In that one moment, the entire arena fell silent.
Perhaps because everything had occurred too abruptly, with too many things crammed into that single instant—
The spectators had no idea, for a while, how to even begin reacting.
Was it Don Quixote's sudden concession?
Was it the Radiant Knight's abrupt return?
Or perhaps… the imminent final match?
Too much information crowded into this precise moment, leaving the spectators momentarily unable to determine which one to respond to first.
Even Nearl herself felt this way right now. She turned back to glance at Don Quixote, only to see his smiling face and those blood-red eyes gazing steadily at her.
Then Don Quixote reached out, gently pushing Nearl forward. She stumbled slightly, pushed a few steps away, then looked back at Don Quixote. After a moment, she finally snapped out of her daze. She exhaled deeply, finally straightening her spine—the spine of a knight.
"Go on, Nearl."
Don Quixote tilted his head slightly, smiling softly.
"What follows from now—is your story. I'll be watching from behind, until the very end—"
"Mm. I understand."
Nearl nodded firmly, turned, and faced the spectators directly. Placing her right hand over her heart, she let out a breath.
Then she shouted, her voice echoing throughout the arena:
"I, Margaret Nearl, the Radiant Knight…"
"…shall fight in the finals of the Knight Tournament!"
That day, before the crowd could fully digest what had happened, Nearl and Don Quixote quickly left the venue.
Whatever happened afterward—was no longer their concern.
Afterward, the audience finally erupted in a frenzy. Apart from the gamblers who'd staked fortunes on Don Quixote's victory and were now wailing in despair, most felt only excitement.
Damn! Having seen such a fight, I could die without regrets!
Where's the finals? Bring it on already!
That day, the number of people leaping from Kazimierz rooftops matched the number storming the Knights Association, demanding the finals be held immediately.
As for the Kazimierz Chamber of Commerce and the Armorless Union… they'd been struck numb.
When Armorless Union tried contacting Lobotomy Corporation, the response they received was simply that Don Quixote had withdrawn from the tournament—and besides, the time frame agreed upon hadn't yet expired.
Armorless Union naturally approached explosive fury internally… That very day, they tentatively sent a few assassins, hoping to eliminate Don Quixote, to see if perhaps they could somehow solve the Radiant Knight problem that way… Unfortunately, these individuals were swiftly erased by Don Quixote's hand.
Since Nearl had made her choice, as far as Don Quixote was concerned, that choice became absolutely immutable.
He wouldn't interfere, but conversely…
He'd eliminate every interference, every obstacle, one by one.
That was his duty, as a senior.
"No matter what happens next, all you need to focus on is the finals of the Knight Tournament,"
Don Quixote instructed Nearl upon returning home.
"As for everything else… Hai and I will handle it. Right?"
Turning his head, Don Quixote called toward Hai, who simply responded by giving him a thumbs-up.
Meanwhile, Lobotomy Corporation simply huddled quietly, patiently awaiting the finals. Under these circumstances, even the Kazimierz Chamber of Commerce felt numb toward the suddenly returned Radiant Knight.
Wasn't her showing up at this exact moment clearly stirring up trouble?
In fact, there wasn't even much Kazimierz could do about this sudden reappearance of the Radiant Knight.
They'd rather Don Quixote had just won instead!
And far away, the Supervisory Committee naturally watched events unfold with great delight.
Chaos in the Chamber of Commerce? Wonderful, perfect! The more chaotic, the better, the more chaos, the better…
Thus, under the attention of countless gazes, time steadily marched forward toward the finals.
On this day, at the arena, Nearl donned her long-awaited armor, carrying her blood lance, her crimson eyes staring forward—taking firm, resolute steps.
The long passageway appeared by her side once again.
When she stepped out, at the other end of the arena stood the Blood Knight, likewise emerging. Greatmouth Mob's commentary had never been so feverish; the audience roared with unprecedented excitement.
Nearl exhaled deeply, seemingly to dispel tension, raised her gaze to fix upon the Blood Knight, and spoke softly:
"Margaret Nearl, the Radiant Knight…"
"…Declares this battle in the name of knighthood!"
The Blood Knight's response was succinct: he raised his weapon.
In an instant, the Blood Knight's Originium Arts clashed violently with Nearl's Hemomancy; blood splattered everywhere. Nearl calmly kept her eyes alert, sharply observing everything around her. The two clashed fiercely, and the crowd's emotions surged ever higher—
Whoever won, neither would truly lose.
Gazing at the Blood Knight before her, Nearl couldn't help but think this.
No matter who won, Kazimierz would inevitably change.
Perhaps she no longer needed to fear that her mission couldn't be accomplished… And if so, the only thing left to do now was to fully enjoy this fight.
Just as… Don Quixote had said before. Like a Fixer, facing this duel openly and honorably!
Her Hemomancy surged again. Nearl's pupils flashed bright crimson, and an enormous blood-red lance thrust directly toward the Blood Knight's chest.
The Blood Knight made no compromise—lowering his stance, swiftly gathering power, then immediately unleashing his strongest blow!
At that very moment, as crimson radiance erupted in the arena, the audience's cheers crashed down in overwhelming waves. The atmosphere of the tournament had never been so intense, had never made people feel so—
—Excited?
...
Outside the arena, X slowly stood up. He exhaled softly, turned, and gazed toward the distant expanse of Kazimierz. Suddenly, he smiled.
"Lobotomy Corporation's preparations are all complete; emotions have reached their peak… Well, it's about time."
X gently closed his eyes, slid his hand into the pocket of his white coat, and lightly pressed a certain button.
Immediately, deep within Lobotomy Corporation, the "Disposable Well" began operating at maximum power. At that moment, countless emotions were simultaneously poured inside.
Anger, Despair, Hatred, Greed.
And—
"After the carnival ends, what remains to fill the soul?"
X tilted his head upward, murmuring quietly. At that instant, the sky abruptly dimmed, all color drained away.
"It's Nihility."
The arena's hues transformed instantly, everything turning to monochrome, stark black-and-white. Countless playing cards descended from the sky, blanketing it entirely.
Descending alongside them—at the arena's very center—was a "clown."
The Jester of Nihil had arrived.