Since the commander had given the order, the Holy Iron Chain Knights and the summoned reinforcements had to obey.
Though the failure of half a month ago was still fresh in their minds, there was only one person before them—what could one person do?
Jerome was one of the knights dispatched. He had a horse-like face and an ordinary appearance, but his status was quite high as the next head of a noble family.
He didn't like the prim and proper Farnese, who was always reading scriptures. He found such a woman very tiresome.
Though he was a member of the Holy See's knightly order, this was too rebellious to say aloud, but it was his true feeling.
However, according to tradition, the leader of the Holy Iron Chain Knights was always a woman. The Holy See had appointed her as regimental commander, and she was the daughter of the extremely wealthy Vandimion family. So Jerome had to hold his nose and accept it.
This world was all about family bloodlines. He couldn't compete with Farnese in this regard. So no matter how dissatisfied he was with her, he could only hide it in his heart.
Jerome believed that there must be many people in the Holy Iron Chain Knights who thought the same way. He didn't have much respect for Farnese in his heart.
Clad in armor and helmet, Jerome drew his longsword from his belt, gently squeezed his horse's flanks, and merged into the cavalry that had been dispatched.
Given his personality, he didn't strive to be the lead bird, and he wasn't interested in family honor or chivalry.
If he had the time, he would rather spend it among women. He naturally pretended to be a participant in the battle before him.
A dozen cavalrymen surrounding one man—how else did they need to fight? What else could go wrong?
Just as Jerome was shaking his head and laughing softly, he heard a strange snort. When he looked up, he saw a bright and incomparably brilliant bloody flower blooming before the cavalry!
At first, he didn't react, until agonized cries rang out, and then he saw one cavalryman after another, like clay sculptures, sliding off their horses and falling to the ground.
After a moment, the dozen cavalrymen who had still been standing before Jerome fell from their horses, dead and wounded.
In the blink of an eye, he had become the only knight who had charged at this man.
How could this have happened?
Jerome was a little stunned as he watched the man approach, forgetting even to swing his sword, and only subconsciously raised his shield.
Nidhogg, clad in his Confessor Set and black hood, held his bloodied Lordsworn's Greatsword and charged like a black spear. In an instant, he pierced through the cavalry, killing them before Jerome's eyes.
Nidhogg didn't take Jerome seriously, just as he hadn't taken the dozen cavalrymen who had just been there. With one swing of his sword, he struck at Jerome, who had raised his shield.
However, before the sword could cut the shield, he first heard a thud. As his horse passed by, he couldn't help but glance back strangely and saw that Jerome had fallen under his horse, but his body remained unharmed.
It turned out that Jerome had simply raised his shield and hadn't taken Nidhogg's sword at all. So he had fallen sideways, then to the ground.
Nidhogg also sighed that this man was very lucky. If his sword had cut him now, his shield definitely couldn't have stopped it. Serious injury would have been inevitable. Perhaps even his life would have been lost.
This man hadn't even been touched, and he had fallen, but he had saved himself.
Nidhogg didn't turn back to finish him off. That wasn't in line with his desire to act. So he didn't let Torrent stop. He let him continue charging toward the line of Holy Iron Chain Knights.
Clop, clop, clop—
Farnese was a little flustered when she saw this man instantly dispatch over a dozen of her subordinates. But she didn't show it in front of everyone. She forcibly calmed herself, waved her hand, and said, "Archers, fire!"
Over a dozen crossbowmen had already loaded their bolts. At this moment, they all fired. It looked quite messy, but the quantity was significant, and the rain of bolts was also very threatening.
At that moment, Torrent suddenly rose on all fours, leaped into the air, as if soaring through the clouds. He dodged the rain of bolts and landed just ten meters from Farnese, in the astonished eyes of everyone.
Everyone's eyes widened, because it was so unbelievable that a horse could jump so high and far.
The herald officer Serpico calmly rode forward, reached out to protect the slightly frightened Farnese behind him, and squinted his eyes slightly.
In the battle half a month ago, he hadn't seen this man make a move. He had thought he was a commanding general, but he hadn't expected him to be so strong and a good fighter who threw himself into battle.
Farnese was eager to prove that she wasn't a vase this time. She hadn't listened to the advice of Vice-Commander Azan and had insisted on pursuing. This was too grand.
Serpico thought this, but he still protected Farnese.
"HYAAAH—!"
A loud cry came from among the Holy Iron Chain Knights. Everyone turned to the side and saw their vice-commander Azan, holding his double-headed iron rod, riding out to meet the enemy.
He had always been a source of strength within the Holy Iron Chain Knights, quite stable. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they saw him make a move.
Azan wore a huge helmet with long, unknown bird feathers on both sides. They looked like two extremely long mustaches.
"I am Azan, the Iron Rod Phantom!" Even in this immediate situation, he still insisted on chivalry. He first announced his family, then asked how he had come. "Who are you?"
Nidhogg couldn't think of a good name for a while. He had done many great deeds, but had little fame among the nobility and commoners. So he remained silent and pointed his sword at Azan.
