Chapter 1, The Calamity of Unforeseen Misfortune

After listening to the knight's brief whisper, the Duke smiled gently and, in a very mild tone, addressed the assembled ministers at the table: "I apologize, but please allow me to step out for a moment. It is a matter concerning my daughter; she has been causing a ruckus outside and has sustained some injuries"

The duke cast a reproachful glance at the knight and let out a soft sigh. He then asked, "What have you done with that soldier?"

When Duke Mralak returned to the conference hall with a beaming smile, the ministers eagerly inquired about the injuries of the duke's daughter. After expressing his gratitude for everyone's concern, the duke suggested continuing the previous topic of discussion: "Regarding the general's request for an increase in financial allocations for his western army to eliminate the various orc tribes, I am in full support. After all, the safety of the nation and its people is paramount, and it is reasonable to make reductions in other areas for this purpose."

Duke Mralak went to the imperial city to attend a military conference, where he was received by a young knight who claimed to be the duke's assistant

The knight stood up, his sword-like brows slightly raised, and a blade-like gleam shone in his eyes. There was not a trace of a smile on his face, and he appeared so imposing that it seemed his countenance had never been softened by a smile. He shouted in a stern voice: "Come here. Take him down."

Oh, so that's how it is. Good, good, that's wonderful. The knight's brow cleared up suddenly, and he seemed to feel a sense of relief, appearing very happy. His smile was as dazzling as his golden hair, and it was quite infectious. Most girls' ideal romantic partner must look something like this.

The duke gradually guided the knight: "Every minute he remains alive and in contact with others increases the danger to us. Since you know how to deal with him, you should do your utmost to minimize his opportunities to interact with others while he is still alive"

A trace of concern flickered in the duke's eyes as he asked, "How is Xiao Yi's injury?"

In the garden outside the hall, the knight recounted to the duke in detail every word that Asa had previously stated to him

Do not be overly constrained by rules, as rules exist primarily to facilitate the handling of matters. Regardless of the circumstances, one should prioritize their own judgment and rational analysis. The duke looked at the knight and said, word by word, "More importantly, one must have confidence in their own judgment."

Asa nodded and said, "That's how it is." The journey had made him quite thirsty, so he picked up the pot on the table to pour himself a cup, only to find that it contained milk tea

What do you think they are like

"Then you alone broke through, only to be pursued, fighting against your pursuers in the Lizard Swamp..." The knight repeated Asa's account. His enunciation was clear and slow, methodical, as if he feared that others might not hear or misunderstand his words

The smile on the duke's face remained unchanged as he retorted to the knight: "I remember you have seen them."

Thanks to several healing runes and potions in their packs, they were able to leave the riverbank and find a dead tree to float down to Brakada. Upon learning that the injured party was the daughter of Duke Mralak, the local officials immediately summoned all the priests and doctors within a fifty-mile radius. Asa's broken ribs had been reconnected, and under the influence of the healing spells, he was not in serious danger, though he remained somewhat fragile. His left wrist, however, was shattered so severely that it took an entire day to find the bone fragments mixed in with the flesh, requiring the assistance of several butchers and coroner's aides. Asa lost consciousness from the pain three times, and it was only with great difficulty that they managed to piece him back together. An astonishing number of healing spells and medications were used, alleviating the pain, but there were still concerns about potential disabilities. Asa now placed all his hopes on the wealth and influence of Duke Mralak and the expertise of the priests in the capital.

The knight seemed to have just thought of it and asked, "Then what about Miss Xiao Yi..."

"Indeed," the knight nodded. "On behalf of the Duke, I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for your brave act of saving Miss Xiaoyi." After a pause, he looked directly at Asa and said in a slow and clear voice, "Moreover, it was indeed a very wise choice for you to report this matter directly to the Duke's residence. I believe Duke Murlak will be very pleased to hear about it." His azure eyes revealed an expression of uncontainable joy. He continued in his slow and clear voice, "Moreover, it was indeed a very wise choice for you to report this matter directly to the Duke's residence. I believe Duke Murlak will be very pleased to hear about it." His azure eyes revealed an expression of uncontainable joy. "You are incredibly lucky, truly lucky." These words were spoken with particular emphasis, as if he was genuinely celebrating Asa's fortune.

"Yes." The knight replied with his head lowered, answering with great effort

There is probably nothing of concern. The local officials have dispatched a convoy to escort the young lady, who is currently on her way back

Held in the prison within the city, awaiting your disposition

When the knight dropped the cup, he pointed at the velvet chair that Asa had just occupied and commanded, "Throw away this cup, the pot, and that chair." He added as he stepped out the door, "Do not let me see them again when I return"

The duke asked: "What do you think I will do to him?"

Asa sat in the velvet armchair, his fingers kneading the soft, smooth fabric. He had only seen such a thing before. The old scholar in the village had a box for storing sacred texts that had a similarly thin layer. When he was three years old, he saw an older child merely touch it with his hand, and then that hand was punished so severely that he couldn't hold a spoon for three days.

Such a noble, mysterious, and dangerous existence is now surprisingly sitting beneath him, making him feel somewhat strange yet also a bit exhilarated

The duke squinted his eyes and listened intently. His eyes were not large, and when they squinted, it seemed as if he were smiling. His well-groomed mustache complemented his slightly portly figure and round cheeks, giving the impression of a kind-hearted, ordinary middle-aged businessman who firmly believed that harmony and amiability were essential for prosperity

My lord, this matter is indeed very dangerous. Fortunately, this soldier has fallen into our hands. Does this not indicate that there is a problem on their side? We should...

