Chapter 248: You Lied to Me!

After the dark creatures entered the castle, the pace of slaughter quickened.

Within just over ten minutes, the shouts and roars inside the castle gradually fell silent.

According to the report from the Magxun Eagle squad, no active combat could be seen on the castle walls or in the courtyards—clearly, the fighting had moved deep into the inner keep.

Gervas no longer delayed; he acted immediately.

Tonight, besides eliminating Parker, the most important task was to seize the wealth of Parker's viscount's castle.

So, these tasks must be completed before dawn.

"Begin the operation!"

"Yes, my lord!"

Upon receiving the order, Migen indeed rushed forward first, just as he had promised.

Gervas said nothing; he led his three hundred infantrymen right behind him.

At the castle gate, they found the breach covered in claw marks—the thick iron plating, three to four millimeters deep, was riddled with gashes.

Creak!

The gate was opened from within by Migen.

"My lord, everyone in the courtyard is dead!"

"Spread the word—stay alert for danger!"

There were still faint sounds coming from within the castle, so danger remained.

With that, Gervas led his troops streaming inside.

The front courtyard was drenched in blood—everywhere lay the corpses of dark creatures and soldiers torn apart.

Roar!

At that moment, a roar came from a skull soldier lying on the ground, baring its teeth at Gervas.

Thud!

Migen stomped down, crushing the skull's head. "Damn thing, you're just a head left and still acting tough!"

Thus, the Storm Army advanced toward the inner keep.

The corridors of the inner keep resembled the front courtyard—everywhere were traces of battle.

A few dark creatures were spotted, but since they were isolated, they were slashed to pulp the moment they drew near.

Confirming no major threat remained, Gervas ordered Migen, Lei Meng, and the other knights to split up and search the castle with their men.

He himself waited in the reception hall.

Their primary targets in the search were naturally Parker and his two vassals.

Not long after, word came: Parker, with his last group of followers, had retreated to the rear garden and was fighting a final battle against the dark creatures.

Gervas immediately rushed over.

When he arrived at the rear garden, he saw fierce combat still raging ahead.

Dozens of dark creatures faced off against a dozen or so men—Parker among them.

Gervas did not rush forward; he ordered his men to encircle the garden and waited as the battle unfolded.

The strongest among the dark creatures was a third-rank Carrion Gray Wolf.

It measured over four meters in length and stood one point eight meters tall.

Only by crushing its brain could it be truly killed.

Thus, Parker had to face it personally.

Even so, the dozens of torn corpses scattered around proved just how powerful this Carrion Gray Wolf was.

Gervas now understood why the castle's sturdy gate had been torn open.

It had been shredded by this three-rank Carrion Gray Wolf with its razor claws.

Of course, the wolf had achieved much—but it bore many wounds of its own.

Dozens of longswords and spears were embedded in its body; its head and limbs were covered in deep gashes.

Gervas thought for a moment, then gave Migen an order; Migen swiftly departed.

Gervas stood quietly, watching the battle.

After more than ten minutes, as expected, Parker's men were nearly all dead.

Even Parker himself, drained of aura and overwhelmed by wounds, was moments from being torn apart by the wolf.

Whizz!

As Parker's eyes filled with despair, watching the wolf's claw rise high to crush his skull—

A shrill whistle suddenly pierced the air.

Before Parker could react, the Carrion Gray Wolf sensed danger and leapt to dodge.

Too late.

Thud! A black streak pierced through the wolf's left foreleg, entering its chest and exiting the other side.

The immense momentum hurled the wolf backward, pinning it hard into the flowerbed's muddy earth.

Roar! Roar!

But the Carrion Gray Wolf would not die from this wound alone.

Instead, it was enraged, thrashing and bellowing wildly!

Just as it was about to break free from the thick oak shaft embedded in its body, another whizz sounded.

Thud!

A second thick arrow pierced straight through the wolf's cheek, exiting the other side.

"Excellent!" Gervas couldn't help but cheer.

He had been ready to send Lei Meng in, to avoid complications later.

Who knew the second ballista had struck true.

Earlier, Gervas had ordered Migen to bring the ballistae from outside the castle.

On Parker's side, staring at the now-dead Carrion Gray Wolf, he could hardly believe it.

Then he saw a shadow slowly approaching beneath the trees—he cried out, "Thank you for saving me, I, Parker, will surely repay you—wait, it's you?"

Parker's words of gratitude died mid-sentence; when he recognized Gervas's face, all joy of survival vanished, his complexion turning deathly pale.

"Viscount Parker, go on—why stop?" Gervas smiled, stepping forward slowly.

"You… you're really you? You lured these dark creatures into my castle? But how? You can't have flying beasts!"

"Who said I don't have flying beasts?"

Gervas smiled, then waved his hand toward the sky.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

"My lord, what is your command?"

Several Magxun Eagles descended to seven or eight meters above, addressing Gervas.

Parker's face was filled with disbelief—as if hallucinating.

"This… this… what is your true identity?"

"Me? Just a minor noble's second son."

"Impossible—you have Firestorm Horses, Magxun Eagles, and barbarians—you must come from a great family, right?"

"Gervas, tell me—what ducal or marquis family are you from? Say it, so I may die knowing the truth!"

At this moment, Parker's psychological defenses shattered completely.

He knew he was going to die.

Worse—he had been so foolish, twice provoking this man, yet never learned his true identity.

Now, Parker clung to his last straw.

After all, if he died at the hands of a noble scion, it wouldn't make him utterly powerless.

At this moment, Gervas stood before Parker.

"Sigh! Parker, I'm telling the truth!"

As he spoke, a flash of cold light darted past.

Thud!

A longsword pierced Parker's chest.

The sword had been thrust by Gervas.

Villains die by their own words—and so do heroes.

Gervas would never cultivate such a bad habit.

Parker's body shuddered, but made no struggle—only bitterness, "You… you lied to me… you lied to me… uh…"

The next instant, Parker's strength drained away; he collapsed backward onto the ground, eyes vacant, staring at the black night sky.

He remembered that night under the moon, playing knightly games with his maid in the rear garden—his lost youth…

Viscount Parker! Dead!