Keira seemed a little stunned by the information that Karl El was a noble with a fiefdom.
For a moment, she didn't provoke him again, just looked at Karl El thoughtfully.
Foltest raised his wine glass, smiled slightly, and ended the probing.
"Come, let us once again toast to Mr. El's victory, to the extraordinary power and noble character he displayed, no matter what heritage it comes from!"
"May the young nobles of Temeria all remember their responsibilities and honor like you!"
This topic was temporarily concluded by Foltest himself.
Karl El knew that he had successfully sown the seeds, and due to Raymond's identity, Foltest's attention was obviously higher.
The other party clearly understood his hint and gave him a positive response with a potential commitment.
As for the follow-up, he would need to continuously demonstrate his value and loyalty.
However, good things take time, and now he could finally see Foltest relenting.
Karl El respectfully raised his glass in return, his heart slightly settled.
He understood that the victory during the day had only opened the door for him.
The real opportunity for Foltest to give a firm commitment and agree to a pardon would ultimately depend on Princess Adda's curse.
Princess Adda was Foltest's darling; as long as he could resolve her curse, and his demands weren't too excessive, the other party would basically agree.
The banquet continued, and Karl El remained the most watched person.
But he spent most of his time with Triss, occasionally having nobles or knights come to toast and socialize.
He handled it appropriately, neither overly enthusiastic nor impolite.
Only when Aitorc, Fenmier, and a few others came to toast.
The smile on Karl El's face was noticeably warmer than when he interacted with other nobles, more like genuine joy.
He took a small sip of wine, thinking to himself that it was truly tiring to deal with nobles and talk to them.
Rather than saying nobles spoke subtly, it was more like hypocrisy, at least in his opinion... The next day, the Martial Arts Tournament featured foot combat and the final group infantry battle.
In the individual duels, Karl El used a blunted practice sword and shield, and his performance was still dominant.
But perhaps it was deliberate control, or perhaps the foot combat reduced the direct impact perception.
His victory seemed more reasonable; his speed was faster, his parries were more precise, and his strength was still astonishing.
But there was no longer the terrifying visual effect of knocking opponents flying as before.
He once again easily defeated all challengers, winning the crown for the individual foot combat event.
The rules for the final group formation were similar to a team free-for-all, but without horses and with a smaller arena, it tested coordination and infantry combat skills more.
Aitorc and the others from the Nymph Team had rested and recovered much of their morale.
Under Karl El's leadership, they formed a tight small formation.
"Everyone, follow me!" Karl El roared.
Every swing of the blunted sword in his hand inevitably opened a gap for the team or parried a fatal attack.
Aitorc, Fenmier, and the others followed closely, with Aitorc firmly protecting Karl El's flank with his shield.
Fenmier then seized the opportunity to use his morning star to deal with opponents whose defenses were wide open from Karl El's shock.
"Well done, Aitorc!" Karl El shouted in a gap between parries.
"Thanks to you for attracting all the firepower, Karl El!" Aitorc laughed.
With Karl El playing a central role, the Nymph Team pushed forward relentlessly, eventually facing a decisive battle with the last three remaining members of the White Rose Team.
Karl El fought two against one, quickly eliminating one person, and then slammed his shield into another, creating an opportunity for Aitorc and his team.
Finally, the Lasu brothers bravely defeated the last White Rose member.
The Nymph Team, as expected, won the group infantry battle, but everyone knew who the biggest contributor was.
Aitorc, Fenmier, and the others embraced each other excitedly; although they did not win individual honors.
But this glory of team victory was enough to wash away the shame of always being considered the weakest team... The setting sun gilded the royal stands, and the grand awards ceremony was about to begin.
Foltest stood up, and the entire arena gradually fell silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Foltest's voice was loud, echoing throughout the arena.
"Today, we witnessed courage, strength, and honor!"
"Now, our specially selected lady, symbolizing the Queen of Love and Beauty, will present our heroes with their well-deserved rewards!"
Under everyone's gaze, Triss smiled and rose from the VIP section.
Today, she was wearing a dark blue, star-studded long dress, which formed a striking contrast with her fiery red hair, elegant and mysterious.
Holding a list of winners, she walked gracefully towards the temporary awards stage in the center of the arena.
Countless noblewomen cast envious, even jealous, glances at her.
But no one could deny that this powerful and beautiful sorceress, the King's advisor, was indeed the most qualified person for this role.
Triss presented the Nymph Team, who had shown bravery in the group infantry battle, with a heavy bag of oren; Aitorc and the four others were flushed with excitement.
Immediately after, she presented excellent awards for various individual events, giving exquisite horse tack and jewel-encrusted daggers to those who performed outstandingly in the mounted lance combat.
Finally, it was the highlight of this Martial Arts Tournament.
"For the individual winner of the foot combat, Karl El!" Triss's voice carried a hint of imperceptible tenderness and pride.
"Bestow upon him a set of Nymph's Adamant Plate Armor, may it protect the hero, victorious in a hundred battles!" An attendant brought up a set of exquisitely crafted plate armor.
The armor bore the subtle pattern of the Temerian lily, shimmering with a dull yet noble luster in the setting sun.
Karl El stepped forward, bowing slightly, and Triss handed him the document representing the award.
Their fingers touched for a moment, and her pale green eyes held a sparkle that only he could understand.
"For the most courageous in the team melee, Karl El!" Triss continued to announce.
"Bestow upon him the Temerian Lily Halberd, may its sharp edge turn back all enemies!"
The audience cheered again; this time, the attendant brought up a magnificent and deadly weapon.
A halberd with a steel blade like frost, a shaft made of rare ebony, and inlaid with silver threads.
This halberd was clearly far superior to the halberd Karl El had used in the arena before, and more befitting of his strength.
But unfortunately, while he used a halberd during the competition, it wasn't his preferred weapon.
It was merely that a halberd offered a longer reach against shorter weapons, allowing him to better utilize his advantages.
Finally, Triss raised her voice, her face radiant: "And for the overall champion of the mounted lance combat, once again, Karl El!"
A magnificent black warhorse was led in; its coat was like satin, its limbs strong, and its eyes defiant yet intelligent.
"Bestow upon him the champion warhorse 'Nightwind,' may it carry the hero, galloping across the battlefield!"
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