The Demon King is unfathomable

Chapter 420 The Majesty of the Dragon God

In this long, unknown night, no one but the Demon King knows that the true prophet is a young man named Mark.

Although that guy wasn't very capable and was full of complaints, he miraculously predicted something—

"They turned the women of the kingdom into prostitutes, some selling their asses in sheep's clothing, others selling their asses in fine clothes... And the men, they turned them into spiritual dwarfs, sheep under the stick, turtles in the pond."

They were the nobles of the Kingdom of Rhodes.

Of course, this may not be considered a prophecy.

Their souls had already rotted long before the Demon King's corruption arrived.

It's not because of hell, nor because of chaos.

This blame cannot be shifted to anyone else.

……

The next morning, the mercenaries extinguished the campfire, packed up their pots and pans, and Thomas's caravan set off in the hazy mist.

Throughout the journey, Thomas, sitting in the covered wagon, looked restless, occasionally lifting the curtain to look at the front of the procession, and then casting his gaze toward Colin's carriage not far away.

The convoy had barely driven a mile out of the valley when several figures appeared on the dirt road ahead.

Three cavalrymen reined in their horses and stood across the middle of the road. The leader was a man with a fierce face, whose leather armor was worn smooth and shiny, and whose long sword swayed with the breathing of his horse.

He was none other than Captain Carbin, the captain of the guard under the famous Sir Richter—one of his cavalrymen.

Now that Carbin is a big shot in Eagle Rock Territory, he naturally can't handle such a trivial matter himself; his subordinates will take care of it for him.

Thomas's heart skipped a beat, and he subconsciously looked at the mercenary leader next to the wagon.

The burly-looking man didn't mince words; he simply shrugged and gave his boss a helpless look.

He didn't mind fighting bandits, but fighting the lord's soldiers was not within his scope of business.

Of course, he didn't think his boss would be foolish enough to provoke the lord's men for a strange woman. They had discussed it last night: if they could take her out, they would help her; if they couldn't, then it was God's will... meaning she should stay here and face her fate.

Thomas hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed and waved for the caravan to stop.

He then jumped off the carriage, steeled himself, and approached a cavalryman with a fawning and humble smile.

"Sir, we are a caravan registered with the Merchants' Guild in Dragon's Eye City. We don't know why you are here..."

Before he could finish speaking, the leading cavalryman raised his whip, signaling him to shut up, and then spoke slowly and deliberately.

“I’m not interested in what you do; I just want to know if your team has the person we’re looking for.”

Thomas swallowed hard and said nervously.

"I wonder who you are looking for, sir..."

“A woman, or rather, a fugitive. She’s wearing a black robe, or maybe nothing at all, her hair is disheveled, maybe brown, maybe black… Do you have any leads?” the cavalry captain said slowly, his gaze sweeping over the convoy behind him.

"What crime did she commit?" Before Thomas could speak, the young mercenary standing behind him couldn't help but ask.

As soon as he said that, Thomas and the mercenary leader changed their expressions almost simultaneously and turned to look at him—including the cavalryman sitting astride his warhorse.

The young man himself seemed a little scared, his face pale, as if he regretted his impulsive words.

of course.

It's not entirely regret.

In this world, there are Rhodes who are driven by profit, and there are also Rhodes who are devout in their faith.

He could turn a blind eye to the blasphemy in the camp, but he would never be able to personally participate in such a hellish affair.

In the Book of the Word, the sin of silence is considered lesser, while the sin of personally sending an innocent person to hell is greater than that of the devil.

I believe that's why Mr. Thomas hesitated for so long.

However, the cavalryman was probably in a good mood, and did not punish him for interrupting. Instead, he answered his question with a smile.

"Is there anything else you want to ask about blasphemy?"

Stared at by that dagger-like gaze, the young mercenary swallowed hard and moved his stiff neck from side to side.

"No, no more."

"very good."