It is indeed somewhat strange yet exhilarating to find such a person on equal footing with oneself, lost in contemplation of the matters they have reported, much like that chair, but magnified several times.

"Take him into the prison and ensure he is well guarded; he is an important spy." The knight's voice was more intimidating than his gaze, and the guards hurriedly carried Asa away. "Prepare the horses. Prepare the tokens. I have urgent military matters to discuss with the Duke at the palace"

The knight's hand blade left Asa no time to react, accurately striking the carotid artery on his neck. Asa immediately collapsed to the ground like an emptied pocket.

The Duke's residence not only has highly efficient servants, but also provides swift horses. In just over ten minutes, the knight passed through numerous guards and arrived at the military conference hall, where he met Duke Mralak.

More than ten fully armed guards appeared at the entrance of the hall as if they had emerged from the ground, rushing in to encircle the Asa group.

Baron Clovis Elni, Captain of the Second Division of the Holy Knights, Assistant to His Grace the Duke of Mralak. The knight's gaze returned, his voice steady and smooth, intricately woven with these noble titles. "Miss Xiaoyi's fiancé"

No. This Asa is quite certain. Ever since he emerged from the swamp, he has been on the move without pause. Even now, a bandage is still wrapped around his left wrist

"Are you sure you are the only one who escaped?" The knight furrowed his brow, looking at him with a deep and elegant gaze, asking slowly, word by word, as if this were a matter of great importance

For the Duke, this was a very dangerous stroke of luck. Of course, it was also his own. The knight picked up the cup on the table, intending to take a sip of tea, only to find that he had taken the cup used by Asa earlier. He picked up the pot, only to discover that it was already empty.

No one is infallible, and no one can grasp everything. As long as one has conducted a sufficiently rational analysis, one should trust their feelings and intellect. Even if mistakes occur, there is no need for regret or hesitation. The duke, like a teacher addressing students, carefully explained to the young knight. "Since we believe that they are more adept at resolving such matters than we are, and far more efficient, we should focus on doing our own tasks well. As long as one has conducted a sufficiently rational analysis, one should trust their feelings and intellect. Even if mistakes occur, there is no need for regret or hesitation." The duke continued, resembling a teacher instructing students, carefully explaining to the young knight. "Since we believe that they are more adept at resolving such matters than we are, and far more efficient, we should focus on doing our own tasks well. If there are any oversights, it may be due to uncontrollable factors, such as luck, and there is nothing we can do about it. At least, it does not seem that there are any issues at present. Right?"

I am waiting for you to make a decision, as this matter is indeed very important

"It’s nothing. The mayor of Brakada has sent a convoy to escort her, and it should take about twenty days or so to reach the royal capital." Xiao Yi's cervical vertebrae cracked under the tight grip of the werewolf. During the process of exiting the swamp, the injury worsened due to movement, causing the bones to slightly deform. The priests of Brakada did not dare to intervene directly; they could only use healing spells to provide some initial treatment, then stabilize the injury with a splint and slowly transport her back to the royal capital by carriage.

"Then why don't you report this matter to the commander of your unit?" The knight asked patiently and meticulously, wanting to grasp every detail. His focused expression resembled that of a child, carefully observing with a hint of caution, as if afraid that the matter before him might suddenly vanish.

Ah? Asa was somewhat surprised by the knight's final identity

Kill it

The knight slightly relaxed his brow, but then furrowed it more intensely, asking with greater seriousness: "So, have you discussed this matter with anyone?"

Asa had not yet recovered from the previous surprise when he immediately fell into another, even greater one. He stood up and said: "Is there a mistake? I meant to say..."

Disclose to others the situations he has experienced

Yes

After listening to Asa recount how his unit was completely annihilated on the mountain, the knight let out a long sigh and lowered his head, falling into deep thought

The knight's armor and sword are of the highest quality, adorned with the emblem of the Holy Knights, which Asa had also seen on his captain. Young, handsome, majestic, and possessing an extraordinary demeanor, along with a noble identity and a seamlessly matching aura, he seemed like the protagonist from the tales often recounted by bards in his childhood

The knight took a deep breath, revealing a look that was strikingly incongruous with his demeanor, a mix of defiance and an unmistakable hint of fear, reminiscent of a stubborn youth recalling a fearsome beast that had once terrified him. The knight furrowed his brow and insisted on his viewpoint, saying: "But there has indeed been a mistake..."

Asa felt a sense of unease from the shining gaze of the knight, as it seemed to convey anything but goodwill; there was a flicker of malicious glee within. Asa asked, "What exactly are you... ?"

The duke asked again: "What do you think is the danger posed by this soldier?"

Yes. The knight listened attentively to the duke's words. Following such a superior, the greatest benefit is the numerous opportunities for learning.

Because I am not quite sure who my unit reports to. I just saw that they were recruiting temporary soldiers in Brakada, so I joined. Asaban originally wanted to ask him about the wages from those ten days, which should be collected from a dozen copper coins, but after looking at the silver cup in his hand, he felt embarrassed to bring it up. I asked Xiao Yi... who the young lady should report this matter to, and she said that the Duke is the Minister of Military Affairs of the Empire. I thought it would be faster to report directly.

Although it had long been confirmed, Asa still recalled it carefully and nodded: "Yes. Only me." The milk tea tasted excellent, but the cup was too small; Asa kept drinking and pouring, then drinking again. In fact, he had originally intended to drink directly from the spout, but the grandeur of the duke's residence and the gaze of the knight across from him made him feel somewhat embarrassed.