After a brief discussion, the two decided to divide the tasks. Laine instructed Estelle to go back and inform the caravan that this fortress was not a suitable resting place. Once he saw the half-elf leave, Laine redirected his gaze to the solitary wooden door opposite the broken staircase.
The seven or eight steps of distance was a hurdle no ordinary person could overco; even the agile skills of a half-elf could not surmount it.
But I'm different, I am my father's son.
If I want to do it, I'll do it. Laine began to retreat step by step; he pulled back seven or eight steps, then moved forward. His right leg stomped down hard, leaping into the air, as the powerful spiritual energy gathered around him, lifting his heavy chain armor and body like the gentle breeze of early spring. Following the sound of landing, the White Wolf Knight successfully landed on the other side.
The heavy and decayed wooden door was pushed open with brute force by the White Wolf Knight, the wooden latch shattered under Laine's imnse power. As he opened the door, Laine quickly stepped back and raised his warhamr, ready for battle.
No movent occurred; the imagined attack didn't happen. Upon entering the room, the interior was extrely simple, just a table, a basic wooden bed, a window sealed shut from the inside, and a skeleton sitting in a chair.
From the cobwebs and dust on the skeleton, it appeared this skeleton had been here for at least two years; the body had completely decomposed, and its hand rested on top of this book.
"The skull is intact, which ans he was always human," Laine muttered to himself.
It is sotis difficult to explain the Empire's obsession with skulls; all the Knight Corps' emblems include the skull design, and the Holy Crown, symbolizing the identity of the Emperor of the Empire, is shaped like a skull. Whether it is the Emperor himself or the Prince-Electors that symbolize the cornerstone of human power, they all like to adorn themselves with skull designs.
When Laine first arrived in this world, he thought it was so Monkey D. Luffy who had inaugurated the Great Pirate Era, and everyone wanted to be the Pirate King, so they loved using this symbol.
It was only later he learned that the skull symbolizes purity.
The temptations of Chaos always threaten humanity, and anyone who succumbs to Chaos will experience horrifying mutations. Once fallen, they can never return to their original form; only the pure and spotless skull proves they never succumbed to Chaos.
Similarly, skulls are cherished trophies for Chaos Warriors, Chaos Champions, and even Demon Princes.
With doubts and curiosity, Laine gently picked up the book.
The book was very old, with so parts having blurred handwriting, and so ink had faded due to poor preservation. This person's Low Gothic was quite awkward, with many typos, even so strange characters pieced together forcefully. But its general aning could still be comprehended.
Low Gothic is the language used by ordinary farrs, citizens, and even low-level nobles. This language is straightforward and easy to grasp, although not standardized in writing or accent. While High Gothic allows the great nobles of the Continent to converse fluidly and easily, the Low Gothic of the Nord Kingdom and the Tuscan Prince-Elector's Territory in the Southern Empire is writing to pronunciation essentially two different languages.
"Imperial Calendar 1469, my third year coming to Scavell Mountain."
Laine frowned; this was more than a decade ago.
"Today sothing big happened. A brother said he saw soone washing clothes at the river source while heading into the mountain. Ha, we found it amusing! How could anyone be seen in this godforsaken place? No one would spend two days coming here to wash clothes. I suppose we could laugh at this joke all day long, hahahaha~"
"Hmm, I think my brothers have all gone mad. Today, two loyal soldiers told
they saw soone washing clothes at the river source. Yet, they couldn't describe what the person looked like or articulate clearly, only saying they felt the person was very tall, extrely tall, with long golden hair."
"These blockheads have really lost it! Today, they told
they saw soone washing clothes while patrolling. What's going on? Have their years in the military taught them nothing but seeing people wash clothes?"
"I feel sothing seems off. More and more soldiers report seeing this scene as if truly a household exists deep in the mountain."
"Perhaps I should take so n to check it out."
Next is a long blank section, several pages torn out, then it switches to different handwriting.
"Imperial Calendar 1472, our fortress hosted an annoying Mission Knight. These knights from Brittania's heads seem not very sharp, who told him about the legend of sealed demons deep in the mountains?"
"Sothing seems off. The Mission Knight has been gone for over a week yet there is still no news."
Next few pages are all scribbles, mixed with dust, dirt, and so inexplicable characters.
"Thank heavens! It's the mysterious hermit who saved us! Damn Brittania Knight! To display martial valor to his lady, he truly did lure terrifying Beastman Warbands upon us! We fought fiercely but were outnumbered; at the critical mont, our acquaintance ca to rescue us. My, I've never seen such a tall and powerful person; my head barely reaches his arm!"
"Our friend wore extrely large full plate armor, a black wolfskin cape, wielding a giant one-handed sword. He swung his sword and decapitated the invincible Screaming Shaman; the Beast King fled in panic, and the Beastn finally retreated."
"We brought out our finest food and cherished wine to entertain this guest. Our friend did not hesitate but unwillingly revealed his na and title, saying he is a condemned person not convenient to disclose na or title. He inquired about the World Tree, but unfortunately, none of us knew. We could only tell him the southern Knight Kingdoms have many elves. Disappointed, he bid us farewell."
The following are so day-to-day logs. Laine flipped strongly backward, noting the diary and handwriting had changed to another guard captain.
Flipping to the last few pages, the writing beca urgent: "Beastn have co again, numbering in thousands, they've besieged the fortress. We can't hold on; at best by tomorrow, tomorrow morning, if reinforcents don't arrive...we will fight until the last man."
"We couldn't escape. The fierce battle attracted greenskins who erged from the basent. The greenskins attacked us and the Beastn indiscriminately, granting us respite. In despair, Hans activated chanisms to destroy the staircase; I retreated here."
"We couldn't escape."
The diary or military logs end here.
Full plate armor? Wolfskin cape? Tall stature? Laine frowned. Those who use wolfskin decorations are mostly knights from the White Wolf Knight Order. He pondered if soone matched the description.
Hmm~ a condemned person, who alone repelled Beastman Warbands, also inquiring about the World Tree...
Laine's eyes gradually lit up.
Yes, it must be him, no one else could fit.
The forr Alpha Wolf, once decreed as "Wolf Lord" by the White Wolf War God, forr leader of the White Wolf Knight Order, a Holy Sanctuary Powerhouse, known as "Ironclaw" Logan Flints.
Yet, in the Great Holy War 150 years ago, Logan tasted shaful defeat. In the war against the Chaos Army, the White Wolf Knight Order suffered massive losses; the White Wolf Archbishop gloriously died. Though no one held him accountable after the war, this great White Wolf Paladin chose self-exile, leaving behind the emblem of honor, departing White Wolf City on his own, never to be heard from again.
But why was he seeking the World Tree?
Laine instinctively felt there must be a story involved, likely related to Yurik's descent.
What exactly was Logan searching for? Why did Yurik descend specifically for a Beastman's head?
More and more questions filled Laine's mind.
Until the savage horn outside pulled his thoughts back to reality; Laine imdiately realized sothing was happening outside.
Right! Why hasn't Estelle returned yet!?
Damn it, sothing's wrong!
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