Chapter 213
Chapter 213 Courage
Ever since he had charged into the battle, Charles had already prepared himself for all kinds of situations.
He would never dare to look down upon the cunning of adepts.
Unfortunately, what had happened now was beyond even his imagination.
He… was attacked by Meusel!
Meusel’s eyes were wide open, but his gaze was not focused. Tears of blood streamed down from the corners of his eyes as an odd growl came from his throat. The bright radiance of energy shone from his hands as they plunged deep into Charles’ waist. Some unknown substance was continuously being injected into Charles.
Charles endured the intense pain and put his left hand over Meusel’s chest. The dense light of concentrated energy quickly gathered on his hand. He just needed to expel the power and he would easily be able to shake off Meusel’s attack.
However, when he looked at Meusel’s familiar face, and felt the weak heartbeat beneath his palm, Charles hesitated.
Once, the mighty witcher-knights were the greatest pride of this world.
Every time there was news of heretics on the rampage somewhere, this group of proud knights would jump onto their magic colts and rush to slay the enemy. It could be said that wherever they went, evil would be vanquished and darkness would be exterminated! It was their generosity, passion, and willingness to serve that allowed this plane to become prosperous.
Even during the two Heretic Wars in history, most of the records contained praises of the witcher-knights’ valiant deeds and heroic actions, smiting evil wherever they went. Perhaps those heretics may have been able to rampage for a short while, but the moment the proud knights found them, they would crumble like dolls made of clay and the world would become bright and peaceful once more.
However, the scene before him shook Windsor to his very core.
Deep in the dim forest, the witcher-knights that had disposed of their armor were strewn all across the battlefield, with the terrifying bite marks of voodoo beasts left on their bodies and on their faces. Their gazes were empty and dull. They leaned against each other for support as they stumbled about. Even when they saw their companions arrive for reinforcement, no joy or surprise showed on their faces.
If it hadn’t been for the slight rising and falling of their chests, Windsor would have thought that this was a group of stone figures crafted from clay and blood.
Finally, when a familiar face stained with mud and blood appeared before Windsor, he couldn’t help but halt his magic colt.
“José! What kind of attack happened to you lot? How did you suffer such heavy losses after only a single day? Where is Charles?”
A series of questions were thrown at him, but the radiant knight named José could only give a weak response.
“All gone… all gone… ” José mumbled, “They are all gone.”
When they heard his tragic and pained cry, the remnants of the army, so exhausted that they had lost their emotional restraint, finally started crying.
A sorrowfully heartbroken and tragic atmosphere filled the woods. The reinforcements couldn’t help but shed tears for their companions!
Too cruel! Absolutely too cruel!
This witcher-knight army numbered one thousand men when it first entered the forest a day ago! But now, after scouring the entire mountain pass and even counting the radiant knights and spellbreaker knights, only a mere hundred and seventy-two men were left.
Moreover, the knights that were fortunate enough to survive all carried severe injuries and were both physically and mentally exhausted. Their emotions and spirits were in their most terrible state. Windsor could no longer see any of the witcher-knights’ pride and glory on them.
Not just the normal witcher-knights, even the few powerful radiant knights were all currently in a deplorable condition. They had ghastly complexions and gaunt faces. The severity of both their internal and external injuries were shocking!
Windsor gazed into the dark woods in the distance. With his brilliant sense for war, he could feel the existence of the enemies! If it had been in the past, he would most definitely have led his subordinates into the darkness to start a slaughter, revitalizing the spirits and passion of his companions with the blood of his enemies.
But now, the dark woods had become more terrifying than ever before! Even he, a Second Grade radiant knight, couldn’t help but feel fear.
Perhaps waiting for a new wave of reinforcements before continuing the search was the right plan?
He thought so silently.
For the first time, Windsor lost his courage.