The cavalry captain nodded, but his eagle-like sharp gaze did not leave him, and then it shone with a strange light as if he had spotted prey.

"Well then, it's my turn to ask you... Do you have any leads on the person I'm looking for?"

The cavalry captain paused for a moment, and before the young man could answer, he smiled and added a sentence.

"Your eyes tell me that you seem to know her."

A chilling wind blew through the forest, like the suppressed growl of a snow wolf on the wasteland.

Facing three riders with lazy eyes, the dozen or so fully armed mercenaries didn't dare to breathe loudly, showing none of the bravery they had displayed yesterday while drinking around the campfire.

Thomas, who grew up watching the epic tales of heroes, also looked somber, his lips pale and trembling slightly.

The woman, wrapped in a long robe, huddled inside the wagon, covering her mouth in terror, trying her best not to make a sound.

However, her efforts were completely in vain; the idea of ​​escaping the lord's soldiers by sheer luck only happens in the stories of bards.

These guards wouldn't bother searching themselves; they weren't acting out of a sense of justice, but because it was profitable.

Not a single vehicle will pass through here until they find the person they're looking for. They'll impound all passing convoys here, and then the merchants eager to make a sale will naturally incite their guards or mercenaries to search for the person in the forest.

It would be best if we could find one.

It doesn't really matter if we can't find her. That runaway "nun" was someone Lord Cabin wanted, not the lord.

After confirming that the fugitive had either starved to death or been eaten by wolves in the forest, they would eventually release all the detained caravans. However, in return, they would demand a sum of money from these merchants as compensation for their investigation.

Those anxious and fearful businessmen would be happy to spend money to buy peace of mind; those who create trouble for themselves are ultimately only a minority.

Of course, all of the above is based solely on the premise that the person cannot be found.

If someone deliberately protects a fugitive being pursued by Lord Carbin, that's a different story. They're just more attentive to their own affairs, not neglecting their important matters entirely.

Finally, the mercenary leader couldn't bear to make things difficult for his boss, nor did he want to watch things get worse.

He made the sign of the cross on his chest, begging for Saint Sis's forgiveness, and then steeled himself and walked to the wagon where Karen was hiding.

"Don't blame me." Looking at her terrified face, he muttered something and reached out, lifting her out like a chick.

"No! Let me go!"

Karen screamed and struggled desperately, trying to break free from the mercenary leader's large hand, but she couldn't budge that powerful grip an inch.

Her disheveled hair cascaded over her thin shoulders as she sobbed uncontrollably.

“I did not blaspheme Saint Sith! He is lying! My family sold me to Lina, and they owe her money!”

"I don't want to go back! That demon! She forced me to do blasphemous things! When I refused, she beat me!"

"And her thugs, and that Cabin, they are the real blasphemous devils! Demons of hell! You...you are just like them! You will go to hell!"

Her sobbing and lamenting were heart-wrenching and desperate, like a dull knife cutting into every heart that still retained some humanity.

The caravan members turned their heads away in disbelief, and several young mercenaries also silently lowered their gazes, not daring to look directly into those fearful eyes.

In the past, there were also prostitutes in Eagle Rock Territory who wore sheepskins, but most of them were pitiful people forced by life, or people who willingly degenerated.

Now, it seems that it's not just those guys who are selling their souls to the devil; there are also some people who have no choice in the matter.

The cavalry captain ignored Karen and her wailing, instead raising his eyebrows with interest and turning his gaze to Thomas, whose face had turned pale.

The latter forced a stiff smile, knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, and explained to the cavalry captain with a playful expression.

“We did encounter a suspicious woman yesterday… but believe me, we truly did not know she was a blasphemous sinner.”

“I hope so.” The cavalry captain gave him a meaningful look. “Lord Carbin is a man of keen insight; he will not let any accomplice of evil go free.”

"Yes, sir, you are right. We will definitely cooperate with your investigation..."

Thomas's mouth twitched.

