Since the members of the elite squad belonged to the elites of various countries and were recommended to participate in the Magic Martial Arts Competition, they had to part ways immediately after gathering. However, they believed that after this brief separation, they would meet again in the various competition areas in the capital of Kamaran, Blay. The members of the elite squad joked about clearing the path for Rody and Chris to win the championship. Some, like Stanley, even declined their countries' dispatch to participate in the elite competition, choosing instead to follow Rody and support him in the competition.

After bidding farewell to each team member, Rody, Chris, Stanley, and big-bearded Malu arrived in the capital of the Kamaran Empire through a teleportation gate.

The atmosphere in this country was distinctly different.

Here, no one knew about Rody, Chris, and their elite squad, unlike in the Norne Empire where they were warmly welcomed everywhere. In Kamaran's Blay, the magician who came to receive them didn't even recognize Rody and meticulously registered him in the roster, completely unaware that this young man in front of him was the famous Rody, the sergeant who had shocked the continent by defeating the orcs and demons with zero casualties.

"You're Rody from Felic? A one-star magic apprentice? What's going on? You can't even cast a small fireball as an alchemy student, how did you end up in the Magic Martial Arts Competition?" the magician exclaimed in astonishment.

"Boss, let me strangle him!" Stanley struggled to restrain himself, ready to throttle the magician then and there.

"Participation is what matters!" Rody wasn't angry and smiled, "Flowers need green leaves to set them off, right? How can the elites of your country stand out if not against those from other countries who can't even cast a small fireball? What area are we assigned to? The West area? Thank you so much. By the way, I heard that each elite gets a subsidy, do we get one too?"

"Go to the front desk. Each person can advance three silver coins, and if needed, you can also get a healing potion," the magician sniffed disdainfully, "I remind you to be careful. Although the elite competition rules prohibit killing opponents, you guys are really too fragile."

"Thank you for your reminder, we'll definitely remember it," Chris responded, grinning.

"Is Kamaran an empire that exclusively produces fools? I never dreamed there would be people in this world who don't recognize the boss!" Stanley and big-bearded Malu observed the magician carefully and realized he wasn't pretending. His expression genuinely showed no recognition of Rody, unaware that the young man in front of him was the human who terrified orcs and demons.

When they reached the front desk, an old magician was dozing off.

Hearing that Rody and his group wanted to collect their three silver coins for food and lodging expenses and a healing potion, the old man's face immediately showed contempt. He tossed out the silver coins as if they were beggars.

"Welcome, ah, knight Uzus from Dafrey, are you an Earth Warrior? Such a young age... Dafrey is indeed a place teeming with talents. Just a few days ago, I saw your second prince, Vincent, here. He, a Sky Warrior, is a hot favorite to win the Magic Martial Arts Competition. Haha, I've already placed a heavy bet on His Highness... Here are your ten gold coins as an elite subsidy, please take it." The old magician, in front of Rody and the others, gave ten gold coins to the Dafrey elite swordsman who came after.

"Hey, old man, what's this about? Why do we only get three silver coins each, while he gets as many as ten gold coins!" Stanley couldn't hold back any longer, slamming the table and shouting.

"He's an elite, of course, it's different from you! Who are your competing elites? Two one-star magic apprentices, what else can you people do besides filling your stomachs? Leave now, or I'll call the guards! I'm sure you don't want to enjoy our prison's free food and lodging before the competition, or maybe I'll give you that opportunity to try it!" The old magician lost his temper, stood up, and banged his staff on the table, arrogantly snorting.

"Don't call the guards, we have no fondness for them," Rody said with a smile, patting the furious Stanley on his shoulder, signaling him to leave.

"I feel like killing myself now!" Stanley was completely done with the people of Kamaran Empire. Not recognizing Rody was one thing, but they actually thought the elites sent by various countries were just there to eat for free, treating them like what?

"Don't mind it. Chris and I indeed are one-star magic apprentices, haha," Chris chuckled.

"A bunch of trash. Humph!" The elite swordsman from Dafrey, who passed by them, arrogantly walked past Rody and his group, then picked up the reins of a steed at the gate and galloped away stylishly.

