In the past, the directors of the Chamber of Commerce might not have cared much. But if the Flametail Knight's strength truly is at the level of a champion knight, then she is indeed a threat.
The Chamber of Commerce used to not care about the influence of a mere individual. But ever since the Radiant Knight several years ago, after tasting that threat, the Chamber of Commerce now tries to eliminate even the slightest hint of danger. Although, the Chamber of Commerce felt that the Radiant Knight was just an isolated case; Kazimierz might not produce a second one.
After all, the Radiant Knight's influence back then was partly due to the Nearl family backing her.
Whether it was the Radiant Knight or the previous three-time champion, the Black Knight, both were thorns in their side. Pure thorns. Although they couldn't have a major impact on the massive Chamber of Commerce, they were like barbs stuck in their flesh. They still had to find a way to avoid them.
"Mr. Reeve!! What was that move you just used with my body?!!"
After leaving the arena, Lucas Reeve returned control of the body to Sona. The second Sona took over, she felt waves of exhaustion coming from her body. Sona excitedly asked Lucas Reeve.
That was so cool!!
It felt a bit like the first form of Thunder Breathing, but I feel like it must be much, much faster than Thunderclap and Flash.
"The pinnacle of Breathing Styles."
Lucas Reeve didn't hide it. "The final move that combines Sun Breathing and Thunder Breathing: Honoikazuchi no Kami."
"Of course, it's too early for you right now. You should master these two Breathing Styles first before we talk about that."
"Yes!!!"
Sona instantly had a new sense of anticipation and a new goal. In the future, she would definitely train to be just like Mr. Reeve. So cool!!
Walking back to the preparation room.
When she pushed open the door, the way everyone in the preparation room looked at Sona had completely changed.
Previously, when the playoffs had just begun, the few who advanced from Group D were all Sona's defeated opponents, so they didn't think much of it. But the knights who advanced from the other three groups all felt that Sona had advanced to first place in her group through a combination of some skill and good luck. After all, setting aside the Pincerbeast and the two Sarkaz knights, Group D's overall strength was indeed the weakest of the four spring season groups.
But now... no one thought that anymore.
Everyone had seen it clearly on TV. Even through the screen, they felt their hearts tremble. It was too terrifying. If they had been her opponent, they reckoned they wouldn't have been able to withstand that terrifying move either.
In reality, among the sixteen participants in this spring season's playoffs, apart from the Whislash Knight Zofia, there wasn't a single competitor who had ever ranked in the top 64 of the championship. Therefore, they didn't recognize the Swift-Sword Knight's true identity. But Zofia, the only one who did recognize him, was even more horrified.
A top-four championship competitor. And from the 21st Championship, which was widely recognized as the most competitive one. Because in the 21st, the Black Knight had entered his true peak, and many other incredibly strong knights had appeared in that tournament. The top four of that year were terrifying...
And such a top-four knight was... one-shotted... by the little squirrel in front of them.
One-shotted...
Zofia knew very well in her heart that 'defeat' and 'one-shot' were two completely different things.
To be able to one-shot him meant that the Flametail Knight's strength had far surpassed her opponent's. Even if six years had passed and the Swift-Sword Knight was older, with his skills possibly declining, he would still be at the level of a top-eight knight at his weakest. To be able to one-shot him... this was enough to prove that the Flametail Knight's strength could be confirmed at the champion knight level, or perhaps even beyond.
Terrifying...
Apart from Justyna, no one else dared to proactively speak to Sona. Perhaps the gap in strength was too large. When Sona entered the room, the other knights sitting inside all instinctively stood up and shuffled a bit further away.
"Congratulations on reaching the top eight..."
Justyna walked over to congratulate Sona.
She was also from Group D, having barely entered the playoffs in fourth place. According to Justyna, her own strength was worrying, and she hadn't received any professional training. She was already very satisfied just to make it to the playoffs. But this was also true; Group D was the weakest group. If Justyna had been in the other three groups, she probably wouldn't have made it to the playoffs.
