Chapter 8: Attestor’s Unyielding Alliance

Lucia’s training today was unusually relaxed.

After she sustained an injury during her sparring session with Lovelenica, Lovelenica promptly called off the day’s training, instructing Lucia to return home and rest thoroughly.

Once Lovelenica declared the training session over, she departed the training grounds alone.

Consequently, Lucia found herself with another period of rest, a luxury she would have considered invaluable in the past.

During her encounter with Lovelenica today, Lucia could sense that Lovelenica’s attacks were not as cold and sharp as before; instead, they were warm and gentle, each strike seemingly executed with the sole purpose of allowing Lucia to parry it.

“Hmph… that one is truly acting out of character today.”

Imeline approached Lucia, commenting on Lovelenica’s unusual behavior.

She, too, had noticed Lovelenica was deliberately going easy during the sparring, but the more Lovelenica did so, the more abnormal Imeline found it.

“You see, I told you, Master isn’t what you imagine; she was merely training my willpower before.”

“Mm-hmm, you’re right.”

Observing Lucia’s proud expression, Imeline offered only a perfunctory reply, her mind still harboring suspicions about Lovelenica.

To prevent Lucia from dwelling further on Lovelenica, Imeline skillfully shifted the conversation to Attestor.

“Oh, by the way, since you’re resting today, it’s the perfect time for us to find Attestor and tell her about the Monster Hunt Exercise.”

“Sounds good. Let’s head to the Knight Order’s garrison now.”

The distance between the church and the Knight Order’s garrison was not great, and the two quickly arrived at their destination.

According to the knights, Attestor was still in the garrison’s training grounds.

Thus, the two made their way to the spectator stands at the edge of the field, planning to wait until Attestor finished her training.

They soon spotted Attestor’s figure: a short-haired, brown-haired maiden clad in silver armor, vigorously swinging her sword in the training grounds.

Intricate patterns were etched into her silver armor, its formidable bulk doing little to conceal the maiden’s imposing physique.

She wielded a cruciform greatshield in her left hand and a heavy sword in her right, each thrust and slash, though not particularly swift, resonated with immense power.

Attestor Moreno belonged to a noble family as well.

Although her family’s influence did not rival that of Imeline’s or the Crimson Family, their power was still not to be underestimated.

The Moreno family had been knights for generations, with most of the Knight Order’s high-ranking members being descendants of their lineage.

Consequently, even a female like Attestor was obligated to undergo knightly training from a young age.

Despite Attestor being from a collateral branch of the Moreno family, she had displayed exceptional talent since childhood.

Although she was a woman, she possessed boundless natural strength, capable of single-handedly wielding a fine steel sword meant for adult use by the age of six.

Before Lucia was brought back and began her training with Lovelenica, Attestor often led them both on adventurous climbs and descents, even carrying them as she ran around.

Moreover, Attestor’s extraordinary strength did not result in a heavily muscled physique; instead, she maintained a tall and voluptuous build.

Her skin was even fairer and more supple than that of the aristocratic ladies who stayed indoors, and her curvaceous figure was the envy of many noblewomen.

Even her custom-made armor required extra room in the breastplate.

Her exceptional talent, striking beauty, and impressive figure collectively earned her the Moreno family’s high regard.

Even as a collateral member, Attestor received substantial resources and support from the family.

Many young individuals of her generation had confessed their affections to Attestor, only to be met with her rejection.

Both Lucia and Imeline believed Attestor to be the strongest among their peers.

While Lucia’s speed significantly surpassed Attestor’s, and she possessed a regenerative ability uncommon among ordinary people, Lucia found it exceedingly difficult to breach Attestor’s defenses.

Furthermore, Attestor’s attacks were nearly impossible for Lucia to parry; the fine steel sword she currently wielded weighed several hundred pounds, and a single hit would incapacitate Lucia entirely.

‘What good is regeneration if one sword strike can finish you?’

As for Imeline, it was even more evident; Attestor’s divine greatshield presented an insurmountable barrier to Imeline’s attacks.

While Lucia could at least use her speed to bypass the greatshield’s defenses, Imeline found it exceedingly difficult to circumvent.

Direct, linear magic attacks would be blocked, and magic assailing her from other directions not only required channeling but also might not possess enough power to pierce Attestor’s inherent defenses.

Consequently, neither of them could easily defeat Attestor in a one-on-one battle.

Perhaps only by coordinating, with one providing a diversion and the other launching the main assault, could they hope to overcome Attestor.

However, as the two waited for Attestor, a familiar figure had already entered the training grounds, walking directly towards Attestor.

The newcomer was none other than Julie.

Noticing someone suddenly entering the training grounds and approaching her, Attestor paused her movements.

“Hello, Sister. This is training time, please do not casually enter the training grounds.”

Upon hearing Attestor’s cold words, Julie’s face immediately stiffened, but she quickly composed herself.

Disregarding Attestor’s advice, she began to speak on her own accord.

“Miss Attestor, I am the legitimate heir of the Crimson Family. I have come to you today regarding next month’s Monster Hunt Exercise, and I hope you will join our team.”

It turned out Julie’s purpose in coming was to win over Attestor.

She naturally recognized Attestor’s formidable strength and believed that Lucia’s consistent good performance relied heavily on Attestor.

If she could secure Attestor’s cooperation, she was confident she could defeat Lucia in the exercise.

Hearing Julie continue to speak without pause, Attestor’s brow furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure on her face.

She was well aware of Lucia’s past circumstances, knowing that the tormentor who had abused Lucia belonged to the Crimson Family.

“The Crimson Family… please, return. I do not accept your invitation.”

“What?”

Julie had not anticipated such a decisive refusal from Attestor.

The Crimson Family was, after all, one of the most powerful families in the Kingdom of Arcadia; even if Attestor was unwilling, she should at least have shown some courtesy.

“Why? Are you truly so set on teaming up with that Decapitating Sister?”

“Decapitating Sister, are you referring to Lucia? Yes, I intend to team up with her. Do you have an objection?”

“Why? That Decapitating Sister can’t even learn healing magic! She only uses divine blessings on herself. What’s the point of teaming up with her?”

“No, team up with me instead. My people can provide you with various buffs and blessings, maximizing your strength and potentially setting a new record in the Monster Hunt Exercise!”