"Maybe so, but it should be more than just that." Hex refuted, the Ranger Knight wearing a black Cross Helmet, chain armor and chest armor, shaking his head: "The presence of the Baron certainly boosts the infantry's morale, but these infantry wouldn't be so fierce...Have you heard of the Winford Escapee Group?"

"Winford Escapee Group?" Olivier, introduced by Duke Schultz of Marinburg, didn't quite understand: "Hah~ that's interesting, using the word 'escapee' as the name for an infantry corps."

"The Winford Escapee Group is renowned in the south of this country; this originates from a story." Laine finally spoke, recounting a tale of the past.

More than ten years ago, Necromancer Heinrich Kemmler and Duke of Winford engaged in an epic showdown. In this brutal war, Francois managed to reverse the unfavorable tide with Knight's rapid maneuvering and group attack, thereby defeating the Undead Army and expelling them from Brittania Kingdom.

However, an unglamorous incident occurred on the battlefield where some knights fled in fear of the Undead's fierce assault, causing a collapse in one of the lines and resulting in numerous infantry defeats, nearly leading to the war's failure.

The peasants collapsed, fleeing in all directions; many wanted to return home but feared the Duke's judgment, and eventually, most decided to head to the Duke's castle to plead for the Duke's mercy.

They were fortunate; Francois generously forgave the peasants' crimes and personally granted these infantry the name "Escapee Group," symbolizing the shame of fleeing in battle and allowing them to continue service.

Because of this reason, these infantry fought especially hard, fearlessly, to repay the Duke's forgiveness, becoming an incredibly fierce force.

This time, possibly to protect his daughter's safety, Duke of Winford unexpectedly dispatched this unit.

"Fighting alongside them might benefit our training of own troops." Hex nodded, his face still dry and expressionless; the knight appeared to bear a lot.

"Indeed, our soldiers lack training." Laine and two knights continued walking a bit, as the sky gradually grew dark, with some monsters appearing in the wilderness, some water ghosts crawled out from the river, only to dive back upon seeing Holy Grail Knights wandering nearby.

These demons are even more cowardly than humans themselves.

"By the way, Hex, you were a knight of the Duchy of Le Anglong, you should be quite familiar with Marquis Angxi, right?" Laine asked Hex again.

"Of course I know." Hex nodded slightly, breathed the fresh night air, and spoke to Laine and others: "Marquis Angxi is a relative of the current Knight King His Majesty Richard; at twenty-seven years old, specifically his grandnephew, meaning Marquis Angxi is the son of Richard's brother's daughter. With his support, Marquis Angxi was granted a marquis title."

"Marquis, Marquis Angxi's title is?" Laine continued to ask.

"Marquis Glasgow, a newly established marquis title by His Majesty the King for his grandnephew, and ironically, this marquis only has twenty knights and three hundred soldiers to defend his domain, yet he never stays at Glasgow Castle, preferring to reside in Kulona, enjoying a privileged life," Hex continued: "Marquis Angxi has participated in several Knightly Wars, but directly commanding such a large army is his first."

A relative of the King, young, never personally managing his domain? Laine frowned, then asked: "Any other news about this marquis?"

"There are rumors about the marquis being conceited; he believes he is an extremely excellent general and commander, rather than a knight charging on the battlefield. News also indicates he indeed demonstrates excellence in tactical simulations at Kulona Knight Academy," Hex continued: "Marquis Angxi enjoys attending various banquets, and besides that, it's said he has always been an ardent suitor of Marchioness Surya though he supposedly pursues many women simultaneously."

"Was there any outcome to this matter?" Laine found it intriguing.

"I don't know much about it; maybe you should ask Marchioness Surya," Hex raised his head.

In the dim night, two female knights strolled through the wild, surrounded by many Ranger Knights.

Besides Marchioness Surya, who had an exquisite face and a tall stature, another spirited female knight stood beside her. She possessed beautiful purple eyes and wore a full set of knight armor. She was shorter than Surya and had her blonde hair tied up high, fastened behind her head, with a longsword hung at her waist.

Laine recognized her; she was Sylvia, Surya's maid, hailing from a knight family, also an outstanding female knight, pursued by many young knights, though she intended to serve Marchioness Surya for life.

The two female knights became a beautiful scene in the night wilderness.

Ranger Knights scrambled to speak with her, the Marchioness responded to each, but her interest appeared low, as she grew weary of the Ranger Knights' cliched flirting tactics and self-aggrandizing stories.

"Such a coincidence, Marchioness Surya is out for a walk?" Olivier chuckled: "My baron, see, the marchioness' walk sparked a craze among Ranger Knights; everyone wants to be her escort."

"However, if I go, I'll become the focus, and all Ranger Knights will want to duel me." Laine rolled his eyes, hastily turning to leave.

Too late, a young Ranger Knight blocked Laine's path: "Holy Grail Knight Laine Macado, I, Kreitian of Winford, challenge you!"

"I don't have time now..." Laine said impatiently.

"No! Lord Laine, you have time! You have time to walk but not to accept my challenge? I believe I already have the qualification to challenge!" This Ranger Knight thought, having found such a great opportunity, how could he miss it?

Even losing wasn't shameful; it's normal not to beat Lord Laine, as he is the Lady's champion.

And... what if the forces are evenly matched or he wins?

"Olivier." Laine calmly called his Ranger Knight Olivier over: "Defeat my knight first, and I'll consider accepting your challenge."

"Heh heh~ you're Kreitian? Let me be your opponent!" Olivier stood before Laine, speaking to Kreitian.

"Alright... fine." It wasn't what the young Ranger Knight wanted, but knightly virtues did indeed involve this rule, allowing a knight under a lord's command to honorably accept challenges on behalf of their superior.

And so, amidst curious onlookers, a duel commenced. Both mounted their warhorses, lifted wooden cavalry lances, and began the duel—a weapon specifically for knight duels that shatters upon contact.

The summer night began to lively up, as knights and peasants enthusiastically joined the spectators.

Laine coincidentally wanted to see how skilled his knight truly was in combat; the Holy Grail Knight stood still, arms crossed, silent in the dark and amidst firelight, his blue eyes fixated on the two, mounted and dueling, pondering many things.

A fragrant breeze wafted nearby, a refreshing jasmine scent; upon detecting this scent, Laine knew who had arrived: "Miss Surya?"

"Lord Laine, good evening." The female knight approached him, smiling in the night breeze.

"Good evening, Miss Surya, Miss Sylvia." Laine nodded, shrugging: "Too many have challenged me; I decided to let Olivier accept challenges on my behalf."

"I have witnessed Lord Laine's prowess firsthand; there is indeed no need to waste time on such matters, they merely covet your glory and honor." Surya smiled gently: "Everyone aims to become the Lady's champion."

Laine mused that this duke's legitimate daughter certainly understood these matters well.

Speaking of which, an opportunity arose, and Laine directly asked: "I heard that General Marquis Angxi during this Knightly War had courted Miss Surya?"

"Even Lord Laine knows of such things?" The female knight was a bit shocked, but she quickly regained composure, nodding slowly: "Yes, Marquis Angxi not only passionately pursued me but also proposed an engagement to my father."

"And what was the outcome?"

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