I find it very sacred to pick someone up and make them a saint.

Seeing Lucia withdraw her energy, Flami was momentarily stunned and didn't dare to interrupt.

Everyone was watching Lucia closely, wondering what she was going to do.

Lucia charged forward, placing her sword on her shoulders with both hands, the tip pointing directly at Archie.

Since these people look down on me and my teacher, I'll just tell them, in a straightforward manner, how ridiculous their perceptions are!

Discussions arose among the surrounding crowd.

"This is clearly the stance of soldiers in a duel!"

How could she do that?...

"Especially that lightsaber!"

This is the custom of soldiers dueling for honor, abandoning all magic and only releasing "Lightforged Blade" to empower their swords, using swordsmanship to determine victory or defeat, or life and death.

Now Flammy had even less reason to organize a duel...

"Lightforged Blade" is not only a skill used in duels, but also an enhancement magic that all soldiers of the Cassirer Empire must master.

Because it has been proven in countless battles to be the most effective and fundamental warrior skill.

Even the vast majority of large-scale tactics and strategies rely on the "Lightforged Blade" and the corresponding sword techniques of the Cassirer lineage.

Furthermore, this foundation was continuously expanded, forming the unique art of war of the Cassirer Empire, which helped them defeat one powerful enemy after another.

And it has never been cracked, making it invincible.

Lucia did not wield the "Lightforged Blade," but the "Purifying Sword" looked very similar to it, without the surrounding magic, which also symbolized the spirit of "fair duel."

Now all the soldiers looked at Lucia with disdain.

Not only did they lose their previous disdain for the saintess, but they even felt a sense of respect for her as one of their own.

As the saintess used her familiar combat magic skills, a sense of admiration and closeness also subtly arose in her heart.

However, Archie on the ring didn't think that way.

He knew very well that it was not a "light-forged war blade," but far beyond his ability to deal with.

But now that things have come to this, there is no turning back. Lucia is challenging her dignity as a warrior.

He roared and drew his sword, his gaze sharp as a blade, to meet Lucia's attack.

My heart was filled with complex emotions: in the anger of being provoked and insulted,

There was a subtle sense of pleasure and satisfaction in it.

I remembered my worship of the Holy Maiden of Light from a very, very long time ago...

Flammy watched the situation spiral out of control, gritting his teeth.

If a winner has to be decided, how will this end?!

He glared at Mien, who remained nonchalant as things unfolded.

Sestan, however, was so engrossed in the duel that he briefly forgot his feud with Mien and became completely absorbed in it.

With a loud clang, the first impact erupted.

Even though Archie put all his strength into it, his attack and will were shattered instantly.

In his complex state of mind, he even lost the will to resist.

His subconscious told him that even if he lost to Saintess Lucia, there was nothing shameful about it...

Lucia pressed her advantage, unleashing a barrage of attacks.

At first, Archie was able to block some of the attacks, but gradually he could only passively dodge and was still stabbed in "Holy Protection" by the lightsaber.

With a series of loud impacts, the well-known light shield gradually shattered.

Sweat dripped down one person's neck.

With a loud bang, Archie's defense was completely breached.

His body flew backward, no longer resisting.

Lucia's eyes showed no sign of waning. In fact, after long-term training with Poppy, she was eager to kill her opponent with a single blow, completely depriving him of any ability to resist.

She flew forward, thrusting her sword straight at Archie's neck.

In the blink of an eye, everyone was already mesmerized.

Only Flami reacted in time, suddenly raising his hand, and a huge magical force swept across the entire command post.

Lucia's sword strike also deviated by an inch.

As the clothes and dust that had been kicked up settled, people saw Archie lying on the ground on the arena, and Lucia, who had been stabbed with a sword.

The Cleansing Sword pierced straight into Archie's left neck. His pupils dilated, and he froze on the spot.

Lucia's jet-black hair fell down as she looked down at him with haughty disdain.

Mien even thought the scene was absolutely beautiful.

But other people don't see it that way.

Archie, representing Sestan and his soldiers, was humiliated by Lucia by being "nailed" to the ground in front of everyone.

Even if Sestan was impressed, his own humiliated pride made his anger prevail.

In the stillness, countless hostile gazes were fixed on Lucia and Mien.

As Lucia emerged from her battle state, a gentle and calm look appeared in her eyes.

She pulled the sword from Archie's neck and then slowly withdrew and dissipated it.

Looking around, she was startled to see countless aggressive eyes.

Those people were not young people like Archie; most of them were regional lords or generals, and their imposing presence was like a mountain pressing down on them.

Lucia felt a chill creep up her spine, and her timid nature as a little girl surfaced. She instinctively sought help from Mien.

But then, in the midst of the stillness, Mien slowly stood up, swayed his scholar's robe, and walked over slowly, meeting everyone's gaze.

Lucia's panicked heart immediately calmed down.

She walked toward Mien familiarly, just as she had many times before, without any worries.

Mien walked up to Flami, who was standing still, and stopped. He said calmly:

"Your Excellency Flami, as far as I can see, the duel should have already been decided."

Flammy's anger hadn't subsided, but his voice, though low, was very loud: "Of course."

It was as if she was questioning him: How are you going to clean this up now?

Mien did not respond to him, but continued to slowly take Lucia down, holding her hand, and looking back at everyone's gaze.

This further fueled everyone's humiliation and anger.

Instead of returning to their original seats, the two slowly walked over to Flammy's side.

"Now that the duel is over, Lucia and I will not delay your discussions on the war. We also need to make some preparations for the future."

Thank you for your invitation.

Mien’s voice was loud, seemingly directed at Flami, but also at everyone.

Sestan exhaled like a lion, like a deep rumble of thunder.

Flammy turned to the two men with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep and serious: "Then I'll have to trouble you two."

Mien immediately turned and left with Lucia.

After walking for a long time, I finally heard a faint commotion coming from behind.

The sun had gradually set, and the surroundings were dark and quiet.

Lucia's mind gradually drifted away from the scene she had just witnessed.

Only then did he reflect on his actions, and after a moment, somewhat guiltily asked Mien:

"Teacher, did I go a bit too far?"

The oppressive gazes of the crowd resurfaced in her mind, as if she had casually incurred the teacher's 'slight' hatred...

Mien patted her head.

The distant campfire illuminated his handsome and gentle face.

"No, this is the best way to deal with people like them."

Humiliation is a prerequisite for respect.

Lucia thought for a moment, then asked, seemingly understanding but not quite, "When will these people start to respect us?"

I felt that the anger in my heart was not something that could be easily quelled...

"Soon," Mien replied immediately with a smile, "Perhaps in just a few days."

"Because war is imminent."