When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist
Chapter 89 - 87 The Pursuers Approach

Chapter 89: Chapter 87 The Pursuers Approach

Thousand River Valley, South Mangde County, on the edge of High Platform Mountains.

Next to a snake-like winding gravel road, there sat a small chapel with white walls and a black roof.

The chapel consisted of only three rooms, surrounded by sparse verdant trees.

The small hill where the chapel was located stood about a yard higher than the road.

The white-haired Algang, disregarding the risk of dirtying his monk’s robe, stood on the hillside, gazing into the distance.

Between the V-shaped notch of the hills clad in hidden green on either side, a massive snowy mountain loomed, gazing distantly toward here, locking eyes with Algang.

Just as Algang was about to pass out from waiting with blurred vision, a rush of hoofbeats finally sounded.

He hurriedly propped himself on his cane and looked down the slope.

On the winding gravel road, which could at most fit three people walking side by side, four people were squeezed in.

The long queue crowded together like an overstuffed snake twisting its way along.

Though they were packed together, they still remained distinct.

On the left, most wore long-tailed helmets, uniform coats with floral patterns reminiscent of the shape of the letter "屮," and leather boots.

On the right, they embodied a casual style, with greasy longswords, spears with split ends, and some even hanging a baby’s skull from their waists.

The two groups jostled and shoved, and at the slightest misstep, someone would tumble down the slope, yet they gritted their teeth to push forward.

Amidst the sound of hoofbeats, someone rushed from the side of the long line, and before he reached them, a hoarse, grating laughter arrived first.

"Old Algang, it’s been a long time, hahaha."

Dismounting, before he drew near, a man with a round-brimmed hat and a mustache came forward, laughing heartily.

"Oh ho ho ho," Algang immediately laughed as well, his snowy white beard trembling, "it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, Cléante."

After embracing the man with the mustache, he turned and saw a young man with a garlic-shaped nose, dressed as a knight, trotting over on horseback.

"You must be Lord Belard, just like the portrait, such a distinguished appearance."

When the man dismounted, Algang released Cléante’s arm and turned around, grasping Belard’s hand, shaking it heavily twice.

"Old Monk Algang, it’s a great fortune to meet you."

"Hahahahaha."

Algang paid no attention to the insincere grin on Cléante’s face behind him.

Similarly, he did not notice that Belard did not hide his dislike when he looked at Cléante.

"Did you two come together?"

"Yes." Belard bore a polite smile.

"Good, good, good." Algang laughed heartily, "This time, in pursuing that group of short-haired ones, it’s fitting that you two should cooperate to complete the task. It’s great that you’ve become acquainted beforehand."

"Yes, yes, hahaha." Cléante forced a smile and nodded in agreement.

Belard merely snorted disdainfully: "On this journey, I’ve seen Mr. Cléante’s great skill."

"How dare I, Lord Belard, you are so young yet a knight, now that surprised me. Do you believe him?"

Algang asked in surprise: "Mr. Belard, are you a knight?"

Belard’s face turned red, and after a long moment, he squeezed a word through his teeth: "No."

"Oh, I was mistaken, such an impressive demeanor; I thought you were a knight, hahaha." Cléante burst into laughter immediately.

Algang laughed as well.

No matter what they thought, Algang was very satisfied with the combination before him.

Belard was sent by Prince Kongdai, and the Imperial Knight order only maintained a complement of Imperial Knights and Square Banner Knights during non-combat times.

Only before a campaign would they temporarily sign contracts to recruit infantry from nearby mercenary corps and locally enlist squire knights.

Belard, for instance, was a trusted aide of a company commander, tasked with leading 600 infantry to pursue Horn.

As for Cléante, he was the representative of Bishop Banifus, a well-known mercenary agent in the area.

Unlike Belard’s troops, mostly career soldiers, his forces were mostly recruited from the five counties in Thousand River Valley.

Often recruited were idle drifters, hooligans, even bandits, robbers, and beggars.

In harsh environments, the untrained mountain people were bold and aggressive, at least more combative than ordinary farmers.

In Algang’s view, this was simply the perfect combination.

