Xiuwolf stood behind those retainers like a wolf king commanding a pack.
The bronze daggers in the tribe warriors' hands were more terrifying than the fangs of vicious wolves.
And they held an overwhelming advantage in numbers.
But the veteran soldiers Jon had brought revealed their fearless nature.
One by one, they drew their swords and stood before Jon, even though they wore no protection whatsoever.
"Elder Xiuwolf, what... what are you trying to do?!"
Haken, standing nearby, also assumed a fighting stance. But he soon realized that Xiuwolf and his group were not targeting him, but Jon and the others.
Xiuwolf ignored Sola and said,
"Haken, Sola! We are all from the Painted Dog Tribe. I naturally would not force you two. Today, Jon has only two choices: climb up there, or die!"
"No!" Sola stepped in front of Jon again. "Whether he comes or leaves, that is his choice. You cannot do this!"
As a girl, Sola's martial skill could not have been particularly high.
Yet at this moment, she displayed the agility of a mother leopard.
In a flash, she sprang in front of Jon.
Old York, watching from the side, was moved by the sight.
Even some knights who prided themselves on their loyalty and courage could not repeatedly shield someone they had known for only a few days as she did.
On the other side, Haken's eyes revealed a trace of despair as he watched the scene unfold.
"Hmph, foolish girl." Xiuwolf spoke softly, then looked at Haken. "Haken, you saw it too. That girl does not care about you at all. Come over here. Help us take this brat down.
"If you truly want her that badly, heh heh, you can have her right here. I'll pretend I saw nothing!"
Hearing Xiuwolf's words, Sola