Chapter 84: Murder

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Murder

Sandoor grunted, switching the Knight’s Lance from his right hand to his left. He swung it in a wide arc, knocking away the enemy leader’s weapon.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and blood seeped steadily from the wound on his arm.

The clash between the two sides grew fiercer. Over ten members of Diamond Team Six were already wounded, and several had lost their lives.

Just as Sandoor was about to turn back and kill Tanliwei, Tanliwei finally led over thirty Guards from Diamond Team One to the battlefield. As he advanced, Tanliwei shouted righteously, "Drive the enemy away!"

"Retreat!"

Seeing this, the enemy leader barked an order, and the soldiers of the Wata Duchy began an orderly retreat.

They had been ordered by their superiors to harass the defenders of the Northwest Defense Line. Now that their objective was achieved, there was no reason to linger.

"My apologies, Captain Sandoor. I was late."

Tanliwei wore a sincere expression, but a strange glint flashed in his eyes when he saw Sandoor’s wound.

Sandoor’s teeth ground together with a GRATING sound. He gripped the Knight’s Lance tightly in his left hand, veins bulging on his trembling arm, as if he might lose control and strike Tanliwei at any moment.

"Return to camp!"

In the end, Sandoor restrained himself. He barked a cold order to his deputy, "Tally the casualties, then send someone to report to Captain Vili!"

It was the middle of the night. Back at the rear camp, Vili was already resting.

"Captain, a battle report has come from the northwestern border."

Dane’s voice came from outside the tent.

"Come in."

Vili was a light sleeper, so the slight stir had woken him.

He was wearing regular clothes, not armor.

After receiving Vili’s permission, Dane strode hastily into the tent.

His face was ashen, and he seemed to be struggling to control his emotions.

"What happened?"

Vili asked, his voice still calm.

Dane pursed his lips. After a moment of silence, he responded, "Just half an hour ago, a group of soldiers from the Wata Duchy launched a sneak attack. There were about fifty or sixty of them. Sandoor led our Diamond Team Six to counterattack. The result was twelve wounded and six dead."

"And Diamond Team One?"

Vili’s voice was very low.

When asked this question, Dane clenched his fists. "Diamond Team One didn’t even join the fight. Tanliwei only sent men over when the skirmish was nearly over."

"That bastard..." Dane wished he could cut Tanliwei down right then and there. "He got six of our brothers killed! We just arrived at the front lines, and already..."

Vili waved a hand, then suddenly stood up.

’It’s time...’

Vili began to don his Light Armor.

"Time for what? And, Captain, you’re..."

Dane didn’t understand what Vili meant.

A cold glint flashed in Vili’s eyes. "It’s time to kill someone."

Dane froze for a second. "Kill someone?"

"Gather ten cavalrymen. We’re going to the front lines!"

Vili gave the command.

A look of realization dawned in Dane’s eyes, followed by excitement. "Yes, sir!"

Under the cover of night, a dozen or so figures on horseback galloped toward the frontline camp.

「Frontline camp, inside a tent.」

"Tanliwei, you’d better have an explanation for this!"

Sandoor’s arm was bandaged. He was flanked by two deputies, his eyes fixed hatefully on Tanliwei.

Tanliwei also had two deputies behind him, their expressions flippant.

"Captain Sandoor, I truly must apologize for this matter. It’s all my fault that Diamond Team One was too slow."

Tanliwei put on an expression of deep remorse. "These men have gotten too lax. I can’t command them at all. I will definitely drill these worthless bastards more in the future. I won’t let something like this happen again."

"Then what about the six brothers from Team Six who died?"

Sandoor demanded sharply.

"I’m very sorry about that..." Tanliwei shook his head. "But in war, how can there not be casualties?"

"You..."

Sandoor shot to his feet, about to throw a punch, when he suddenly heard a voice call from outside.

"Captain Vili has arrived!"

Sandoor and the deputies behind him were visibly startled.

Tanliwei, however, frowned. ’Is this guy here to hold me accountable?’

But Tanliwei quickly dismissed the thought. Vili’s previous behavior had been too cowardly; the chances of him coming specifically to assign blame were slim.

’Besides, even if he really intends to punish me, he’d have to get Ricker’s permission. And I’m Ricker’s man.’

At this thought, Tanliwei breathed a sigh of relief.

The tent flap was thrown open, and Vili walked in, accompanied by Dane.

"Captain!"

Sandoor and his two deputies quickly bowed to Vili.

Vili gave a slight nod.

"Captain Vili."

Tanliwei also gave a slight nod, but his tone held little respect.

Vili glanced at Tanliwei and smiled faintly.

Tanliwei’s heart skipped a beat. That smile made him uneasy.

"Captain, about what happened on the front line..."

Sandoor began to speak, but Vili stopped him.

Vili patted Sandoor’s shoulder. "You did nothing wrong. You just need a bit more combat experience. The fault doesn’t lie with you, but with others."

Seeing this, Tanliwei could tell that Vili’s visit was not a friendly one. However, he wasn’t particularly panicked, since he had Ricker backing him.

"This was all my fault. I guarantee it won’t happen next time."

Tanliwei took a step forward and offered a perfunctory statement.

Vili smiled and wagged his finger. "No, there won’t be a next time."

"Hmm?"

Tanliwei froze, not yet understanding.

Then he saw Vili suddenly lift his leg and slam a kick into his abdomen.

The full power of his 3.7 Constitution was unleashed in that moment.

BAM!

Before Tanliwei could react, a sharp pain erupted in his abdomen, and his breath caught in his throat. He was sent flying like a kicked dog, soaring through the air before crashing violently into a table inside the tent.

The table shattered on impact. Tanliwei was about to scream, but a coppery taste filled his throat, and he spat out a mouthful of blood instead.

Silence. The only sound in the tent was breathing.

Sandoor and Dane exchanged a shocked glance, each seeing the utter astonishment in the other’s eyes.

Their captain, who had always been so forbearing, had finally exploded! And he had struck with ruthless speed!

A sudden sense of exhilaration washed over them, instantly dispelling the gloom that had weighed on their hearts.

"You..."

Tanliwei clutched his stomach, kneeling curled on the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. For the first time, terror appeared in his eyes as he looked at Vili.

He had never imagined that this seemingly harmless young man could strike with such terrifying strength.

"If you injure me like this, Lord Ricker will definitely hold you accountable!"

Tanliwei’s head was spinning, and his words came out in a panicked rush.

"Injure you?"

Vili didn’t seem to mind; instead, he laughed out loud.

"No... I’m going to kill you."

His smile tightened, and Vili’s voice exploded in Tanliwei’s ears.