Chapter Fifty-Eight: Seven Knights Type I – Scarlet Blaze Prototype

In the center of the hall stood the Seven Knights Type I—Vermilion Blaze Unit One, towering at a height of twenty-five meters. The entire mech was a deep scarlet, its edges and finer details all shaded in various hues of red, save for a single exception: a white snowflake insignia emblazoned on its chest. Its form was identical to the small floating mech that hovered beside Vermilion Flame, every inch adorned with intricate carvings. On its back, it bore a shield and a knight’s lance, while two scimitars hung at its waist.

At the same time, crimson pipes connected to its limbs and head pulsed with waves of molten magma, injected into the mech’s body every second. Vermilion Flame approached the Seven Knights Type I—Vermilion Blaze Unit One, but did not rush to ascend. Instead, she circled the enormous machine before coming to stand before it, raising her right hand high as if sending a signal.

Almost immediately, the Seven Knights Type I—Vermilion Blaze Unit One responded. Its eyes flickered with a glow akin to flowing magma. The patterns carved across its body began to shimmer, making it appear as though molten rock was coursing over its surface. The magma flowed downward, drop by drop, pooling before Vermilion Flame and solidifying into a staircase of lava.

This stairway led directly to the mech’s chest, where the white snowflake insignia had transformed into a great doorway, beyond which the cockpit was visible. Unlike the cockpits Liu Zong was accustomed to, this one was sized for an ordinary human. Once inside, the pilot would be locked securely in place; every motion would be magnified by the mech. Moreover, the pilot was required to channel activation energy into the machine and regulate its flow, necessitating both combat prowess and considerable stamina. Thus, most mech knight positions demanded candidates to possess dual affinity for the relevant magical and martial attributes.

Such was the case for the Seven Knights Type I—Vermilion Blaze Unit One. Vermilion Flame, using her authority and the legacy of her forebears, stood before her ancestor’s creation. The moment she stepped onto the magma stairway, the initiation had already begun.

She ascended the steps and entered the cockpit. When it was originally designed, its dimensions were modeled not after members of the Vermilion Blaze family, but after the stature of the knight who once represented magma among the Seven Knights. At that time, the cockpit’s interior had not been compressed to its current limit, and the knights themselves were quite tall. As a result, when Vermilion Flame, who stood at only about one meter forty, stepped inside, she barely occupied half the space.

The next part of her actions was not recorded in the video. Liu Zong saw only the Seven Knights Type I—Vermilion Blaze Unit One’s body flush with molten color after Vermilion Flame entered, and then, with a single powerful leap, it shot out of the Princess’s Tomb.

In the next instant, the mech appeared near the valley. It was clear that the Seven Knights Type I—Vermilion Blaze Unit One possessed some flight capability, though it could not ascend very high. It landed where the Seven Knights Type IV—Vermilion Blaze had previously stood. Vermilion Flame’s junior apprentice had already consigned the Type IV unit to the magma lake and arranged a variety of materials around its perimeter, preparing a complex magic formation.

The moment the Type I unit descended, the junior apprentice withdrew to a distance of nearly a hundred meters, a spot considered much safer. Only after his retreat did Vermilion Flame guide the Type I unit into the magma lake.

After this, there was little change in the video. Soon, the Type I unit rose from the magma once more, now sporting a cape of molten rock draped over its back. Its face had transformed from that of a wild boar to that of Vermilion Flame herself—though the boar’s tusks remained.

The video ended there. There was no footage of the Type I unit’s combat abilities; evidently, Vermilion Flame had no intention of revealing her offensive methods on a public forum.

After watching the video, Liu Zong reclined on the booth’s sofa, eyes closed, deeply reflecting on the entire initiation process. At last, he spoke in a low voice, “In the end, it’s the apprentice who stays by your side who gains the most.”

Vermilion Flame only smiled. “That depends on the person. For you, perhaps it’s just a glance, but for those players stuck at this very step, this video could be invaluable. I’ve made sure to explain most of the necessary procedures clearly.”

Hearing this, Liu Zong sighed. “True, you detailed the initial steps meticulously, but gave little explanation about what happened in the Princess’s Tomb, nor did you mention how many Type I units remain. No doubt many players stuck here will set their sights on the remaining units.”

“That’s right. As for the Seven Knights Type I units, our family still holds much information. At the very least, we know the Blue Ogre unit is still out there. So, Liu Zong, are you interested in claiming that mech for yourself and becoming a proud mech knight?”

Liu Zong shook his head. “I already have my path forward, and I’ve done much to pursue it. I only asked for the video to see what transpired after I left, not to change my mind.”

Vermilion Flame looked disappointed, but then smiled again. “So, what are your plans? Will you continue to hide your strength and bide your time? That won’t help you grow, you know. Everyone’s appearance fee is different—right now, you have no advantage in publicity.”

She winked at him. “Why not let me hire you on behalf of my family? With our support, you’d reach Level 1 in no time.”

Liu Zong gazed at her for a long while before slowly shaking his head. “No need. I have my own way to grow.”

With that, he rose, unconcerned with Vermilion Flame’s presence, and walked to the bar, speaking quietly with the owner, likely confirming the terms of a consignment sale. Then he produced the scimitar he wished to sell, handed it to the proprietor, drained his glass in one motion, and strode out of the bar.

As she watched Liu Zong’s departing figure, a sly, enigmatic smile flickered across Vermilion Flame’s face where she sat in her booth.