"Boss, I want to participate in the competition and crush that egghead like a flea," Stanley was close to losing his mind.

After checking into the reception dormitory, everyone found it was almost like a prison, narrow and dark, more fit for jail than living.

The chubby lady in charge was quite enthusiastic, especially after seeing how handsome Rody and Chris were. Besides providing hot water and apples, she even asked if Rody and Chris were married, offering to set them up if they weren't.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Finding the room too stuffy, Rody and Chris decided to go out for a walk to get some fresh air.

Once outside, they realized that no one in the capital recognized them, indicating that Kamaran Empire hadn't used Rody and the elite squad for publicity, hadn't broadcast the news of humanity's victory, and might have even intentionally blocked their information, otherwise, the public wouldn't be so oblivious. Rody and Chris didn't mind, and Rody even felt a bit happy, now knowing that the mysterious person scheming against him had the closest ties with this nation.

Perhaps it was this Kamaran Empire, maybe even Dafrey.

On the streets, they saw elites from various nations, clad in shiny armor or stylish robes, discussing and flirting with flower-selling girls, or even dating bold Kamaran girls. There were luxury stores, jewelry shops, and houses of mystery, bustling with people. At the city center fountain, at least ten minstrels sang loudly, their songs unrelated to Rody and his elite squad, instead glorifying the young heroes of Kamaran.

"Handsome and powerful mage, buy a rose! The goddess of luck favors the generous!" A little girl selling flowers approached Chris.

"I like the description 'handsome and powerful', but I'm not fond of roses," Chris said with a slight smile, his teeth white, and eyes shining like stars, instantly captivating a crowd of girls around him. Even the flower-selling girl, only eight or nine years old, was so mesmerized she couldn't speak.

"Pretty boy, how dare you insult our Kamaran national flower?" Someone saw this and immediately cursed out of jealousy.

"They can't afford the flowers, and even if they bought them, they have no place to put them in their dingy, low-grade reception," Uzus from Dafrey emerged from the crowd, sneering, "Everyone, come and see... two one-star magic apprentices, these are the 'elites' their country sent for the competition! If not for a few bodyguards with them, I'd worry they might get hurt walking on the street and be unable to compete."

"Ha ha ha!" All the onlookers burst into laughter.

"If it were someone else, who insulted our Kamaran national flower, I would definitely throw my silver glove at him to accept my challenge to a duel," said a proudly looking man, laughing loudly. "But for a one-star magic apprentice, I can't do that, as it would greatly diminish my reputation."

"Really? Kamaran's national flower is the rose? Fine, then I insult it! I say, roses are the worst flowers, representing promiscuity and affairs!" As everyone laughed triumphantly, a man with fiery red hair walked out smiling, waving at the proud-looking five-star swordsman, "Come on, mighty knight, throw your silver glove at me! I can't wait to accept your challenge to a duel!"

"Red-haired Sal!" The crowd exclaimed in surprise upon seeing him.

"Wait a minute." Uzus from Dafrey grabbed the angry five-star swordsman, speaking on his behalf, "Sal, we didn't provoke you!"

"I know, but you provoked him, and that makes me angrier." The red-haired man pointed at Rody and smiled, "Although he looks jealousy-inducing, he is the person I admire the most and my target for a challenge. You guys aren't qualified to challenge him. You don't know who he is, I don't blame you for that, but you should have heard of me. Want to challenge him? Challenge me first!"

"No, Sal, he is my target for a challenge," a voice colder than ice beads, chilling to the core, sounded from afar.

"Ice Demon Jiao..." Hearing this, everyone looked over and saw a young man with spiky blue hair like an ice person standing coolly by the fountain. The cold air from his body made the water in the fountain slow down and freeze, eventually turning the entire magic fountain into ice. Everyone involuntarily shivered, and many people quickly backed away as if they had seen the most terrifying monster.

"You're here too? I didn't expect you to be interested in such an elite competition, haha, rare that we think alike this time," said the red-haired Sal, who could still smile.

"I'm not interested, I'm just here for him," the ice person glanced at Rody and walked away.

