Lian fused [Two-star Knight] and [Two-star Assassin], obtaining the new entry [Two-star Assassin Knight].
[Two-star Assassin Knight] You have firmly stepped onto the path of the Assassin Knight. You are the fastest among Knights and the strongest among Assassins. You have forged a path of your own.
Equipping this entry grants the following bonuses: Physique +2, Swordsmanship +2, Assassination Technique +2, Speed +2, Power +2.
Equipping this entry grants Shadow Bonus. When you act in the darkness of night, all your abilities are enhanced by 20%.
[Current Physique: 27 (25+2), Swordsmanship: 18 (16+2), Assassination Techniques: 37 (35+2), Speed: 43 (41+2), Power: 25 (23+2), Shadow Bonus: 20%]
After the fusion, Lian had a subtle feeling. His vision and hearing had been further enhanced.
He pulled open the carriage curtain and looked out at the dark street. The outlines of things hidden in the shadows were sharply defined, like a series of high-definition photographs of the night.
He could even see a scrawny stray dog rummaging through a trash can for food in the darkness.
This meant that even in a lightless environment, he could see things clearly.
Suddenly, a dark figure appeared up ahead, blocking the carriage's path.
CLIP... CLOP... CLIP...
The sound of hooves suddenly stopped.
The sudden stop made Anna lose her balance inside the carriage, and her body pitched forward.
Annie caught her just in time.
Except for Anna, everyone else in the carriage had a certain degree of Combat Power, so they were unaffected.
The driver nervously pulled on the reins and raised his lantern.
The dim light illuminated the person blocking the road ahead.
He was a Knight clad in Armor, but his uniform was not that of the Green Shade Territory. The Armor was engraved with the Blue Moon Mark, and he wore a High Level Honor Medal on his chest. He was a Five-star Knight from the Blue Moon Territory.
He had a very square, traditionally masculine face and stood about two and a half meters tall. With his heavy Armor, he looked like a small mountain standing on the empty street.
Alone, with a single sword, he blocked the carriage. His aura was imposing, as if he intended to assassinate the Lord of Green Shade Territory all by himself.
So, the carriage driver screamed without hesitation,
"Assassin! Protect Lord Lian!"
Annie drew a dagger from her inner thigh, assuming a ready stance.
Sophie's gaze instantly sharpened, and it seemed as if the air around them would freeze in the next second.
Anna's expression was relatively calm. She was just taking deep breaths.
"Don't be nervous. This probably isn't an assassination."
Lian glanced at Sophie and Annie, feeling that Miss Witch and Miss Assassin were being overly tense.
Hearing the driver's shouts, the Guards responsible for protecting Lian immediately rushed to the front of the carriage, blocking the tall and burly Knight from Blue Moon Territory.
"Protect Lord Lian!"
Anderson shouted excitedly, and the other Guards followed his lead.
The noise woke the commoners who had already gone to rest, and one by one, lights flickered on in the buildings on both sides of the street.
Many people were watching the spectacle from behind their glass windows.
Kob shot Anderson a glare. That guy had stolen his line.
He glared ferociously at the Knight from Blue Moon Territory. "How did you get in here?! What are you planning to do to Lord Lian?"
The Knight from Blue Moon Territory suddenly lowered his sword and knelt on one knee. His Armor made a heavy, muffled THUD.
"Lord Lian, I beg you to save Miss Catherine."
Kob and the Guards were all stunned. They hadn't expected the man before them to be here for an assassination, but to ask for help.
Lian looked at Anna in surprise, seeking an explanation.
"Miss Catherine's full name is Catherine Rochelle Hernandez Mehelban Jackson. She is the youngest daughter of Lord Jackson of Blue Moon Territory."
Anna said softly, "According to the news of Blue Moon Territory's destruction, the entire Jackson Family was wiped out. It seems this Knight protected Miss Catherine and helped her survive."
Lian nodded slightly.
"If you're a refugee in need of treatment, go register outside the High Wall and wait. The Lord has already treated many people today and has no more energy to help."
Kob said, lifting his chin.
Although he knew of the Jackson Family, the clan had fallen with the destruction of Blue Moon Territory. The surviving young noblewoman was now nothing more than a title, possessing nothing. She was no different from the other refugees.
"The Jackson Family has not perished. Please, Lord Lian, lend us your aid. The Jackson Family will be eternally grateful to you."
the Knight from Blue Moon Territory said, his voice low and sonorous.
"I already told you, don't disturb Lord Lian. If you continue to block the carriage, don't blame me for being forceful."
Kob gave one of his subordinates a look, and the Guards under his command surrounded the Knight.
At this moment, Lian slowly stuck his head out the window.
"Give me one reason why I must save Miss Catherine."
"Don't you want to know the real reason for Blue Moon Territory's fall? Only Miss Catherine knows this reason. If she dies, no one will ever know."
the Knight said grimly.
"Sir Knight, it seems you're not very good at negotiating."
Lian pulled his head back inside and waved his hand, intending to have the Guards take him away.
'Trying to cut the line to see a doctor without showing any sincerity? Do I look like some hot-blooded Lord who worries about other people's business?'
"Lord Lian, do you want Sequence Five?"
the Knight said.
Lian's head popped out again. He looked at the kneeling Knight and said, "Get in the carriage."
The Knight stood up and, with heavy steps, boarded the carriage.
Kob frowned and had the Guards fall back into formation.
The carriage turned around and, following the Knight's directions, headed back outside the High Wall.
Lian wasn't worried about the Knight lying. With Sophie by his side, his safety was at least 90% guaranteed.
"Isn't Sequence Five in Lady Mary's hands?"
Lian looked at the Knight from Blue Moon Territory with great interest.
Inside the brightly lit carriage, the Knight sat down across from Lian. His Armor was covered in scratches, and his face was etched with weathered lines. This was a battle-hardened Old Knight.
"The Jackson Family and the Frank Clan are related by marriage. Miss Catherine's older brother was Lady Mary's third husband. This is all I can tell you. As for the rest, you must wait for Miss Catherine to wake up and tell you herself."
"An interesting transaction."
Lian said with a smile, leaning back against his seat in the carriage.
"Lord Lian, will it be too taxing to go today?"
Anna asked gently.
Lian waved his hand. "It's fine. It's only one person."
Sophie also looked at Lian, but she could sense that his aura was now completely different from before.
He seemed to have passed his period of weakness.
Although this was strange, Sophie didn't intend to dwell on it.
Because she trusted Lian, she didn't want to pry into his secrets.
Escorted by a squad of Guards, the carriage left the High Wall and headed toward a small village outside the territory.
An hour later, the carriage stopped at a farmhouse in the countryside.