Chapter 307: The True Secret Society, Triggering the Holy Knight

Looking at the blade in the hand of the knight in black armor, where a faint, eerie yellow light flickered along the edge.

"Corrupt Sword, Crocdabal."

A look of envy appeared in the gray-robed mage’s withered, yellowed eyes as he let out a low chuckle, "After you die, I will take good care of this sword for you."

This was one of the four legendary weapons of the Black Knight, one of the Thirteen Heroes. Besides the scarred fellow before him, another sword was in the hands of that woman from the kingdom’s adventurer team, Blue Rose.

As for the other two, the "Evil Sword" and the "Death Sword," their whereabouts were unknown; this was a remarkable collection.

What a pity!

He was not a warrior; otherwise, being able to possess and use such a weapon would be pure bliss!

The gray-robed mage’s burning gaze made the knight in black armor’s eyes turn cold: "Take your filthy eyes off this sword!"

"A stinking wretch like you should just stay with your bugs!"

Facing this undisguised disgust and mockery.

The gray-robed mage did not mind in the slightest, though the greed in his eyes did recede somewhat.

The argument between the two favored disciples.

The Guild Leader ignored it, instead gazing into the distance, lost in thought. After a brief silence, he said faintly:

"What is that fellow doing?"

The gray-robed mage’s expression tightened. He knew the Guild Leader was asking about that mysterious red-robed magic caster. He had only met the person a few times, though they had never exchanged a single word from start to finish.

Yet, he could sense that the mysterious red-robed magic caster’s strength was perhaps even greater than his own.

"Lately, that person has been frequently appearing near the demi-human gathering places, seemingly searching for something?"

The gray-robed mage spoke with confusion, then added: "Guild Leader, should I summon them to participate in this operation?"

"No need."

"The two of you, plus it, will be enough." The Guild Leader’s hoarse voice rang out.

The Death Knight stepped forward, its scarlet, terrifying gaze and heart-trembling pressure spreading out, as if the surrounding temperature had suddenly dropped by several degrees.

"Heh, so they are enemies."

The knight in black armor held the Corrupt Sword in his hand, whispering with interest.

The gray-robed mage felt a chill in his heart.

He had originally thought that the red-robed spellcaster might become one of the favored disciples, but now the Guild Leader seemed to have no such intention... or had changed his mind!

"I have no interest in playing a game of hide-and-seek with this group of people."

"Since they have come, they shall not leave. It just so happens that I am short a few corpses with decent strength!"

The black negative energy permeating the Guild Leader’s body writhed slightly, matching his cold tone as it echoed in the terrifying atmosphere.

In stories like the circulating "Heroic Tales" or "Adventure Tales," those heroes and adventurers always eliminate the enemy’s strength bit by bit and uncover intelligence before finally achieving victory.

Reality is not a biographical novel or a story from the mouth of a bard!

"Yes, Guild Leader!"

"Yes, Guild Leader!"

The gray-robed mage and the knight in black armor nodded respectfully in unison, then turned and left.

Watching the two gradually disappear.

A trace of anticipation emerged in the Guild Leader’s pale pupils.

"Does that legendary true secret society really exist?"

"No, it must exist!"

"After this matter concludes, it should be enough to attract their attention."

The Guild Leader’s vague, murmuring voice echoed faintly across this empty ground, which was buried with a large number of undead.

Meanwhile, on Tang Zheng’s side.

After a brief rest, the three elite units immediately set off, heading toward the hilly region in the south.

Everyone had to travel as quickly as possible during the day to reach the water source in the southern region within three days and rendezvous with the remaining demi-human tribes.

Because they only carried three days' worth of food and water; any more would affect their marching speed.

According to the normal route, with the demi-human Go Jin leading, three days would be enough to arrive easily, but in reality, it would take longer.

First, to ensure sufficient physical strength.

Second, to guard against attacks from the undead.

Just because of these two points, the group’s travel time was compressed by one-third.

Patter—patter—

The Ghost Hound trotted at the very back of the entire team, while Enri gripped the bone chain tightly, sitting on the Ghost Hound’s neck.

"Captain, I..." Enri’s cheeks were flushed with shame.

Everyone else was marching on foot, and only she was sitting on the Ghost Hound. Feeling the strange gazes occasionally coming from all around, Enri was naturally embarrassed.

"Just sit there with peace of mind."

Tang Zheng shook his head, observing his surroundings while speaking calmly.

At the same time, his body moved forward with great lightness and speed.

