Chapter 1521

Originally, the start time for today's final event was 9:00, but at 8:30, people were notified that the competition would be delayed by one hour, which gave Xia De, who had just prepared to put on his armor, more time to rest.

During the wait, Dorothy guessed that the competition was postponed because the Church had new arrangements. Tifa, however, believed that because of the danger nearby, the Royal Family needed to coordinate the selection of the final spectators to prevent the heirs of the Cavendish family from being in danger.

And when it reached around 9:30, a new visitor entered the tent. Yiluna was quite surprised to appear before Xia De this morning.

"Good morning, Xia De."

The seventeen-year-old girl had her brown long hair simply tied into a single ponytail and was wearing a brown slim-fitting ladies' coat. This attire made it clear at a glance that she was working, and Yiluna's appearance at the Edward III Arena at this time was probably related to that humanoid relic that had already murdered four people nearby.

"Good morning, Yiluna."

"Good morning, Miss Beiyasi."

Besides Xia De, Tifa and Dorothy also greeted Yiluna. Although the writer lady was not particularly familiar with Yiluna, at least the two knew each other.

"Are you here for that guy looking for his younger brother?"

Xia De raised an eyebrow. Yiluna nodded, standing behind Xia De and watching him putting on his armor in the mirror:

"Our squad received a mission to conduct vigilance and searches on the southeast side of the arena. Just now, the captain let us act freely to confirm the situation in the nearby area, so I came over directly."

She lowered her voice slightly:

"Have you discovered anything?"

"Not yet."

Xia De shook his head:

"If this kind of humanoid relic wants to hide itself, it is difficult for us to find them actively. However, I have other sources of information. If we really encounter that relic, there is no need to worry. People in the Fifth Era actually have ways to deal with them."

He told Yiluna, Dorothy, and the maids the information he had obtained from the Red Butterfly girls in the morning, and Yiluna also shared her news:

"The thirteenth-tier of the 【Church of Creation】, Mr. 'Iron Right Hand' Sari Pirot, has been sent here."

Yiluna then took a metal piece from behind Xia De and stuffed it into Xia De's hand:

"This is a detection charm manufactured by the 【Church of Creation】 against this relic. Carry it on your body, and when that relic appears within two meters nearby, the charm will heat up. But this is disposable; once the other party leaves the range, this charm will also be useless."

This sounded very similar to Xia De's "Witch Detection Badge."

"I will carry it on me. However, since people from the Church have appeared around the arena, it seems I cannot win too easily in a while."

Yiluna smiled and patted Xia De on the shoulder:

"Even without relying on those supernatural powers, I believe you can win. Moreover, based on my understanding of you, Xia De, when facing ordinary people, no matter how much you hope to win the competition, you will absolutely not actively use the power of a Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi."

"Xia De is indeed such a person."

The writer lady echoed from the side, and then raised an interesting question:

"What if Xia De encounters that humanoid relic head-on inside the arena? Fighting back means his identity as a Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi will be exposed; not fighting back means he will definitely be injured."

"Oh, Dorothy, I shouldn't be that unlucky."

Xia De said, pretending to complain, but Yiluna was somewhat worried:

"We must prepare a plan to deal with this possibility. The information Xia De provided just now is only one possible method to solve the other party. The Church's preliminary investigation shows that the relic 【Faceless Man】's appearance in Tobesk is not a coincidence; someone lured it here. This is not a random guess; it is the divination of the 【Prophet Association】 and the summary of the characteristics of this kind of relic."

"Luring an Angel-tier humanoid relic into the city? Oh, if the Church finds out who is doing this, the other party will be in big trouble no matter how powerful they are."

Xia De said casually, handing the metal charm that had already been punched to Tifa. The black-haired maid lady strung it up with silk thread and then handed it to Xia De so he could hang it around his neck.

"However, besides the intelligence I just mentioned, I am not without other preparations."

After putting on that set of heavy armor, Xia De came to the table beside the mirror and opened the slender wooden box beside Little Mia. The silver longsword lay in the box, and because the inscription 【My heart is clear, the sword slays demons】 on the blade was not activated, it only had a faint, strange golden-yellow light at this time. Even if the simple silver sword had not yet exerted its great power, just looking at it gave one a sense of security.

"You actually brought this out?"

Yiluna was somewhat surprised.

"Knowing there might be danger, of course I cannot believe I will definitely not be unlucky. However, I cannot bring 【Night Watcher】 into the arena. This sword will stay in the tent; if a dangerous situation arises, Tifa and Dorothy can also protect themselves."

