## Chapter 90: Encounter Battle
Step, step, step…
A golden dragon snaked through the misty pine forest, its hooves thundering against the rain-soaked ground, a grand spectacle indeed.
In the distance, the rolling hills were shrouded in thick rain, towering green trees resembling waves in a sea of emerald. A faint white light peeked through the heavy clouds, showering the pines in an ethereal mist as the clear lake at the foot of the hills shimmered under this veil of light.
Under the fluttering banners, Isaac and I rode our beast side by side, the lively troop behind us bursting into song.
“…The silver moon hangs over the blue lake, warm coals stir the cold tea, the pine forest waits for dawn to wake… The stars shine fiercely tonight, this kind of night will never end~ This land is rich and beautiful, and we’re lucky to witness its wonder~”
As one voice led, more joined in the chorus.
“Dark gray rocks, moss and heather, light is breaking in the distance~ Banners billow in blue and white~ The grass glistens with morning dew… This land is dreamy and enchanting, and we’re lucky to face its glory~”
The knights’ harmonizing voices echoed through the woods, a soft and delightful symphony.
On this journey, we’ve seen the aftermath of disaster, but these songs lifted our spirits. I couldn’t help but glance back and saw that the lead singer was, as expected, Safiros.
He sat confidently on his beast, eyes closed, lost in a delightful rhythm, while the wind and rain danced around him. As others joined in, they sang even louder upon noticing my gaze.
When the song wrapped up, Safiros opened his eyes. “What do you think? What’s it about?” he asked.
I found it rather nice…
“It’s about this place, Miss Silvya,” Safiros said, removing his helmet and shaking out his wet hair, a glint of joy in his eyes. “This song ‘Silver Moon’ was written by the famous bard Ephilot. Legend has it she was invited to perform at the Silent Fortress three hundred years ago. From the fortress walls, she was captivated by this land’s beauty and thus penned this famous ballad. Thanks to her, the Silent Fortress gained fame, and every year countless people trek through mountains just to experience the beauty she sang about… What? You’ve never heard of it?”
I shook my head.
“You should definitely visit a tavern; almost every tavern in the Holy City will echo with ‘Silver Moon’ at night… Ah, but now’s not the time, nor the right place. Let’s take care of those pesky rats first, and once we’re in the Holy City, I’ll treat you to a drink if you’re not too picky!”
“…”
Sure, songs sound nice…
But drinking, maybe not so much?
“Captain, Miss Silvya is a duke’s daughter, a royal highness! There’s no way she’d be caught mingling in a tavern with you!”
“Wilson’s red tea, more precious than gold, paired with exquisite pastries in a butterfly-frequented garden, is where the Young Lady belongs. Who would want to hang out in a tavern smelling of sweaty men?”
“Look, Miss Silvya isn’t saying a word; she’s probably brainstorming how to politely decline you!”
“Hahahaha—”
The knights teased their captain, bursting into laughter, and the tension swiftly dissipated.
Safiros turned slightly red and snapped back, “Enough! Everyone shut it!”
“The captain’s blushing now!”
“Hahaha!”
The knights were only getting more cheerful, and those further back, curious about the commotion, turned to look.
I quickly added, “I really don’t drink…”
“Captain, did you hear that? Miss Silvya’s reason for rejecting you is she doesn’t drink.”
“Get out, get out!” Safiros waved his hand dismissively, “Look at you all, like you rolled through the mud; when you get home, you’ll probably be unrecognizable to your wives! And here you are laughing! When we get to the castle, scrub your armor clean! Don’t act like you’re worthy of being around a Miss!”
“Yes, yes~”
The knights responded nonchalantly.
“I really don’t drink.”
“Miss Silvya, do you really need to decline me twice? That’s quite hurtful.”
“Ah, no, it’s not…”
But trying to clarify further seemed complicated. Besides, my dream of taverns had shattered after my first visit to one in the Royal City; it was nothing like I pictured—a gathering of adventurers sharing stories and laughs over drinks. Instead, it was a stinky mess, filled with tipsy old men and chatty ladies with yellowing teeth, where the conversations lingered only on women. Not my idea of a good time.
So, I turned away from the back, focusing on Isaac.
That guy has been really quiet since earlier…
The huge man sat stiffly on his beast, arms crossed over his chest, head down, slowly swaying with the Horned Horse’s steps, eyes closed… wait, is he asleep?!
Seriously? He can sleep through this…
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
But thinking about it, we were indeed exhausted. Almost no night was restful; many people were half-awake as they rode. I almost nodded off once and nearly fell off! Forget it; I’ll skip teasing him.