One local elder, one newcomer, one familiar with the environment, one with strong combat power, one experienced, and one daring to fight.

Perfect.

"Seeing you getting along so well, I am relieved. Come, let’s go inside."

Pulling the two into the scenic little chapel, Algang pressed down on their shoulders, making them sit side by side.

There were seven or eight dishes on the table, all served with silverware and warm, exquisite Western-style (Blood and Flesh Royal Court style) porcelain plates.

"Lord Algang, are there any commands from Prince Kongdai?"

"Oh, you’re asking about that. Let me find them, you sit down first. The Church’s Shadowless Man checked it out before... Hmm, let me see..."

After seating the two, Algang turned his back and fumbled around the bookshelves: "...Hey, where’s my map?"

He rummaged through the shelves from top to bottom, dust flying everywhere nearly falling into the grape wine, yet still couldn’t find it.

Belard finally couldn’t help but remind him: "Algang Monk, is it the one in your hand?"

"Oh, oh oh oh." Algang looked at his hand, laughed at himself, "Found it here, I’m getting old, not as good as before, I’ll soon be joining my Lord in eternal bliss."

"What are you saying?" Tossing a fried eagle bean into his mouth, Cléante crossed his legs, "You’ll live longer than I will."

"Hahahaha, that can’t be, I should return to my Lord’s embrace. Come, come, let’s look at the map first."

He spread the map beside the cream soup, and both Cléante and Belard leaned forward to look.

"Look, according to the Shadowless Man’s reconnaissance, the Short Furs are most likely descending from Yier Mountain, with a smaller chance of taking Roswell Pass."

Algang sat down tremulously.

"The Church said, this Bishop Kongdai, no, Prince Kongdai said, you two should guard separate locations..."

"Then I’ll guard by Yier Mountain..."

"Too dangerous, better if I go. Our Mr. Ru Knight shouldn’t be too worn out."

"Lord Algang, I need to tell you, blocking the Short Fur thieves is very important to me, but I sincerely believe Mr. Cléante’s soldiers don’t meet the requirements."

"Haha, I don’t meet the requirements? What’s High Tower Mountain ranges? Let me tell you, once you’re inside, you’ll never find the Short Fur thieves in your lifetime."

"Ha, we can’t find them? You probably won’t find them in two lifetimes."

"Oh? How’s that? You plain soldiers could walk mountain paths better than we mountain folks?"

"Alright, alright, I know you all want to contribute to suppressing the Secret Faction." Algang said cheerfully, "But such matters can be discussed, all for our Lord’s cause. Let’s eat first."

"Come, let’s toast to our friendship!"

For this action, Algang, after all, was the chief commander. Cléante and Belard could only glare bitterly at each other, biting viciously into the steak and buttered bread.

The butter on the table was consumed bit by bit, even the last of the sauce in the plates was mopped up with bread by Algang.

He shook the wine bottle, the grape wine was nearly finished, most of it in Algang’s stomach.

He burped slightly, wobbling as he stood up: "Alright, excuse me, I need a nap, getting old, half a bottle of wine is a bit much for me, hic~"

"But, my lord, you haven’t clarified who guards where?"

"Oh oh oh, right, right, how about this, who’s there, you, Cléante?"

"My lord, I’m Belard..."

"Belard, you, you brought 600 soldiers, right?" With a wine-red face, Algang forcefully patted Belard’s shoulder.

"Yes, all good lads, not like some people." Belard immediately raised his chin confidently.

Algang nodded: "Hmm, you send 300 to Yier Mountain, 300 to Roswell Pass. Cléante, you do the same. Alright, that’s settled."

Both Belard and Cléante were stunned.

Cléante even disregarded propriety, stepped forward, and grabbed Algang’s sleeve: "My lord, then who will be in charge of commanding?"

"Joint command, both of you, together, hic, commanders. Alright, don’t keep me, I’m leaving."

With the help of two attendants, Algang staggered off to the second floor for a nap.

As for Belard and Cléante, they stood in place for a while, exchanged a glance, snorted coldly, and turned away to leave.

Yet the little house had only one door, and they met again at the doorway, snorted simultaneously, and walked shoulder to shoulder out of the house, heading in different directions.