"There are two left. What's the plan?" As the saying goes, to capture the rider, first shoot the horse. Aside from one unlucky soul who died on the spot, the other knights had their horses killed and were left dazed from the fall, but two knights still held on tight. They were clearly stronger; their horses' hooves moved swiftly, dodging in a 'Z' pattern. Then, the moment they saw the enemy about to dive into the woods—
"Yah!" With a fierce kick to the horses' bellies, their speed surged, charging straight at Thorne's back like arrows from a bow.
They raised their shields to cover their chests and abdomens, drawing the greatswords from their backs. Clang—
The sound of hooves and the unsheathing of swords reached Thorne's ears. A vision of knights charging on horseback appeared in his mind—hooves splashing mud, greatswords reflecting a cold light. Perhaps only at this moment would the Cuckoos remember the brave and fearless character of a knight. 'Are they seizing the opening where Sellen's casting speed dropped?'
Thorne continued to run forward, hearing Sellen's rapid and low breathing by his ear.
She was gathering mana, and the sigil illuminated her face. Ten meters, five meters, three meters... Without any communication, he stopped abruptly, threw Sellen from his arms, and then gripped his hilt. Twisting his waist and turning around, Thorne caught a glimpse of two majestic warhorses and two leveled sword tips. Without any hesitation, Thorne narrowed his eyes and quickly ducked. Swish—
Two bright greatswords swept past just above his head, slicing off his leather cap and leaving a bone-chilling coldness on Thorne's scalp.
As the splashed mud hit his face and dispersed like dust, his narrowed eyes suddenly widened. Like a waking tiger, he flicked his thumb, and the long blade, clear as Autumn Water, was unsheathed, leaving only a faint white mist in the air. Iai: star-frost! The cold frost extended the blade, and an arc bloomed, grazing past the legs of the galloping horse on the left. Neigh—
Accompanied by a mournful cry, the warhorse immediately collapsed, throwing the knight off its back. Ducking, passing, Iai, cutting the horse—everything happened in an instant.
The knight flying through the air was struggling to maintain his balance when he looked up to see another sorceress also flying in mid-air, her staff transforming into a blade of light. Carian Piercer. No!! In an instant, a blade composed purely of mana pierced through his chest. Since they were in a straight line, the tip of the blade even touched Thorne's back; but that single inch determined life and death. The sound of hooves rose again. The old knight had charged out a dozen meters after his slash missed, and when he turned his horse around, he saw this exact scene.
The warhorse wailed, the swordsman crouched on the ground with his blood-stained long blade, and behind him was a blade of light with his companion impaled upon it. Thud.
The light sword vanished. Sellen crashed to the ground, a puff of dust rising with her.
The old knight tightened his reins. His eyes twitched.
Such coordination.
Such decisive killing.
Are the people from Raya Lucaria Academy all monsters?
Thorne, nearly drenched in blood, watched from the side. Blood dripped from his eyelashes.
He said nothing.
He raised the long blade over his head. A 'Dai-jodan' stance. A sigil flared. The Carian Slicer, condensed, powered by even greater mana, stretched a full meter.
He charged. Little technique, only a madman's violent aura. Blade held high, he moved forward relentlessly. Even if a mountain stood before him, he would cut it in half.
Banzai!
Caria!
The old knight's pupils constricted. He turned his horse, fleeing.
The madman rushed up behind him. The descending blade of light severed a few strands of the horse's tail. The warhorse neighed, then bolted. The knight didn't dare look back, galloping toward the town.
Thorne didn't pursue. He stopped, leaning on his knees, gasping.
"As expected, he didn't have the resolve to fight to the death!"
He rose, a predatory grin on his face, tinged with madness. He used his sword as a cane, walking toward Sellen.
Her steps were unsteady. The sigil on her staff was dim. Her mana, exhausted. She couldn't even fire a single shot.
"Foolish apprentice, if that knight had charged, you wouldn't have had the strength to fight again."
Thorne supported her skillfully. The predatory grin remained.
"Momentum. What's important is a mad momentum! He didn't know how much strength I had left."
Thorne didn't bother acting cool anymore. He glanced at the soldiers gathering a few kilometers away.
"Let's go. Seluvis and the others won't let this go. The road to escape is still long."
He hoisted Sellen onto his shoulder, heading toward the mountain peak ahead, as if carrying a sack of rice.
The poor witch had a splitting headache. Her stomach felt uncomfortable, pressed against his shoulder.
She asked, "Where are we going now?"
"We have no choice now." Thorne paused, looking toward the majestic mountain peak. "We can only bet everything on Malenia!"
Torches and starlight blended. The bare feet of sorcerers and the military boots of soldiers crunched on dry branches and fallen leaves. Alert gazes constantly scanned the surroundings.