13: Chapter 13 The Aftermath of the Ball! A Chaotic Storm is Brewing!

The battle inside the tent was silent and cruel.

The crimson battle aura on the Maple Leaf Knight flickered unsteadily, like a candle in the wind.

The purple-black phantom thorns on the Iron Thorn Knight's body shattered inch by inch.

The muscles on their faces were twisted, and veins bulged frighteningly beneath their skin, yet their color was rapidly turning ashen.

Knight Shadow watched quietly, his eyes devoid of any ripples, filled only with cold indifference.

The Pale Knight tilted his head slightly, as if savoring the prey's final struggle.

After just a few breaths.

Finally, the last spark of unyielding fire in the Maple Leaf Knight's eyes extinguished, and the Iron Thorn Knight's tense body went completely limp.

Both men had expressions of extreme pain and unspeakable terror, their pupils dilated, standing straight, yet they were devoid of life.

Their essence and spirit seemed to have been drained.

Their originally full and robust bodies, while looking normal on the outside, gave off an eerie sense of being empty shells.

Immediately after, wisps of bright red energy drifted out from their eyes, ears, mouths, noses, and even every pore, flowing into a crystal bottle in the Pale Knight's hand.

The tent became deathly silent.

The Pale Knight's hollow voice sounded again, breaking the silence: "I am very satisfied with this transaction."

"According to our agreement, by now, the core castles of Maple Flower Territory and the Purple Thorn Territory should have been breached by my people."

"Afterwards, you can legitimately go to recover the lost territory and restore order."

Knight Shadow did not respond immediately.

He slowly walked up to his two long-time friends, who were still standing, sighed softly, and looked at the Pale Knight expressionlessly.

The Pale Knight seemed to recall something and let out a low laugh: "Ah, I almost forgot."

Then, he casually tossed the crystal bottle in his hand to Knight Shadow: "This is the Scarlet Secret Brew."

The Pale Knight said somewhat nonchalantly: "It is enough to extend your life by ten years, and it provides a chance for your long-stagnant Shadow Battle Aura to glimpse the threshold of the next realm."

He paused, his voice carrying a strange tone:

"Once you consume it, we will be true colleagues. Chaos will eventually descend; may the Lord of Scarlet bless you."

After speaking, he glanced at the corpses on the ground.

"As for this place, let it proceed as initially discussed: during the revelry of the noble ball, the Crimson Knights launched a fierce attack on Gino City and several nearby noble territories."

"The Maple Leaf Knight and the Iron Thorn Knight unfortunately died fighting, making a heroic sacrifice."

"And you, Knight Shadow, were also severely injured in a brutal battle with the Pale Knight, but ultimately repelled the invading enemy."

"How is this script?"

The Pale Knight spoke with a smile, but it held no warmth.

"Hmm." Knight Shadow's expression shifted uncertainly in the dim light, finally settling into a deep darkness:

"As agreed, I will handle the subsequent investigations and inquiries from the Empire and the Church."

"Then, happy cooperation!" The Pale Knight let out a low laugh.

He said no more, and with four red-bordered knights, he retreated from the tent as silently as he had arrived.

Inside the tent, only Knight Shadow remained, along with two corpses that were gradually growing cold yet still stubbornly standing.

Knight Shadow looked at the crystal bottle in his hand and whispered to himself: "The disastrous defeat at Twilight Canyon has long since hollowed out the foundations of the Empire and the Church, and the cracks are growing wider..."

"Which of the powerful lords in various regions is not planning their own escape route? If I don't act first, I will sooner or later become fish on someone else's chopping block."

"Andre, Gavin... if you want to blame someone, blame the fact that this era is changing too fast, and you... are too slow."

He could feel a chaotic shadow, far greater than that of the fallen knights, slowly rising.

No one can stay out of this.

Before the true tidal wave rises, all he can do is grasp every bit of power possible, so that he and his family have the qualification to sit at the gambling table in this coming chaotic world, rather than becoming the stake.

He put away the crystal bottle, took one last look at his two former friends, and the last trace of fluctuation in his eyes was extinguished.

He began to meticulously stage the scene.

About half an hour later...

"Bang!!!"

A violent explosion, accompanied by the screams of the crowd, suddenly came from the direction of the main venue of Golden Flame Manor!

The raid by the Crimson Knights had begun.

They charged into the ball venue from several directions simultaneously, killing everyone they saw, burning tents, and looting property.

Gorgeous dresses were stained with blood, exquisite pastries were overturned on the ground, wine glasses shattered, and bards fled.

The noble men and women, who were just immersed in the fragrance of flowers and fine wine, were now screaming and fleeing in all directions.

Almost at the same time the explosion sounded.

At the edge of the quiet oak forest behind the manor, behind a tall oak tree.

Rowan listened to the shouting and explosions in the distance, his brows slightly furrowed.

He began to dress efficiently, his expression returning to his usual calmness.

Behind Rowan, Lady Lillian was frantically tidying up her messy wine-red dress.

The flush had not yet faded from her face, but she had turned pale from the sudden turn of events, breathing heavily.

The elaborate court dress and the laces on the back made her quite disheveled.

"Don't panic." Rowan turned around, his voice steady.

He walked behind Lady Lillian, ignoring her slight trembling, and deftly helped her organize the tangled laces and fasten the hidden buttons.

"Th-thank you..." Lady Lillian was still shaken, but looking at Rowan's calm profile amidst such chaos, the unease in her heart seemed to be dispelled a little.

