The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 174: Storming the gate (1)

Chapter 174: Storming the gate (1)

Possible threats (one or all):

1. The government betrays me;

2. The Dawnbringers are plotting;

3. Other participants;

4. Friends turn traitors;

5. Hidden factions or people.

His eyes moved over each faction. The cries, shouts, laughter, each noise grew distant. Nothing remained, except him and the names on the list. Each entry evoked countless possibilities.

’The government consists of the governor, his staff, and those nobles. For now, I will also place the Hawks. After all, they are under their command.’

He ticked the quill softly against the paper beside the line mentioning the government. Various possibilities arose in his mind.

’The newly-appointed governor can hire or command someone to ambush, set up a trap, or find ways to disqualify me. The same goes for his lackeys. The nobles don’t care enough about me for now but with time this might change. And the Hawks don’t have a personal reason to harm me but if commanded, their personal feelings won’t matter.’

Hex scribbled on the paper and jotted some key points beside the first line. Writing while thinking helped organize his thoughts. However, understanding challenges didn’t mean finding solutions instantly.

’None of the government threats are easily negated or countered. It’s impossible to remain vigilant all the time. I guess, I will have to rely on my inner monolith. Anytime someone with the power to threaten me gets near, I should be ready to strike.’

Noting a vague solution, Hex moved on to the next entry on his list. The Dawnbringers were the greatest headache. No one, not even its members, knew the identity of others in the organization. But their presence was enough to be wary of them.

’I am convinced that infant is their Divine Lord or has at least something to do with their Lord. They are here. There is no doubt they are planning something.’

The events of Grindeston proved that the organization didn’t do anything without purpose. Guessing their true purpose was the real challenge.

Hex considered spying on them but quickly dropped the idea. ’I don’t know what abilities their lord has. I don’t fancy my chances against someone Heaven is wary of.’

The third on the list was the least bothersome. The increase in strength after gaining energy compared to more than a thousand drops, gave Hex enough confidence against other Knights. It didn’t mean they wouldn’t be a threat. If they teamed up or set up a well-thought ambush, they might be dangerous but Hex’s confidence also leaned on his sensory ability to sniff out others near him. Since every participant was limited to the Knight stage, they couldn’t hide their presence from him, rendering ambushes and traps useless.

Hex quickly glossed over the fourth entry on his list. He acknowledged inwardly that his experience with people like Aran and Briella had scarred him. But he refused to turn into a paranoid person who couldn’t trust anyone.

’There is no harm in trusting some people. But there is also no need to reveal everything.’

The fifth entry was something he put in to remind himself that there were always dangers he couldn’t anticipate. Who knew what lurked inside the ruin? Who knew what evil hid in a heart? And who knew what Heaven would decide?

Helplessness wasn’t an unfamiliar feeling. Hex knew it all too well. There was little he had been able to do when the schemes of others unraveled, causing even the Vault to descend. He knew he couldn’t control everything. If unexpected things occurred he would adapt accordingly.

...

The next morning a large crowd gathered at the entrance of the ruin. Hex stood among the hundred youth, flanked by the more experienced troops, belonging to different factions.

He studied the troops around him. The Tauriel troops were clad in red and black and donned helmets with oxen horns. The second prince’s troops wore dark blue and had silver specks on their chests. And the Hawks were in their usual green leather armor.

These were the three largest troops. On his way to the gathering point, Hex saw some smaller groups. They lacked a distinct uniform but some oozed bloodlust.

The presence of such a large group attracted the attention of others. Hex didn’t miss the many gazes locked onto him or the fingers pointed in his direction. As the one ranked second on the list, he attracted a fair share of attention near the ruin.

"Everyone!"

A voice stunned the crowd into silence. Hex blinked a few times before his senses returned. The people around him seemed still dazed.

’The voice came from above.’

Sure enough, above them stood the Commander in the air. His hawk-like eyes scanned the crowd. Gradually, more people lifted their heads and stared solemnly at the powerhouse.

’The battle is going to be tough.’

Hex suspected it all along and seeing the Commander’s action, he was convinced. Such a display of might wasn’t warranted unless he wished to scare and awe the troops. At the same, it served to boost morale. And all these things were only necessary if the task ahead would scare the shit out of everyone.

"Over the past few weeks, we cleared the entrance and the inner parts of the market district. But to conquer the market district we require taking control of the gates at the end of the district. Through blood and bodies, we have determined the existence of at least a hundred Disaster-stage Heartless. Such a large group can’t exist without a leader. But not any leader. It requires a leader that put fear into them."

The Commander paused, giving people time to mull over his words. Hex scrunched his brows. Even a child could tell that the leader could only be something at a higher stage. The murmurs and soft cries around him proved others realized it too.

"I see you have understood the seriousness of this mission. The numbers won’t matter. It takes willpower, strength, technique, and above all luck. So, those storming the gate, be prepared. After all, you will go through Disasters, only to be met with a Calamity!"

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