Chapter 34: 34 Pheliton's Choice

Chapter 34. Feridon's Decision

On the mountain path, five steeds galloped at full speed, their endurance and strength astonishing even as they traversed mountains and ridges.

Such was the assault capability of fine-quality warhorses; ordinary horses compared to them were as clouds to mud.

"The forest town lies ahead. There's a faint scent of blood in the air, so it seems Prenst and Ronin have already engaged."

The leading knight was tall and imposing, with a square face and unnatural narrow eyes; the slanting scar across his face emitted a murderous aura.

This was Feridon Henry, captain of the knight squad of Sain Territory.

"How did the battle turn out?" Feridon felt somewhat worried.

But his deputy Una looked relaxed. "Captain, you needn't worry too much. With Ronin bringing only a few men, Prenst could have easily handled them without needing our intervention."

Feridon didn’t respond, merely spurring his horse to increase speed.

After twists and turns along the path, they finally arrived atop the hill marking the forest town’s landmark, but the scene that greeted them stunned everyone.

"This…"

The deputy, who had been joking lightly just moments ago, froze, unable to find words to describe the shock of the moment.

Aside from him, including Feridon, none had expected such a scene.

Scattered on the ground nearby lay dozens of corpses, among them familiar figures—Prenst, Dison, Kate, Malt.

What struck their vision most forcefully was the group standing amid the blood and corpses.

Each held a blood-dripping sword, silently yet filled with killing intent, watching the sudden arrival of uninvited guests.

"How could this be! Prenst and his five superhumans are all dead?"

Deputy Una uttered the first words in shock, "He was a mid-level knight, no less powerful than I."

Feridon’s gaze swept over the battlefield, cautioning, "Take note, Ronin not only killed Prenst, but their losses are minimal—this battle was nearly a crushing victory."

A gleam of wisdom shone in his eyes, "The intelligence was flawed; Ronin has experts by his side!"

"What shall we do then, do we still attack?" Una whispered.

Feridon frowned. The Baron could not come personally, leaving many decisions to him.

"First, assess the situation."

On the other side, Ronin saw their arrival and felt anxious.

What he feared most was them charging forward without hesitation, leaving no room for maneuvering.

Fortunately, the situation looked promising.

Seeing Feridon and his men halt their horses and linger for quite some time, Ronin knew his display had intimidated them, sowing doubt.

Thus, he needed to act even more "unconcerned."

Ronin took his sword and slowly walked forward some distance, with Mekken and Erlon closely following.

"Who are you, and why have you come to my forest town?"

Feridon and Una exchanged glances, "It truly appears to be a crushing defeat; Prenst and his men likely died without revealing Baron Ressen’s plan."

The ambush on Ronin was known to only a few. According to the plan, if Prenst succeeded, even the infantry involved would all be killed.

Once they died, Ronin would have no means to learn of their scheme.

Feridon quickly dismounted, his face shifting to a smile, "I am Feridon Henry, captain of the Sain Territory knight squad, greeting Lord Ronin!"

Ronin felt a stir—this could work.

"Sir Feridon, you know me?"

Ronin inquired while scrutinizing him with a suspicious, examining gaze, making it seem he had grown wary.

"Why would a knight from Sain Territory appear in my forest town?"

Feridon also observed Ronin’s every move, increasingly convinced that Ronin didn’t know of their impending arrival.

So, he offered the prepared excuse, "Lord, I was merely hunting with my knight squad in the mountains and happened to hear fighting here, so we galloped over to see what was happening."

Feridon spoke, his gaze skipping past Ronin to focus on the corpses behind, feigning puzzlement, "Lord, what is this behind?"

Ronin glanced back at the scattered bodies and showed an awkward smile.

"Just killed a few traitors."

He shrugged, "Forgive the spectacle."

"Traitors?" Feridon expressed surprise, looking again at the corpses, "That person I recognize—could it be Prenst, the forest town's administrator? He betrayed you?"

"Indeed~"

Ronin walked back, kicked Prenst’s head so it faced Feridon upright, then continued,

"This fellow served a few years as the town administrator and thought himself master of the forest town."