But another strange emotion quietly sprouted.

This man not only possessed a fascinating appearance and skills, but the calmness he displayed at this moment was extraordinary.

Just then, the bushes on the left shook violently, and a knight in blood-stained leather armor rushed out.

He was clearly hunting down fleeing guests and had unexpectedly stumbled upon the two of them by the forest.

Seeing Rowan and Lady Lillian, he said nothing and raised his longsword to stab them.

Lady Lillian screamed in fright.

Rowan's eyes turned cold.

A mere Apprentice Knight dares to be presumptuous?!

He just slid his feet seemingly casually, reached out with his right hand, fingers together like a knife, and precisely struck the opponent's sword-wielding wrist.

"Crack!" A slight sound of bone fracturing.

"Ah!" A miserable howl, and the longsword slipped from his hand.

Rowan caught it in one motion, flipped his wrist, and the sword light flashed like frost, sweeping across the bandit's throat.

Thud.

The Apprentice Knight fell to the ground and quickly lost all signs of life.

The whole process was as fast as lightning.

The wound was elegantly frozen by him.

Rowan didn't even let a single drop of blood splash onto himself.

Lady Lillian stood frozen, covering her mouth tightly with her hand to avoid screaming again.

She looked at the bandit on the ground who was rapidly losing life, then at Rowan, whose expression was as calm as usual, and the fear in her eyes was quickly replaced by a stronger sense of shock and disbelief.

"You..." Lady Lillian's voice trembled.

"Shut up, follow me closely." Rowan interrupted her, offering no explanation, only a brief command.

Hearing his cold command.

Lady Lillian not only felt no discomfort, but a intoxicating flush surged onto her delicate face.

"Mm," she responded vaguely.

Rowan held the sword, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes, judging the direction of the chaos.

Then the two found a hidden corner to hide in.

Some time later.

The Black Panther Knights, belonging to Count Farrell, seemed to have finally arrived and began to organize resistance.

The heavy sound of horse hooves and commands could be faintly heard.

Under the strenuous counterattack of the Black Panther Knights, the raiding Crimson Knights finally retreated after causing considerable destruction.

Of course, when they retreated, they also took away a large amount of valuable loot.

The ball venue was a mess, flowers mixed with blood, severed limbs and debris were visible everywhere, and the crying and groaning of survivors were incessant.

The subsequently arrived county guard and church armed forces began to maintain order, treat the wounded, and count the losses.

This sudden attack was chaotic and bloody, but it did not last long.

Rowan then took Lady Lillian out of the hidden corner and returned to the gathering area.

He handed Lady Lillian, who had a complex look in her eyes, over to her shaken maids and servants, and quietly retreated to the edge of the crowd, observing with cold eyes.

"It's the Crimson Knights again; no wonder there was no one left near White Cliff Territory..." Rowan thought to himself.

For the next few days, Gino City was shrouded in sorrow and panic.

Imperial officials and investigators from the Church of Dawn arrived one after another to question every important guest who was present.

Especially those who had last seen the Maple Leaf Knight and the Iron Thorn Knight.

As a baron from a remote area, Rowan did not receive too much attention, but he was routinely questioned several times.

The statement he provided was no different from most of the guests.

Before the attack, he and Lady Blanchett were enjoying the flowers a little further away; upon hearing the explosion, they sought cover and later returned during the chaos.

During the questioning, he learned more details.

The scale of the Crimson Knights' attack this time was astonishing, attacking Gino City's Golden Flame Manor, the main castle of Maple Flower Territory, and the fortress of the Purple Thorn Territory almost simultaneously.

The Maple Leaf Knight, Viscount Mesa, and the Iron Thorn Knight, Viscount Mercer, unfortunately perished in this turmoil.

And Count Farrell himself was also seriously injured in the fierce battle with the Pale Knight and needed to rest and recover.

For a time, Maple Flower Territory and the Purple Thorn Territory were leaderless and fell into huge chaos.

Three days later, Rowan was finally allowed to leave Gino City and return to White Cliff Territory.

Half a month later, the preliminary investigation results regarding this incident were jointly released by the Church and the Empire.

The conclusion was basically consistent with the on-site evidence and the testimonies of the survivors.

The Maple Leaf Knight and the Iron Thorn Knight indeed died under the Crimson Knights' unique evil battle technique, Scarlet Drain.

This battle technique can forcibly plunder the life essence and soul energy of living beings, which is extremely vicious.

Count Farrell fought bravely, was seriously injured while repelling the strong enemy, and achieved great merit.

Given that the heirs of both territories have perished and order has collapsed.

To prevent the spread of banditry and unrest among the people, after consultation between the Imperial Provincial Governor's Office and the Church, Earl Farrells Estate will temporarily manage all affairs of Maple Flower Territory and the Purple Thorn Territory until the Empire sends a new heir or designated administrator.

The notice was reasonable and logical.

The news spread, shaking Will Province and even the Empire.

The fallen knights dared to so blatantly attack multiple powerful nobles at the same time and succeeded, causing the fall of two Great Knights!

Where is the majesty of the Empire?

Where is the Temple Knight Order of the Church?

For a time, nobles everywhere were panicked, tightened their defenses, and at the same time developed deep doubts and distrust of the Imperial center and the Church.

Undercurrents began to surge.

Of course, all this storm had nothing to do with White Cliff Territory, which was far away at the end of the Mess Mountains.

...