Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

This surprised Old Martin. He looked around the store and saw that the customers who had been sitting and chatting with each other were also nodding politely to him.

In a sense, it's quite a creepy thing.

"Hmm, when?"

Tequila—Ernesto, who had once assisted the Rhodes Island group in Dosoles, now used this codename, and he explained to Old Martin:

"A colleague recommended this bar, saying it had a great atmosphere, so we came to support it today. I personally am quite interested in drinks, and I also think that watching the game broadcast here has a better atmosphere than watching it on our ship."

"Hmm... Rhodes Island, I know about your situation. You've caused those merchants a lot of trouble lately, haven't you?"

Sergeyak was still fairly clear-headed. After hearing Tequila's explanation, he realized that Bardock was also a member of Rhodes Island.

And they won't harm themselves; at least from what they've done, it seems they're simply fighting against a business alliance.

But this also made Serchiak feel quite ironic.

Because I was urged to participate by the company, partly due to Rhodes Island's performance in the Knights Tournament.

He got injured in that match, but now he's been saved by the people of Rhodes Island.

The same group of people are the ones who bring misfortune upon themselves or bring back a sliver of luck.

"Trouble? How could it be? The Rhodes Island players are just playing the way they want. If not letting those who fix matches have their way is considered trouble, then we don't mind if they protest."

Tequila answered Serchiak's question with a slight smile.

The other Rhodes Island members present chuckled a few times—those who had come specifically to watch the match had already heard about the relevant matters from the participants.

Clearly, they all disdain those competitions that employ dirty tricks.

"...You have guts, but is it really wise? What are you relying on? Capital even greater than a business alliance?"

The safe environment made Serchiak relax a little.

Having learned from Bardock's previous assistance, Serkiak put aside the arrogance he had developed since becoming a nobleman and questioned the group's seemingly unplanned actions with a more peaceful attitude.

Sergeak was just as dissatisfied with the Business Alliance as he was with the various arrangements made by the Knights Association.

Even though he harbored some resentment, he chose to obey, because this would allow him to accumulate more power, wealth, and a higher status.

That way, even if we choose to fight back someday, we won't be powerless to cope. Of course, the most important thing is to protect our children first.

After all, he could still distinguish the difference between himself and the business alliance. Once the banner of confrontation was raised, his immature son might be drawn into it.

Even with such caution and patience, he underestimated the despicable nature and power of these entrepreneurs.

Wounded and defeated, they were treated as worthless trash and disposed of—those knight assassins couldn't possibly be sent by the Commercial Alliance to visit a sick person.

The "Plastic Knight's" assets have likely been transferred, as they belong to the Howling Knights, not "Serkiak," and the Knight Points have probably been directly transferred to another Knight's name.

Whether out of self-interest or the wrath of the Howling Guardians, they would not allow a seriously injured knight who had botched their corporate commission to remain a member of their sponsored order.

Patience and hard work can be destroyed in an instant by a single word from an entrepreneur.

The accumulated wealth was gone, and the path to promotion to a higher rank of noble knight was also cut off.

Now Serchiak has nothing left but his martial arts skills and his child.

He was definitely not a nobody in Kazimierz; he was at least in a higher position than 90% of the people. Yet, he was still easily crushed by a much larger amount of capital. Even though his pride had not been extinguished, he had come to a profound understanding of the differences between those who had pushed him to his doom.

"Capital? Money? What a boring thing."

Bardock sat down without hesitation. He checked the time; there were less than ten minutes left before the match between Tomat and Gohan.

While getting to the venue wasn't out of the question, the bar seemed to offer a more relaxing environment than the uncomfortable seating area.

"Having the power is enough."

Bardock's words did not cause much of a stir in the bar.

Both the Rhodes Island people and Sergeyak remained silent, but the former did so because they tacitly agreed to the matter, while the latter simply fell into silent contemplation.

"I'll go get the first-aid kit... Mr. Serkiak, what happened to you?"

Although Old Martin was still unaware of the cause and effect, he immediately went to the back hall to get the first aid supplies.

"Thank you, Mr. Martin... We can talk about it later."

Serkiak thanked him, then looked up and saw a green-haired Adakris woman from the bar walk up to him, saying:

"Let me check your injuries. After all, I'm a medic from Rhodes Island—and you were brought here by Bardock, so we can't just leave you like this."

Bardock frowned, seemingly wanting to remind Surgeon of something, but after a thoughtful expression, he didn't say anything more, instead looking at the screen in the bar, waiting for the match between Gohan and Tomat to begin.

"Thank you... I shouldn't have to worry about being attacked by the scum of the Unarmored Alliance here, right? Also, may I ask your name, madam, so I can express my gratitude?"

It's an undeniable fact that I received a favor here, and most importantly, the children are very safe here. Moreover, this is the bar run by "Trembling Iron" Martin, whom I know well—his usual arrogant attitude has been toned down here.

