Man on the ark, forced to become king

The answer to this question is very clear to Nearl—no, it's impossible, because she herself was the champion of the previous Knights Tournament.

Those 'strongest knights in the entire city' that chambers of commerce, companies, and large enterprises advertised were a joke in front of W, utterly vulnerable.

However, such a strong person can only get the evaluation of 'elite operator' in Golden Tree, and has not even left the basic level.

It's easy to imagine how powerful the entire Golden Tree is.

If she had that power...

She doesn't need much; just reaching the W level might allow her to return to Kazimierz openly, restore the glory of the Lightbringer family, reclaim her former honor, and change that increasingly corrupt nation.

If it were even stronger...

Lin Guang snapped out of her reverie and felt ashamed of her unrealistic thoughts. As a knight, she shouldn't have been so greedy.

"Huang, thank you."

Calming the agitation in her heart, Lin Guang turned to look at Huang walking beside her. She felt a heartfelt gratitude and would remember this kindness forever.

"Huh? Why are you thanking me all of a sudden?"

Holding the blonde girl who looked like a puppet in his arms, Huang was a little confused, wondering why Nearl had suddenly said such a thing.

However, she didn't pay much attention. She raised her head slightly, pointed with her chin at the brightly lit building in front of her, licked her lips, and her cat ears stood up very proudly on her head.

"Take her to the medical department first, then I'll take you out to eat!"

Chapter 209 Familiar Strangers

"Golden Tree, what an incredible place."

The spacious hall was bustling with people. It was past breakfast time, and there weren't many people in the cafeteria. However, Lin Guang still chose a spot near a corner and, while Huang went to get his food, quietly observed the people passing by in the hall.

She sat there for more than ten minutes and saw seven or eight experts whose strength was no less than hers.

Although it's impossible to discern their true strength from appearances alone, some clues can be gleaned from the details.

Those people all carried a subtle but powerful aura. Several of them were in a hurry, their clothes bearing traces of battle, and they carried enormous weapons that would be difficult for an ordinary person to lift.

Someone who can wield that weapon with such ease is certainly no ordinary person.

Upon seeing those people, Nearl knew that someone with her and Huang's strength would only be considered ordinary and unremarkable within the Golden Tree.

This is a stage even larger than Kazimierz; it would be no exaggeration to describe it as a place teeming with powerful figures.

At the same time, this is also a higher starting point, offering a broader future.

Previously, she and Huang had taken the unconscious blonde girl to the medical department, and then completed a formality to officially join the field service department.

The simple process allowed her to gain a deeper understanding of the Golden Tree.

I had to seize this opportunity—I lowered my head, clenched my fists in the light, and told myself this in my heart.

She recalled the information she learned while going through the onboarding process, and developed a stronger attachment to the position that she hadn't cared much about before.

Based on their individual contributions, each official member of the Golden Tree can exchange for spells and arcane arts that interest them, gaining opportunities to advance their own level.

Those unheard-of powers can completely change a person's bloodline and potential.

It can even... grant immortality and the resurrection of the dead.

That was undoubtedly a forbidden power, something that the powerful and wealthy could only dream of but could never attain, yet here it was laid out openly for sale, and anyone could exchange for it.

The power of the golden tree far exceeds imagination.

With enough effort, she might soon grow to a level where she can be called a strong person, return to Kazimierz openly, and restore the glory of the Lightbringer family.

"What are you thinking about?"

The plate was pushed in front of him, and Lin Guang came back to his senses. He looked up and saw Huang sitting down across the table, stretching and completely relaxing, with a lazy feeling.

It's clear that she feels completely at ease here and can let down her guard without reservation.

'If this place isn't safe, then where in the world can be considered safe?'

Lin Guang can understand Huang's thoughts because she feels the same way.

The Golden Tree is like a legendary paradise. Being there is like being in a mother's embrace, where all guard is removed and the mind and body can completely relax.

"I'm thinking about which path to choose."

Lin Guang didn't hide anything from Huang, whom he had only recently met, and frankly expressed his thoughts as he pulled the plate closer.

She doesn't doubt her ability to make contributions in exchange for what she wants, but sometimes, having too many choices can be a problem.

