Chapter 1420 - 1385: Sudden Slaughter

The White Rose Knight Order’s castle residence is scattered with trinkets or decorations made of Demon-Blocking Gold.

These items may not weigh much, but their scattered distribution means their influence is substantial.

An ordinary Mage would likely feel physically nauseous and dizzy just entering, much less attempting to cast Magic.

Demon-Blocking Gold is not only expensive, but scarce in production.

Moreover, it is a strategic resource, rarely sourced and controlled within specific channels.

Having money doesn’t guarantee the ability to purchase such a large amount of Demon-Blocking Gold.

Such resources are typically shipped in scattered quantities without much regulation, but once the shipment volume reaches a certain level, it draws attention from all directions.

The White Rose Knight Order can acquire so much Demon-Blocking Gold, yet there are no market rumors... Where does the money come from? What is the supply channel?

On the other hand: various Demon-Blocking Gold is made into inconspicuous little parts, then distributed to grassroots personnel, placed in the castle’s corners, like the key rings in the sentry room.

Only those with long-term experience using Demon-Blocking Gold would be aware of this point.

Demon-Blocking Gold is expensive, and if distributed, the first reaction would likely be to sell it for money.

Unless you are a combat personnel on the front lines, who would think a small piece of Demon-Blocking Gold is better than a handful of Gold Coins?

Castle trinkets and small parts are the same.

Even in the Temeria Royal Palace, petty thievery can’t be eradicated, and in the knight order’s castle, can it?

The unnoticeable Demon-Blocking Gold may be effective for a few days before it ’disappears.’

With this thought, Lann’s footsteps didn’t pause, striding directly towards the open gate.

Inside, several people also walked out.

Holding torches and oil lamps, the cotton armor glistening so black that it reflected the firelight, though it could faintly be discerned it was originally blue and white.

The person leading was bleary-eyed but carried an impressive air as he led them over.

He opened his mouth, asking Lann as he walked, "Alright, what’s your purpose here, any proof...?"

But although he was imposing, Lann was even more so.

Completely rude and impolite, Lann directly interrupted their speech, treating them like air and walking straight into the castle entrance without a glance.

"This is between Duke Seward and the knight order; are you recruits? Just call someone, it’s for your own good, don’t ask more. Do you think I would come here alone in the dark of night for everyone to see me?"

Dominant, cold, indisputable.

The recruits were very familiar with this demeanor.

Almost instantly, the recruit leader’s bravado was completely suppressed.

He dared not rub his sleepy eyes.

He responded with a few meek words, then didn’t dare ask more and turned to walk towards the castle’s main tower.

Only after walking away, Lann’s extraordinary hearing caught a few murmurs in the cold wind.

’Wearing a Magic Cloak at night, crazy.’

’May you fall off your horse and break your neck.’

’Duke’s dog is also a dog.’

A few curses, and Lann reckoned they were as dull and harmless as the night wind.

Turning his head, he looked at the other few people brought over by the recruit leader, now standing uncertainly before him.

The sentries on the castle walls leaned over to the inside to look down, a rare amusement in the monotonous night watch.

"Where do you recruits live?" Lann asked casually as if passing the time, "Point them out to me."

The several people exchanged glances, not in disbelief, but anxiety.

Finally, one person, lips pursed, said nothing, only pointed to a few places.

It was a series of large single-story houses built at the foot of the castle walls, starkly different from the towers within the castle.

"Do the knights live with you?"

Even asking, Lann felt a bit silly but asked to be sure.

As expected, they looked at him as though he had a screw loose, but still answered quietly, "No, sir, the Master Knights live in the tower accommodations. Only during training do they join us."

Saying this, the person pointed to a large open space, where crude, human-shaped wooden stakes, targets, and weapon racks holding rows of spears and Longswords were positioned.

Lann walked over, picked up a Longbow, seemingly assessing the recruits’ weapon standards.

"Go back to sleep, soldiers." Lann said while lightly plucking the bowstring, "Tonight, remember to close your building doors, sometimes what big folks say can be a problem if little folks hear, got it?"

The several looked at each other but eventually nodded awkwardly, "Got it, sir. We understand!"

Saying so, they pushed each other heading towards the dormitory.

