Chapter 244

"Damn it, run!"

With Adani's death, Kiran and Bell reacted quickly and immediately tried to flee.

Unfortunately, Lei Meng, now free, gave them no such chance—he easily overwhelmed and captured both men alongside Gervas.

This was only because they held official noble status; they could not be killed in plain sight.

With both vassals choosing to flee, the common soldiers had even less reason to stand their ground.

The title knights who had been watching this battle closely were all alert.

In the instant the outcome was decided, cries erupted one after another within Parker's army.

"Run! All the title knights are dead! Baron Kiran and Sir Bell have been captured—we can't win!"

"That's right! Everyone, run now, or it'll be too late!"

"Look! Even Lord Parker is running—everyone, flee!"

The final cry—"Lord Parker is running too!"—shattered Parker's army completely.

Defeat came like a collapsing mountain; Parker's army's fate was now certain.

Gervas would not show mercy this time: "All of you, pursue them and kill without quarter!"

Saying this, Gervas himself mounted Flame Horse and led the charge.

Parker soon heard the thunder of hooves behind him and his soul nearly fled his body.

Especially when he saw Gervas had reached his own viscount's territory—and showed no sign of stopping.

"Gervas, I surrender! I'll pay compensation—don't chase me!"

As Gervas and several knights closed in, Parker finally panicked.

He knew he had truly enraged Gervas this time.

Gervas might fly into a rage and kill him outright.

"Compensation? Parker, once I kill you, I'll petition the kingdom for reparations—I'll still extract payment from your lands!"

"It may be less, but killing you is worth it," Gervas sneered.

"You… Gervas! Royal law forbids nobles from killing nobles—that's a grave crime!"

"Parker, that applies to normal circumstances. But now? My lands hold over fifty dead light cavalrymen. Under such overwhelming odds, I turned the tide and killed you—before the king himself, I can claim self-defense with perfect justification!"

Parker's heart lurched.

Because Gervas was telling the truth.

Under extreme disparity of power, killing an invading noble carries no guilt.

Only when both sides are evenly matched might one be suspected of intentional murder!

No!

I absolutely cannot die!

As Gervas's Flame Horse drew nearer, Parker frantically searched for a solution.

Quickly, he remembered one place.

If he reached it, surrounded by royal troops who saw him, Gervas would dare not kill him.

After all, killing a noble in self-defense during resistance is vastly different from hunting him down afterward.

Thinking this, Parker instantly changed his escape route—his subordinates' fates were no longer his concern!

The outpost had always stood at the border between Cain's barony and Parker's viscountcy—no more than three li away.

Behind him, Gervas seemed to sense the change and spurred his horse faster.

Parker gritted his teeth and whipped his mount mercilessly.

This was a true warhorse—even if only a low-grade one, Parker had always cherished it dearly.

But now, for his life, he no longer cared for its strength.

Fortunately, it was all worth it.

After galloping for several minutes, they rounded a small grove—and ahead, several hundred meters away, a wooden fortress stood plainly in view.

Parker nearly wept with relief: "Save me! I am Lord Parker, ruler of this viscountcy—I'm being hunted by the lord of Stormwind!"

Fearing even this final stretch might turn against him, he shouted toward the wooden fortress several hundred meters ahead.

In fact, the royal soldiers inside had already sensed the commotion behind them.

After all, the cries of battle could be faintly heard even miles away.

All soldiers now turned to stare at Parker.

A centurion soon appeared atop the fortress wall.

"Lord Parker, what has happened?"

Having reached the fortress safely, the centurion above recognized Parker.

This wasn't surprising—Parker's family had been a longstanding border noble for decades.

His territory was the most prosperous in the region.

Thus, these soldiers and officers often traveled to Parker's viscountcy to procure supplies.

"Centurion Ke, let me in! It's the Lord of Stormwind—he's hunting me!"

Boom! Boom!

No sooner had he spoken than a seven-man knight squad burst from the tree corner—Gervas and his men.

"Centurion Ke, it's them—let me in!"

Ke glanced at the charging knight squad, paused, then allowed Parker inside.

Parker was a viscount; saving him now meant he'd remember the favor.

Besides, royal law stood between them—the Stormwind lord wouldn't dare overstep.

As Parker was hoisted up by basket, he finally felt the relief of survival.

Before he could utter any thanks, Gervas's men arrived at the fortress gate!

"Lord Parker, do you think hiding inside this fortress will save you?" Gervas spoke coldly.

Parker tensed, glancing at Centurion Ke.

Ke knew he had to see this through.

But he dared not fully offend Gervas, so he soothed: "Lord Gervas, I am Ke, centurion of the southern border Kai-Pa outpost. Calm yourself. Both you and Lord Parker are royal nobles—how did this escalate?"

"How did it escalate? Ask Parker himself—he sold me his iron mine!"

"Three months later, he reneged. A month ago, he led troops to seize the mine—I defeated him."

"Last time, out of neighborly courtesy, I merely taught him a lesson and drove him from the border."

"But this vile man returned—today, he launched another surprise attack on my iron mine!"

"Worse—he somehow gathered fifty light cavalrymen to ambush and encircle my Stormwind forces!"

"He doesn't just want my mine—he wants my life!"

"Had I not barely defeated those cavalrymen, I'd already be dead in Lord Parker's hands. Centurion Ke, tell me—should I avenge this?"

"This…"

Fifty light cavalrymen?

Trying to kill Gervas outright?!

Centurion Ke's eyes widened, and he instinctively stepped back from Parker.

He'd assumed this was just a routine noble border dispute—minor skirmishes between retainers.

But Parker had brought in outside forces—fifty light cavalrymen.

Not only was the number suspicious, but the force level itself was abnormal.

It was almost certainly aimed at Gervas's life.