In fact, Sona herself knew very well that if Mr. Reeve hadn't trained her, relying solely on the half-baked skills she had taught herself, it would have been questionable whether she could have even survived the Pincerbeast's claws.
"Haha..."
Justyna's congratulations, however, made Sona feel a bit embarrassed. She just laughed and brushed it off.
If she had won it herself, she would have proudly held her head high and accepted her friend's praise. But... this victory had nothing to do with her.
Sona didn't leave. Instead, she waited until Justyna's match was over before leaving. Since she knew about the dark side of the Knight Major, she hid in the corridor leading to the arena during Justyna's match. If Justyna's life was in any danger, she would rush out immediately.
Ever since their first collaboration two months ago, the two had become friends. Sona would also call Justyna over when she trained every day. Although she couldn't teach Justyna the Breathing Styles, she could still teach her some practical, scientific training exercises.
Moreover, when it came to martial arts, Yan had an old saying: 'three parts training, seven parts nourishment.' It was no exception in Kazimierz. To become a truly formidable knight, scientific training was essential, but so were various nutritional supplements to help the body recover and prevent injuries. Therefore, it was difficult for ordinary commoner knights to truly stand out, because they had no money for training.
Justyna had come from a remote village and had contracted Oripathy right after arriving. She had no savings and even lived in a very rudimentary basement. Therefore, the uncle at home, who used to be a knight and was now disabled, would always make a double portion of Sona's recovery training meals.
Sona had even mentioned the idea of forming a knightly order to Justyna. However, there were only two of them. Moreover, applying for a knightly order had requirements. Only knights with a certain amount of fame and achievements were qualified to apply. Sona had the fame now, but she didn't have the achievements. If she could get into the top three this time, she would be qualified to apply for a knightly order.
The subsequent matches were a bit boring compared to Sona's. However, compared to the unremarkable regular season, all those who made it to the top 16 were knights with decent strength. Although their matches were far from being as exciting or entertaining as the Flametail Knight's, they were at least worth the ticket price.
The final result was that the Whislash Knight lived up to expectations, entering the top eight with a crushing victory. As for the Fartooth Knight Justyna, because she had never received any professional combat training and her weapon was self-made, with many flaws and insufficient power, she was defeated in the round of 16, just as expected.
After the round of 16 matches ended, many spectators still felt they hadn't seen enough. Unfortunately, they would have to wait two days for the next round, the quarterfinals. They had to wait two more days to see the Flametail Knight. Many people felt like they had ants crawling on them.
The video of Sona's match once again went viral on the Kazimierz internet, especially that final move that looked like the descent of a thunder god. It was too terrifying.
There were even clout-chasing bloggers who analyzed that the Flametail Knight might have been hiding her strength all along. Her true strength was terrifying, perhaps even reaching the level of the championship's top ranks. As for champion knight... that was too sensitive, no one dared to say it. Of course, some people said the Flametail Knight's strength probably wasn't as strong as imagined. However, that blogger analyzed the previous incidents and said:
What does it mean that the Flametail Knight only uses this kind of move at the very end? It means the side effects are significant. She might be unable to continue fighting after using it. In other words, as long as you can withstand this one move, it's as good as a win.
Anyway, more and more versions of the story circulated online.
There was an even more outrageous one that said the Flametail Knight might have two personalities in her body, just like in Higashi anime. The inner personality is much stronger than the outer one. In normal battles, the outer personality fights, but when encountering a strong enemy, the inner personality takes over.
Of course, no one believed such an absurd theory.
Some netizens even joked in the comments section, asking the blogger if he watched too much anime.
To celebrate Sona advancing to the top eight, Sona invited Justyna over to her home for a celebratory meal. The uncle at home, who used to be a knight, was now full of pride. After all, when he was a knight, his best achievement was only reaching the playoffs, which he had bragged about for a long time. He had never made it to the top eight, let alone dreamed of the championship.
The next day.
