"Krith?"
Caught in a state of high alert, Krith didn't hesitate for a second. He spun around instantly, drawing the dagger from Richter's body, and moved with a sudden burst of speed. He lunged from a blind spot in an average person's vision, thrusting the blade forward with lethal intent.
Snap!
The sharp sound of the impact made Krith's eyes widen in shock. He looked at his wrist in disbelief. A hand had clamped onto it, holding it perfectly still.
"My name is Horuff. The Sovereign sent me to inquire about your mission's progress."
Horuff glanced at Krith before slowly releasing his grip and lowering his hand.
Hearing this, Krith let out a breath of relief. Though he felt a bit disgruntled by the man's sudden appearance, he didn't dare complain; the person standing before him possessed strength far beyond his own.
Richter, who had been jolted awake by the sheer agony of Krith's rough movements, continued to play dead. He lay there silently, especially after witnessing the newcomer subdue the man who had just defeated him with such effortless ease.
Whatever hope he had left was utterly extinguished. Being only slightly stronger than an average soldier, there was no way he could overcome these two. Had he known, he would have brought several guards with him—at the very least, he could have fired a signal for help. Now...
Richter closed his eyes, though he continued to mentally process the information about this mysterious faction. He had just heard a keyword: "Sovereign." It appeared the leader of this group was a truly formidable existence.
"Yes, we—"
Just as Krith began to report, Horuff raised a hand to cut him off, then gestured toward Richter on the ground. Krith understood immediately. He stepped forward and delivered a swift blow, knocking the butler unconscious once more.
Only after ensuring their captive was out did Krith report the information they had gathered in Toriland Town and their current mission progress.
"Hmm... It seems your mission is proceeding quite smoothly. You're essentially down to the final steps." Horuff nodded, acknowledging the trio's progress. "Once I return, I shall petition the Sovereign to grant you merit for this."
"You have my deepest gratitude!" Krith performed a formal assassin's salute, his voice thick with excitement.
"Now, do you require any assistance? That was also part of my instructions."
"Actually, yes. I need to return to Toriland Town to confirm the mansion's defenses and verify if the Lord's location is accurate."
"Mmm... that's a bit troublesome. Let's finish my task first before we worry about yours."
"And what might your task be, my Lord?" Krith asked curiously.
"To bring you back," Horuff replied, glancing at him. "Though, I suppose I'm bringing back an extra person now."
Horuff looked down at Richter, who was unconscious and beginning to enter a state of shock from blood loss. "Patch up his wounds. Don't let him die."
"Understood."
One day later, in a Mage Tower situated in a clearing within the northern forests of Toriland Town.
"Master Remoke, a horse has arrived outside..."
Hearing his apprentice's voice, Remoke's brow furrowed. He reluctantly pulled his gaze away from the glintstone before him and glared at the boy.
"Why are you reporting such a trivial matter to me? Can you not drive it away yourself? Or are you even less capable than a brainless puppet?"
"No, it's not like that! The horse bears the crest of the Toriland family... and it's wounded!"
Seeing that Remoke was on the verge of losing his temper, Ethan hurried to finish his report, fearing another scolding or a harsh punishment.
The irritation on Remoke's face was replaced by a look of surprise. After a moment of hesitation, he set down his magnifying glass and moved away from the glintstone to stand beside his apprentice.
"What exactly is going on?"
"Well... while we were sweeping near the entrance just now, that warhorse—the one with the Toriland crest and barded armor—came galloping out of the forest, covered in blood." Ethan blurted out the details as quickly as possible.
"Take me to see it." Remoke gestured for the boy to lead the way.
Ethan led him to the horse's location. When Remoke saw the state of the beast, his expression shifted to one of genuine shock.
He knew this horse all too well. It was the prized mount of Richter, the Toriland butler. Every time the man traveled to deliver the Lord's orders, he rode this specific horse. Seeing it now—bloodied, wounded, and without its rider...
It was more than enough to signify the gravity of the situation.
"...You lot, lock down the tower immediately. Do not open the barrier until I return. I am heading to Toriland Town."
After a brief pause, Remoke turned to Ethan and the other two apprentices tending to the horse.
"Yes, Master!"
After issuing his orders, Remoke flew to the top of the tower to gather his equipment. Once he had set several protective seals, he mounted his own horse and raced toward Toriland Town.
He didn't know the exact situation there, but judging by the current evidence, things looked grim. Camo wouldn't have sent his personal butler to seek help otherwise. In his mind, it was clear that even the Lord's butler had been intercepted and killed. If it weren't for the horse's luck in finding its way here, he wouldn't even have known.
Something disastrous must have happened in Toriland.
This was an outcome he could not tolerate. Toriland was the primary source of funding for his tower's research. If anything happened to them, his studies would be in jeopardy.
That was absolutely unacceptable! No one—no matter who they were—would stand in the way of his pursuit of knowledge!
"My Sovereign, this is the man you asked me to bring back. His name is Krith."
Horuff dropped to one knee before Mohg and spoke with deep reverence.
"My Lord!" Krith quickly stepped forward, kneeling and bowing his head in salute.
"Mmm. You have done well, Horuff." Mohg nodded before turning his attention to Krith. "Now, tell me. How has your mission progressed?"
"Yes, my Lord. According to your instructions, we..."
As Krith's report continued, Mohg's eyes gradually widened. By the end of it, he almost lost control of his stoic expression, and the corner of his eye twitched ever so slightly.
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Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (306 Chapters – Ongoing)
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