However, for now, putting aside the immense external pressure she faced, an even greater problem appeared before Margaret.
"Aunt Zofia, you never said these reporters would be so crazy! How am I supposed to get home now...?"
Originally, after the match, Margaret had shaken off the persistent reporters, intending to quickly buy a bento and go home to fill her stomach, as usual, after her victory.
But before she could even enter the supermarket where she usually bought food, Margaret was surrounded by enthusiastic fans, scrambling for her autograph.
The Knightly virtue prevented Margaret from refusing to help others within her capabilities, so she naturally satisfied these somewhat frighteningly enthusiastic fans.
But as more and more names were signed on paper, more and more people gathered, and Margaret was completely trapped inside the supermarket. She tried to find security personnel for help but found they were also in the autograph line, and she even saw a few Security Knights.
And when a crowd of reporters, having heard the news, arrived with their cameras and started furiously snapping photos of Margaret, she finally found it unbearable.
Margaret was strong, but no matter what, she was still just an 18-year-old girl. Her peers were enjoying their wonderful summer vacation, while she, whom her friends called "Ironhead," chose to participate in the Knight Tournament.
Naturally, young Margaret couldn't handle such enthusiastic fans and reporters.
So, relying on her Originium Arts, Margaret ran into the cramped residential area. Although she had grown up in the Family's villa, she had now grown accustomed to calling this place her home.
"Ha, I absolutely cannot let anyone find out my address, otherwise it'll be troublesome later. I need to contact Aunt Zofia; she should know how to deal with this... I clearly said I could do it alone, sigh."
Sighing softly, Margaret stood up from the alley, the heavy armor plates on her body clanking.
Clang—
However, immediately after, her horse ears twitched sharply, catching a faint, almost imperceptible sound of metal clashing.
Years of honed combat experience made Margaret realize this was the echo of weapons colliding.
Margaret understood that someone was fighting nearby.
"Who could it be—"
The Grand Knight Territory is the economic center of Kazimierz. The large tax revenue brings a doubled number of Security Knights compared to other cities, and the crime rate is the lowest in Kazimierz; Columbia's gangs do not exist here.
However, this does not mean that crime never occurs in Kazimierz. Whether it's rebellious Knights who don't follow the Knight Association's rules or Tournament Knights with grudges against each other, these Knights, allowed to carry weapons, will engage in private fights and even attack innocent passersby.
If opponents can't be defeated in the arena, people are sent to deal with them outside—this is an old trick.
"No matter what, I can't just stand by."
She tapped the shield on her back, tightened her grip on the weapon at her waist—a gift from her grandfather, said to be a replica of the Knight King's holy sword by a master craftsman—and sprinted towards the sound of clashing weapons.
— — — — — —
"Oh my goodness, let me see, why are the roads in Kazimierz so difficult to navigate? Let me see, this is Golden Feather Avenue, third intersection turn left..."
The sun gradually set, and in the dark, eerie alley, Goki checked the map on his phone while stroking his chin.
"This navigation app is really just for show. After so many twists and turns, I still ended up in a dead end. All navigation apps in the world are equally stupid."
Although Goki was now being supported by the wealthy Director of Rhine Lab and no longer had to worry about money, even being able to stay in a presidential suite, he and Skadi's visit to the Grand Knight Territory was not for tourism or vacation. The commercial district was crowded and had too many eyes, making it unsuitable for their activities.
Skadi, pretending to understand, leaned close to Goki, hugging her ample chest, blinking her big eyes, and offering him random suggestions.
She wasn't a bad navigator; hunters always needed a good sense of direction to track prey. However, her usual workplaces were the deep ocean floor, covered in coral and anemones. She was equally lost in such dense urban architecture.
"Hmm... should we just climb over the wall?"
"Let's not—I apologize for making you two laugh. Give me some time, and we should find that hotel very soon."
Pinching Skadi's cheek, Goki turned back apologetically to look at Shining, who had been following behind him, supporting Nightingale.
Goki had actually intended to apply for a wheelchair for Nightingale to make it easier for her to move, but when he asked Shining in advance, she shook her head and refused.
"It's alright, we've stayed in places much worse than this—the Sarkaz have enough time to wait, don't they?"
Resting temporarily on a raised concrete platform, Nightingale still wore her patient and amiable smile, nodding at Goki, and at the same time, she gently held Shining's delicate hand, who had been watching her with concern.
That all-encompassing gentle smile made Goki, who was accustomed to Skadi and Kaltsit's placid expressions, feel a little unaccustomed for a moment.
He could clearly feel Nightingale's goodwill towards him, but he didn't know why—he wasn't the Doctor now, so how could his trust level start at 200%?
However, Goki was very happy that Nightingale could trust him—as expected of one of his favorite wives.
They were all his favorite wives.
"Then, as you wish, Nona Nightingale. Don't worry, Skadi and I may not be able to help you much, but at least regarding accommodation, I can provide you with a good one—Skadi!"
Mid-sentence, Goki suddenly narrowed his eyes and sharply lifted his head.
Under the setting sun, the tall buildings of the distant commercial district cast shadows over the residential area. But within these shadows, Goki detected several prying gazes.
These were not curious residents, nor were they cats or dogs. Several sharp gazes were aimed at his vital points.
Looking at the sharp arrows aimed at him from crossbows in the shadows, Goki struck the ground with the hunter's staff in his hand and curled his lips.
Indeed, just as he thought, there was never a safe place on the continent of Terra.
And the hunt in Kazimierz would certainly not be smooth sailing.
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