I'm not a goblin Frankenstein's monster.

Chapter 89 Knight Squad

He patted Lance's shoulder armor. "The specific details and risk assessment will probably have to wait until we assemble, and then the bishop and a few leaders will report back. Now, go and prepare your armor."

We set off immediately to the designated meeting point to join the other church members. The church's order was: depart immediately without delay.

"Understood!" Lance accepted the order without further hesitation. Having clarified his doubts, he naturally had no reason to refuse; his previous questioning was not out of fear of danger.

Rather than blindly carrying out a mission, he preferred to face the impending danger with a clear head, at least the latter would prevent him from dying without knowing why.

He took one last look at the magnificent training ground and the towering church dome, and took a deep breath.

While the celebration of Ascension Day is important, preventing potential disasters that could endanger more people is also an inescapable responsibility of the Knights Templar.

What's more, the destination of this mission also includes several old friends I know well.

The wind by the river carries the scent of water and earth.

Take a deep breath, pull your arms back, twist your waist and abdomen, and let the power of your whole body flow through the chain of muscles to your wrists, releasing it suddenly at the last moment—

"Whoosh!"

The short spear pierced the air, drawing a low, flat arc, and firmly embedded itself in the edge of the wooden target standing thirty paces away.

With a muffled "thud," wood chips scattered slightly.

"Tsk, it's still a bit off." Xia Lin walked over, grasped the end of the spear shaft, and pulled it out forcefully.

The wooden target was already covered with countless spear holes of varying ages, and there were even signs of cracks at the edges from multiple hits.

It burned out!

This "sparring partner," borrowed from the dwarven blacksmith, is nearing the end of its life.

It's already the third day.

Three days ago, the Adventurers' Guild suddenly announced the closure of the Loran Forest without warning, prohibiting all adventurers from entering or leaving. Xia Lin's "money-making plan" has been forced to be put on hold.

The news caused an uproar among the adventurers in the entire town of Elwyn.

For this group of "moonlight clan" members who usually live on the edge and are used to making quick money, this is tantamount to cutting off their most stable source of livelihood.

The once bustling pubs and casinos in town are visibly much quieter now.

Those adventurers who barely had any copper coins in their pockets and relied entirely on taking on missions to make ends meet were like laid-off workers who had lost their secure jobs, living in constant fear and anxiety.

Now, he can only take odd jobs in town, such as finding lost pets and helping people move and transport goods. His income has shrunk dramatically, and he can barely afford to buy alcohol.

Although Xia Lin is also an adventurer, his situation is much better.

Thanks to his previous missions, especially his collaboration with the druid, he had accumulated a considerable fortune.

Therefore, he is not as panicked as some of his peers for the time being.

Having surplus grain at home brings peace of mind.

However, the association has yet to announce any news about lifting the ban, only vaguely stating that they are "handling an emergency" and "please be patient and wait for further notice."

This is very familiar official rhetoric!

Feeling utterly bored, Xia Lin could only find something to do to kill this sudden extra free time.

Practicing spear throwing has become one of his daily routines these past few days.

If you're not yet proficient in a skill, you can make up for it through repeated practice.

"Much better than at the beginning." Xia Lin weighed the short spear in his hand, looking at the holes on the wooden target that were gradually moving towards the center area, and was quite satisfied.

At this distance, at least it's no longer a miss, or something that's completely off target.

"Gah—!"

An impatient voice urged me from my shoulder.

Woody the crow flapped its wings twice, its bright black eyes looking at him: "Still practicing? The sun's almost setting!"

Jasmine made me some freshly fried fries tonight!

This gluttonous crow may not remember anything else, but it never makes a mistake when it comes to information about food.

"Okay, I'll be right back." Xia Lin shook his head helplessly, put the short spear back into the leather sheath on his back, walked to the wooden target, and hugged the heavy practice target that was already riddled with holes and had rough edges.

Given the current economic climate, I'll have to make do for now. This old machine can still contribute a few more times.

With a little force, pull it off the stake and carry it on your shoulder.

He turned and walked along the trampled dirt path toward the town.

Woody sat obediently on his left shoulder, occasionally twisting his neck to preen the feathers at the base of his wings with his beak.

Just as he saw the outline of the town and the road turned into a sparse woodland, Woody suddenly stiffened, and his feathers ruffled slightly.

"Hmm?" Xia Lin immediately noticed her partner's unusual behavior and paused in her steps.

Almost simultaneously, the clear and rhythmic sound of horses' hooves came from the road ahead.

Not just one or two horses, but at least a dozen riders, slowly approaching from the other end of the road.

Xia Lin subconsciously stepped aside to let the roadside pass, looking in the direction from which the sound came.

The dozen or so riders were all on tall, magnificent horses with glossy coats, neat saddles, and steady, powerful strides; they were clearly well-trained traveling steeds.

The riders on horseback are even more eye-catching.

They wore exquisite armor, uniform in style yet varied in detail. The metal plates gleamed in the setting sun, and on their breastplates, shoulder armor, or cloaks were clearly engraved different sacred symbols—crossed silver flames and arrows, a burning chalice, an unfolded winged scroll—

The weapons were either worn at the waist or carried on the back; the scabbards, hammer handles, and staff tops were all spotless and new, with a subtle, captivating glow, clearly not ordinary items.

Simply riding quietly on horseback, an aura of composure, strength, and sacred solemnity immediately washes over you.

Xia Lin held her breath.

These people—they gave him a feeling that was completely different from any adventurers or town guards he had ever met before.

It is a sense of unity formed through systematic and rigorous training, possessing unwavering conviction and formidable strength, and with a close-knit cohesion among its members.

Professionals. And they're probably not even beginners at level 1 or 2.

Their aura was solid, their gaze sharp, and their movements carried a sense of coordination honed through countless trials.

Just then, at the very front of the procession, an elderly man dressed in a magnificent purple bishop's robe seemed to sense something. He suddenly turned his head slightly, his gaze passing over the knights on the side and looking toward Xia Lin, who was carrying a wooden target by the roadside.

The gaze wasn't sharp; it was even quite calm. But the moment Xia Lin made contact with it, he felt an invisible pressure suddenly descend upon him.

Woody's claws tightened instinctively on his shoulder.

The old man's gaze lingered on Xia Lin for about two seconds, a faint hint of doubt seeming to flash across his deep eyes before returning to its usual calm.

He slowly turned his head back, as if that glance just now was merely a casual look.

Andrew, who was completely clad in silver armor beside him, his face obscured by a visor, immediately leaned forward slightly: "Your Excellency, is there anything unusual about this person?"