Only God

By the middle of the competition, a considerable number of teams had already been eliminated. On the field, various colored jerseys fluttered in the wind, as the teams reduced from ten to six, four of which were from Danschel, and two were from Ausenco.

During halftime, the knights from different teams, who had separated from the melee, stood together and cheered toward the direction of the luxurious stands. The remaining spirit of each team could clearly be heard from their cheers. Soldiers on the rudimentary stands couldn't help but stand up, responding, provoking, cursing, and wailing; the entire venue was an ocean of noise.

Arsia anxiously surveyed the scene. There were still four teams from Danschel and two from Ausenco. Logically, Danschel should have had a numeric advantage, but the problem was that Ausenco had only sent three teams to participate in the contest. From that ratio, Ausenco had only lost about thirty percent while Danschel had lost nearly half.

Moreover, from the slogans loudly cheered earlier, it seemed that the Danschel teams were somewhat exhausted, but the Ausenco teams still had reserves of strength left.

"Damn, what should I do?"

Arsia muttered under her breath.

This voice, though inaudible to the Ausenco Earl on the same stand, was clearly heard by Eden, who stood beside her.

"What?"

Eden responded.

Seeing his reaction, Arsia pointed toward the Ausenco teams on the field.

Eden immediately understood what Arsia was worried about; she had mentioned to him the previous day that she did not want the Ausenco teams to win the victory and pledge allegiance to her.

But despite her wishes, what could be done? Even a noble princess could not influence the outcome of the match.

Eden thought for a moment and asked quietly,

"Can't you just reject them upfront?"

Arsia replied,

"I need a good reason for that."

Eden suddenly realized.

Arsia did not want the allegiance from Ausenco, but she couldn't find a suitable and proper reason to refuse.

Was she supposed to tell the Ausenco men to their faces that they were unworthy of pledging allegiance to the Princess? Such a reason could convince no one, not even other Danschel people would support it.

As the halftime intermission neared an end, Eden noticed Knight Buzi constantly looking up at the luxurious stands.

Just as Eden furrowed his brow, at that moment, Arsia leaned in and whispered,

"I have a plan."

"What?"

"It's not convenient to say now."

Arsia said, her voice full of mystery.

Eden, puzzled, had a foreboding feeling, especially as to date, due to the curse coin, he felt like nothing good had happened.

The halftime intermission ended quickly, and both Danschel and Ausenco people on the stands boiled over again, watching the re-entering knights with extreme nervousness.

The Danschel people on the stands looked down on the Ausenco people, thinking them barbaric and uncultured. Similarly, the Ausenco people despised the Danschel people, finding them effeminate and cowardly. Supporters of both sides fiercely argued during and outside the match, passionately cheering for their favored teams.

The remaining two Ausenco teams, each knight fully alert again, followed their tradition where the winner must pledge allegiance to the most distinguished person on the field and kiss the back of their hand. And who was the most distinguished on the field? Undoubtedly, it was the Princess of Danschel.

Pledging allegiance to the Princess was not just an honor but also a trophy of glory for Ausenco to flaunt before the Danschel people—see, you cowards are not worthy of committing to your Princess!

The knights from the six teams clashed together again, and the venue was a whirlwind of dust.

Danschel teams still numbered four, initially having the advantage in numbers. If they united, they could have easily crushed the Ausenco knights.

However, perhaps due to the backstabbing nature fostered by the Empire, or maybe because the Ausenco knights were exceedingly unified, the Danschel knights supposed to confront the Ausenco teams betrayed and attacked each other. Before the Ausenco knights faced any significant threat, the Danschel knights had already descended into chaos.

Once the Danschel teams had internally decided a single victor amongst themselves, the waiting Ausenco teams surged forth. In a brief period, they completely crushed the remaining Danschel teams. Not a single Danschel knight was left standing on the field.

The entire Danschel crowd was in uproar, as the Ausenco knights were about to sweep the top positions.

At last, when the giant-like Knight Buzi swung his War Hammer and knocked down the last enemy, only their team remained on the field, receiving both the jeers and cheers from the crowd.

From the luxurious stands, Earl Ausenco was very pleased with this scene, clapping his hands continuously.

Arsia's expression, however, was somewhat heavy.

The very thing she had least wanted to happen had still occurred.

Soon, the jeers gradually faded away, and inside and outside the arena, there were only praises and cheers. From the simple stands, someone first started a chant, and a string of voices rang out.

"Swear allegiance, swear allegiance!"

"Swear by the horn of the Pasture God, by the bow and arrow of the Hunting Goddess, in the presence of the Divine, swear allegiance to the most venerable one!"

The people of Ausenco chanted in unison, screaming, demanding to follow their customs. Those voices gathered together like thunder, and even many from Danschel were swept along, collectively shouting, "Swear allegiance."

Knight Buzi stood with the posture of a victor, craning his neck, looking toward the direction of the luxurious stands.

"This is not a rule of the competition, nor is there a corresponding law."

Arsia turned and spoke to the Earl of Ausenco.

"Princess, 'swearing allegiance to the most venerable one' is our custom, and… soon, you too will be one of the people of Ausenco."

The Earl of Ausenco said with a smile.

Other envoys of Ausenco also started to applaud, and from the luxurious stands, there was a chorus of voices swearing allegiance as well.

The Emperor's Paladin, "Severed Blade" Bright, showed no expression; he neither opposed nor approved.

Meanwhile, Nun Cassandra sensed Princess's dissatisfaction and wanted to speak up, to provide an excuse for the Princess.

Just then, Arsia smiled serenely and spoke,

"Well, if that is your custom, then let it be so."

After saying this, Arsia turned around and slowly walked down from the stands.

Her guard Eden followed her.

When the Princess's figure arrived at the venue, the whole place erupted in fervent cheers; people marveled at the Princess's beauty, and the people of Ausenco were struck with awe, as they had never before seen such an elegant and captivating woman.

Thus, the voices of "swear allegiance" from the arena grew even louder, like unceasing waves.

Arsia stopped about a dozen steps away from the Knights of Ausenco, and Eden also stopped, maintaining a considerable distance from the Knights.

The Knights from Ausenco, already impatient, were drenched in sweat inside their armor. Before the Princess spoke, they did not dare to come forward rashly, otherwise, these knights would have already knelt on one knee.

"Brave warriors who have won the laurels."

Arsia slowly began.

Shush, the voices of the spectators outside suddenly diminished a lot, and everyone looked toward Arsia, waiting for the Princess's words.

"I know, you will swear allegiance to the most venerable one."

Arsia spoke unhurriedly.

Eden curiously glanced at Arsia, wanting to see what kind of method she had prepared.

Hearing Arsia's words, the Knights of Ausenco nodded, and the leading Knight Buzi was particularly excited, looking at Arsia with longing eyes, almost willing to die for the Princess's beauty the next second.

"Do you wish to swear allegiance to me?"

Arsia's voice was extremely enchanting.

Before the Knights of Ausenco could even burst into excited cheers, Arsia dramatically shifted her tone and declared sharply:

"No, you should not swear allegiance to me.

The most venerable one here is not me, but the Divine, the Divine of Heaven!"