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While the elders realized that a lot of their people had already decided to side with either Gildroy or Narcissa, their confidence in being able to reverse the situation wasn’t unfounded.
The respect that those of the Nightingale clan had for people with superior strength and skill was one of the key reasons why Gildroy had been so successful in his ‘recruitment’ despite all his other prospects being so poor.
In fact, much of his ‘success’ could be attributed to his ex-wife, which was quite ironic. By assaulting the eldest daughter of the new main branch, not only did he not lose anything, but also established his reputation as the stronger of the two!
After the incident witnessed by many not long ago, no one would believe Narcissa’s personal strength to be of the same class as her ex-husband, and if not for her status and the influence of various elders from her branch, perhaps she wouldn’t even have the support that she had now.
Of course, if things continued to progress as they were, it wouldn’t be long before the Nightingale clan suffered serious consequences from their conflict.
At that time, even if Gildroy managed to come out on top, he would only be standing at the deck of a sinking ship. Glorious for a short few moments, but ultimately doomed.
Not everyone within the Nightingale clan was shortsighted and unable to see such a future. This was especially so after the wake-up call from the government, when every day they dreaded large-scale movements against their clan. So it wouldn’t be particularly difficult to start convincing people to join Noelle’s side.𝗈𝒱𝐞𝗅xt.𝗇𝓔t
The elders knew that their direct interference in the ‘internal conflict’ won’t have much effect, but what if they were simply supporting someone from the younger generation who stood a chance of becoming the next clan leader?
With the White Deer’s backing, Noelle was pretty much able to do as she pleased within the Nightingale clan anyway, so the elders weren’t particularly resistant to the thought. If anything, they believed it would make their situation less awkward, and also dispel any negativity in the gray-haired girl’s heart while solidifying her loyalty and gratitude for the Nightingale clan.
Of course, just their words alone were far from enough, and to really ensure success, Noelle would have to personally prove her strength. Until then, they could only slowly bring some people to her side.
Luckily, the ‘opportunity’ to do so presented itself soon enough.
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Despite their reputation fluctuating widely over the years, there had been very few times when someone dared to openly bring a challenge to the Nightingale clan’s doors.
After all, their individual strength had already been established as terrifying and almost unbeatable, and unless one was a fool, they would realize that issuing such a challenge was no different from inviting humiliation upon oneself.
Of course, there was no lack of fools in this world, as proven by the masked figure who showed up at the clan’s main gate.
Moreover, the fully masked figure’s words were so ridiculous that people couldn’t help but gawk.
“I heard that there are a lot of strong men in this clan, so I’m here to find a husband! Whoever manages to defeat me gets my hand in marriage!”
Although she was fully covered in a dark, tight-fitting black bodysuit, her curves and mannerisms made it clear that this was a very, very charming young lady, though perhaps not a very bright one.
Just looking at her shining eyes and graceful brows, many assumed that she must be a beauty, though it was a pity that the rest of her features were fully covered up.
Perhaps that was why one of the guards of the clan, who happened to be a bachelor, decided to ‘give it a try’, inviting much teasing and ridicule from his comrades.
“Maybe this is your only chance to bag a wife, don’t miss!”
“No wait, maybe if you get beaten up miserably enough, she’ll take pity on you anyway?”
Of course, none of them believed that their friend could really lose.
Outside of their Nightingale clan, even if there were women who were strong enough to give them a challenge, they were few and far between. And there was no way that they could appear so slender and delicate without some unique constitution, which was unlikely.
The guard awkwardly approached the masked girl before giving her a bow. “My name is Bud Nightingale, I’ll accept your challenge.”
Although he really wanted to confirm if she would honor her promise to marry the person who managed to beat her, he was too embarrassed to say it out loud.
Of course, Emilia didn’t really care, as she’d only made up that nonsense on the spot as an excuse to ‘attack’ the Nightingale clan under a random identity.
Anyway, her girlfriend needed to show off, and she was more than happy to oblige playing a ‘supporting role’ for that.
“Ready when you are.”
“Go!”
The man challenging her was intending to go easy on her so as not to be ‘abused’ too badly by his wife in the future as revenge, but he never imagined what he was facing was not a delicate little girl, but a monster.
The smiles on his friends’ faces stiffened instantly, along with all the muscles in Bud’s body as he found himself facing the wide blue skies without knowing what had happened.
Clearly, he was about to fight his ‘future wife’ just now, wasn’t he?
“Bud… lost to that crazy girl?!”
“… Damn!”
Obviously, their friend was far from being the strongest fighter in their clan, but what made them depressed was his miserable luck.
Going by her form and movements, this girl clearly had to be a well-trained genius with a unique constitution to be able to defeat a man from the Nightingale clan so easily. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that her existence was rarer than one in a billion!
Did she come here to just to shatter Bud’s dreams?
Unfortunately, their nightmare was just beginning, as the girl not only continued to challenge them again, but also defeated everyone who took her up with horrifying ease!
As it was, things were no longer as simple as having fun with someone foolish enough to challenge them or even ‘getting a wife’, not anymore.
Their clan’s reputation was now on the line!
It didn’t take long for everyone within the compound to learn of an audacious lady who dared to challenge the entirety of their clan in search for a husband, and while some scoffed at first, their expressions soon changed when they heard thirty of their young guards had already been stomped beneath her heels.
The pride of being a Nightingale made it impossible for them to sit by and watch their clan’s name get tarnished, and Emilia was soon led to the main training ground of the clan where she faced the clan’s true fighters.
The people she faced included not only single men, but also those who were married, and even women.
Emilia grinned mischievously. “I didn’t realize my charm was so great. Of course, everyone is welcome to try, I swing both ways!”
Some of the married ladies couldn’t help but roll their eyes.
“Who raised this kid?”
“It seems we’ll have to teach her a lesson on humility and respect!”
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