You don't even want to call me godfather

"Why, what's wrong?" But the naive Azazel had not yet realized the absurdity of his idea. He asked back, "Isn't it possible?"

"Aza, Aza, what can I say to you?" Ou Ya tried to suppress his laughter. He turned around, patted Azazel on the shoulder, and explained, "The horses are very sensitive to sound. When you fire the first shot, they will fall into panic and confusion. Not to mention whether we can stop a few horses, it is also a question whether we can guarantee our own safety under the head-on charge of the horses."

"But...is there a better way?"

Everyone was silent for a moment. Although Azazel's proposal was very dangerous and had a low chance of success, it seemed that there was no way to have the best of both worlds at the moment.

"How about... try it?"

Seeing that everyone was silent, Azazel asked again.

Just when they were at a loss and ready to take a gamble, they did not notice that not far behind them, a faint light was slowly moving towards them.

It was a candle flame, flickering as its owner moved, but there was no sign of it going out.

Next to that man was a knight in light armor with a rapier hanging from his waist.

The two men rode their horses and traveled through the desert at a leisurely pace.

"Miss, there is something going on ahead," the light-armored knight suddenly pulled the leash of the horse under the man holding the candle and said, "There are four Sakota people and two people of unknown race. The light is too dim and it is difficult for me to see clearly."

The woman called Miss opened her eyes, and the light from the candle in her hand became brighter. She raised her head, revealing her long golden hair under her white hood.

"Hmm?" She looked at Koshei and others not far ahead with her blue eyes and asked the knight, "What are they doing?"

"It seems... they are fighting against something," the knight said, using his keen senses to perceive all the movements in front of him. "I heard the sound of horse hooves, it seems to be a group of horses, but they are in a panic. Those Sakota people raised their guns and seemed to be about to shoot."

"Shooting at the horses?"

Hearing this, the woman couldn't help but frown slightly.

Although not all knights of Casimir have the habit of riding horses, they have an indescribable feeling for the horse as a species.

"Miss, I suggest you take a detour," the knight suggested to her, but one of his hands was already on the hilt of the sword at his side, "It would be dangerous to come into contact with the Sakota people holding guns."

Seeing that the knight seemed unable to control himself, the woman sighed. She protected the candle flame with one hand, as if preparing to cast her spell.

"Perhaps they are in trouble," the candle in the woman's hand gradually grew brighter. She narrowed her eyes and ordered the knight, "Go, Qiong, stop the agitated horses and calm them down. Besides, we are going to Lateran, so helping a few Sakotas on the way is not a bad thing."

"Yes, Miss Viviana."

The knight called Qi drew his rapier from its scabbard, stepped on the stirrup, gripped the reins tightly, and swung them with force, and the horse under him began to gallop forward.

Viviana also finished chanting the terms at this time. She raised the candle in her hand high, and its light instantly magnified dozens of times, illuminating everything around her.

The light attracted the attention of Koshei and others. He and several people who had already set up their guns turned around and saw a knight on horseback passing by them quickly, with his horse's hooves raising a cloud of dust.

"Wait! Don't shoot yet!"

Seeing the sudden change in the situation and looking at the knight rushing towards the herd of horses, Koshe hurriedly stopped the people who were about to shoot.

"Uu——"

When he arrived in front of the galloping herd of horses, the knight immediately tightened the reins, pulled the horse under him, and made it turn around, riding in the same direction and speed as the herd, while making a sound, as if conveying some instructions to the herd.

"Cang! Cang!"

He kept hitting the stirrups under his feet with his rapier. The sound of metal colliding was like a beat, echoing clearly in the desert.

And after hearing the rhythmic knocking sounds, the fleeing horses began to slow down for some reason, and their running steps became more and more orderly to follow the beat.

The knight gradually slowed down the frequency of his knocking, and the horses behind him also gradually slowed down.

"Uu——"

Just when they were about to reach Koshei and others, the Knight suddenly pulled the rope, forcing the horse under him to stop, and the horses behind him also stopped quickly. More than a dozen horses calmed down and stopped several meters in front of Koshei.

“哼哧。”

The horse under the Knight snorted. He glanced at the herd of horses behind him that had quieted down, then dismounted and sheathed his rapier.

At this time, Viviana rode her horse slowly and came behind Koshei and others. The light of the candle in her hand gradually dimmed, and returned to the level that could only illuminate the small area where the few people were.

