When there are no tasks and work, time always passes quickly.
Although the Knight Tournament had ended, the fervent atmosphere it brought did not subside; travelers from well-off families, having thoroughly enjoyed Margaret's matches, would not simply leave.
The awards and commendation ceremony, scheduled for a week later, kept many people here, beginning a week of frenzied shopping.
As long as the awards ceremony proceeds smoothly, this year's competition could be said to be the most successful of all previous special tournaments.
A week later, it was another Sunday.
Nearing noon, Kazimierz's tourists and citizens were already gathered in front of their televisions, quietly awaiting the start of the awards ceremony.
Although there were still many minor awards to be presented, for the audience, the only thing worth noting was Margaret Nearl's acceptance speech.
As a Tournament Knight champion, she also earned the respect of the Crusader Knights; the grace and virtue she displayed in the competition made countless young boys and girls look up to her as an idol and a role model for the future.
It is certain that, in the short term, both the recruitment rate for Crusader Knights and the employment rate for Tournament Knights will see rapid increases.
And compared to Ursus, which just completed a change of throne in the last two decades, with its emperor and warlords constantly clashing, and Leithanien, where the Twin Empresses implemented strategic contraction after the Witch King's death, Kazimierz's security will be guaranteed for some time in the future.
At this moment, the bustling Kawalerielki could be said to be deserted, with no one doing boring work at such a critical time—not to mention, it was now lunchtime.
However, at this very moment, a group of travelers quietly arrived at the border checkpoint of the Grand Knight Territory, unbeknownst to anyone.
"Wow, Goki, you're leaving so early; at least wait for my sister, so we can all see you off—and do you really need to buy so many things?"
Standing next to a newly purchased van, Maria, dressed in casual wear, helped load some daily necessities onto the vehicle, smiling as she spoke to Goki beside her.
A week had passed since that memorable hunt, and this young Kuranta girl still couldn't forget the appearance of that deity.
She knew she would probably never forget that distorted giant god.
However, Maria didn't regret participating in that life-and-death adventure; she not only contributed to protecting the people of Kazimierz but also witnessed her sister's heroic demeanor as a true Knight.
Of course, more importantly... she met a Great One hunter.
"What are you grinning about? We're going to Kazdel next, which is basically a wasteland. Countries aren't allowed to build mobile cities there, and the few prosperous towns are all in the hands of the Sarkaz warlords. We need to avoid them as much as possible, so we should bring as many things as we can."
Placing a bundle of cabbages in the back of the truck, Goki reached out and tapped Maria's little head.
"You'll be starting school soon, right? How about it, have you thought about what you want to do in the future?"
In reality, two hunters wouldn't starve in the desolate wilderness; these supplies were just for show. For their subsequent actions, many weapons and supplies he had prepared had already been sent into the Hunters Dream.
"Well, I still prefer mechanical engineering. Didn't you say, Goki, that any profession can be practiced in accordance with the Nearl Family's motto—'Fear no darkness'? That's what it means. Of course, I won't neglect my martial arts training; I also need to be able to protect everyone!"
Putting down the goods in her hands, Maria suddenly opened her arms and gave Goki a big hug, burying her cute little face in his chest.
"I'll miss you, Goki."
This past week, with his main tasks completed last night, Goki suddenly found himself with more free time, which he dedicated entirely to spending with the companions he had met here.
Naturally, this included the three young mares of the Nearl Family; he spent a considerable amount of time with Maria in her workshop, hammering and tinkering, and also attempted to replicate and repair many pieces of equipment.
"Hehe, isn't Margaret also leaving? When I'm an adult, I'll go on adventures with you, Goki! Next time at the masquerade, I'll be a mature adult!"
Maria looked up and gave Goki a slightly silly, innocent smile, which made Goki lovingly pat her head—indeed, this Nona always made him feel at ease.
"Don't worry, whether you become a Knight or a craftsman, you have enough talent. As for effort and perseverance, you've never lacked them, have you?"
Then, Goki gently reached out and tenderly held the slender hand that was pinching Maria's little ear in the air.
"Alright, Zofia, don't hit the child at a time like this—can't you express a little reluctance to see me go?"
Looking at the golden-haired beauty in a stylish short trench coat in front of him, Goki winked at his Aunt, earning a roll of her eyes.
"I have no reluctance for a scoundrel who's playing two women. I'm actually glad you're leaving quickly, so you don't corrupt the good girls in our family—Alright, Maria, that's enough, don't let this bastard take too much advantage of you!"
Zofia's azure eyes held considerable indignation, but her tail behind her drooped a little, looking dejected, and at her waist hung a small, golden and blue painted 'civilized stick'.
A Hunter's Staff, a gift from Goki.
Although this scoundrel had been openly flaunting his affection with his two young girlfriends in front of them every day recently, Zofia still quite liked the weapon Goki gave her—she felt quite honored to use the same type of weapon as the hunter who killed a Great One.
"And you, you scoundrel, you even tried to sneak away while Margaret wasn't here, you bastard! Pervert! Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!"
She seemed to have a lot to say, but in the end, she just kicked Goki with her small hoof, clad in open-toed sandals.
"Ow, ow, ow! I already discussed this with Margaret. I originally wanted to wait one more day, but she said she was afraid of being too sad, so she told me to leave at this time and also said she had something to tell me... I actually spent a lot of time chatting with her last night."
Although Goki's current physical condition meant she felt nothing from such a soft attack, he still put on a grimacing expression.
"Alright, stop pretending... It would have been fine if you just left together. Never mind, thanks to you all, at least Margaret has somewhere to go, though I don't know when she'll be back."
Looking into the distance, at the largest stadium in the city center, Zofia and Goki both couldn't help but sigh.
Some things would change because of Goki's arrival, but some things would not.
As a member of a Crusader Knight family, Margaret, who won the championship, had a name that was extremely valuable to the Commercial Federation, but she herself was not.
Margaret, bearing the title of Radiant Knight, had immense commercial value. Endorsements, naming rights, image usage—even in just one week, Goki had searched and found strange little movies of people cosplaying as Margaret at night, and body pillows and 'flying X cups' were countless.
The "Radiant Knight" could bring huge profits, but Margaret herself could not. She strongly opposed the commercialization and vilification of Knights, and it was impossible for her to allow herself to be treated as a commodity or a symbol.
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