“Knight Commander, are you sure your mouth isn’t cursed like a crow’s?” Murray hefted his weapon, his tone carrying a trace of mockery.
Lina’s mouth twitched, and she snapped back irritably, “You sure talk a lot, Murray.”
She really hadn’t expected the Dragonkin to show up so suddenly.
“I’m not making things up, just stating the facts.” Murray spread his hands, looking completely innocent.
“Humans, trespassing on Dragonkin territory—what are you trying to do!” The leader was a Dragonkin woman who appeared delicate and frail, an odd sight among her burly kin standing behind her.
“Leader, why waste words with these humans? Let’s just kill them already!” The Dragonkin at her side made a throat-slitting gesture, arrogance written all over his face.
Another Dragonkin jeered, “Yeah, Leader! Look at the gear they’re wearing—let’s take it for ourselves, time for some new armor!”
The Dragonkin woman ignored her subordinates’ racket, looking down at Lina’s group with icy indifference. “Humans, you’ve come to the wrong place. Hand over your equipment, and I might spare your lives and let you leave.”
Seeing the Dragonkin’s arrogant attitude, Murray couldn’t help but laugh. “Knight Commander, looks like they don’t take us seriously at all, huh?”
But Anya wasn’t surprised at all. When she’d fought the Dragonkin before, they’d always carried that air of disdain—was it their bloodline that gave them such confidence?
Lina’s face remained calm, and instead, she stepped forward with a friendly smile.
Seeing this, Murray swallowed nervously and instinctively took a few steps back. The others, catching the signal, edged away as well, putting a good distance between themselves and Lina.
Noticing how everyone suddenly distanced themselves from Lina, Anya turned curiously to Murray and asked, “What are you all doing, Mr. Murray?”
“You don’t understand. Whenever the Knight Commander makes that face, it means she’s about to beat someone up—Miss Anya, you’d better stay back so you don’t get caught in the crossfire.” Murray explained helplessly.
“Is it really that bad?” Anya half-believed, half-doubted, as she scooted back, her eyes returning to Lina.
The group of Dragonkin erupted into laughter at the sight of Lina walking forward alone.
“Are these humans out of people? Sending a little shrimp like you to die?” one Dragonkin beside the woman leader stepped forward, laughing so hard he nearly doubled over.
“Hey kid, hurry up and call your leader over. Or are you trying to win us over with those cutesy looks? We Dragonkin aren’t impressed by appearances.”
“What did you just say?” Lina’s smile remained, but her eyes narrowed as she looked at the Dragonkin.
“Called you a little shrimp, so what?” The Dragonkin’s gaze was indifferent; he clearly didn’t see Lina as a threat.
“Very good…” Lina nodded with a smile.
“Oh no, this Dragonkin’s asking for it, daring to jump into the Knight Commander’s danger zone. He’s doomed,” Murray sighed, feeling sorry for the Dragonkin.
Anya listened to Murray and watched Lina, and in a flash, Lina moved—so fast it left everyone stunned.
“So fast… Even faster than when I first saw her in action,” Anya thought in shock.
She remembered how quick Lina had been when they first met, but Lina was now several times faster.
The Dragonkin in question wasn’t the least bit concerned about what Lina could do. He just looked on calmly.
So what if she’s fast? He was Dragonkin—physically powerful, human attacks were just a tickle to him.
“I hate it most when people call me ‘little shrimp’.”
“Bang!”
As soon as Lina finished speaking, a deep boom echoed.
No one knew when, but a Heavy Sword had appeared in her hand, and with a flash too fast to follow, she swept it out, sending that Dragonkin flying several hundred meters away.
The force of her swing was so great, it kicked up a gust of wind—Anya, even standing far away, nearly lost her balance.
“What terrifying strength…” Only then did Anya understand why everyone kept their distance.
If she’d been any closer, she’d have been swept away, too.
Everyone stared in silence at the Dragonkin lying unconscious in the snow.
Seeing this, the Dragonkin woman’s eyes sharpened, her expression turning solemn as she looked at Lina. “You’re the leader of these humans?”
“Leader?” Lina was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. “I suppose so. What, are you scared?”
“No.” The Dragonkin woman shook her head. “I am the leader of these Dragonkin—Kamila.”
“You’re actually pretty polite.” Lina smiled lightly, glancing at the Dragonkin being helped up by his companions. “My name is Lina. If you can, please make way for us—we’re in a hurry.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” Kamila glanced at her injured subordinate, her tone resolute. “You hurt my people, so you owe me an explanation. And you’ve trespassed on my territory—this account must be settled as well.”
As she spoke, the surrounding Dragonkin stepped closer, weapons drawn, tension thick in the air.
“So, I guess we can’t talk this out?” Lina spread her hands.
“We can—if you want.” Kamila’s tone was calm. “Kneel and apologize, and have your subordinates hand over all their equipment to us, and I’ll let you leave.”
“You’re pretty greedy.” Lina laughed, finding this Dragonkin leader rather amusing. “How can you say something so ridiculous with such a straight face?”
“I’ve always been like this.” Kamila shrugged.
“Looks like we’ll have to fight it out today.” Lina gazed at Kamila, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Kamila’s eyes turned cold. “So you refuse. In that case, I’ll have to take revenge for my subordinate myself.”
“Kill them.”
With Kamila’s command, the Dragonkin behind her erupted in excitement. Each of their forms grew, dragon scales flashing coldly in the snow.
Seeing this, Murray’s carefree demeanor vanished.
He quickly ordered, “Everyone, prepare for battle! Don’t underestimate the Dragonkin—they’re born with incredible strength, so stay on guard!”
He then turned to Anya. “Miss Anya, stay behind me. The Knight Commander specifically instructed me to protect you.”
But Anya shook her head. “Actually, I know a little magic. I should be able to help.”
Most Holy Knights were swordsmen, and few knew any Magic. Even then, it was usually just small spells like the Fire Spark Spell for making a fire.
But Anya was different. Though only a second-rank magician, she could still make a difference.
“Miss Anya is actually a magician?” Murray was stunned.
He remembered Lina saying Anya was a Heavy Sword wielder.
“It’s just a little, really,” Anya said modestly.