136: Visit the Duke

Chapter 135: Visiting the Duke

The carriage sped along the forest path, packed with the surviving people.

Heir sat beside the coachman, while Arthur crouched on the roof of the carriage.

Not far behind, three Ghouls were desperately chasing the carriage.

The large fire burning in the fields helped attract a large number of undead creatures.

This significantly reduced the difficulty of their rescue operation.

Now, they just needed to deal with these three hangers-on.

Ghouls weren't particularly fast, but this clearly overloaded carriage wasn't much faster.

Arthur, focused intently on the Ghoul that was still following, whispered a spell.

Just as the magic was about to take shape, the Ghoul that had previously disappeared into the forest suddenly leaped out from the side.

Its sharp claws dug deep into the wooden planks of the carriage.

However, the modified carriage was exceptionally sturdy, and it couldn't tear open the door with its claws and fangs.

Helpless, Arthur could only aim the completed spell at it.

A Light Arrow shot from his hand, its scorching beam piercing the monster's shoulder, directly severing one of its arms.

Heir immediately followed up with a Psychic Wedge.

The Ghoul didn't even have time to shriek before it fell from the carriage.

The wheels rolled over its body, and the entire carriage jolted.

This jolt made Arthur on the roof stumble.

By the time he regained his balance, the Ghoul that had been following behind the carriage had already climbed onto the roof.

Arthur hastily swung his scepter, intending to knock it off.

Unexpectedly, the monster was quite agile; it leaped to the side, grabbing the edge of the carriage with its sharp claws.

After the scepter swung past its head, it pushed off with its feet and lunged directly at Arthur.

Arthur couldn't dodge in time and could only block with his scepter.

"Are you alright!" Heir stood up and asked.

Arthur was pinned beneath the Ghoul and couldn't reply.

With a thought, his bracelet immediately transformed into two small snakes, biting at the opponent's eyes with lightning speed.

The Ghoul, whose eyes were attacked, shrieked and released Arthur.

Heir's magic followed closely; a fierce fire suddenly ignited on the Ghoul's chest, followed by its right leg catching fire.

Arthur straightened up and swept it off the carriage with a single blow.

The last Ghoul tried to attack the draft horses but was dodged by the Sheriff's superb driving skills.

The Ghoul, missing its target, was trampled to death by the horses' hooves.

After the carriage rushed out of the plantation, the reinforcements led by Ismark had already been waiting for a long time.

At this moment, Arthur's heart finally completely relaxed.

He lay down on the roof of the carriage, letting out a long sigh.

Flora and Drax, who had successfully escaped, came to inquire about Arthur's condition, and only after confirming that their Lord was safe did they finally feel a little relieved.

Thus, this frantic rescue operation was a great success, and Arthur's prestige in Mist Town also greatly increased.

When the Sheriff and the others informed the townspeople of everything they had discovered, Arthur was already on his way to the next destination—Oak Lake—without stopping.

He had to have a good talk with the Wild Dog Duke.

If they wanted to cooperate, they had to stop using each other.

Exiting the south gate of the town and walking along the river, past the Hanging Man's Bridge, one would arrive at the mouth of the Rake Claw River.

There was a path leading to Oak Lake there, not difficult to find.

This was the route the Sheriff had pointed out to Arthur and his group.

Before leaving, this experienced warrior had wanted to ask Arthur some questions about the Night Outcasts.

However, out of respect, he held back.

When Arthur announced that he would save the Beastmen in the church, his attitude towards this outsider changed greatly.

This was also why he chose to entrust his people to Arthur. The series of events that followed, whether it was finding the true killer of the Mayor or this rescue operation, left the Sheriff full of praise.

He began to believe that this young Baron might truly be able to save Mist Town.

So he stopped asking questions and chose to follow the Baron's decisions.

After walking a bit further along the path, the canopy of branches and gray mist suddenly opened up.

What came into view were dark clouds in the high sky.

The river widened here, forming a small lake several hundred feet wide.

A spacious clearing appeared not far away, with five simple, round tents pitched around it.

In the clearing in the middle of the tents, four arched carriages were arranged in a circle.

A sagging tent stood by the lake shore; it was the largest of all the tents, and light shone from within.

Eight unharnessed horses were drinking from the river next to the tent.

Several uninhibitedly dressed people sat around a bonfire, from which came the mournful melody of a ukulele, mixed with people's singing.

A small path continued from the camp, winding north along the edge of the forest and river.

"We've arrived, Lord Arthur."

Flora, who was driving, reminded Arthur in the carriage.

The carriage window was pushed open, and Arthur looked out, saying, "Go in.

"If they wanted our lives, there would be no need for such elaborate preparations."

"I don't like this place," Drax said, "It smells like a gladiatorial arena."

Arthur smiled and said, "It sounds like one too."

The arrival of the carriage caused some commotion.

The twelve Beastmen gathered around the bonfire, drinking heavily, playing instruments, and singing, all stopped what they were doing.

Their gaze initially fell on the person driving the carriage,

Then shifted to the Orc who emerged from the carriage,

Finally settling on the handsome, elegantly dressed man.

The female Beastmen among the twelve all cast fervent glances at Arthur.

This made Arthur feel like a strange creature being observed.

Fortunately, Mirabelle, who walked out of a tent, came to their rescue.

Unlike her appearance when they met at the tavern before.

Mirabelle was now wearing thick leather armor and carrying a sturdy wooden club.

"Come with me, guests of the Duke."

Her words made the Beastmen who had emerged from their tents to watch drop their guard.

It seemed the Wild Dog Duke held considerable prestige among the Beastmen.

Arthur and his group were led to the largest tent. Mirabelle gestured for them to wait, then lifted the curtain and entered the tent.

A moment later, she came out again and said to Arthur, "The Duke will only see you. The others, please follow me."

"No," the Orc flatly refused, "Wherever my Lord is, I will be."

"It's alright, Drax, go on. I'll be fine."

Arthur gestured for his guard to relax.

The Orc warrior hesitated, and after seeing Arthur's firm expression, he followed Mirabelle towards another tent.

Just as he said, he didn't like this place.

It was full of dangers; every seemingly harmless fellow could turn into a beast in the next moment.

The Orc could smell the savage, bloody aura emanating from them.

This kind of aura was only found on gladiators who had fought in arenas for many years.

The young Baron took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, and entered.

The reddish bonfire illuminated the tent, which contained a low table covered with black velvet.

A slender figure was intently gazing at a crystal ball on the table; light seemed to be emanating from within the crystal ball.

The Wild Dog Duke sat beside her, staring idly at the ceiling.

Arthur's arrival clearly gave him something to do.