Chapter 430: Rumors and Truths
Phield’s eyes widened.
Back then, rumors had spread everywhere that Count Kote was old and nearing death. After Phield killed his younger brother, Kote had lost his most beloved son. Under normal circumstances, such a loss should have left him devastated, both mentally and physically.
Yet now there were rumors that he had recovered his strength as a Mana Knight?
"Something’s wrong. Something is definitely wrong!"
A chill suddenly ran down Phield’s spine as an inexplicable sense of dread quietly crept into his heart.
"What happened?"
Relycca brushed the loose strands of hair from her forehead and tucked them behind her ear.
Having keenly sensed that something was wrong, Phield suppressed his confusion and calmly shrugged.
"They’re just rumors. Farmers and wandering bards love making up stories, so it’s perfectly normal for them to have nothing to do with reality."
"That’s true, but..."
"But the negotiations and attempts to persuade them to surrender have failed. The Empire is about to launch another campaign to suppress the rebellion!"
"The rebellion in the three provinces that everyone has been talking about has finally become reality."
Relycca stared blankly at the Griffin banner among the group.
After standing there for a moment with indignation filling her heart, she spoke in a grief stricken voice.
"The Empress has made countless efforts. She did everything she could, but the three provinces have gradually slipped beyond the Empire’s control."
"That bastard known as the Hero King slaughtered every noble and merchant within his territory and gathered a massive army."
"This time, our enemy is even more terrifying than we imagined."
"The Empress is mobilizing the Imperial Army as well. She’s recruiting new soldiers and summoning the nobles."
"I think the recruitment order will arrive here very soon."
Relycca drew the longsword from her waist and solemnly pressed it against her forehead as she silently swore an oath.
"For the glory of the Empire, I will put an end to the suffering caused by this rebellion."
"Whew."
Phield sighed as well.
"We’ve finally reached this point."
"This campaign will be a catastrophe."
The rumors that had circulated for so long were gradually becoming reality.
"Oh, right, Phield. I have a favor to ask."
Relycca returned her sword to its sheath and spoke bluntly.
"I want to borrow some of your troops. You aren’t planning to participate in the war anyway, right?"
"Give me five hundred cavalrymen and three thousand infantrymen. I’ll show you what glory truly means."
In Relycca’s mind, Phield was still the same pitiful boy who would cry whenever someone bullied him.
After all, Phield had always been known as the nicest member of House Ross.
Now that Adrian was dead, it seemed that Phield had somehow gained the family’s favor and even had elite cavalry protecting him.
The performance of Phield’s cavalry had made Relycca develop a rather bold idea.
"I’m sorry. Soldiers are the foundation of a lord’s territory."
Phield pretended to hesitate for a moment before rejecting her cleanly.
"Impossible. I can’t lend you a single soldier."
"What? Why?"
Relycca immediately deflated, her face turning red with frustration.
Phield spread his hands as though the answer were obvious.
"Because I’ll be participating personally."
"A campaign that could have such a profound impact on the future of the Empire is something I naturally have to take part in."
"For the Empress. For glory."
More importantly, for money, supplies, and beautiful women!
"Don’t be ridiculous!"
Relycca could hardly believe her ears.
"This isn’t a game, nor is it some noble war."
"Those vicious lunatics are dangerous. If they capture a noble, they’ll execute them immediately."
"Don’t think that setting up one ambush against me means you’re capable of standing against the Hero King’s army."
"Rumor has it that the Hero King is a Sixth Tier Divine Chosen, and he has countless elite warriors under his command."
"They want to execute me?"
Phield waved his hand.
"Then they’d better prepare a thicker rope."
"Don’t bring up the matter of borrowing troops again. I’ll fight the rebels myself."
"All right."
Relycca pondered for a moment before accepting his answer.
"You really have changed."
She clenched her fist solemnly.
"May the glory of the God of War shine upon you."
"I’ll be participating as well. When the time comes, I’ll prove my strength."
"I look forward to it."
"Oh, and please don’t think I’m being annoying. Let me remind you one more time."
"As a member of a major noble family, you absolutely must be careful."
"The assassination organization under the Hero King has recently been hunting the heirs of powerful noble families throughout the Empire as a form of intimidation."
Phield frowned.
"Have they succeeded?"
"Not yet."
"However, several Imperial commanders have already been assassinated, and two Divine Chosen have been killed."
"The Empire has also killed two of their Divine Chosen."
"One was devoured by one of our magical beasts, while the other was shot down."
"Do they have names?"
"No. They usually operate under titles."
Relycca actually laughed with excitement when she mentioned the Divine Chosen.
"Miss Sherry has already organized a hunting group made entirely of Divine Chosen."
"If I were a Divine Chosen, I’d definitely join them."
"I see."
Phield sighed.
"Sherry again. She certainly is hardworking."
They were all citizens of the same Empire, yet somehow they had begun killing one another without even fully understanding why.
Phield had asked Hwaily and the others about it before.
Even they couldn’t explain it clearly.
They were simply killing for the sake of killing.
The two groups continued forward along the river, each lost in their own thoughts.
"My lord, we’re close."
Ashina suddenly spoke.
"The escaped slaves are hiding in the bushes ahead."
"Haha, your demi human maid is surprisingly useful."
Relycca laughed.
Ashina couldn’t be bothered to respond.
She simply clenched one hand and signaled everyone to stop.
A playful expression appeared on her face.
"I hear some strange noises, and there’s also a rather unusual smell."
"I suggest that Miss Relyca doesn’t go any farther."
"How dangerous could it be?"
"It’s probably just a few slaves who have lost their minds."
"I, Relyca, am destined to become the Empire’s greatest female knight!"
Relyca raised her cavalry lance and waved her family banner with one hand.
"Knights, charge!"
Everyone shouted and rushed messily into the bushes.
Phield moved closer to Ashina.
"What exactly is in there?"
"Is it a new game?"
"It should be something interesting."
Ashina gave him an oddly amused look.
"Ah!"
A scream suddenly came from inside the bushes.
"Let’s go take a look."
Phield drew his slender sword and followed the sound.
After running through the bushes for a while, the scenery suddenly opened up.
Relycca was sitting on the ground in complete shock, retreating backward with her hands and feet as though she had witnessed something terrifying.
Phield’s expression turned solemn as he immediately assumed a defensive stance.
A group of enchanting women stood before them.
They were still wearing slave restraints, making it obvious that they were the escaped slaves.
Yet instead of being frightened by the soldiers and their weapons, they moved strangely and appeared completely abnormal.
"Banshees! Die!"
Two resolute knight retainers approached with their shields raised and swung their swords at the women.
The women effortlessly avoided the attacks before releasing a strange pink mist.
The retainers suddenly stiffened.
"Hehehe... beautiful angels..."
Their minds appeared to have been completely affected.
They staggered forward and began behaving irrationally, abandoning their weapons and armor as they stumbled toward the slaves.
Phield could only stare at the chaotic scene before him.
More than a dozen retainers had been surrounded by the slaves, and the entire situation had become bizarre and disturbing.
"These slaves have already become puppets."
"They’re absorbing life energy."