Yoen, the strapping man among the three, held up a black shield lined with iron, blocking the way in front.
As for Ruff, who had mocked Ham earlier, he hastily retrieved a bow and arrow from his mount at the mention of this, targeting the stitched abnormality, his wrist trembling slightly.
âDonât be afraid⊠The stitched abnormality just looks disgusting. A sword can cut down this beast.â
Ham held a Longsword in both hands, the sword tip pointed at the stitched abnormality, encouraging his team loudly.
The âodditiesâ of this world, most of them can be slain by sword. This is also the limit of the Low Magic World.
âAawoo!â
The stitched abnormality made a sound like a wolf and a bear, or like a person screaming. Its eight spider-like legs moved swiftly towards Ham.
âAttack!â
Ham seemed to have taken formal knight training taking a standard sword stance, and lunged forward.
Thud!
The Longsword was plunged unimpeded into the stitched abnormalityâs body, spewing green corrosive liquid all over. The whole iron sword seemed to be stuck in a swamp, unable to be pulled out.
The next moment, the hands of the stitched abnormality violently raked forward.
Ham yelled, releasing his grip on the sword handle and quickly retreating.
âAh!â
During his retreat, he slipped and fell to the ground. As the shadow of the stitched abnormality obscured him, a look of despair washed over his face.
The stitched abnormality raised two of its spider-like legs high in the air, their sharp ends shimmering in the light, then violently slammed down.
Ring!
Yoen stepped in front of Ham, his shield shaking and showing two small holes.
âRuff!â
The two men retreated crisply, Ham shouting loudly.
Whish!
A feathered arrow shot out and accurately imbedded itself in the right eye socket of the wolf head.
But the stitched abnormality seemed to have no sensation of pain at all, and continued to move forward with a howl.
Crack!
A large black bear paw emerged from its belly, slapping Yoen away with one swipe.
âItâs over!â
Seeing this, a sense of despair filled Hamâs eyes.
âThis isnât how a stitched abnormality is killedâŠâ
By this time, Su Lu had finished off the roast chicken and, holding a cross-shaped sword, entered the arena. âIts weak point is on its back⊠the rest is just filler!â
âAwooo!â
The stitched abnormalityâs numerous arms reached towards Su Lu.
He gave a light laugh, and his body seemed to become an illusion, allowing the arms to pass through him.
At the same time, Su Lu shifted his position and, like a gust of wind, had already moved behind the stitched abnormality. His Longsword plunged straight into its spine, and a red line shot up.
Splat!
He pulled out his sword, which in turn pulled out a white, jointed, scorpion-like creature. It lay dead on the ground.
The stitched abnormality immediately seemed to have lost its power source and core and slumped down.
âIs this the oddity of this world? Although it is the most common and the lowest rank, it can be easily dealt with. An official knight can handle it.â
Su Lu shook his head and sat down to rest.
âTha⊠Thank you!â
Ham stared at Su Lu and thanked him, âHow did you know its weakness was on its back?â
âRead a book!â
Su Lu responded sarcastically.
Yet he was aware that in this era, books were a valued possession, and ordinary people, or even minor nobles, might not have his level of knowledge.
âUh, sir, are you a knight?â
Seeing Su Luâs cross-shaped sword and horse, as well as the armor on the horse, Ruff finally couldnât help but ask.
A knight, huh? I supposeâŠ
Su Lu laughed, âI should leave. I wish you all the best in the North Territory.â
âWait a moment, sir, please tell us your name!â
Ham said earnestly, âPeople from the Western Region repay their kindness.â
âSu Lu! Su Lu Pottery!â
Su Lu chuckled and shook his head, looking at the black line on the horizon, âI suggest you leave first, otherwise, you might get yourself mixed up in my problems.â
Clomp! Clomp!
At the end of the path, a team of knights appeared, led by a knight who held a flag emblazoned with green leaves.
âItâs the knights from Forest Castle!â
Ham and the others exchanged glances, somewhat apprehensive.
Forest Castle belonged to an Earl, who was the most powerful subject under the Duke of the North Territory.
âSu Lu Pottery?â
The knights stopped a dozen meters away. The leading Black Iron Knight opened his visor, staring at Su Lu with his only eye, âA notorious criminal, wanted by the Duke for the murder of a nobleman!â
âWhat? Murdered a nobleman! Wanted by the Duke?â
Ham and the others jumped in shock. In this world, this was almost an unforgivable felony!
âIâm Sir Ali from Forest Castle, and Iâve been ordered to arrest this criminal!â
Cyclops Ali stared at Ham and the others, obviously requiring these irrelevant people to step aside.
âWe should go!â
Yoen and Ruff, not daring to even fart, started to pull Ham away to leave.
After all, they were but wandering knights. How could they dare to oppose the noblemenâs army?
âNo!â
Hamâs eyes were somewhat confused at first, but then they became resolute, âIf it werenât for Mr. Su Lu, we wouldâve been killed by that stitched abnormality⊠Have you forgotten that?â
âBut so what? We canât break the kingdomâs laws for him. At most weâd bury him after his execution.â
Ruff whispered, retreating with Ham to one side, wishing desperately to flee from this battlefield.
âHeyâŠguys, I have an idea.â
A spark lit up in Hamâs eyes.
They were conversing in hushed tones, not daring for Ali to hear them.
However, the Black Iron Knight had a cold sneer. Clearly, he had already labeled them as Su Luâs accomplices!
âI am very curiousâŠâ
Su Lu leisurely drew out his longsword, âHow did you find me? And even dare to show up before meâŠyou do know that I have annihilated a squadron of the North Territory knight team, right?â
This indeed was his doubt.
By any measure, Ali seemed to merely possess Black Iron strength.
And the knights from Forest Castle were far from the elite North Territory knight team. Even though their number exceeded fifty, they were no match for the oppositionâs squadron.
This Ali, had he come for a laugh or to throw his life away?
âHehâŠjust as the rumors describe, quite arrogant!â
The knights parted, revealing an old man in a black robe, unarmed.
He held a crystal ball in his chicken claw-like hand. His wrinkled face had deep grooves, but his eyes were filled with a brilliant glow.
âA wizard? No wonder!â
Upon seeing him, Su Lu understood, and all his questions were answered.
The Earl of Forest Castle had actually hired a wizard!
The old man must have used some mysterious witchcraft to find him and believed he could deal with it himself.
âYoung wizardâŠyou are gifted, but youâve committed a significant error.â
The old wizard sighed, âYou should not have challenged the authority of the Duke of Wolf Fort.â
âIf you really are not confused, you would know that the fault is not mineâŠâ
Su Lu shrugged, âOr do you believe that when faced with the noble cavalry, I must obediently await death? Or even if I retaliate, I canât harm those noble lords?â
At the word âlords,â his face and tone filled with sarcasm.