Azan understood that he didn't want to reveal his name and didn't force it. He hurried toward him.
The double-headed iron rod, nearly as tall as a man, spun in his hand, dancing like a swift wheel. But in reality, it was extremely sturdy. If it hit an enemy, even a shield and armor would be dented in a large piece, and they would surely die.
However, Nidhogg was not afraid. He calmly met him, and the two horses intertwined in an instant.
FWOOSH—!
Azan swung his rod fiercely, aiming it at Nidhogg's left shoulder.
The "Iron Rod Phantom"—Azan didn't intend to kill him. He just wanted to knock him off his horse, capture him, ask what he was doing, and perhaps even use him to catch the hundred-odd mercenaries who had fled.
Unexpectedly, the Lordsworn's Greatsword in Nidhogg's hand shook and thrust forward with a loud sound, striking Azan's chest and abdomen!
This sword strike was as fast as thunder, and seemed faster than Azan's iron rod. It was about to hit Azan!
Seeing Nidhogg knock over a dozen cavalrymen in an instant, Azan understood that he was quite strong. But only intuitively from such close range did he realize that he had probably underestimated his opponent.
Azan hastily pulled back his iron rod and blocked the sword with a clang. He felt as if he had been hit by a giant bear. His hands, holding the iron rod, went numb. His body shook, and he nearly fell from his horse. He couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
What a powerful man. Who is he? Why have I never heard of such a top figure in this area?
Nidhogg had indeed held back. If he had really meant it, this sword strike just now could have pierced through Azan's iron rod and knocked him off his horse.
After the cross-body pass, Nidhogg didn't wait for Azan to recover. He reversed his Lordsworn's Greatsword and pressed it against Azan's back.
Then came another clang. Azan, in his armor, flew off his horse along with his rod.
Azan was caught off guard. He couldn't stop his figure in the air and suddenly crashed into the mud. He rolled several times before finally stopping.
Everyone was shocked and changed color.
Not to mention how brave Azan was on ordinary days, but to say that Azan was strong, in armor, holding a double-headed iron rod, and to be struck like that and sent flying—how much strength was that?
For a time, the Holy Iron Chain Knights and the reinforcements involuntarily grabbed their reins and retreated, afraid of becoming this man's next target and dying.
Farnese saw Azan fly out and fall to the ground, unable to get up. Her heart was in complete panic.
In her view, of all the Holy Iron Chain Knights, Azan was the strongest enemy. And Azan had been easily defeated. How would they deal with this?
Only at this moment did Farnese regret her recklessness. But in truth, she didn't want to be seen merely as a symbol of the Holy Iron Chain Knights, not as a true knight and leader.
Over the past few years in the Holy See's monastery, Farnese had changed greatly. She had completely disappeared. She had completely shed the sharpness and arrogance she had as a young lady. Now, she very much wanted to start over.
To suppress the unbearable thoughts in her heart, Farnese had decided to dedicate herself to the Holy See's teachings. For this, she needed to achieve a real accomplishment as the leader of the Holy Iron Chain Knights.
It was just that the failure in the valley town that day had made her lose face, and she didn't know how to return to explain it to the Holy See.
Though, given her noble status, even if the Holy See punished her, they would raise it high and drop it softly. But her self-esteem wouldn't allow her to return like this. At least she would have some results.
Therefore, she hadn't followed Azan's advice. She had summoned a cavalry unit from nearby lords in the name of the Holy See and pursued them all the way. But she hadn't expected that now, she would truly feel the consequences Azan had spoken of.
"Lord Farnese, stand back."
Serpico said at that moment, then spurred his horse.
He was a slave Farnese had taken in as a child. Now he was the herald officer of the Holy Iron Chain Knights and her bodyguard.
However, Serpico actually had an unknown identity. He was Farnese's half-brother. But his father had asked him to keep it a secret, and he had never revealed it to Farnese.
Seeing Nidhogg dispatch Azan with that move, Serpico instinctively sensed approaching danger, and it was directed at Farnese.
He instantly came to his senses and understood Nidhogg's intentions.
Whether as a guard or an older brother, Serpico couldn't sit idly by and watch Nidhogg harm Farnese. So he decisively stepped forward and drew his longsword with a clang.
Serpico rode forward and raised his longsword, looking as if he was going to duel Nidhogg.
However, Nidhogg saw Serpico's other hand take something from his horse's belly pouch and clench it in his palm. He had a plan in mind.
He knew very well that Serpico was extremely skilled in swordsmanship. Even if he had been assigned to the Hawk Company, he would have been at the top.
But even rarer was that Serpico was quite intelligent, quick-witted, and able to adapt to changes. Even when facing Guts, who wielded the Dragonslayer, he could use different terrains to gain an advantage.
Whether he could win or not was another matter, but he could indeed cause his opponents many problems.
As soon as Nidhogg saw this, he immediately understood that Serpico's little trick was the real killing move.
