Iron Harvest: When Farming Becomes Conquest
Chapter 425 - 29: Leave? Can you leave?

Chapter 425: Chapter 29: Leave? Can you leave?

Green and Laisa spurred their horses, galloping towards the River Valley.

Both were anxious, needing to find and bring back some items. They had to linger in the abandoned ancient castle for quite a while before leaving the Silvermoon Ridge.

Summer had arrived, and road conditions were terrible. Green often had to lead the two warhorses across swollen creeks and through lush grassland.

The main roads were impassable, and these remote paths were difficult to traverse as well.

They had no choice but to bury their heads and hurry along the rugged trails.

The Church Court had surely noticed them.

The disturbances at Silvermoon Ridge were too significant.

It seemed as if a second bright moon had risen among the mountains, witnessed by people in surrounding areas, easily conjuring images of war scenes from a century ago, and uncertain what legends this time might leave behind.

As they exited the castle, the Silvermoon descendants revered the returning Silvermoon inheritors, supplementing their supply of jerky and beans, making the journey back much more convenient.

Hurry back!

No time to waste!

Present the Silver Moon Gem to the River Valley King!

This land only Roman can provide them with sufficient security!

Green thought so, Laisa thought so too.

The effect of the Gem was too strong, under the silver light; her arrow wound on her right arm had substantially healed within just a day or two, though still painful, yet not affecting her movement.

Her Mana increased steadily, a day’s enhancement equaled a year of meditation, her Constitution visibly improved, the freckles on her face faded quietly, and her skin began to turn delicate and white, ushering a profound transformation in her life’s essence.

This is the Silvermoon legacy, the power of the Gem. Bathing in its radiance greatly alleviated Green’s fatigue, allowing him to travel long distances.

Throughout their journey, they chose only desolate paths, avoiding main roads, let alone inns, dining in the wind and sleeping exposed, in poor condition, always diving into the most barren bushes they could find. Most of the time, when faced with no road forward, they forged a path.

Even so, they encountered quite a few civilians along the wilderness, both elderly and young. Barefoot boys, women holding babies, weary old men; some carrying their belongings, others carrying valuables, all heading in different directions except northward.

Whenever people encountered Green, their faces showed caution. Because he was dressed as a Ranger, with leg bindings, high boots, and a cloak, neat and clean, the Knight’s Sword at his waist wrapped in coarse cloth, lacking Noble’s emblem, yet his demeanor was conspicuous.

In medieval times, such mysterious warriors were always dangerous; no one knew whether they were virtuous or malicious.

Moreover, next to Green was a figure in a black robe, tightly wrapped leaving no visible features, quite mysterious. The survival wisdom of the civilians is not to provoke such mysterious people.

Only a very few were willing to talk to Green, informing them that they came from the Northern side heading towards the Southern region. There was constant talk of war, unsettling everyone’s hearts.

Throughout this year, people were leaving constantly, even the Noble lords fled, leaving behind a remaining few who felt increasingly tortured and also chose to leave, believing that moving would be better than risking life amid war, though they had no direction, they just kept traveling aimlessly every day.

Green had even seen refugees from Iron Flower County. Some claimed to have seen Dragons, living Dragons, flying in from the Northern side, Pirates pushing the battle lines to Split Armor Domain’s doorstep. Now it’s the Church Knights guarding that area — after the Guardian Family was wiped out in the flames, its residents became restless, whispering that Lord Moya died unnaturally, and Gael repeatedly quelled rebellions, striving to restore past prosperity. But ever since he assumed power, the Split Armor forces met with setbacks, and his reputation dwindled day by day.

Duke Gael first went to battle Pirates, then dispatched forces against the Barbarians, also fighting rebels, and then headed to the Black Castle. He aimed to achieve too much, but accomplished very little.

Now he’s gathered an army again, heading to the plateau to quell the Barbarians; nobody knows what the outcome will be. Currently, Iron Flower County’s governance is significantly relaxed, with the Church Court taking over against the Pirates, leading many to escape, fearing being captured to be cannon fodder.

The Gods’ banners flutter in Iron Flower County’s skies, but the terrifying shadow of the Dragon Clan still lingers in people’s hearts.

Green and Laisa lacked the energy to further investigate news.

They were exhausted and weary, barely able to keep their eyes open, their steeds were also dozy, lacking spirit.

Passing through a barren wilderness.

This land was barren, the trees dead, looking quite desolate, only a few shrubs tenaciously alive, birds cry plaintively.

The weather was scorching, the Conquest Knights had impressive endurance, but the steeds needed rest. Green pulled out a waterskin to feed them water, while Laisa released moon spells on him and them, alleviating the fatigue of the body.

At that moment, Green’s body tingled all over.

He suddenly turned his head looking around, saw nothing, but a strong sense of alert vaguely sensed something.

Green quickly mounted his steed, pulled on the reins: "We’re being watched! Hurry up!"

Laisa sensed something approaching as well, without hesitation, she spurred to gallop ahead.

Their route of travel was skillfully concealed, weaving like a serpent, no one could predict their next destination.

Yet nonetheless, someone pursued, at an astonishing speed.

Whoosh!

The source of danger suddenly appeared on the small hill behind; Green turned to look, unable to discern the situation, but saw it was a Black Rider.

The Black Rider was chasing them, his steed incredibly fast, closing the distance rapidly.

"It’s a Demon Hunting Knight!" Laisa exclaimed.

