On the narrow path, a robust warhorse raced rapidly and wildly. The knight astride the horse looked frantic, glancing back from time to time, desperately pushing the horse to its limits to gain speed.
Behind them, fog that blanketed the entire Black City clawed outward in all directions, devouring everything visible to the naked eye. Fortunately, the fog’s expansion was not too fast; as the rider spurred his horse forward urgently, the distance between them grew increasingly wide.
After crossing a hill, the fog behind was no longer visible, and only then did Hal breathe a sigh of relief.
"Stanford, I still won in the end!"
He touched the bundle on his back, and a smile inevitably appeared on his face.
Even if Black City was destroyed, even if I lost my position as head of the city guard, as long as I have these goods, it’s all worth it. Moreover, I never wanted to stay in Black City anyway. Now that it’s ruined, it’s even better. As long as I report the discovery of the Forgotten City, I believe Lord Mevia won’t blame me.
"What a pity!" he thought, grinding his teeth as anger surfaced on his face. If it wasn’t for that bastard Stanford holding me back, I would have had a chance to enter the Forgotten City. And that... thing...
Thinking back to the events of that day, Hal’s eyes narrowed with fear, and he instinctively urged his horse to move even faster and further away.
Black City was an isolated city. Apart from a merchant caravan once a month, no one else entered. With so few people coming and going, the roads were inevitably difficult to travel. This was especially true after rainfall, when the ground turned to mud, making it hard for even robust warhorses to pick up speed. Unconsciously, Hal found himself on a narrow mountain path.
Although it wasn’t a chokepoint, the path was flanked by low hills, and a dead silence hung in the air.
A sudden sound of something piercing the air broke the silence.
True to his reputation as head of the city guard and a Peak Knight, Hal reacted instantly, despite his exhaustion and injuries.
A gleam of light struck his blade and exploded on impact.
There wasn’t just one gleam; they came in succession, targeting not Hal, but the steed beneath him.
The gleams, like bolts from powerful crossbows, shot out one after another. The narrow mountain path offered little room to dodge. Despite Hal’s considerable skill, he couldn’t fully protect his mount.
A gleam pierced his mount’s front hoof.
The warhorse shrieked in pain, lost its balance, and collapsed heavily onto its side.
"Damn it!" Hal roared. He leaped from his falling horse and charged towards the slope.
It’s that person on the slope causing this!
Pushing off with his feet, the muddy ground beneath him exploded. Hal shot forward like a frenzied leopard, fast and furious.
The distance between them closed rapidly.
Carl stood atop the hill, gently clenching his fingers towards the area below.
Instantly, the ground ahead rippled like water. The soil swirled, transforming into a mire capable of engulfing anything.
Witchcraft Traps were a common tool for Wizards, usually set around their manors or residences as alarms and defenses against intruders. Carl had only learned this recently. The Witchcraft Traps he could master weren’t very powerful, but when used effectively, they could yield surprisingly good results. Such was the case now.
The trap was cunningly placed. Hal, mid-leap, couldn’t avoid landing in it. As he landed, he found no purchase; his body began to sink, and his forward momentum was abruptly halted.
Carl’s eyes lit up. Holding his Breath, he swung his arms repeatedly.
A succession of basin-sized Fireballs hurtled towards Hal, who was stuck in the trap, and exploded one after another.
Instantly, flames surged skyward, and the explosions were deafening.
Even a Peak Knight would likely be powerless against such an assault, forced to surrender.
A fierce wind suddenly whipped up in the area. A Gale howled around Hal, blowing away the incoming Fireballs and Fierce Flames before they could even reach him. At that moment, he seemed like a Demigod commanding the storm.
With a clench of his hand, a tornado several men tall sprang into existence, colliding with the incoming Fireballs.
The flames erupted, and both the Fireballs and the tornado dissipated simultaneously.
This was the Dharma Seal inscribed on Hal, one of the reasons his strength far surpassed that of other Knights. However, this Dharma Seal, though powerful, could not be sustained for long. Having used it now, he wouldn’t be able to activate it again for some time.
"You despicable scoundrel!"
Hal slammed his feet down, the mud beneath him scattering. He leaped high into the air again, Longsword leading his charge.
Carl scoffed. He calmly drank two Potions, then took a step back and raised his left hand.
Instantly, a suit of armor completely enveloped him. A mystical armored warrior, radiating an ice-cold, murderous aura, appeared before Hal.
"It’s you?" Hal’s eyes widened, his face contorting with rage.
I don’t recognize his face, but I know this is the one who ruined my plans! This person destroyed the secret passage in Pit No. 2. Barnard, Water, and the others died at his hands. The chaos that started in Lakka Market and spread throughout the city was also his doing. It indirectly led to a shortage of city guards, preventing me from entering the inner sanctum of the Forgotten City!
"You dare show your face to me again?" Hal’s fury twisted into a chilling laugh. "Good! Very good!"
His Longsword sliced through the air, seemingly tearing the very space before its blade, its passage a sharp shriek like an explosion.
Cloud Whale Swordsmanship!
Legend had it that in Ancient Times, there was a colossal beast called the Cloud Whale, which could soar through seas of clouds and swim through mighty rivers.