Helag spotted a man hiding in the bushes, with a pile of rocks in front of him.
He smiled and drew his bowstring. With Deep Blue's assistance, he aimed through the gaps in the rocks and shot the man in the head.
Another man was crouching, his head barely visible. Helag adjusted his angle and shot him, causing a spray of red and white.
After killing four men, the remaining nine hid in blind spots, too scared to move.
"The intel said this place was empty! Why is there a sharpshooter here?" someone angrily shouted at the intel officer.
They were completely pinned down by Helag, unable to move.
But Helag wasn't going to stay still. Deep Blue quickly calculated another optimal sniping position. Emil stayed at the pass while Helag stealthily moved to a new spot.
Helag, now a deathly reaper, took another life with a single arrow.
"He's over there! Be careful!" someone shouted, only to be shot through the throat.
Seeing the situation worsen, the leading knight decided to retreat at full speed, thinking Helag couldn't aim at him.
Helag saw this and nocked three arrows on his steel bow.
The three arrows flew, blocking all possible escape routes for the knight, ensuring his death.
Realizing his fate, the knight's face showed despair before an arrow pierced his heart, and he fell.
Emil charged down, knowing the leader was dead and the rest were no threat. With Helag's support, he had no fear for his safety.
Emil cut down a man with ferocious strength, venting his frustration.
Another tried to retaliate but was shot through the heart by Helag.
Of the fourteen attackers, only two surrendered, trembling on their knees.
"I ask, you answer," Helag said coldly.
"Yes! Yes!" The two were terrified of Helag's steel bow, knowing he had killed a knight.
"Who are you?"
They thought, "He doesn't even know who we are and killed us all?" but answered meekly, "We're Simon's men from Beharad."
"Your purpose? Don't tell me you're here for the wedding," Helag continued.
"We came to raid the Pumpkin Farm, as it's usually unguarded," one man said, clutching his head.
Helag said nothing, drew his sword, and killed him.
"You," Helag pointed to the remaining man.
Covered in blood, the man was terrified. "We… we were ordered to attack Baron Buck's castle. We were to surround it and, on the wedding day, kill the baron. Then we'd join others to storm the castle. And… and there's a traitor inside the castle…"
Helag and Emil exchanged glances, realizing the gravity of the situation.
After extracting all useful information, Helag ended the man's life.
"Simon isn't backing down. He even disregards the Duke of Tulip's influence. He's courting death," Emil said darkly.
If they were confident of killing Baron Buck, it meant Simon's wizard would act. Only a wizard could claim to kill a great knight.
"We must inform the baron immediately, though we might be too late," Emil said, hurrying back to the farm.
The farm was seven days from the castle, and the wedding was in four days. They had to travel nonstop to make it in time.
Helag and Emil rode hard, eating on horseback and resting only when utterly exhausted.
After three days, the horses were too tired to continue.
They left the horses, knowing they would find their way home, and continued on foot.
On the fourth morning, they finally emerged from the Emerald Mountains, seeing the town in the distance.
The town was festive, celebrating Melissa's upcoming marriage to the Tulip family.
"Emil! Come have a drink!" A guard, drunk and holding a cup, called out.
"Who allowed you to drink?" Emil shouted angrily.
"The butler Ivan said we could. He even provided good wine, saying we could celebrate Miss Melissa's wedding," the guard slurred.
"Ivan!" Emil growled through gritted teeth.
Ivan had been with Baron Buck for many years, always low-key and diligent.
"Now it seems Ivan is highly suspicious. He shouldn't interfere with the guards," Helag noted.
The butler managed internal affairs and had no authority over the guards.
Emil said, "Guards on duty must never drink. It's a strict rule. Ivan knows this. He never meddles with the guards. He must be the traitor, and likely not the only one."
Reaching the castle, they found even the gate guards had been drinking, in courtesy of Ivan.
Inside, the banquet had begun. It was the bride's family feast, with only a butler from the Tulip family representing them.
The spacious courtyard was filled with tables of food and wine. In the center, dancers performed.
Baron Buck and Melissa sat on a high platform, the baron chatting and laughing with the Tulip butler.
Melissa looked sad, not touching her food.
When the disheveled Helag and Emil appeared, they drew everyone's attention.
Melissa's eyes lit up with affection as she saw Emil. "Emil!" she called softly.
Baron Buck, seeing Emil's grim face, demanded, "Why are you back?"
Emil knelt before the platform. "Forgive my rudeness, my lord. Three days ago, Helag and I defeated a group of Beharad invaders at the Pumpkin Farm. According to a captured prisoner, they plan to attack you today, and there's a traitor inside the castle. We rushed back to warn you."
TL/n -
You can read up to Chapter 30 for free at p@treon.com/inkbound
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