Chapter 89: Entering Mist Forest! Slaying the Gale Wolf King! Noble Gathering?

"Set off!"

Rocco mounted his horse and gave the order.

The group marched majestically, stepping on the snow, and headed toward Mist Forest outside Vanguard Valley.

The sound of hooves echoed on the silent snowfield, rolling up bursts of snow mist.

The scenery along the way gradually changed as they went deeper.

The flat snowfield was gradually replaced by undulating hills.

The air also had a hint of dampness and humus unique to the forest.

Occasionally, some cold-resistant shrubs could be seen standing tenaciously in the wind and snow.

Although Falco couldn't go, Martina didn't know when she had also ridden a snow-white warhorse and followed behind the team.

She was wrapped in a thick fox fur coat, revealing only a pair of lively snow-white eyes, curiously looking at everything around her.

Rocco looked back at her, a bit helpless.

"Why did you follow?"

Martina raised her pointed chin righteously.

"This Chief Administrative Officer is inspecting the safety environment around the territory, is there any problem?"

Rocco's mouth twitched slightly; this little fox was good at finding high-sounding excuses.

He was too lazy to say anything more and let her follow.

Anyway, with Fula and Hart around, her safety wouldn't be a problem.

After marching for about two hours, the unique gray silhouette of Mist Forest finally appeared in everyone's sight.

On the edge of the forest stood twisted ancient trees.

A layer of faint, visible gray mist.

Just like this, it lingered above the forest, making this area appear more mysterious and eerie.

"Rest on the spot, stay vigilant."

Rocco ordered.

The Storm Knights immediately dispersed skillfully, occupying favorable terrain, and watched the movement of the forest vigilantly.

Fula's cat ears twitched slightly, as if listening to the subtle sounds coming from deep in the forest.

Hart carefully checked the traces around, judging whether there were signs of large magic beast activity.

"Young Master, in this area, no aura of powerful magic beasts was found for the time being."

Hart reported.

Rocco nodded.

"Very good."

"We are entering the forest, remember, don't go too deep."

"Our main purpose is to test strength, and by the way, get some meat."

"Yes!"

Everyone responded in unison.

Rocco took the lead and stepped into the range of Mist Forest first.

Once entering the forest, the light suddenly dimmed.

Dense gray mist permeated the forest, greatly reducing visibility.

Underfoot was thick fallen leaves, making a rustling sound when stepped on.

The air was filled with a damp and cold aura, mixed with the smell of grass and wood decay.

It was quiet all around, with only the slight sound made by their marching.

This silence, instead, made people feel a hint of inexplicable suppression.

The Storm Knights gripped their weapons tightly, scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

Their breathing became much lighter subconsciously.

Martina also put away her usual tsundere look, her snow-white eyes carrying a hint of tension and curiosity, following closely behind Rocco.

Although she had high talent, she lacked real wild survival and combat experience.

This unknown environment made her feel a bit uneasy.

Rocco's perception had already been raised to an extremely keen level.

He could clearly perceive that there were quite a few dangerous auras hidden in this forest.

However, most were not very strong.

"Fula, front left, about thirty meters, there is a lone Iron-Horned Antelope."

Rocco suddenly said.

Hearing this, Fula's figure swayed, and she sneaked toward that direction silently like a civet cat.

A moment later, only a shrill scream was heard, and then it stopped abruptly.

Fula carried an antelope-like magic beast with a sturdy body and hard iron horns on its head and returned to the team.

On the throat of the Iron-Horned Antelope, a long, thin wound was deep to the bone, clearly killed with one blow by a sharp blade.

"Process it, let's continue forward."

Rocco said lightly.

The Storm Knights immediately stepped forward, skillfully skinning and disassembling the Iron-Horned Antelope

Over the next period of time, Roko and the others successively hunted down several more magic beasts that were not particularly strong.

Most of them were herbivores or solitary low-tier carnivorous magic beasts.

Roko did not personally take action against these magic beasts, instead leaving them for Fula, Hart, and the Storm Knights to practice with.

He could also take this opportunity to observe the specific improvements in everyone's strength after promoting to the Bronze rank.

Fula's fighting style remained as swift and lethal as ever.

Like an assassin in the dark night, she could always find the enemy's weakest link and deliver a fatal blow.

