Chapter 36 Falling leaves(4)

Translator: BaeBae Editor: BaeBae

Not bad.

Juan was impressed. While he was talking with Sina, it appeared the Blue rose knights had made the journey towards the back of the village, eliminating any exit paths for Juan.

Cutting off his retreat and allowing their horses a good runway to charge in, it was a good plan.

Juan internally gave them props for getting all the way to the back sneakily without being discovered.

If it was anyone else but me they would certainly have panicked.

Sina tension tightened seeing Juans unresponsive reaction.

Sina swung her sword at him, multiple times but Juan largely stayed defensive and didnt retaliate aggressively .

Hah!

Ausrey was first to rush in. He drove his horse straight at Juan.

A warhorse with speed and weight was racing towards Juan. These horses did not stop even if there were spears and swords in front of its path.

Juan hastily rolled to the side. Ausreys spear narrowly missed and skimmed his cloak.

Sina nim!

Same time, Ausrey thru the rein of another horse hed brought along. Sina quickly mounted the spare horse.

How many did you send towards the back!

Tracks were narrow, only eleven. The rest will come from main, once the battle starts.

Eleven warhorses would charge into Juan at crossway.

The chances of Juan being able to withstand the spears driving from above and swords was low.

Stay standing in one spot and he would be trampled under their horses.

However, Sina made sure to keep her knights on alert.

Dont just rush in, encircle him and take turns!

Juan was still yet to draw his weapon.

Sina had expected Juan to attack the horses, but seeing his nonchalant attitude, her throat tightened.

Following their leaders orders, instead of rushing directly at Juan, they circled around making jabs with their spears, waiting for an opening.

Well, this is a bit annoying.

No matter how agile he was, there was only a limited amount of space he could use to dodge spearheads coming from all angles.

Before the encirclement was complete, Juan grabbed the nearest knights leg. It was a dangerous move as he could have been trampled on.

He then expertly pulled himself up onto the saddle. The knight started to pull out his dagger but was knocked off his horse as Juan pushed him from behind.

Watch out!

Sina shouted but the fallen knight was quickly trampled on by the other knights horses. Sina gritted her teeth and charged at Juan.

To block her sword Juan had no option but to draw his dagger.

Sinas sword and Juans dagger met. As the horse was too big for Juan compared to his size, Juan was slightly pushed back.

But Juan didnt intend to stay on the horse for long. Nor fight Sina for long either.

In a flash, Juan disappeared from Sinas eyes. Sina recalled Juans small distance maneuver that hed used back at the Colosseum.

Shed felt like it was almost instantaneous.

Juan, whod escaped from Sinas sight, grabbed the upper part of her helmet and twisted it. Temporarily blinded, Sina lost her balance exposing her white throat.

Im going to get cut.

Death passed before her eyes. Shed thought her death would be on the battlefield but didnt expect to come so carelessly and easily.

But then, her horse suddenly raced forwards. Juan lost his opportunity.

Having fallen off the saddle, her leg was caught in the stirrup and was being dragged across.

Sina nim!

Ausrey quickly grabbed the rein and pulled the horse to a stop, but it was too late, Sinas body was a wreck.

Blood was flowing down from her head. As she tried to stand up straight, she lost her balance and wobbled.

Get that bastard!

Sina tried running in, after drawing her sword but everyone could see the strength in her right arm had gone. Her sword dangled lifelessly from her arm that broke from the fall. And with all the blood flowing from her head and dust, it wouldve been difficult for her to even see.

Ausrey forcefully held her still.

Stay here! You wont be much help if you go in now.

Ausrey!

Sina had no choice but to admit.

However, Juans movement was so fast, that even she couldnt capture him. The other knights would have even more trouble than her. But then, Ausrey lifted his shield and smiled.

Ive got a paladins shield, remember?. With the power of the emperors grace, it will be enough to stop him. Rest here for a bit and join when youve recuperated. He isnt going anywhere soon.

Like Ausrey said, Juan wouldnt be able to escape the encirclement with ease. He seemed using the short distance skill wore him down. Most likely, he would save it till things turned dire.

But still, Juan had to eventually tire.

And plus, Hasell and the other knights were charging in from the main entrance.

Sina gave a slight nod. Leaving her behind, Ausrey mounted his horse and set off.

The Blue rose knights didnt come here unprepared.

Especially Commander Hasell who brought a special weapon and devised a tactic to capture Juan.

It was only a matter of time till Juan was suppressed.

But for some reason, Sina couldnt help but feel a sense of uneasiness brewing inside her.

*****

It looked like a vortex spinning with Juan in the center.

Wherever Juan moved, he clashed into a knight. The knights were taking more damage but with each collision, injuries started to mount up on Juans body.

Both Juan and the knights were unable to land a critical blow.

If Juan committed himself to kill someone, he found himself greeted by three or more spears.

Juans expression slowly darkened. Hasell and more knights had joined the fray. The battle started to look even more grim.

And Ausrey decided now to make things even more difficult for him.

