Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

"...Is it going to be that their battle will destroy the earth...? Whether we can illuminate the earth depends on how things actually go, but their destruction of the earth...? There's no suspense at all, is there?"

When this matter was mentioned, Rinko's lips twitched.

"Well... since Mr. Tomat said that we should fight like real warriors in the arena, then it shouldn't be a fight that destroys the audience as well... right?"

Clearly, she herself didn't think this idea was very persuasive.

The schedule has been decided.

Since the Saiyan Knight has no intention of fighting his own people, let him have a match with the belligerent but incompetent Knight.

However, before that, there was the match between Maria and the Plastic Knight—this was their last act of dedication to profit, putting the more significant battles later to avoid completely overshadowing the main event.

[Main Text] Terra's World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament: Chapter Seventy-One - Sister, This is All I Can Do for You

"Ugh."

Sighs echoed through the Rinko family mansion.

That was the sound of Manan Nearl returning home late.

His youthful yet mature face couldn't hide the weariness in his expression.

After pushing open the heavy door, he casually tossed his slightly wrinkled suit onto the coat rack in the empty living room, then silently rubbed his forehead and lay down on the sofa.

In the past, a large number of servants would have come to serve him the moment he entered the room, but now not only are there few people, but there is also very little furniture and decorations left, leaving only an empty room where the sound of walking echoes.

For him, these days haven't been so easy.

The Rinko family was already in financial crisis due to various issues, and their refusal of the Knights Guild's Long Knight certification put the family at risk of losing its noble status.

Now, while managing the affairs of his family, he also works as a company employee—a position slightly higher than the entry-level—earning a salary that barely keeps the Rinko family afloat.

Obviously, accepting the identity of a long rider and participating in knightly competitions would make life a little better.

But Manan also had his own reasons for refusing.

He did not accept the Knights Guild's approval, nor did he believe that those people were qualified to determine the honor of knights.

If we choose to accept the identity they offer according to their arrangements, then all the insistence our parents have put in will be wasted.

The former Old Knight of Radiance, who was also the former head of the Radiant family, never accepted the Knights Guild's "certification" in his lifetime as a way of protesting against the system. Now, as the most qualified candidate to become a Long Knight, he is unwilling to compromise because of his current predicament.

However, in the eyes of some relatives, there is not much difference between being a subservient employee of a company and becoming a competitive knight, performing and pleasing the audience according to the requirements of a commercial league on the field.

But now his niece, Maria Nearl, has actually participated in the knightly competition as a family member, causing a huge uproar, which is naturally giving him a headache.

In Manan’s eyes, saving his family by participating in knightly competitions was not much different from pushing his family to the brink of destruction.

Knights' competitions can't bring glory, prove strength, or change their predicament.

No matter how much she was criticized and persuaded, she did not give up. She even prepared for the competition with her cousin Zofia and the group of old knights.

"Ugh..."

Manan sighed again.

Today I was distracted thinking about Maria, and as a result, my boss caught me and gave me a severe scolding.

Theoretically speaking, his boss, as an entrepreneur, should be interested in Maria and might even try to win her over. However, it was already common knowledge that Maria had refused the sponsorship.

For entrepreneurs, those who cannot be used for profit have no value in currying favor; instead, they become an excuse to make things difficult for Manan—"What? Now that your niece is famous, you're not paying attention at work?"

He had heard these threatening words countless times, and all he could offer were excuses to distance himself and repeated bowing apologies.

Moreover, the recent turmoil caused by various dark horse contenders has led to financial instability, increasing the pressure on the company and making it more frequent for me to encounter such situations.

“Zofia is right—to recklessly challenge a knightly competition out of naivety is not much different from me bowing down to an entrepreneur; neither is honorable.”

"But to participate in the knightly competition as a knight of the Nearl family would be a disgrace to the Nearl family."

"As Manan Linguang, becoming a corporate employee and being bossed around by others, it is only I, Manan, who will lose face."

Such self-talk usually only happens late at night. Now, Manan doesn't have to worry about anyone hearing his self-pity and confessions, and this is the only way for him to vent his suppressed true feelings.

His body, having undergone rigorous training, did not experience physical fatigue from the demands of work, but the mental strain still made it difficult for him to maintain his energy.

Manan leaned back on the sofa in the dark, seemingly intending to just fall asleep.

As he closed his eyes, he recalled his own spirited sixteen or seventeen-year-old self, who seemed no better than his stubborn niece whom he disliked—whenever he saw injustice, he would hastily try to resolve it in the way he thought he could.

That was the first time he had ever beaten up a spoiled brat who was oppressing the people on another nobleman's territory.

As a result, nothing changed except for causing trouble that required the intervention of the old Radiant Knight.

