Cornflower Witch

Chapter 216 The Proclamation of the Holy White Knights
The sound of horse hooves came from far away.

The soldiers at the gate of Jiaoshi City were still wondering who would come as evening approached when a white horse galloped through the gate and into the city.

"Who is that?" The group was about to ask each other when the white horse carrying the knight charged straight to the castle gate in the north of Jiaoshi City, whereupon they reined in the horse and stopped.

"I want to see Viscount Xue Feng, the lord of Jiao Shi City," the knight declared loudly, stating his purpose.

"The Lord of Jiaoshi City?" The soldiers of the Kingdom of Antiy guarding the castle exchanged glances and revealed mocking smiles.

"Where are you from? Don't you know this is already part of the Kingdom of Antioch?"

“General Bet is now in charge of this area. I advise you to dismount as soon as possible and wait for orders.” The guard stepped forward, ready to stop him.

Unfortunately, the white knight merely manipulated his white horse to raise its front hooves and then stomp down, shattering the soldier's breastplate before sending him flying backward and crashing into the thick wooden door.

If he hadn't deliberately held back some of his strength, the soldier would probably have died on the spot.

Upon seeing this, a group of soldiers immediately surrounded them, and some even ran to inform the important figures inside the castle.

Not long after, three knights dressed in dark red undershirts and silver armor rode out and surrounded the white knight.

The three drew their swords, and the power of the 'castle' aura spread out, forming a pale white light screen that enveloped the white knight and sealed him off.

"Who are you? This is the Kingdom of Antioch, not Regas." They issued a stern warning, and the blades of their swords flashed with a cold silver edge.

The white knight glanced around through his helmet and spoke again.

“I come from the woodlands and am a member of the ‘Holy White Knights’. I have come to inform you of matters concerning Viscount Schefeng.”

"The woodland, the Holy White Knights' Hall?" The group exchanged glances.

They certainly knew what the Woodlands were, and had heard of the name 'Holy White Knights Hall,' which was the royal knight order of the Sun Empire during the Eighth Era. However, after the Sun Empire was destroyed, only this knight order remained to carry on the tradition.

"What business do you have with Viscount Xue Feng? This place is now under the jurisdiction of our Kingdom of Anti." The three men's tone became slightly more polite.

"I am here on behalf of the 'Hall of the White Knights,' hoping that the safety of Viscount Scheffen, Madame Fran, the gardener of the city, Maester Hyde, and several others can be guaranteed, and that if necessary, they will be taken away from this place," the knight explained in detail.

"Take Viscount Xuefeng away?" The leading knight snorted coldly, somewhat disapproving of the white knight's statement.

"This is territory occupied by our Anti Kingdom's army. Do you think you can just take anyone away as you please?"

“This is not your Woodland base. Furthermore, even if it is an order from the Woodland Association, you only represent the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’ and have no right to order us around.”

The Forest Association is a supernatural alliance behind the southern kingdoms, with complex internal relationships and power dynamics. The Kingdom of Antiy also has a certain prestige and connections within the association, and they are not subject to such jurisdiction unless ordered by the association headquarters.

“The ‘Holy White Knights Hall’ is indeed not qualified to command you.” The White Knight’s voice remained calm, as if he had expected this situation.

"However, I am only here to fulfill the mission assigned by the organization, not to persuade you."

"If you try to stop me, you will face the punishment of the 'Holy White Knights Hall.' I wonder if you are prepared for that." He did not draw his sword; his mere glance was enough to make the group feel immense pressure.

Even though they are both at the third tier, their combat strength is not balanced. This knight is probably not someone they can defeat alone.

"Heh, do you expect me to inform Lord Bet? Just take the orders and get back!"

The leading knight spoke arrogantly, not caring about the name 'Holy White Knights Hall'. This was the place where the Anti Kingdom's army was stationed. How could a mere knight think he could take people away? Where would the Anti Kingdom's face be? Wouldn't they be laughed at by the local residents?

Seeing that reasoning wouldn't work, the knight shook his head slightly and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist.

