Yonglan Knights were flocking to join his tour.

This was why Westheid was taking his time; he could bolster his forces considerably along the route.

He followed the direction the Griffin Knight had indicated and soon came across a group of Knights riding hoverbikes.

That’s right, motorcycles. Although they were called Yonglan Knights, no rule stated they had to have mounts, let alone living ones. The Country of Yonglan moved with the times, and this wasn’t some issue of core principle.

This group of Knights was clearly of a more progressive bent. They didn’t wear traditional Mithril Armor. Instead, they were all clad in Mechanical Battle Armor, which radiated a power born from the tight integration of machinery and the human physique.

The Knight in the lead jumped off his hoverbike, first bowing slightly, then called out loudly to Westheid:

"We are the Broken Mirror Knight Order, stationed at the Gale Heart border."

"Lord Westheid! We heard of your King’s Tour and how you’ve been advancing like an unstoppable force. We even heard that Sir Black Knight has joined your ranks. And so, we’ve come to ask for a lesson."

"I remember you. The Knight Order under the Zitherheart Clan, guardians of the Gale Heart’s outer perimeter."

Westheid was a little surprised. He leaped off his Griffin, turning his scabbard in his hand as he frowned and asked:

"So, are you here to stop me?"

’For a single Knight Order to try and intercept the tour’s main force is no different from suicide. But, considering they’re Yonglan Knights, it would be perfectly normal for them to get hot-headed and charge right in anyway.’

Just as Westheid was pondering how to defeat this hostile Knight Order, Mivana suddenly spoke up.

"The Broken Mirror Knight Order... My teacher, Viona, mentioned you. You are her followers."

"That’s right. We were inspired by Lady Viona and swore to follow her. Duke Qinghui, are you conducting this tour in the name of the Lord of Dusk Lamp Territory?"

"It’s obvious."

The most basic prerequisite for a King’s Tour was the support of at least one Knight Territory, and Westheid’s starting point was, without a doubt, the Dusk Lamp Territory.

The Mirror Knight Captain immediately sighed in frustration and said:

"I still think it would have been best for Lady Viona to be the one conducting this tour. She contributed so much to building up the Dusk Lamp Territory, only for Duke Qinghui to come and reap the rewards. It’s hard to accept."

"You’re really hung up on that, aren’t you!"

Westheid was amused, but after a moment’s thought, he nodded and said:

"You’re not wrong, though... So what’s your angle? Are you looking to claim justice for your mistress?"

The Mirror Knight Captain shook his head and said:

"No. Since the student Lady Viona entrusted with her very life trusts you, and Sir Black Knight trusts you, then we are willing to try believing in you. But before that..."

He drew the twin axes from his waist and declared boisterously:

"Duke Qinghui! Show us the strength that makes you worthy of the crown!"

Westheid had heard similar requests countless times over the past few days. Apart from the scattered, wandering Knights, the leaders of every independent Knight Order that came to join him made a similar demand.

Even knowing they couldn’t win, they had to witness the strength of a King Claimant for themselves—they would even die gladly for the chance.

And for that, Westheid could only express... complete understanding and respect.

"Alright, alright, alright! Come on, then. One by one? Or all at once?"p>

Duke Qinghui tossed Shadow-Born, the sword at his waist, onto the ground. He strode forward, his clenched fists cracking loudly at the knuckles.

A scorching breath escaped his lips, carrying what looked like tangible sparks of fire.

"Hah. Doesn’t matter to me. Either way is fine."

"In that case, so that we might experience your power to the fullest, please forgive us for the dishonorable act of using our numbers against you."

After exchanging glances, the leaders of the Broken Mirror Knight Order surged forward as one.

HSSSSSS—

Their Mechanical Battle Armor deployed in an instant. Their figures blurred—some becoming flowing ripples, others streaks of lightning—as they appeared before Westheid, their various weapons striking for his vitals in perfect concert.

"Impressive Body Technique."

