Chapter 32, Not Just A Knight
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In a place where the knight's army rested. A man was taking a sit on a wooden chair as he feels the heat off the cup filled with cocoa. Having a look that seemed as if he's lost.
Beside him sat a patched-up woman completely filled to brim in bandages and similar dressings.
Wearing a simple gown and long skirt. Her auburn hair was tied by a knot which in turn expressed even more of her mature facial features.
She was not the only one who was covered in bandages, as the man beside her was covered in too.
The room they were in was silent as both of them were not in any sort of mood to chat.
Luckily a young man broke the silence as he entered the room. He gestured a salute before saying, "Sir Farengoth and Knight Elana, I have brought news."
Farengoth waved at the young man so that he could drop the courtesy before replying, "Continue."
The young man straightened his body. Then he said, "We have thoroughly investigated each and every area of the assassin's guild known as An Yue. Sadly, the leader's room, before we have entered was already filled with nothing but ashes."
Farengoth already predicted this outcome, he still couldn't help but snicker.
After waiting for a short moment, the young man continued, "The corpses that belonged to our comrades were buried properly. Their belongings will then be given to their respected family or friends. Luckily for us, the treasury of the place of the guild was found intact... Filled with gold and..."
Farengoth raised one of his eyebrow before asking, "And what?"
"Lots of drugs." The young man finished his words.
The knight Elana hearing the word 'drug' caused her attention to focus on the individual. She then asked with a cold tone, "What kind?"
Hearing her words and hints of killing intent behind it caused the young man to shiver in fear. He then replied, "W-We tested them out and found out that it's the same drug that started appearing more than a decade ago. Filled to brim with properties that allow the user who ingested it to gain the power to increase their mana capacity. Though only possible by having intercourse with the opposite sex and also against the opposite's will. A vile drug that caused many casualties amongst the commoners and much more with the rich folks."
His words caused Elana to break in fury before kicking the table in front of her away.
Even Farengoth knitted his eyebrows.
He then asked, "So, not only the assassin's guild was plotting against the mayor of this city but also colluding with 'them'."
The young man stood silently as he watched the knight leader slowly get up.
Farengoth then asked another question, "How much in amount, have you found?"
"Enough to fill the king's living room."
The knight leader sighed before saying, "Burn them and make sure that you inspect each soldier just in case some sneak them in their pockets."
The young man saluted before replying, "I will do as told, but what about the assassin's guild leader's daughter?"
"Keep her as is. Make sure to guard that jail properly. If she asks for bathroom, throw a bucket inside. Later today, I'll visit her."
The young man nodded before turning around and making his exit.
Though before he exited, the knight Farengoth told him, "As for Seroi's body, make sure to burn it and then store his ashes in a jar. This was what he wished for."
The young saluted after nodding.
When he left, the Knight Elana was still in fury as she tells the knight leader, "No matter where we go, that drug is always there. Everywhere is filled with rape, rape and rape. Guh!"
The knight shook his head before replying, "Nothing we can do. We're nothing more than the weakest part of the Knight's guild. Facing against a large organization like them would bring us nothing but an early death."
Elana face grew ugly before she replied, "Isn't that obvious? The king didn't want to waste any of his precious knights and sent us amateurs here instead! If it weren't for you, I believe we would be nothing but corpses by now!"
Farengoth became silent as the images of his dead comrades' flash through him. He had a downcast look.
As he was lost in thoughts, he started hearing Elana's laugh. A laugh which caused her to break in tears.
The knight leader couldn't help but ask, "I never said this before but... Why do you always laugh when something sad or infuriating happens?"
Elana rubbed away her tears before replying, "This is something I can't help... Ever since I was a child, this type of disease is due to my brain's amygdala being constantly confused every time I feel sad or disgust." She then smiled and made the person in front of her to feel perplexed.
He felt pity for her.
The knight Elana then asked, "We're returning right?"
"You guys are, but not me." He said before taking a sit.
Elana raised her head and a look of shock could be seen on her face as she asks, "Why?"
"His Majesty has tasked me with an important side mission and that is to overseer the upcoming competition between the Kian people. This must be done with me only. Actually... Leaving behind that captive lady with me is the best choice... Thinking about it."
