Chapter 19: In the Name of This North Wind
Joshua knew what a Wild God looked like.
Although in his previous life, during the game, he had been too focused on raiding new dungeons to pay special attention to information regarding Divine Mechanisms and Wild Gods, ultimately, this was also a hot topic for a time. Even if he hadn't intended to watch or listen, he would involuntarily be infused with related information by the people around him.
The appearance of the Wild God was one such thing. That peculiar exterior was an absolute difference in art style compared to other monsters on the Continent of Strife. Once seen, it would never be forgotten, leaving a deep impression.
The ferocious form of the monster sketched on this letter, although different from the Wild God he had seen on the game forums back then, was undoubtedly of the same style. Coupled with the characteristics described by Verdani·Scarlet — that combat qi and magic effects were both very low, only pure physical attacks could be effective, and it would turn into black smoke after death —
The result needed no further questioning. Clearly, amidst this beast tide besieging the Moldova Territory, traces of a Wild God were mixed in.
"How is this possible..."
Ignoring the surprised expression of Ying beside him and the puzzled looks of Zolgen and the others, Joshua scanned the plea for help line by line, his brow deeply furrowed, a hidden twitch at the corner of his mouth. "A Wild God? Appearing in Moldova?"
This was an impossible occurrence. One must know, all the space-time passages connecting to the polluted alien worlds were located in Moldavia, and they were all properly sealed. Where did these monsters come from?
The warrior was not worried that Zolgen and the others would deduce something from these few words. In truth, throughout the entire Northern Lands, probably only he and Ying knew about the sealed space-time rifts and the information regarding the Wild Gods. Only the two of them knew what the appearance of a Wild God signified.
It signified that after centuries, Chaos had begun its invasion anew, and the tentacles of the Evil Gods had once again extended into this world.
Moldavia had three sealed space-time rifts. Two were in the main city, suppressed underground by the sealing arrays cast by the Imperial Mage Corps. One was the family cemetery in the Black Forest Fortress, that space-time rift firmly locked by successive family heads using the power of Order.
Although there was no direct instruction from the previous family head, based on the information in the altar and many ancient texts viewable only by the family head, Joshua indeed knew many things. A subtle expression formed on his face. "It seems... a new passage should have appeared deep within the Black Forest. This point cannot be confirmed for now... Interesting."
As for why Count Verdani didn't know about the Wild Gods, that was easy to explain.
Although the Scarlet family was also descended from the four heroes who had once delved into the alien worlds to seal the space-time passages, they had chosen to abandon this duty many years later. And to eliminate information about the Evil Gods as much as possible, the head of the Scarlet family from that generation had also simultaneously erased all records within the family concerning the space-time passages and the monsters behind them.
Abandonment meant complete forgetting. This was also a choice.
With the increase in known information, some things that had puzzled Joshua in his previous life now made sense — the reason the ten players who had successfully contracted Divine Mechanisms had vanished without a trace, revealing none of the subsequent content, was not a deliberate attempt to create suspense or hide their strength, but to abide by an agreement not to reveal any information regarding the Evil Gods.
"It seems I really am someone who can't stay idle."
Letting out a long breath, the new Chaos Warden shook his head. "I was just worrying about where to find Chaos monsters to kill, and now so many appear."
Although it was somewhat immoral, the warrior was still quite looking forward to there being a Gold-rank Wild God in Moldova for him to kill and complete his class mission, which would also count as increasing his strength for resisting the beast tide.
"My Lord, what problem has arisen in the Moldova Territory?"
Although he couldn't understand some of the terms Joshua used, Zolgen could still tell that this urgent letter from the Scarlet family was a plea for help. He inquired, "Do you intend to support them?"
"Yes. Moldova is the same as us, currently besieged by a black tide. Even disregarding the friendship of many years, just for our own sake, we must go to support them."
Putting away the letter in his hand, the black-haired warrior stood up and said, "The magical beasts besieging them are far more numerous than those here. Judging by the fact that there isn't a single living creature left near the fortress, I suspect that almost all the magical beasts from the entire Great Aias Mountains have headed in their direction."
"If we don't take advantage of this large beast tide being drawn together by them and annihilate them all, then next, the beasts will scatter and attack everywhere. We, the remaining three Northern Territories, probably won't be able to escape a fate of severely depleted strength."
The purpose of the fortress's existence was to attract the attention of the beast hordes, preventing them from scattering to attack the weakly defended manors and villages.
And in Moldova, there were at least over a hundred thousand, perhaps even over two hundred thousand magical beasts besieging them. No wonder even with a Gold-rank expert stationed there, they couldn't hold out. Even Joshua wouldn't dare claim he could disperse a beast tide of that level. If the Scarlet family fell, and the beasts lost their target and scattered to attack, it would truly be a calamity for the entire Northern Lands.
Thinking this, Joshua couldn't help but feel a bit strange. "Logically, shouldn't their communications be blocked by Chaos magic, just like ours? How is it that we received their plea for help this time?"
But he quickly found a reasonable explanation. "Right. Verdani is a Gold-rank mage. Faced with this kind of magical problem, she definitely has a way to solve it."