Later, she also participated in the Knights' Tournament, and steadily built a resounding reputation through her skills, just like Maria and Zofia, rejecting all kinds of attempts to win her over or manipulate her.

But in the end, he faced the "darkness" that disappointed him greatly, and he withdrew early, without suffering lifelong damage like Zofia.

Once he entered society, he encountered many things that were not in line with his true self, which smoothed out his rough edges.

Manan has learned many lessons, accepted many things, and come to understand the so-called reality.

Therefore, he disliked Margaret Nearl, a woman who understood the道理 (principle/reason) but insisted on doing useless work.

I hate Zofia, a woman who knows the despicable nature of knightly competitions but refuses to quit.

She also dislikes Maria Nearl—a stubborn child who is no different from herself back then.

"...Wasn't I a little too harsh when I reprimanded Maria last time?"

His solitary reflection late at night made him somewhat regretful of his overly harsh criticism a few days earlier.

He admitted that he was angry at Maria's behavior, but he felt more that as someone who had been through it all, he didn't want her, as a direct descendant of the Rinko family, to suffer too much harm.

Manan recalled the old Radiant Knight's attitude towards him when he made the same decision.

The old knight didn't blame him, but gave Manan a chance to reflect on his actions.

If the old knight had preached with the same aversion and criticism as he had, he probably would have developed a stronger rebellious mentality, just like Maria.

Manan realized that he had unknowingly become the very thing he used to hate.

A rigid, timid, and unmotivated "mediocre person" who only knows how to condescendingly dampen the enthusiasm of others.

And they still loathe the things they were willing to carry out in the past.

"...I'll buy her a gift this weekend...I remember she likes chivalric romance novels..."

Manan stood up in the darkness and walked into the corridor where the lights were still on.

Maria should be asleep by now. If not, then give her a little criticism and then "self-reflect" on your actions in front of your niece whom you've hurt.

"...Who goes there!?"

However, as he walked toward Maria's room, he caught a glimpse of a fleeting figure.

It was very fast and there was no breath.

Could it be an assassin from the Business Alliance?!

That's impossible! I clearly told them not to attack Maria on the condition that I wouldn't interfere with the Special Major!

Are these people really so despicable for their own gain? They even sent their top knight assassins to kill Maria?

"Maria!!!"

Manan had no intention of chasing after the fleeing figure; instead, he kicked open the door to Maria's room.

But that only made Maria, who was wearing only a thin nightgown, sit up instantly from her sprawled position, and ask sleepily:

"Ah... Uncle? What... what are you doing in my room?"

"Are you alright? What was that person about?"

"who?"

Manan asked while looking around.

Maria's expression showed nothing but sleepiness and confusion.

It doesn't seem like they're hiding anything. Could it be that I arrived in time, preventing them from making a move?

But no matter what, the fact that Maria was safe and sound was enough to put his mind at ease.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the Rinko family mansion, a figure holding a large storage box breathed a sigh of relief.

"Little sister, this is all I can do to help you."

That was Nearl, who claimed she "wouldn't be seeing her family for the time being." What she was holding was a box for storing armor, containing the armor Maria used in the competition, which was also the same set Nearl herself had used.

"Nothing is missing. The most valuable thing in my room is that suit of armor... Look, it's still there."

However, Maria, who was in the room taking inventory with Manan, had an identical suit of armor beside her bed.

[Main Text] Terra's World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament. Debate Chapter: Chapter Seventy-Two: The Promised Agreement

"What's wrong, Maria?"

"Hmm...is it just my imagination? I feel like the armor has become lighter?"

"I don't think so. It's just that you've become stronger?"

"...Maybe?"

Maria, who was preparing her armor in the athletes' preparation room, took the strange feeling she was experiencing as her own illusion—and because of Zofia's words, she also believed it was the result of her recent training with Winter.

Although we were badly beaten, we gained more practical experience in facing strong opponents. We hope that our preparation during this period will be reflected in this match.

In the preparation room on the other side, a plastic knight named Serchiak, dressed in azure knight armor, stood in front of a Kuranta boy.

"Daddy, Daddy! You can win this competition too, right? This new armor is so cool!"

"Haha, don't worry, Dad will definitely win the game for you as your birthday present!"

Serchiak's voice came from beneath his gleaming, azure helmet as he stroked his son's head and made a confident promise to him.

"Let's pinky swear! From now on, let's not hang out with those reporters! I want to go to Knights Park for my birthday!"

"Okay—okay—it's your birthday today, I'll do whatever you say, Daddy won't go to the press conference, okay?"

Maria, carrying the hopes of her family, and Sergeak, who had made a promise with the child, appeared one after the other with their usual exaggerated introductions.

However, neither of them paid much attention to Mob's exaggerated remarks.