When Elana heard that he was going to stay back, she showed hints of sadness on her face. Though after knowing that he's tasked with a mission, her expression got better.
She then asked, "Could you explain as to why you would rather let her remain here with you?"
Farengoth yawned before replying, "You already know how our second prince acts. When he finds out that a Kian captive would enter the palace, he would try with all means to have her killed with not a single clue left of his doing. This would in turn make one of our missions to fail in return and shame his Majesty's trust. Since we're supporters of the fourth princess, the second prince would do all acts to diminish her power. Not only that but his prejudice towards the Kian people is quite known."
Elana knitted her eyebrows before nodding. She too has notted of the crown prince's fierce lust towards the throne. She then asked Farengoth, "Then what makes the difference if whether you're present or not?"
"A lot actually. When you reach the palace, you or someone else would inform the King of our success. Also, particularly mentioning that the captive member of the assassin's guild is well and alive. This would cause the 2nd prince to try his best to kill the captive but to his future unfortune, the captive would still be with me, far away. By the time his suspicion dies out, I'll hand over the captive to the King safely. Raising the reputation of our princess."
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Elana's head was spinning as she heard the words of the Knight. She barely understands what he's saying before giving out an abrupt nod.
Farengoth guessed that his horrible made up lie worked on her which caused him to sigh inwardly. He just wanted to get rid of the captive alive. As he didn't want to get haunted by the ghost of her father. Though he didn't mention of not harming her.
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A little bit later.
Farengoth was sitting in front of a jail with a woman behind it.
The lady had iron cuffs on her legs and arms, restricting her movements.
When the lady awoke from her slumber, she saw the man in front of her.
Anger welled up before she, like a wild animal, charged towards him but alas the iron bars kept her at bay.
She gnashed her teeth as a furious voice accompanied afterwards. The lady known as Lou Jun yelled out, "Till the last of my breath, I'll hunt you DOWN! I'll keep trying and trying till the day I have your guts spilled and fed to the dogs!"
Farengoth lightly laughed before replying, "Yeah, I know you will."
The lady held on the bars tightly as she stares daggers at him.
After yawning, the knight leader asked, "Do you know why I'm here right?"
Lou Jun looked at him before replying, "To get information out of me? Huh? If I don't reply, you'll make me suffer till I quack."
"You're right. I'm here for you to answer some of my questions." He said before revealing a sheepish smile.
Lou Jun knitted her eyebrow before walking towards the back of the cell cage and took a sat on the ground. She then remained there motionless and silent. Staring at the opposing man with hate
Farenoth knew already that this lady wouldn't comply. So, he sighed before asking, "Are you sure you want to do this? If you just answer me... I'll let you be."
Lou Jun looked at him mockingly before replying, "What can a righteous Knight do?"
The knight smiled. He then replied, "Many things."
Seeing his eyes, tone, and demeanor caused Lou Jun to feel fear. It's as if she's not looking at a human but something else.
She didn't want to show it but her expression changed from someone angry to being scared mindless.
Her sight turned blurry as miasma of darkness seeps out around her. From the corners of her vision.
The knight's face twisted before turning into something blank.
There was nothing on his face.
Many whispers were coming through her head. Many of them she recognized. Telling her about how miserable they are. How they loathe her and want her to suffer.
It was really frightening to the point where she forcibly cover her ears.
Unfortunately, she found out that her body was still motionless. All she could do was hear all the whispers that sounded like people wanting to drag her with them to hell.
Her gaze was stuck on the Knight's empty white face. No eyes, nose, mouth or anything. Just white and blank.
Slowly a line emerged vertically on the blank face.
It then opened up revealing countless teeth and darkness behind them.
Lou Jun could hear her racing heart beats and her haggard breathing as she tries her best to look away. But she can't.
She watched as the mouth expands showing countless eyes behind them, staring at her.
The whispers started speaking in unison, stating, "Suffer."
The mouth kept expanding till she could see the figures who owned those eyes. The same people she killed before.
