At that moment, Locke sensed a mortal cavalry unit rapidly approaching through the forest. The horses' hooves struck the ground, sending tremors through the forest floor even a hundred meters away.
The youth and the middle-aged man immediately reacted as well. Turning around, they saw the cavalry of their former city-state appearing on a distant hillside.
The middle-aged man immediately tried to flee with the youth, but they had few options. Two legs could not outrun four, and there was no other cover nearby.
Thus, the lush forest became their only choice.
The two of them hurried into the forest, found the largest tree there, and hid behind it.
The cavalry soon reached the riverbank, their warhorses searching the area.
"There are footprints by the river. They were left by the shoes worn only by Trella's nobles. Those two sinners must be nearby. The priest said we must kill them to calm the wrath of the God of War."
"They're here. They couldn't have gone far."
A cavalryman holding an iron blade said, "There aren't many places they could hide. I estimate they're in the forest ahead. We'll dismount and search it. They're sure to be hiding behind that tree."
There were six cavalrymen in total. Another heavily armored cavalryman said, "These sinners who angered the God of War are truly laughable. Do they think there's still anywhere under heaven or on earth where they can hide? I heard their entire family was executed. Everyone connected to them is already dead."
"The Trella City-State will welcome an entirely new regime—the rule of the God of War's Chosen."
The cavalrymen all dismounted and began searching the forest.
Behind the tree, the middle-aged man drove the dagger in his hand into the soil. Then, gritting his teeth, his eyes wavering, he fell