Chapter 28: The Ones I Kill Are You, Williams!

Inside the cold, dim castle—

A man dressed in inconspicuous dark leather armor came before Carlisle Morgan.

“My lord, the investigation is complete.”

The man knelt on one knee.

He was the very same knight who had once followed Elias Reed in secret.

“After the Gray Wolf Mercenaries left Williams Territory, they went to Oak Town…”

He reported everything he had seen and heard in recent days, without missing a single detail.

“High-purity Holy Water, Holy Light Town… I see now!”

A greedy, chilling smile curved across Carlisle’s face.

“That lowborn peasant was indeed hiding a great secret!”

“No wonder he was so secretive—it turns out he stumbled upon a goldmine!”

Carlisle had originally thought that Reed had discovered the ancient ruin he himself had long coveted.

That was why he had sent men to follow him in secret, intending to uncover the exact location and background.

Who would’ve thought—

It turned out to be another treasure, no less valuable than a ruin itself!

“This Holy Light Town must be brought under my control!”

Carlisle thought silently.

Though Williams Territory looked glorious on the surface, boasting the strongest garrison among nearby safe towns—

Its finances were, in truth, severely strained!

After all, maintaining troops was costly enough, not to mention those gold-devouring magicians.

So when such a fat piece of meat delivered itself to his door, how could he not feast on it?

As for so-called “angelic protection”?

Hmph~ In these times, miracles were nothing but jokes!

Most likely, that female knight had merely gotten lucky and stumbled upon some relic vault left behind by the ancient Holy Light Church!

“Immediately!” Carlisle suddenly stood up.

“Summon the Black Crow Squad!”

“Have them change into the standard armor of the territorial guards— bring my insignia and written command!”

“And tell their captain, Fann Perick, to go— in the name of Lord Williams— and claim that forest area as new territory!”

“All residents must pay taxes to the Morgan Family!”

“Including all Holy Water and holy relics in their possession! If anyone dares resist…”

A cold light flashed in his eyes.

“Kill them all!”

“Yes, my lord!”

The knight accepted the order and vanished swiftly into the shadows.

Carlisle walked to the window.

He gazed toward the direction of the Mistwood, a confident, determined smile playing on his lips.

Holy Water—

That was a currency harder than gold itself!

With it, the family’s power and status would surely rise to new heights!

And that so-called Holy Light Town?

Hmph—soon enough, it would bear the name Morgan!

——

The road-clearing work around Holy Light Town was progressing smoothly.

With Old Tom and the others’ help,

a relatively flat roadbed had already begun to take shape.

Liz was discussing the next phase of planning with Colin.

The Gray Wolf Mercenary Corps’ deputy (since Reed had gone to find the old captain) had arrived with the second shipment of supplies—

Mainly spices, grain seeds, and some farming tools.

The town once again bustled with cheerful energy.

However, this calm was soon shattered by the sound of urgent hoofbeats.

Clatter! Clatter! Clatter!

A troop of cavalry— each wearing the standard iron-plated armor of Williams Territory, cloaked in dark blue capes—

Rode in with fierce momentum, dust flying behind them.

At the front was a knight of about thirty, his face proud and disdainful.

On his chestplate gleamed the Morgan Family crest, and at his waist hung a finely ornamented steel longsword.

Behind him followed fifteen fully armed cavalrymen, each gaze sharp and condescending.

“Whoa—!”

The leading knight pulled the reins, halting his horse.

His eyes swept over the busy townsfolk, finally landing on the poised and dignified Liz.

A flash of admiration flickered across his eyes—quickly replaced by arrogance.

“Who is in charge here?”

His voice was loud, commanding, brooking no argument.

Liz frowned slightly, stepping forward.

“I am Liz Hawke, guardian of Holy Light Town.”

“Who are you people? What business brings you here?”

The knight smirked, a mocking curl tugging at his lips.

“Guardian? Hmph~ Listen, woman!”

“I am Fann Perick, captain of the Black Crow Knight Squad under Lord Williams!”

“By order of Lord Carlisle Morgan, I am here to proclaim the lord’s decree!”