"I know you're not convinced. It seems necessary to let you know just how important the 'Holy White Knights' proclamation is." He drew his sword, and a dazzling light shone from its blade like a miniature sun. As the three knights opposite him were blinded, the white knight spurred his horse and charged through their encirclement. The brilliant sword swept across, and the armor reinforced with the 'castle' elemental aura on the three knights shattered instantly. They were knocked back by the powerful impact and almost fell off their horses.

Once the three regained their footing, the white knight had already rushed into the castle and was fighting with the knights inside who had heard the commotion.

A phantom of holy white armor appeared on his body, and then the man, horse, and sword charged through the knights along the way. Wherever he went, men and horses fell. After the knights fell, the soldiers beside them were even more afraid. Under the suppression of the castle's aura, their bodies could not move and they could only watch the knight stride into the castle.

In the banquet hall inside the castle, General Beth was still drinking when he heard the noise outside and realized something was wrong, so he immediately stood up.

He grabbed the helmet from the overturned corner of the table, quickly put it on, then drew his sword from his waist and gathered the knights and captains of the soldiers present to guard the door.

Soon, the white knight rushed into the hall, his longsword sweeping across the doorway, shattering it, while his armor remained pristine.

"Who are you?" Bate frowned, looking at the knight who seemed to be shrouded in white flames, his heart filled with fear.

"I have come by order of the 'Holy White Knights'." The knight raised his sword, and a phantom image of a pure white knight chess piece appeared above his head. Then, an invisible force field spread out, sweeping across the entire area like a storm.

Pale gold patterns appeared on his pristine white armor, like a burning sun.

Faced with this provocation, Beth felt a naked humiliation. He raised his hand, and the seven knights beside him also appeared as white chess pieces, working together to form an invisible force field to resist the opponent. But no matter how you looked at it, it was really embarrassing that it took seven people to withstand the opponent.

At this moment, the white knight repeated his mission and requirements, and took out a pale gold badge and placed it on his chest.

The badge, featuring a sun with a human face, radiated brilliant light and heat, causing the tables and chairs in the room to smoke and spontaneously combust, while the opposing group felt a suffocating heatwave pressing down on them.

“That badge…”

Although Beth didn't know what kind of emblem it was, he could tell that it was at least a creation of the 'fifth rank' or higher, representing the orders and authority of the 'Holy White Knights Hall'.

Even though he was unwilling, he had no choice but to soften his words within the crumbling force field, hoping that the other party would temporarily put down the badge.

"I understand. Please give us some time to report and explain to our superiors." In fact, a report was unnecessary, but he could only use this excuse to cover up his current powerlessness.

Upon seeing this, the white knight slowly covered the badge with his palm, and the high temperature and light at the scene gradually subsided.

Over the next two days, General Bet, following the instructions of the 'Holy White Knights', peacefully released the group from Jiaoshi City and returned some of Viscount Xuefeng's belongings.

On the way, Viscount Scheerfeng sat in the carriage, talking with the elderly Maester Hyde across from him.

“I never expected that it would be the forest that sent people to rescue us from Jiaoshi City.” There was a sense of relief and joy in his voice.

“I didn’t expect this either.” Hyde was getting older now. He was wearing a thick cotton coat, leaning back in his seat, his aged gaze looking out of the car.

“Tia, she has grown up so fast and even gained the friendship of the ‘Holy White Knights’, making them willing to do something completely unrelated to her.”

"I'm afraid we can hardly repay this kindness, cough cough." He coughed a few times, and Winnie, who was beside him, handed him some hot water.

"Teacher, have a drink." Now that Yero is not by her side, having gone to study far away, Winnie, who was once Hyde's student, happened to be among those notified. Her family left the city with him, and she could help take care of the old man on the way.

When Viscount Xue Feng saw Hyde coughing, he looked worried and quickly stepped forward to pat the man's back and carefully help him up.

"You must live a good life, otherwise I won't know how to explain it when Miss Tia comes back." He also understood that this time it was all thanks to Scholar Hyde. In fact, he had very little contact with that girl, and the old man in front of him was the one that the girl was grateful to.

"Hehe, I understand." The old man smiled and waved his hand, telling the viscount not to worry.

After that, the carriage traveled along the swaying mountain road, slowly heading towards the end of the road in the distance.

(End of this chapter)