Dennis let out a low growl, gripped the war hammer in his hand, and stepped forward.
He swung the war hammer with a strong wind, striking it towards Karl—the blow looked threatening and powerful.
However, thanks to Karl's dynamic vision and perception, which far surpassed ordinary people, the details of Dennis's movements became infinitely magnified.
He immediately noticed the anomaly. The hammer seemed powerful,
but in fact, the main muscles in Dennis's arms, waist, and abdomen weren't exerting force; rather, it seemed like some kind of... performance.
Moreover, the angle of the Warhammer's attack seemed to be off by a few degrees—intentionally or unintentionally.
Even if Karl stood there without dodging, the hammerhead would ultimately just graze the hem of his clothes and strike the open space beside him.
The corners of Karl's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly; he understood the dwarf's intentions.
Dennis didn't want to fight to the death, but was fulfilling his so-called duties and maintaining his position in the eyes of his colleagues.
He had to take action; otherwise, he couldn't explain it to the Duke, nor could he face the comrades he had "let go."
Just as the Warhammer was about to touch the corner of Karl's shoulder, Karl moved.
He didn't choose to block hard or dodge abruptly, but simply turned slightly to the side.
Simultaneously, he raised his right hand, put his index and middle fingers together, and lightly tapped the side of Dennis's carotid artery, which was exposed during the attack.
This strike—Karl controlled his strength just right.
Dennis only felt a numbness in his neck, and intense dizziness immediately flooded his brain, his vision going dark.
The inertia of his attack suddenly ceased, and the war hammer fell to the ground with a CLANG.
His short body swayed, then gently fell to the ground.
The moment before his consciousness completely sank into darkness, and his cheek touched the cold stone floor,
there was no trace of surprise in Dennis's eyes, let alone anger at Karl.
Instead, a faint, imperceptible... gratitude flickered there, thanking Karl for understanding his intentions.
In the distance, among the White Rose knights that Karl had pushed away and were lying on the ground,
there were also a few with minor injuries who hadn't completely lost consciousness.
They curled up, moaning in pain, with blood at the corners of their mouths.
Their blurry vision accidentally caught the sight of Dennis charging with a "roar,"
and then the image of him being subdued by that terrifying young man.
Some people endured the intense pain and squeezed admiring and desperate words between their teeth.
"Den... Captain Dennis... what a heroic... pity... he too... couldn't defeat this monster..."
Two or three people nearby echoed with low, painful hums.
When the man finished speaking, he couldn't help but grunt: "Ugh... it hurts so much... my ribs are broken... definitely... more than three."
Geralt had a panoramic view of the entire process, glanced at Dennis lying motionless on the ground,
and walked past the group of White Rose knights in the distance who had completely lost their combat effectiveness. His cat-like pupils flickered with a bit of seriousness.
He turned to Karl and quietly reminded: "Karl, if you do this, I'm afraid things won't end so simply."
"Duke Seward and his White Rose Knights will definitely not give up in the future."
Karl looked indifferent, as if he had just swatted away a few annoying flies.
He shrugged nonchalantly, his tone calm but filled with confidence and admiration.
"If they're smart, they should remember this lesson. If they dare to continue causing trouble..." He paused, his eyes flashing with cold light.
"Then next time, things won't be as simple as lying in bed for a few months."
Geralt clearly felt the undisguised, cold, piercing murderous intent in Karl's words.
The corners of his mouth twitched slightly. He had seen Karl's strength, calmness, and occasional humor,
but this was the first time Karl had so openly displayed his murderous intent.
Geralt slowly said with a slight tease: "I think... they will definitely remember this 'profound' lesson."
"Perhaps when they recover, they will express their gratitude for today's 'mercy'."
Karl laughed at these words, ignoring the knights collapsed on the ground.
He turned his head, and his gaze fell on the old woman who had been standing to the side from the beginning, silently observing the whole time.
He looked at Geralt and asked: "Geralt, who is this?"
Without waiting for Geralt's introduction, a kind and gentle smile played on the old woman's face.
Her gaze was always fixed on Karl, as if looking at someone she knew well, and also as if confirming something.
She took a small step forward, her voice soft and clear, with an unusual calming power.
"Karl El, child, this may be... our first meeting?"
She accurately pronounced his full name, her tone both affirmative and seemingly with a hint of inquiry.
She paused and introduced herself: "I am Nenneke, a servant of the Mother of Mercy and the High Priestess of this Temple of Melitele."
Hearing Nenneke directly call his full name, Karl was stunned, a flicker of obvious surprise on his face.
When Geralt had spoken to him earlier, he had only called him "Karl" and never mentioned his surname "El."
How did this High Priestess, whom he had never met, know his full name?
Moreover, her tone... "This may be our first meeting"?
This uncertainty with a profound tone aroused strong suspicion in Karl.
He was sure there was no trace of Nenneke's existence in his memory.
He subconsciously glanced at Geralt, asking with his eyes if he had revealed it.
Geralt immediately understood what Karl meant; he slightly shook his head, his long silver-white hair swaying with the movement.
"It wasn't me. I never mentioned you to Nenneke."
This is even stranger... Karl again turned his inquiring gaze to the benevolent High Priestess Nenneke.
The High Priestess of the Temple of Melitele seemed far more mysterious than he had thought.
She not only knew his name, but the way she looked at him was not just the look at a stranger met for the first time.
......
Following High Priestess Nenneke, Karl supported Raymond, who was leaning on him, and entered the interior of the Temple of Melitele.
Dalton followed behind, his alert gaze occasionally sweeping around, though he appeared calm.
As soon as you enter the main hall of the temple, a fragrance mixed with dried herbs and soft incense wafts over your face.
This scent was not strong or cloying, but had a special calming property.
It seemed able to cleanse the soul of anxiety and involuntarily soothe people's moods.
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