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nAs multiple footsteps were approaching the ragged house, Emery ran back to where Lanzo was and stood in front. It didn't take long for him and Lanzo to be surrounded for two more marauders came inside bringing the total threats to five. His preemptive strike had failed, things had turned from difficult into nearly impossible.

nThe marauder who had just arrived gave news to their leader, making the leader frown before saying,

"Men, it appears our operation has been compromised. Let's finish this mess as soon as possible, so we could leave the city.

"

nMeanwhile, Emery cracked his brain once more trying to find the plan to get out of this problem. The best move was obviously to run away as soon as possible and save himself, but he was not that type of person. Sacrificing the others for the sake of himself. That was not who he was. Not to mention, he, himself had planned for this in the first place. Hence, he needed to find a way to keep Lanzo safe as well as not die in the process.

nEmery's eyes fell on the table once more. An idea popped in his head as he dashed toward the table, grabbed the coin pouch and threw it to the marauder who had just arrived. The solid thud of the heavy coin pouch, which seemed to have been filled with several coins, knocked out the marauder cold. He also quickly turned over the table to make some safe space between him and Lanzo, the hulking marauder would have more space to work with, but so did he, but having some sort of shield over Lanzo would at least take off some pressure in protecting him. Finally, Emery raised his sword ready to face whatever coming at him.

nThe leader of the marauders didn't seem that bothered as he simply said,

"I don't know if you're just that stupid or brave, boy but there's a thin between the two. In any case, I've thought about you joining our crew. Of course, that's after both of you are dead! Haha!

"

nA couple more marauders entered the house, and Emery was besieged from all sides. Gondo stood in the middle while the rest stood on the flanks, making sure Emery wouldn't be able to circle around them easily.

nLanzo attempted to stand up with the table as his support but taking even just one step caused him to groan and fall in pain.

"Go, you know I'm a lost cause. I won't be able to run, save yourself now… I'll hold them off…

"

n

"I'm getting tired of both of your idiocy. Men, finish them,

" said the leader as he stood up and pointed his dagger at them.

nGondo tried to lead the charge but the moment everyone moved one foot forward, the clashing of metals and the screaming of marauders outside entered the ragged house. Then, the door swung open as a bloodied marauder holding his stomach came in.

n

"A-a knight has arrived!

" said the wounded marauder, but he fell down on the ground a second later as a man with bluish eyes, long hair, white armor and red robe appeared behind holding a blood-stained sword.

n

nHis red robe, which symbolizes the Lioness Kingdom, fluttered in the air as the cold breeze from the front lawn entered the house. He stood calm and collected and surveyed the surroundings before flicking his sword to get rid of the blood.

n

"Heh, it's just a knight! Take care of him first, men,

" said the leader of the marauders.

nThe marauders who were on Gondo's flank switched stances and charged the long haired man, but the knight's sword movement simply passed them as if he became a blur for the marauders. Emery, however, could see each parries and swings of the knight's sword made in conjunction with precise footwork before finally delivering a thrust right in between their chests and shoulders, leaving them alive but incapacitated. The battle between the marauders and the knight was over before anyone knew it.

nEmery gulped, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to match that, but right now, he knew he wouldn't be able to hold a candle.

nAll the marauders who had attacked the knight fell while grimacing in pain on the ground. Some of them still tried to stand up and fight, but those who had resisted didn't receive a second chance.

n

"Gondo! Take care of him!

" shouted the leader of the marauder.

nGondo charged with his large sword held horizontally on his waist but a deafening roar from the outside shocked everyone to their cores. A large furried figure with rich golden mane entered the fray and met Gondo's sword with its fangs. A lion had appeared!

nThe lion's large teeth and Gondo's sword clashed, but Gondo seemed to be losing ground. The leader of the marauder took a step back and shakingly said,

"N-n-no…! Y-y-you're Yvain, the knight of the Lion!

"

nThe name rang a bell in Emery's mind. He had heard tales of this knight's name for it was he who had been often compared with his father, Geoffrey, the Lion's Fang. Emery had also heard stories from his father on how this guy was a force to be reckoned with in the battlefield. He had asked his father to meet with this person several times, but his father had never introduced him.

n

nRight now, this famous knight standing near by the door was the current Lioness Kingdom's best swordsman. It wasn't only his sword skills that made him popular throughout the kingdom though, partially, it was because of the exotic and unique companion that no else had except for him, lion.

nThe leader of the marauder's face seemed to have lost all its color after identifying who this knight was.

n

"G-Gondo! B-Buy me some time!

" After saying that, the short and thin marauder turned tail while Gondo tried to have a bout of strength against the big lion. But Gondo couldn't contest it as he also dropped on the ground, crushed under the weight of the lion before being mauled into bits and pieces.

nIt was no longer a fight when the leader of the marauder tried to run away in fear only to be pounced by the lion who had just finished ripping Gondo whose arms and legs now were all over the place.

n

"Halt!

" commanded Yvain to his companion just before its fangs touched the marauders leader's face. The lion left its paw on the leader's chest and Yvain pointed his sword and said,

"Surrender and order your men to drop their weapons.

"

nThe moment those words left Yvain's lips, more marauders came in from the direction the leader was about to head to, but of course, they were late to the battle.

n

"Do as he asks, men,

" said the leader and one by one all the marauders who had just arrived threw their weapons across the wooden floor.

nA girl's voice sounded behind the door and asked,

"Is it done, sir Yvain?

"

n

"Yes, princess. The place is now secured,

" said Yvain with a bow and then wiped his sword with a cloth before sheathing it.

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