She saw the emblem on the Black Rider, it was the mark of the Demon Hunting Knights, along with that unabashed vigor.

Green’s heart pounded; one of the three elite Knights Orders of the Church Court, each member wielded strength comparable to his own.

What left Green astounded was the speed of the Black Rider.

He reckoned that such speed was perhaps only second to the White Steel Princess’s Pegasus, faster than most White Knights.

"Dawn Knight... Keton!!" Laisa spotted the gilded Big Sword on the Black Rider’s back, his suspended heart sank completely!

Keton wasn’t the Commander of the Demon Hunting Knights, but a genuine Sixth Rank Knight, no wonder he could catch up to them.

The Demon Hunting Knight not only had a Big Sword but also a Cavalry Spear, Keton pulled out the golden Cavalry Spear single-handedly, pointed the tip distantly.

[Demon Hunting Mark]!

Suddenly, Laisa felt a chilling sensation throughout, as if being stared at by cold, ruthless eyes.

"How come!" she gasped in shock.

Ever since Iaos’s Magic Spell was lifted, the Church Knights mastered the Gods’ Magic.

They have been liberated.

The Demon Hunting Magic is quite unique; once marked, the spellcasters can sense the prey’s location from dozens of miles away, unless dispelled or naturally dissipated.

"Dispel! Dispel!" Laisa took out the Silver Moon Gem, continuously trying to dispel the marks of that spell, but all attempts failed. The Silver Moon Gem had purification effects, but she hadn’t mastered such advanced usage techniques.

It’s over!

Green gritted his teeth, watching as the Black Rider sped along, closing the gap from three hundred meters to less than two hundred meters.

His gaze sharpened, determination swelling inside: "Miss Laisa, I’ll divert him, you take another route!"

Run? Can we really escape?

Despair grew in Laisa’s heart; Green didn’t know the Demon Hunting Magic, but she knew she was marked. Now there was no choice but to act ruthlessly.

It’s worth a try!

"Alpha Seal!" She formed a seal with her right hand, utilizing the Silver Moon Gem to release a spell far more powerful than before, with a casting range multiplied several times.

Keton swung his cavalry spear, its tip traced shield outlines in the void.

[Holy Light Shield]!

The Spiritual Shock spell took effect, but with little impact, blocked by the ethereal golden shield.

Keton charged forward, fierce winds assaulting his features, expression cold and posture like marble sculpted.

He was also lightly equipped, suited for pursuit, alone with comrades unable to match his pace.

"Beta Seal!" Laisa formed another seal, the Silver Moon Gem radiated brilliance, launching an energy burst towards Keton.

The Demon Hunter Rider thrust the spear, energy surged, mid-air explosions ensued.

His speed finally slowed down.

The three stopped advancing, positioned dozens of meters apart, the Demon Hunting steed snorted impatiently, its iron hooves fracturing rock underfoot.

"Unlucky for you!" Keton said, eyes stern. "Silver Moon’s witch, there’s no escape for you."

Laisa’s face paled, despite the casting’s small consumption, the complete ineffectiveness was crushing.

"Hey! I’m still here!" Green protested.

"Makes no difference, you’ll both die, it’s the will of the gods," he said coldly, hatred towards the witch deep in his bones.

"My lord thinks otherwise; he demands I ensure this lady survives."

Keton immediately pointed his spear at the Knight of River Valley.

"I see through your identity, the blasphemers’ fate will be just like yours, staining this land with filthy blood!"

Green’s annoyed laughter, "But the Church’s shepherd dogs have never conquered River Valley, your words are even less credible than flatulence."

Keton said dismissively, "You don’t know the greatness of the gods, River Valley is weak; I could kill you with one move!"

Kill me in one move! Green found the bitterness in his mouth; he was the Chief Captain of River Valley’s Special Squadron. Wishing to speak yet powerless to refute.

Knights’ major power comes from armor weapons, high attack and defense on battlefields, making them invincible.

But Green felt even fully equipped, he wouldn’t be a match for Keton, even without the latter being armored.

One-on-one, a Third Rank Knight against a Sixth Rank Knight, what despair is this?

There needs to be five of him present to have a chance to win. Ten of him to be certain.

But Green was alone. He thought heavily. Green was alone.

"Now, if you can’t kill me solo, I’ll bring a hundred men to find you in the future." Green drew his Knight’s Sword, face calm yet resolute.

"Who are you?" Keton asked.

"I am the future First Knight!"

Keton’s eyes filled with derision, treating the words as madness.

Even the Holy Knights dare not claim to be first.

In the rugged wilderness, the sun blazed, soil barren, rocks exposed, dust swirling, the Conquest Knights engaged in confrontation.

"Bring it on!" Green called out calmly.

"Come!" the Dawn Knight replied.

He raised his weapon, the golden cavalry spear, its tip exuding sharp, glowing aura.

Laisa watched anxiously, preparing to conjure a final strike.

Green felt unprecedented threat.

But there’s no retreat! He now understood the Silver Moon Gem’s importance, significantly aiding River Valley, he came for it, to present the gem to the Monarch. Even if the mission failed, he’d die before Laisa!

Boom!

They simultaneously spurred their steeds, accelerating, charging at each other!

’Kill!’ ×2

Forty meters... thirty meters...

"Dharma Seal!"

Twenty meters... ten meters...

"Mana Burst!!" came the high-pitched, unanticipated overlapping sound!

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