030. Ethan And His Army

Someone from the cavalry approached Ethan, he immediately dismounted from his horse and removed his combat helmet. 

The face of a man in his 50s with short black hair and a rather thick black mustache. Only annoyance could be drawn from that face. 

"Captain Ethan, we don't need to discuss with criminals," said the old knight named Anthon.

"Anthon, don't be like that. They're under the protection of uncle Zhen, my former master," Ethan responded. 

"That elf? Captain Ethan, he's just an elf, he definitely can't wield a sword. He could have used magic to brainwash you." Anthon stared at Zhen as if looking at a slave. 

"Their race is just a race of tricksters with all their sorcery. I'll kill you for brainwashing Captain Ethan!" Anthon dashed quickly at the elf.

Before Anthon slashed at Zhen, Ethan suddenly appeared in front of Anthon, standing between him and the elf. 

*THUMP! 

Ethan kicked Anthon so hard that the knight with his thick mustache was knocked unconscious after being thrown several meters forward. 

"You're a great leader Ethan, you're able to protect the lives of your subordinates," Zhen said very casually. 

Ethan sighed heavily, "If I hadn't stopped him, you would have killed him, right?"

"Hahaha! You're overreacting, I don't kill that casually. I'm just going to cut off both of his hands, that's all."

Ethan facepalming and sighed once more. "Somehow I've gotten used to that bad habit of yours. I can't afford to lose any more troops than this anyway."

"Lost troops?"

"WOOAAAHHHH!!!" Alice and Zaltar shouted in excitement, making Zhen and Ethan stare at those two people. 

"Incredible, movement that's even faster than the blink of an eye!" said Zaltar.

"Great! I can see firsthand the speed of the lightning sword!" said Alice, delighted. 

Zhen and Ethan refocused on the conversation after looking at Ethan's fans. 

"What do you mean you lost troops? You have more troops than this?" asked Zhen restarting the conversation.

"There were actually 100 of us, but on the way, we met one high-level demon." Ethan explained carefully. 

"Wait a minute, only one? What kind of demon is it?"

"Ancient Abyss Demon."

Zhen's eyes immediately widened for a few moments then looked at Ethan seriously, "Who summoned that damned thing?"

"I don't know, it suddenly appeared and managed to kill 20 of our knights. We also lost a lot of supplies due to the demon's attack. Fortunately, we managed to kill it."

"Hmnn... Killed it? What did the demon look like?"

"His body is big and black, he has one white horn in the middle of his forehead and his speed is extremely terrifying. He can use abyss magic, that's what overwhelmed us."

"A demon with one white horn who can do abyss magic? Ethan, can you order your troops to line up now? And order them to take off their armor.

"I can, but what for, uncle Zhen?"

"Just do it."

Ethan ordered his troops to march. Everyone lined up except Anthon who was lying on the ground. 

"Ethan, who are the wounded among your troops?" asked Zhen as he walked over to the row of troops wearing only tunics and trousers.

"We're all injured, that demon is capable of using troublesome ranged-type magic," Ethan replied swiftly. 

"I mean physical attacks."

"You mean like a slash?"

"I mean like -" Zhen instantly stopped walking when he saw someone in the row of knights. "I mean like a bite or a scratch."

Zhen stood in front of a knight who had a scratch on his cheek. 

"Ethan, your army is in danger," Zhen said looking at the knight with the scratch on his face.

The knight immediately smiled broadly. "Looks like I got caught."

Just from that smile and Zhen's words, Ethan instantly realized what was happening. His eyes widened and he immediately grasped the hilt of his sword.

*BHUK!

Zhen hit the knight before Ethan could pull out his sword. The knight was thrown so far away that it could not be seen by the naked eye. 

All of Eleindal's troops were shocked and still didn't understand what had happened. 

"Ethan, what you're fighting is (The White Plague). As long as it manages to claw or bite you, it won't be completely dead," Zhen said walking up to Ethan. 

"Then, who are we fighting yesterday?" Ethan asked frantically.

"If you did kill that thing like you said, its strength should be drastically reduced. You won't have much trouble this time."

Zhen walked past Ethan who was still shocked. 

"Uncle Zhen, help us. We need your help." 

Zhen stopped walking and glanced at Ethan who was a little worried. "Ethan, you know me. If you need my help, just mention your contract price."

"Alright, what do I have to pay to get your help?"

"I'm not interested, I'm too lazy right now." Zhen continued to walk towards Nala's bar.

"Uncle Zhen! Stop joking around!"

Ethan immediately looked at Nala who was just smiling at Zhen's behavior. "You! Persuade uncle Zhen!"

"Ara... I think you should know better than me. No one can change Mister Zhen's mind."

"You won't need my help anyway," Zhen said as he continued walking. 

"AAARRRGGGHHH!!! SHIT!!!" Ethan shouted loudly while scratching his head. 

Ethan walked straight to his troops.

"Everyone, put on your armor, we'll prepare to fight the same demons as yesterday."

All of Eleindal's knights were immediately startled. 

"Eh? The demon from yesterday?"

"He's not dead?"

"Philip is the demon from yesterday?"

"Philip is a demon?"

"We're going to fight Philip?"

"But Philip still owes me money."

With all that talk, Ethan was getting stressed. "Everyone shut up! The important thing now is to get ready to fight the demon. Put on your armor!"

"Yes, sir!" replied all the knights in unison. 

While Ethan prepared his troops, Zhen walked towards Nala's bar.

Zaltar suddenly confronted Zhen. "Mister Zhen, I know we have to leave today and I have to follow your orders, but -"

"You can go," Zhen said, cutting Zaltar off.

"Eh? But I haven't said anything yet."

"You want to fight that demon to improve your sword technique, don't you?"

"Y... Yes..."

"In that case, go. Don't take too long," Zhen said, resuming his steps.

"Ma'am Nala. Me too," said Alice who suddenly stood in Nala's way.

"Ara... Do you want to fight that demon too?" asked Nala to the waitress whose eyes sparkled with optimism. 

"A good knight wouldn't let a demon roam around. Allow me not to work this time."

Nala could only smile, "Ara... Ara... Young people these days like to rebel a lot. Alright, off you go."

Alice immediately smiled widely. "Thank you, Ma'am Nala."

Alice ran straight into the bar and went straight to her room to get her sword. 

Inside the bar, in front of the counter, sat Zhen who was drinking beer with his mug that almost empty.

"Nala, can I have more beer? Cheap beer is fine," Zhen said, holding up his empty mug. 

Nala walked to the counter and did her thing.

"You did this on purpose, Mister Zhen? Sending two people as your replacements," Nala said while going to the beer rack and grabbing a clementine beer.

"Woah, are you sure you're giving me this one?" Zhen asked for confirmation. 

"Consider it a parting gift. It's still under contract anyway, right?"

"Thank you. I'll take it with pleasure."

"So? You're seriously letting them go?"

"Those with potential deserve to grow. Let them do as they please."

"I guess that's true," Nala said as she poured beer into Zhen's mug.