He cleared his throat and straightened his posture.

He deliberately raised his voice to ensure everyone could hear him.

“This stretch of Mistwood has, since ancient times, belonged to Lord Williams’ rightful domain!”

“You lot, without authorization, have built camps and cultivated land within the lord’s territory—this is a severe violation of territorial law!”

“By order, you are hereby commanded to immediately pay taxes to Lord Williams as follows!”

“Land occupation tax, lumbering tax, road usage tax, safety shelter tax… totaling fifty gold coins per month!”

“Furthermore, all production within your camp—including but not limited to the so-called Holy Water—must be turned over at ninety percent as tribute! Any defiance…”

With a sharp clang, Perick drew his longsword.

He pointed it rudely at Liz. “Will be deemed rebellion—and crushed on the spot!”

The cavalrymen behind him simultaneously drew their weapons.

A cold, murderous air instantly filled the scene.

The atmosphere in the town froze solid.

Ulf, Marianne, Colin, and the others turned pale with rage, their eyes burning with fury.

They were men of Lord Williams— the mortal enemies who had drowned their homeland in blood!

If not for Liz standing before them, they would have already drawn their weapons to fight to the death.

The Gray Wolf Mercenary Corps’ deputy and his men were equally stunned.

They had no idea they had been followed, nor expected Carlisle to move so quickly— and so ruthlessly!

This was outright robbery!

Fifty gold coins every month, and ninety percent of all Holy Water production?

How could Holy Light Town possibly afford that?

This was a death sentence for the town!

At the moment Perick uttered the name “Morgan,” Liz’s eyes turned utterly cold—like ice formed over ten thousand years.

The blood debts of over forty thousand people from Florence Territory, all the hatred and fury—

ignited in that single instant!

She did not speak another word.

Clang!

The Holy Sword Durandal flashed from its sheath!

Her draw was at least ten times faster than Perick’s.

A burst of golden light illuminated the surroundings!

Liz became a streak of golden lightning, charging straight toward Perick on his horse!

The Holy Sword, carrying her full fury, slashed down!

Perick’s pupils shrank.

He had never expected this woman would dare attack outright— and so fast!

He raised his sword in a hurried block, still bearing a hint of disdain.

A mere country woman—what kind of weapon could she possibly have?

Clang!!!

A deafening metallic crash rang out!

Perick felt an unstoppable force surge through him— his palms split open instantly!

Then, to his horror— the fine steel longsword, forged by the territory’s best blacksmith, had cracked upon contact with that radiant golden blade!

“What?!” Perick gasped in disbelief.

But Liz’s second strike was already raining down like a storm!

Perick could only block and dodge in panic.

Each time their blades met, a new crack spread across his sword!

The divine power within Durandal not only restrained the undead— it also devastated mortal metal alike!

By the third strike—

Crack!

Perick’s steel longsword finally shattered in two!

He stared dumbly at the broken half in his hand, his face drained of color, terror and rage flooding his mind.

Impossible! That sword… that strong?!

In that split second of shock—

A flash of cold light crossed Liz’s eyes.

Her holy sword thrust straight forward without flourish!

Pshht!

The golden blade pierced through Perick’s iron-plated chest armor and burst out from his back!

He barely made half a scream.

His eyes filled with disbelief and despair, then the light within them faded away.

Liz flicked her wrist, pulling out the sword.

Perick’s corpse toppled from his horse, raising a cloud of dust.

“What?!”

It had all happened in an instant.

From Liz drawing her sword to Perick’s death— only a few breaths had passed!

The remaining Black Crow Knights stood frozen in shock.

Their captain, Sir Perick, a Second-tier Knight—killed in mere moments?!

A chill climbed up every knight’s spine, from their boots straight to their skulls.

This woman—too fierce!

How could she dare?!

Did she not realize she had slain a member of the Morgan Family?!

Did she not fear the boundless wrath of Lord Williams?!

At that moment, Liz finally spoke—her tone icy cold:

“Don’t be surprised.”

“The ones I kill—are you, Williams!”

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