Nobody is worried about getting lost; we had scouts in front leading the way.
Once we arrive, hopefully, there will be a bed… A bath would be even better.
“Ahh~”
I let out a yawn.
Though many pines surrounded us, they were spaced out, failing to shield us from the rain, which poured down like buckets from the sky, splattering upon my cloak. I instinctively pulled the hood down and mirrored Isaac’s posture, neck lowered, arms crossed, planning to rest my eyes for a bit.
I felt quite proud of this stance; the strap at my waist had been undone days ago, letting me ride the Horned Horse comfortably—now I could even relax my grip on the reins while trotting.
“Hey! I see the Silent Fortress!”
Suddenly, Safiros shouted from behind, “Isaac! Should we slow down and send a message to those behind? Charging ahead could create unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“Let’s first send someone to scout!”
“…Isaac?”
Isaac didn’t respond.
I slowly opened my eyes and looked up.
Ahead, the pines parted dramatically, revealing a grand white castle nestled among lush trees beneath the distant hill. Blue and white flags fluttered on the fortress as a green meadow lay before it, where two golden armored knights rode towards us at breakneck speed…
Those must be the scouts.
Why are they in such a hurry…
Wait a second, something’s off…
There’s fire on the fortress!
“Isaac, Isaac!”
I hurriedly shouted at the bald-headed man, wanting to hurl something at his head, but it wasn’t easy from up here. Isaac stirred awake, looking confused. “What’s wrong?”
I pointed forward eagerly, “The castle!”
“Isaac, let me accompany you to negotiate with the fortress lord.”
The castle was still far away, and with the rain and fog, Safiros and the others hadn’t noticed anything amiss. Anxious inside, I called out again, “There’s fire! I see infernal flames! Something’s wrong!”
d*mn it…
Parts of the castle were ablaze, flames licking high into the downpour, and though I couldn’t see the specifics, it had to be infernal fire!
The Gate of Truth!
“What fire… Safiros, what do you see?”
“Nothing…”
“Sir, we should hold back the rear ranks.”
The knights were still trying to figure things out, awaiting Isaac’s decision. The bald man glanced at me, his mouth opening to ask more.
Whoosh—
Suddenly, a shriek pierced through the rain.
The sound cut through, generating a series of explosive pops that drew everyone’s attention. We turned just in time to see a scarlet streak sh**t from the fortress, a long fiery tail trailing from the dark sky, arcing down towards the two approaching scouts, barely a thousand meters from us.
Boom!
A column of fire erupted, the two scout knights’ tiny black silhouettes were flung into the air, beasts and riders alike engulfed in flames. The wild wind swept over the meadow, and a thunderous crack followed, jolting Isaac awake.
“Hiss—”
The Horned Horse neighed loudly, nearly throwing me off. I quickly tightened my grip on the reins, eyes wide in shock, mouth agape at the fiery explosion.
What…
What the?!
A missile?!?
“Enemy attack—”
“d*mn filthy rats!”
Isaac’s furious roar filled my ears as the rear troops fidgeted with agitation. The knights shouted loudly, and the robed clerics raised their hands to the sky. Golden light exploded from the rain, signaling warnings into the air like arrows.
“Form up—”
“Relay the orders to the knights!”
“Isaac, I’m here!”
“Notify the rear teams to prepare the Faith Organization’s barriers to fight at any moment!”
“Corros! You take command and wait for my signal. Judgement Fist Team One, follow me!”
“Out of the pines—”
With a sweeping hand, Isaac tugged at the reins and dashed out of the pine clearing. The entire troop surged forward, thundering hooves shook the ground as over two hundred knights rushed past me. Captain Safiros donned his helmet and rode up alongside me, shouting, “Miss Silvya—”
“I understand!” I nodded back, “Send someone to inform the Pope!”
“What are you planning to do? We’re waiting for your orders!”
“Then, follow me!”
Riding knights surged like a golden tide, two hundred or more streamed out of the pine forest, forming up. Isaac, atop the great Horned Horse, led the way, flanked by a familiar bishop cloaked in golden radiance, clasping a sacred emblem and murmuring prayers. Golden light enveloped the knights behind them, forming a thin golden shield.
With Safiros and half of his knights, I assembled on Isaac’s right flank.
“Safiros, I don’t understand tactics; what do we do?”
“Just charge forward, my beautiful Lady.”
“……”
I glared at him.
He licked his lips, giving me a strange grin.
“We are the Church’s First Knights Order; never underestimate our might.”
Whoosh—
From the distant castle, another wave of flames ascended into the sky, heading our way.