Just as Lucas Reeve had guessed, people from the Chamber of Commerce indeed came to their door again.
When Sona opened the door, the person standing at the entrance was not the deacon from Apperton Arsenal. Instead, it was a man in a dark gray suit, his hair slicked back and shining. He was rather handsome, but his face always carried a gloomy smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Flametail Knight."
The man at the door bowed slightly and elegantly, greeting Sona. "I am Czarny, the current external spokesperson for the Chamber of Commerce."
"Hello..."
"Your grace on the field is truly unparalleled. Last time, you rejected Apperton Arsenal's invitation, perhaps because you didn't fully understand the situation. This time, I am extending an invitation to you on behalf of the entire Chamber of Commerce. We hope you will join the Chamber of Commerce and become one of our knights. As for compensation, Apperton Arsenal previously offered a signing fee of 60 million. This time, I am offering 100 million. I hope you will consider it carefully."
Czarny's words were extremely blunt, not as euphemistic as the Apperton Arsenal secretary's. He was outwardly saying 'consider it,' but his entire speech was filled with threats.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to join any company."
Sona's lack of hesitation made Czarny appreciate her slightly. However, it was only appreciation. He was currently at work.
"You must think this through, Flametail Knight. The Chamber of Commerce is a collective of almost all companies in Kazimierz, not just one. If you refuse the Chamber of Commerce's invitation, no company will sign you in the future."
"I've thought it through."
Sona's reply was extremely decisive.
Czarny, while appreciative, was also somewhat disappointed. He was disappointed that a talent might be about to be destroyed here. She was different from the Radiant Knight. The Radiant Knight had the Nearl family behind her. Although the Nearl family was already half-dead at the time, the old Lord Nearl was still alive. So, no matter how rampant the Chamber of Commerce was, they didn't dare to violently touch this hero's family. If they really did, no one could guarantee that the 'Silver-lance Pegasus' stationed outside wouldn't just ignore orders and charge back to the Grand Knight Territory.
And the Black Knight, just before he was about to be 'dealt with' by the Chamber of Commerce, was luckily bought out by a major foreign corporation.
But this Flametail Knight was different.
She has no background. Unless she can be bought out by a super-major corporation like the Black Knight.
But... the Black Knight was a three-time champion, the genuine number one champion knight in the history of Kazimierz's Knight Major. This Flametail Knight is just a little knight with no achievements.
How could she possibly be bought by a major foreign corporation?
Czarny asked one last time, "Lady Flametail Knight, are you certain? This is the last time I will ask. You should know the status of the Chamber of Commerce in all of Kazimierz. The consequences of refusing the Chamber of Commerce are not as simple as you might imagine."
"I'm certain."
"Good~"
Having received Sona's third, definitive refusal.
Czarny turned around without the slightest hesitation, preparing to leave.
"I suggest you leave this place as soon as possible, Flametail Knight."
With that, Czarny turned and left. As he was leaving the old residential complex, he dialed a number.
"Hello, Director Barton. The little squirrel refused our invitation."
After a moment, an 'Mhm' came from the phone.
"I will contact the Armorless Union."
Hanging up, Czarny paused for a moment, then continued to walk away.
If all goes as expected, the Flametail Knight will not be able to participate in the quarter-finals.
————————
"Mr. Reeve."
Back in her room, Lucas Reeve floated out of Sona's body.
"I've already contacted Raythean Industries. A private car will come to pick up your family and take them away from here to live at the Raythean Industries branch in Kazimierz."
Sona was a little shocked.
"So fast?! But... Mr. Reeve, I haven't won the championship yet...."
"You can just win it later, can't you?"
Lucas Reeve said, "Since the spokesperson for the entire Chamber of Commerce came over, their attitude is already clear. If you don't join them, they will eliminate you. You have me, so you don't need to worry. But I can't look after Little Ella and the others. So they will go to Raythean Industries for the time being. It's very safe there. Even the Chamber of Commerce wouldn't dare to make a move there."