"Let me make it clear, I have never used this move before, so I can't estimate its power. If you accidentally get hurt, don't blame me."

The compressed scales of Qi swirled around Aya, causing a slight disturbance in the air. It was evident that the compression had reached a critical point and was about to burst. Unlike Chi, Dragon's Breath was not an energy attack, but a form of damage caused by the pressure. If a human were to do this, even a berserker specializing in physical strength would not be able to withstand such a powerful force. However, Dragon's physical strength allowed for an attack of a greater intensity than ordinary Chi.

Aya, having fully charged up, was overflowing with confidence. The feeling of power surging through her fist was incredibly comforting. Although her scales would deplete in a short amount of time after being released, she had not felt this powerful in a long time since her powers were sealed by Tiran.

"You talk big, get ready to face me head-on."

...

On the observation platform, Geofite was unsure how to react. "Did Princess Tiran just say that?"

"Your Highness... it seems like etiquette lessons are still necessary," Mimi said, holding a tray with a troubled expression. To be honest, if she didn't have both hands holding the tray, she would have covered her face already. Although it was improper to say such things about her own princess, especially in front of others... it was embarrassing, truly embarrassing!

...

Although her words were arrogant, Tiran did not have any trace of underestimation. Anyone who could approach the level of a legendary hero was not the kind of fool to underestimate an opponent due to their strength, especially when it came to creatures like the Golden Dragon, which could in no way be considered "weak."

After Aya had her Chi and Magic sealed, her strength was only about level seven or eight, just below that of a Grand Knight. But at this moment, Tiran considered her an opponent at the peak of level nine.

Level nine at the peak was basically the pinnacle of legendary level. The entry-level strength of a Grand Knight was level eight, and there were only a few thousand people in the Knight Association's records who had the title of Grand Knight. However, less than one-tenth of them were assessed to be at level nine.

Even Gofite, who was called the genius of Milania, second only to the White Knight in his generation, was currently only considered a "quasi-level nine". Such an assessment was indeed a bit too high for Aya.

But in the next moment, Tiran realized that her judgment was not too high.

"So fast!"

In the instant Aya released her scales, a fierce whirlwind arose!

The indiscriminate wind pressure quickly spread in all directions. In the dust, the two people on the platform could barely catch Aya's movements. Aya's figure teleported in front of Tiran in an instant, her tightly clenched fist surrounded by layers of air flow, and she struck like lightning!

Tiran did not anticipate that Aya's speed could reach this level after releasing her scales, but her experienced combat experience allowed her to instinctively block with her sword.

But Aya's figure disappeared in front of Tiran once again, and almost simultaneously, a loud sound of a roaring strong wind came from behind her.

She miscalculated. Based on the duel between the Stupid Dragon and Eiom, she thought that after releasing her scales, Aya would only have the strength for one attack, but she didn't expect her to be able to change positions twice.

There was no need to use that level of power for a friendly match, and it was too late to turn around, so she could only rely on Chi to withstand it.

A protective layer resembling scales shone on Tiran's back, ready to withstand Aya's punch.

But the strike did not come as expected. Before hitting Tiran, Aya had already stopped her fist.

"Giving up?" Tiran clicked her tongue, already guessed Aya's thoughts. It was probably because she was worried about hurting herself. What a fool! Did she really think that a punch without even the application of Chi energy would be able to break through her Chi defense?

Moreover, she had already told him that the duel in the arena would only end when one side surrendered, exited, or lost the ability to fight. Did this guy really not remember the rules?

"I guess I won this time... hey, hey, hey! You cheater!" Aya proudly shook her fist, but then saw the radiant Chi light flickering around Tiran's body. A brilliant Chi storm erupted instantly, sending Aya flying out of the arena.

"This arrogant fool..." Tiran muttered under her breath as she watched Aya thud on the ground, her eyes showing a touch of tenderness.

The victory has been decided....

The moonlight tonight is not very clear, and the moon shadow is faintly visible among the clouds. The faint moonlight shines on the sharp dome of the Aslan Cathedral, adding a hazy beauty to this ancient building.

The Aslan Cathedral is the second largest cathedral on the continent, second only to the Holy City. The fact that such a level of cathedral can be established in the capital of a country is a testament to the immense influence of the church in Milania.

The reason is actually quite simple. Because Milania's full name is the holy Milania Kingdom, it is the only country that can add the word "holy" before its country name.

At the beginning of the founding of the country, the founding monarch collaborated with the church during his numerous military expeditions, leveraging the power of the Holy Knights Order. The central force guarding the kingdom, the Cross Prohibition Army, derived its name from this collaboration. Eighteen years ago, the Military God King Gulanshun also successfully quelled a rebellion by utilizing some holy knights.

