The Cornflower Witch Chapter 216

Hoofbeats grew nearer from afar.

The soldiers at the gates of Burntstone City were still wondering who would be arriving so late in the evening when a white steed charged through the city gates, carrying a knight, directly to the main gate of the Castle in the northern part of Burntstone City. Only then did the knight rein in his horse, bringing it to a halt.

“Who is that?” The soldiers were still asking each other when the white horse, carrying its rider, charged directly to the main gate of the Castle in the northern part of Burntstone City, only stopping then as the knight reined it in.

“I demand to see the City Lord of Burntstone City, Viscount Xuefeng,” the knight announced loudly.

“City Lord of Burntstone City?” The Anti Kingdom soldiers guarding the Castle exchanged glances, a mocking smile on their faces.

“Where are you from? Don’t you know this is already Anti Kingdom territory?”

“General Beit is in charge here now. I advise you to dismount quickly and await orders.” The gate guards stepped forward, ready to stop the approaching knight.

However, the White Knight merely commanded his white horse to rear its front hooves and then stomp down, shattering the chest plate of one soldier and sending him flying backward to crash against the thick wooden gate.

Had the knight not intentionally held back some strength, the soldier would likely have died on the spot.

Seeing this, a group of soldiers immediately surrounded the knight, while others ran to inform the important figures inside the Castle.

Before long, three knights in dark red linings and silver-white armor galloped out, directly encircling the White Knight.

The three drew their swords, and the power of the ‘Castle’ Aspect spread, forming a pale light curtain that extended beneath them, sealing off the area around the White Knight.

“Who are you? This is the Anti Kingdom, not Regas.” They issued a stern warning, and silver sharp edges glowed on their blades.

His gaze sweeping his surroundings from within his helmet, the White Knight spoke again.

“I am from the Woodland, a member of the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’, specially here to convey matters concerning Viscount Xuefeng.”

“Woodland, Holy White Knight Hall?” The three exchanged glances.

They certainly knew what the Woodland Association was and had heard of the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’. That was the royal knight order of the Blazing Sun Empire in the Eighth Epoch, but after the empire’s collapse, only this knight order remained, carrying on its legacy.

“What business do you have with Viscount Xuefeng? This place is now under the control of our Anti Kingdom.” Their tone softened slightly.

“I bring a message from the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’, hoping that the safety of Viscount Xuefeng, Madame Faran the Gardener of the city, Scholar Hyde, and several others can be guaranteed. If necessary, I will also take them from this place.” The knight explained his purpose in detail.

“Take away Viscount Xuefeng?” The leading knight snorted, somewhat displeased with the White Knight’s statement.

“This is a place occupied by our Anti Kingdom army. Do you think you can just take whoever you want?”

“This isn’t your Woodland Outpost. Furthermore, even if it were an order from the Woodland Association, you, representing only the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’, have no right to command us.”

The Woodland Association was a Transcendent Organization Alliance behind the Southern Kingdoms. Its internal power structure was complex, and the Anti Kingdom also held some prestige and connections within the association. Unless ordered by the association’s headquarters, they would not be subject to such jurisdiction.

“The ‘Holy White Knight Hall’ indeed has no right to command you.” The White Knight’s voice remained calm, as if he had anticipated this situation.

“However, I am merely here to fulfill the mission dispatched by my organization, not to persuade you.”

“If you obstruct me, you will face the discipline of the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’. I wonder if you are prepared for that.” He did not draw his sword; at this moment, merely his sweeping gaze put immense pressure on the several knights.

Even though they were all of the third rank, the combat strength of the two sides was not balanced. This knight was probably not someone they could defeat individually.

“Heh, do I need to inform Lord Beit? You can just take your orders and get out!”

The leading knight’s voice was defiant. He didn’t care about the name of the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’. This was a place where the Anti Kingdom army was stationed. A mere knight wanting to take people away? Where would the Anti Kingdom’s honor go? Wouldn’t the local residents laugh their heads off?

Seeing that reasoning was futile, the knight shook his head slightly and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“I know you are unconvinced. It seems necessary to let you understand how important the message from the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’ is.” He drew his sword, and a brilliant light burst forth from the blade, like a miniature sun. As the three opposing knights were momentarily blinded, the White Knight charged directly through their encirclement with his horse. His dazzling sword swept across, immediately shattering the ‘Castle’ Aspect-endowed armor of the three, who were knocked back by the powerful impact and almost fell off their horses.

