Chapter 63
Chapter 63: Raging Wildfire (Part 1)
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Two soldiers spun through the air, flying 4-5 meters before falling into the snow with two “thud” sounds. They passed out without making a sound.
Only then did I raise my head to survey the surroundings.
Goose feather-like snowflakes danced in the wind, weaving the sky into a curtain of snow.
This seemed to be the edge of a forest. In the distance, about several hundred meters away, one could vaguely see towering giant trees standing in clusters. But where I stood was just bare, flat snowy ground.
The snow had just covered my feet.
Not far to my right stood a watchtower-like building about several dozen meters tall, though it looked quite aged. The tower body was already in ruins, with large patches of white paint peeling off, revealing huge tower bricks underneath.
At the top of the tower stood several guards in leather coats, with a black-haired man standing in their midst. Due to the distance, I couldn’t make out his features.
But I knew that was Lafayette.
I turned my gaze to the base of the tower.
Layers of waist-high sharp ice spikes formed a circle around the tower, their pointed tips gleaming with beautiful luster in the dusk.
Outside the ice spikes, countless city guards were poised for action, having completely surrounded the ruined tower. At a rough glance, there were about 500 of them.
Behind the city guards stood Edward, Golden Mask, Valarr, and the leader from before. Having apparently heard the commotion behind them, they all turned to look at me.
Then they became extremely alert.
Clang——
The leader drew his sword, and Valarr gripped his cleaver.
Edward’s eyes widened as he pointed a trembling hand at me.
“You… how did you… you…”
He was so shocked he couldn’t even speak properly.
I ignored him and waved my small hand directly at Lafayette on the tower top.
He then called out to me.
“Peipei!”
“Are you alright?!”
I gave him an “OK” sign, but then realized this gesture might not be common in this world. Worried he wouldn’t understand, I took a deep breath and cupped my hands around my mouth like a megaphone: “Don’t come out——!”
After thinking for a moment, I added another line.
“Wait for me!”
After shouting these two lines, I immediately shivered, then squeezed my legs together and stood there, not daring to move.
Perhaps shocked by the fact that I hadn’t been poisoned, or perhaps intimidated by my title as a Pontifical Knight. Edward and the others surrounding the tower base didn’t move, just staring at me blankly.
After quite a while, I finally let out a relieved sigh like I was about to collapse.
…That was close, I almost let it out with that effort.
“Ahem.”
I raised my hand to rub my somewhat sore throat.
My voice was particularly delicate. Not only was it soft and gentle when speaking normally, but even when I shouted with all my might, it still sounded soft and sweet. I wasn’t sure if Lafayette could hear it… well, I needed to pee first.
I was really about to burst from holding it in.
I turned and walked in the opposite direction from the crowd. There were many black tents pitched over there, very conspicuous in the snow.
Since I didn’t dare to run, I moved my legs as quickly as I could. After taking a few steps, Edward behind me seemed to finally react: “What nonsense about Pontifical Knight… Lafayette! Who are you trying to fool!… What are you all standing there for! Catch her, she’s running away!”
His voice sounded somewhat flustered and panicked, breaking at the end, which made me feel quite irritated.
Run?
Like hell I would run.
So without looking back, I said: “Don’t come over! I’m not running!”
But my footsteps became even more hurried.
Whoosh whoosh——
The sound of arrows cutting through the air rang out. I pouted and stepped to the right.
Two crossbow bolts buried themselves in the snow, the scattered snow splashing onto my boots.
“Who shot those arrows!… Valarr, are you seeking death?!”
“Your Highness, didn’t you tell us to catch her?”
“I said catch her, not shoot arrows at her! Chase after her!”
“But I can’t beat her in a fight.”
“What is she trying to do?”
“Not sure…”
“Let her go, she’s too dangerous.”
“She can’t leave! Chase her! No arrows, everyone chase her!”
Edward behind me was getting increasingly noisy. I kept walking without stopping, feeling extremely anxious: “Edward, I’m not leaving. Just wait, I’ll be right back to deal with you.”
