The Wanderer's Archive

"Damn it! Damn it! All those goddamn country bumpkins should die!"

BoBo, a scout from the Pu people, ran across the deserted wilderness, cursing incessantly. He had a large lump on his head, the result of being clubbed with a fire stick by the village youths yesterday. Thanks to that, BoBo was unconscious all night and didn't wake up until noon. He only managed to escape because the villagers were all drunk.

"When I get back and call for reinforcements, I'll kill you all! And that Katarina, she calls herself a knight! She can't even handle a bunch of hicks! She should just go work at a brothel; her body would definitely be a big hit!"

BoBo's foul language continued, his sharp, raspy voice particularly grating. His mood was terrible, and it wasn't just because he'd been beaten. More importantly, the plan to attack the village and pin the blame on Princess Krinhild had completely failed. Originally, after completing this plan, he could have received his bounty from the Second Prince and then escaped to live a carefree life. But now, he's lucky if he doesn't get scolded.

The thought of his precarious life of hiding extending made BoBo's teeth itch with anger, his curses becoming more frequent, every dirty word imaginable pouring out of his mouth.

Just then, he saw a group of people approaching from a distance. The most striking figure was a man in the center of the group, wearing fine steel armor and a full beard. The man had brown hair and brown eyes, a serious expression, and a strong physique over six feet tall, exuding a powerful aura. But even more striking than the man was the warhorse he rode.

The horse had six legs, its fur as black and deep as the night sky, its eyes burning with dark flames, and its nostrils occasionally emitting gray-black foul air. A Nightmare Steed, a mountable magical beast! Rare, powerful, capable of matching an ordinary great knight. Even fewer people could tame such a beast. BoBo only knew of one.

Roland Pedinan, a Golden Knight, only 28 years old. He was Katarina's teacher and the strongest individual in the Princess's faction.

Reinforcements!

BoBo's face lit up. He waved his short arms, making a "friend" gesture, eagerly rushing toward the large group.

"Lord Roland is here! Just you wait, you country bumpkins, you're all going to die!"

...

Roland's heart was far from as calm as his outward appearance. Yesterday, his proud student, with a small detachment, said they were going hunting and would be back before dark. But it was already noon the next day, and there was still no sign of them.

Roland knew his student. Given Katarina's meticulous nature, if something had delayed them, she would have sent someone back to report. There was no way she wouldn't have sent any message.

There was only one answer: Katarina was in trouble. In such a remote area, no one could threaten a great knight. The danger must have come from outside.

(Could it be pursuers again? Damn, they're relentless.)

To search for Katarina's squad, Roland had brought almost all his men and followed their tracks early in the morning. After several hours of searching, he saw the Pu scout running towards him, shouting.

BoBo knelt on one knee before the horse. He wasn't tall to begin with, and kneeling made him even shorter than half the Nightmare Steed's leg. Roland almost couldn't see him.

"Lord Roland, you must avenge us!"

BoBo, before the horse's leg, wept profusely, mourning as if his parents had died.

Roland frowned, a bad feeling creeping into his heart.

"What happened? Where's Katarina? Where are the other soldiers? Where did you go yesterday?"

"Lord Roland, yesterday we went to that nearby village. Lady Katarina wanted to requisition some food from the villagers, but those villains not only refused, but… but…"

BoBo cried, narrating a story of a peasant rebellion, a righteous and kind female knight willingly captured because she couldn't bear to hurt the villagers. He himself was a scout severely beaten by the mob and barely escaped to report.

"Those rebels completely disregarded the kingdom's laws. Lady Katarina is probably… probably…"

"Enough! Stop it!"

Roland's temples throbbed. He never imagined that the villagers were responsible. When they had discovered the village, they had deliberately avoided it to prevent the villagers from being involved in any danger and chose to camp in a cave. He never expected the villagers to repay kindness with such cruelty.

"Take me to the village. I want to see how powerful these rebels are to dare attack a knight of the kingdom."

"Yes, my lord."

(Haha! He took the bait, this fool of a knight.)

BoBo sneered inwardly, stood up, and prepared to lead the way.

"No need. The rebels you speak of have come themselves."

In the distance, Siegfried, in a black robe, walked calmly. He stood alone in the wilderness, blocking the path of dozens of fully armed soldiers. At that moment, everyone's eyes were on him.

Siegfried glanced at BoBo.

"Your acting is almost as good as mine, but the plot is too old. Even by guessing, I knew what you would say."

His face was completely covered by his hood, his expression unseen. Roland was startled. He hadn't noticed the other man's presence until Siegfried spoke. He couldn't be detected by a Golden Knight's senses?

But his face showed no emotion. He sat on his magical steed, looking down and asking, "My knight is in your hands?"

Siegfried pretended to think for a moment, then spread his hands:

"I haven't seen any knights. I did catch a nest of bandits robbing a village. I don't know if they're the same ones you're talking about."

Roland snorted coldly, his eyes narrowed, releasing the powerful aura of a Golden Knight.

"I don't know who you are, but I advise you to release her immediately. Given the remoteness of this place and your naivety, I can let this matter go."

"Oh~ really? Then I'd like to see how you plan to hold me accountable."

Siegfried removed his hood, revealing his face and black hair. His eyes met Roland's, full of sarcasm.

Siegfried's appearance didn't disappoint. At that moment, he heard dozens of people gasp simultaneously. He wondered if it was an illusion, but the surrounding temperature seemed to drop.

"Me… Melanthe? How… how could it be?"

BoBo's short fingers trembled as he pointed at Siegfried, muttering like he was sleepwalking.

Even Roland's impassive, bearded face showed a flicker of shock. Now he finally understood how his student had fallen into the hands of a group of country bumpkins.

In that village, lived a monster, a monster capable of crushing thousands of troops.

Roland was a Golden Knight, a Golden Knight who had fought on the front lines of the Human-Demon War. His knowledge and experience far surpassed Katarina's.

Roland knew that the Melanthe family had a tradition: every Melanthe, before becoming a Hero, would travel the continent. During this long journey, they rapidly increased their strength, gathered like-minded companions, and forged their own "Holy Sword."

And when all these goals were achieved, a Hero was born.

A [Hero] is the pinnacle of humanity, a superhuman individual who sweeps across armies and overturns the world. Brutal and powerful Orcs, magic-wielding Elves, and even powerful ancient Dragons would bow their proud heads before a Hero. Heroes are the greatest weapon used by the forces of order to fight against the demons, and the only beings who can contend with the Demon King.

At that moment, Roland fell into thought. He was considering how many lives he would have to sacrifice to possibly retrieve Katarina from this Melanthe.

On the other hand, Siegfried was also a little weak in the knees. Since the knight named Roland released his powerful aura, goosebumps had risen on his skin, and he wanted to turn and run.

At this moment, Siegfried was also deep in thought. He was considering how he could plead for mercy without losing face if a fight really broke out.

On the wilderness, a pin could be heard dropping.