Exploring Technology in a Wizard World
Chapter 459 - 458: Princess of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom

Chapter 459: Chapter 458: Princess of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom

Seeing a companion nailed to death by a black feathered arrow, the many Thieves were greatly alarmed. The eye-patched Thief Leader was furious. He violently turned his head to look in the direction from which the arrow had come and shouted, "Who? Who’s shooting hidden arrows? Who dares to ambush us? Are you looking to die?"

The very next moment, the Thief Leader had locked onto the suspicious "looking-to-die" target and saw that it was a Silver-armored Cavalryman.

The adversary, having arrived on horseback nearby at some unknown time, was holding a black cow horn bow. He had precisely killed a Thief with one arrow. Now, he was calmly pulling out a second arrow from the quiver on his back, preparing to search for a new target. He was not the least bit nervous, treating all the Thieves as if they were mere air.

"An idiot who doesn’t know whether he’s alive or dead!" The Thief Leader bellowed as he witnessed the Silver-armored Cavalryman’s demeanor, his forehead’s veins bulging in rage. "Damn it, just one person dares to attack and play the hero. Do you think you can take on so many of us? It seems you won’t know your capabilities until you get taught a lesson... Damn it!"

By the end of his speech, the Thief Leader suddenly shuddered, his eyes widening in shock. The other Thieves also trembled, instinctively looking around for directions to flee. They were searching for escape routes.

They then saw a cloud of dust suddenly rising behind the Silver-armored Cavalryman. Another two Cavalrymen appeared, Rushing towards the Thieves. It wasn’t until they were close that the Thieves realized it wasn’t just two men, but two troops of Cavalrymen—because at first, being somewhat distant, the front riders blocked the view of those behind, and the trees obscured their view, creating the illusion of only two men.

The two troops of Cavalry charged over, numbering a full hundred, all clad in silver armor and mounted on snow-white horses, their aura of lethality tangible. Without even engaging in combat, the morale of the Thieves had already collapsed.

The Thief Group was motivated by wealth, and each member had good eyesight. At the sight of this Cavalry troop, they knew beyond doubt they were no match. Thus, without any hesitation, a decision was made in their hearts, and they put it into action.

"Run!"

Someone shouted, and the Thieves scattered in all directions, abandoning the encircled Merchant Group, including Harvey and Richard, fleeing into the surrounding area.

The Thief Leader, seeing his subordinates disperse and flee at the appearance of the Silver-armored Cavalry, spoke with a touch of annoyance, "Damn it, don’t be afraid, don’t run. The more scattered we are, the faster we die, understand?

"Stand your ground, everyone! Find a way to stop them, make them realize our strength! Whoever kills one of them, I’ll reward him with a silver coin, no, a Gold Coin plus a woman!"

While he said this, the Thief Leader, without looking back, dived through the densest part of the forest—those who could become a Thief Leader may not necessarily have outstanding skills, but they certainly needed to be cunning.

The Silver-armored Cavalrymen were accustomed to such scenarios. First, they showered the Thieves with arrows, then dismounted and drew their chilly Longswords. Groups of three or five collaborated to pursue, search, and annihilate any Thieves who had fled into the forest.

"Ah! Ah! Ah!"

The pitiful screams of the Thieves echoed continuously. Before long, they were mostly annihilated, their heads severed and dragged out of the woods by the Silver-armored Cavalry.

Several Silver-armored Cavalrymen felled trees and whittled them into sharp stakes, which they placed by the roadside. As their comrades handed them the severed heads of the Thieves, they impaled them upon the stakes.

One could see a dense and frightening forest of heads on either side of the road, a stark and grim warning to any Thieves contemplating further robberies in this region.

Eventually, the eye-patched Thief Leader, who had been hiding in a muddy swamp in the forest, was also captured. Instead of being immediately beheaded, he was dragged out by two Silver-armored Cavalrymen and tossed onto the ground like a dead dog.

"Sir, this is the leader of the Thieves," reported the two Silver-armored Cavalrymen.

"Oh, is that so?" Another Silver-armored Cavalryman stepped forward in response. It was the one who had appeared earlier, the one capable of making precise long-range shots. It was evident that his silver armor was more elaborate than the others, with intricate patterns and some areas even embedded with small diamonds.

"Clack clack clack..."

The man approached the Thief Leader, removed his silver helmet, and handed it to a subordinate, revealing a head of dazzling golden hair and a handsome face.

"Smack!"

He grabbed the Thief Leader by the hair, lifting his head and coldly said, "Do you know how stupid you are? In all my years, you rank as one of the dumbest few I’ve encountered. If not the first, then solidly in the top three. I really can’t understand why, of all the things you could do, you chose to rob near the border of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom. Do you think the people of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom are all blind and deaf?"