Although both were Gold-rank, no matter how experienced, a warrior could at most use brute force to disperse the mist, using indirect methods to forcibly remove the interference caused by magic. But a Gold-rank mage would definitely have a way to break this kind of barrier. This was the difference in their areas of expertise.
Having made his decision, Joshua nodded to the three people before him. "Thank you all for the notification. Otherwise, given my habits, it would have been a long time before I discovered these letters. Is there anything else? While we're all here, let's bring it up and resolve it quickly. Supporting Moldova shouldn't be delayed; we need to prepare as soon as possible."
"..."
Zolgen, Kili, and Feng silently exchanged glances. The three seemed to have decided something. Then the golden-haired knight stepped forward, looking directly into their lord's eyes, and bowed his head solemnly. "Perhaps it is a bit hasty, but coming here today, delivering the letter was merely a convenient act..."
Before he finished speaking, the three simultaneously knelt on one knee. They placed their left hands horizontally over their chests, their right hands touching the ground, and spoke in unison in a deep voice: "Previously, due to the busy affairs in the fortress, there was no opportunity. But now that everything is on track, this is the right time to swear allegiance to you, my lord."
— Kneeling on one knee, left hand over the chest, right hand holding a weapon or touching the ground. This was the posture of a vassal swearing allegiance to their lord on the Continent of Strife, used for thousands of years.
Faced with this sudden oath of allegiance, Joshua felt a surge of surprise.
But he did not lose his composure. The black-haired warrior simply stood before the three, his brow slightly raised, puzzled. "I originally thought you were loyal to me... Could it be that before this, you did not recognize my right to inherit the position of family head and become the lord of Moldavia?"
"That is not the case."
The half-elf warrior kneeling on one knee removed his helmet. His cyan hair was tied into a ponytail, resting on his shoulder. The magical patterns on his face flickered, flowing with the light of mana. His expression was extremely serious, and he spoke in an extremely earnest tone: "If I were to say that Zolgen and Feng do not know you, young master, very well, I am different. As your martial arts teacher in your youth, I can see the true quality within your heart."
Saying this, Kili raised his head, his gaze fixed on Joshua. "Perhaps it was the death of the old master that caused you to change your previously somewhat gentle personality, becoming so sharp and decisive. But regardless, in my heart, you are the rightful heir to this land, the only lord. Swearing allegiance to you is my honor."
"Yes. However, regardless, before this, we were all knights loyal to Beruo·Radcliffe, the Count of Winter, and not subordinates of Joshua·Radcliffe."
This time it was Feng who spoke. As a mage of considerable age, he still possessed a sturdy physique. The white mage's robe could not conceal the outline of his muscles. Explosive strength and wisdom coexisted within this white-haired old man. His expression was calm, as if chatting normally. "The vassal of my vassal is not my vassal. This saying has circulated for many years, and it applies here as well — as subordinates of your father, we were not your vassals."
"Now that the old count has passed, you are our new lord."
Concluding the matter, Zolgen's face was still pale, but his voice was full of vigor. "Therefore, it is fitting that we receive our formal oath of allegiance."
Having said this, the three simultaneously removed the longswords and staves from their waists, holding them upright against the ground with their right hands. Their left hands clenched into fists, striking the center of their chests. They spoke in a solemn voice: "Thus, now, in the name of the blood and fire within this north wind, Lord of Moldavia, you whose emblem is the hand holding the cold iron black sword, accept this oath and respect from your father's knights."
"Witnessed by our lives and honor, we shall become the blade and scepter in your hand, executing your will upon this land, and eliminating those who oppose you."
The voice echoed in the conference hall, which was neither cramped nor spacious. Joshua remained silent, watching the three, seemingly contemplating something.
Truly unexpected. A sudden, formal oath of allegiance.
There was nothing to hesitate about. The black-haired, red-eyed warrior stepped forward, decisively took the weapons from their hands, and then returned them. They received the weapons, which had been re-bestowed, with both hands, and solemnly placed them back at their waists.
Receiving the sword and bestowing the sword were the most orthodox rituals on the Continent of Strife for granting the status of a vassal knight.
After the ceremony, the black-haired warrior said solemnly, "I accept this oath. Zolgen·Colclough, Kili·Uranos, Feng·Lawrence. From this day forth, you are my sword and shield, guarding my honor. And I am your lord and protector, proud of your loyalty."
"Rise."
Hearing these words, the three immediately stood up.
But Joshua, who stood before them, turned around and shook his head, speaking frankly. "That being said, I am not exactly a good candidate for allegiance... You must understand, I am not skilled in governing territories, nor am I good at finance or commerce. I cannot even promise you that life will become more prosperous in the future."
Saying this, he began to laugh. "However, as your lord, the object of your allegiance, I can at least promise one thing."
"I can lead you to victory."
Witnessed by the glory of a former Legendary warrior who had experienced countless battles without defeat, I will lead you into battle and be victorious, again and again.
"My lord..." Hearing these words, the golden-haired knight couldn't help but curl his lips, and then, as if infected by Joshua, he let out a soft laugh. The half-elf warrior and the white-haired mage seemed similarly infected, laughing softly together. "That is enough."
For knights, that was enough.