Grand Knight Territory, Kawalerielki.
Under the scorching sun, a spacious black business van was parked beside the wide Golden Feather Avenue.
As Kazimierz, the pearl of Kazimierz, which has been transformed for Knight Tournaments for nearly a century, the city's center is not a central combat control tower like Ursus, nor a financial and trade hub like Columbia, but rather a series of exquisitely designed large arenas, fusing the inspiration of many designers and the sweat of workers.
From the mobile city's border port to the city center, over a dozen wide roads have turned the mobile city into a network structure, and the spacious roads are so sturdy that even landships wouldn't damage them.
However, the roads leading to the local residential areas are still remnants of the old city's renovation plan from decades ago, bumpy and broken.
In short, the entire purpose is to ensure that tourists coming here spend less time in the cheap small shops in deep alleys catering to locals, and more money in the right places.
Knight Tournament merchandise stores, Knight-named bars, brand-name clothing stores, various overpriced goods are endless; there are only luxuries you haven't thought of, not luxuries you can't buy.
"Ha… Margaret Nearl's autograph, that was quick. Heh, what terrible handwriting."
Stepping out of the passenger seat of the business van, Goki opened the car door for the ladies in the back and looked into a small shop by the roadside.
Just like a small city's anime convention combined with a large Taobao clearance sale, it was filled with crudely made handicrafts.
Outside this shop, which was about the size of a convenience store, various peripheral trinkets were displayed, from small fans to bookmarks and phone charms, everything imaginable.
Each small item was printed with different Knight logos and pictures; a few-dollar cheap T-shirt with a low-pixel screenshot of Margaret's competition and a fake signature could increase its price tenfold.
"Look, you're famous, Margaret?"
Holding Skadi's small hand and helping her out of the middle row of the car, Goki watched as the business van's huge tire bounced sharply upwards, then Little Orca immediately crashed into him, causing him to stagger back two steps.
Margaret Nearl, who was sitting on the inner side of Skadi's seat, with half her face hidden behind a mask, could only nod to Goki.
"I never expected this outcome. Aunt never told me. I'm considering whether to wear a wig… I didn't know it would be this popular."
Currently, Margaret is practically in a'seen-on-sight' state on the streets of Grand Knight Territory; as soon as she appears, she will immediately be surrounded by tourists and reporters, making it impossible for her to participate in the upcoming competition.
"Nonsense, Nona Margaret, a beautiful and handsome, powerful and excellent Knight like you, if you weren't popular, there would be no justice."
With a slight smile, Goki pointed to the nearby stall and said jokingly.
"If you become the champion, the prices of these goods could increase dozens of times more—you'll have to give us a few more autographs then, that's no small fortune."
Goki's entirely factual statement was taken by Margaret as flattery and praise. She scratched her head awkwardly, her masked face slightly flushed, and her bright golden eyes wavered with a hint of panic.
No matter how straightforward she was, as a girl, being praised as cute and handsome still made Margaret happy.
"You don't have to say that, Mr. Goki. I'm not that amazing. You praising me like this makes me shy—I'm not confident in achieving such high results, but I'm still very happy you would bless me like that."
Seeing her exceptionally humble and calm demeanor, Goki, the prophet who knew the future, sighed helplessly. He exchanged a look with Zofia, who was in the driver's seat and also knew how formidable her niece was, both wearing expressions of helplessness.
"I told you long ago, it's just that you, kid, never thought you'd be this popular. You constantly underestimate yourself, so of course you wouldn't know you'd become incredibly famous."
Turning around from the driver's seat, Zofia tapped Margaret's head with her still-strong right hand, her expression full of complaint.
"Let me tell you, once you're famous, the merchandise you face won't be just that little bit. Every value on you will be sold off by companies without your knowledge—novel adaptations, comics, TV adaptations, the women playing me in them will directly increase my cup size by three."
Grumbling and rolling her eyes, as an old Jianghu who had mingled in the Tournament Knight's arena of fame and fortune, Zofia clearly understood the industry's unsavory aspects better than Margaret.
