Chapter 35: plunder(2)

Slashing blades, sobbing, and shrill screams—everyone was unleashing their primal instincts.

After a brief clash with Ashina, Gareth heard the agonized cries of his companions behind him. Then he saw the black-robed, masked figure before him, her demeanor utterly indifferent. Rage exploded within him. Pouring all his strength into the assault, he launched a frenzied attack at Ashina, while his squires struck from every direction.

“This is boring. I’ll send you back into the Goddess’s embrace.” Ashina felt nothing but disinterest. A second-tier knight might wield special techniques, but in the end, he was far too weak.

The wind roared violently.

Instead of retreating, Ashina advanced. She thrust her spear at blinding speed, each strike forming an overwhelming density.

In an instant, spear-light blossomed like a galaxy of stars.

Ashina usually let Drakewolf handle combat, because the beast excelled at wide-area destruction, clearing corrupted corpses with terrifying efficiency. But as a Divine Chosen, her personal combat power was her true strength.

“Damn it!”

Gareth saw only countless flashes of starlight before his eyes. By the time he realized they were spear afterimages, sprays of blood were already bursting forth—suspended in midair like crimson curtains, refusing to fall.

“So fast… this is the power of the gods…”

The squires stared in disbelief as they were cut down almost simultaneously, tumbling from their horses. Blood drenched the ground.

Gareth’s heart turned to ash. Pierced by more than ten spear thrusts, his body went cold as he drifted weightlessly from his saddle. Before he could even hit the ground, Drakewolf seized him in its jaws, tore open his plate armor, and devoured him with a series of wet crunches. To the beast, humans with mana were nothing more than nourishing supplements.

Paul curled up inside an overturned carriage, desperately tucking his body inward like a ball.

“Beloved Goddess… this is too terrifying. Please don’t let them find me. I’m willing to offer everything…”

“Splurt—”

The last caravan guard collapsed into a pool of blood.

Hardly anyone in the caravan was left alive. Only a few laborers in coarse clothes remained, along with several maidservants.

“Stop.”

Phield rode over at a slow pace and called a halt to the blood-drunk cavalry.

The riders were barely recognizable. Their once-polished plate armor was now soaked red with filth and gore, each of them radiating a chilling, murderous aura—like demons.

Soldiers who had tasted blood were fundamentally different from those who had not.

After tallying the losses, three raiding cavalrymen were injured. Two had been thrown from their horses due to poor riding skills and were badly hurt, confined to bed for the time being. No one had died—after all, they were clad in excellent plate armor, nearly impervious to ordinary weapons.

“No wonder hoarding plate armor was a capital crime in the Old Era,” Phield thought to himself. He then nodded at the group. “One head for one silver coin. You’ve all done well. The wounded should rest—don’t worry about medicine or food.”

They had acquired plenty of potions during the raid on Kazan Fortress.

“Thank you, my lord!” The men were deeply moved.

Next came the spoils.

“I’m the economic advisor of Wind Orchid City! Don’t kill me!”

“Shut up!” Kai glared viciously at Kuchi, grabbing one in each hand. Kuchi and his son were dragged like two dead dogs and hauled before Phield.

Phield was also cloaked in a black hood. A noble’s reputation was paramount—being seen raiding caravans would make future dealings troublesome.

“We meet again.”

With a dangerous smile, Phield spoke in a calm, even tone.

“It’s you—Phield!”

When Kuchi and his son saw his face, their expressions froze completely. Their mouths opened and closed, unable to form words to express their shock.

“Tell me about my younger brother. His military strength, defensive arrangements, and Divine Chosen.”

Sensing the menace in Phield’s voice, Kuchi shrank back in terror. “What are you planning to do?”

“Didn’t he say he wanted to kill me—and my beloved?” Phield interlaced his fingers, speaking horrifying words at an unhurried pace.

“And I’m a man who holds grudges. Killing a younger brother is, to me, a virtuous act.”

“You bastard! He’s your brother! You both carry the blood of the Ross family!” Kuchi shouted.

Smack—smack!

Kai slapped him hard twice, sending three teeth flying. “Show some respect.”

“How ridiculous. He’s allowed to kill me, but I’m not allowed to kill him?” Phield shrugged indifferently. “Before making an enemy of me, you should be prepared to be killed. You can keep your tough talk—I have plenty of ways to pry open your mouths.”

“I’ll talk! I’ll talk!” Lens shouted.

Baron Adrian possessed one fourth-tier knight and twelve third-tier knights. His remaining forces totaled five hundred men, with the ability to conscript three thousand militia in wartime—formidable strength. Most importantly, Adrian had a second-tier Divine Chosen, Alice, known as the Flamefire Spirit Butterfly. She was a rapid-casting specialist who commanded an extraordinary mage unit, giving her terrifying combat power.

Of course, in the short term, Adrian could only control about one-tenth of this force. The knights were loyal to the old count, and as a newly appointed lord, Adrian had little authority over them.

The two betrayed everything, spilling all the secrets without hesitation.

Phield nodded. His brother was powerful—victory was impossible for now. Returning to Nightfall Domain to focus on development was the wiser choice.

“I forgive you.”

Phield turned his horse, then casually made a throat-slitting gesture at Kai.

Kuchi and his son scrambled to their feet. Before they could take even a step, they were kicked to the ground, and several steel blades came down mercilessly.

“I curse you to hell!” the two screamed.

Phield shrugged. “I forgave you. I never said my subordinates would. Oh—and don’t forget to take their heads. Make sure they’re finished.”

Paul, hiding nearby, stared in utter disbelief. The once-lofty Kuchi was dragged away by ferocious soldiers, stripped of his clothes, and stabbed more than a dozen times.

Damn it. What was I thinking, leaving Maple Leaf City?

Paul wet himself in despair, wishing he could return to the day before and slap himself twice.

But the expected execution never came.

Mounted on his horse, Phield spoke calmly, “You’ve been conscripted. Those with skills, stand to the right. Also—who is Paul?”

Almost everyone rushed to the right side, even those who clearly had no skills at all.

“Conscripted? Skills?”

Paul froze for a moment—then ecstasy flooded him. Did this mean he wasn’t going to die?

“I’m Paul! My lord, whatever you need—I’ll do anything!”

He hurried forward, ignoring the large wet stain on his trousers, and knelt before Phield.

“I am the lord of Nightfall Domain. I’ve heard your carpentry is quite good. As long as your work satisfies me, your life will be far better than it ever was in Maple Leaf City. The same goes for all of you.” Phield pointed at the remaining seven people—three of them were Kuchi’s maidservants. The man had more maids than Phield himself.

Kuchi truly deserved to die.

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