The Lord Of Blood Hill-Chapter 118: I Need to Kill Some People to Vent
Catherine watches Henwell ride away and can't help but ask her brother, "Was he telling the truth?"
Addison, one of the more scholarly members of the current royal family, isn't entirely sure if Henwell's account is accurate. However, given Henwell's confident citation and Addison's own knowledge of some historical aspects, he suspects that it might very well be true. Yet, how could he tell his sister that such a long-standing noble tradition has such a bloody and brutal origin?
Fortunately, Catherine doesn't expect an answer. She spurs her horse and catches up to Henwell.
"Where are you off to? After insulting our knowledge and traditions, you must be feeling quite pleased with yourself!"
Henwell responds, "I didn't mean to insult anyone. I simply stated a fact, one that has been deliberately forgotten. The truth doesn't change; it remains, even if buried temporarily. One day, it will come to light."
Seeing Catherine's dissatisfaction, Henwell adds with a sigh, "I admit that the princess's blunt insult earlier left me a bit embarrassed. My mood isn't great right now, so I'm going to take some lives. The blood and cries will help soothe my bad mood."
Catherine, intrigued, says, "I've heard of your bravery but have never seen you in action. I'm curious to see if you can win the championship in this Spring Hunt!"
Henwell smiles but says nothing, suddenly urging his horse into a gallop. Seeing Henwell trying to leave her behind, Catherine narrows her eyes and quickly follows suit. Although Henwell's current horse isn't his usual mount, Night Charger, it's still one of the excellent steeds provided by the kingdom for the Spring Hunt. With his skilled riding, Henwell soon disappears from sight.
However, despite her royal status, Catherine is quite adept at riding herself. She manages to keep pace with Henwell, refusing to let him outdistance her. After several minutes of racing, Henwell abruptly pulls his horse to a stop.
When Princess Catherine catches up, she challenges him, "Do you think running away solves anything?"
Henwell replies with a sigh, "Your Highness, let's put an end to these childish games. We are adults and should have a broader perspective. Regardless of your opposition, this alliance is inevitable. I'm just a knight guard, and you are a princess; there's no need for this. Continuing like this benefits neither of us. We need to handle things rationally."
Catherine scoffs, "Ha, Henwell! People sing praises of your bravery, but does no one mention your arrogance? Do you know what you're saying? Do you think I've fallen for you? If that's the case, I'm truly disappointed."
The author's tale has been misappropriated; any instances of this story on Amazon.
Henwell shakes his head with a sigh, "Your Highness, there's no one else here. Can't we speak honestly?"
"Honestly about what? That I've developed feelings for you? That I've fallen for you?"
Henwell takes down his large bow and draws five arrows. Seeing this, Princess Catherine chuckles, "What? Are you going to show off your ranger's rapid-fire skills? Can you really shoot five arrows at once?"
Before she finishes speaking, Henwell nocks the arrows and releases them in quick succession. The arrows land on either side of the scenic little valley.
The heavy bow in Henwell's hands is a prized possession from the Phoenix family of the Grand Duke. Its range is impressive, and the strength required to draw it is equally formidable. Even someone with great strength but without the rank of a knight would struggle to draw it fully and might manage only a single shot. Knights can shoot a few arrows with it but need to rest their arms afterward. Only those at the level of a Battle Knight can skillfully wield such a bow.
Henwell has renamed this heavy bow "Remembrance." Once an arrow is loosed, the enemy starts seeing their life flash before their eyes, reminiscing about their past.
Catherine's smile freezes, but she still remarks, "You've got some strength, but what a waste of those arrows, using them just to show off."
Henwell turns with a grin, "You little bitch, you've got a sharp tongue, don't you? Wait here for a bit!"
Hearing the slightly insulting tone, Princess Catherine is about to retort when Henwell spurs his horse forward and charges away.
The warhorse quickly picks up speed, but from the hillside not far away, a massive arrow bursts through the bushes, heading straight for Henwell. He draws his greatsword, Dusk, and with a powerful swing, shatters the arrow, which is as large as a spear. The impact sends Henwell flying off his horse. He rolls upon landing to absorb the shock, then swiftly ducks into the underbrush.
Within moments, Henwell reaches the spot where the ballista arrow was fired. There lies an operator, motionless, with a fist-sized bloody hole in his chest. A long arrow from the Remembrance bow is embedded in the rock behind him. Nearby, a few armored men are searching for where Henwell vanished.
The leader, a knight in heavy armor wielding a greatsword, is about to raise the alarm when Henwell bursts from the bushes, charging into the group with ferocity. His sword dances and spins, and with agile footwork, he slices through the necks of several assassins in a single attack.
Once Henwell clears the area, the greatsword knight finally charges in. Henwell sidesteps, avoiding the knight's charge, which is enhanced with Fighting Spirit. As they pass each other, Henwell delivers a spinning kick, his boot connecting with the knight's back. Although Henwell is not wearing his heavy combat boots due to the Spring Hunt, the kick is still powerful enough to send the knight stumbling, nearly crashing into a tree.
Henwell hooks his foot under a fallen ballista arrow, flipping it into the air. As the knight turns, Henwell hurls the arrow like a spear. The knight, hearing the fierce whistle of the arrow, dodges to avoid it. Seizing the opportunity, Henwell charges in with his sword.
Closing in to his optimal attack range, Henwell unleashes a relentless barrage of sword strikes, swift and powerful, forcing the knight into a defensive stance. The knight finds himself constantly retreating, nearly pinned against trees multiple times.
Henwell's agility gives him the upper hand, and his strength astonishes the knight. Each attempt by the knight to force Henwell back with brute strength is deftly countered, leaving the knight further disadvantaged and receiving a few kicks in the process.
.
!
Chapter 118: I Need to Kill Some People to Vent
Comments