Xia De paused:

"The premise is that the Angel-tier relic will really appear."

"If the intelligence provided by Miss Beiyasi is accurate, and the relic was artificially summoned and lured here, then it will appear with high probability. After all, today is the last day of the Spring Round-the-City Equestrian Competition."

Tifa said softly from the side. Xia De nodded, his expression somewhat grim as he looked at himself in the mirror.

At 9:50, Xia De bid farewell to the girls in the tent, rode his horse to meet Mr. Eric Follen first, and then went to the entrance of the arena together.

Because there were only the last two rounds of competition left, the winner could be determined this morning, and the afternoon would be the real armored duel with cold weapons. The four "Knights" met at the arena entrance and waited. They could hear the horn sounds inside the arena and could hear the poems written by bards praising this competition full of knightly traditions, loudly read out by the palace guards through simple amplification equipment.

Finally, the names of the four people were mentioned separately. The "Knights" whose names were mentioned would ride their horses into the arena, and their respective backgrounds and deeds would be read out while circling the arena. Xia De was the third to enter, and when introducing him, the focus was on the many cases he had solved as Tobesk's famous detective, as well as his heroic rescue of the assassinated Wang Hou Diana last summer.

After all four entered, they dismounted together and climbed to the highest point of the spectator stands, and then drew lots under the witness of Wang Hou Diana, Princess Molly Cavendish, Prince Austin Cavendish, and Prince Christov Cavendish.

Xia De's opponent was the 25-year-old son of Hou Jue Dullahan, which was also what Ajelina had told Xia De in advance, a marriage candidate who might be favored by the King. And Mr. Eric Follen's opponent was the previous champion, Sir Hells from Coldwater Port.

Although this 37-year-old knight was older among the 36 contestants, his years of sailing experience made him look even more spirited than most young people living in pleasure in the capital.

Thus, three Delarion people and one Karsenrik person shook hands with each other to show friendship and demeanor. The first to compete were Mr. Follen and Sir Hells, while Xia De and Mr. Little Dullahan returned to the rest area together to take care of their horses.

While leaving the spectator stands along the iron stairs, Mr. Little Dullahan, who was meeting Xia De for the first time, suddenly approached him and said softly:

"Mr. Hamilton, I know saying this might give you a very bad impression of me, but if possible, could you voluntarily lose to me? I can compensate you, a compensation of two thousand pounds."

He lowered his voice as much as possible, and his tone was quite embarrassed.

Xia De slowed down and looked at him in surprise, then asked:

"May I understand why you are doing this?"

"Of course, it is for my beloved Clarana."

Mr. Little Dullahan said, his eyes seeming to shine:

"I promised her that after this competition ends, no matter the result, I will tell my father and mother about our affairs. I think, if I can win... I have watched your first two matches, and I have self-knowledge; I am likely not your opponent."

Xia De didn't know what to say. Those marriage targets favored by the King seemed to have their own lovers in advance.

"I admire your promise to your lover, but I am sorry, I also have reasons why I must win. I swear in the name of Her Highness Lei Qianya Cavendish that I will complete the competition in accordance with the spirit of chivalry, and moreover..."

He lowered his voice and said in the ear of Mr. Little Dullahan, who was also holding his helmet:

"Miss Galina told me I must win; this is an order."

Thus, the young son of the Hou Jue showed a pitiful expression, not knowing what he was thinking. But the good news was that until Sir Hells defeated the fifth-tier Ring Ringed Ringed Shushi Mr. Eric Follen, and it was Xia De's turn to appear with him, Mr. Little Dullahan did not mention trading with Xia De again.

Although Mr. Little Dullahan claimed he definitely couldn't beat Xia De, when the two entered the arena from the east and west sides respectively on horseback amidst horn sounds and cheers, Xia De could still feel his determination to win.

Of course, when they charged at each other on horseback and had their first tentative exchange, Xia De knew that this young gentleman's evaluation of himself was quite accurate. His mount was no better than Xia De's, and his own strength and speed were completely inferior to Xia De's. And when it came to sword skills, his disadvantage was even greater.

But Xia De still remembered he had said he couldn't win too easily today, so under his deliberate restraint, his performance of chasing, clashing, and fighting with Little Dullahan in the arena actually made the spectacle of this match even better.

Little Dullahan could clearly feel that Xia De was letting him win, while Xia De thought of the time when Sister Devlin practiced sword skills with him; it was probably the same feeling he had at this moment.