2.3

It was a punishment worse than crucifixion. The infidels would drive a huge stake into a prisoner’s anus and impale them alive for the enemy to see. Those subjected to the stake punishment usually died instantly, but a skilled executioner could avoid major organs, prolonging the victim’s agony for quite some time.

“At first, they died as soon as the stake was inserted. But after many repetitions, I got better at it, and they lived longer. How long did the longest one last?”

“Up to 3 hours. On average, they lasted over an hour.”

Max threatened, stroking the head of the axe in his hand. The prisoner froze, unable to even look at Max’s feet.

“You’d better listen to me. Earl Hendrick will soon arrive with his knights, and you stand no chance.”

“I will never betray you.”

“Now get lost.”

The prisoner staggered and disappeared between the darkened trees. Now there was nothing to do but wait a day or two to see how things would unfold.

As they were about to relax, a village youth approached the barn, fuming with anger. Despite people’s attempts to stop him, he pointed accusingly at Julian.

“Who are you to release the prisoner? With what authority? It’s a lie that he didn’t hurt anyone. He killed my sister!”

“Where do you get off yelling at the person who saved your life?”

Pierre shoved the youth away, but his momentum didn’t wane.

“Catching the bandit knights is the priority. We can send people to deal with the rest later…”

Donnie tried to reason with the youth, but he wouldn’t listen.

“You should take revenge like a man! Poisoning them? How can a man do something so cowardly, ugh!”

Julian grabbed the youth by the collar and shoved him towards where the prisoner had fled.

“No one’s stopping you. Go and get your revenge. If you want to die a dog’s death like a man, then go ahead.”

The youth stood nailed to the spot, his face turning red and blue.

“Please forgive him. Johannes is out of his mind with grief.”

“Old man, let me go!”

“Instead of thanking the benefactor who helped us, you’re getting angry at him? This won’t do.”

“Benefactor? If it weren’t for that woman, our village would have been peaceful long ago! My sister wouldn’t have died so miserably!”

Johannes suddenly pointed at Vanessa. 

Was he attacking anyone like a mad dog, having lost his mind to anger? 

The village chief looked at Johannes with a mix of puzzlement and concern.

“Johannes, what are you talking about?”

“Don’t you know? That woman is the criminal who poisoned her husband, Vanessa Cloet!”

At the unrestrained revelation, Vanessa clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. She thought only rumors had spread here, not her identity. It was a complacent delusion. The chaotic atmosphere quickly turned cold.

Instinctively, Julian stood in front of Vanessa. Although the sharp gazes of the people were obscured by Julian’s broad back, her whole body trembled uncontrollably.

“The day I visited Earl Plar’s castle, I clearly saw her portrait on the wanted poster. So I found her suspicious from the start, and hearing her scheme confirmed it! How could an ordinary woman have poison unless she’s Vanessa Cloet?”

The people found Johannes’ words reasonable upon reflection. It was necessary to deny it, even falsely, to get out of the situation, but Vanessa’s lips were sealed shut. Unable to bear it, Donnie shouted loudly instead.

“She’s not someone to be slandered like this. It’s truly absurd! Are you misunderstanding something?”

“The misunderstanding is yours. Don’t be fooled by her pretty face. Wouldn’t it take a truly wicked nature to easily consider killing someone with poison? She must be possessed by an evil demon.”

The crowd was quickly swayed by Johannes’ unreasonable incitement.

“We must tie her up immediately to prevent her from doing anything foolish. Now that her identity is revealed, who knows what she’ll do.”

“That’s right. She might poison the well while we sleep tonight!”

The villagers almost screamed hysterically. The buzzing noise grew louder like a disturbed beehive.

“I will take this criminal, Vanessa Cloet, to the Earl Plar’s domain. In return, I will bring a brave knight to protect our village. A real knight who will fight honorably without using cowardly tricks!”

Johannes shouted, emboldened by the support of those siding with him. Fighting honorably and restoring justice seemed like a much better alternative than cowardly poisoning. The people cheered Johannes’ proposal and surrounded Vanessa.

The situation suddenly turned. There was no escape. The people looked ready to pounce at any moment, and the cornered Vanessa looked up at Julian with frightened eyes. He was the only person she could rely on now. But what if he decided to abandon her?