The longsword in her hand, bolstered by her Bronze Battle Qi and the Flame Breathing Method, shimmered with a scorching aura.

Every swing carried a sharp, piercing sound through the air.

Hart's fighting style was more steady and heavy.

The great knight sword in his hands moved with wide, sweeping motions, each strike heavy and powerful, carrying the force of a thousand jun.

Bronze Battle Qi covered his armor, raising his defensive capabilities by another level.

The coordination of the Storm Knights also became more tacit.

Operating as small squads, they collaborated with one another, moving with orderly offense and defense, displaying excellent combat discipline.

Just then, Roko's gaze suddenly sharpened.

"Something is coming, and there are quite a few of them."

His voice made everyone perk up.

"Defensive formation!"

Hart shouted in a low voice, and the Storm Knights immediately formed a circular defensive array.

They shielded Roko, Fula, and Martina in the center.

The mist in the forest suddenly surged violently.

Rustle, rustle, rustle...

A dense sound came from all directions.

Immediately after, pairs of eyes glowing with a ghostly green light lit up in the dim mist.

"It's Gale Wolves!"

Hart said in a deep voice, his expression somewhat grave.

Gale Wolves are a pack-dwelling carnivorous magic beast known for their high speed and aggressive nature.

The strength of an adult Gale Wolf is generally at the Knight level.

And the wolf king could potentially reach the strength of a Great Knight or even the Bronze rank.

Judging by the situation before them, there were at least a hundred Gale Wolves!

Martina's small face turned pale in an instant.

Although she had seen many big scenes, this was her first time being surrounded by over a hundred ferocious magic beasts at such close range.

She subconsciously grabbed the corner of Roko's clothes, her body trembling slightly.

Roko gently patted the back of her hand, signaling her not to panic.

His gaze calmly swept over the Gale Wolves as they gradually revealed their forms from the mist.

These Gale Wolves were a size larger than ordinary wild wolves.

Their fur was a greenish-gray, their limbs were strong and agile, and when they ran, they were like a gale.

Their fangs were sharp, and their eyes were filled with bloodlust and cruelty.

"Awoooo!"

A piercing howl came from the back of the wolf pack.

Following that, a giant wolf with a build significantly more robust than the others and silver-white fur slowly walked out of the mist.

Its eyes flashed with cunning and fierce light, and a powerful aura radiated from its body.

"The wolf king, Bronze rank initial stage strength."

A faint arc appeared at the corner of Roko's mouth.

Perfect, he would use it to test the power of the 【Great Sun Blazing Slash】.

"Hart, you are responsible for commanding the Storm Knights to block the wolf pack's charge."

"Fula, you and I will join forces to deal with that wolf king."

Roko quickly issued his combat orders.

"Yes!"

Hart and Fula responded in unison.

"Kill!"

Hart roared, taking the lead as he swung his great knight sword to meet the oncoming wolf pack.

Fifty Storm Knights also roared as they launched their counterattack.

The flash of blades and swords instantly flickered through the forest.

The Gale Wolves were fearless, crazily charging at the defensive line formed by the Storm Knights.

For a time, the sounds of slaughter, screams, and clashing weapons echoed throughout the forest.

Blood stained the fallen leaves underfoot.

Meanwhile, Roko and Fula charged simultaneously toward the silver-white wolf king.

The wolf king let out an angry roar and opened its blood-red maw.

Blades of wind shot toward the two of them.

Fula dodged the wind blades with agility, her longsword tracing strange arcs.

She continuously left fine, dense wounds on the wolf king's body.

Her 【Great Sun Blazing Slash】 had also reached the "Flame Slash" minor accomplishment realm.

Every sword strike carried a scorching flame aura, causing the wolf king to feel waves of stinging pain.

Roko, on the other hand, met it head-on.

The knight longsword in his hand was covered in a thick layer of crimson light.

"Flame Slash!"

He shouted in a low voice and swung his sword.

Whoosh!

A crimson sword energy over a meter long surged violently toward the wolf king.

The sword energy burned with raging flames, emitting astonishing heat.

The wolf king seemed to sense the threat of this strike and dared not take it head-on, hurriedly dodging to the side.

But the flame sword energy clung to it like a maggot on a bone, pursuing relentlessly.

