"What's wrong?"

Seeing Sophia standing still without moving, Celitia couldn't help but look up at her.

Guessing some of her thoughts from the girl's conflicted expression, Celitia couldn't help but laugh.

She curved her index finger and very lightly flicked Sophia's forehead.

"Don't worry, my methods are always only used against enemies. I won't turn them on you."

At this point, Celitia was slightly stunned, suddenly feeling as if she were in a dream.

Her former beloved ones had betrayed her mercilessly.

Her former enemy had now become someone by her side who treasured her.

It showed that worldly affairs were always changeable—who could predict future developments?

Yes, her various methods would never be used against those she treasured in her heart.

As long as... you don't betray me.

In this instant, the girl's smile grew faint, her eyes like exquisite glass, silent as death.

Sophia seemed to sense something, catching a trace of extremely faint sadness from the expression of the girl before her.

But that emotion passed too quickly, disappearing in an instant, making Sophia wonder if it was just her imagination.

When she looked more carefully, she only saw the leisurely smile at the corners of the girl's lips.

...Did I see wrong?

Sophia was a bit dazed.

"Let's go."

Celitia casually patted Sophia's shoulder.

"Let's go back and watch the show."

At this time, Margaret was still sitting on a rock, sulking.

Charlotte had brought back a full bottle of water for her to drink and quench her thirst, but Margaret wasn't in the mood to drink.

The competition's stipulated time was until 8 PM, a total of six hours.

Margaret had never thought it might drag on until evening, so she hadn't made any preparations.

Winter sunsets came early anyway, and it was already evening now. The sky was visibly darkening, making visibility increasingly poor.

With both sides now in a stalemate, if it dragged on until the competition ended and they scored by casualties, she would definitely lose.

While Margaret was extremely agitated about this, the team members behind her were quietly discussing:

"No way, do we really have to stay in this wilderness until night?"

"Yeah, I've never been this miserable since I was born!"

"Winning or losing doesn't matter at all—it's just a competition, we can compete again next time."

"I want to go home..."

The mood of fear and wanting to surrender spread throughout the entire team in an instant. Margaret heard it all and her face turned bright red.

They could afford to lose, but she couldn't!

Seeing Margaret's thoughts, Charlotte took a deep breath and spoke for her:

"This competition concerns our honor! Don't you all want to shine brilliantly before Her Majesty Queen Marianne, His Grace Duke Augustus, and all the lords?"

Before she could say her last line about whether they were willing to leave so dejectedly, Charlotte suddenly stopped abruptly.

The person closest to her had suddenly turned into a blue flag, fluttering before Charlotte's eyes.

Charlotte rubbed her eyes in disbelief, but still saw a tall blue flag standing upright.

"Margaret!"

Charlotte excitedly tugged at Margaret's sleeve.

"Look, the blue team's flag is right before our eyes! If we cut it down and take it away, won't we win?!"

Margaret was pulled by Charlotte a couple times and looked at her in bewilderment.

"What nonsense are you talking about? What blue flag? Isn't that Rose?"

Charlotte had already rushed over and stretched out her arms to hug the girl named Rose.

"Strange? Why does this flagpole feel a bit thick to touch?"

Another male student suddenly stood up from the grass, covering his mouth as he rushed to the stream to dry heave.

"Ugh... I feel like there's something... kicking me in my stomach..."

He was almost vomiting bile, his expression quite painful.

Margaret sensed something and suddenly stood up, shouting at everyone:

"Those who haven't eaten anything yet, throw everything away! Those who have eaten, go vomit immediately!!"

But her words were too late—more than half the people present had already drunk from the stream water.

The lucky ones might have drunk before the poisoned water arrived and escaped unharmed; the unlucky ones had all kinds of reactions.

Some had hallucinations, some had stomach discomfort, some fell into deep sleep, some went crazy... everything was there.

The entire red team's combat effectiveness was almost instantly shattered.

Margaret was tired of saying the word "despicable."

She hadn't expected that giving Sophia laxatives before the competition, though unsuccessful, would ultimately bring retribution upon herself.

Magical ice crystals and flames fired in unison again, and Shanie's close combat team charged over once more.

Margaret had already given up on maintaining the situation.

But she still didn't want to lose.

Taking advantage of everyone being in chaos, Margaret shouldered the flag alone and quietly escaped toward the depths of the forest.

Escape, she must escape—as long as she hadn't lost yet, there was still a chance to win!

However, Margaret hadn't run far before she saw a figure slowly walking toward her.

Light gray long hair danced in the air, purple eyes contained faint amusement, and the girl carried no weapons, just standing leisurely in front of her.

Margaret looked back and saw another girl blocking her retreat path—golden hair, blue eyes, holding a long sword, emanating oppressive presence as she glared angrily at her.

"Your tenacious spirit is admirable, Miss Margaret."

Celitia spoke with a smile, raising her hand to snap her fingers at her from afar.

"It's just a pity that it's time for 'checkmate.'"

At this moment, Margaret suddenly had an epiphany.

She had originally thought that Sophia was the blue team's commander and that all these traps were arranged by Sophia.

In reality, it wasn't like that at all.

It was Celitia—she had arranged everything and played her for a fool!

In an instant, Margaret's eyes turned red with rage, completely losing her rationality.

"Celitia—!!"

Margaret dropped the flag, raised her sword, and charged at Celitia.

Celitia wasn't afraid and stood in place without moving, glancing to the side.

"Don't even think about touching a hair on Lily's head!"

Sure enough, Shanie directly burst out from the side, wielding her great sword to intercept Margaret.

"Just surrender already, Margaret!"

Sophia watched the battle from the side for a while, until Celitia walked to her side and winked at her:

"What are you standing around for? It's two against one—beat her up good!"

"Oh right!" Only then did Sophia wake up as if from a dream.

Margaret had used underhanded tricks to turn what should have been an evenly matched competition into a two-to-one numerical disadvantage.

Now, Celitia was getting revenge for her.

A satisfied smile curved at the corners of her lips as Sophia also joined the battle.

It didn't take much time before Margaret was disarmed and captured by Shanie.

Celitia picked up the flag, used both hands to forcefully plant it in the ground, then gestured to Sophia.

Seeing this, Sophia stepped forward two paces, swung her sharp sword, and cleanly cut the red flag into two sections.

Celitia smoothly caught the flagpole that fell from mid-air.

"Victory and defeat are decided."

She raised the red team's flag above her head.

"Everyone, cease fighting immediately."