NOVEL NEXT Chapter 86- Baron Chetak (2)
The order of the temple of light was something necessary to fight the Demon Lord and his forces in the future. He cannot lose it at this point.
"Do what you have to, son. Above all, you are a knight sworn to protect this kingdom and its citizens. A legendary Divine Paladin and one of its only three level 10s. Leave thinking about the annoying matters to me".
As if knowing what was going through his mind, Raymond patted his shoulder.
The light in his heterochromatic eyes that had dimmed somewhat regained its splendour once again. Reinhardt nodded, fully aware of what he must do now. He placed his attention on Ryley, his acting Vice Captain.
"How many knights do we need to keep the city safe?"
The latter understanding his intentions, did some quick calculations in his head before replying.
"Around thirty knights at the very least".
"I see, Rolan pick thirty knights, squires and the recruits. You will be in charge of safeguarding the city until we are back. The rest will follow me and charge into Baron Chetak's territory"…
"Leave it to me, Commander".
The knights cried in excitement, all ready to advance and bring glory to their kingdom and Order. Warhorses lined up around the stables, as knights mounted them.
Just as they were about to set out, Kevin ran up to them and pleaded.
"Commander, please allow us to come with you".
Reinhardt glanced at the black haired boy. He was followed by the two wolf kin boys and Gwen.
"The new recruits should stay back for this mission. We may have to face knights from other orders. It will be too dangerous for inexperienced recruits like you".
Bob shot them down, concerned about their safety. However, Bob and the Wolf kin boys didn't back down easily.
"Please Commander, I know that I am weak. However, I want to help find the sister of Vic and Jay. Having talked to them and becoming friends, I cannot just leave them".
"We want to save our sister!!".
Vic and Jay, whom Kevin mentioned, were the names of the therianthrope boys. Reinhardt glanced at Kevin, feeling the fire burning deep in the latter's eyes, he nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"Yes!!" the boys rejoiced.
"Commander, it is too dangerous" Bob tried to comment, but stopped when he saw how determined these new recruits looked.
"Although I am allowing you all to come, but only under one condition. You all must never stray too far away from me. When it's dangerous, get behind me" Reinhardt put his condition forward.
"As long as you help us save my sister and clansmen, we will do anything that you say." Everyone was in agreement.
"Alright then, let us depart!!"
The knights of the Order of the Temple of Light marched forward. Standing at the gates of the Arcknight estate, Verdia, Miranda and Arthur saw them off with their eyes.
"As I thought, there was some kind of trouble"…
"For so many knights from the order to march all at once, something big must have happened" The ladies agreed.
"Big brother is going off again to solve the situation. He is so cool, I want to hurry and grow up to join the order and bring glory to our house just like him," Arthur idolised.
.
Baron Chetak's territory was roughly two days march on horseback from the stronghold of the Arcknights. To reach their borders, they must either pass through the fiefdom of Viscount Elowen or go through the Duskwither Woods.
The latter option was filled with monsters and dangerous terrain along the way, making passing through the Viscount's territory as the ideal option. Since Viscount Elowen and their House of Arcknights have a good relationship, it wouldn't be a trouble to get the acknowledgement from the former to pass through their territory.
However, this mission to crack down on the underground slave market needed absolute secrecy, as such, passing through the territory of the viscount would be like openly announcing that their order was heading for Baron Chetak's territory.
Naturally, they could not do that, leaving the Duskwither Woods as their only option.
"Everyone, get into formation one. We will plough through the woods at the shortest time possible".
Formation One, a tried and tested strategy of the Order of the Temple of Light. It was a ridiculously simple yet effective formation.
Reinhardt and the other high ranking knights rode in front, making a spear pattern. Behind them followed the other knights who ranked after them. They rode out in a curved pattern with the squires and new recruits in the middle.
The high ranking knights in the front ploughed through everything while they blocked every attack that was coming from the sides.
It was a plan so reckless that it bordered on foolish. Charging headlong into the heart of the monster's den with no scouts, no skills, and no fallback. However, with Commander Reinhardt with them, a walking siege engine in plate, made it work by the sheer force of his muscles and power.
Where tactics failed, his sword spoke louder. The strategy was madness; made possible only due to because it was Reinhardt at the front.
Having ploughed through the woods at the shortest time possible, the order stopped near a brook to catch their breath.
"Commander, we have some people pursuing us".
At this moment, while Reinhardt was looking at the map, his adjutant Bob ran to him.
Someone following them into these woods? Who could it be?
"Are they people from Viscount Elowen's territory?"
"It doesn't seem to be the case" Bob shook his head.
Curious, Reinhardt asked everyone to stay here while he and Bob went to check the identity of the ones pursuing them. They didn't have to wait; soon, the identity of the pursuers became clear.
"You?! What are you doing here?"
"Hehe, Sir Reinhardt, we meet again".
A woman with sexy shorts and a top that left much of her skin exposed dropped down from the tree. She had tanned skin, a fighter like physique and a heroic aura surrounding her. The tail sprouting behind her back and her fluffy ears marked her race.
"Zerina, what are you doing here?"