After a brief discussion, the two decided to divide the tasks. Laine instructed Estelle to go back and inform the caravan that this fortress was not a suitable resting place. Once he saw the half-elf leave, Laine redirected his gaze to the solitary wooden door opposite the broken staircase.
The seven or eight steps of distance was a hurdle no ordinary person could overcome; even the agile skills of a half-elf could not surmount it.
But I'm different, I am my father's son.
If I want to do it, I'll do it. Laine began to retreat step by step; he pulled back seven or eight steps, then moved forward. His right leg stomped down hard, leaping into the air, as the powerful spiritual energy gathered around him, lifting his heavy chain armor and body like the gentle breeze of early spring. Following the sound of landing, the White Wolf Knight successfully landed on the other side.
The heavy and decayed wooden door was pushed open with brute force by the White Wolf Knight, the wooden latch shattered under Laine's immense power. As he opened the door, Laine quickly stepped back and raised his warhammer, ready for battle.
No movement occurred; the imagined attack didn't happen. Upon entering the room, the interior was extremely simple, just a table, a basic wooden bed, a window sealed shut from the inside, and a skeleton sitting in a chair.
From the cobwebs and dust on the skeleton, it appeared this skeleton had been here for at least two years; the body had completely decomposed, and its hand rested on top of this book.
"The skull is intact, which means he was always human," Laine muttered to himself.
It is sometimes difficult to explain the Empire's obsession with skulls; all the Knight Corps' emblems include the skull design, and the Holy Crown, symbolizing the identity of the Emperor of the Empire, is shaped like a skull. Whether it is the Emperor himself or the Prince-Electors that symbolize the cornerstone of human power, they all like to adorn themselves with skull designs.
When Laine first arrived in this world, he thought it was some Monkey D. Luffy who had inaugurated the Great Pirate Era, and everyone wanted to be the Pirate King, so they loved using this symbol. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by noⅴelfire.net
It was only later he learned that the skull symbolizes purity.
The temptations of Chaos always threaten humanity, and anyone who succumbs to Chaos will experience horrifying mutations. Once fallen, they can never return to their original form; only the pure and spotless skull proves they never succumbed to Chaos.
Similarly, skulls are cherished trophies for Chaos Warriors, Chaos Champions, and even Demon Princes.
With doubts and curiosity, Laine gently picked up the book.
The book was very old, with some parts having blurred handwriting, and some ink had faded due to poor preservation. This person's Low Gothic was quite awkward, with many typos, even some strange characters pieced together forcefully. But its general meaning could still be comprehended.
Low Gothic is the language used by ordinary farmers, citizens, and even low-level nobles. This language is straightforward and easy to grasp, although not standardized in writing or accent. While High Gothic allows the great nobles of the Continent to converse fluidly and easily, the Low Gothic of the Nord Kingdom and the Tuscan Prince-Elector's Territory in the Southern Empire is writing to pronunciation essentially two different languages.
"Imperial Calendar 1469, my third year coming to Scavell Mountain."
Laine frowned; this was more than a decade ago.
"Today something big happened. A brother said he saw someone washing clothes at the river source while heading into the mountain. Ha, we found it amusing! How could anyone be seen in this godforsaken place? No one would spend two days coming here to wash clothes. I suppose we could laugh at this joke all day long, hahahaha~"
"Hmm, I think my brothers have all gone mad. Today, two loyal soldiers told me they saw someone washing clothes at the river source. Yet, they couldn't describe what the person looked like or articulate clearly, only saying they felt the person was very tall, extremely tall, with long golden hair."
"These blockheads have really lost it! Today, they told me they saw someone washing clothes while patrolling. What's going on? Have their years in the military taught them nothing but seeing people wash clothes?"
"I feel something seems off. More and more soldiers report seeing this scene as if truly a household exists deep in the mountain."
"Perhaps I should take some men to check it out."
Next is a long blank section, several pages torn out, then it switches to different handwriting.
"Imperial Calendar 1472, our fortress hosted an annoying Mission Knight. These knights from Brittania's heads seem not very sharp, who told him about the legend of sealed demons deep in the mountains?"
"Something seems off. The Mission Knight has been gone for over a week yet there is still no news."
Next few pages are all scribbles, mixed with dust, dirt, and some inexplicable characters.
"Thank heavens! It's the mysterious hermit who saved us! Damn Brittania Knight! To display martial valor to his lady, he truly did lure terrifying Beastman Warbands upon us! We fought fiercely but were outnumbered; at the critical moment, our acquaintance came to rescue us. My, I've never seen such a tall and powerful person; my head barely reaches his arm!"
"Our friend wore extremely large full plate armor, a black wolfskin cape, wielding a giant one-handed sword. He swung his sword and decapitated the invincible Screaming Shaman; the Beast King fled in panic, and the Beastmen finally retreated."
"We brought out our finest food and cherished wine to entertain this guest. Our friend did not hesitate but unwillingly revealed his name and title, saying he is a condemned person not convenient to disclose name or title. He inquired about the World Tree, but unfortunately, none of us knew. We could only tell him the southern Knight Kingdoms have many elves. Disappointed, he bid us farewell."
The following are some day-to-day logs. Laine flipped strongly backward, noting the diary and handwriting had changed to another guard captain.
Flipping to the last few pages, the writing became urgent: "Beastmen have come again, numbering in thousands, they've besieged the fortress. We can't hold on; at best by tomorrow, tomorrow morning, if reinforcements don't arrive...we will fight until the last man."
"We couldn't escape. The fierce battle attracted greenskins who emerged from the basement. The greenskins attacked us and the Beastmen indiscriminately, granting us respite. In despair, Hans activated mechanisms to destroy the staircase; I retreated here."
"We couldn't escape."
The diary or military logs end here.
Full plate armor? Wolfskin cape? Tall stature? Laine frowned. Those who use wolfskin decorations are mostly knights from the White Wolf Knight Order. He pondered if someone matched the description.
Hmm~ a condemned person, who alone repelled Beastman Warbands, also inquiring about the World Tree...
Laine's eyes gradually lit up.
Yes, it must be him, no one else could fit.
The former Alpha Wolf, once decreed as "Wolf Lord" by the White Wolf War God, former leader of the White Wolf Knight Order, a Holy Sanctuary Powerhouse, known as "Ironclaw" Logan Flints.
Yet, in the Great Holy War 150 years ago, Logan tasted shameful defeat. In the war against the Chaos Army, the White Wolf Knight Order suffered massive losses; the White Wolf Archbishop gloriously died. Though no one held him accountable after the war, this great White Wolf Paladin chose self-exile, leaving behind the emblem of honor, departing White Wolf City on his own, never to be heard from again.
But why was he seeking the World Tree?
Laine instinctively felt there must be a story involved, likely related to Yurik's descent.
What exactly was Logan searching for? Why did Yurik descend specifically for a Beastman's head?
More and more questions filled Laine's mind.
Until the savage horn outside pulled his thoughts back to reality; Laine immediately realized something was happening outside.
Right! Why hasn't Estelle returned yet!?
Damn it, something's wrong!