Chapter 467

Chapter Ninety: Skirmish

Tap tap, tap tap…

A golden long dragon galloped through the misty pine forest. The sound of hooves mixed with rain echoed in the dim twilight, a grand procession.

In the distance, the rolling hills were shrouded in dense rain curtains. Between the hills, towering green trees stood like layers of undulating emerald waves. Thin white light filtered through the dark clouds, casting a watchful gaze down onto the hills, enveloping the pine forest in a gossamer-like mist. The clear lake at the foot of the hills shimmered in the mist.

Under the fluttering banners, Isaac and I rode side by side, and someone in the rear sang aloud.

“…Silver moon hanging over the azure lake, hot coals warming the cold tea, deep night in the pine forest~ A new day has yet to awaken… Stars hang high in the sky, such nights never end~ This land is rich and beautiful, and we are fortunate enough to face its wonders…”

As they sang, others joined in harmony.

“Dark gray rocks, moss and heather, dawn gradually appearing in the distance~ Banners flutter, blue and white intertwined~ Grasses sparkle with morning dew… This land is dreamy and enchanting, and we are fortunate enough to face its grandeur~”

The knights’ uneven singing echoed through the wilderness, lingering and悠扬.

Throughout our journey, we had witnessed nothing but heart-wrenching scenes. This song served to ease our spirits, including mine. I couldn’t help but look back, and sure enough, the lead singer was Saphiros.

The man sat on his beast, holding the reins and closing his eyes, lost in the beautiful melody, regardless of wind and rain. Many knights behind him joined in, singing even more enthusiastically when they saw me looking.

When the singing ended, Saphiros opened his eyes, and I asked him, “What did you sing?”

It was quite pleasant…

“It’s about here, Miss Sylvie.” Saphiros removed his helmet, shook his wet hair, and smiled. “This song ‘Silver Moon’ was composed by the famous wandering bard Ephilote. It is said that three hundred years ago, she was invited to perform at the Silent Fortress. Standing on the fortress walls, she saw the beauty of this land and was moved, thus creating this widely known folk song. And the Silent Fortress became famous because of it. Every year, many people come from afar, drawn by the beautiful imagery in the song… Didn’t you hear it before?”

I shook my head.

“You should go to the taverns and listen. Almost every tavern in the Holy City plays ‘Silver Moon’ at night… Ha, now isn’t the time, and there’s no suitable place. Let’s first clear out those stinky rats. If you don’t mind, Miss, whenever you reach the Holy City, I’ll treat you to a drink!”

“……”

Listening to songs is fine…

Drinking, though…

“Captain, Miss Sylvie is the daughter of a duke, a royal princess, too noble to be seen in a tavern!”

“A precious Wilson black tea, paired with exquisite pastries, sitting in a garden watching flowers and the moon, sipping warm tea, untouched pastries, that’s what a lady likes, not the smell of men’s sweat in a tavern!”

“Look, Miss Sylvie isn’t saying anything; she must be thinking of how to politely refuse you.”

“Hahahaha—”

The knights teased their captain, then burst into laughter, making the atmosphere light.

Saphiros’ face turned slightly red, and he turned around angrily, “Enough, all of you shut up!”

“The captain is embarrassed!”

“Hahaha!”

The knights laughed even harder, and the ones further back looked curiously, wondering what happened.

I quickly explained, “I, don’t drink…”

“Captain, did you hear? Miss Sylvie refuses your invitation because she doesn’t drink.”

“Out, out, out!” Saphiros waved his hand. “Look at yourselves, as if you’ve rolled in mud! At home, you probably can’t even recognize your wives. Laughing here! When we get to the castle, clean your armor! How can you call yourselves worthy of being with Miss?”

“Yes, yes, yes~”

The knights’ response was half-hearted.

“I really, don’t drink.”

“Miss Sylvie, do you have to reject me twice? That hurts.”

“Oh, not…”

But explaining clearly would be troublesome, and besides, after visiting a tavern once in the royal city, my illusions were shattered. It wasn’t the gathering place of countless adventurers chatting and drinking together, with flirtatious red-haired women. Instead, it was filled with sweaty men and the smell of stinky fish. The topics were always about women, and it was quite boring.

So I turned away, no longer paying attention to the others, and looked at Isaac instead.

This guy has been quiet since earlier…

The giant sat straight on his beast, arms crossed, head lowered, nodding slightly with the movement of the oryx, eyes closed… Eh? Asleep!

No way, he could fall asleep…

I was speechless.

But thinking about it, these days have been exhausting, with hardly any proper rest. Many people were half-asleep on their beasts during the journey, and even I couldn’t resist dozing off. Once, I almost fell off… Forget it, no need to tease him anymore.

Anyway, someone was scouting ahead, so there was no fear of missing the castle.

When we got there, let

There might not be a bed to lie on… It would be great if I could take a bath.

“Aha~”

I yawned loudly.

