Post-Apocalyptic Survival Modpack

Chapter 35: The Honest Knight
The sky was getting a little dim, like... oh, it really is almost evening.

sunset.

Wang Ji withdrew his gaze and followed Ryder forward.

I've been busy working in various underground workshops for the past two days and haven't come up here at all, so I've almost lost track of time.

The two walked all the way to the door, and at the mine checkpoint, Ryder stopped and pointed ahead.

"Right over there."

Wang Ji looked up and gazed into the distance.

On the fairly wide road, a dark shadow was approaching the mining area.

No, it's not a shadow.

It was a group of soldiers on horseback, wearing magic steel armor. There weren't many of them, maybe a hundred.

At the very front was a burly man, almost twice the height of Wang Ji, whose protective gear was clearly different from the others.

He also carried a large sword on his back.

"That is?"

"Edred, Lord of the Rift Mine."

Ryder whispered, "That man is extraordinary. His armor is not something that ordinary people can possess. At least it's not something that ordinary soldiers can wear. He must be at least a knight."

"Oh."

Wang Ji nodded to indicate that he understood, and at the same time his expression became serious, as if he were facing a formidable enemy.

However, this is the first time I've heard the word "knight" mentioned.

The cavalry regiment slowly approached, advancing until they were not far from the mining area checkpoint.

Eddred raised his hand, and the soldiers behind him stopped in perfect unison.

He dismounted, glanced at Ryder, then stared at Wang Ji for a moment before asking:
"Who among you is in charge?"

Ryder took a half step back to identify himself.

So Adelaide stepped forward, approached Wang Ji, and looked down at him.

This guy is at least 2.2 meters tall.

Wang Ji thought for a moment, then placed a block under himself, stood on it, crossed his arms, and looked at Adelaide again.

Now our lines of sight are level.

Momentum cannot be lost.

Adelaide seemed somewhat surprised.

"A master of extraordinary arts?"

Wang Ji responded calmly, "That's possible."

"very good."

The burly man in front of him said, "Judging from this, you certainly have the ability to take over this place."

"Even if a mediocre person wears dozens of spell rings, he will not be stronger than a sorcerer who can actually cast those spells."

"That idiot deserved to die."

"so what?"

Wang Ji asked, "Do you want to avenge your men?"

"Do not."

Unexpectedly, Adelaide calmly shook her head.

He said, "Dead is dead. He has proven his worth with his life—that he was worthless."

"A worthless person doesn't deserve so much of my effort."

"Do you understand, child?"

Upon hearing this, Ryder was the first to object, and he stood up and said:

“The person standing in front of you is not an ordinary person, but a truly gifted individual whose understanding is far beyond that of an average child.”

Adelaide didn't respond, but merely glanced at Ryder before turning to Wang Ji and asking, "And who is this?"

“My elders and friends are currently also my assistants.”

"Oh, then I'll forgive his rudeness."

Ryder frowned but didn't say anything.

Ignoring Ryder's gaze, Adelaide continued speaking to Wang Ji: "I came here not to seek revenge on anyone, nor do I necessarily want to cause trouble for anyone."

"I just wanted to come and see which fool dared to cause trouble on my turf."

“If someone who comes here is so ill-mannered and arrogant, I will immediately cut off his head and hang it at the gate.”

"But after seeing you, I changed my mind."

Adelaide's tone was calm, showing no intention of starting a conflict.

This made Ryder a little suspicious.

'Could I have misjudged it?'

Adelaide looked away, past Wang Ji, and took two steps forward. Looking at the revitalized mining town before her, and then at the workers in the distance whose faces were rosy and whose bodies were gradually becoming healthier, and feeling their genuine concern for the two people beside her, she remarked, "It seems you are rare upright people. Then we have more to talk about."

"After all, I am also someone who is easily moved by compassion."

"You don't live around here, do you? That person over there looks like she's been to school. Maybe you're from the capital?"

Adelaide suddenly changed the subject, saying, "People with your abilities shouldn't be unknown, or at least shouldn't be in places like this."

"Let me guess, were you suppressed in the heart of the capital and forced to leave?"

"Or perhaps they offended some powerful family and were put on the wanted list?"

"Oh—it seems I guessed right."

Ryder's heart sank.

Damn it, we haven't gotten much intelligence from the other side, and we're almost completely exposed.

They didn't say anything at all.

Wang Ji, on the other hand, was much calmer.

Adhering to the principle that too much talk leads to mistakes, he neither denied nor explained anything, but simply asked:

"what do you want to say in the end?"

Adelaide stopped, turned around, looked at Wang Ji, and said very seriously:
"Become mine, and I can help you."

“It’s rare to see someone like you in this remote place, a promising young… budding magician, and one who hasn’t gone astray.”

"I have met many people who consider themselves noble, and their character is very disappointing."

"But you look different."

"No matter what you have done in the past, or what problems you have, I can forgive and forget."

"Including this mining area, if you want it, I'll give it to you. You'll also have control over the people here, and you can do whatever you want. If it's not enough, I can give you more. This is a special promise."

"How about you consider it?"

As he spoke, Adelaide took out a ring from her pocket and handed it to Wang Ji.

It was a resonance ring.

Along with the ring, a very formal-looking contract document was also handed over.

Wang Ji took the document with great interest.

Whether I accept it or not is another matter; I'm mainly just curious about what's written on it.

“I have a bad feeling, Wang Ji, a very strong feeling, even stronger than the last time at the manor.”

Ryder whispered a reminder: "Make sure you read the terms in the document carefully. Many people like to play tricks and word games on this."

Wang Ji nodded.

Upon hearing this, Adelaide scoffed, her face full of disdain.

This made Ryder feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Wang Ji opened the contract and began to read it carefully.

The first line of text made him frown.

That was a line of text written in blood.

"By the bond of the soul, it shall not be broken, not even in death."

Wang Ji continued reading.

"Those who sign hereby must obey [Edred (in bold)] without question, offering their flesh and soul."

After reading this line, Wang Ji didn't read any further and casually tossed the contract aside.

The last glimmer of light on the horizon faded away.

Night falls.

"Aren't you really going to consider it?"

Adelaide stared at Wang Ji, her eyes bloodshot and glowing crimson.

He said, "I am an honest person and I never like to lie or dabble in contracts."

"Why don't you keep watching? It will do you good."

"You have only two choices: sign the contract or die."

The atmosphere became somewhat somber, the scene froze, and even the air seemed difficult to breathe.

Ryder's throat tightened, and only now did he finally understand where the intense unease in his heart came from.

Yes, this knight is indeed very honest; from the moment we met until now, everything he has said has been what he truly thinks.

The malice he displayed was extreme and undisguised... a very honest kind of evil.

"That's not necessary."

Wang Ji flatly refused.

"That's a shame."

Adelaide shook her head and said regretfully:
"It seems... you have chosen death."

(End of this chapter)