They didn't stop riding forward despite the incoming threats that were being launched.
When words didn't work, the knights took out their swords. And rushed ahead, only aiming for their target.
A Knight swung his sword downwards and felt his blade stopping midway. He forced the blade downwards with all his strength, only to find his own hands shaking.
Kai blocked the attack with a dagger he had on hand. He kicked the horse and with one hand, he reined it around the incoming tree. He finally felt the tension on the dagger was released.
He realised he had to look ahead now as they were in the danger of a zone to be riding on horses. Each time the horse hooves met with the ground water splashed simultaneously.
It was extremely difficult for someone to see in this kind of treacherous weather where the crashing rain acts like a border.
Feeling more nervous than ever, Claude lost grip on the reins of the horse, he quickly fumbled to pick it up, only to make it turn in a whole different direction where a tree was present.
Rushing, he yanked it back and the horse's front legs flew up and the centre of gravity twisted. Claude struggled to get himself balanced and in the end, he slowed down and created an obstacle.
"Claude!" Kai yelled, making a last minute decision to go around Claude's route. The knights will chase him only, right? They won't harm Claude.
However, a knight lacked behind and pulled Claude off the seat on the horse. He held the collar of the child's shirt tightly and pulled him alongside his horse.
"You white haired kid! Your friend is here, it's better if you give up now." The knight threatened, holding up Claude with ease
Kai looked behind, and sure enough, the knight got him. Stuck in a dilemma, he glanced at the three knights chasing him like dogs.
He messed up, the horse got frightened by the lack of guidance and struck into a large boulder. It shook its body in pain as Kai fell off his ride.
Wincing in pain as the rough branches scratched his palm, Kai looked up in defeat. He had been undoubtedly cornered.
He looked down at his feet and heard the splashing of rain in the background as the sound of chains rumbled beside his ears.
"Is he the one then?"
"If he isn't, why would he be running away?"
"He fits the description perfectly too."
"Did we really catch him? Are we going to get promoted?"
"Hush. Besides that.. if we actually catch the right person. Then isn't this kid..Lord Victoria's first child?"
"Didn't he die years ago?"
"Apparently not if she's chasing him down with all her resources. Oi,oi, clasp his chain properly. If he runs, we're dead meat."
"He can't, his friend stuck with us."
"Focus-"
"ARGHHHH! YOU BRAT!" The knight yelled.
Claude seeped his teeth into the arm of the knight. Bitting as hard as he could. Thankfully, the hold on his collar was released. He immediately took this opportunity and ran.
He tapped on the ring multiple times and summoned a sword. A normal one. He rushed ahead right at the knights recklessly.
The moment he did, Kai looked up and pulled out his dagger and stuck it deep into the abdomen of the horse of the knight in front of him.
It immediately went astray in pain.
Water swirled around his feet as it attempted to chain him to the ground. Kai backed away but felt his legs sink in deep. He didn't have time for this.
He raised his dagger again, only to be pushed back by another sword. He looked around. One was preoccupied with the rampant horse, one was taking a close look at his hands while two were right on his neck.
But Claude, however, was in an advantageous position. But he didn't make good use of that. He was struggling to hold onto the sword with his hands shaking.
"Claude! Swing right inwards!" Kai yelled, fighting a battle of strength with one of the knights.
Listening to the instruction, Claude swung. He had managed to strike into the knight's armor but what then?
He didn't have the technique nor strength to push through. And it wasn't helping that someone was using water magic to pull his leg down into the puddle.
And the knight had prepared for the attack too just like how Claude had managed to strike him.
Kai used his other hand and began to freeze the water beneath his feet. It spread out and the ice ground grew at an extreme speed.
The knight struggled to get his footing with the combination of the pouring water and the murderous ice. He attempted to melt the ice but to no avail, the fire was extinguished immediately by the water.
Kai used this opportunity and broke the ice beneath his feet that was originally the water that weighed him back. He stood up and jabbed.
He pressed roughly and with all his strength into the armor. It wasn't budging one bit. He placed his hand up to block the incoming attack.
He couldn't see anything, it was all a blur. And the adrenaline wasn't helping either. He heard small footsteps sneaking up on him.
Breathing heavily, Kai could hear the start of the swing of the blade. The water patter above him struck early into the metal.
He sidestepped at the last moment and felt the sword brushed his skin.
The knight swung his sword at his fellow comrade. And he couldn't stop, not with the amount of momentum he had gathered.
Kai twisted his foot and stomped onto the ground. Ice built up from the water and formed around the shoes of the knight.
"He..lp!" Claude groaned, getting pushed back.
From what he could see, nearly all the knights had recovered. Kai gritted his teeth and was about to cast a spell. But the ice beneath his feet melted.
"What?"