"What on earth are you doing?" A Knight draped a thick cloak over his back, wrapping it tightly around his chest as he asked and looked towards the castle courtyard, "Who told you to open the door?"

The leader of the recruits answered honestly: "He’s alone, Master Knight. He also says he’s sent by Duke Seward, and wants to discuss matters."

"Prince Seward’s messenger?" The White Rose Knight, who had come out to assess the situation, pulled the recruit leader’s torch and walked towards the courtyard. "Why have you come at this hour, wearing a Magic Cloak?"

When mentioning ’Magic Cloak,’ due to the constraints of his position, this White Rose Knight didn’t use descriptors such as ’filthy,’ ’lowly,’ ’inferior,’ and the like.

But the expression of disdain on his face compensated for it.

"Too many prying eyes," Lann replied blandly. "If you hadn’t been so ostentatious recently, Duke Seward wouldn’t have found it this troublesome."

"How many times have you rejected His Majesty Veltrest’s messenger? Are you not aware? The pressure from the court is already bearing down on the Duke."

"The Duke bears the pressure for you, so shouldn’t you at least give some feedback? Hurry and deploy your forces! At least show some stance to For Veltrest!"

Information Geralt had uncovered in the mountains was perfectly utilized by Lann.

The White Rose Knight Order made excuses that ’assembling knights takes time’ to stall the request for deployment, and Lann could imagine all sorts of situations in a second.

Who’s bearing pressure? Who’s likely to have a conflict?

Just think simply, and a logical excuse emerges.

"Assembling troops takes time," the White Rose Knight mumbled, having spoken the excuse several times before.

"Our Knight Order members are spread all over, sir. But give us time, and we can assemble a force capable of striking down those in black clothes, bringing victory to both the Prince and the King!"

His nose turned red in the cold, his breath reeking of alcohol, clearly having been interrupted while still holding a cup.

"Future matters are for the future. I advise you to focus on the present."

Lann picked an arrow from the quiver by the longbow stand and raised it.

"I see these recruits are well-equipped, and there are many of them. Send out part of them now, at least as a gesture."

"Go immediately; be ready outside Elrand City. A force is already preparing to depart there."

"A force preparing to depart?" The knight, who had been listening with his head lowered, suddenly spoke up, "Is it Baron Zawada’s forces, or Count Gamo’s?"

"..." Lann paused, holding a bow in one hand and an arrow in the other.

The cold wind made the flames on the torch roar.

While the White Rose Knight slowly pulled his hands completely into his cloak.

"I didn’t expect you to have had a drink in a sudden situation, yet quickly turn suspicious."

Lann suddenly asked softly, the previous imposing air of accusation disappearing instantly.

"Is there something wrong with me?"

"Prince." The White Rose Knight’s expression cooled, losing the polite smile. "In Elrand, you’re expected to call Duke Seward ’Prince,’ you fool."

As he spoke, the White Rose Knight lightly shook his cloak’s hem towards someone nearby, signaling him to call for backup.

He himself prepared to shout loudly.

But just then, he heard soft, somewhat detached words from beneath the ’Magic Cloak.’

"I thought only royal relatives were called ’Prince.’ Seward wants to relate with Veltrest like that?"

"But it doesn’t matter."

Lann raised his arm, and in the process, his cloak naturally brushed aside, revealing what was underneath.

No magic-induced darkness, no normal human failing to fill such a large cloak.

The body beneath the cloak matched the cloak’s size completely.

The White Rose Knight’s eyes widened greatly — a Magic Cloak couldn’t conceal a body to this degree!

In other words: the height and build... These aren’t visual illusions created by a Magic Cloak!

——What the hell is going on?!

"Alert...!"

The White Rose Knight tried to shout ’Alert.’

But before his throat could produce a sound, Lann was already softly muttering, finishing his musings.

"Anyway... enough traces have been left."

With a ’whoosh,’ a fleeting sound!

The arrow that had been between Lann’s fingers shot from the bowstring, piercing through the knight’s throat.

The fluidity of drawing and shooting, even if Lann hadn’t used such a weapon often, piercing a person’s throat at such a close range is still very simple.

First reactions to sudden violence and killing are often bewilderment, followed by rage or fear.

Just like the recruit leader beside the White Rose Knight, who unmistakably paused for over a second before letting out a startled scream!