He naturally understood the unspoken meaning, so he gritted his teeth, took a money pouch off his belt, cursed inwardly, and forced a fawning smile onto his face as he respectfully handed it to the cavalry captain.

"My lord, spring in the northern wilderness is truly exceptionally cold. It is thanks to your tireless efforts that Eagle Rock Territory enjoys prosperity and stability. This is just a small token of my appreciation... consider it an invitation to drink with the brothers."

These robbers!

I helped them catch the fugitive, and not only did I not get the reward, I also had to pay them a sum of money!

Seeing the unscrupulous merchant with his head bowed low, the cavalry captain expressionlessly accepted the money and casually weighed it in his hand.

Thomas peeked nervously at him, and finally tied it around his waist, a slight smile appearing on his tense lips.

"Of course, Your Excellency Cabin would never wrong any kind and good person... I think you should be good people."

For the sake of money, he chose to let it go.

Thomas, pale-faced, managed a weak smile.

"I'm glad you think that way..."

He knew they had passed the test.

At least we've gotten through this hurdle.

Karen was still wailing and struggling with all her might when the mercenary leader threw her in front of the three cavalrymen.

Her voice was completely hoarse from crying, and she no longer had the strength to struggle. Only faint breaths escaped from beneath her disheveled long hair.

The cavalry captain smiled politely, looked at Karen's despairing face, and continued in a teasing tone.

“Do not be afraid, madam. Lord Carbin never wrongs any sinner. If you have truly not blasphemed, Saint Sith will surely forgive you.”

Those empty eyes were like frozen lake water, devoid of any life, as if they were dead.

Perhaps knowing she was doomed, she no longer had the strength to beg for mercy, and could only murmur like a prayer.

"I don't want to go back to that place... I'd rather die than go back!"

"That's not up to you."

After saying that, the cavalry captain spurred his horse forward, reached out to grab Karen's hair, and his gentlemanly smile turned into a ferocious one.

Six months ago, he might have hesitated to be so ruthless, but now he has one more reason to go to hell.

and--

Sir Richter, who deserved the most retribution, is still alive and well. How could I, a nobody, possibly be ranked ahead of that great man?

Perhaps Saint Sith really is dead.

The instant he was thinking this, a powerful pressure, seemingly emanating from the depths of his soul, descended like a thunderbolt, causing his mind to tremble with fear.

what's the situation? !

In the carriage not far away, Taf, who had been silently watching from the window, finally couldn't take it anymore.

This blatant bullying ignited a spark of anger in the eyes of this "alien" from a higher civilization, and a trace of the majesty of a dragon uncontrollably leaked out.

That was an aura that would startle even the Demon King's mount, Alakdo, let alone the horses present.

The mules hauling goods were alright; they had things tied to their bodies and drivers watching over them, so no matter how much they made a fuss, they wouldn't run away.

However, the horses beneath those three cavalrymen fared much worse. Terrified, they reared up, neighing wildly, trying to escape and nearly throwing their riders to the ground.

"What happened?!" a cavalryman shouted in panic, desperately pulling on the reins, but he couldn't control his raging warhorse at all.

"Could it be... a magical beast?!"

The cavalry captain's face was deathly pale, and his voice was trembling.

Only magical beasts of Silver rank or higher can emit an aura powerful enough to cause their warhorses to lose control! And for three warhorses to lose control simultaneously, the beast releasing that aura must be at least Gold rank!

Neither of them are opponents they can defeat.

It was as if they saw death beckoning them, and the fear that came from the depths of their souls completely shattered their will.

The three of them scrambled around, turning their horses around in a panic. They didn't even bother to pick up their fallen weapons, and fled like madmen back the way they came, disappearing into the shadows of the forest in the blink of an eye.

Almost the instant the three figures disappeared, the restless horses and mules in the caravan calmed down.

They looked around in fear, wondering what had happened, before gradually calming their breathing and refocusing their attention on the roadside weeds.

