Chapter 177: 177 Capturing the Black Collar Tribe

Chapter 177 177. Capture of the Black Collar Tribe

For the knight squad of the Chalon Fief led by Knight Philton, they thought today's situation was just like the expulsion games they had been playing over the past few days.

But none of them expected that the people of Ashtree Village would actually dare to make a move.

This sudden turn of events came too quickly, too unexpectedly.

The scent of blood drifted across the wilderness, as knights, cavalry, and horses collapsed to the ground one after another, transforming this place into a bloody battlefield.

Philton's body was already covered in wounds, his armor dyed red with blood.

Rydal's swift sword was something even the Bronze-tier Leishen could not withstand, let alone this knight who could only rank third in the Chalon Fief.

"We are knights of the Chalon Fief. Attacking us is attacking nobility, which is a felony!"

Ignoring the warning, Rydal deflected the opponent's longsword and thrust straight ahead. Just as he had dealt with Leishen before, he pierced the opponent's shoulder armor, severely injuring one of his arms.

With a miserable shriek, Philton hastily retreated, trying to open up some distance, but Rydal aggressively pressed the advantage.

Rydal raised his right leg and stomped heavily upon the other man's chest, causing the armor to instantly cave in!

The immense force kicked Philton so hard he plowed more than ten meters across the ground. Under the chaotic impact, his helmet tumbled off, leaving his entire person in an utterly wretched state.

"No, no, no, you cannot kill me!"

Philton panicked. He wanted to stand up, but his body no longer obeyed him—especially his injured left arm, which was completely numb and devoid of strength. It was now impossible for him to clash with Rydal again.

"I am a knight enfeoffed by the Chalon Fief, a nobleman, and I enjoy the right of immunity from death!"

"As long as you do not kill me, I can pay a ransom to you, to Baron Ronin!"

Rydal chuckled softly. Baron Leishen was nearly finished; if all went smoothly, the entire Chalon Fief would become Ronin's territory.

By then, where would Philton find the assets to pay a ransom?

However, Rydal still had no intention of directly killing him. After all, Philton was an advanced knight, and how to handle him was still for Ronin to decide.

"Drop your weapon, strip off your armor."

Rydal's voice was icy. "If you want to live, lie face down on the ground."

Enduring the severe pain and discomfort, Philton quickly complied. There was no point in resisting further under these circumstances.

He was filled with deep regret now.

If he had not been consumed by accumulated anger just now and had instead chosen to hold fast to the Black Collar Tribe's mountain stronghold, the situation would absolutely not be like this.

He could have relied entirely on the fortifications and geographical advantages of the Black Collar Tribe to shut Rydal and the others out.

But there was no medicine for regret in this world. The moment he led his men and horses charging out of the stronghold, the outcome was predestined.

With Philton's surrender, this wilderness encounter gradually drew to a close.

Rydal scanned the battlefield.

The battle had lasted no more than three to five minutes, but the casualties were not small. Although most belonged to the Chalon Fief, the forces of Mountainwood Town had also suffered losses.

Fortunately, with Elron present, the light of healing spells constantly shone, greatly reducing the fatalities.

"Bind the ones who surrendered. Babulin, Horn, tally the casualties."

Soon, the casualty report for their side was compiled.

In this battle, none of Mountainwood Town's knights had perished. Only Dandy suffered a minor injury, which was of no great concern after receiving treatment;

Aside from the transcendents, one cavalryman was killed in action, two infantrymen were killed, and twelve others were injured, eight of whom had minor wounds.

On the Black Collar Tribe's side, eight knights and twenty-four cavalrymen had come out this time, totaling thirty-two people.

In the clash just now, six cavalrymen were shot dead on the spot by stray arrows, while two knights and eight cavalrymen were killed in the subsequent engagement, including Knight Unai who had been knocked off his horse. Another ten were heavily wounded, meaning more than half were dead or injured.

Rydal frowned slightly, took a deep breath, and said, "Remember their names.

Riedal sat astride his horse, surveying the captives and the extraordinary beings and soldiers of Forest Hill. “But the matter is not yet concluded, Babulin—you are to take charge and secure all these captives.”

“Yes!”

“Horn, you will lead the guards to proclaim Lord Ronin’s mercy to the Black Collar tribe—let them understand that as long as they do not resist, we will harm none of them nor seize any of their supplies.”

“Praise be to the Lord’s mercy!” Horn bowed deeply in response.

“Elron, I entrust you with continuing to treat the wounded.”

Riedal dismounted. “Jenny, you will conduct the census of the Black Collar tribe.”

“It would be my honor,” Jenny replied.

One task after another was assigned, and Riedal was confident that before Ronin returned to Forest Hill, they would have fully taken control of the Black Collar tribe.

(End of Chapter)