With no other choice, the wolf king had to take the hit head-on.

Bang!

A miserable howl erupted from the wolf king's mouth.

Its waist had been struck hard by the flame sword energy, leaving a charred wound deep enough to see bone.

The air was filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh.

Roko did not let up, his longsword continuously attacking the wolf king.

Successive flame slashes landed on the wolf king's body.

Fula also provided support from the side, occasionally leaving fatal wounds on the wolf king's vital points.

Although the wolf king possessed the strength of a Bronze rank initial stage, under the joint assault of Roko and Fula, it was beaten into a steady retreat with no power to fight back.

The wounds on its body grew more numerous, and the blood flowing out stained the ground beneath it.

Its aura also became increasingly weak.

On the other side, the Storm Knights led by Hart were also gradually gaining the upper hand.

Although the Gale Wolves were numerous and fearless.

They were no match for the well-equipped, well-trained Storm Knights, especially with Hart, a Bronze rank Knight, holding the line.

Successive Knight Battle Qi slashes continuously reaped the lives of the Gale Wolves.

The ground was already littered with the corpses of Gale Wolves.

The remaining Gale Wolves, seeing their king severely wounded and their companions suffering heavy casualties, finally began to feel fear.

Their offensive gradually slowed down.

Just then, Roko seized an opportunity.

While dodging Fula's attack, the wolf king exposed a massive opening.

"Die!"

Roko's eyes sharpened, and the Bronze Battle Qi within his body surged crazily into his longsword.

The crimson light on the blade surged to its limit.

"Great Sun Blazing Slash, Flame Slash!"

He swung his sword violently, hacking down toward the wolf king's head.

Crack!

The wolf king's head was severed instantly.

Scalding blood sprayed out continuously.

That massive wolf head rolled on the ground a few times before finally stopping at Martina's feet.

Martina gasped in fright and hurriedly retreated a few steps, her small face deathly pale.

With the death of the wolf king, the remaining Gale Wolves let out a series of mournful howls.

No longer caring to attack, they scattered and fled, quickly disappearing into the dense mist.

A fierce battle finally drew to a close.

The air was filled with a thick, bloody stench and the smell of charred flesh.

The Storm Knights were mostly panting, all of them bearing more or less some injuries.

But their faces were filled with excitement and joy.

This was a hearty and satisfying victory!

"Clean up the battlefield, collect useful materials, and then we will leave here immediately."

Roko said in a deep voice.

Such a thick bloody scent would soon attract even more powerful magic beasts, or even packs of them.

The dangers of the Mist Forest were not limited to just these Gale Wolves.

"Yes, Lord!"

Everyone responded in unison and immediately began to act.

The fur and fangs of the Gale Wolves, as well as the wolf king's magic core, were all valuable materials.

Especially that Bronze rank magic core, which was worth a fortune.

Martina watched the busy crowd, then looked at the wolf head on the ground that had died with its eyes wide open, a trace of lingering fear flashing in her snow-white eyes.

Just after Roko and the others had quickly processed the battlefield and left the area.

Not far from where they had fought, several figures appeared silently on the branches of some towering ancient trees.

Those figures wore clothing similar in color to the forest, their builds lithe and agile.

Their ears were pointed, their features handsome, and their eyes carried a trace of innate arrogance.

They were, surprisingly, several Jingling.

The leading Jingling scanned the remaining traces of the battle on the ground and the bloody scent that had not yet fully dissipated in the air with sharp eyes.

His brow furrowed slightly.

"Such pure Flame Battle Qi."

"And some unfamiliar energy fluctuations."

"Are they humans?"

A female Jingling asked softly.

Her voice was incredibly crisp and extremely pleasant to hear.

The leading Jingling nodded.

"They should be human Knights."

"Their strength is not weak, and the battle ended very quickly, leaving behind few traces."

"It seems this area has not been very peaceful lately."

Another male Jingling had a trace of vigilance in his eyes.

"Should we follow them to take a look?"

The leading Jingling pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

"No need."

"Our mission is to investigate the unusual movements deep within the Mist Forest; let's not create extra trouble."

"However, send someone to keep an eye on the movements of this group of humans."

"If they dare to venture deep into the forest or pose a threat to our people, it won't be too late to act then."