"What? You’re from the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom?" The Thief Leader’s eyes bulged in disbelief, "Impossible! I know what the border Soldiers of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom wear, and it’s nothing like you. You’re lying to me!"

"Idiot, did I say I was a border Soldier? Let me tell you, I’m from the Royal Guard Army, got it? The words you’re hearing right now come from the Captain of the Royal Guard First Legion, the Guard Cavalry Team—Franklin!"

"This—" The Thief Leader was stunned, his brain somewhat short-circuited, clearly baffled at how the so-called Royal Guard Army could have appeared here.

"You’re truly foolish!" The handsome Guard Cavalry Captain Franklin said, "Not only did you pick the worst place to rob, but you also chose the worst time for it—if it were any other time, maybe you’d have the luck of not being caught, but you just had to pick now! Of all times, now!"

"I--" the Thief Leader was still confused.

Franklin, however, was tired of wasting words. He kicked the Thief Leader to the ground and waved his hand to his subordinate: "Chop it off!"

"Yes, Captain!"

Two Silver-armored Cavalry approached, one of them drew his longsword. Before the Thief Leader could react, the soldier swung the blade at his neck.

"Spurt!"

The Thief Leader’s corpse lay on the ground, his legs twitching continuously while blood flowed from his neck. His head was carried by a Silver-armored Cavalry to the end of the forest of heads. There, an empty pointed stick was waiting, and it fitted perfectly--neat and tidy, another member of the Thief Group.

Having done this, the Silver-armored Cavalry turned their attention to a group of unfortunate merchants who had been robbed yet were lucky enough to have been rescued in time, as well as to Harvey and Richard.

The Merchant Group’s faces were full of gratitude, almost ready to kneel on the ground, thanking the Silver-armored Cavalry without end.

Harvey then shouted at the Cavalry Captain Franklin, volunteering himself: "That... Captain Franklin, right? You know, I am quite amazing. I killed more than a dozen Thieves just now. Look... is there any chance I can join your what’s-it Guard Cavalry Team..." However, Franklin didn’t even acknowledge him, simply taking his helmet back from his subordinate and placing it back on his head.

Harvey: "..." His expression slightly embarrassed, he scratched his head and shut up.

Richard’s eyes shimmered as he mulled over the information in the words "Franklin" had just spoken.

As Richard pondered and the Merchant Group continued their grateful words, Franklin stood to one side constantly adjusting his helmet, as if it were quite uncomfortable.

After a long while, Franklin finally adjusted his helmet and stepped forward, looking at everyone and directly uttered: "Alright, all of you shut your mouths!"

"Uh..." everyone was stunned and, intimidated by Franklin’s presence, they all clammed up in unison. Richard, in the crowd, raised an eyebrow.

Franklin spoke up: "I know you are grateful that I saved your lives, but you don’t need to express so much thanks because... whether you live or die is still not certain."

"This--" The people looked at each other, somewhat at a loss.

"Extra words, I won’t waste with you," said Franklin. "You won’t understand anyway. All you need to know is that, as the captain of the Guard Cavalry Team, it is my duty to ensure the safety of our esteemed Black Holy Mountain Kingdom’s Princess.

The Princess happened to be inspecting this border area, and my team, along with the border patrol, had been accompanying her. The earlier commotion made by the Thieves disturbed the Princess, and that’s why I intervened and eliminated the Thieves.

Therefore, the one you should be thanking is not me, but our respected Princess—got it? The Princess is resting not far ahead. You all follow me and go give your thanks to the Princess in person.

If the Princess is in a good mood, you will all be fine. But... if the Princess is not pleased, hmm, the fate of the Thieves will be your fate!"

"This!"

The people looked horrified, then turned to see several Silver-armored Cavalry ceaselessly chopping trees and sharpening the stakes, not at all as if they were joking.

"Milord... Captain Franklin, we are good people, how could we..." Merchant Group Leader Bade couldn’t help but speak out.

"Hmm? Good people?" Franklin replied with a cold snort. "Maybe good, maybe bad, but definitely not people from our Black Holy Mountain Kingdom, that’s for sure, so there’s not much difference. Do you know the exact words of the Princess? She said, ’It’s so noisy over there. Go see what’s happening and make them quiet down.’

Do you understand? The Princess wants quietness, not to save lives. You are indeed quiet now, but the final outcome will still be up to the Princess to decide if she wants you to be even quieter—dead people are the quietest."

Having said this, Franklin walked over to his horse and mounted, saying: "Alright, follow me! Whoever dares to run, I assure you your head will join the Thieves’ on the stakes immediately!"

Hearing this, where would anyone dare to resist? They followed with apprehensive expressions.

Richard’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he muttered to himself: "The Princess of the Black Holy Mountain Kingdom? The Princess? Could it be..."

Squinting, Richard followed the crowd, feeling that the turn of events was slightly beyond his expectations.

Is this good or bad?