Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 77 – Riftan’s Anger

The man named Rob, apparently feeling the same distress to befall on him, hurriedly backed away with his face completely turned aghast. However, before he could retreat further, Sir Ovaron stood right behind him, his sword menacingly pointed at him, cutting off his only escape route.

Being forced into a corner, Rob’s face twisted, and he suddenly shouted, “The-there are hundreds of knights in Kai’Sa who have sworn allegiance to me! If you kill me, then it will be war!”

“I look forward to that.”

“Lord Calypse!” In the growing tempest, Ruth immediately made his way towards Riftan’s side, who had his sword already out into the air. Seeing the wizard approach him, Riftan’s dry gaze tilted towards him in question.

“If he really is a nobleman of Libadon, you can’t kill him here. Once we take him into custody, we can negotiate with Libadon and sell him…”

“Are you arguing with my decision?” Riftan replied, boring his steely eyes into Ruth’s smaller frame.

Ruth stood his ground, looking at him determinedly, “War brings nothing but loss. It’s better to just follow the procedures and get some compensation in return.”

“I refuse.” Riftan spat coldly, the venom dripping from his words, “We can just barge into his land and take everything, who cares about lengthy procedures?”

It was a ruthless tone that conveyed he thought nothing of both the thirty-armed knights before them now and the hundreds of knights stationed in Kai’Sa.

Ruth let out a small sigh, “If you do that then it will cause friction with Libadon and…” he trailed off and suddenly looked back at Max, who was hiding in the back with the help of a guard.

“Must you defile the eyes of the lady even more? Please show some chivalry.”

A frown rippled across Riftan’s calm face that had been promising war a moment ago. When he glanced towards the back, trying to figure out what the wizard had meant, his eyes opened wide seeing Max unsightly sitting on the floor. Right away, a look screaming bloody murder, incomparable with his fury from before, appeared on his still face.

He fiercely stared at Ruth and snarled, “Why on earth is my wife in a place like this?!”

“Isn’t it natural that when a problem arises in the territory, it’s the madam’s responsibility to take care of it at the absence of the lord?”

Ruth stayed perfectly calm despite the ferocious aura that made even the knights around him freeze. Riftan gritted his teeth at the former’s calm façade, then suddenly pushed his sword right under Rob’s neck with lighting speed.

“Drop your weapon and get down from the horse… If you don’t disobey, I’ll let your neck stay connected to your head.”

“Just, just let me go! I’ll leave this land right away…”

“You want me to just let you go after you attacked my estate?” Riftan then cut his horse down violently. “It’s either you die here or surrender. Your choice.”

Rob’s eyes quickly glanced around to grasp the situation. His men were completely surrounded by Remdragon’s knights. Maybe realizing there was no chance of winning, he threw his sword away and came down from the horse. His knights, following his lead, also gave up their swords on the ground.

Riftan then signaled his knights with his eyes. “Tie everyone up and throw them into the dungeon.”

Max could finally let out a long sigh of relief, her shoulders visibly relaxing. She couldn’t believe that after he came, the whole situation had been cleared up in a matter of minutes.

“Ma-madam, are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere—”

“What were you thinking?!”

Max, who was trying to stand up with the help of a guard, felt her back stiffen. When she raised her head, she saw him sitting tall on his horse with his back to the sun. Despite the bright backlight, she could clearly see the anger perceptible on his face.

She stuttered in reply, “I-I heard there was a problem so….”

“What the hell are you saying you could have done?” he snarled, gripping the reins of his horse until his knuckles turned white.

At that moment, Max felt the blood from her face drain. She hastily bent her head down to hide her face white from shock. It felt excruciatingly suffocating, as if all the air from her lungs had fled, to see the person who treated her with such kindness up till he left, give her such a chilly look.

“I, I…”

She desperately scrambled for words to defend herself, but nothing came to mind. Because it was as he said – there was nothing she could have done… Max couldn’t finish her sentence and could only bite her lips tight she was sure they would bleed.

She suddenly heard a harsh curse ring out from above her, and she felt her body rise into the air. Max stifled a yelp as Riftan snatched her up from the waist and sat her in front of him. When that was done, he then shouted back to the men behind him.

“I’m going to the castle first. Clean everything up.”

He didn’t even stop to listen for a reply and just drove his horse away like lightning towards the castle. The youths, who had gathered far away to watch, hurriedly opened up the way for them. Max clung onto his bosom, which was wrapped in hard armor, and closed her eyes tight. His forearm, surrounded by a cold bracer, was fastened around her waist so tight it hurt.