She couldn’t bring herself to beg for help, so she quietly tugged at his sleeve. Julian looked down at Vanessa’s slender fingers holding his sleeve.

After a moment, he slowly drew his sword without any emotional disturbance.

“If you want to take this woman, you’ll have to deal with me first.”

The area fell silent as if a mouse had died at the sight of the blue-glinting blade. They had been so bold with their words, but now they were busy looking at each other.

“A knight should protect the weak. How can you shield a criminal?”

Someone shouted cowardly, taking advantage of the darkness. Julian pointed his sword precisely where the voice came from, eliciting a muffled scream from that direction.

“I told you earlier. I’m not a knight, but a mercenary. Don’t talk to me about chivalry.”

“Once it’s revealed that you helped a criminal, you’ll be punished too, won’t you?”  

Johannes gritted his teeth and said. Julian’s eyes slowly fixed on Johannes. Just being stared at was enough to make one’s breath catch due to the terrifying gaze.  

“The dead don’t speak.”  

Julian’s eyes glinted with murderous intent. A deathly silence swept over the entire village.  

Based on his long experience, the village chief judged that Julian was someone who could kill to silence others. As the village’s elder, he had to take responsibility to prevent such a tragedy.  

“Don’t speak nonsense! You shouldn’t slander a beautiful and kind lady without any evidence!”  

“I told you, I saw the wanted poster with my own eyes!”  

“Johannes, you must have seen wrong. Didn’t you say you hit your head when you were chased out of the castle that day? Your memory might be faulty.”  

“No, my memory is perfectly fine!”  

Watching Johannes get worked up in frustration, the village chief clicked his tongue internally. Unable to control his youthful vigor, he was shortening his life. At this rate, he’d be the first to lose his head.  

“And whether she’s Vanessa Cloet, who poisoned her husband, or not, it doesn’t matter to us. If she truly is a criminal, heaven will surely punish her. Don’t disgrace a benefactor by arguing over right and wrong! Everyone, get a grip! Aren’t they guests who traveled far to help us? We should be treating them with respect!”  

The village chief’s stern rebuke silenced the people.  

“Oh dear, Johannes is still immature. I apologize on his behalf for his rudeness; please don’t be too angry. I’ll make sure he never does this again.”  

After the village chief pleaded, Julian finally sheathed his sword. The villagers sighed in relief and quietly returned home, afraid of the trouble spreading to them.  

As Vanessa watched Johannes being dragged away by the village chief with a worried face, a large arm wrapped around her shoulders.  

“It’ll be fine. By the time the villagers report us, we’ll have reached the Arenshen County, so don’t worry.”  

In Julian’s embrace, she finally calmed down. Breathing in the scent of leather and metal from his chest, she recalled the fierce battle earlier. She also remembered herself stepping between two men wielding swords without fear. And even helping to poison someone. These were actions she couldn’t have imagined before leaving the Cloet family.  

What has changed me so much?  

Her heart fluttered unpleasantly.  

Vanessa looked up at Julian. When their eyes met, his sharp gaze softened considerably.  

“And if your clever plan works, their attitude will change as if nothing happened. It’s a good idea, so it will surely succeed.”  

“You criticized it as cowardly earlier.”  

“Are you upset because I didn’t take your side?”  

“That’s not what I meant.”  

She felt a bit hurt. Disappointment is an emotion that arises when expectations are not met, so what was she expecting from him? They had only been intimate once. 

We can’t be anything more. We’re just using each other for what we want.  

When Vanessa fell silent, Julian teased her mischievously.  

“I shouldn’t make you angry. Who knows if you have more poison hidden away.”  

“I told you earlier, that was something Miriam’s maid tried to hide in my room…”  

“You found it and hid it in a knothole? You realized it was poison later. You brought it when you escaped just in case you’d need it.”  

“I know it sounds suspicious, but I’m innocent!”  

No matter how much she protested, she only looked cute, not threatening at all. When he tried to kiss her sulking face, Vanessa flinched and backed away.  

“You said you’d do it where there’s a bed. You can’t avoid it forever.”  

His low voice made her heart pound. He was right. She couldn’t avoid it forever. She had already experienced it once, so there was nothing she couldn’t handle.  

“As you know, one must be clean before the act.”  

“As the lady says, who am I to disagree?”  

Julian replied, bowing exaggeratedly.