By the time the three regained their balance, the White Knight had already charged into the Castle and engaged in combat with the knights who had heard the commotion.

The phantom of a Holy White armor appeared on his body, and then, man, horse, and sword, he overturned the knights in his path. Wherever he went, men and horses were thrown into disarray. As those knights fell, the nearby soldiers felt a sense of dread. Under the suppression of the Castle’s Aspect, their bodies remained motionless, only able to watch as the knight strode deeper into the Castle.

In the banquet hall of the Castle, General Beit was still drinking. Upon hearing the commotion outside, he immediately stood up, realizing something was amiss.

He picked up the helmet from the overturned table corner, quickly put it on, then drew his precious sword from his waist, gathering the surrounding knights and soldier captains to guard the door.

Soon, the White Knight charged into the hall. With a sweep of his long sword, the door shattered, yet his armor remained spotless.

“Who are you?” Beit frowned, a sense of terror in his heart as he looked at the knight, who seemed to be enveloped in white flames.

“I have come at the command of the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’.” The knight held his sword upright, and a pure white knight chess piece phantom appeared above his head. Then, an invisible force field spread, sweeping through the entire hall like a storm.

Pale gold markings, like burning fiery suns, glowed on his spotless armor.

Facing such provocation, Beit felt a raw sense of humiliation. He raised his hand, and seven knights beside him also manifested white chess pieces, forming an invisible force field in coordination to resist the knight. However, no matter how one looked at it, it seemed humiliating that seven men were needed to hold back one opponent.

At this moment, the White Knight repeated his mission and demands, then produced a pale gold badge, placing it on his chest.

This badge, depicting a human-faced sun, emitted brilliant light and heat, causing the tables and chairs in the entire hall to smoke and spontaneously combust. Meanwhile, the group of opponents felt a suffocating wave of heat pressing down on them.

“That badge…”

Although Beit did not know what kind of badge it was, he could tell that it was at least a “fifth-tier” creation, representing the orders and authority of the “Holy White Knight Hall.”

Even though he was unwilling, in the rapidly destabilizing force field, he had to soften his words, hoping the other party would temporarily put away the badge.

“I understand. Please allow us some time to report and explain to our superiors.” In reality, no report was needed, but he could only use this excuse to cover up his current powerlessness.

Seeing this, the White Knight slowly covered the badge with his palm, and the high temperature and light in the hall gradually subsided.

For the next two days, General Beit, following the instructions of the “Holy White Knight Hall,” peacefully released the individuals from Burntstone City and even returned some of Viscount Xuefeng’s belongings.

On the road, Viscount Xuefeng sat in the Carriage, conversing with the elderly Scholar Hyde opposite him.

“I never thought the Woodland would send someone to rescue us from Burntstone City.” There was a sense of fortunate relief in his voice.

“I didn’t expect it either.” Scholar Hyde, now even more aged, leaned back in his seat in a thick cotton coat, his weary gaze looking out the window.

“Lia, that she would grow so quickly, and even gain the friendship of the ‘Holy White Knight Hall’, making them willing to act on a matter unrelated to them.”

“This kindness, I’m afraid we’ll find it very hard to repay, *cough cough*.” He coughed a few times, and Winnie, who was beside him, handed him hot water.

“Teacher, please drink some.” Now that Yero was not around, having gone off to study in a distant place, Winnie, who had once been Hyde’s student, was fortunately among those notified. The family had left the city, and she was there to help care for the old man on the journey.

Viscount Xuefeng, seeing Hyde cough, showed concern and immediately stepped forward to gently pat his back, carefully supporting him.

“You must live well, otherwise, when Miss Lia returns, I wouldn’t know how to explain myself.” He seemed to understand that this time, they were all benefiting from Scholar Hyde. In truth, he had very little interaction with that girl, and this old man was the one whom the girl truly appreciated.

“Heh heh, I understand.” The old man smiled, waving his hand to tell the Viscount not to worry.

Afterward, the Carriage traveled along the bumpy mountain road, slowly heading towards the distant end of the path.