"Yes, Captain."

The figures of the several Jingling vanished silently into the dense mist like ghosts, as if they had never appeared at all.

Time, like sand slipping through fingertips, passed quietly.

In the blink of an eye, it was March.

The bitter winter of the Xin Feng Province finally began to recede.

The thick snow began to melt, gathering into trickling streams that nourished the land that had slept through the entire winter.

Within Vanguard Valley, the vitality and energy of the past were gradually returning.

Under Martina's direction, the residents of the territory began the spring plowing and sowing for the new year.

Everywhere in the fields, there were busy figures.

Turning the soil, sowing seeds, and diverting water for irrigation—everything was proceeding in an orderly fashion.

Martina, dressed in capable casual attire, moved through the fields, occasionally pointing out the work to the farmers.

Her snow-white long hair fluttered gently in the spring breeze.

Her snow-white fox ears twitched from time to time, looking playful and cute.

Although she still maintained a serious, business-like demeanor, her snow-white eyes held a trace of joy and anticipation that was hard to conceal.

Looking at this land that was slowly regaining its vitality and becoming better and better under her own hands.

Her heart was filled with a sense of accomplishment.

Roko stood on the balcony of the Lord's Mansion, gazing into the distance at this thriving scene, and the corner of his mouth could not help but curl into a smile of gratification.

Martina's management ability was indeed beyond doubt.

With her there, all the affairs of the territory were handled in an orderly manner, saving him a lot of worry.

At the same time, just a moment ago, Roko had received an invitation from a neighboring Viscount.

Inviting him to attend a noble gathering of considerable scale in the Xin Feng Province.

It was said that many young nobles would be in attendance to socialize and build relationships.

Roko had never had any interest in such social gatherings.

With that time, he would rather spend a while longer practicing the 【Great Sun Blazing Slash】.

Therefore, he refused the invitation without the slightest hesitation.

Three days later, inside Viscount Auston's castle.

A grand banquet was underway.

In the bright and spacious banquet hall, young noble men and women gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing.

They talked about the latest fashions in the Royal Capital, discussed anecdotes about big figures, and spoke of all the fresh news happening across the Black Kingdom.

Viscount Auston was holding a glass of crimson wine.

Moving among the guests with a warm smile on his face.

However, when his gaze inadvertently swept across a corner of the banquet hall, a trace of imperceptible gloom flashed in his eyes.

"That Baron Roko of the Raymond family is truly arrogant!"

"I personally sent people to deliver the invitation, and he didn't even show his face!"

Viscount Auston snorted coldly in his heart.

However, he only dared to grumble a few words to himself.

After all, the other party was the son of Marquis Levis, with the entire Raymond Family standing behind him.

Even if he was just a newly enfeoffed Baron, he was not someone a small Viscount like himself could easily offend.

"Hmph, if he doesn't come, then so be it."

"Without him, the atmosphere of the banquet is actually more relaxed."

Viscount Auston comforted himself this way, then immediately put on a warm smile again and walked toward another group of nobles.

Meanwhile, in a relatively secluded corner of the banquet hall.

Three young nobles in luxurious attire were huddled together, whispering about something.

Their expressions all appeared somewhat mysterious and grave.

One of them, who was slightly thin and had somewhat sinister eyes, lowered his voice and said.

"The two of you, have you considered it?"

One of the nobles heard this, and his brow could not help but furrow slightly.

"Amanke, the 'Scorpion Society' is, after all, a rebellious organization of the Kingdom."

"They act ruthlessly and without any humanity."

"If we collude with them and the Kingdom finds out, that is a capital crime punishable by the extermination of our families!"

The other noble also put away his smile, a trace of worry appearing on his face.

"That's right, Amanke."

"The risk in this matter is too great."

"If word leaks out, we'll be finished."

Baron Amanke heard this, and the excitement on his face gradually cooled.

Replacing it was a cold, chilling intent.

He slowly picked up the wine glass in front of him, gently swirling the crimson liquid inside.

"The two of you, there is no turning back once the arrow is loosed."

His voice was incredibly hoarse.

"Since we have already taken the first step, there is no reason to shrink back now."

"Besides, do you think that if you quit now, the people from the 'Scorpion Society' will let us go?"