And indeed, Serpico simply pretended to thrust his sword at Nidhogg. But with his other hand, he quickly threw something at Nidhogg, making a faint hissing sound.
Nidhogg looked closely and saw a small thunderclap that had lit its fuse!
It wasn't very powerful, but it was enough to blow up in a person's face.
Serpico had once used it on a cliff near the Tower of Conviction when dealing with Guts. He hadn't expected to use it here.
Nidhogg didn't panic. He was already prepared. He raised his other hand, and in his hand appeared his brass shield. As he pushed the shield forward, he deflected the small thunderclap that had been thrown, and it exploded in the air!
Serpico was surprised. First, he hadn't expected his plan to be seen through in an instant. Second, he hadn't seen Nidhogg produce a shield at all.
But at this moment, Serpico had no chance to retreat. So he could only use the smoke of the small thunderclap to thrust his sword at Nidhogg's throat, aiming for a one-hit victory.
If he didn't win, no one could protect Farnese.
Nidhogg reversed his greatsword and, with a soft, swift movement, pressed Serpico's sword down under the cover of the gunpowder smoke. With a sharp strike, the sword flew from Serpico's hand and soared into the air.
This technique of disarming was extremely skillful. Serpico didn't react at all, and his longsword was already knocked from his hand.
In terms of combat experience, he was still far inferior to Nidhogg.
It's over!
Serpico hadn't expected to be disarmed so easily, as if he were a novice learning swordsmanship.
Empty-handed, with an enemy before him, he knew he had no chance of winning and couldn't survive.
Unfortunately, he hadn't protected Farnese from leaving, nor had he even delayed her much...
THUD—!
Nidhogg unexpectedly thrust the pommel of his sword hard into Serpico's chest, knocking him from his horse. He crashed into an old oak tree nearby and then fell to the ground.
Everyone's jaws dropped.
When Serpico had thrown the small thunderclap, Farnese and the Holy Iron Chain Knights had thought he would win by surprise. But Nidhogg had not only skillfully disarmed him but also knocked him out with a backhand.
This time, no one dared to protect Farnese anymore.
Originally, Farnese had little prestige within the Holy Iron Chain Knights. The only two subordinates, Serpico and Azan, had been defeated in an instant. The others had no reason to work hard for Farnese.
Even if Farnese had noble status, who among those who could join the Holy Iron Chain Knights—a knightly order used for gilding—did not have noble or knightly origins? And which family didn't have a high-ranking person?
They couldn't be like those soldiers and mercenaries who crawled from the bottom, fighting for merit, titles, and money.
Only then did Nidhogg calmly put away his brass shield and ride toward Farnese.
Farnese was terrified for a while. Her mouth went dry, and she didn't know what to do with the longsword in her hand.
Only then did Azan get up. When he saw Nidhogg dispatch Serpico in an instant and rush toward Farnese, with no one left to protect her, he was alarmed in his heart and shouted loudly, "Lord Farnese! Your sword! Your sword!"
Azan's reminder snapped Farnese out of her panic. She raised her longsword and struck at Nidhogg, who stood before her, without any form.
FWOOSH—!
Nidhogg easily disarmed Farnese of her longsword with his Lordsworn's Greatsword. Then he reached out, grabbed her, lifted Farnese like a chicken, and placed her directly before him, face down.
"You... you let me go! Do you know who I am? I am... of the Vandimion family..."
The frightened Farnese screamed, but Nidhogg pressed her back with one hand. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't get up, and she couldn't get off the horse.
Nidhogg turned his horse and galloped back the same way.
Passing the frightened Azan, he stopped his horse and shouted, "Your regimental commander is now our prisoner. If I find out you dare to follow again, this will be the end!"
Nidhogg removed Farnese's helmet, threw it to the ground. Then he grabbed her ponytail and shook it gently, loosening the long bundle of hair.
Farnese thought she was about to be decapitated and couldn't help but scream and struggle.
Azan also widened his eyes, holding his double-headed iron rod, and desperately rushed toward Nidhogg.
However, Nidhogg used his Lordsworn's Greatsword to shave off a lock of Farnese's hair and threw it to the ground. Then he smiled at Azan, gently squeezed his horse's flanks, and rode away.
This time, Nidhogg passed by Jerome, who didn't intend to stop him and wisely moved aside.
He also lowered his head, deliberately not meeting Farnese's eyes as she sought help.
How could Azan's two legs catch up with his four? He ran a few steps, turned, grabbed the reins of a nearby horse, and wanted to mount and chase him.
However, seeing Farnese's helmet and lock of hair thrown to the ground by Nidhogg, he couldn't help but stop, remembering Nidhogg's strength and his threat.
It was easy to catch up, but what if this man actually killed Lord Farnese?
At this moment, Serpico also stumbled to his feet.
He looked at the distant figures of Nidhogg and Farnese, reached out to touch his chest, feeling strange, but even more anxious.
Farnese had been captured by them. If lucky, the Vandimion family could calmly ransom her. If unlucky... He hoped it wouldn't be unlucky.