Ausreys shield flew towards Juan. With eyes wide opened, Juan swung his dagger at it, but Ausrey skillfully stopped his attack. Juans heart was beating. It felt as if some delicate hands were suppressing his movement.

Back when Juan attacked Kato, Ausrey managed to block his attack by moving at speed beyond his capabilities.

Ausreys heart fluttered.

So this is the power of the emperors grace!

Paladins were fully equipped with these items and clothing. Ausrey couldnt even imagine how powerful they must be.

Juan attacked Ausrey a few more times but was each time his attacks were stifled. He clicked his tongue and gave up attacking Ausrey. Hed received two additional injuries while trying to do so.

Does this bastard have eyes on the back of his head or something!

As Juan dodged an attack from behind targeted towards his back, a knight vented his frustration.

Ausrey concurred.

Although Juans body was full of injuries, no one had dealt a fatal strike.

How long are you going to keep this up.

Ausrey tutted.

Having worn no defensive gear, Juans evasiveness was quick but his movements were big. It looked as if he would tire before he could take care of all attacking knights.

But with most knights receiving injuries, he needed to think what this could mean in the long run.

Juan suddenly found himself cornered.

Ausrey and Hasell both realised theyd driven Juan into a corner where he couldnt escape.

In doing so, they lost their numbers advantage, but now Juan could only move in a certain direction if he wanted to escape.

Huh, you guys hunting a cat or something?

Muttering a sorrow, Juan blasted himself forward using the wall and cut the throat of a knight standing nearby.

Blood gushed out.

As if he was telling them that theyll never catch him, Juan moved without being hampered.

Ausrey whod been quiet till now, ran at Juan.

Instead of confronting Ausrey shield, Juan kicked it, making room between them. However, Ausrey wasnt pushed back from the kick, and he simply ran at Juan once again.

Ausrey, unafraid of death, charged towards him and Juan had no choice but to meet him head on. The moment Juan thrusted his dagger forwards, Ausrey met it with his shield.

This is the will of the knights!

Kwang! As they collided, Asurey felt a deep pain in his palm.

The moment his shield and Juans dagger collided, he felt as if his fingers had all broke.

Juan tried to step back but Ausrey grabbed his dagger. A deep cut was made on his palm and blood flowed down.

Now!

Juan movements were halted. This was enough.

Juan saw a net being casted over him. He tried to use blink, but there was no escaping the wide surface net.

Just like that, Juan had been caught by the Blue rose knights.

I suspected you guys were hiding something.

As Juan muttered, one of the knights with anger on his face, pierced his spear through Juans thigh.

Juan scowled and glared up at him.

The knights face paled just from looking into Juans eyes but he didnt let go of his spear even if his hands were shaking.

Meanwhile, Ausrey pulled out Juans dagger that had gone through his shield and hand. Looking at the delicate piece of patterns on the dagger, his feeling turned strange.

Ausrey, go and get treatment. Youve contributed the most today.

Not at all. If it wasnt for the commander and Sina nims plan

Right. Well need to bring Sina here. If she didnt tell us about this bastards tendencies and patterns, capturing him wouldve been impossible. Well need to show him to Sina anyways. Ill go and.

As Hasell got up to head over to Sina, he was hit by something large. The impact would have even shaken up a horse.

Hasell panicked and looked behind. A grand knight in armor stood.

As Hasell tilted his head, wondering if there was such a tall knight in his Blue rose order, his head disappeared.

*****

You son of a bitch!

As the knight whod stabbed Juan, attempted to stab again, another knight stopped him.

Weve got him now. Stop!

But this bastard killed Arber!

The other knights agreed and let out a torrent of abuse at Juan.

The situation was worsening, yet Juan had a relaxed look on his face. Looking at Juans expression, this infuriated the knights even more.

Look at that bastards arrogant expression! Thinking that we wont harm him!

We dont make the decisions! Im sure the church wont give him a painless death. Rather than act rash now, better to send him to the inquisitor as soon as possible.

The others all nodded at the knights reasonable words.

Heretics. Something more terrifying than death awaited those who attacked the church. The knights were concerned Juan would die too early into the interrogation.

Then, Juan opened his mouth.

Think you guys need to worry about whats behind you more than me.

What?

You are not the only one who has a secret plan.

Suddenly, a flapping noise sounded from behind and above the Blue rose knights, blood and skin flew into the air.

Behind them, a headless Hasells body slowly tipped over to the side, and fell to the ground. Screams broke out.

Commander nim!

A giant knight stood before him. In his hands was a heavy shield and a mallet.

He was covered in mud, dust and blood so it was difficult to confirm his identity.

However, Ausrey could clearly recognise the shield in his hand. It was equivalent to the one that he was currently holding.

Could it really be..

Ausrey quickly looked behind.

Juan was smiling.

I was considering using it for myself, but it was too big and heavy. So I simply returned it to the owner.

Arwen whod been turned into a fog creature, headed straight for the knights.