Although there were many pine trees around, they weren’t densely packed. They stood in clusters with muddy clearings in between, which did nothing to shield the rain. The water drops poured down like buckets from above, splattering onto my cloak. I couldn’t help but pull my hood lower and imitate Isaac’s posture, lowering my head and crossing my arms over my chest, planning to rest for a moment.

I felt quite proud of myself for managing such a position. After all, I had unhooked the rope at my waist several days ago, so now I could ride the horned horse comfortably. When walking slowly, I could even let go of the reins effortlessly.

“Oh! I see Silence Castle.”

Suddenly, Safiroza shouted from behind: “Lord Isaac! Should we stop first? Send orders to slow down the people behind us, or else rushing forward blindly could cause unnecessary misunderstandings.”

“Let’s send someone to check the castle’s situation first!”

“…Lord Isaac?”

Isaac didn’t respond.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked up.

In front of me, the pine trees suddenly parted to both sides, revealing an ancient white castle standing at the foot of a large hill in the distance. Between the lush green forest, the blue and white flags on the fortress fluttered in the wind. In front of the castle was a vast green plain where two golden-armored knights galloped towards us at high speed…

They were the scout knights.

Why are they in such a hurry…

No, something’s wrong…

There’s light coming from the fortress!

“Isaac, Isaac!”

I hurriedly shouted at Baldy, wanting to grab something to throw at his head, but it wasn’t convenient on the beast’s back. Soon after, Isaac woke up: “What’s wrong?”

The big guy seemed a bit dazed as he rubbed his head and asked.

I pointed forward: “The castle!”

“Lord Isaac, I’ll go with you to negotiate with the castle lord.”

The castle was still far away, and with the rain mist, Safirosa and the others couldn’t see the anomaly. I was anxious and quickly shouted again: “There’s fire, I see hellfire! Something’s happened!”

Damn it…

Several places in the castle were engulfed in raging flames, burning deeply even in the heavy rain. Even I couldn’t clearly see the details, but that was definitely hellfire!

Gate of Truth!

“Where’s the fire… Safirosa, what do you see?”

“Nothing…”

“Sir, let’s have the rear队伍停下吧。”

The knights were still uncertain about the situation and waited for Isaac to decide. Baldhead glanced at me first, about to ask another question.

Whoosh—

Suddenly, a shrill scream pierced through the rain curtain, cutting through the air with a series of loud explosions. Everyone turned their heads in shock. A crimson fire line shot out from somewhere in the castle, rapidly crossing the dark sky, trailing a long tail of flame, and falling in a parabolic trajectory towards the two scout knights who were galloping toward us, less than a kilometer away.

Boom!

A towering pillar of fire erupted instantly. The small black figures of the two scout knights and the horned horses beneath them were thrown high by the impact, then swallowed by the flames. A fierce wind howled across the distant plain, followed by a deafening explosion, like a thunderclap, making Isaac startle abruptly.

“Screaming—”

The horned horse under me lifted its hoof and neighed, almost throwing me off. I quickly grabbed the reins and looked at the rising pillar of fire, mouth agape, with a look of surprise and doubt.

What…

What?!

Missiles!?

“Enemy attack—”

“The damned stinking rats!”

Isaac’s angry roar echoed in my ears. The formation behind began to stir uneasily. The knights shouted loudly, and the robed priests raised their hands to the sky, golden light bursting forth from the rain. Warning projectiles shot up like arrows.

“Form ranks—”

“Order the knights!”

“Lord Isaac, I’m here!”

“Inform the rear formations to have the Faith团 release barriers and prepare for defense!”

“Koloss! Take over command when I give the signal. First Squad of the Judgment Fist, follow me!”

“Out of the pine forest—”

With a wave of his hand, Isaac pulled the reins and led the way out of the pine forest. The vanguard knights surged forward, their hooves sounding like an earthquake. People rushed past me, and Safirosa, the knight captain, put on his helmet and rode beside me, shouting, “Miss Hilviga—”

“I know!” I nodded at him. “Have someone report to the Pope!”

“What are your plans? We’ll wait for your orders!”

“Then, follow me!”

The charging knights formed a golden flood, more than two hundred of them exiting the pine forest in succession, forming ranks. Isaac, riding the giant horned horse, was at the forefront of the formation. Beside him was a familiar bishop, his body glowing with golden light, holding a holy emblem in his chest, murmuring softly. The golden light instantly enveloped the knights behind him, forming a faint golden membrane on their bodies.

I gathered with Safirosa and half of his knights on the right wing of Isaac’s formation.

“Safirosa, I don’t know how to command. What should I do? Tell me!”

“Just charge, my beautiful lord.”

“…”

I glared at him.

He licked his lips and gave me a strange smile.

“We are the Church’s First Knight Order. Don’t underestimate us.”

Whoosh—

From the distant castle, a second ball of flames rose into the sky, heading this way.

“Enemy attack—”