Keira, it seemed, was a noble with a fiefdom, and this information made her somewhat restrained.
She said nothing more provocative for a while, but looked at Karl thoughtfully.
Foltest raised his glass and smiled slightly, putting an end to the inquisition.
"Come, let us drink once more to Mr. El's victory, to the extraordinary strength and noble character he has displayed, regardless of his heritage!"
"May the noble youth of Temeria never forget their duties and honor, just as you have!"
This topic was temporarily closed by Foltest himself.
Karl knew he had managed to plant a seed, and that Foltest was clearly more interested due to Raymond's status.
The other man clearly understood his hints and gave him a positive response with a possible commitment.
As for what followed, he needed to continue showing his value and loyalty.
However, good things take time, and now he finally saw Foltest relent.
Karl respectfully raised his glass, feeling somewhat relieved.
He understood perfectly that his victory during the day was nothing more than a knock on the door for him.
The real opportunity to make Foltest give a definite promise and agree to legitimize him lay in lifting Princess Adda's curse.
Princess Adda was Foltest's heart; as long as he could break her curse, if his request wasn't too excessive, the other party would mostly agree.
The banquet continued, and Karl still attracted the most attention.
But he spent most of his time with Triss, occasionally inviting nobles or knights to toast and make acquaintances.
He responded appropriately, neither too warmly nor rudely.
Only when Aytok and Fenmeer came to toast did the smile on Karl's face become noticeably warmer than when dealing with other nobles—more genuine joy.
He took a sip of wine and thought: dealing with nobles and talking to them was very tiring.
Nobles spoke more hypocritically than sincerely, at least in his opinion.
......
The next day, the foot combat competition and the final team foot battle took place.
In the individual foot combat, Karl switched to a blunt sword and shield for practice, and his performance remained dominant.
But perhaps it was conscious control, or maybe the intuitive feeling that the foot combat diminished the effect,
his victory appeared more reasonable—faster, more precise, and still stunning.
But it no longer had the previous terrifying visual impact of physically repelling opponents.
Again, he easily defeated all challengers and won the crown in the individual foot combat.
The final rules for the team foot combat were similar to the team melee, but the field without horses was smaller and tested coordination and combat skills on foot.
After resting, Aytok and the others from the Nymphs team had now regained their fighting spirit.
Under Karl's leadership, they formed a tight small formation.
"Everyone, follow me!" Karl shouted.
Every swing of the blunt sword in his hand inevitably opened up space for the team or blocked a deadly attack.
Aytok and Fenmeer followed closely; Aytok firmly protected Karl's flanks with his shield.
Fenmeer took the opportunity to use his war hammer to finish off opponents whose defenses Karl had blown wide open.
"Nice one, Aytok!" Karl shouted between bouts.
"Thank you for drawing all the firepower, Karl!" Aytok laughed.
With Karl as the centerpiece, the Nymphs team advanced all the way and finally began the decisive battle with the remaining three members of the White Rose team.
Karl quickly disarmed one opponent and knocked another back with his shield for Aytok, creating opportunities.
In the end, the two Lasu brothers barely managed to defeat the last member of the White Rose team.
Unsurprisingly, the Nymphs team won the team foot combat, but everyone knew who the main contributor was.
Aytok and Fenmeer embraced happily; although they didn't win individual awards,
the glory of this team victory washed away the shame of being considered the weakest team in history.
......
The sunset gilded the royal stands with a golden edge, and the solemn awards ceremony was about to begin.
Foltest stood up, and the audience gradually fell silent.
"Everyone!" Foltest's voice was loud, echoing across the arena.
"Today, we have witnessed courage, strength, and honor!"
"Now, our specially selected ladies, symbolizing love and beauty, will present the heroes with their well-deserved awards!"
Under everyone's gaze, Triss smiled and rose from the VIP section.
Today she wore a long, dark blue, starry gown, contrasting with her fiery red hair—elegant and mysterious.
Holding the list of winners, she gracefully walked towards the makeshift podium on the field.
Countless noble ladies cast envious and even jealous glances her way.
But no one could deny that this powerful and beautiful sorceress, the king's advisor, was indeed the most qualified candidate for this role.
Triss presented the heavy pouch of Orens to the Nymphs team, who had performed heroically in the team foot combat, and Aytok and the others turned red with excitement.
Immediately after, she presented the outstanding awards for each individual event, giving exquisite harnesses and jewel-encrusted daggers to those who performed well in the lance competition.
Finally, it was the main event of this tournament.
"For the individual champion of the foot combat competition—Karl El!" There was a hint of tenderness and pride in Triss's voice.
"Grant the Nymph a set of armor, may it protect the hero and make him invincible!" The attendant presented a masterfully crafted, exquisite suit of plate armor.
The armor was adorned with dark stripes of the Temerian lily, shimmering with a dull, noble luster in the setting sun.
Karl stepped forward and bowed slightly, and Triss handed him the award document.
Their fingers touched, and her pale green eyes conveyed a sparkle that only he could understand.
"For the most heroic and fearless in the team foot combat—Karl El!" Triss continued announcing.
"Grant the Temerian Lily Halberd, may his enemies flee from its sharpness!"
The audience applauded again, and this time an attendant raised this magnificent and deadly weapon.
A halberd with a steel blade like frost, and a shaft made of rare ebony inlaid with silver wire.
This halberd was obviously far superior to the one Karl had used on the arena earlier, and it better suited his strength.
But unfortunately, he had used the halberd during the game and wielded it poorly.
It was simply that the halberd could be used for both long and short range, fully utilizing its advantages.
Finally, Triss raised her voice, her face radiant: "For the champion of the lance competition, once again, Karl El!"
A black warhorse, an incomparable divine steed, was led out. Its coat was satiny, its limbs strong, and its eyes were spirited yet held a hint of mischief.
"Grant the champion the warhorse 'Night Wind', may it carry the hero and gallop across the battlefield!"