The Rescue
Northern Border Road.
Sulu was riding a horse and heading towards Wolf Castle.
Although the horse was quite old, it was the only one in Ward Village, so he bought it to use as a mode of transportation.
Along with the horse was a gleaming iron sword, which came from the village's only blacksmith, and it wasn't even his work, but rather from his collection.
"With horses and swords... even if they're not nobles, they're still free citizens, at least guaranteeing they won't be subjected to snobbish contempt..."
Sulu seemed very pleased.
People like him have a special name in this world— the Wandering Knight!
Most of the Wandering Knight come from noble families. As the second or third son who cannot inherit the family fief, they have received special knight training, but they cannot break through the level of a formal knight. They can only serve as squires of high-ranking nobles or travel around to make a living, hoping to break through the bottleneck of the Black Iron rank.
Besides these, there are also some lucky ones from the poor, or some mercenaries.
The Wandering Knight were elusive and fond of war, like a pack of hounds chasing after gunpowder, vying for every chance to become nobles.
Of course, most of the time, they would die on the roadside, turning into a rotting corpse, due to various inexplicable reasons such as illness or robbery, or in Tournament and various small conflicts.
Only a select few can gain the favor of higher-ranking nobles, establish merit, obtain a small fiefdom, and become a member of the hereditary nobility.
Such examples will be widely circulated, inspiring generations of young people, or rather, mindless hotheads, to embark on the battlefield to risk their lives for others.
The Wandering Knight varied in skill level, but at least they all had their own mounts and weapons, and could serve as cavalry in battle.
However, almost none of them reached the level of Black Iron Knight.
Because if one breaks through this barrier, one can receive good treatment under any noble, thus avoiding the need to wander around looking for opportunities.
As for the 'strange costumes' they wore before, they were naturally replaced with local clothing.
"Although it's a main road, it feels like it's only slightly less overgrown and a bit smoother than other places... What a tragic world."
Sulu's eyes were half-closed, and a wisp of Inspiration began to emerge.
In this world, his Inspiration detection range was also weakened, but it was still able to function.
Just then, a commotion arose ahead.
Let's go!
He spurred his horse up a hillside, looked down, and saw a battlefield.
A group of men who looked like bandits were attacking a carriage.
The carriage was very simple, but it flew the Wolf Banner of the Metis Family and was accompanied and guarded by four knights.
At this moment, they roared and engaged in a fierce battle with dozens of bandits.
"Damn Mountain Clan, you despicable thieves, disgusting bandits... how dare you come down from the mountains?"
A knight roared and charged at the bandits.
Although he wasn't Black Iron Knight, he was still wearing full leather armor. He spurred his horse and used its power to charge into the crowd. With a swift movement, his spear pierced the chests of two bandits.
These mountain bandits clearly didn't have any good equipment; they were all covered in animal skins, some even carrying stone axes, and they didn't have any horses.
If it weren't for the obstacles and traps set up on the road that trapped the carriage, we might not have even been able to catch up with it.
"Waaah!"
"Hurrah!"
The short, dark-skinned Mountain Clan, their faces obscured by various paints, roared and swung their throwing kegs.
This is a tool that uses ropes to string stones together, and in their hands, it has demonstrated unimaginable power and accuracy.
With a whoosh!
A dark shadow flashed, and the flying stone rope accurately entangled the knight, knocking him off his horse.
Bang!
The knight fell heavily to the ground and was swarmed by the surrounding bandits.
"That idiot Wade!"
Beside the carriage, the other three knights' expressions changed drastically. "Too reckless... Does he think he's a Black Iron level expert?"
Puff!
Just then, the sound of something cutting through the air came from behind.
A rough bone arrow was embedded in the wooden plank of the carriage, its tail feathers still trembling.
"Protect the lady and young lady!"
The leading knight roared, somewhat helpless as he faced the approaching bandits.
After all, the carriage had fallen into a trap and couldn't escape in a short time.
"Mom... I'm scared!"
Inside the carriage, a girl of about thirteen or fourteen clung tightly to her mother's arm, her face filled with fear.
She was dressed in an exquisite classic long dress, very well-groomed, and looked every bit the elegant noblewoman.
However, all etiquette and manners pale and weak in the face of such absolute violence.
"Don't be afraid, Linna! We are members of the Metis Family, even if we are from a collateral branch, we still have the Blood of the Running Wolf flowing in our veins!"
Her mother, a noblewoman, embraced her and whispered words of comfort.
On the hillside, Sulu calmly watched this scene. "Slaughter and survival... are they the eternal themes of this land?"
His gaze suddenly turned to the distance.
There, a knight in heavy black armor was galloping towards them.
His black horse was nearly two meters tall and muscular, an absolutely excellent warhorse!
Furthermore, their entire bodies were covered in metal armor, which was extremely rare in that era.
A single full set of knight's armor might be worth half a manor!
"Reinforcements have arrived, interesting! Is this... the power of the Black Iron Knight? It's indeed comparable to a Tier 1 physical damage dealer."
Sulu stopped what he was doing and continued watching the show.
The Black Iron Knight he saw resembled a war fortress, charging into the bandit horde. The blade of his greatsword seemed to shimmer with a faint light, easily slicing through animal hides and human bodies.
"Whirlwind!"
The Black Iron Knight roared, his hand spinning 360 degrees, clearing away a bloody hellscape.
Immediately, he dismounted, and even though he was wearing heavy armor weighing tens or hundreds of pounds, it was as if he were wearing a piece of linen clothing. He killed the mountain bandits with extraordinary agility.
"It's a knight!"
"A true knight!"
"Retreat!"
The bandits were not a real army; after a number of them were killed, they immediately retreated in panic.
The Black Iron Knight did not give chase, but instead knelt before the carriage, saying, "Lady Monfali?"
"I am here!"
A noblewoman lifted the carriage curtain. "So it's Mars Mas of the Gill Family. Thank you for coming! Your family has always been loyal to the Wolf Banner, and your bravery just now reminded me of your father's demeanor..."
"I am delighted to see that Madam and Miss are safe and sound. May I escort them to Wolf Castle?"
"The Black Iron Knight shouted."
"Thanks!"
Lady Monfali's voice suddenly became somewhat choked with sobs.
Mars stepped forward, grabbed the carriage with both hands, and with a little effort, lifted it out of the pit.
Immediately, the group continued on their journey.
After mounting his horse, he glanced at a small hill not far away.
There, a fellow who looks like Wandering Knight has been spying on them.