I, the prince in distress, send money

Chapter 113 Paladin

The damp and cold evening mist lingered in the woods, and Irina hugged the feverish child tighter in her arms.

The ruins of the village that were still emitting black smoke five days ago were long gone, but the pungent smell of burning still lingered in the nose. The tattered skirt was torn into shreds by thorns, and dark red blood scabs were on the exposed ankles.

The flag bearer holding high the torch and sickle flag of the Restoration Army walked at the front of the team, guiding the refugees and shouting.

"Hold on a little longer, there will be food ahead..."

Irina didn't believe such words, but she didn't know what to do except to follow numbly behind and follow the team.

If they continued to follow, they might starve to death, but if they left the main group of refugees and walked into the woods on both sides of the road, they would definitely die for various reasons and be eaten by the equally hungry humanoid beasts in the depths of the woods.

“Mom, it’s cold.”

Three-year-old Misha was shivering in his tattered, thin cloak, his little face flushed abnormally, and the spring night wind was still very cold.

Irina touched his burning forehead, her throat tightened, she wanted to cry, but she didn't have the strength to cry out loud.

The last half of the leavened bread distributed by the so-called grain transport captain was eaten last night. At this moment, there was only a rusty dagger left on the hemp rope around her waist...which was given to her by her husband before he collapsed on the road.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves was heard ahead on the mountain road.

The twenty or so dusty refugees at the front of the team froze in place. At this time, the only people who could still ride horses were either bandits or cavalry from the army.

No matter which one it is, it is fatal for the refugees.

Irina saw the old shoemaker Jacob's knees go weak and he knelt in the mud. The lame shepherd clenched his sheep-driving stick and hid in the bushes on the side of the road, leaving half of his butt exposed and shivering.

The other refugees stood there numbly. Hunger and fatigue made it difficult for them to think of resisting.

Out of maternal instinct, Irina pressed Misha's head on her shoulder and her right hand quietly reached for her waist.

The sound of horse hooves was getting closer and closer. When a dozen cavalrymen rushed out from the evening mist in the forest, Irina could see their appearance and the flags on their shoulders clearly.

Green military uniform, mirror-like breastplate, and the military flag on the shoulder is a golden double-headed eagle on a black background.

It is not the flag of the Restoration Army.

Despair crawled up her back like an icy snake. Irina thought of the body hanging from the oak tree by the roadside three days ago. Only the upper half of the body remained, the lower half was missing... said the old shoemaker who was accompanying them.

"The unfortunate fellow's lower body was cut off and eaten by someone. It could have been bandits from the mountains, or it could have been someone else who was traveling with him. Be careful, don't fall down here."

"In the name of Prince Chris, stop!"

The leading cavalryman reined in his horse and shouted loudly, scaring the refugees standing in the middle of the road so much that they were at a loss as to what to do.

"Fuck you uncle."

The leader standing at the front, holding the flag high, cursed loudly, threw the flag of the Restoration Army at his feet, and cursed at the cuirassiers riding high on horseback.

"Come down quickly! Did you bring any food or drinks? The NPC behind me is starving to death!"

Irina watched this scene in disbelief. Just when she thought the cavalrymen would be furious, amid the crisp sound of iron gloves colliding with visors, the cursed cavalrymen lifted their helmets, revealing a nonchalant face.

"I know, I know. Chris sent me a mission and asked me to come over and see what's going on. I brought some food with me, just some potatoes. Do you want any?"

"Bring it here quickly!"

The leader rushed over, grabbed the linen bag on the cavalry horse's butt, and dragged it down. Then he turned and ran to Irina, handing her two fist-sized yellow fruits.

"Go ahead, eat!"

Irina took a half step back, and the dagger slipped out of her sleeve, fell and hit a stone, making a clanging sound.

Irina, who had been hungry for a long time, couldn't believe it. She reached out a trembling hand and took the fruit she didn't recognize. It was soft and still warm... Although she didn't recognize it, there was no doubt that it was edible. "Just peel off the skin and you can eat it. Come on!"

After saying this, the man walked back and distributed more food.

Irina quickly pinched off a piece of fruit pulp that had been softened by boiling water with her fingers and stuffed it into Misha's mouth.

Misha, who was suffering from a high fever and hunger, swallowed the food subconsciously... Fortunately, he could still be saved and could still eat the food.

"He had a fever. When?"

At this time, the cavalryman on horseback came to Irina's side, looked at the frail child in her arms with a flushed face, and asked.

The knight had a heavy accent and was obviously not from Bagnia. Irina subconsciously knelt down with the child in her arms and bowed to him.

In Bagnia, commoner women were not allowed to look at nobles. Otherwise, the offended noble could kill them and then compensate the male owner with a lamb.

So, Irina wanted to ask for help, but she didn't know how to start.

"I...Misha, he..."

"Drink some warm water first."

Irina's words were interrupted by the sound of a knight landing. The fair-skinned knight with a long sword at his waist took off the blue cloak from his shoulders and gently draped it over Misha. He also handed a water bag to Irina.

It took five days of walking day and night to get here from a hundred kilometers away. Irina, who was already exhausted, was stunned. She held the water bag and looked at the knight who had already walked away, at a loss.

Irina, who had always been driven away, loathed, hated, and had never received timely help, had a crystal tear in the corner of her eye at this moment.

When Irina lifted the water bag, warm water entered the opening, bringing a sweetness she had never tasted in her life. Only then did Irina realize that the liquid in the bag was not just water, it must have been added with honey.

She quickly fed the honey water in the bag to Misha, who was choking a little.

As Irina and her son ate potatoes that had been boiled until soft and drank warm water with corn syrup, other refugees in the group were also given food.

With food, the refugees quickly calmed down. They had actually known for a long time that something was wrong with the so-called food transport team, but in order to survive, they could only follow the flag and move forward.

Now that they have food and drink, the refugees have gained a great sense of happiness.

Irina looked back at the cavalrymen distributing food to the small group. The blue cloaks they wore were obviously not cheap, but now they were draped over the refugees, stained with the filth and stench accumulated during their escape.

Irina was in a trance for a moment, and she suspected that she had met the paladin in the story.

After eating a potato the size of a fist and drinking half a water bag of honey water, Misha breathed steadily under his plush cloak.

“Follow the flag ahead.”

The knight who had handed Irina food and a water bottle stood on a large rock by the roadside, pointed at a knight, and shouted to the twenty or so refugees in the small group.

"Follow him slowly. Prince Chris's camp is just ahead. When we get there, everyone will have food and a place to sleep. Don't be afraid, don't panic. We are here to rescue you."

Irina looked down at Misha under the cloak, then at the knight. She swallowed, walked over with her head lowered, and lifted the cloak from her son.

"My lord, a cloak and a water-skin."

"No, this is for you. Cover your son up quickly so he doesn't get cold."

"Who is Prince Chris?"

"They are here to rescue you. Hurry up. Food has been prepared and there are doctors ahead. The child has a fever and we can't delay."

(End of this chapter)