The other person doesn't seem to be infected, so as a male knight, I should maintain my composure and communicate with them politely.

The Adakris woman, who seemed rather forthright, introduced herself crisply and directly:

"Just call me Gavial. It might hurt a little now, so please bear with it."

It hurts a little? I, Sergeyak, never experience pain.

Serchiak chuckled inwardly.

[Main Text] Terra's World's Greatest Martial Arts Tournament: Debate Chapter 77 - An Answer

Rhodes Island's physical training programs can filter out a significant number of people.

Although everyone can reach the most basic standard with enough time and perseverance, those who are already exceptionally capable will naturally have an advantage.

After basic physical training, the next step is advanced breath control training.

Due to the influence of Originium components in their bodies, Oripathy sufferers face the greatest difficulty in learning, because the body generally produces very little aura, and this "ki," which is life energy, is further interfered with by Oripathy, which robs life and erodes the body.

Of course, even non-infected individuals mostly have a certain amount of Originium in their bodies, so the fact that learning is "easier" for the latter is only relative.

The research and development of Oripathy drugs on the island, in addition to being used by the infected population, is also intended to assist practitioners in their cultivation. After all, if the condition improves, it will be easier to extract more Qi from the body instead of having it consumed by Originium.

However, there are exceptions even within these basic principles.

For example, Lappland, who was infected but learned faster than the others, or Gavial, who learned the basics of breath control before his condition had improved to a safe level.

She no longer has Originium crystals on her body surface, but the concentration inside her body is far from optimistic. Such an improvement is nothing short of a miracle, but it is still not enough for someone who is learning to use Qi normally.

But she was able to use some of her aura, perhaps simply because her physical body was too strong even for an Adakris.

"I think you'll be more effective if you channel your energy into fighting than into healing."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"You can tell whether it's suitable or not just by looking at his expression."

Bardock looked at the doctor who was using his talent in an unsuitable area and showed a somewhat regretful expression.

As for Serkiak, who was receiving Gavial's "touch" treatment, he was clenching his teeth, his face pale.

"Dad, what's wrong? Does it hurt a lot?"

"...No, it doesn't hurt at all, Daddy, I...can handle it!"

But the way he forced a smile in front of his child earned him a certain respect from the surrounding agents.

Old Martin brought the first-aid kit and also learned the ins and outs of the incident.

He said in a tone that was neither surprised nor resigned:

"But lately, business alliances have really lost all sense of decency... they'll wipe you out if you're no longer of value..."

"They became impatient, but their anger had nowhere to go but us, so they could only use the knights as tools to vent their anger."

Because of his past experience working with Dosoles, Tequila was not surprised by this level of behind-the-scenes manipulation or shady dealings.

However, one part of his statement puzzled Serviac, who was struggling to endure the pain:

"They...can't do anything to you?"

Tequila looked at Serchiak and explained:

"Yeah, what do you think they can do? At most, they can arrange a few of the strongest knights in their eyes on the field, equip them with the best equipment they can offer, and then prepare some drones, lay some landmines or something."

"They fabricate boring rumors outside the competition, or create negative stories about infected people, and even arrange for so-called assassins to attack us."

"They're trying every possible way to get us out of the game within the rules."

"Beyond the rules, they are doing everything in their power to erase us from both a social and natural perspective."

These were things Serkiak had seen before, things he was used to, and things he was powerless to change.

When he was a knight, all he could do was avoid being targeted, because it was something that a knight who was considered an enemy by the Kazimierz Knights Tournament could not handle.

Tequila paused, deliberately glancing at Surgek's eyes, which seemed to be seeking an answer:

"—But so what? No matter how fancy their tricks are, they are just futile struggles by those who bully the weak. When a stronger force crushes them, these people can only try to protect themselves by fighting tooth and nail, or they will draw their swords in impotent rage and swing them at the weaker ones."

"Haha, you're pretty savvy, aren't you? Tequila Bro, you've already gotten used to the atmosphere at Rhodes Island?"

Upon hearing what Agave said, Gavial couldn't help but increase the pressure on his hand, which naturally caused Surgek to suddenly cry out in pain.

"Ah...!!!" He calmed his expression and asked Tequila, "Am I...am I the weakling you all call the one bullied by the Business Alliance?"

"Yes, the Business Alliance is so powerful that many knights can only become weaklings who obey them, while we are simply stronger than them."

The words "tequila" sounded very offensive to Sergey, but he said them without much hesitation.

"raving..."

"Serchiak said in a low voice."

"Not happy? If you're not happy, join us and see for yourself, then you'll know whether we're being arrogant or not."

Suddenly, the tequila extended an olive branch to this penniless man.

The surrounding operators either smiled or shrugged, without expressing much opinion.

It wasn't that I thought the other person was an insignificant nobody, but simply that I felt there was no need to object to the suggestion.

The other party needs help.

The other party craves power.

The other party was unjustly persecuted.