I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

"Thank you for coming over this time, Zofia."

After helping out, Bianca washed her hands before walking over to her two friends and sitting down.

"It's alright, it's alright. I'm actually quite happy to get together with you. Besides, we're all friends now." Upon hearing this, Zofia gently curled the corners of her lips and waved her hand dismissively.

“Zofia is right. It’s really relaxing and fun to play with Bianca.” Maria, who was sitting on the side eating a cookie, nodded quickly after hearing what the two said.

Hearing their conversation, a hint of helplessness flashed in Bianca's azure eyes as she smiled and said, "I..."

"Shhh."

However, before the silly goose could even speak, Zofia reached out to stop her.

She then blinked gently and said, "Don't rush to answer. Let me guess what you're planning to ask me."

"It must be a problem with the rules of the Knights Tournament. Is it restricted by the rules of the Knights Order?"

“Yes, Zofia, you guessed right,”

After hearing Zofia's guess, Bianca's face showed a hint of surprise, then she nodded slightly and seriously.

"As expected, that's the problem." Looking at the obedient person in front of her, Zofia sighed helplessly. After sighing, she continued, "How could I have guessed correctly? Anyone who knows you even a little would probably think that you would be restricted by these rules."

"After all, ever since we met, you've disliked dealing with these messy forces, let alone joining them."

Hearing this, Bianca's expression turned helpless, and she said, "There's nothing I can do, I really don't like those factions. In fact, I don't really like competitions like the Knights Tournament."

"Yes, yes, Miss Knight of Justice. So, what are your thoughts on this rule? Tell me."

Hearing Bianca's similar remarks to Margaret's back then, Zofia's eyes were filled with so much helplessness that they were almost overflowing.

"My thoughts..."

P.S.: There will be another chapter later. I'll try to write it as quickly as possible, but it will probably still be past midnight. Please urge me to finish.

Chapter 41 Platinum: "...?"

After Bianca shared her thoughts, Zofia carefully analyzed the pros and cons of the two options and some conditions for her.

After saying all that, she stopped talking and put the choice back in the hands of the silly goose, letting her think and choose for herself.

"Okay, I understand. Thank you, Zofia, for explaining all this to me." After listening to Zofia's analysis, Bianca smiled gently and said sincerely.

Although the goose hasn't made a choice yet, Zofia's explanations and analysis have indeed been a great help.

Even with Sakura around, there are many things and details that Bianca doesn't know as much or as comprehensively as Zofia.

"It's nothing, just a small matter. However, I didn't expect that you, Bianca, actually had plans to create a knight order..." Upon hearing this, Zofia gently shook her head; she didn't mind such a trivial matter.

However, as if remembering something, she raised a question she had just encountered in the analysis:

"So, are you planning to support the entire Knights Order by yourself after you create it?"

Zofia noticed this problem while she was doing this analysis. Let's set aside whether the Knights' Association actually agrees to Bianca creating the Knights Order.

Even if they agree, won't the knights of Bianca's Order, who are now being targeted by the Business Federation and the Knights Association, be scared off by the dark forces?

While the goose could be said to have enough strength to directly dismantle all the forces behind the schemes, the knights who join her order might not necessarily have that strength.

'Sigh...'

Thinking of this, Zofia couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

To be honest, she really hopes her new "sister" can be more tactful and diplomatic. That would save her a lot of unnecessary trouble and bring her more benefits...

However, Zofia was well aware that she had no right to say anything about it.

After all, who doesn't have their own principles and goals when they're young? Weren't she and Margaret like that back then?

"While I could do it, there's no need." Hearing this, Bianca gently shook her head and replied:

"I will handle this problem. I will still have negotiations with them later, but not now. The leverage I have shown right now is not enough..."

"If you have your own ideas, then I won't say anything more. Good luck. Maybe if Bianca's Knights Order grows bigger, I can even go and hang around. I hope you won't reject me because I'm weak."

After hearing Bianca's words, Zofia laughed and stopped the conversation, then teased her.

"Heh~ Zofia, I would be very happy to welcome you." With that, Bianca returned a dazzling and gentle smile to Zofia.

……

"Yes, Maria."

After finishing her conversation with Zofia, Bianca seemed to suddenly remember something and turned to look at Maria, who was standing beside her with her head down, seemingly lost in thought.

"Ah... hm?"

Hearing Bianca call her name suddenly snapped Maria out of her reverie, and she looked at Bianca with a puzzled expression, waiting for what she would say next.

"Ha~"

Seeing the puzzled look on someone's face, Bianca couldn't help but chuckle softly, then explained:

"I probably won't be having any matches for a while, and Uncle Koval's armor is already being made, so I'll personally deliver the armor and weapons you lent me back to your house later."

