Wizard: My magic facility can be upgraded!

Chapter 172 The Clash Between the Chief Knights

Chapter 172 The Clash Between the Chief Knights

After the meeting, everyone returned to their rooms with heavy hearts.

When Li Ang returned to the room he shared with Nelson, the blond boy immediately leaned closer nervously and reported in a low voice, "Sir, I—I think we're being watched."

Li Ang raised an eyebrow and asked casually, "Oh? How did you find out?"

Nelson quickly explained, "Sir, this evening when I was helping to process mutton in the kitchen, I accidentally bumped into a maid."

"She was hiding behind the food cabinet, secretly observing you and Her Majesty Sandramea as you talked with the people in the hall—her eyes weren't just ordinary curiosity, and as soon as I approached, she immediately pretended to tidy up and walked away."

Leon nodded and patted Nelson on the shoulder: "Well done, Nelson, but don't approach them rashly in the future, and be careful."

Nelson was taken aback. He had thought that Leon would order him to continue investigating the matter, but to his surprise, the wizard only told him to be careful.

Li Ang walked to the window and looked at the brightly lit interior of Ironforge. He secretly thought to himself, "It seems the fish has taken the bait."

Our high-profile actions did indeed make them restless. Next, we'll proceed step by step and see if we can follow this lead to catch the big fish behind the scenes.

The next day, Li Ang and his party prepared to formally meet the king as planned in order to qualify for the three trials that must be completed to challenge for the throne.

This is an ancient dwarf tradition designed to ensure that challengers possess sufficient courage, wisdom, and strength, and also to prevent the king from being bogged down by endless challenges.

Led by Maya, the group passed through the middle-level noble district and arrived at the top-level royal palace district.

However, they did not see King Frostheart Maxwell in the palace hall.

They were received by the Regent, Maya's uncle, Groon Maxwell.

It was a one-eyed dwarf with graying hair, a weathered face, and an eyepatch covering his left eye.

He sat upright on a slightly smaller, ornate chair next to the throne, and when he saw Maya enter, a complex emotion flashed in his single eye.

He first sighed, his tone filled with deep helplessness: "Sandramaya—you shouldn't have come back."

Maya straightened her back and loudly stated her purpose: "Uncle, I have returned according to ancient tradition to challenge my father to a duel of courage. Please allow my father to come out and see me."

Regent Gronn shook his head, his tone leaving no room for argument: "Your father is seriously ill and needs to rest; he cannot receive guests. As for the duels of courage—they have been suspended due to the King's poor health and will resume once His Majesty recovers. Take my advice: take your men and leave Ironforge immediately."

"I'm not leaving, and this is against the rules!" Maya argued. "If my father is truly too ill to fulfill his royal duties, then according to tradition, the one who has completed the trial should immediately take over, not suspend the duel indefinitely!"

"A trial? You're just a little girl, and you really want to be queen?"

Regent Gron suddenly lost control of his emotions, and his voice suddenly rose.

"Do you know what it means to be king?" His words seemed to carry an unspeakable weight.

Leon keenly sensed the unusual implication in his words and immediately stepped forward, asking in a deep voice, "What does it mean? Is it a responsibility and commitment to all the dwarves, or a heavy price that a king must bear?"

A flicker of panic flashed in Regent Gelong's single eye, and he angrily shouted, "Who are you? How dare you interrupt me like this!"

Li Ang, neither humble nor arrogant, followed the etiquette taught by Maya, crossed his hands in front of his chest, performed a standard knightly salute, and clearly said, "Your Excellency Regent, my name is Li Ang, and I am the chief knight of Her Majesty Sandra Maya Maxwell."

"Chief Knight? Your Majesty?" Regent Grom laughed angrily. "Even if you're being ridiculous, there's a limit." He then shouted, "Gimli!"

As he called out, a dwarf clad in dazzling golden armor calmly emerged from the side hall.

Although he was still only about 70 centimeters tall, he was muscular and extremely robust, with two huge warhammers, slightly longer than his height, strapped to his back.

Upon seeing this man, Maya's expression immediately tensed up, and she quickly whispered to Li Ang, "Lord Li Ang, this is Gimli Silverhammer, the kingdom's chief knight, a gifted warrior—"

So it was him. On the way here, Li Ang had heard Mei Ya mention this person.

It is said that he passed the Trial of Strength and received the blessing of the Titan of Strength, making him the strongest knight in the entire Dwarf Kingdom.

Regent Gron pointed at Gimli and sneered at Leon, "See? This is what a so-called chief knight looks like! If you want to prove you're not just fooling around, let this chief knight of Sandramea defeat our kingdom's true chief knight!"

These words immediately caused Maya to nervously step in front of Li Ang, saying, "There's no need for Lord Li Ang to take action; my other knight, Lord Olivia, is more than capable of handling this!"

Regent Gron scoffed, his single eye filled with mockery: "So, apart from that antler tribesman, the others are just for show? In that case, you may all leave!"

After saying that, Groon turned to leave.

Just then, Li Ang chuckled softly and reached out to gently pull Meiya behind him.

He calmly greeted Regent Gron and the imposing Gimli: "Wait, His Majesty is merely showing consideration for past relations and doesn't want your country's chief knight to lose too badly. Since you don't appreciate His Majesty's gesture, then I'll step in and have a match myself."

"Li Angqing!" Mei Ya cried out anxiously, wanting to stop Li Angqing's suicidal act.

Although she knew that Li Ang was highly skilled in magic, when it came to close combat—

He was, after all, just a human wizard. In terms of close combat alone, how could he compare to the chief knight who had received the Titan's blessing?

Celia, standing to the side, gently pulled Maya's arm as she tried to step forward.

Celia shook her head slightly, signaling her with her eyes to calm down, and then whispered, "Trust him."

Looking at Li Ang's composed back and Celia's determined eyes, Maya, though filled with anxiety, ultimately gritted her teeth and endured it.

Li Ang slowly drew the standard one-handed sword that Nelson had purchased from his waist.

The moment the unadorned sword was drawn, it immediately drew a low, suppressed snicker from the surrounding guards.

In their eyes, it was a huge joke that someone who called himself "Chief Knight" would use such common, readily available goods.