Chapter 348 The Situation

It was all meant to be perfect.

To show that he wasn't aiming for the throne—at least not directly—Duke Evermoon made the competition open to all, regardless of origin. A calculated show of fairness. 

On the surface, it looked like a generous, risky move. After all, who's to say some hidden prodigy from outside the kingdom wouldn't enter? Someone just as powerful, or even more special, than the 13th Prince?

But in truth, it wasn't much of a risk.

To reach such a high level of strength at a young age—enough to rival a Grand Knight at twenty-five—was no small feat. It required training, resources, powerful mentors, and lineage. And Duke Evermoon didn't believe people like that could rise from nowhere. If such individuals existed, they wouldn't be anonymous. They would have names, noble crests, reputations. They would be known.