This was a lightness-type magic cast on everyone by the magic casters of the priest group, which could save physical strength and increase marching speed.

"But." Enri lowered her head slightly, her fingers gripping the bone chain turning white.

"Enri."

"Yes, Captain."

Tang Zheng signaled for Enri to look at the three people in front: "Observe those three well, and pay attention to how they lead the troops in action."

"Ah, yes!" Although confused, Enri nodded immediately and hurriedly cast her gaze forward.

Those three were Captain Remedios, High Priest Kelart, and Captain Neun.

"They have started moving over there as well, faster than expected."

Tang Zheng frowned slightly. Through the information passed over by his shadow clone, he had also detected the Guild Leader’s actions at the first opportunity.

Strange!

The Guild Leader was actually going to war directly with the Holy Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy; no matter how one looked at it, it was strange. Whether he won or lost, there was no great benefit for the Guild Leader.

"Too little intelligence, lacking some key information. One cannot see the Guild Leader’s true purpose by relying on speculation alone," Tang Zheng thought to himself.

"Tang." A familiar voice came.

Tang Zheng looked at "Black" Pavel, who was following closely behind.

As a top-tier archer, he was positioned at the very back of the team; during the day, there was no need for "Black" Pavel to perform.

Those sharp eyes that could see things clearly even in the dark were meant for the night, which was the true moment for him to display his skills.

Conversely, Clementine was at the very front of the team; with her agile body and speed, she was suited to act as a scout.

"Pavel." Tang Zheng turned his head and responded softly.

Both sides were already familiar with each other by now, so they addressed each other by their names.

"You really value this companion of yours."

"Black" Pavel’s peripheral vision swept over Enri, who was sitting on the Ghost Hound.

Tang Zheng raised an eyebrow, knowing that his brief conversation with Enri just now had been overheard by Pavel, which was why he had spoken up.

"Everyone thinks she has no talent."

Tang Zheng shrugged his shoulders and said with a light chuckle, "But I don’t think so. I have always believed that everyone has their own talent."

"It is just that they lack the possibility of being discovered and the effort to realize that talent."

Hearing these words.

"Black" Pavel’s eyes widened. The man, who was always composed and unflappable, rarely showed a change in expression.

"Tang, that perspective is simply brilliant!"

"You know, I have a daughter who has very high talent in archery, but I really don’t understand why she would choose to become a paladin."

"Oh, I don’t mean that being a paladin is bad. That child has a timid nature; she would cry if she saw a caterpillar. A girl like her..."

"Black" Pavel seemed to have had a switch flipped, talking incessantly about his daughter.

A helpless expression appeared on Tang Zheng’s face, and he could only try his best to appear as if he were listening.

Come to think of it!

The man’s daughter was Neia, one of the humans Tang Zheng disliked the most, but that referred to the future Neia. For now, she was just an ordinary girl.

Not far away.

"Red" Orlando was also pestering Go Jin, seemingly wanting to learn combat techniques and skills, which made Go Jin somewhat annoyed.

The relaxed and lazy attitude of these few people was not stopped by Kelart; instead, there was a sense of intentional indulgence.

It was precisely because of this.

That the tense atmosphere that should have permeated the air, along with the fear of death in the face of tens of thousands of undead, was greatly alleviated.

However.

The faint, lingering stench of corpses in the air kept the spirits of the elites tense.

Along the way.

Everywhere was filled with a sense of desolation. Let alone normal beasts, monsters, or even demi-human races, there was not even the sound of insects or birds.

What this represented was self-evident.

The place where they were seemed to be a complete dead zone. This oppressive atmosphere was like a great mountain hanging over everyone’s hearts!

As the high-hanging sun set in the west.

The atmosphere became even more oppressive and tense!

As the nominal commander, Kelart immediately issued orders to set up camp and rest, taking advantage of the time before nightfall to begin arranging magical measures for vigilance and protection.

Rays of magical light flickered continuously from all directions.

Although the undead can also move during the day, as the dead, they rarely appear voluntarily during the day unless controlled by someone; night is the time when the undead truly become active.

This is also the reason why everyone traveled quickly during the day and immediately rested before it got dark!

The scorching temperature filled the air with a stifling heat.

Tang Zheng swept his gaze over the group, who had taken off their helmets, were covered in sweat, and were drinking heavily from their water bags, then walked up after a brief moment of thought.

"Vice Captain Gustavo."

Tang Zheng called out to Gustavo, who was among the Holy Knights and busy giving orders.

"Hm?"