As a price for receiving this assistance, Milania granted the church great power within the kingdom after its establishment. There is even a "religious tax" in which the church has the freedom to control the tax rate. In addition, the kingdom allows for the massive presence of the Holy Knights Order within its borders.

"As a sovereign country, Milania can no longer tolerate the church's excessive privileges, so His Excellency the Grand Archbishop hopes that you will convey His Majesty's intentions to His Holiness the Pope."

After the night prayer ceremony ended, the Aslan Cathedral, which should have fallen into silence, remained lit. In the spacious prayer room of the main building, the nuns and believers who came to pray had long since left. In front of rows of empty seats, two figures stood facing each other.

"Is this His Majesty's intention?" Bishop Heinkes of the Aslan Cathedral furrowed his brow after listening to the envoy's words.

Rumors of the Military God King's intention to restrict the church's privileges in Milania had been circulating for a long time. But it was not until this moment that the envoy from the palace finally made Heinkes completely believe in the reality of the matter. Although it was only an informal verbal message without any official document, the royal emblem in the envoy's hands was enough to represent the will of the royal family.

"Yes, that is His Majesty's attitude. The formal written document will be issued after the New Year celebration. Please inform His Holiness the Pope as soon as possible, Your Excellency the Grand Archbishop." The envoy did not intend to reveal any more information and repeated his previous words.

"I understand."

Heinkes nodded and gestured with his hand, "You may go, Your Excellency."

Although facing someone of the Grand Archbishop's level, the envoy did not show too much respect. After a calm bow, the envoy quickly left the Aslan Cathedral under the guidance of a servant.

As he listened to the gradually fading footsteps of the envoy, the expression on the face of the bishop became increasingly grim. He took off the round glasses resting on his nose, rubbed his temples, and wearily sat down on the front row seat.

"Bishop."

From behind the prayer room curtain, a man wearing a white robe hurriedly walked out with a somewhat resentful expression.

"You've worked hard, Garcia. You can go back."

But Garcia did not obey Heinkes' words and stood silently beside him, standing straight like a spear.

"Is there something else? Speak."

"Bishop, you should know. The demands made by the envoy, I mean, the Military God King, this time are really outrageous! Previously, there were reasonable justifications for reducing the size of the Holy Knights Order in the capital and scaling down the scale of the prayer ceremony, but this time, to unilaterally cancel the religious tax and even dissolve the Holy Knights Order in the capital without consulting us, he simply does not regard the church highly!"

At first, Garcia's voice remained calm, but as he continued, he became more and more agitated, and his voice shook the stained glass windows of the prayer room slightly.

Heinkes fell silent for a moment and then smiled bitterly, "What you said is correct. His Majesty the Military God King has indeed been suppressing our influence in recent years."

"Then why..." Garcia subconsciously tried to speak but was stopped by Heinkes raising his hand.

"Before that, I want to ask a question."

When Garcia met Heinkes' deep and profound blue eyes, his body trembled slightly, and his lips moved twice before he lowered his head. "Please ask."

"Very well." Heinkes's mouth curved into a slight smile, but his gaze revealed severity. "Tell me, Garcia, who told you all of this? With your usual personality, you would not think in this direction without someone inciting you.""..." Garcia struggled with his expression, a slight cold sweat forming on his forehead.

"Well, if you don't want to speak up, then forget it. I can probably guess," Heinrich said leisurely. "It was the right decision to let you into the Holy Knights Order. With your personality, you're too easily manipulated by others. Go back. Forget everything that person told you and don't speak of these matters to other knights."

"Yes!" Garcia knelt down on one knee and solemnly performed the knight's salute.

"Oh, by the way, how is Johannes doing?" Heinrich suddenly remembered something and stopped Garcia.

"Lord Johannes says that the basic preparations are ready, we just need to wait for the right moment," Garcia replied.

"Very well," Heinrich nodded.

Boom.

An explosion suddenly sounded in the distance, immediately alerting Garcia to go on high alert. He lifted his robe with one hand, revealing the sword hanging on his waist. "That sound, is it coming from the direction of the palace?"

Heinrich also wore a slightly puzzled expression, but quickly relaxed. "Don't worry, this is the capital of the Holy Kingdom after all. It's unlikely that something major would happen all of a sudden. I guess it's probably that princess causing trouble again."

"The Silver Battle Maiden?" Garcia also relaxed and once again bowed to Heinrich before leaving the prayer room.

Indeed, back when she was still in the capital, the palace used to explode every other day. It's unbelievable that right after she returned, it's happening again... it's exactly the same as before.

"Tonight, it really isn't peaceful..." Heinrich let out a barely audible sigh.