Chapter 20: War Descends

"Roland, come back!" Marlin shouted in excitement.

At that moment, Roland was already prepared. He tensed his nerves and exerted all his strength to jump backward, escaping the attackers' range before they could fully develop their attack. Seeing Roland retreat, the three men hiding in the bushes also grew nervous. They slowly emerged from the thicket and appeared directly in front of Roland and his companions.

These three men were dressed as ordinary civilians, but their demeanor still betrayed their professional military background.

Being so close to the Turin battlefield, if soldiers appeared here who weren't French, they could only be enemies. Immediately, Roland and his companions became tense.

"Damn it, we've been spotted. (in Austrian German)"

"Kill them, leave no survivors. Otherwise, our mission will fail. (in Austrian German)"

"Bill, they're just some kids. They won't affect the mission. I can easily kill them. (in Austrian German)"

"They're speaking Austrian German. These people are soldiers of the Holy Roman Empire," Marlin translated for the others, understanding some Austrian German himself.

"Don't be afraid. There are four of us, and only three of them," Roland encouraged Jobs and John.

"Attack!" Just as Roland spoke, the enemy suddenly lunged at him, hands raised, aiming to strangle him.

At the same time, standing beside Roland, Marlin also sprang into action. With a forceful step forward, he kicked another enemy to the ground.

Seeing Roland and Marlin take action, John and Jobs also mustered their courage and charged at the enemy. Jobs dove down, grabbing the enemy's legs tightly. Meanwhile, John focused on dealing damage.

"Damn it! These damn kids. I won't spare them," the enemy soldier, battered by Roland and the others, became enraged.

He lifted his foot and kicked Jobs aside, then drew out the dagger he had concealed in his chest, preparing to strike.

"Roland, watch out!" Seeing the glinting dagger coming towards him, Marlin exclaimed in shock.

But Roland's reaction was swift. He bent down, grabbed a handful of mud, and threw it at the enemy's face. The enemy's vision was instantly obstructed.

And then, taking advantage of the enemy's obstructed view, Roland immediately retreated. At the same time, he searched around for objects that could be used as weapons.

Finally, Roland's gaze fell on a stone by the roadside. Immediately, he ran towards it.

"Damn it, don't think you can escape. I'll kill you." Watching Roland run away, the burly man felt insulted. He couldn't believe he couldn't even catch a child, which would be quite embarrassing if word got out.

With this thought, he hastened his movements, continuously brandishing the knife in his hand, intending to kill Roland.

But Roland wouldn't have it. He ran to the roadside and picked up a stone, ready to confront the burly man.

"Come on! Give it a try and see who's tougher." Roland continuously waved the stone in his hand, taunting the enemy.

"Kid, you're too arrogant. But it's okay, I'll make you regret it soon." Hearing Roland's provocation, the man's face twisted, gripping the knife tightly. He was ready to attack Roland.

But just before he could strike, a figure suddenly appeared behind him, and then that person punched him directly on the head, knocking him out cold.

"Ah! Saved." Seeing the enemy knocked out, Roland seemed to lose all his strength and sat down on the ground.

"Roland, I just saved your life." Marin said arrogantly in front of Roland.

"I know, I'm grateful for the hero's life-saving grace, which I will never forget." Roland bowed, imitating the ancient knights as he spoke to Marin.

"Hmph, that's about right." Marin raised his head, still looking arrogant. Then he reached out to help Roland up.

"Did you take care of these guys? I knew your fighting skills were impressive, but I didn't expect you to be this good." Roland stood up and looked at the three unconscious men on the ground, unable to hide his surprise.

"Just three little warriors, easy to deal with." Marin waved his hand dismissively. But the smile on his face betrayed him.

"However, why would there be enemy soldiers here? Could they have infiltrated?" Roland looked at the three people on the ground, asking with confusion.

"I don't know, but let's take these three to Instructor Pearson now. We're in a time of war, so we must be cautious." Marin suggested beside him.

...

Marxen Village, Brienna Student Army Camp.

After dealing with the enemy, Roland and the others hurried back to their army camp. Upon returning, Roland immediately found Instructor Pearson.

"Instructor Pearson, are you there? I have an important military report." Roland came to Pearson's room and loudly knocked on the door.

"Aren't you on leave? What's going on?" After a series of knocks, an elderly man in military uniform slowly opened the door, curious as he looked at Roland.

"Instructor Pearson, we encountered enemy forces on our way back. They are disguised and infiltrating Marxen Village." Roland saluted Pearson, then spoke.

"What? Enemy forces infiltrating?" Pearson was shocked to hear the news.

"This is bad. They're likely after the war supplies in Marxen Village." Pearson's years of war experience immediately made him realize the critical point of the problem.

"Where are the enemy scouts? Where did you encounter them?" Pearson asked.

"We've captured them already. We encountered them not far from the village." Roland replied truthfully.

"The enemy has infiltrated this close? It seems we've been compromised." After hearing Roland's report, Pearson's face immediately turned grave. Years of war experience made him acutely aware that war might be imminent.

"Roland!" Pearson then commanded.

"Yes, sir!" Roland lifted his head, awaiting Pearson's orders.