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The reinforcement army marched in formation. Several officers rode atop armored horses, carrying flags displaying the Lumiere crest. A total of four hundred troops entered the training grounds. Two hundred of those men wore the distinct, refined armor of anointed knights.

They were divided into strict groups based on their strength, ranging from one-star initiates to the prestigious six-star veterans. Differing armor colors and insignia marked their respective ranks.

Among the sea of soldiers, one figure stood out above the rest. The man towered over his peers, clad in a unique suit of pristine platinum armor adorned with golden filigree. Solomon felt a primal instinct flare the moment he laid eyes on the towering warrior.

"That could be a paladin," Solomon muttered, resting his hands in his pockets.

Yue snapped her jade fan closed and looked at him in shock. "How do you know that?"

"I do not know," Solomon replied, tilting his head. "I can just tell."

Yue stepped closer to ensure the surrounding soldiers could not overhear them. "Becoming a knight is a rare feat on its own. Ranking up from a one-star initiate to a six-star veteran is even harder. Breaking through the knighthood to become a paladin is almost impossible. A knight is an awakened warrior who circulates mana internally through a mana core to enhance physical stats and reinforce ordinary steel. A paladin is a transcendent Swordmaster who has mastered all sword arts, projects aura externally across the battlefield, and stands at the pinnacle of close combat."

Solomon nodded casually. "I am aware of their might. I have seen and fought one before."

Yue widened her emerald eyes. "I cannot believe you walked out of that encounter alive."

"I defeated it," Solomon corrected her.

Yue stared at him, rendered utterly speechless by the casual confession.

Solomon watched the platinum-armored warrior dismount his horse. "To be fair, the paladin I fought was an undead corpse,’"Solomon admitted. "He was much weaker than he was at his peak. I also had the advantage of a sealed boss chamber and plenty of luck. I am not confident I could win against a living paladin right now."

"Do not even try to do anything reckless while he is here," Yue warned, pointing her closed fan at Solomon.

"I never do anything unprompted," Solomon promised with a bright, innocent smile.

[1Fizzy: the biggest lie ever told.]

[Tyler_Klare: bro literally causes problems for fun.]

[M00N: Solo Man is planning something.]

[Foodball: the gaslighting never ends.]

[Zoomtech: he just cannot help himself.]

Lord Jian hurried onto the grounds to greet the Lumiere Dynasty vanguard. He bypassed his own commanders and immediately dropped to one knee before the platinum-armored paladin.

"It is a profound honor to welcome a paladin of the Lumiere Dynasty," Jian announced, bowing his head respectfully. "We are delighted to have your forces here. We deeply appreciate your assistance during these tough times."

The paladin looked down at the kneeling lord. "The Emperor wishes for the continued well-being of the Azure Moon Kingdom. Furthermore, His Majesty does not want Princess Lune to experience any troubling times during her stay here. Now that we have arrived, there is no need to worry. You can hold the royal sermon without a single concern."

Jian pushed himself up from the dirt. "There was an attack last night. We caught over a hundred spies just yesterday. The Crimson Bone Sect has infiltrated our staff, our guards, and even our anointed knights. We struggle to identify who is loyal and who took the cult’s bribes."

"Corruption festers when discipline wavers," the paladin replied, his voice resonating with supreme authority. "My troops will take over the primary security checkpoints for the royal sermon. The evil sects rely on shadows and deceit because they lack the strength to face true warriors in the light. If they dare to step foot on these grounds tomorrow, we will crush them into dust."

"We are eternally grateful, Sir Gideon" Jian responded, gesturing toward the inner palace. "You and your men must be tired from the long march. We have arranged lodging and food in the guest wings. It may not measure up to your imperial standards, and we apologize if you find our accommodations lacking. We have tried our best to prepare for your arrival."

The paladin offered a curt nod of acceptance. He signaled his officers, prompting the majority of the soldiers and knights to march inside the palace walls to claim their quarters.

However, a select group of high-ranking knights remained behind in the courtyard. They stood near the weapon racks with their hands resting on their pommels, lingering on the training grounds as if they had something else to do.

"It looks like you are not needed here anymore," Solomon said, gesturing toward the gathered Lumiere army. "They can easily take care of any invasion. The Paladin alone could raze a city to the ground."

Yue snapped her jade fan closed. "Would you like me to cancel the mission and head back to the Azure Dragon Sect?"

"We have one more day," Solomon responded. "Once the royal sermon ends tomorrow, we will leave. We should not abandon a mission halfway. Once that’s done, the mission is done and I get my star."

Yue noticed Syra waiting for her near the colonnade, so she accused herself.

Solomon turned to check on Marco, Arthur, Maximus, and Elizabeth. On his way across the training ring, a soldier stepped directly into his path. Solomon glanced at the insignia engraved on the chest plate. Six stars marked the man as a top-tier veteran.

Solomon attempted to walk past him. The veteran shifted sideways, blocking the route once more.

"Stop right there," the man commanded.

Solomon looked at the visor covering the man’s face. "I do not want to interact with someone who hides their face for no reason. Take the helmet off."

The soldier reached up and unlatched his headpiece. He pulled it free, revealing a face framed by dark black hair with lines of age marking his late forties.

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