Obviously, Edward wouldn’t believe what I said.
Chaotic footsteps came closer from afar, gradually approaching me. I took a deep breath.
Blocking a girl from using the bathroom, you people are really such gentlemen.
I really couldn’t hold it anymore!
Mixed with irritating anger surging up, I didn’t bother to turn back to check how many people there were. Blue light flashed in my eyes as large amounts of ice mist scattered from beneath my feet, gushing toward those behind me.
Whoosh——
“Ah!!”
“I-I’m frozen! I can’t move…”
“So cold…”
This finally stopped the city guards in their tracks, and it seemed no one dared to follow anymore.
I quickly walked to the first tent, tilted my head to think for a moment, somewhat afraid people would hear the sound. After hesitating, I still chose to continue forward.
After walking about 100 meters, I finally stopped. Then I looked around and saw no one. So I walked to a tent nearby, hid my small body behind it, then raised my hand.
Bang bang——
Ice walls rising from the ground were 3 meters high, surrounding me completely.
Now I felt secure.
I hurriedly removed my undergarments and squatted down, the gurgling spring water gushing out in a mighty stream.
…So relieving!!
My mood became as smooth as flowing water, instantly feeling alive again.
After my body shuddered slightly, I pulled up my pants, patted my skirt to arrange it properly, and jumped out from inside the ice walls.
Faint shouting could be heard from the ruined tower. I frowned, and the next moment, my eyes blazed with blue light.
Bang——
Propelled by an ice pillar, my petite body shot up into the sky, drawing an arc spanning over ten meters through the air. When I started to fall, an ice platform rose beneath my feet. Stepping on the suspended ice blocks, I leaped up again, flying over the heads of the city guards I had frozen, rushing straight toward the ruined tower amidst their shocked cries.
The wind howled in my ears as I stepped on one ice platform after another, soaring toward the battlefield like a bird gliding through the sky.
The constant clash of weapons could be heard in the distance. At the base of the ruined tower, countless city guards gripped their swords tightly, desperately slashing at the ice spikes, but to no avail. Those standing at the back held light crossbows, continuously shooting at the high tower.
It looked like a final desperate struggle.
Shouts rang out.
“Your Highness! Look! What’s that!”
“It’s that girl! She’s back!”
“Quick! Have the city guards stop her!”
Bang!
With a diving landing, I steadied myself, causing the snow and earth beneath my feet to splash up over half a meter high. My left hand gathered behind my head to smooth out my wind-tousled long hair, while my right hand formed a claw held level at my side, grasping at empty air.
I stepped forward.
Crack, crack.
Hiss——
An elegant short scythe shrouded in white mist appeared in my hand.
The scythe was entirely azure blue and crystal clear, less than half a meter long, yet gleaming with a chilling radiance. The extremely cold white mist coiled around the scythe blade like a snake, enveloping half of my arm.
Click, click.
My little boots stepped on the accumulated snow that had already been frozen hard by the cold air, making crisp sounds. While slowly stepping toward the high tower, I kept my eyes fixed on Edward who was surrounded by the crowd, my lips curling into a slight smile.
“Edward. I told you I’d come back to deal with you. Now, surrender or I’ll beat you to death!”
Edward turned pale with fright and shouted at the top of his lungs: “Quick! Someone stop her!!”
“City guards, hear my command——”
Clang——
The formation of several hundred men turned their weapons toward the girl amid the swirling ice and snow, gripping their weapons tightly.
“Captain, she’s just a little girl…”
Some questioning voices seemed to rise from the formation, and the city guard leader roared angrily: “Silence!!”
Then he raised his sword high, looking at me with resolute eyes, and gave the order.
“Charge with me!”
“Ahhh——!!!”
Rumble rumble rumble…
Footsteps cracked the ground, sending snow flying backwards.
Amidst the surging battle cries, hundreds of city guards like a extending dragon, roared as they pushed toward me.