The Knight walked straight through the crowd, came to Viviana's side, bent slightly, and stretched out his hand.

Viviana held his hand and, with his help, gracefully got off the horse.

She took off her white hood and smiled at the people in front of her.

"Viviana Droste, a representative of the International Conference from Casimir, may I ask what your name should be?"

Chapter 33 Small Crossbow

Looking at the noble Elafia in front of them and the knight in silver light armor beside her, several people have not yet recovered from the sudden help.

Finally, it was Koshe who took the first step forward.

"Coshe Cascade, godfather and monarch of Syracuse," he extended his hand in a friendly manner and introduced himself, "and like the lady, a representative of the Universal Conference."

"The monarch of Syracuse?" Viviana was obviously surprised when she heard that, but she just smiled and stretched out her free hand. "Just call me Viviana. I'm not used to calling you Madam."

Viviana's beautiful face looked so elegant under the candlelight.

For some reason, Iris, who was watching silently at the side, felt an unpleasant feeling in her heart.

"Thank you very much for your help, Miss Viviana, and this knight."

After a simple ceremony, Koshei withdrew his hand and expressed his gratitude.

"Miss, we shouldn't waste any more time," but the Knight of the Cross was unmoved by Koshe's thanks. He said to Viviana in a serious and resolute manner, "Casimir is different from other countries. It is already farther away from Lateran. If we delay any further, it will be difficult to arrive by dawn."

"Don't be so anxious, Qiong," Viviana looked at Koshei with an apologetic look and said helplessly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Cascade, Qiong's temper has always been like this."

"No problem," Koshei said, not wanting to pursue the matter. He turned around and shouted to Ou Ya and the others, "Ou Ya, pick a few horses and get ready to continue on the road."

Then, he turned around and asked with a smile, "If Miss Viviana doesn't mind, can we go with you? Those Sakota are messengers from all nations from Lateran."

"Of course, Mr. Cascade," Viviana nodded slightly, her every word and action revealing her high level of accomplishment, "You guys choose the horses first, Qi and I will wait here."

Looking at Koshei's back as he went to pick horses with the other people, the smile on Viviana's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a hint of dissatisfaction.

"Qian, can you explain to me why you have such an attitude towards the monarch of another country?"

She changed her gentle demeanor in front of Koshe and the others and questioned sternly.

"My mission is to escort you to Lateran safely, and to escort you back to Casimir after the International Conference. Why should I pretend to smile and greet someone who has nothing to do with the mission?" The Knight of the Dragons seemed unwilling to admit his impoliteness. He looked at Koshe and the others with gloomy eyes, "I only need to ensure your safety and the smooth journey. Other things have nothing to do with me."

"Qian, you really are..."

Viviana had nothing to say about the Knight's attitude.

He had always been like this when he was in Casimir, but Viviana had not expected that he would still be like this even in front of his countrymen.

As for Koshe, he was standing among the horses, selecting the healthiest ones. Iris followed beside him, looking at the horses with a confused look.

"Godfather, there is a slight problem."

Suddenly, Ouya came to them and said.

"what?"

Koshe stared at the sturdy black horse in front of him and seemed to like it very much.

"It's about riding," Ou Ya explained. "Azazel and Raphael are both children who have never even seen a horse, let alone riding a horse. Asking them to ride a horse to Lateran... is a bit of a stretch."

"Then we'll ride two horses each," Koshe asked him as he unloaded the baggage from the black horse's back. "Can you ride, Ouya?"

"There was a time when we had to carry out missions in remote areas during Lesson 1," Ou Ya thought for a moment and replied, "I practiced hard for a few months, and it's no problem to just carry one person."

"Iris has never been in contact with horses, so there is still one missing." Koshe threw the unloaded bag on the ground for the time being. He glanced at Iris, then glanced around, and finally fixed his eyes on Ben Hong. "What's the name of that girl?"

"Ben Hong!" Ou Ya understood what Koshei meant, and he shouted to Ben Hong, "Can you ride a horse?"

Ben Hong was stunned for a moment when her name was suddenly called. She looked in the direction of the voice and met Ou Ya's eyes.

But she did not answer, and continued to be taciturn. She just picked a horse nearest to her, stepped on the stirrups, easily jumped onto the horse's back, and sat on the saddle.

