Chapter 199: Chapter 159: The Road Ahead (Still Sealed in the Rolling Cat)_1
“Kind Sir Knight, I shall entrust Miss Greiya to you———!”
Sitting in the carriage, Ann waved excitedly at them while Greiya, with a sorrowful expression, watched the distant carriage. She looked like a puppy abandoned by its master and given away — as if she were on the verge of wailing.
“Well……let’s get going.”
The road to Highrothgar was challenging. In this era, it was a long distance to cover from town to town. Therefore, Duanmu Huai and Greiya could only walk on foot, albeit ……
It was indeed unbearable.
Listen to the birds chirping around him and looking at the scenery in front of him, Duanmu Huai couldn’t help but grumble in his heart.
Generally, traveling itself is quite tedious, especially on long trips . If one doesn’t have something to keep them occupied, it becomes unbearable. Moreover, Greiya is the silent type and rarely speaks — like she was just following Duanmu Huai silently without showing what was on her mind.
Under normal circumstances, Ann could lighten up the mood with her whimsical comments. Now that Ann wasn’t present, Duanmu Huai realized how important she was in setting the ambiance. With her presence, at least the mood wouldn’t be so dull. In Duanmu Huai’s perspective, the best team would have been Greiya accompanying Ann to Highrothgar and him forming a party with Ogis. But evidently, Ann’s goal was for him to get along well with Greiya, hence the specific team formation.
But … what ought we to talk about?
Looking at the silent Greiya beside him, Duanmu scratched his head. He himself wasn’t extroverted or outspoken, and few people dared to interact with him in his daily life.
The girls around Duanmu Huai, each with a distinct personality. The most lively was Ann followed by Lorena. Unlike Ann, who liked to goof around, the priestess only spoke when necessary.
In contrast, Ogis, Greiya, and Audrey were more of the silent type. However, their thoughts varied distinctly from one another.
Although Ogis often remained silent, she was merely observant, akin to a researcher studying nature — she observed without interfering.
Audrey, on the other hand, came off as completely indifferent, seemingly devoid of self-consciousness, even more so than Ogis, like a puppet.
Greiya carried an impression of one who was always thinking but found it difficult to express herself.
Like now, Duanmu Huai could sense her muttering something to herself but couldn’t express it out loud.
Frustrating as it was, they would have to continue at this rhythm, for it was too tormenting.
However, just as Duanmu Huai was about to strike up a conversation, Greiya seemed to have made up her mind. She turned towards Duanmu Huai, and both simultaneously opened their mouths and then looked at each other, stunned.
“No, no, no, Mr. Knight, you go first …”
As she spoke, Greiya lowered her head yet again. Faced with Greiya’s reaction, Duanmu Huai also remained speechless.
“Well … The weather is nice today.”
No good, they’ve run out of things to say.
Luckily, at this moment, Duanmu Huai noted a few figures approaching from down the mountain path. Seeing these figures, Duanmu Huai’s spirit rose. Regardless of friend or foe, they were at least humans, right? They could help lighten his mood on the journey!
However, upon a clear sight of the approaching party, Duanmu Huai’s expression darkened.
Upon the mountain path, several tall figures dressed in golden armor were walking their way. Surrounded by them were several captives — young and old, male and female. These captives, surrounded by the golden soldiers, were trudging forward, their heads hung low.
Watching this scene, Duanmu Huai’s gaze tightened — he spotted the long ears of the golden soldiers — their true identity.
Elves … Are these the elves from this continent?
In many stories, elves are known for their love for nature, pride, and beauty. However, in the world of Star Ocean Online, elves were not something to be lauded. Whether it was the elves from the Novice Planet or the Spirit race from the Cosmic Star Ocean. To the players, they weren’t anything good.
Generally, most Judge Players had two main attitudes towards the Elf Tribe in the world of Star Ocean Online.
Either destroying them completely or making them slaves, peaceful coexistence wasn’t an option, let alone teaming up against enemies. Both dark elves and wood elves deserved to die. The arrogance of the High Elves was also unbearable. Not to mention these elves of this continent dare to regulate humans’ belief through a treaty — this alone was enough for Duanmu Huai to include these long-eared lowlife aliens to his judgment list.
Precisely because of this, upon realizing the newcomers were elves, Duanmu Huai stopped in his tracks. Greiya reacted a tad slower yet just as shocked, she looked at Duanmu Huai in surprise, unsure of his intentions.
Sensing Greiya’s gaze, Duanmu gestured. He then positioned himself boldly across the path, blocking the other party’s way.
It wasn’t long before the High Elves noticed Duanmu Huai’s presence. But they had no intention of stopping. Instead, they marched straight towards Duanmu Huai. Simultaneously, the leading High Elf drew out his longsword, pointing towards him and warned in a loud voice.