The tense atmosphere from just moments ago vanished instantly.

Everyone in the caravan stared in astonishment at this dramatic scene, their faces filled with a shock that defied description.

They didn't understand what the dragon's power meant, nor did they believe that a divine miracle would intervene for a prostitute oppressed by evil forces.

In the eyes of ordinary people, they only saw three arrogant lord soldiers who were suddenly routed and fled in front of Mr. Colin's carriage.

This bizarre scene can only be explained in one word—

That is magic.

Thomas was the first to come to his senses.

"S-Sir..."

He walked quickly to the side of the carriage, but dared not get too close. He bowed from a distance, his voice stammering with excitement.

"Thank you... thank you for your kindness! Without your help, I... I really don't know what I would have done!"

Looking at that smile, which was almost as bad as crying, Luo Yan knew very well that this was not what Mr. Thomas really thought.

After all, he had already paid the money and forced Colin to pretend, but the trouble was all his own... Now he could only pray that this Lord Cabin would let him off the hook, and that he would never run into any guy who recognized his face when he came back next time.

The mercenary leader gave a wry smile, scratched the back of his head, feeling like he was caught in the middle, and silently walked to the back of the convoy.

He also had endless complaints in his heart.

If you're so capable, why didn't you make a move sooner...?

The newbies, on the other hand, had their eyes shining and were whistling and cheering excitedly at Mr. Colin's carriage.

"As expected of Mr. Colin!"

"What kind of magic was that just now? Did you see it?"

"No! But I feel like my breath has frozen! I can't make a sound at all, really!"

Karen, slumped on the frozen ground, looked around blankly, still not understanding what had happened.

She felt a terrifying force grip her heart, and then the thugs on horseback, as if they had seen a god descending to earth, didn't dare utter a single harsh word, turned around and fled at full speed.

Is it...

Did Saint Sis really appear to us?!
Those eyes, which had seemed frozen, finally regained their light, and tears of relief, carrying the last trace of fear in her heart, flowed out.

Karen raised her muddy arm, wiped away her tears with her relatively clean wrist, and then looked around before her eyes landed on a carriage.

She vaguely heard a name, something like Colin. The person was a magician, and it seemed that he was the one who saved her.

She rose from the cold frozen ground, lifted her black robe that dragged on the ground, and limped to the carriage. Without hesitation, she knelt down and pressed her forehead to the hard frozen ground.

Her voice trembled, but it was incredibly clear and sincere.

"Thank you... Colin... Sir, thank you for saving me!"

Taff, who was squatting in the carriage, quickly looked at Luo Yan, excitedly pointed at herself with her little paws, and then proudly puffed out her chest and patted her tail twice on the cushion.

Luo Yan knew what that impatient look meant; the little guy simply wanted to use him to convey the "majesty" of the Dragon God.

But is the Demon King the kind of person who "returns lost property"?

Without a doubt, he is.

But compared to explaining the misunderstanding and praising the Dragon God who has been dead for who knows how many years, there are more important things to do.

For example, comforting a wounded soul.

The carriage curtain was lifted by a slender hand, revealing a handsome and gentle face, which caused Karen to be momentarily stunned.

However, she quickly lowered her head.

It wasn't out of shame, but simply because she felt that even glancing at an angel who had descended to earth was an offense to the gods.

Although Saint Sis did not carve his name on the snow, there is no doubt that the great man upheld justice for him.

"My lord..." she tried to repeat her thanks in a trembling voice, but was stopped.

“I’m not an adult, just a… traveler like you.”

Ignoring the impotent rage of the "Dragon God," Luo Yan looked at the girl kneeling on the cold ground and continued in a kind tone.

"The ground is cold, get up."

Karen hesitated for a moment, but obediently stood up, still keeping her head down and not daring to look directly at this respected adult.

