Musou Knight: Crow of Cinders-Chapter 38: Interlude - Professional Stalker

Chapter 38 - Interlude - Professional Stalker

Four days after Bickar and Lenitia crossed paths, Bickar’s troops stationed two kilometers away from the Rascit Bridge. He observed his troops and sighed.

The prolonged trek and their continuous movement behind enemy territory wore his soldiers down. Everybody slept less than 3 hours per day. Their horses dragged their feet, and they rarely raised their heads. Bickar noticed their sluggishness and knew they had reached their breaking point.

Bickar could not find Crow no matter how hard he looked. The last trace came from the secondary entrance of a cave, which was heavily protected by Avaritia forces. Zoli also loitered in the area, making the search impossible.

Giving up on Crow, Bickar regrouped with his men and collected other information for his lord. They captured a few Avaritia soldiers and interrogated them.

Based on the investigation, Zoli had repositioned his troops, gathering 10,000 men in the area and waiting more reinforcement from the other great general. The Avaritia had two missions. Their initial assignment was to apprehend Lenitia Constantia and deliver her to Zoli Diripio. Regarding the second task, their aim was to locate Cash Fraus, the crown prince of Avaritia. He was to be killed on sight.

From the intelligence gathered, Bickar believed Zoli had revolted against King Choi Fraus. This presents a strategic advantage that Invidia could exploit.

Given that Bickar’s principal objective was unsuccessful, he resolved to retreat his forces. Nevertheless, before they could depart, Bickar wished to examine the Rascit Bridge as it was occupied by a different entity, not Constantia personnel.

Bickar’s mounted troops advanced toward the bridge checkpoint. Upon drawing nearer, they recognized the insignia of the unknown army. The troops belonged to the Avaritia royal guard, under the command of Cash Fraus and a level 5 knight from the king’s faction, Slavus Cupiditas.

The men under Bickar’s command glanced at their leader with anticipation. They had been mobile for seven days, yet they hadn’t fought enough. They sought a real battle.

However, Bickar was not as bloodthirsty and stupid as his men. He was not someone who would challenge a great general without thorough preparation.

"We will withdraw. This is not our battle."

The men grumbled, yet they followed their commander, pulling the reins and turning their horses away.

The moment they started their trip back, Bickar detected three musou signatures from the east, advancing south towards the Rascit Bridge. One of them had fire energy. However, they were almost a kilometer away.

"Fire musou energy signature!"

Hearing Bickar’s exclamation, all horsemen pulled their reins and stopped marching.

Bickar was overjoyed. He wondered if the fire user was the same person who Louis Zen was looking for. He ordered his men.

"We’ll change directions! Follow me!"

Under typical circumstances, the cavalry would have covered a kilometer with ease. However, they had been navigating through rough, rocky, and wooded areas. Their horses were exhausted from the extended journey. Some of them had injured hooves.

As a consequence, the musou signatures of targets didn’t seem to get any closer. On the contrary, they traveled faster than Bickar’s forces. Soon, they reached the main road and headed straight toward the Rascit Bridge.

The group was 700 meters ahead of Bickar. He wanted to surge forward, yet half his troops were left behind. He looked back and saw the poor condition of his soldiers.

Then, the group did something absurd. The musou signatures moved off the main road and headed into the woods.

Bickar gritted his teeth and ordered his men.

"All of you, withdraw on your own. I’ll be chasing the fugitive myself!"

As his men would drag him down, Bickar dismounted and chased the trio on foot. His musou energy gathered in his legs as he sprinted.

In a minute, their distance shortened by 500 meters. However, a new issue arose.

The targets were on horseback, and they crossed the river.

Bickar stopped at the riverbank and stared at the current. With his musou energy, he believed he could clear the jump, but a complete night of rest would be necessary to replenish that power. He lacked the necessary strength to escort the three people back.

He changed his plan. As the targets were moving south, their intended destination was likely the Garuda Stand, Constantia’s well-known military fortress. It would be easier if he were to make an official visit with his troops.

Still, they couldn’t just cross the river without going through the Rascit Bridge. They might have to have a chat with Choi Fraus and Slavus Cupiditas.

With newfound determination, Bickar turned right and proceeded directly to the checkpoint, the location of the Avaritia’s royal forces. He arrived alone, holding a white flag.

As soon as the guards noticed him, they raised their weapons, pointing at his face.

"Who are you?! What are you doing over here?!"

Bickar snorted and unleashed his aura. The weapons of the checkpoint guards bounced back, and they faltered.

"Go tell your boss that Bickar Nusus of the Louis Zen Army wishes to talk."

.

Minutes later, two men led a group of knights out of the camp and met Bickar outside the checkpoint.

The person at the front was a young man in his early twenties, clad from head to toe in golden knight armor. He was 175cm tall and thin like someone who had never workout.

Behind him was a heavy knight, carrying a giant bastard sword. However, his full plate armor and helmet were dark brown instead of yellow. Unlike his master, he was a 210cm tall muscle builder and a seasoned warrior, a level 5 musou knight.

Bickar inwardly laughed at the crown prince, Cash Fraus, who stood at the front.

’Your kingdom is being usurped by Zoltan, yet you still parade your wealth. Your family deserves to face ruin. I pity your father.’

Bickar coughed and turned his gaze to the heavy knight behind Choi Fraus. He addressed the great general first.

"Greetings, General Slavus."

Slavus Cupiditas removed his horned helmet, revealing his square-shaped head, wide jawline, and flat nose. His brown hair got some white hair mixed in it.

Slavus didn’t reply. He frowned at Bickar for being disrespectful to his master. As for Cash, he wasn’t bothered by Bickar’s rudeness.

Cash asked Bickar.

"What business does an Invidia knight have in my domain?"

Bickar deeply inhaled and got to the point.

"I have a proposal to make. Will you listen?"

"What proposal?"

"Zoli Diripio has rebelled, has he not?"

"..."

The atmosphere shifted. Everybody behind Slavus exuded killing intent, yet Cash remained unperturbed.

"And?"

"Help us complete our mission, and I’ll escort you to my lord. We will shelter you in our territory and help you reclaim your land from the likes of Zoli. How about it?"