Ronin’s tone brimmed with disdain, "Unfortunately, he overestimated his own strength and misjudged mine, losing his head in one encounter."

He kicked the head down, "With such feeble strength, daring to challenge the dignity of the Ushan family—utterly presumptuous!"

Feridon’s doubts vanished at that moment; he was certain Ronin had experts by his side.

To sever Prenst’s head in one encounter, this person must possess advanced-level power!

Moreover, in such a scene, Ronin’s haughty attitude clearly showed he disregarded Feridon entirely.

"That means he isn’t at all concerned we five might attack!"

Feridon inhaled deeply, scanning Ronin’s two companions—both faces unfamiliar yet both resembling superhumans.

Particularly Mekken, bear-like and mountain-solid, with a calm demeanor, gave an impression of unfathomable depth.

"I never imagined Prenst would betray you!"

Feridon shook his head incredulously, "I recall he was a mid-level knight. Your easy victory suggests Duke and Count must have arranged experts covertly to protect you."

"Not exactly protection."

Ronin replied casually, "On the surface, only an advanced peak knight was assigned, who I estimate may not even match your strength~"

Feridon’s pupils contracted—an advanced peak knight would likely be hard to defeat easily.

If he attacked here, even if he killed Ronin, this knight could very well escape.

If he reported the deeds to Ushan Fort, Sain Territory’s prosperity would end.

And that was just the overt protection.

Feridon remembered Baron Ressen’s instruction: if lacking absolute certainty, do not act.

As for Prenst and his men, even if they implicated Sain Territory, Ressen could insist they falsely accused.

"Captain, shall we?" Una whispered beside.

Feridon subtly shook his head, offering Ronin a knightly salute, "The dignity of the Ushan family must not be violated, esteemed Baron. Might there be anything I could serve you with?"

"I appreciate your sentiment, Sir Feridon!"

Ronin spread his hands, looking dismissive, "But I’ve already resolved matters here. The next task is merely disposing of corpses."

"I would very much like to have you stay the night, but unfortunately, I don’t even know which room I'll be sleeping in tonight."

This was a polite way of saying "leave."

Feridon did not show any anger; he was very respectful. "Then I wish you a pleasant night, my lord."

"Thank you for your blessing, Sir!"

Rone waved to the other man. "And please convey to Baron Resen that as a neighbor, I look forward to paying him a visit."

"Certainly!"

Feridon mounted his horse again and prepared to leave with his knights.

Rone turned around and barked, "All of you, clean up the battlefield now. Search their pockets thoroughly, don’t leave even a single copper coin!"

"Yes!" the guards shouted in response.

The unified voice echoed, startling Feridon and his men who were about to depart.

They instinctively turned to look and saw that the guards were actually in high spirits.

"Let’s go!"

Feridon whispered, urging his horse to leave.

Watching them disappear, Rone felt sweat soaking his back.

Indeed, they didn’t want to take risks.

He had gambled correctly.

"Keep lying down!"

He approached Malt and whispered, "The rest of you, start cleaning up the battlefield."

On the other hand, Feridon and his men descended the slope, slowing down once they vanished from Rone’s sight.

"Captain, are we really going back like this?" Knight Unay asked incredulously.

Feridon frowned, pondered for a moment, and then looked back toward the direction of the forest town.

"Wait for me here!"

He dismounted and quickly ran back toward the battlefield. This time, he didn’t take the main road but used the trees to conceal himself.

"My lord, someone is approaching."

Elron whispered a warning.

Rone smiled inwardly; indeed, the man would return to confirm. Fortunately, he had just instructed Malt to keep lying down.

If Feridon returned and saw Malt standing up, he would immediately conclude it was all a performance.

Feridon, hidden in the forest, quietly observed.

He saw the guards genuinely searching the corpses for copper coins, and even Macken and Elron beside Rone were rummaging through something on Princeton and others.

"It really isn’t staged."

Feridon’s last trace of suspicion vanished. "It seems Baron’s plan has failed."

He sighed and returned to his group. "Let’s go, report the situation to Baron."

(End of Chapter)