His heart sank when he recognized the figure beneath the mask – Thalya Kaelanida, the Holy Liberator.

Shock and disbelief washed over him as he realized that he had unknowingly helped Thalya gather information for the Freekshows so they could ambush the vulnerable family.

The Freekshows were a violent band of bandits that killed Rhiqualonians mercilessly in the name of freedom for the slaves. They hid well in the forests and attacked wherever the Knights of the White Wolf lacked reinforcements.

It was too late for Dante to realize that the Sect of Emancipation was backing the Freekshows by sending them powerful Holy Liberators like Thalya who had access to the Holy System. And Dante could not reveal his connection to Thalya, so he kept silent on knowing who she was.

Thalya covered with a mask spoke to Dante behind the Celestial Protection and said, "Leave and we will do you know harm. Give them to us. You don't know what you are dealing with."

Lil Rig growled and gripped his steel sword even harder.

The man embracing his family got behind Dante, and Lil Rig said, "Please keep fighting. They will kill my daughters."

Dante knew this too. He had seen the malice in the Freekshows' eyes. This was not a mere robbery. This was a malicious assassination.

Thalya extended her left arm, and held the edge of the scroll attached to her arm, preparing to cast an invocation that would allow her companions to pass through the barrier. She then told Dante, "Are you sure about this? I'm giving you one last chance."

Dante stayed firm, and he had never been sure of anything his entire life. He was going to do what was right and protect the family. Then galloping horses were heard from further down the road.

"They're here!" The man said while hugging his family tightly. "We're saved. I told you, my little doves. Everything is going to be alright."

"The White Wolves are here!" one of the bandits shouted in fear.

A Navy soldier had escaped earlier and had alarmed the Knights of the ambush. The White Wolf Knights rushed to the scene as soon as they heard who was being ambushed.

Thalya's expression changed and turned to fear. "You are making a big mistake. You know not what you are doing."

The Knights of the White Wolf arrived just in time. The White Wolf Knights were an ancient order of knights that rode giant vicious and loyal white wolves. Known for their speed, ferocity, and great tracking powers, anyone who becomes a target of the White Wolf Knights is known to never be able to escape. And their scents are never forgotten.

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"Retreat!" Thalya commanded.

She realized that there was no time, so she called for her troops to retreat.

The White Wolf Knights' arrival forced the Freekshows to retreat into the shadows. And they continued to pursue the bandits into the forest, but soon...

Amidst the chaos, the noble family remained unharmed, protected by Dante's holy energy shield.

A cavalry of armored knights in white adorned in white armor and swords that had fang-shaped guards. They charged into the forest to hunt down the Freekshows, only to be dumbfounded and suddenly lose all track of them.

The giant white wolves sniffed around but could smell nothing from the attackers who had disappeared out of nowhere.

Seeing that the Freekshows were gone, Dante let down his guard and gave Lil Rig a look signaling him to not say anything. And Lil Rig understood.

"Thank you, young man!" the man said to Dante. "If you had not helped us, my family would have been-"

"It's alright, my Lord," Dante said. "As I have already revealed, I am a member of the Church of the Holy System. It is only right that we protect those who need it."

Dante felt regret that he was too weak and had to resort to revealing a part of his identity. But the man hugged both him and Lil Rig and said, "Where one is a Holy Systemist or a Metaforgist, those who do good and do right deserve to be rewarded with trust and honor."

He was surprised. "They are Metaforgists, and they are accepting of us Holyfolk?" he thought.

Some of the Knights of the White Wolf returned to check up on the family.

"Is everything alright, my-" a White Wolf Knight asked.

The man nodded his head, and the knight moved on to survey the surroundings for any more danger.

"And look at the Knights of the White Wolf. They are members of the Church of the Holy System too, right? But they honorably do their duty to protect the Autocratic Dominion from monsters and bandits. Everyone is part of the Metaforge's design. So you need not fear anything."

Dante was hesitant to respond, as he was already more exposed than he had intended. But with great courage, he replied, "My name is-"

The man then hushed Dante with his hand, making sure that he does not reveal his name, especially to the Knights of the White Wolf who were nearby.

"It's not safe here for you. You must come with us before the Commander of the Knights of the White Wolf arrives," the man whispers.

Dante was shocked. "What's happening? Should I trust him? I just saved his life. What does he know about me?"

A deep sense of doubt rushes to Dante's mind, but then one of the man's daughters holds Dante's hand. She smiles at him with gratitude, seeing that Dante was a hero who stopped the bad people.

"You have to trust me. We must leave now." The man urged Dante.

The Navy soldier who had called for help had arrived with soldiers and extra horses for the man and his family to ride on.

The man saw that Dante would not easily trust him, and looked as if he was going to say no. But to ensure that Dante comes with him, he tells something to both of them.

"I am a friend of Conrad."

When Dante heard this, something in him felt relieved. His Gift of Discernment was telling him that the man was telling the truth and that he had no malice toward Dante and Lil Rig.

"We will come with you."