"What's your name?" Luo Yan's voice remained gentle. He gently moved his index finger, and a blanket floated out of thin air and covered her muddy shoulders.

Feeling the warmth on his shoulder, Karen, shivering, looked up at him gratefully before lowering her head again.

she whispered.

“Karen…sir, my name is Karen.”

It seems that this is indeed her name.

Luo Yan could sense that she regarded him as an emissary of Saint Sith, and believers would never dare to lie in front of a god.

"Karen is a good name."

After repeating her name, Luo Yan turned his gaze to the distant south, then said in a gentle tone, "So, Karen, you're safe now. What are your plans? Can you tell me?"

Karen pulled the blanket draped over her shoulders tighter and said in a trembling voice.

"I... plan to go to the south."

"What about it?"

“I… I don’t know… I haven’t thought about where to go, but I can’t go back to my hometown anymore, I have to leave the Northern Duke’s territory at least…”

Seeing Karen's incoherent ramblings, Luo Yan patiently spoke.

"What I mean is, what do you want to do after you go south?"

This question stunned Karen once again.

She raised her head again, but this time, her eyes, which had witnessed the miracle, were filled with an unprecedented sense of bewilderment.

doing what?
She had never thought about it.

From the moment she was sold, escaping became her only thought and the only hope that kept her alive.

As for life after she escaped, she had no energy to think about it. Before her life underwent a dramatic change, she was just a farmer's daughter.

She didn't know what she could do.

After a moment of silence, Karen shook her head, a glimmer of uncertain hope in her eyes, and replied hesitantly, "I...I don't know, sir. But I think that as long as I leave here and go to a new place, I'll find a way to survive."

I heard that place is the land of knights.

It seems that the moral standards of the people are higher than those of the Rhodes.

Hearing this naive answer, Luo Yan's smile remained unchanged, but a deep sigh was revealed in his eyes.

It seems there's no need to guess what a pretty girl with no skills can do in a foreign land where she has no relatives or friends.

It seems that before the evil influences stirred up by the Demon King reach the North, they will first reach the Duchy of Campbell...

Of course, it's also possible that the hype has already died down.

"poor child."

These words, though spoken softly, were like an invisible needle, piercing Karen's heart.

She didn't understand why this adult would look at her with such pity when she had already escaped the cage and been reborn.

Those deep eyes seemed to have already seen her tragic future, causing an uncontrollable sense of fear to rise in her heart, even washing away the joy of surviving the ordeal.

Driven by her survival instinct, she took a step forward and asked in an almost pleading tone, "Sir, what should I do? Can you give me some advice?"

Luo Yan's gaze fell on the face covered in tears and dust. Instead of answering directly, he asked a seemingly unrelated question.

"Can you accept poverty? And give up all worldly desires and dedicate your life to your faith?"

This question stunned Karen once again.

It wasn't because the choice was particularly difficult for her, but because she had nothing to begin with and had never even considered those things.

Coming to her senses, she nodded without hesitation, her eyes filled with an unprecedented determination.

"Sir, I can!"

“Very good,” Luo Yan finally showed a genuine smile, “Then you can become a nun.”

"Nun?"

Karen stared blankly at Colin, seemingly never expecting to hear that word, her eyes becoming hesitant and lost.

"But... I haven't read the Book of the Word."

That's too conservative a statement; she doesn't even know how to read.

However, Colin simply shook his head.

"It does not matter."

"But……"

Karen opened her mouth, wanting to say that no priest would baptize her, and no church would accept someone whose identity and origins were unclear.

The selection of nuns follows a strict process, but she, being just a village girl, didn't even know what that process was.

However, the gentleman seemed to see through her inner turmoil and dispelled all her confusion with his gentle yet reassuring voice.

"I approve."

In an instant, all her anxiety vanished, and even the vast forest and snowfield became clear and transparent.

Since Saint Sis has already agreed.

Then the things I was worried about no longer seem to matter...

He agreed.

(End of this chapter)