"Especially since we're girls, just wait. As soon as you enter the main competition, the internet will be flooded with fan art of you, both appropriate and inappropriate, and some will even be selling… Hmph, what are you looking at!"
Mid-sentence, Zofia suddenly remembered Goki, a man, was present and glared at him, sticking out her pink tongue.
"Yes, yes, I didn't hear anything—I wish you good luck in the competition, Margaret. I'll go home and make dinner."
Nodding helplessly, Goki smiled at Margaret, giving her a boost of encouragement before they parted ways.
"Mm, I'll do my best too! Mr. Goki, Nona Skadi, I wish you both find what you're looking for—Aunt Zofia, cough, I mean, my sister and I will buy groceries."
Nodding expectantly, Margaret also waved goodbye to this gentleman she had only known for a day but who had given her much help.
"I also wish you both a smooth operation, Nona Shining, Nona Nightingale."
Finally, she also nodded to the two Sarkaz who had been silently in the back seat.
The two were not as enthusiastic as Mr. Goki, but Margaret did not find them cold or distant; instead, she sensed a hint of concern and curiosity.
"Mm, thank you, Nona Margaret."
"Thank you, I wish you good luck in the competition, Nona Margaret."
Shining supported Nightingale, standing on the sidewalk, diligently trying to conceal the horns on her head.
"Alright, alright, it's not like we're saying goodbye, we'll see each other tonight—we want to go now, remember to watch Margaret's competition."
"Mmm—I'll be waiting for you at home, Mr. Goki!"
Finally, Zofia interrupted this seemingly somewhat melancholic farewell, patted Margaret's head, and closed the car door amidst the whinnying of the pony.
Woo————
With the roar of the engine, the business van sped away, leaving the four travelers who had finally remembered to attend to business in the central area of the mobile city.
"So… Nona Shining, Nona Nightingale, do your tasks really not require our help?"
Looking at the two girls' soft long hair and Nightingale's somewhat inconvenient movements, Goki really wanted to help—even if it was just carrying Princess Liz in his arms the whole way?
"No, Mr. Goki, you've already helped us enough. What we are about to do is extremely dangerous, possibly even illegal, and we absolutely cannot let you get involved."
Shining narrowed her eyes and shook her head with certainty.
"Actually, I don't think letting them get involved would be bad, Shining. You also observed Mr. Goki and Nona Margaret's spar earlier. Nona Skadi almost instantly subdued Nona Zofia—they can help us."
However, to Shining's surprise, Nightingale proposed a completely opposite view.
"No, Liz, absolutely not! This isn't a matter of strength!"
Nevertheless, Shining still gripped her staff, resolutely refusing, then looked at Goki and Skadi with a slight apology.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Goki, what we have to do is truly very dangerous."
"It's alright, I understand. If you have any problems, remember to call quickly—the car is already rented."
Goki wasn't too worried; with Shining there, the safety of the two basically didn't need concern. However, the purpose of their visit to Kazimierz made Goki even more curious.
"Alright, I'll listen to you—if we call for help, Mr. Goki, you must come rescue us quickly."
Rarely revealing a slight smile, Nightingale winked at the somewhat subtle Goki, then was supported by Shining as they slowly walked towards the three-wheeled motorcycle Goki had rented nearby.
"…"
Watching the two leave, Goki, curious as he was, was still more concerned about the girl beside him.
"Let's go, Skadi. Before we start our official work, where do you want to go shopping?"
Clenching the soft hand in his, Goki looked at a tall building with the Allens Choice logo not far away, then turned his head to look at Skadi, who had been exceptionally excited since earlier.
"Of course, first eat something delicious, no—first a kiss!"
Skadi had been acting like a good girl in front of outsiders the whole way. Now that all the 'light bulbs' were gone, she finally couldn't hold back and pulled him into a dim alley beside the sidewalk.
Abyssal Hunter, now she could feel more than just the joy of hunting. Skadi—had completely acquired a taste for it.
"Alright, alright, first let's find something delicious, then go to work—oof."
Kiss~~
In the dim alley entrance, only a pair of bright red eyes could be seen.
Saving the world is important, but… hunters also need to fall in love.
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