“Move aside immediately; we’re carrying out official business!”
Unfazed by the High Elf’s threat, Duanmu Huai looked at the captives and asked.
“What crimes did these people commit?”
“Isn’t it obvious? They have breached the Platinum Treaty, worshiping a false god, and thus they were arrested!”
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai scoffed.
“You lowlife alien freaks with long ears, what right do you have to meddle with humans’ belief?”
Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s words, the leading elf soldier roared in anger, raising his weapon and swinging at Duanmu Huai. However, in the next moment, Duanmu Huai swiftly reached out a hand, directly grabbing the soldier’s head. With a powerful squeeze, the elf soldier’s head was crushed like a walnut, instantly turning him into a corpse.
Seeing this, the remaining high elf soldiers hastily drew their weapons and charged at Duanmu Huai.
Facing the rushing high elf soldiers, Duanmu Huai roared in fury, flinging the headless corpse in his hand towards them. Meanwhile, transforming himself into a rampaging bull, he charged at the enemy in front of him! He didn’t even take out his Thunder Waraxe, simply clenched his fists and slammed into the high elves!
Facing the imposing Duanmu Huai, the high elf soldiers were taken aback, and a wave of fear washed over them, like invisible chains shackling their further actions. Before they could respond, Duanmu Huai shot out his hands, seizing two of the high elves, lifting them high, gripping their heads and smashing them together!
Under the blow of Duanmu Huai’s huge hands, the heads of the two high elves were smashed apart. Meanwhile, the rest of the high elves unleashed streams of lightning from their palms, hitting Duanmu Huai. However, the high elves’ magic was a mere tickle to Duanmu Huai. He charged straight through their magical attack, reached out and grabbed the arm of one casting the magic and yanked outward! He tore the high elf into two pieces with sheer brute force!!
In an instant, the high elf army guarding the human prisoners suffered heavy casualties. The last high elf, seeing the dire situation, attempted to flee. However, Duanmu Huai merely raised his hand in his direction and the next moment, an invisible force bound the fleeing elf, dragging him back.
The frail high elf was smashed to the ground, emitting a painful wail. Duanmu Huai coldly stared at him and asked.
“Where were you planning to take these prisoners?”
“…You…Who…who are you? Are you a rebel?”
“That’s not the answer I want.”
In response to the high elf’s question, Duanmu Huai slightly shifted his foot. The next moment, accompanied by a sharp scream, the elf soldier’s leg snapped in an impossible direction.
“Answer my question.”
“North…North Tower Fortress! It’s a prison specifically for holding rebels and prisoners!”
Faced with Duanmu Huai’s inquiry, the high elf soldier didn’t dare to say anything unnecessary and tremblingly pulled a map from his bag, handing it over. Duanmu Huai scanned the map and nodded.
“Good, then you can die now.”
“Wait! You can’t. I’ve answered your question, please spare my life…”
But before the high elf soldier could finish speaking, Duanmu Huai stomped on his head, bursting it. Duanmu Huai then stood up and turned to look at the gathered human prisoners. Unexpectedly, they hadn’t tried to seize the opportunity to escape but were huddled together, shaking uncontrollably and not daring to move.
Duanmu Huai waved his hand dismissively. Hearing his words, the humans timidly thanked him, then hurriedly departed.
It wasn’t until then that Greiya approached Duanmu Huai, asking hesitantly.
“Sir Knight, why did you do that?”
Truth be told, the events that had just occurred had left Greiya completely stunned. After all, Duanmu Huai’s attacks were so fast that by the time Greiya realized what was happening, the group of high elves had been almost entirely wiped out by Duanmu Huai.
“Because I am a Judge.”
Duanmu Huai stood up and looked at Greiya.
“Miss Greiya, do you know the duty of a Judge?”
“Protecting humans, combating chaos, eliminating all threats against humans, in other words…”
At this point, Duanmu Huai coldly surveyed the corpses of the high elves.
“Any race that opposes humans is my target for eradication, whether they are elves, giant dragons, or even deities.”
After all, wouldn’t he, as the ruler of his own world fragment, tolerate any races oppressing humans within his realm?
Could he still call himself a Judge then?
Faced with Duanmu Huai’s response, Greiya hesitated for a moment and finally murmured.
“Maybe…humans are also at fault?”
“That’s none of my concern.”
However, Duanmu Huai’s reply bluntly cut off Greiya’s argument.
“I’m a Judge. My duty is to protect humans. It’s as simple as that.”
With that, Duanmu Huai stared at Greiya.
“On the other hand, Miss Greiya, which side are you on?”
“Answer my question, Miss Greiya.”
Duanmu Huai stared at Greiya, speaking slowly.
“Do you choose humans or the giant dragon?”