Chapter 869: Revised: Chapter 846 King’s Iron Guard

“Hey, Little Isha.” Lancelot beckoned to the vampire and called softly, “Come over here, I have a task for you.”

“At your command, Master.” The girl showed a mischievous smile, “Just kidding, but if you like it, you can call me that all the time.”

“Uh, be serious…” Lancelot wiped the non-existent sweat off his forehead somewhat guiltily, then took out a small black box from his bosom, “Take this and stealthily get close to the enemy.”

“Is this… an Anti-Magic Stone? What do you need me to do?”

“I have a hunch that the Skeleton Knight may accept my challenge for a one-on-one duel.” Lancelot mused, “But if my hunch is wrong, you must open this box immediately to prevent those three Flaming Skulls from casting Fireball Technique or any other magic. This is very important, understand?”

“Understood.” The little girl nodded emphatically, “Leave it to me.”

“Good.” Lancelot handed the box over, watching her silently blend into the shadows.

“What about us?” Bruto asked expectantly, “We’re not going to be left out, right?”

“If they refuse to fight me one-on-one, you and Tanya will join me, while Alamir and Kalalin will stay put and assist us with spells from this distance. Barrend will protect them…”

“Sigh, I guess this means I probably won’t have any part in it.” Bruto shrugged, “If it were a dwarf zombie, I wouldn’t let you off so easily…”

At that moment, Lancelot received a mental message from Isha, indicating that she was in position.

“Don’t be careless, stay alert.” Lancelot glared at Bruto, “Opportunities always favor the prepared.”

After speaking, he made a hand gesture to start, then stepped out from behind the tree trunk. Lancelot deliberately didn’t hide his footsteps, ensuring that he would be noticed. The Skeleton Knight indeed reacted immediately, jumping up and drawing a weapon from the campfire–a slender two-handed sword with a spiral guard. However, upon seeing who it was, it paused for a moment and then spoke in common language:

“Ah, I never expected to meet you here, what a surprise…”

“You know me?” Lancelot stopped and scrutinized the other.

“Of course, Demon Knight.” The skeleton gave a horrifying smile, “I witnessed your charge towards Peyton Derrick, although I was a bit too far away back then, which is regrettable… I thought I’d never get another chance to see you, but fate loves to play tricks on me.”

“Really?” Lancelot responded noncommittally, “You think you can stop me?”

“You misunderstood.” The skeleton shook its head, “I mean, if I had been closer, I could have been killed by you…”

“You wish to be killed?” Lancelot crossed his arms, “That’s a very strange wish indeed.”

“Not in this land.”

“But you’re already dead.” The Human Knight pointed out, “And you’re standing in my way.”

“That’s not of my own free will.” The skeleton looked around, “I’ve heard that behind you is the real Lord of the Dead, who can free those of us who are enslaved, is that true?”

“Yes.” Lancelot nodded, “If that’s truly what you wish, then stand still and ensure no pain, even if you’re one of the living.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not possible.” The skeleton shook his head again, “I made an oath to Peyton to serve him forever, fighting his enemies until death…”

“So, you’re strong and you’ve never lost.”

“That’s not a boast, foreigner.” The Skeleton Knight lightly stroked his Longsword, “I was once the King’s Chief Iron Guard and the Prince’s swordsmanship instructor… That’s why I made such a foolish oath. So go ahead, you must kill me, I believe you have the ability.”

“Maybe.” Lancelot shrugged, “But before we fight, I hope to find a peaceful solution. Didn’t you make an oath to the King… I mean Tedder Derrick?”

“Of course, but the King is dead.”

“The King was killed by Peyton… Did you know that?”

“What?!” The skeleton was visibly shocked, “How did he die? Do you have proof?”

“No! He’s lying!” The three Flaming Skulls beside the Skeleton Knight suddenly screamed, “Kill this human quickly, Listan! It’s the King’s will!”

Blinding sword light flashed, and Lancelot’s pupils contracted sharply. The sword light was as fast as lightning, almost too fast for even him to see the movement. But the sword wasn’t aimed at him. When the light dissipated, the green flames covering the three Flaming Skulls also vanished, and with a few clatters, they fell to the ground in pieces.

“Good swordsmanship.”

“You’re too kind. Let’s continue our conversation. How do you know the King’s name?”

“Answer my question first. If the King was killed by Peyton, would you still obey your oath to him?”

“Of course not.” The skeleton replied grimly, “Now, answer me, Sir. Why do you say the King was killed by the Prince?”

“Because he told me so himself. Like you, he also became a living dead, but now he’s free. If you don’t believe me, you can ask him yourself.”

“Where is His Majesty now?”

“Still in the place where he was previously imprisoned, the Ancient Temple in the Gatutcik Mountains.”

“The temple of Milko?”

“It’s now Cranvo’s temple.”

“I see.” The skeleton took out a Bone Whistle from his bosom and gave it a gentle blow. From deep in the woods came the sound of urgent hoofbeats.

“It’s under siege by the Lich’s army.”

“I know.” The skeleton repeated, a ghostly blue-flamed undead warhorse approaching him, “Thank you, Sir. Until we meet again.”

“I’d prefer not.”

“Yes, best not.” The Skeleton Knight mounted his steed and nodded toward Lancelot, “Farewell, Sir.”

Without waiting for a response, he spurred his horse, speeding off like an arrow released. Everyone watched the Skeleton Knight leave until he disappeared from sight.

“He didn’t even ask for proof.” Bruto looked in the direction of the Skeleton Knight’s departure, “Why did he believe you so easily?”

“Probably because he already had doubts in his heart.” Lancelot shook his head, “It’s a relief we don’t have to fight.”

“You really are a strange one.” Bruto shook his head, “If it were me, I would have fought him first and told him afterwards.”

“Sometimes I really wonder if your brain is all muscle…” Lancelot shook his head speechlessly, “Let’s keep moving forward.”