Damned darkspawn. He was about to curse aloud when her fragrant lips silenced him again.

This was truly not his forte.

Was *this* what that wish about "romantic luck" meant?

He’d envisioned being surrounded by beauties, reaching the pinnacle of life—not being imprisoned and trained by a gorgeous girl.

This made no sense. Damn it. Give back my S-Rank luck!

Sky Qi felt internal injuries brewing from sheer frustration. He wanted to shove Tina away, but his bound hands barely allowed movement.

Kneeling on the bed, he endured Tina feeding him blood mouth-to-mouth.

...

William fled the forest and ducked into a tavern.

"Hahaha! From this day forth, Sky Qi—the Continent Strongest—ceases to exist!" William raised his mug, clinking it against the mugs of his Sacred Knight Heroic Corps comrades. Pale ale sloshed over the rims.

"That fool never saw our trap coming," William added. "What’s your take on this operation?"

"The credit’s all yours, boss," Lin Yanfeng boomed, draining his mug in one gulp. "That stab likely pierced his heart. Even if he survived, stranded in that hellhole? He won’t last."

"Place your bets—how will he die?" Lin waved his mug. "I wager a hundred gold coins the Bloodline devours him whole!"

"I bet he bled out alone in the wilderness!" William countered.

"But... do you truly believe he’s dead?" Black’s gaunt face tightened with unease. "This feels too simple."

Lin froze, then slapped Black’s shoulder hard. "Nonsense! That blade plus the Bloodline horde? None of us would survive—not you, not any of us."

"Exactly," Black breathed deeply. "None of *us*. But he’s not one of us. He’s the Continent Strongest—with cards we can’t fathom."

William and Lin’s smiles vanished. Their knuckles whitened around their mugs. He’d overlooked one crucial detail: his victim was the Continent Strongest. Even pierced by the Saintslayer Dagger, survival was possible.

The dagger would scramble his magic, crippling Sky Qi—but not necessarily killing him.

Or worse—the Bloodline might have captured him alive.

*If only I’d taken his head.* In his haste to escape the Bloodline army, he’d only seized Sky Qi’s Divine Artifact: the Soulsever Sacred Sword.

Such oversights were terrifying.

"If he lives... he’ll hunt us for revenge," Black murmured.

"So what do we do now?" William’s eyes narrowed at Black.

"We prepare contingencies," Black said. "Recruit more members. Expand the Corps. As long as we have *that* sword."

All eyes turned to the black-wrapped Soulsever Sacred Sword on the table.

"A question." A silvery voice chimed from within a suit of armor.

A fourth figure sat motionless at their table, arms crossed—so still they’d been overlooked until now.

Vicky slammed her armored fist on the wood. "Could our actions trigger a full-scale Bloodline invasion?"

"Hah. Not our concern," William sneered. "Do you pity those weaklings, Vicky? Oh right—you’re a woman. Naturally soft-hearted."

"To hell with them!" Lin slammed his mug down, rattling the table. "I don’t care if peasants die. This chaos might even land us on humanity’s throne. Without ambition, what’s luxury worth?"

"Really?" Vicky’s cold laugh echoed from her helmet. Her face remained hidden behind steel. "A humanity without faith? Without Sky Qi? What then?"

William’s brow furrowed, radiating authority. No one challenged him. "Explain yourself, Vicky."

"Nothing. Just realizing we made a foolish choice." She snorted and sat back.

"If you think I’m unfit to lead," William stressed "*we*," "you’re free to leave the Sacred Knight Heroic Corps."

Black’s scarred face twisted in displeasure. *Internal strife right after a mission? Losing Vicky would be disastrous.* He stayed neutral. Truthfully, he’d also thought the move reckless. Losing a powerhouse like Sky Qi could doom humanity in the coming wars.

All for a Divine Artifact—and William’s jealousy. Such blades were rare, yes, but not worth murdering an ally.

A leader who stabbed comrades in the back might turn on his own team next.

*But I can’t say that aloud.* Black sipped his ale, watching silently.

"Kicking me out already?" Vicky shrugged. "Honestly? You *are* unfit. Killing allies for selfish reasons? One day, you might slit your own team’s throats."

*She voiced my thoughts... but this is unwise,* Black sighed inwardly.

William’s expression turned icy. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Do you think your contributions grant you the right to question me? Or... do you fancy that boy?"

Everyone knew "that boy" meant Sky Qi. Vicky, usually talkative, always fell silent around him. It was no secret he held special meaning for her.

A mere crush shouldn’t drive her to abandon the team.

"Captain, Vicky—let’s discuss this calmly," Black interjected, trying to defuse the tension.

"No discussion!" William’s voice cracked like a whip. "Vicky is hereby expelled from the Sacred Knight Heroic Corps!"

"You overestimate yourself. I’ve tolerated your arrogance long enough." Vicky tore off her helmet. Silver hair cascaded to her waist, revealing a breathtaking face. "I, Vicky, quit the Sacred Knight Heroic Corps—effective immediately!"