Chapter 318: The Empire's Blade (6)
There was hardly a path to follow, yet Leandro saw tracks leading straight toward the forest's center. Perhaps they were here to hunt Garbera. Not that he had any intention of yielding his revenge.
Leandro quickened his pace, gliding through the woods until he reached the snares of his second domain. Thin wires strung across the snow meant to trigger traps. He felt armed figures lying in wait, hidden among the forest-covered thickets.
Leandro made no effort to hide his presence. Since he intended to confront them anyway, it'd be easier to reveal himself. They'd focus on him, brandishing their weapons, and their killing intent would betray their exact positions.
With a soft crackle, snow fell from brittle branches. Brushing the powder from his shoulders, Leandro strode forward openly, crushing their malice beneath his feet as if it were no more than snow. He expected the traps to spring, but instead, the ambushers revealed themselves all at once.
They wore masks of butterflies, lions, and other beasts, their jaws still visible. Leandro already knew where they were, but he felt a single breath of dread when they all emerged in perfect unison.
Some bore greatswords, maces, iron claws, and a twin-bladed halberd. One even wore gloves tipped with sharpened steel talons. Yet their rhythm was flawless, breath aligned as one. They were more disciplined than any knightly order Leandro had faced before.
It felt as though even the forest itself was pressing in. Instead of retreating, Leandro stepped into the center of the pressure, grasping his sword.
The air grew colder than the snow itself. Their courage faltering, the six ambushers felt a sudden urge to flee.
"As expected… a man worthy of our master's notice," said a red-eyed woman with a twisted grin, her halberd glinting.