I knew that I had to get rid of this guy. Although I had several questions for him, I had to secure my stand first. He was digging to close for comfort. The only solution that came to mind was that he might be a hired assailant. I decided to set my sites elsewhere for the time being. I knew that if I made one wrong move and showed too much interest in the girl, the assailant could catch something. I decided to ignore the girl and charge straight at the assailant.
As I closed in on him, I suddenly changed the direction of my step, leaping over him to cut the metallic chains with the Darkened Phantom Edge.
[ Clank ]!!
The chains shattered as I caught the girl in my arms, planting my feet meters away from the assailant.
" Your movement style, by any chance, are you a theft class magic user?".
His observations were spot on, he could tell I was using the style of a theft class user. This was unnerving to me. If he was strong enough to perceive my movements, why do something so profitless. Hart village is no economic hub. Heck, it doesn't even have a study income. His face was concealed behind a blank mask that had a porcelain like sheen. It has two things slits where his eyes were. I stopped my assault, deciding to gain more information about him.
" Who are you? ", I asked in a cold and calculating tone.
" I realize if you are a member of the resistance then you mustn't know of this. However, since you will not be leaving alive, I suppose a last wish is warranted... ...
[ Takes a bow ]
I am The Fourth Apostle of The Knighthood, the fourth stooge of the holy knights. You may call me, Blanc, The White Ghost ".
In other words, he was a pawn, a very dispensable one at that. I had not yet gotten a personal reason to despise the holy knights, but I was simply ready to kill them p should they ever attempt to harm my loved ones. However, with recent events and the deaths of people my father swore to protect, I was willing to bare fangs back at them.
" I see, you seem confident in your role as an Apostle. However, I'm afraid you spoke out of term. This isn't my last wish, on no! It is a predator getting to understand his prey before he hunts!!!".
Although Blanc had impressive perception and aura density, I had the upper hand of familiarity. I had been training in this forest since my early ages.
I had only one handicap, the girl. If I took my attention off her, she'd die by his hands and I'd be left exposed trying to protect her.
I cast a barrier around her as I placed her near the bushes. The thickness of the Measma was a double-edged sword. I got cover from the shadows, but was weakened in terms of my magic.
I dashed from branch to branch, Blanc standing in the eye of my assault storm in his white cloak. The strange fact was how he stood. No reaction, no attempts to follow my movements. He hadn't even revealed a weapon.
All these signs screamed dampnger to me. However, at that moment, I simply had to end his life and stop the Measma from fully crystalizing.
[ Meanwhile in Hart Village]:
" Hey!! Stop them from getting over the barriers!!!"
[ Boom]!! [ Boom]!!
[ Slash ]!!
[ Roar]!! [ Slash ]!!
The guard forces of the village had mobilized with Lord Black as their commander. They tore through the incoming hordes of monsters. Goblins, Ogres, Wolves, among others marched towards the village.
The only thing stopping them was a makeshift wood and iron barrier around the village.
Lord Black's strength was truly marvelous, befitting of his title, The Ghost Blade Knight. He rekindled the morale of tired men as the battle dragged on. Alesha, with magic bow in hand unleashed torrents of flaming arrows into the horde. With this tactical move, a path was made available for the main forces, led by Lord Black to dash into the thickened areas infested with Measma.
[ Lord Black]: " Go forth, for Glory!!! For the good of the people!!!! Charge!!! ".
[ The men roar in excitement]