"If they recklessly appear while we're dealing with the Evil Spirit Knight, I trust you'll let them know who's boss, won't you, Rein?"
"Of course. You can rest assured, Headmaster Rudolph. Against the werewolves, the Night Watchman and I will take responsibility for annihilating our enemies." Rein inclined slightly, swiftly agreeing to the task of guarding and eradicating the werewolves.
"Matteo, spread the word, rest time is over, and the team should continue moving forward."
"At your command, my lord!"
Soon, after a brief rest, the team cautiously proceeded, always on guard for potential ambushes.
However, contrary to everyone's expectations, the werewolves seemed to merely scout around without any signs of launching an attack.
Rein thought about it, which seemed normal.
Due to their keen senses, much like wild animals, the werewolves who also lingered in the forest would have certainly noticed the strength of his team.
If they had no command from a stronger creature, the chance of them attacking was very low as they tend to bully the weak and fear the strong.
After another half-hour of travel, the team finally reached the ruins that Lagaray mentioned previously.
Several dozen meters ahead, a clear man-made structure could be seen, scattered with fallen columns covered in moss and vines, suggesting the ruins of a temple from long ago.
Rein carefully observed for a while and found the place to be indeed eerie.
Upon reflection, the journey so far had been filled with continuous chirping and buzzing due to the forest setting.
Yet, as they neared this area, the noises from various creatures gradually quelled until, seemingly all at once ceased, leaving a deathly silence.
Another thing was, the looming sense of being spied upon by the werewolves slowly vanished as they approached the region.
Could it be that the werewolves also feared this area?
So, did they dare not continue tracking them?
Moreover, Rein's increasing spiritual power was subtly alerting him to an obscure, hidden danger ahead.
This type of danger was not manifest, hence Rein's core skill "danger perception" did not trigger any early warning.
It was as if you might see a wall teetering nearby, and if your perception were sharp enough, your instincts would tell you that if you approached, the wall might fall and hit you.
That's a latent danger, it doesn't mean it will happen.
It might also be possible that you pass by, and the wall doesn't collapse but continues to teeter.
But one thing is certain—that if you decide not to approach, then this latent danger poses no threat to you.
However, if you do approach and the wall happens to colpase, that's when your core skill "danger perception" would warn you at the moment the wall starts to tilt.
At this moment, aside from the official Knights and Temple Knights who had reached Transcendent status, other Night Watchmen and the security team from the County Town dismounted and began to be vigilant.
"This is my brother's axe!" Lagaray pointed to a corner of a vine-entangled column not far away, exclaiming.
Rein focused his eyes and saw a familiar battle axe lying quietly by the column, its exposed blade appearing untouched by serious damage.
The nearly door-panel-wide, crescent-shaped blade was still reflecting a metallic sheen.
This was indeed Lagaray's brother's weapon—the "Moon Blade Battle Axe"!
Lagaray quickly leaped down from her horse, trotted over, and picked up the "Moon Blade Battle Axe," gently caressing it with her palm.
Seeing this, Rein also dismounted and quietly walked to Lagaray's side.
He understood the sense of reminiscing through objects, so Rein chose to remain silent.
Unfortunately, this moment of tranquility lasted mere seconds before it was shattered!
Suddenly, a horse's neigh resounded from nearby.
As everyone looked around, searching for the source of the sound, they saw a Black Armored Knight holding a three-to-four meter long riding spear, abruptly charging out from the dense forest to the left!
The horse beneath the knight was exceptionally tall, cloaked in black armor, merging seamlessly with the knight in full black regalia, their charge like a moving fortress of darkness, now swiftly advancing towards the team.
In an instant, there was slight panic; particularly a young Night Watchman in the front left side tasked with vigilance, who stood frozen upon this sight.
"Get out of the way fast!" Matteo roared while forcefully pulling the stunned Night Watchman aside, narrowly avoiding the Black Armored Knight's charge.
A silver-armored Temple Knight then spurred his horse to advance quickly, seemingly attempt to block the attacker.
But the Black Armored Knight's spear, like a lightning bolt, thrust forward, entwined with a serpentine black energy that seemed to curl around the dark lance.
The black lance forcefully struck the silver shield, sending the Temple Knight who had moved to intercept flying off his warhorse.
The Temple Knight flew four or five meters through the air before hitting the ground with a "thud", thankfully, the soft terrain of the Nightingale Forest, covered in shrubs and flowers, greatly reduced the impact, and the Knight's injuries were not severe.