Chapter 55: An Unexpected Encounter (Part 2)
There was originally just a handful of kids and a woman huddled by that campfire, which was already a fair distance from the other knights’ fire pits. When it came to drinking, no one ever ventured over to the refugees’ side, so it was peaceful there—way quieter than the knights who were always rowdy, and I wasn’t going to miss anyone.
In my memory…
Those half-grown kids, even without a closer look, the oldest one could hardly be over fifteen… But when did a taller figure show up? That seemed to be a girl?
A woman?
She was wearing a black cloak, and while I couldn’t make out her face, from a distance, it was definitely no man—shorter and skinnier than the rest. Under the flickering firelight, a strand of hair peeked out from her hood, a hint of lavender-like purple cascading down her right shoulder, long like a ponytail.
?
I was pretty sure there wasn’t anyone like her around earlier.
Where did she pop up from…
The campfire for the refugees was far enough away, tucked into an unnoticed corner. Most of the knights were busy drinking and joking loudly, with a few even standing up to shout something to the group, drawing more attention and laughter—and nobody was paying attention to those refugees.
Now that unexpected newcomer, who I didn’t even see arrive, was crouched down beside the woman. Not just me, even the woman and the kids seemed startled by her presence. Clearly, they didn’t know her. I could tell from the woman’s confused expression and the kids’ wide eyes.
But she seemed to be saying something to the woman…
Who is she?
She had a sword at her waist… a female knight?
Wait, no armor…
An intruder in the camp?
Is she like me, trying to steal… or maybe just hoping to borrow a bit of salt?
That won’t do!
If she got her hands on it first, I’d be in trouble…
What if the knights noticed and became alert?
I was internally panicking, nearly getting up, but just then, I saw her lean over and grab the woman’s hand, trying to pull her up.
?
What’s she doing…
I was bewildered, my b*tt just lifted up before it sank back down again.
That sneaky character was acting so boldly, taking advantage of the knights still drinking but not quite out of it, trying to pull the woman away while also waving at those stunned kids to join them, making a shushing gesture.
She got a few steps away with the woman, who seemed just as confused as me, instinctively following her, but her expression quickly shifted. After a few steps, she jerked her hand away and backed up toward the campfire, positioning herself in front of the children like a wild momma bear, looking like she said something before glancing over to where the knights were.
Meanwhile, those knights were still whooping it up around the fire, completely oblivious to the scene over there with the refugees.
What on earth is happening…
Under broad daylight, is she really trying to abduct a woman!?
Or is she after the bounty set by the Silent Fortress, even risking it? I mean, she could just wait a little longer; when the knights got drunk and zonked out would be the perfect time for some sneaky business!
Why act now…
I kept speculating while hiding up on the rock, watching as the shadow figure said something else to the woman, and the woman replied, but the boisterous drinking kept drowning out their conversation. I couldn’t hear a word, and just as I was straining to catch anything, the figure lunged forward again, this time meeting a buffered response from the woman.
Suddenly, the woman yelled, “Help! Help!”
“Someone, anyone—!”
Her panicked scream rang out, sounding more like a startled chicken, and finally, that grabbed the attention of a few nearby knights.
Those who were gnawing on meat and holding drinks suddenly turned, grinning faces freezing at the sight of the mystery small figure that just appeared.
“Who!”
A few of the closest knights instantly jumped up. After getting their bearings, their hands shot toward their swords. The ones not too far didn’t grasp what was happening but turned to look too, the previously lively atmosphere suddenly stalling.
See…
I told you, they were way too bold; how could they not be noticed like this?
I smirked, hiding in the dark.
Tilting my head, I thought, why not plop down on the rock and watch how this unfolds.
“What are you?”
“What are you doing here…”
“Don’t ask, just take her down!”
The knights surged toward the cloaked figure, swords drawn. The woman, seeing this, quickly ushered the kids toward the safer crowd, and the knights further away stood up as well. A rough count showed nearly fifty or sixty knights at a glance; combine that with the patrolling guards, and there was almost a hundred of them.
So many people…
Next, that small figure was going to make a run for it, right?
But running wouldn’t help—
Clang!
Suddenly, I caught sight of that isolated figure, now being surrounded by knights. She moved her right arm like lightning, producing a crisp clang as the seemingly ordinary longsword at her waist was drawn.
So fast, the knights had no response time.
!
I was shocked.
She’s not ordinary—
Crackle!
In the next moment, accompanied by a sharp crack as electricity sliced through the air, the small figure flared with light, blue arcs of electricity wrapping around the blade within seconds, and with a “whoosh,” she swung it in front of her—boom!—the powerful lightning forked outward, striking the nearest few knights who hadn’t reacted yet.
The dazzling light blazed brighter than the campfire, illuminating the whole area with a fierce brilliance, almost blinding me.
Order of Lightning…
In my view, those knights hit by the electric strike didn’t even make a sound before they fell, their armor glowing fiery red before turning pitch black, smoke wafting up from their bodies. The woman nearby gasped in shock, some kids started crying, and at the same time, I heard someone shouting from the camp.
“Enemy! Attack—!!”
“Second Knights Order, prepare for battle!”
The clang of swords echoed under the night sky, the blinding light from the lightning still hadn’t fully faded, and over by another campfire, the glowing golden light of a divine miracle sprang to life, followed by shouts of “Protect the goods—”
At this moment, that small figure charged forward again, transforming in an instant into a striking bolt of lightning, darting across the fallen knights, weaving through the crowd, before popping up right behind the knight who had just conjured a miracle.
Whoosh—!
Lightning sparkled again, and with a “thunk,” the electrified longsword pierced straight through the knight’s chest from behind, delivering lethal precision. That shining golden glow dimmed instantly, and the knight staggered, eyes wide; just as the figure yanked the sword out, he collapsed.
In the chaos of her swift actions, the wind billowed her cloak, revealing her hood, and a lavender ponytail flew into the air. Before she even landed, her true face was laid bare for all to see.
She is…
I jumped up from my rock.
No way…
I’ve seen her…
Even if it was just that one time, that face was unforgettable…
In my mind, memories rushed back.
On that nightmare night in Woodward Forest, Angel had finally torn off his disguise, bringing his people to corner me, freshly drained from a battle with a deity after emerging from the Land of Dragons…
Among those he brought, I distinctly remembered one petite sword-wielder with the Order of Lightning, perhaps even a Pope Knight. When I took to the skies fleeing, she was among the closest pursuers…
I didn’t know her name.
But I recognized her.
