Asking for Directions

Fortunately, these Cavalry were clearly well-trained and disciplined.

The Cavalry at the head of the column, though in a loose formation, had a clear division of labor. They seemed to have scouted the terrain beforehand and carefully planned their route, skillfully avoiding obstacles such as bushes and rocks on the riverbank meadows.

This was undoubtedly done to protect their beloved warhorses, as horses are crucial equipment for Cavalry.

Seeing that most of the Cavalry had circled around the bushes, the two men, who had been on tenterhooks, finally breathed a sigh of relief. They were safe!

However, just as they were secretly rejoicing, an unusual Cavalry squad suddenly stopped at the edge of the bushes without warning.

Immediately afterwards, a knight clad in heavy black armor leaped off his horse and rode straight toward the bushes.

As the black-armored knight approached, he suddenly stopped and asked, "Who are you?"

Before he could finish speaking, the black-armored knight stood directly opposite where the two were hiding.

In an instant, the two froze on the spot as if struck by lightning, their minds blank.

Oh no, this is really the end... Why are we so unlucky! Why did they have to find out? In an instant, all sorts of thoughts rushed into their minds, completely throwing them into a panic.

Without further hesitation, the two fled from the bushes like startled birds.

They stood there, panting and still shaken, their bodies trembling slightly with fear.

The black-armored knight stared sharply at the two ragged men before him, carefully examining their clothing and expressions.

Based on his years of experience fighting on the battlefield, he immediately concluded that these two men could not possibly be enemy soldiers who had laid an ambush beforehand.

So he waved his arm, signaling the Cavalry behind him who were on high alert to lower their taut bowstrings.

Immediately afterwards, the black-armored knight asked again in a deep and authoritative voice, "Who are you? Why are you here?"

One of the farmers stammered, "Sir... we are just ordinary farmers from the nearby villages!"

This morning, just as dawn broke, we drove our cattle and sheep to this grassland to graze.

Summer is almost here, and the wheat harvest will be just around the corner. If these livestock don't eat well and gain weight, the harvest will depend entirely on them!

That's why we came so early, we really didn't mean anything by it!

As for hiding in the bushes just now, I was really scared!

We've never seen such a majestic army before, and our hearts are pounding with fear that we might offend you gentlemen... Please, have mercy on us and don't hold it against us two cowards!

The black-armored knight looked at the distant grassland and indeed saw scattered cattle and horses, knowing that the two men were not lying.

"Your cattle and sheep have all run away; it'll probably take quite a bit of work to find them!"

The black-armored knight spoke in a very polite tone, but to the two men, it sounded as if he were trying to steal the cattle and horses!

One of them knelt on the ground in desperation. "Sir, please have mercy! These animals don't belong to us. They belong to Master Dede, the landlord of our village. If you take them away, our whole family will be sold into slavery by Master Dede!"

After saying that, he quickly began to kowtow, and the other person also knelt on the ground and kowtowed.

The black-armored knight looked at the two people trembling with fear before him and couldn't help but feel a little helpless.

He had only intended to ask for directions, but he hadn't expected his words to cause such a misunderstanding. So he quickly waved his hands and explained, "Don't be afraid, I mean no harm, I won't hurt you, and I certainly won't harm your livestock."

I simply wish to ask you two a few questions. If you can answer them truthfully, I will reward you handsomely once the matter is settled!

Despite the black-armored knight's earnest assurances, the two men remained skeptical. After all, it was difficult for them to completely let their guard down when faced with such a fully armed and imposing stranger.

However, even with their doubts, they dared not openly contradict this mysterious, unpredictable black-armored knight, fearing for their lives. At this moment, it seemed they had no other choice but to silently pray that what he said was true.

Finally, after a long silence, one of the men mustered his courage and asked, "Sir... what would you like to ask?"

The black-armored knight nodded slightly in satisfaction, then pressed on, asking, "What place is this? How far is it from Moke Town?"

Upon hearing this question, the two exchanged glances, their eyes revealing hesitation and unease. Finally, the one who had spoken earlier broke the silence, stammering, "My lord, this is Black Duck Village, under the jurisdiction of Wright County. The villagers are all under the Duke's protection. As for getting to Moke Town, you must travel north along this river for about twenty kilometers to reach your destination!"

"Alright, by the way, since you are the Grand Duke's direct subjects, why are you afraid of that Lord Dede?" The black-armored knight looked at the two people in front of him with suspicion.