The man was also bruised from leg to foot. Antonia had to strip his underpants, cover the wound with powder, wrap it carefully, and wear pants back.
The man seemed better in the face. "I am Elian Weimann, a knight under Count Hagenes. Thanks a lot for helping. "
"I'm Antonia Kozey, a huntress who grew up here. Where did your injury come from?"
"A few days ago, I came across the cult Trophy planning a plot. Their success will certainly harm the people in the territory. I went to carry out justice, but was outnumbered, chased all the way, and seriously injured."
Antonia was stunned. {Is this man an idiot? Shouldn't a normal person firstly investigate the power of the enemies and then call a group fight? Whatever, being able to fight a cult on his own and then escape alive, he is powerful enough.}
Elian continued: "I'm fine with my external injuries now, but the internals are hard to heal, and my power has also not recovered. Trophy won't give up on this, so I have a presumptuous request. Could you please escort me back to Count's Castle? There must be a big thank to you afterward."
"Escort you home?" Antonia frowned, "Is Count's Castle far from here?"
"Not too far for me. But for you, maybe half a month."
"So is it dangerous along the way?"
Elian fell silent. Being hunted down by the cult, seriously injured, and the castle far away, the situation is extremely perilous. Escorting him back to town, even for average soldiers, is a challenging task, let alone for Antonia, a muggle.
But the glory of the knight did not allow him to lie. "Probably a close shave."
"Very good." Antonia smiled, "I'm going to escort you back to town."
"It's human to say no. I won't force you … Wait a minute?" Elian reacted, "You said yes? Did you hear about the close shave?"
{It seems that my reaction is so suspicious that I need an excuse.} Antonia said, "Mr. Weimann, since you have the courage to fight alone for the people, why can't I join you against the cult? Not to mention those big thanks. I believe that I am blessed and will be able to get that thanks."
Elian looked at Antonia.
Years of experience dealing with people told him that Antonia was lying, but he felt that Antonia had no malice and that she really wanted to escort him back to town. However, now the priority is to get back to town, and he can't bother about that much. "Then please, Ms. Kozey. The cult may catch up at any time. Let's take off as soon as possible."
So Antonia quickly equipped her with a knife and a bow and arrow and brought the smoked jerkies. "You know the direction, don't you?"
"Of course."
...
The cult Trophy. Heretics all wore gloomy faces.
"Damn Count Hagenes! Damn Elian Weimann!" The holy son, Bertrand Stracke, was so furious, smashing countless clutter. "We Trophy's 50-year plan!"
Fifty years ago, Trophy discovered the tomb of an ancient dark wizard. They immediately blocked the news and secretly explored it. Only recently did they get two high-level magic weapons from it. Trophy executives were so excited.
Bertrand even began to think about where to test their power. "The West is the land of Count Leuschke, and that guy has a better nose than a dog. Bad. Count Hackett of the South, all bark and no bite, did nothing when we previously killed thousands there. Good."
Who knows, an Elian Weimann would jump in halfway? Fighting the whole Trophy, killing the hierarch and several elders, he robbed one of the magic weapons and escaped.
"The power of the Hagenes Knights deserves the reputation. But seriously injured and implanted with my tracking magic, how can you possibly escape! Where's Stephania King!"
A crooked-mouthed rat-eyed woman ran over. Despite the ugly appearance, her power was among the top of the heretics.
"You go and kill Elian Weimann."
Stephania, though timid about the power of Elian, also saw the hierarch seriously injured him before dying. Moreover, the dark power of the magic weapon he robbed will conflict with his own divine power, continuously hurting him. "Rest assured, sir. I shall take his head back for you." She was full of confidence.
"Don't take it lightly." Bertrand handed over one thing, "Take this and ensure a definite kill!"
It was a magic equipment Stephania had coveted all the time but got no chances to be rewarded. "Is this for me?"
"Lend it to you for the time being. Once you kill Elian Weimann, it becomes yours."
"Long live, holy son!" Stephania couldn't imagine how she would possibly fail.
...
The forest was so big that Antonia and Elian walked all day but still inside. They had to camp in place. As the bonfire went out, Antonia fell asleep.
Suddenly one hand touched Antonia's face.
The hand was thick and warm, shaking Antonia's face. It seemed to wake her up, but the technique was soft and messy as if it were teasing.
Antonia opened her eyes and saw Elian lying on her chest, face red, eyes misted, looking affectionately at Antonia. "So, you're a day-idiot and night-satyr?"