Way of the Knights

---

The female slave was stunned when she heard his words. She looked at the young man's eyes which radiated with nothing but pure coldness. She then looked at the dagger in front of her. Her eyes flashed with coldness and hesitation.

She didn't know if she could truly trust this young man but his offer was extremely tempting for her. God knows how much she had suffered ever since he was fancied by this noble. She was covered in bruises and toyed with for the most part yet she couldn't do anything other than to cry out her frustrations. The young man's offer was akin to a heavenly temptation, it was so enticing to the ears.

Elias watched in horror as the female slave picked up the dagger, he wanted to say something but his jaw was dislocated due to Raven ruthlessly stomping his head earlier. His nose was also broken, making it difficult for him to breathe evenly and his face is covered in his own blood which he had never experienced before.

For some reason, when the female slave picked up the dagger, she felt a weird sensation of power for the first time in her life. Like being possessed by a demon, she harshly glared at the bloodied noble and took a couple of steps forward.

Elias was horrified, since he couldn't speak he could only shook his head from side to side, hoping that the female slave understood what he was trying to say. Of course, the slave understood what he meant, but unfortunately for him, he had no power over her now, specially that Raven was still here.

"Ahhh!"

The female slave shrieked, she channeled all of her frustrations and grievances onto the dagger she was holding as she leapt and plunged it onto Elias' heart.

Elias' eyes widened, he spat out blood and tried to grab the dagger away from his chest but his strength was being quickly drained. His saw his life flash before his very eyes, all of the very events that lead into this pitiful end. If he had known that a day like would come, then he shouldn't have provoked this devil. Unfortunately, regretting something means that it's too late, there's nothing else for him to do other than to die in the hands of the slave that he toyed with a few moments ago.

The slave's legs gave way, she slumped onto the floor with tears running down from her face. She wasn't sad, these tears were there because of joy and relief. Finally, after years of torment, she ended her nightmare using her bare hands, even if she dies after this, she will have no regrets.

"Do you know this place well?"

The female slave raised her head and saw Raven crouching in front of her. She blanked out for a bit but managed to nod her head and said: "Like the back of my hand."

Without any hesitation, Raven took out two vials of green liquid. He placed one vial gently on her lips and urged her to drink it. At this point, there is no reason for the female slave to resist so she did what he asked. As the contents of the vial slid down her throat, she felt an inexplicable comfort, it was like she the embrace of her mother. Raven didn't stop there and popped the cork of the other vial, this time he applied the contents evenly throughout her body.

After a few minutes, the female slave was stunned to see that all of her bruises and wounds have healed and returned to their previous state. Her complexion also turned rosy and healthy, like she wasn't even injured in the slightest before. She started to think that whatever medicine he applied must be really expensive, yet he didn't even hesitate to use to her. A funny feeling started to emerge on her heart as she thought about this.

"What's your name?" Raven asked.

"Joanna." She replied.

"Alright, Joanna." Raven took out some spare clothes from his spatial ring and draped it over her. "These are the only spare clothes I have. Change to it and I have a task for you."

After saying this Raven turned around and stared at the door. Joanna clutched the clothes that he gave, she then thought: 'When was the last time that I met someone who was kind enough to give me clothes?'

The answer to her thought slipped out of mind but she didn't care, at this current moment one thing is clear to her. This young man is not an enemy, he's here to help her and not to take advantage of her. And even if he wanted to take advantage of her, she wouldn't mind at all.

After she was done changing, she quietly stood behind Raven and waited for his further instructions. She saw him look back and gazed directly at her eyes. She then heard him say:

"Lead me to where the slaves are being kept. I am going to free you all."

His declaration sent chills all over her body. She felt a huge wave of emotions, specially after he said that he's going to free them. How long had she been dreaming of someone telling her this? How long had they've been waiting for someone to come to their aid and free them from this miserable fate?

Joanna can't help but to bite her lips and suppress her sobs, somewhat failing in the process. Raven stepped forward and grabbed her by the shoulders, saying: "Save the tears for later. Be strong, we have work to do."

His words was like a calm breeze that washed away her worries, she wiped the tears from her face and nodded. Raven asked her to lead the way and she did.

Together, they passed through multiple rooms, creating as little noise as possible. Joanna used signals to warn him if there will be traps or guards nearby which wasn't needed since Raven could see them before she could, but still highly appreciated.

After going through numerous twists and turns, Joanna pointed at the room where the majority of the slaves are being kept, she was about to go in when Raven stopped her. He sensed some people inside and they are quite formidable. From what his sense are telling him, there's at least four people inside who's at Knight Stage, they were alert so it would be hard for them to do what they came here for.

Raven's thoughts flashed, a plan formed inside his head as he whispered something to Joanna's ears. After hearing his plan, a resolute expression emerged from her face, there was no hesitation from her face at all as she nodded and agreed to the plan.

"Go on. I'm watching you." Raven patted her back and gave her some encouragement.

Joanna took in a couple of deep breaths and channeled her emotions. Tears ran down from her face as she wantonly pushed the doors open, she then yelled at the guards with voice full of panic.

"Help! Help! Someone killed young master Elias! He's coming here! Help!"

Her screams were heard by the guards and the slaves. The guards wore a panicked expression as they immediately went closer to where she was. Joanna was still panicking and pointing at the direction of the hallway, the guards went pass her but as they did, a silhouette brushed passed them and instantly, the guards were rendered unconscious.

Raven sighed in relief, he went closer to Joanna and patted her in the head saying: "You did well. Help me, let's drag them inside before someone comes."

Joanna nodded and helped Raven drag the unconscious guards inside the slave quarters. When they were done, Raven and Joanna looked at the slaves inside the quarters. All of them were looking warily towards both of them, huddling together as if the two was here to harm them.

"Try to talk to them, I'll go ahead and pave a way for you."

Raven disinclined to stay and allowed Joanna to talk to the slaves.

Joanna panicked for a bit but couldn't really stop him. She looked back and stared at the slaves, not really knowing what to say. It was then that someone stepped forward and said: "Joanna? Is that you?"

"Jemma!" Joanna saw her and instantly ran towards her, she gave as huge hug while Jemma looked at her from head to toe.

"You… you're healed! What's going on Joanna? What was that back there? Who's that?"

Joanna shook her head and started explaining, "I don't know who he is but he told me one thing, he said that he's going to free us."

She then started to tell them the her story, from when Elias was taking advantage of her to where Raven came in and did all sorts of miraculous things.

"A chance like this might never happen again." Joanna resolutely said, "I'm escaping this place. Even if I fail, I'm going to die trying. I miss my family so bad, don't you all feel the same?"

"If you don't feel confident, you don't have to follow me. But I want to return to the surface, I want my freedom back. To all of you who wants to give it a shot, follow me.. Benefactor is currently paving a way for us."