Westheid remarked, intrigued. They had clearly put a great deal of effort into honing these charging Combat Techniques.

’Mastering any one of these Body Techniques is incredibly difficult, demanding huge amounts of time and energy—so much that even I can’t be bothered to delve too deeply into them.’

’Speaking of which, I think Reiya’s awakened Legendary Talent was Thundercloud Incarnation, right? That’s a top-tier Body Technique of the Dragon Race. I should be able to mooch it off her later on.’

’From that perspective, the White-haired Dragon Lady really is a treasure trove. As she continues to grow, there will be more and more Talents, Specialties, and skills for me to share. Excellent, excellent.’

Despite facing an assault from multiple Knights, Westheid’s mind was wandering all over the place.

He really didn’t need to focus. His muscle memory would react for him.

THUMP!

Multiple sharp strikes were easily parried by Westheid’s fingers. The adamantium and enchanted blades couldn’t even break his skin.

The storm of attacks couldn’t advance an inch past the afterimages of his fingers. Once the Broken Mirror Knights had exhausted every trick they knew and still couldn’t breach the defense of a single finger, Westheid made his move.

He took a step diagonally forward, sending the Knight on his left flying with an elbow strike. He followed up with a punch, a kick, and another elbow.

With just these simple movements, the elite Knights in their Mechanical Battle Armor found it impossible to defend, and they were sent flying like ragdolls.

With one fluid sequence of his Fighting Technique, nearly all the attacking Knight Order leaders were knocked unconscious in an instant, losing their ability to fight. The only one who withstood the onslaught was the Mirror Knight Captain; he had actually managed to deflect the force of Westheid’s elbow strike with his twin axes.

’The fact that he wasn’t instantly defeated was proof enough of his caliber.’

And as for the strongest powerhouse in the Knight Order, Westheid naturally had to give him some special attention.

Just as he did with the other Knight Lords who’d come looking for a thrashing, Westheid caught the Mirror Knight Captain in a chokehold and slammed him to the ground. He pressed his knee down, completely ignoring the captain’s struggles, and raised his right fist.

A fist smashed down.

POW!

Westheid rained punch after punch down on his opponent’s face. Even though he was holding back, the ground still trembled with terrifying force.

POW! POW! POW!

Each time his fist rose and fell, it kicked up a spray of dust and flesh. Under Westheid’s brutal, inhuman assault, the Knight Captain could only manage muffled groans.

He didn’t stop this one-sided thrashing until he felt the struggling beneath his knee nearly cease. He then stood up, looking down at the Knight Captain, who seemed half-paralyzed.

"Do you understand now? This strength is the reason I will be king!"

He had used no Combat Techniques, not a single Technique. Westheid hadn’t even activated a proper Tier T0 Talent. He had simply crushed them with sheer Physical Strength.

’Man, I’m so good at this!’

"COUGH! COUGH COUGH!!! So strong! You’re just too strong, Duke Qinghui!"

"I was like a worthless bug, completely insignificant!"

Though his face was a mess of blood and dirt and his skull was nearly split open, the Mirror Knight Captain was still ecstatic. He bent his body and yelled:

"Not even Lady Viona back in the day ever thrashed me so completely... You are worthy! You truly are worthy to be king!"

The Captain staggered to his feet, raised the one arm he could still move, and turned to face his comrades.

"Brothers and sisters! I have decided to support Lord Westheid as our king! What say you all?!"

His declaration was immediately met with a fanatical response from his companions:

"Perfect! Perfect!"

"Lord Westheid must be the king who will carry on Lady Viona’s will!"

"Huzzah!!"

"..."

Watching the members of the Broken Mirror Knight Order cheering joyfully, Duke Qinghui looked as if he wanted to say something, but held his tongue.

Westheid had no desire to be the "convenient" heir to the Star Lake Sword, but when he glanced to the side and saw a big, fluffy tail wagging happily, he kept his mouth shut.

’Since Mivana was happy, letting them believe it for now was fine.’