"It seems there is no need to worry." Koshe shrugged and talked about the personnel allocation. "I just chatted with the two children for a while. Raphael seems to be closer to you. How about you team up with her?"

"Of course, Godfather."

"Then Iris..." Koshei was about to say that Iris would be in a group with him, but the unfinished topic between Azazel and Raphael just now appeared in his mind, and an idea came to his mind, "Iris and Benhong, I will be in a group with Azazel."

"Hmm?" Iris was just beginning to wonder, but Koshe gave her a look and she immediately understood. "Well, there's no problem with me. I also talked to that girl a few words when we were trying to find our way. So I'm not that unfamiliar."

"Ouya, any objections?"

"No, Godfather," Ou Ya shook his head. He pulled the rope of a gray horse beside him and was about to leave to the other side. "Then I will go and tell the children first. Godfather, you should try to be quick, otherwise Viviana and the knight may be waiting anxiously."

"Well, let's go."

After watching Ou Ya leave the herd, Koshe immediately continued what he was doing.

He squatted down and tried to untie the bundle, but the knot at the opening was tied particularly tightly for some reason. He had no choice but to put the pistol in his sleeve back into his coat, pulled out his dagger and cut the knot.

When he picked up the bag just now, he realized that the bag seemed to be something special, and now, the contents inside were revealed before his eyes.

There are several small crossbows and dozens of strange arrows.

The arrow body is made of steel, but the arrowhead does not seem to be made of metal, but something else, and there seems to be a device on the top.

"Impact-triggered device," Iris suddenly said. She stood beside Koshei and looked at the arrow in his hand. "It usually contains poison or fast-acting anesthetic, or some dangerous explosives."

“I can’t help but start to wonder what kind of person the owner of this herd of horses is.”

Looking at these dozens of killing weapons, Koshe looked around, and under the cover of the herd of horses, he took out the crossbow and put the arrows back into the bag.

He stood up, tied the bundle to the side of the black horse, then calmly mounted the horse, grabbed the reins, and drove it out of the herd.

Azazel was standing outside waiting, and it seemed that Ou Ya had informed him of Koshe's arrangements.

"Then I'll go over too, Koshe," Iris said to Koshe before going to find Benhong. "Be careful."

"Come up."

Koshe patted the saddle, looked at Azazel who was a little confused, and greeted him.

Chapter 34: Silence

"Think, thump."

The sound of horse hooves echoed across the empty wilderness.

Ouya and Raphael's horses were in the front, leading the way, while Benhong and Iris' horses followed beside them, observing the terrain.

Viviana was in the middle of the team, providing lighting, and the Knight stood closely beside her, his eyes under the helmet watching the people around him vigilantly.

Koshei and Azazel were at the back, keeping an eye on the situation behind them.

Eight people and five horses traveled slowly through the desert.

The journey was very quiet, without any disturbance from foreign creatures, and everyone had their own concerns.

Raphael sat behind Ou Ya. From time to time, she would look back at Azazel and Koshei behind her, and then turn back immediately. It seemed that the topic mentioned before reminded her of something, and perhaps there was some hidden secret behind her words that she had not finished saying.

Similarly, Koshei and Azazel had already noticed that sensitive and evasive gaze.

"I feel a little uneasy."

Suddenly, Azazel, who was sitting behind Koshei, spoke.

"what?"

"The questions I asked earlier and the answers Raphael didn't say," Azazel raised his gun, his eyes passed over Koshe's shoulder and fell on Raphael's back, "Although I have worked with them for a long time, I don't know about Ou Ya's past or Raphael's experience, and they have never mentioned it to me."

"Well... this matter," Koshei seemed to have expected Azazel's frankness, and he said, "Perhaps it is some unspeakable past that easily brings up bad memories for them."

"Ah..." Azazel sighed, feeling a little depressed, "But I have long regarded them as my companions who have been through thick and thin together. This kind of thing... I don't know how to think about it."

"Then don't think about it," Koshe shook his head sympathetically and advised, "and don't pursue it. Some things are better kept in your heart."

"Um……"

The scene fell into silence again for a while, but Koshe knew that Azazel really needed some time to calm down.

But unexpectedly, Ben Hong and Iris, who were originally walking in front of the team, suddenly slowed down their horses, came to the back of the team and walked alongside them.