If you didn't see it with your own eyes, probably no one would believe that there could be a Knight this powerful in the world. It was as if such beings only existed in legends.
Yilin didn't need to guess to know that many girls in Salted Fish Port would be dreaming of love tonight. Even though this powerful Knight wasn't yet aware of his own strength and was even a bit timid, that didn't stop young girls from dreaming, did it?
The final outcome was, of course, unsurprising. Count Caspar dutifully fulfilled his promise and publicly pledged loyalty to Yilin. Even if he didn't consider the reputation loss from breaking his word, he needed to think about Yilin losing her temper and then Gray taking action.
He didn't think his subordinates could protect him well in the event of an attack by Gray.
With the vow complete, Count Caspar left in a huff with his entourage.
The moonlight was soft, and the firelight flickered.
In the cheers of the crowd, Yilin stood silently on the platform, without even a hint of a smile. She simply stared quietly at the four bodies covered in white cloth lying nearby.
The faces of the Knights present were filled with the relief of surviving a calamity, everyone except Gray, who stood dazed holding his horse. No one knew what kind of expression he had.
After all, skeletons don't have expressions.
...
Late at night, the fire in the brazier was still crackling. The audience had scattered, leaving a mess behind.
All the injured had been sent for treatment, and a few with lighter injuries had already returned. The remaining people, including Gray and Pas, gathered together, just chatting aimlessly.
Gray answered questions absently, one after another.
"Where are you from? I can't quite place your accent."
"Uh... Can I not answer that?"
"Then can you take off your mask? I want to know what someone as skilled as you looks like."
"No, I can't."
"How did you train? Can you teach me?"
"That might be a bit difficult."
"Do you never take off your mask?"
"Yes."
"But you have to eat and drink, right? Or can you go without food and water? Hahaha."
The surrounding Knights laughed out loud. Gray sat quietly, not moving or saying a single word. Gradually, the atmosphere became a little awkward.
Following Gray's gaze, everyone looked into the distance.
In the middle of the square, Yilin was kneeling alone, hands clasped in prayer for the four fallen Knights.
*Perhaps Gray wasn't a good conversationalist,* the Knights gradually dispersed, leaving only Pas still sitting next to Gray, his upper body bare, bandages on his arms and thighs stained with blood.*
*Among the combatants in the group, apart from Gray and the unhurt Huoersi, everyone else had sustained some degree of injury.*
"What is she doing?" Gray asked.
"She's praying."
"Praying... What's that?"
"You don't even know what praying is?"
Gray thought carefully, then shook his head.
Pas furrowed his brows, looking at Gray for a long time. Confirming that Gray wasn't joking and was sincerely asking, he quietly asked, "Are you from the north?"
After a pause, Pas continued softly, "I've heard that beyond Ice Snow City to the north, there are Barbarian Clans living with Beastmen. The people there, though human, have green pupils and pale skin, almost devoid of any blood, and possess tremendous strength. They are all cursed by the Holy Spirit. So, they don't believe in any religion. Naturally, those who don't practice a faith don't need to pray. You won't take off your mask, won't reveal your identity, and don't understand prayer... Are you from there?"
Gray didn't answer, he just stared at Pas.
Seeing Gray's lack of response, Pas gave him a shrewd smile, lowered his voice, and said, "Don't worry, I won't report you. I was hoping you'd join our Mercenary Group. We need an excellent vanguard... Though you're about to be knighted, so you probably won't join us. But it doesn't matter, let's just be friends. After all, I don't care if people believe in a religion or not, I'm not a Priest. It's none of my business. But you're right not to reveal yourself. Just because I can accept you doesn't mean everyone can. If you run into someone who can't, it'll be trouble."
With that, he gave a knowing look, lightly patting Gray's shoulder.
*Gray's soul fire flickered, full of questions.*
*A Lich was one thing, but even humans could be rejected? So what kind of logic did humans live by? The racial discrimination was too severe.*
*In contrast, the Lich's world was much simpler. Whether lizard or dragon, as long as they didn't cause trouble, the Lich treated everyone equally. After all, what could be more important than magic experiments?*
*Gray couldn't help but miss the underground world.*
*Unfortunately, he certainly couldn't go back. Not unless he could defeat Bruto. But that was clearly impossible.*
...
Finishing the last prayer, Yilin opened her eyes to find Abi Robbs standing in front of her, handing her a water bottle.
She took the bottle, unscrewed the cap, and took a swig.
"Did you find anything out?"
"No. He didn't say anything, it seems he's deliberately hiding his identity," Abi Robbs said as he turned back to look at Gray from afar. "We can't force him. I'm even starting to worry that if he takes off that mask and turns out not to be human, but an elf, what then?"