Vice Captain Gustavo turned his head in surprise, and upon seeing clearly that it was Tang Zheng, he walked over quickly: "Team Leader Tang, is something the matter?"

"Everyone's water bags should have at least one empty by now, right?"

"That is correct. The climate in the hills is too abnormal; logically, it shouldn't be this hot during this month."

"Since that's the case, there is something I need to discuss with you." Tang Zheng spoke softly, explaining his idea.

Vice Captain Gustavo was initially surprised and hesitant, but then showed a look of joy: "That's great, Team Leader Tang. I need to report this matter to the Captain and Lady Kelart."

"That's fine." Tang Zheng nodded.

After realizing the impending attack through his shadow clone, Tang Zheng would not remain indifferent; he intended to assist everyone within the scope of the abilities he had displayed.

He wanted to see if the Alliance Leader truly intended to wipe out this group of theirs!

Soon.

Kelart, Remedios, and Captain Nigun walked over.

"Team Leader Tang, your proposal is excellent." Kelart said with a smile.

Remedios also showed a rare friendly attitude, resting one hand on her holy sword and saying carelessly: "Sorry to trouble you."

"It's no trouble at all."

Tang Zheng shook his head and responded softly.

"Thank you, Team Leader Tang, but will this waste the already scarce water? The Holy Knights consume more."

Another vice captain, "Peach" Isadoro, first nodded to Tang Zheng and then spoke with concern.

"Then prioritize the Holy Knight Order!"

"The Sunlight Scripture and the Priest Corps can contribute half a bag of water each; that should be enough." Captain Nigun gave the plan directly.

"That works too."

Kelart thought for a moment and nodded.

Soon!

Dozens of Holy Knights began to act, collecting one water bag each from the members of the Priest Corps and the Sunlight Scripture unit.

They gathered all the water inside and poured it into a makeshift large water bag made from cloaks.

Enri took 10 bottles from the limited "Regeneration Potions" carried by the Evil Spirit Dog and poured them all into this large water bag.

"Alchemy!"

Tang Zheng's hands radiated magical light, allowing the poured "Regeneration Potions" to thoroughly blend into the water, creating a diluted version of the "Regeneration Potion."

He could have finished it in the blink of an eye with his ability, but to avoid suspicion, he had to drag it out for a while.

"Many thanks. With your potion, these guys' mental states have improved a lot."

Vice Captain Gustavo looked at the Holy Knight members as they distributed the diluted potion, a look of gratitude appearing on his face.

This was a potion made by "Genius Alchemy"; even diluted, it relaxed the Holy Knights' taut nerves, and even their faces carried a few more smiles.

"No need for thanks."

Tang Zheng said indifferently, then changed the subject: "By the way, Vice Captain Gustavo, may I take a look at the sword in your hand?"

In unfamiliar or strange situations, rashly touching or asking for someone else's weapon is a rude act that easily provokes hostility.

But after what just happened, the relationship between the two sides had clearly grown much closer!

"This is the standard weapon of our Holy Knight Order; there's nothing particularly special about it."

Vice Captain Gustavo raised his hand to scratch his knuckle-length golden short hair, then reached out to draw the weapon in his hand and handed it over.

The other party said it lightly,

but Tang Zheng knew that this kind of weapon was not so easy to obtain. It was a silver-white blade with the emblem of the Holy Kingdom's "Holy Knight Order" cast upon it.

The faint magical reaction proved that this was a magical item. Beyond its intrinsic value, obtaining this weapon was also part of the appointment ceremony process for becoming a Holy Knight.

In short, it was of extraordinary significance and unique to every Holy Knight!

*Hum—*

*Contact with weapon: Longsword. Obtained basic class information: Holy Knight.*

*Do you wish to take the class?*

"An eye-catching weapon." Tang Zheng observed the longsword in his hand with an unchanging expression, praised it, and then raised his hand to return it.

"Haha, this weapon has been with me for over 10 years. In terms of value, it might not compare to some truly expensive weapons, but its significance is extraordinary."

"If Team Leader Tang likes it, you can apply for one from our Captain, though the emblem on it would have to be removed."

Vice Captain Gustavo said half-jokingly while taking back the weapon.

"Better not. I am a magic caster; holding such a weapon would be a waste."

Tang Zheng shook his head and responded with a smile, his fingers deliberately brushing over the silver-white armor on the other party's body, lingering for a brief moment.

*Hum—*

*Contact with armor: Holy Knight Armor. Obtained intermediate class information: Sacred Knight.*

*Do you wish to take the class?*

(End of chapter)