As if getting sucked, her body seemed to be drawing closer to the mouth. And she had no power to stop the movement.
Lou Jun could only stare and feel completely frightened at the figures behind the teeth.
Those individuals were extending their hands, waiting to grab hold of her.
The bars that separated them disappeared before she felt like getting engulfed inside the mouth.
At that point her heart beat almost stopped, as if close to being scared to death. Countless arms grabbed hold of her.
Ripping of her clothing, hair, eyes, and limbs.
She felt all sorts of pain before her sight turned pitch black.
When she opened her eyes once again, she was in her cell sitting down, safe and intact.
Her heart was beating restlessly and sweat could be seen everywhere.
Lou Jun's breathing was rough as she looks around frightened.
She then noticed the knight in front of him having a smile.
Lou Jun by then understood that it was an illusion technique. A really terrifying one.
Till now she felt like it was too realistic. The pain and looks of the individuals.
Farengoth seeing her condition caused him to ask, "Am I still a righteous knight to your eyes?"
She felt dread before instinctively shaking her head.
At this point, she forgotten the anger towards him but instead felt utter fear.
She felt total dread inside, having no hints of her anger gushing out like before.
The knight nodded with a satisfied look before asking, "So, my first question is quite simple. Why did you people aimed for killing the Mayor of this town?"
Lou Jun looked at him before replying, "They wanted us to accomplish that task."
"They?"
She slightly raised her sound as she replied, "We don't know about their identity."
Farengoth observed her carefully before sighing. He then said, "I presume those people were the ones who supplied with the crater of drugs found in your treasury?"
"You're correct."
"Do you know the actual name of the drug?"
Lou Jun became silent for a while before replying, "Floreisha."
After hearing that, the knight stood before saying, "Thank you for your cooperation."
The young lady was baffled and perplexed as she was expecting more questions.
She watched as the Knight leave the dungeon.
Recalling the horrible illusion, she witnessed and the sense of no family member being with her anymore... She slowly balled up, hugging her legs.
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Back at the inn
Lihua just woke up and she felt like something was amiss.
She found out that her human pillow is nowhere to be found. Without any moment of time to waste, she looked around to find that Tengfei was on the other bed, with bloodshot eyes.
For some reason, only yesterday caused the poor young man to feel the needs of a man. Which no one could blame him as Lihua was grabbing hold on him. Her scent, breathing and pressing of her body.
He couldn't take it anymore and tried sleeping on the other bed. Though to no avail, he couldn't control his desires which drove him mad throughout the night.
Lihua asked with a caring tone, "What's the matter Tengfei? Didn't sleep?"
Tengfei massaged his forehead before replying, "I don't think we can sleep with each other anymore."
His answer caused the princess to jolt upwards before replying loadly, "Why!?" This due to her pillow is in stake.
Tengfei got up before replying slightly hesitant, "You see... I'm a young healthy teenager. If I sleep with a cute girl... My desires and lust would envelop around me..."
Hearing him call her cute made her slightly blush before looking the side. Though after hearing the words 'lust' and 'desire', she instinctively covered her body before asking, "Y-you have plans for my my my body?" With a flustered a look and tensed up tone.
Tengfei only now realizing the faults of his words caused him to be filled with mixed emotions before throwing his pillow at her face.
He then yelled out, "Who has interest with a board like you!? Huh!? Get out of her and let me have some sleep!!"
Lihua grabbed hold of the pillow as she was left speechless due to how Tengfei is acting in front of her. Somehow, she felt annoyed as she had a feeling that she saw someone have the same reaction.
She angrily looked back before replying loudly, "Let me freshen up first, you.. you.."
Though not a single word of ridicule came out.
After she cleaned herself and wore her clothing, she walked out the room. Though before she left, a sinister look appeared on her.
She turned around revealing a cute look before saying, "Don't fell in love with me~ Kay~? I know I'm cute and lovable-" Before she could finish her words, Tengfei threw his used pants on her face before saying, "Use that! You desperate girl!!"
Lihua immediately removed the pants from her face before angrily throwing it back.
She then stormed the stairs and head to the kitchen.
Her master told her that later today, they'll resume their training.