"Interesting," the red-haired Sal approached Rody, extending his hand with a smile, "We can't compete now, but one day I'll surpass you. Would you shake hands with me, Mr. One-Star Magic Apprentice?"

"Don't squeeze too hard, I'm afraid of getting injured and not being able to participate in the Magic Martial Arts Competition," Rody extended his hand, shook it, and smiled, "There are so many elites on the continent!"

"There are many, elites everywhere, geniuses all around. But there aren't many who really have the ability, except for you two, and that cool guy just now. Other than that, not many, of course, including me!" the red-haired Sal confidently nodded.

"Let's go..." Uzus from Dafrey and his companions, seeing the presence of red-haired Sal, retreated resentfully.

At that moment, the sound of a magical clock indicated the passage of a most distinguished guest, prompting people to make way. In the distance, a magic carriage with a silver-topped floral crown slowly approached, pulled by four pure white horses, floating about a meter above the ground. A dozen female knights on magical horses guarded the front and rear, their armor radiating holy light, with flags bearing the image of the merciful Holy Mother.

The crowd made way, with some women who worshipped the Holy Mother bowing reverently.

Although the identity of the person inside the carriage was unknown, the sight of the temple's distinctive silver-topped floral crown required even the elites from various countries to perform the minor knightly courtesy.

The magic carriage slowly passed in front of the crowd, emitting a rich fragrance that spread gently, faint yet refreshing to the heart and spirit. Everyone on the street felt invigorated and joyful, as if cleansed by the fragrance. It was then understood by all that the person inside the carriage was the current Saint, the only one with the Divine Fragrant Body bestowed by the goddess of roses.

Even red-haired Sal respectfully paid homage, his face shifting from a roguish smile to one of devotion and respect.

Everyone hoped the Saint's carriage would stop... If the Saint extended her hand to wave at them, it would be a death-free regret. But everyone knew it was impossible, as the Saint was pure and untouchable, and even the king and queen found it difficult to kiss the back of her hand, except for the most devout believers, as she wouldn't glance at any mundane person.

However, just as everyone was about to sigh in regret, the magic carriage suddenly stopped.

The crowd was ecstatic, with some people quickly posing as devout followers of the Holy Mother, kneeling down in the hope that the Saint would come out to greet them.

"Mr. Christian, Her Highness invites you," a valiant female knight rode up to Chris and performed a small knightly salute, delivering the Saint's will.

"Wow..." The crowd gasped in surprise. Chris was just a one-star novice magic apprentice; what merits did he have to be invited by the Saint?

"Please tell Her Highness that I'm accompanying friends shopping today. Some other time!" Chris's reply nearly drove everyone mad.

A man actually refused the invitation of the Saint – he must be insane. If he had a shred of rationality and knew right from wrong, he would commit suicide before everyone.

Refusing the summons of the Saint to accompany friends shopping – who would say such a thing? This magic apprentice must be a fool!

Many hands gripped swords, ready to surge forward and chop the blasphemer into pieces at the Saint's command. Envy played a large part in their reaction – why did the Saint favor him? He was just a one-star magic apprentice, rejecting what everyone else dreamt of...

"The Highness invites you to visit the Holy Grace Temple when you are free!" Another female knight conveyed another invitation from the Saint, showing that not only was she not angry, but she also invited him again, shocking everyone.

After the magic carriage left, the crowd was still in a daze.

Stanley and the others were too excited to speak for a long time, finally bursting out, "Wow, my god, you know the Saint? Captain Chris, I admire you so much!"

"It's nothing, which beauty in the world do I not know?" Chris replied nonchalantly.

"It's a bit strange... but I can't quite put my finger on it," Rody frowned, seeming to be puzzled by something.

"Forget about it, hey, Chris, take me with you to meet the Saint tomorrow, okay? I just want to look at her from a distance at the door! Oh my god, you're my idol. No? I'm going to cry... Wait, your boots are dirty, shall I shine them for you? I'm really good at this!" Red-haired Sal's offer left Stanley and the others nearly fainting – could this really be something a super-strong fighter would say?

"Hey, we've got that covered!" Stanley and the others laughed, finding a kindred spirit in red-haired Sal, and decided to have a drink with him.