Chapter 017: Continuous Retreat

Hundreds of Temple Knights, each possessing the strength of a knight of level three or higher, coupled with their expertise in coordinated combat, quickly scattered the imperial guards around them as soon as they appeared. Infantry was no match for cavalry anyway, and these Temple Knights were all highly skilled. Thanks to years of training, they fought in perfect coordination, advancing and retreating strategically under the leadership of Grand Knight Joshua.

Although the imperial guards, though elite soldiers, fought bravely despite being scattered, individual strength meant little against such a formidable force. In less than a moment, bloodshed filled the air as countless heads flew into the air.

Under Joshua’s leadership, the Temple Knights had a clear goal—they charged straight toward where the Crown Prince was. The surrounding imperial guards also sensed something and rushed over, but all their efforts seemed futile against the Temple Knights.

The generals beside the Crown Prince paled at the sight, and even Duke Belinger couldn’t help frowning. “It’s the Temple Knights… Your Majesty, perhaps we should send General Hekks’s men to deal with them? These are real knights—ordinary soldiers can’t stand a chance!”

The Crown Prince showed no sign of surprise. He glanced at Duke Belinger and said calmly, “Oh! I didn’t know Duke also understood military strategy… Then perhaps you can tell me—even if I sent General Hekks’s men now, could they handle these Temple Knights?”

Duke Belinger thought for a moment before shaking his head.

The Crown Prince sneered and said lightly, “We both know that Hekks’s men are no match for these Temple Knights… Duke Belinger, you’re just trying to imply that I shouldn’t hold back at this moment… But who do you think I am? Would I do such a thing in a situation like this? Hmph. Even if I need military strength to secure my position after a coup, the prerequisite is that I must first be able to take that position…”

With that, the Crown Prince glanced at the Templar Knights not far away and said coldly, “I expected these charlatans to show up… Otherwise, would those old monsters from the Mage Guild be willing to go to such lengths to help me? Everything was within my prediction… Duke Belinger, you just watch!”
Then, the Crown Prince made a gesture behind him and said coldly, “Now, Duke, let me show you the power of our royal secret guards!”
At his signal, all the military officers around him stepped back, leaving only one guard. He suddenly stopped, raised a tall flag—dyed blood red—with a giant black skull on it!
This was the emblem of the royal secret guards—the Blood Red Skull Flag!
As this emblem appeared, an astonishing killing aura seemed to spread across the training ground. The palace guards around seemed to sense something and immediately scattered to both sides. Then, right behind the Crown Prince, a group of cavalry clad in full armor appeared.
There were only a few hundred of them, each covered in armor from head to toe, even their horses wore fine armor. They held three-meter-long spears and stood there coldly. Though they simply stood still, their killing aura was terrifying.
Duke Belinger’s eyes narrowed as he couldn’t help but glance behind him and murmured, “Are these the royal secret guards?”
The Crown Prince said nothing, only sneering repeatedly. Then he pointed his long sword toward the Templar Knights and ordered, “Kill them!!!”
Upon hearing this command, the group of secret guards spurred their horses forward. All that could be heard was the sound of thunderous charges. They didn’t shout as they charged, seemingly pouring all their combat energy into the battle.
The palace guards beside the Templar Knights had already retreated. Joshua, seeing the wave of black armored warriors, realized that he had finally faced his opponent!
The royal secret guards were considered one of the three most powerful forces in the royal family since ancient times!
Joshua took a deep breath, raised his long sword high, pointed it at the advancing secret guards, and shouted fiercely, “Kill!!!”

On the high platform, Du Fan’s brows were already furrowed. The day he and Prince Fischer were attacked, they had been pursued by these secret guards at the critical moment, so he was well aware of how terrifying they were… If the Crown Prince had prepared such a contingency to deal with the Temple Knights… then the Temple Knights were in big trouble this time. At this thought, Du Fan couldn’t help but feel a strange sensation. The Temple Knights in Emperor Gavin’s capital had killed a group of them in the cathedral’s forbidden area, and he had taken another group to the northern lands. This group here must be the last remnants of the Holy Church in the capital, right? After all, throughout the ages, the Gavin royal family had always been wary of the Holy Church. There were only about a thousand Temple Knights stationed in the capital… Moreover, it was difficult to train Temple Knights, so those present here were likely the Holy Church’s last forces. If these forces were defeated by the Crown Prince’s secret guards… then… Thinking of this, Du Fan glanced at the two important figures beside him. Cardinal Aaron, though appearing holy, carried a hint of concern in his expression… But Prince Fischer, upon seeing this, seemed to have a faint smile on his lips… Was it because this prince was overconfident in his victory, or… did he hope the Temple Knights would fail? The implications here were serious… He couldn’t keep thinking about it, or else his thoughts might be interpreted as malicious! With that in mind, Du Fan dismissed all the thoughts in his head and focused his gaze back on the training ground. After all, he was right in the midst of this situation, and the outcome of this drama would greatly affect his future path. If Prince Fischer won, there was nothing to say. If the Crown Prince won, he and his father would have to flee quickly—even if he had to knock him out first… There was no way he would die here for some worthless loyalty! Given his ability to repel Francis just now, even the Crown Prince probably wouldn’t dare stop him from leaving… At that moment, a stream of holy light and a stream of black iron collided violently! Both were among the strongest knight orders on the continent, and even the weakest member within them had likely mastered combat energy. As soon as they clashed, various colors of combat energy flashed, causing the knights at the forefront to fall to the ground.

Here, one assassin had just driven his battle spear into the chest of a Templar Knight, while another Templar Knight had plunged his long sword into the throat of that assassin! Over there, a Templar Knight split an assassin in two with a single swing of his sword, while several assassins simultaneously thrust their battle spears, instantly blowing off the Templar Knight’s head!
Neither side held back at all; whenever combat energy flashed, a life was lost. With their equal strengths, the two sides fought fiercely, ending in a closely contested struggle.
Grand Knight Joshua led the charge, his Holy Cross Sword wreathed in radiant combat energy. With a mere sweep, he knocked an assassin to the ground. Yet he was surprised to find that the most effective way to kill these assassins seemed to be by beheading them…
For these assassins seemed unaware of fear or pain. As a devout believer, Joshua had initially resolved to only injure his enemies and not kill them. But he soon realized that as long as these assassins still had a breath left, they would get back up and attack their enemies. Even if their comrades’ blood splattered on their faces, they wouldn’t flinch, continuing to swing their battle spears at their foes.
After fighting for a while, Joshua grew uncertain. With his strength, he should not suffer even the slightest injury in such a situation—after all, those assassins were no match for him…
But the other Templar Knights seemed to be retreating under the assault of these assassins!
Absurd! This was the Templar Order! The finest Templar Order in the Roland Continent!
Faced with assassins who were clearly in the minority… they were actually retreating!?