Chapter 12: Merit (Two Chapters Released Together, Please Continue Reading)

Robin saw this and decided to strike first.

He lowered his stance and charged toward the Black-robed Man.

While running, he constantly changed his path, sometimes left, sometimes right, making the Black-robed Man unable to grasp his movement.

When only a few steps away from the Black-robed Man, Robin suddenly hurled the Armor Fragment in his hand with force.

The Armor Fragment flew like a throwing knife, whistling, and pierced the Black-robed Man's throat.

The Black-robed Man did not expect Robin to launch an attack suddenly, and so fiercely.

He hurriedly sidestepped, the Armor Fragment grazing his cheek, leaving a shallow bloodstain.

Seizing the Black-robed Man's moment of evasion, Robin arrived in front of him.

He leapt high, his right fist charged with his whole body's strength, smashing hard at the Black-robed Man's face.

In panic, the Black-robed Man could only raise an arm to block.

Robin's fist landed heavily on the Black-robed Man's arm, producing a dull thud.

The Black-robed Man was shaken back several steps by the force, nearly falling to the ground.

"Indeed, the opponent's lacking constitution is only a little better than mine."

However, Robin gave the Black-robed Man no chance to breathe. He immediately followed with a flurry of attacks, fists and kicks together, each move bearing lethal threat.

The Black-robed Man could only block while searching for a chance to cast magic.

But Robin's attacks were as dense as a raging storm, preventing him from concentrating to chant incantations.

The Black-robed Man slapped both sides of his thighs hard, accompanied by a sinister aura, the surrounding darkness seemed stirred, and two massive Shadow Wolves slowly emerged.

These Shadow Wolves were ethereal, their eyes flashing ghostly green light, like two wraith flames wavering in darkness; they opened gaping maws, revealing sharp fangs, emitting low roars, and lunged at Robin like a swift wind.

At the same time, the Black-robed Man curled a sinister smile, his hands quickly forming seals, muttering words, and unleashed Dark Binding Magic.

In an instant, several black vines erupted from the ground, like fanged poisonous snakes, snapping at Robin's legs with lightning speed.

Robin failed to dodge, the black vines coiled tightly around his legs, immobilizing them.

Trapped, Robin thought badly, and the two Shadow Wolves had already pounced before him; one leapt high, opening its gaping maw, bearing down on Robin's neck, about to bite.

At this hair's-breadth moment, "Boom!" a huge sound shattered the tense atmosphere.

Then the Malizi Knight surged forward like a cannonball; the Sword in his hand gathered earth‑yellow light, like a golden bolt, bearing great power, and he slashed down with a single strike.

The strike sliced that Shadow Wolf lunging at Robin cleanly in two.

The Shadow Wolf let out a mournful wail, turning into a puff of black smoke that vanished in the air.

The powerful impact not only shattered the black vines on Robin's legs but also forced the Black-robed Man back several steps.

The Black-robed Man steadied himself, looked up, and saw the Giant Python that had coiled around the Malizi Knight now slain by his combined strike.

He thought to himself that the situation was already unfavorable, and further entanglement might cost his life.

Without hesitation, the Black-robed Man gestured with both hands and quickly uttered an incantation.

Instantly, the surrounding mist, as if hearing a summons, gathered rapidly and spread, enveloping the battlefield tightly.

Under the mist's cover, the Black-robed Man and the remaining Giant Python flickered and vanished simultaneously.

Only a grim sentence echoed in the air: "We shall meet again."

Robin let out a long sigh, gratitude for surviving flooding his heart. He looked at the Malizi Knight, eyes full of thanks: "Thank you, Grand Knight Leader, were it not for your timely arrival, I would have been in danger today."

The Malizi Knight patted Robin's shoulder, his expression solemn, and said: "Don't relax yet; these wizards' tactics are strange, we must quickly rendezvous with the Lord and strengthen defenses."

Fitz Knight also came to Robin's side, leaned slightly, and carefully inspected the wound on his back.

The wound, though not deep, bore several bloodstains, and fresh blood was slowly seeping out.

Fitz Knight said while examining, "It's fine; treat the wound, and according to the Earth Dragon Breathing Method, it should stop bleeding soon." After speaking, he took some herbs from his waist pouch, skillfully crushed them, and applied them to Robin's wound.

Then he laughed, patting Robin's shoulder, "A knight apprentice daring to strike a wizard apprentice—fortunately the opponent seems to specialize in bio‑augmentation and summoning; if they specialized in combat spells, your actions just now would have killed you."

Robin heard this and felt a wave of dread.

He recalled the recent perilous duel with the Black-robed Wizard; had he not been lucky, he would have perished.

He couldn't help shivering, a fine layer of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.

The Malizi Knight said irritably, "Don't scare the kid; if he hadn't interrupted that Black Wizard's casting, and let him forge the Wild Boar Knight's corpse into a puppet, we'd all be in danger."

The Malizi Knight knew that once the Black-robed Wizard succeeded in forging the corpse into a puppet, with that puppet's strength plus the Black-robed Wizard's magic, everyone here would have no chance in this dense fog.

Then, the Malizi Knight fixed his gaze on Robin and solemnly said, "This time you achieved great merit; when we return, I will personally petition the Damia Great Knight Leader for your credit."

Robin heard this and a spark of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Eric, Lily, and Tomson, seeing this, couldn't help feeling sincere joy for Robin.

Eric laughed, punched Robin's shoulder, and said, "Alright, Robin, didn't expect you to be so brave at the crucial moment; now you'll make a name for yourself!"

Lily's eyes were full of admiration, she gently said, "Robin, you're truly amazing; we're all proud of you."

Tomson kept nodding beside them, his face radiating a sincere smile.

However, Silvan and the other two's expressions were not so pleasant.

Their mouths turned slightly down, eyes showing a hint of resentment and jealousy, as if Robin had stolen their credit.

Silvan snorted coldly, muttering, "Hmph, just luck; what's so great about it."

Dain and Camille also echoed beside him, their faces full of discontent.

The party continued marching, each holding different thoughts, moving forward on the road where the mist had not fully cleared.

However, halfway through, they met up with the Lord's squad.

The sight before them made Malizi and the others' hearts sink; they saw six knights, including Lord Bloet, each bearing injuries to varying degrees.

Lord Bloet's arm was wrapped in bandages, bright red blood seeping through, glaringly vivid;

The other knights also looked exhausted, some limping, others clutching their chests, clearly bearing serious wounds from the earlier battle.

(End of Chapter)