"Huh? So fast? Actually, I'm not in a hurry... The armor can still be kept with you, Bianca."

After hearing Bianca's words, Maria's doubts vanished, and she sat up in surprise, saying...

Clearly, the little pony hadn't expected Bianca to return the armor and weapons so soon. While she could accept the weapons being returned now—she already had a replacement prepared—she hadn't yet figured out how to bring it up…

“I think Maria is right. There’s no need for you to rush this armor, Anka. After all, these are special circumstances. So many people are secretly targeting you. Having weapons and equipment will make you safer.”

This time, Zofia chose to stand on her own side.

My child is here.

“…Alright then. I’ll send Uncle Koval’s armor back intact once it’s finished.” After thinking about it for a little while, Bianca agreed and stopped worrying about such a trivial matter.

The reason why the silly goose was in such a hurry to bring this up was simply because it felt there was no need to keep it with it, and it might even be damaged by its own use.

Now that both of her friends have said so, she naturally put the matter aside for the time being.

"Alright, now that we've finished discussing the important matters, let's talk about something lighter..."

"it is good."

-------------------

Unarmored Alliance —

The "massive" organization, the Unarmored Alliance, was still quite shaken after learning about the intelligence Roy brought back.

After all, no one expected that this mission would go so wrong, even with Xuan Tie in charge, and that one of the three "Xuan Tie" members of the assassin organization would die.

It's important to know that Xuan Tie Dawei possessed terrifying strength. However, who would have thought that such a powerful figure would not only be killed but also die a gruesome death?

This caused turmoil not only within the assassin organization but also prompted many other individuals and forces to re-evaluate Bianca, this independent knight with no background.

After all, if the person was weak, it would be easy to eliminate them silently as usual. But... with such terrifying strength, they still needed to think twice.

Putting everything else aside, if you push someone too far... it's not fun if they rush up and fight you to the death.

……

“Even though something so big has happened, Platinum can’t slack off. The mission is here.” Roy said, looking at Platinum Hinterlea, who was expressionless but seemed to be resisting.

"...What task requires you to personally inform me of it?"

Upon hearing this, Hinterlea's expression remained unchanged; she simply asked in a calm tone.

"That's obviously to keep an eye on our upright rookie, Lady Bianca."

"...?"

P.S.: Staying up all night is a bit scary, but I can't seem to write anything during the day either, it's so frustrating. I'll see if I can update earlier tomorrow, maybe do a little transition in the plot, then get to the main story quickly and finish the Kazimierz storyline sooner. After laying the groundwork, I can start writing about the snake.

Chapter 42 Platinum's Plans

"...?"

After hearing Roy's words, Hinterlea's expression visibly froze, and her eyes were filled with doubt and disbelief.

He looked as if he had heard something unbelievable...

"Don't be so surprised, Platinum. Of course, we can't have you monitoring that knight lady every second. This mission is just to keep an eye on her and her movements." Looking at the surprised Platinum in front of him, Roy waved his hand gently and explained with a smile.

"...I understand, I'll be careful."

After a moment of silence, Hintelia composed herself, nodded slightly, and agreed. However, she didn't really have the right to refuse.

After all, while slacking off is fine, an assassin who is truly disobedient and resists orders has no purpose in an assassin organization.

“This time, don’t be lazy. The higher-ups are still paying a lot of ‘attention’ to this Miss Bianca.” Roy narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at Hinterlea and whispered a reminder.

After saying that, Qingjin turned around and was about to leave, but then, as if he had thought of something, he stopped and added with a grin.

"Honestly, I think you should go and take a look at that place before you go on this mission, Xiaobaijin."

After saying that, Roy left without pausing.

"..."

Watching Roy's departing figure, a hint of doubt and complexity slowly flashed across Hinterlea's usually emotionless face.

Honestly, she felt she should start thinking about how to get out of this city, which had become murky and turbulent since Bianca appeared.

After all, making money is one thing, and living a free life is another, but if you accidentally lose your life, it's definitely not worth it.

However, although she had the idea, Cintraya decided to wait and see and make a plan first.

————————————————————

Night in the Great Knight's Territory, the bustling streets—

"Give."

Bianca, carrying two drinks, walked back to Maria and handed her one of them.

"Um, thank you."

After accepting the drink, Maria thanked her quietly. Then, as if remembering something, she continued, "Thank you, Bianca, for coming out to keep me company tonight."

"There's no need to thank me for something so small. We're friends, aren't we?" Hearing this, Bianca gave a helpless smile and patted Maria to comfort her.

"Alright, stop overthinking. There are too many people here, and it's not convenient to eat. Let's find a quiet place."

After saying that, Bianca gave Maria no more time to hesitate. She switched to carrying the things in one hand and gently took the pony's hand with the other, and they walked together on the bustling street filled with people.