Derrick chuckled. He wasn’t sure how skilled the southern knights were at formations, but he knew this was one of the northern knights' greatest strengths. Combat techniques could be honed to perfection through rigorous training, and natural physical gifts could provide a huge advantage. But mastery of battlefield formations required experience.

Some might argue that this was just a simple three-on-three, so what did formations have to do with it? In reality, any coordinated effort could be practiced to 99% proficiency, but the final 1% required blood and sweat. One-on-one, the southern knights might have a 20-30% chance of victory, given the unpredictability of battle outcomes. But in a three-on-three, Derrick was confident that their odds dropped to less than 10%.

It seemed the southern knights didn’t grasp this point. Even the old earl noticed it this time.

“We’re going to win!”

To be honest, Earl Pereira was under immense pressure. The performance of the southern knights had been so impressive that words couldn’t do justice to the stress he felt. He couldn’t believe that in just ten years, those southerners had caught up so much. At least in terms of warfare, they still had shortcomings. But the north wouldn’t lack for battles in the coming years, and it was only a matter of time before the south caught up.

The heavy pressure remained. Meanwhile, the knights on both sides had removed the tips of their lances and donned heavy armor. This signaled that they were about to get serious. Don’t think removing the lance tips made it safe. The impact of a charging warhorse was strong enough to break bones and tear muscles. Falling from a galloping horse could easily result in death.

Even the titled knights couldn’t help feeling nervous, some of their movements becoming stiff. However, the knights of the Augusta family remained relaxed, even riding their warhorses in a series of small steps to warm up for the battle. Though their figures were concealed beneath layers of iron armor, their bearing set them apart. One side radiated tension, while the other seemed as if this were an everyday affair.

The warhorses, sensing the heavy atmosphere and guided by their riders, grew slightly anxious. The right amount of tension could ignite their strength. Both sides lowered their visors in unison, forming their respective lines.

“How tightly packed!” Even the southern knights noticed the difference. The Augusta family’s knights rode shoulder to shoulder, their warhorses so close together that it defied logic.

Cavalry charges weren’t a solid wall; there was always a safe distance between riders to allow for maneuvering and to prevent accidental injuries. But the Augusta knights ignored this rule. Derrick smiled. This was the seamless cooperation and skill honed through countless battles and training sessions. Anyone even slightly lacking wouldn’t dare attempt it.

The advantage of this tight formation was in small-scale coordination, giving them a greater edge. As both sides charged, the three wooden poles of each team crossed over one another, creating a complex web of overlapping attacks. The area targeted by the opponents was completely different, as was the density of the strikes. In this crisscrossed confrontation, there was no room for extra moves.

A heavy collision. Knights were thrown off their horses, landing hard on the ground. The Augusta knights quickly circled back around. Although the southern knights managed to turn and face them, relying on individual skill, they were scattered. Another one fell. The last southern knight, holding onto his honor, gritted his teeth and launched a final charge, only to be knocked down in the end.

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Defeat!

It was that simple and decisive. Earl Lovett didn’t want to believe it, but he had no choice but to accept the reality. His face twisted in bitterness. Who could have known that after enduring for so long, hoping to make a stunning impact, he would be so thoroughly crushed?

“I concede. The southern knights are no match for the northern knights. Please, Viscount Derrick, return my knights to me. We are willing to accept the previous division of territories, and we will also send you a gift as an apology.”

Earl Lovett accepted defeat swiftly and decisively. If you lost, you had to admit it.

This defeat was hardly the end of the world. If necessary, they could try again in ten years. But if they lost the hearts and minds of the people, that would be a truly devastating loss.

Earl Lovett, who had led the southern nobility to rise in the past decade, was no stubborn fool. And it wasn’t as if there were no gains—at least the southern knights had made a name for themselves. In the future, they wouldn’t be easily taken advantage of in this regard. Right, Marquis Hussain?

The nobility of the capital had suffered the greatest embarrassment. Previously, even though they couldn’t defeat the northern knights, they could still condescend to the southern "barbarians" with martial pride, while flaunting their wealth to look down on the northern "savages." There was always some way to feel superior. But now... it was better left unsaid.

It was clear that the traditional nobility, allied with the king’s faction, would face difficult years ahead unless they performed exceptionally well in the upcoming wars. Yet even they had little confidence in themselves.

At this moment, Derrick couldn’t push things too far. He found himself wishing he could have a few foolish opponents instead of constantly facing such wily old foxes. Earl Lovett, in particular, knew when to bow and when to bend, conceding without hesitation.

Turning around, Derrick changed his expression, offering a smile. “It was all a misunderstanding, Earl Lovett. As for the apology gift... I’ll send someone to collect it from your residence.”

“That cunning little fox,” Earl Lovett cursed inwardly. To him, Derrick was no different. A proper noble was nothing less.

No one mentioned the previous territorial arrangements again. The southern nobles had earned respect but also provoked hostility. A weak opponent would not be taken seriously, after all. The northern nobility certainly wouldn’t weaken the capital’s faction to bolster the southern nobles’ strength. If anything, they would take any chance to suppress them.

After the clash of swords and spears, the upper nobility resumed their surface-level civility. Earl Pereira and Marquis Hussain hosted a joint banquet to honor the southern nobles who had traveled so far to assist them, expressing their gratitude for the noble camaraderie. At least on the surface, there wasn’t a trace of discord. They fought but did not break.

And finally, Viscount Derrick met the primary objective of this trip. At the banquet, Miss Tiona, carefully dressed for the occasion, made her appearance. A group of knights subtly created a small space for the two young people to talk privately.

To be honest, Tiona was indeed beautiful, especially by the standards of this era. Yet having seen the tricks of modern beauty in his past life, Derrick wasn’t overly impressed.

“Viscount Derrick, is this our first formal meeting?”

“No, Miss Tiona. I’ve seen you before, back in the knight’s order.”

“I’ve heard stories about you. To be honest, I’m quite intrigued. And... what do you think of the Palmer family sisters?”

Tiona’s sudden change of topic caught Derrick off guard. It seemed there was no such thing as a wall without cracks.

“To be honest, I haven’t met them yet.” Derrick was already thinking of how best to respond. Losing this engagement wouldn’t be a catastrophic blow, but the old earl had been rather good to him.

“Actually... I know all too well the reality of noble affairs. I’m even grateful that you came directly to meet me. Viscount Derrick, I hope we can have a harmonious marriage. The daughter of House Perez will be your best support. All I ask for is a bit of respect.”