And the reason for her worry was—right across the table.
There, Margaret's Aunt Zofia was applying an ice pack to her forehead, pouting her small mouth, her aquamarine eyes glaring at Goki in exasperation.
The Whipblade Knight, Zofia, does not bear the Nearl surname.
Although she was nominally a member of the Nearl Family, in modern society, the significance of large families no longer existed, and most branch families had already separated from the main Family.
However, Zofia's branch Family was an exception. Even without financial ties, because the older generations of both families were old comrades in external wars, she was particularly close to her two distant nieces.
Zofia's Family, like the Nearl Family, still adhered to traditional Knight virtues. But unlike the Nearl Family members, Zofia did not believe that Tournament Knights were a desecration of tradition and honor.
More than three years ago, when Zofia was about the same age as Margaret is now, she applied to become a Tournament Knight—a decision that went against her ancestors.
The reason was simple: her Family couldn't make ends meet. Zofia's Family did not have Knight noble certification; legally, they were just ordinary commoners. Without funding from the Knight Association, Zofia could only find her own way after graduation.
But even so, Zofia was immediately met with unanimous opposition from her Family and most members of the Nearl Family—Tournament Knights were mere performers, entertainers, nothing more than playthings for people to watch in the arena. A Knight's sword should only be used to defend their homeland, not become a tool for others' amusement.
Moreover, those large corporations and the Commercial Federation behind them were truly devils who devoured people without spitting out bones, misers who could squeeze water from a stone.
However, at that time, Zofia turned a deaf ear to these dissuasions.
But Zofia was not without supporters. Margaret and her younger sister were just starting junior high school then and naturally didn't understand the conflict and disputes between Tournament Knights and Crusader Knights, but the support of these two little ones strengthened Zofia's resolve.
Zofia joined an ordinary club and diligently worked as a Tournament Knight, carrying out activities according to her agent's arrangements.
Day after day of training, engaging in regular ranking battles, gradually upgrading in regional competitions, making steady progress, and constantly improving.
However, Zofia did not, like other young female Knights, use her beautiful appearance and figure to livestream sales, shoot advertisements, or increase her fan base and popularity.
She would still dress herself beautifully, with clothing thickness somewhere between what her elders called "too revealing" and what audiences considered "what is there to see."
Zofia chose to unleash feminine charm along with combat skills in the center of the arena. Relying on the unique appeal of a Knight, she successfully gained a large number of fans.
So, three years ago, she participated in the previous Knight Tournament, making the name of the Whipblade Knight known.
Countless people knew that there was such a powerful and beautiful Knight who fought her way through, reaching the top sixteen.
In the battle to enter the top eight, Zofia encountered the strongest opponent of her life—she won, but also lost completely.
As a left-hander, despite fully suppressing her opponent, her opponent, risking severe injury and death, directly severed the tendons in her left hand.
Although she recovered well after surgery, her left hand could no longer exert heavy force, and she could wield a sword again with her right hand. But ultimately, she was a step below her peak. Subsequent matches were only half wins and half losses, lacking the drive she once had.
And that clearly intentional injury duel ultimately came to nothing. Zofia never knew where that Knight went.
The world only knew that another Genius contestant had fallen, and then went on to idolize another beautiful girl. The club company also pushed Zofia's injury compensation to the lowest—she should have read the contract carefully.
It was then that she understood what her elders' words meant—without truly seeing through the true nature of these companies and the Commercial Federation, such advice could not have been given.
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