Verdia pulled her fist free from Kane’s grip and stepped back, her face twisted in fury.

’This bastard... how?’

Verdia was an elite knight of the Millenia Empire, and no dirty savage from the forest was going to humiliate her in front of her squad.

She rubbed her reddened knuckles and pointed a finger at Kane’s chest.

"Draw your weapons," Verdia commanded, her voice ringing out like a bell over the silent square.

"Bring this dog to his knees."

The tension in the air skyrocketed immediately.

Two of the remaining knights swung their legs over their saddles and dropped to the dirt with practiced grace.

They drew silver swords from their scabbards, the polished metal glinting sharply in the morning sun. The barbarians behind Kane tightened their grip on their iron spears, fully ready to turn these arrogant women into pincushions, but Kane raised a hand to stop them.

He wanted to handle this personally.

The two knights charged forward with excellent coordination.

One aimed a low sweeping strike at his legs while the other thrust her blade toward his chest.

Kane did not even bother drawing his axes.

He sidestepped the thrust effortlessly, pivoting on his heel to dodge the low sweep, then moved with a fluid grace that completely belied his massive size.

His hand reached out and grabbed the wrist of the knight thrusting at him.

With a twist, he forced her hand open and snatched the silver sword right out of her grip.

"Wha-?"

He spun the blade in his hand to test the balance and blocked a sudden overhead strike from the second knight.

Shing.

The clash of steel rang out loudly. Kane kicked the second knight squarely in the stomach, sending her stumbling backward into the dirt.

Verdia rushed in to support her squad, swinging a broadsword towards his neck.

Kane ducked under the blade, then stepped into her guard, and slapped the side of her ass across her armored backside.

Slap.

The humiliating sound echoed across the entire training ground. Verdia’s body jolted forward, her eyes widening in shock and embarrassment.

She was a respected commander, and this barbarian just slapped her like a misbehaving tavern whore.

"You... you filthy animal-!" she screamed, voice cracking with rage and embarrassment.

"I’ll kill you for that!"

Kane stood his ground, resting the stolen sword over his shoulder with a smile.

He did not go all out or use his skills and just played with them, proving his overwhelming superiority without spilling a single drop of blood.

"Enough," Greta shouted, pushing her way into the center of the fight before the knights could charge again.

"Stand down right now. All of you."

The three knights hesitated, their eyes darting between the dangerous warlord and their former commander.

They slowly lowered their weapons but kept their glares fixed firmly on Kane.

Greta stepped between them, her chest heaving slightly under her robe. She looked at Verdia with a complicated mix of old affection and regret.

"It has been a long time, Verdia," Greta said softly.

"I never thought the Empire would send my old squad out here just to find me."

Verdia straightened her posture and glared at the village chief.

The shock of finding her former high-ranking commander living in squalor was quickly replaced by deep disappointment.

"How could you?" Verdia asked, gesturing wildly at the surrounding barbarians.

"You were one of our best. Now you are consorting with these filthy barbarians. The Empress will hear of your shame, Greta."

Verdia turned her glare back to Kane. Her face was still bright red from the humiliating slap, and her blue eyes burned with unhidden rage.

"You dare lay your filthy hands on me?" Verdia spat, gripping her broadsword so tightly her knuckles turned white.

"This is not over, barbarian. Mark my words. I will return with a full company, and I will drag Greta back to the capital in chains."

Greta stepped forward, her voice calm but carrying the unmistakable authority she once held over them.

"Tell the Empress I have no intention of returning. My exile is permanent, and this village is under my protection now."

Kane stepped up right beside Greta.

"You are welcome to bring more of your sisters next time," Kane said, his voice carrying easily over the wind.

"I will be very happy to give them the same warm welcome I just gave you."

Verdia’s face burned even hotter.

She barely restrained herself from charging him again, but she knew she was outmatched here.

"Mount up," Verdia ordered her squad.

The three knights hurried back to their white horses and climbed into their saddles.

Verdia swung herself onto her mount and pulled the reins tight. She looked down at the mixed crowd of villagers and barbarians with absolute contempt.

"Enjoy your little mud village while it lasts," Verdia said, her voice dripping with cold arrogance.

"Millennia do not forget."

They turned their horses around and rode out of the square dramatically.

Their white capes flowed beautifully behind them as they galloped through the main gates, leaving a thick cloud of dust settling over the dirt road.

Kane watched them leave, his smile growing wider.

’Four high-quality imperial milfs,’ Kane thought, crossing his arms over his chest.

’And they will definitely come back with a much stronger force. Good. The bigger the prey, the better the conquest.’

Later that night, the village finally settled into an uneasy quiet.

Kane sat shirtless on a stool inside his new house. Thora stood behind him with a sharp pair of iron shears, carefully cutting his long red hair shorter so it would not blind him in the middle of a fight.

Sira sat on the edge of the large bed, cleaning her bow, while Grieselda stood quietly in the corner, watching them all with her indifferent eyes.

"They were wearing imperial silver," Sira noted, not looking up from her bow.

"Those knights are no joke, Chief. If they bring a full company, we will need more than traps to hold the walls."

"Let them come," Kane replied calmly, enjoying the feeling of Thora’s soft boobs pressing his head.

"They are too arrogant to believe we can actually beat them. I will use that arrogance against them when the time comes."

He looked across the room and met Grieselda’s blank stare.

She did not say a word, but her strange heartbeat echoed quietly in his ears, reminding him of the sleeping power resting right inside his own house.

A blue window suddenly popped up in his vision, casting a soft glow over the dimly lit room.

[Hidden Quest Updated: Corrupt the Millenia Knights: 8%]

[New Threat Detected: Millenia Empire]

The game was expanding, throwing harder enemies and better prizes into his path.

It’s time he steps out to show who’s the predator here.