"The marriage proposal was rejected by my father, and my brother is also against it," Surya's tone was calm like still water, even with a hint of amusement. "I don't really understand my father's reason for refusal, but my brother believes Marquis Angxi is not someone who can make me happy; he just covets the wealth of Winford and my dowry."

"Moreover, I also think I won't marry a knight whose strength is lesser than mine." The lady knight shook her head, "I think Marquis Angxi is more suited to being a poet or a minister of the court than a knight."

"His strength is not even as good as yours?" Laine laughed, while simultaneously seeing Olivier defeat Kreitian in a duel with loud cheers, securing victory.

"I am not saying his current strength is lesser than mine. What I mean is, I am eighteen years old, with the strength of an Elite High-Tier, and he is twenty-seven, yet only has Elite High-Tier strength as well. Do you understand what I mean, Lord Laine?" Surya wasn't sure why she explained further, "Moreover, he, like the young Ranger Knights today, always hopes to gain the lady's attention through a grand war, and he seems to be more concerned about what to wear to evening banquets than governing his domain."

Laine understood; with both Francois and Julius being excellent father and brother figures before her, it was sure that the lady knight would not think highly of Marquis Angxi. Therefore, it was normal for the Winford Grand Guild to refuse — if the daughter didn't fancy him, would the father find him suitable?

"I also think that to become the lady's husband, at the very least he needs to be a strong knight of Legendary Tier, preferably one who has already passed the Holy Grail Trial and gained the lady's approval…" another lady knight, Sylvia, interjected, but before she could finish, Surya squeezed her hand slightly, so she stopped speaking.

"Alright, I was presumptive; my apologies." Knowing Surya was not engaged, Laine felt a bit relieved — after all, men have this common flaw; they feel regret when seeing a beautiful woman is already taken.

In the subsequent days, time was spent marching. The army of the Winford Duchy bypassed the Charon Forest and, after passing through the Boldro Duchy, moved northeast, finally reaching the assembly point for the Knightly War in mid-August, the Valerim Camp located in the Arden Forest.

Upon arriving at Valerim Camp, what came into Laine's view was a large camp made of countless tents, wooden walls, watchtowers, and stables.

White, yellow, and gray tents were arranged neatly within the valley, forming a dense mosaic and crisscrossing paths. Numerous flags fluttered in the breeze. Laine saw the red-and-blue-checkered emblem of the "Leaping Lion" Connet family, the "Red Fire Dragon" of the Bastogne family, the "White Castle" of the Montfort family, the "Blue Sea Monster" of the Le Anglong family, the "Sea God Trident" of the Boldro family emblem and more...

Apart from Duke of Borelion who was battling with Estalia, all the dukes sent their troops.

And just a few kilometers away from the camp, stretched the unending sea of greenery that was the Arden Forest extending beyond the limits of sight.

The Arden Forest, the largest in Brittania, nearly occupies half of northern Brittanian land, covering tens of thousands of square kilometers, spanning five dukedoms.

Deep in that forest lies the most fearsome Beastman Tribe, which appears each spring to raid the surrounding villages and towns, forming massive beast hordes in summer, and only retreating with their spoils to hibernate as winter approaches.

For hundreds of years, the Knight Kingdom has waged countless wars to eliminate these Beastmen, with varying success, generally keeping their offensive at bay along the Valeremy-Yulsen line. This year, King Richard launched a new Knightly War, aiming to penetrate deep into the Arden Forest and thoroughly destroy the sacred totem and spiritual pillar of the Beastmen hidden within — the Ten Thousand Demon Rock.

Patrolling soldiers moved constantly within the camp, and upon seeing new troops arriving, a secretary in noble attire quickly came to greet them, "Are you the troops from Winford?"

"Yes."

"Then please follow me this way." The secretary led the Winford troops to a spot within the valley's camp to set up.

Groups of knights and infantry were tirelessly patrolling and drilling within the vast camp. The knights, adorned in ornate plate armor or chain armor, proudly bore their family banners. The myriad family emblems in various colors dazzled the eyes, and newly arrived Laine couldn't recognize many of the family crests, only able to identify which Duchy they belonged to based on the Dukes' flags.

The appearance of the Winford Duchy army attracted quite a few knights' attention. Their camp was arranged against a hillside within the valley, with over a hundred tents set up, surrounded by wooden stake walls, and watchtowers with sentries. Upon seeing the troops' arrival, soldiers immediately went inside to report.

A few knights and about a hundred infantrymen had arrived at the Valerim Camp earlier. The infantry quickly opened the gates, and Julius Antre led a few knights to welcome them, "Surya? Lord Connelly? Laine! You've come too?"

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