Spells, secret arts, physical enhancements, even bloodline optimization, incredible elixirs, divine weapons... all sorts of treasures rarely seen in the outside world, so rare that ordinary people could never see them in their entire lives, are all displayed on the shelves for people to choose from.

No matter which method you choose, you can become stronger.

This gave the young knight a sense of indecisiveness for the first time.

How did Huang make his selection?

It was only then that Lin Guang belatedly realized that she didn't really know much about Huang, let alone how he became stronger or what path he took.

"Could you tell me about your situation? Perhaps it can give me some advice."

Huang is a very straightforward person, and Lin Guang also likes this straightforward way of getting along, asking questions whenever she thinks of something.

"Ah I?"

Huang's mouth was bulging. He chewed a few times, swallowed the food, and looked somewhat bewildered.

"I didn't really travel much... If I had to say, I learned combat techniques and training methods from the seniors. I plan to continue to develop Originium Arts in more depth in the future, since it's my own stuff..."

"I'm not very bright, and even if I were to switch to those powerful spells, I probably wouldn't be able to learn them. So, I'd better figure out my own stuff first."

Is she a smart person?

The answer is no. Huang herself never thought so. She felt that she was stupid and that it would take her a lot of time to fully remember and understand the knowledge she learned.

Therefore, she never had any unrealistic ambitions, and all she did was the most basic things—exercise and study.

Train your physique and skills in a clumsy way, then master your Originium Arts, and develop more uses for them by learning knowledge.

"Is that so? I understand."

Upon hearing Huang's answer, Lin Guang paused, then suddenly understood.

Yes, why should she think so much?

Instead of getting caught up in a dazzling array of treasures, it's better to focus on improving yourself and honing your skills to the highest level.

She hasn't even fully mastered the things passed down in her family yet, so how useful can she be if she's eyeing those even more unfamiliar things?

The title of "Radiant Knight" is a title obtained from knightly competitions; it's nothing more than a false title.

In the past, knights with titles were all extremely powerful individuals. Does she really have the ability to deserve this honor?

Indulging in false honors will only bring shame to the name of Lin Guang!

With a thought in mind, Lin Guang let out a long sigh, his restless mind completely calmed down, and solemnly nodded to Huang, saying, "Thank you."

"You really like saying thank you, even though I haven't done anything."

Huang's expression was somewhat awkward. They hadn't spent much time together, but she had already heard Lin Guang say thank you countless times, which made her feel a little embarrassed, as if she had done something extraordinary.

But she clearly didn't do anything...

"You've been a huge help."

Lin Guang smiled and shook her head slightly. Suddenly, she noticed someone walking into the cafeteria. She only glanced at him before her attention was drawn to him, and she even stopped halfway through picking up her bread.

"Who is that?"

"Huh? Who is it?"

Upon hearing this, Huang subconsciously turned his head and saw a figure slowly walking in from the doorway. The figure was tall with long hair reaching down to the knees, swaying slightly with each step. A pair of slender white horns grew on the top of the head, and the face was cold. The figure was holding a slender black sword in his arms.

"The Shining?"

"The Shining?"

As Lin Guang murmured the name, she suddenly had a strange feeling, as if she was meant to meet this person, and there was a kind of inexplicable familiarity.

"She was also in the field operations department, but I heard she's going to be transferred to the medical department soon. I got the idea for my motorcycle from her."

Huang nodded, somewhat puzzled.

She had a few encounters with Shining, but they weren't very close. She only knew that he was very strong, that even ACE had admitted he was no match for him, and that he loved riding tricycles.

Apart from that... there doesn't seem to be anything special?

"..."

Perhaps noticing the gazes fixed on her, Shining paused, turned her head slightly, and then walked to the table where Nearl and Blaze were sitting, tilting her head slightly.

"Is something wrong?"

She was also a little confused. She knew Huang; she was a very hardworking girl who often studied with ACE. She had never seen the other one before; he must be a newcomer, and he had a familiar aura about him.

But... why are you looking at her like that?

Did I wear the wrong clothes? Or is there something on my face?

Thinking of this, Shining glanced at her clothes without leaving a trace—just an ordinary black trench coat. She touched her face; it was clean.