Chapter 143: Baldwin?!

The enormous metal bolt continued flying, smashing straight through a nearby tree.

Its trunk shattered instantly, sending splinters everywhere.

Only after traveling several more meters did the bolt finally plunge into the ground.

For a moment, the clearing fell completely silent.

Large clouds of dust joined the billowing dark smoke in the sky.

’’Hehehe.’’

Finn tilted his head as he chuckled to himself.

’’Now that’s an interesting way to die,’’ he muttered, staring at the remains of the mage.

He jumped to his feet, casually brushing the dirt off his hands.

Then he approached the corpse.

Or rather, what was left of it.

The mage’s upper body had been torn apart by the impact, leaving his head and neck lying several meters away from his legs.

Finn crouched down.

’’Hmmm...’’

He tilted his head, examining the remains curiously.

Then, without the slightest hesitation, he grabbed the mage’s head by the hair and lifted it.

A portion of the neck was still attached, along with several strips of torn flesh hanging beneath it.

Finn nodded approvingly.

’’A beautiful souvenir,’’ he mumbled. ’’It’ll commemorate this perfectly.’’

He seemed rather pleased with his discovery.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out from behind him.

’’Finn!’’

Roderic emerged from the trees, his gaze landing on the mangled corpse.

A broad grin filled with barely contained excitement sat on his face.

’’Good fucking work!’’ he said, raising his thumb. ’’The fire signals were amazing!’’

Finn smiled back at him.

’’Young master,’’ he greeted, bowing slightly.

But Roderic’s attention had long since switched back to the corpse.

A Second Circle Mage had died just like that!

All it cost was a single metal bolt.

’Now that’s what I call a good investment,’ he thought, rubbing his hands together.

Just then, Finn walked towards him.

’’Young master, look!’’ he exclaimed cheerfully, raising the severed head. ’’I got a souvenir!’’

Turning back to him, Roderic’s smile stiffened.

’’...What the fuck?’’ he muttered, frowning.

Finn tilted his head curiously.

’’What?’’ he asked innocently.

Roderic’s mouth opened as he pointed at the head.

But after a moment, he just sighed in resignation.

’’Whatever, I don’t even want to know.’’

Turning back around, Roderic was just about to tell Finn to follow him, but suddenly froze in place.

His eyes spun back, growing wider in an instant.

’Oh shit,’ he thought, swallowing. ’Not good.’

Through the trees, several distant figures on horseback appeared.

And at their front was a man who sent shivers down Roderic’s spine.

’’FINN! WE’RE LEAVING!’’

Finn blinked once.

Before he even realized what was going on, Roderic grabbed him by his collar.

Then he turned around and started running at full speed.

WHOOSH!

’’W-WOAH!’’ Finn exclaimed, stumbling as he was dragged along.

The sudden movement nearly caused him to drop the severed head.

’’Young master!’’ he whimpered. ’’My souvenir—!’’

’’FUCK YOUR SOUVENIR! RUN!’’ Roderic interrupted.

Before Finn could say another word, a furious roar thundered through the forest.

’’YOUUUUU!!!’’

Finn instinctively glanced over his shoulder.

There, emerging from between the trees, was an enormous, broad-shouldered knight.

Long hair, woven into thick, Viking-like braids, hung over his shoulders while a massive greatsword rested in his hand.

His breathing was heavy, and his face had turned completely red with fury.

Behind him, well over twenty mounted soldiers followed closely.

Finn’s eyes lit up.

’’Ohhhh!’’ he exclaimed, nodding slowly. ’’A Three-Seal Knight! Commander Baldwin of Ironhart!’’

Roderic didn’t even bother glancing back.

’’SHUT THE FUCK UP IF YOU DON’T WANT TO GET KILLED!’’ he shouted.

Behind them, Baldwin’s expression twisted even further.

He had followed the smoke into the forest, only to discover the remains of the mage His Highness had entrusted to their army.

And now, the two responsible were running away right in front of him!

’’YOU FUCKING BASTARDS!’’ he roared.

BOOM!

Aura erupted around his body.

’’I’LL KILL BOTH OF YOU!’’

Roderic felt a chill run down his spine.

Suddenly, his instincts screamed at him to duck.

WHOOSH!

He ducked just in time, letting a wide aura arc pass overhead.

’Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!’ he thought, tightening his grip on Finn’s collar. ’Of all the people who could’ve shown up, why did it have to be a Three-Seal Knight?!’

Several trees collapsed all around, having been hit by the arc.

Fortunately, the wagon finally came into sight.

It had already started moving, likely having heard the commotion.

’’FREDERIC!’’ Roderic shouted. ’’GO FULL SPEED!’’

His retainer nodded and snapped the reins.

At the same time, Paul and Peter lowered themselves and stuck out their hands.

’’CATCH!’’

Roderic hurled Finn forward.

As the two caught him, he himself jumped on top of the wagon.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The reinforced wheels rattled violently as they raced across the ground.

Behind them, Baldwin climbed on top of his own horse.

His eyes were filled with fury as they remained locked on the fleeing wagon.

’’After them!’’ he said through gritted teeth.

’’YES, COMMANDER!’’

THUD! THUD! THUD!

More than twenty horses began galloping forward.

Roderic glanced over his shoulder.

The distance between them was already shrinking.

’Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.’

His gaze shifted towards the enormous ballista mounted on the wagon.

For a brief moment, he considered using it.

Then he glanced at the four horses pulling them.

’Nope, can’t use that!’

Firing the weapon in their current position would be a disaster.

The recoil alone could send the wagon forward, potentially crushing their horses’ hind legs.

’’That leaves just two things,’’ he muttered.

Without another thought, he pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket.

He stuffed it into Peter’s hand right away.

’’GO TO FREDERIC!’’ he shouted over the howling wind. ’’TELL HIM TO HEAD FOR THE WESTERN WALL AND PASS THROUGH THE RED CROSS MARKER CLOSEST TO US!’’

Peter blinked in confusion for a moment.

’’JUST WARN ME WHEN WE GET CLOSE TO THE CROSS!’’

Without waiting for a response, Roderic turned around again.

[Ding!]

[5 Throne Coins deducted!]

Ordinary hooked blades appeared out of thin air.

Roderic caught two while the rest fell into the wagon below.

’If you want to chase us so badly...’ he thought. ’Then let’s see how many of you actually make it back!’

A vicious grin appeared on his face as he raised his arm.