Chapter 14: 14. Cold One Dread Knight
The trainers opened the box containing the riveted black steel and copper-trimmed lizard armor and dressed the cold lizards in an orderly manner. First, they put on the mail mail around their waists to protect their hips. Then they put on the head armor, neck armor, chest armor, leg armor, foot armor, claw armor, and tail armor. Finally, they draped the silk woven with the family crest around their waists, and put on the saddle and reins.
Darkus watched from the side and thought, "What a troublesome thing! The old lady is wearing cotton pants, one after another, and even claw armor."
After completing the cold lizard's armor, the trainers helped the brothers Daquus and Takia put on the armor.
"Franais!"
"grown ups!"
"Can we fight?"
Franais roared with all his strength: "Yes!"
Dacus looked up to the sky and laughed loudly, his laughter was so strange and unpredictable.
The steps for Cold Ones Dread Knights to don armor are even more complicated than those for Cold Ones, and require the so-called Duruchi ritual.
First, he donned full-cover black steel-gilded bronze leg armor and pointed boots, still in the Gothic style. A flintlock pistol was stored in a leather pouch on the outside of his right leg. Since Cold Ones were relatively insanely intelligent, the knight typically controlled them by kicking them in the stomach with the toe of their boots or striking them with the butt of their lance. As for the reins? They simply provided a place for the knight's hands.
Dacus was originally wearing a purple-red aristocratic silk robe, then he put on the Darakoi, known as the "force to fight death," which was actually a long shirt with soft leather mail sewn inside. The mail reached to his elbows, and Dacus didn't dare ask what kind of leather it was.
Over the robe, he wore a slit mail skirt, a black steel-gilt bronze double-sided breastplate, throat armor, and shoulder armor, and a reverse blade arm armor on his forearms. The reverse blade was extremely exaggerated and strong, and could be used to capture enemy weapons or to strike and stab enemies in close combat.
The helmet is made up of different parts and follows the typical Druk-chi shape, with the moon wings exaggeratedly flying backwards.
Finally, a belt is tied around the waist, and the number of weapons carried by the Cold One Dread Knight symbolizes his noble status. Dakwus is qualified to carry two weapons, while the Takia brothers are not.
The noble curved sword, also known as the "Soul Reaper", is mainly used for ritual battles and duels between nobles. Ritual battles usually take place during noble banquets to add to the fun and enhance the atmosphere.
In a formal duel, the rapier and the noble curved sword were used together. The rapier was used to deliver paralyzing blows to the neck or limbs. Its use was very particular. If the rapier could not be used to immobilize and execute the opponent before he died, it would cause dissatisfaction among the audience. The rapier was also used for skinning.
The tamer ceremoniously opened an exquisite box. Inside were five rune hooks, adorned like jewelry. These would hang from the outside of the armor, each in a different position, representing a Cold One Dread Knight's loyalty, battle honor, and family. Their complexity rivaled that of medieval heraldry. These rune hooks, known as "spiritual rings," could also be worn on the ears. Druki believed they could dispel the evil spirits that inhabited Naggaroth.
Darkus pondered, "What the hell is a Naggarothian evil spirit? What the hell is a evil spirit? Besides, is there anything more evil than Druki in Naggaroth?"
You can flip over and ride a Cold One without the help of a trainer, because Druch's armor is extremely light, and you can even do a Cossack dance as long as you don't step on the robe and slit mail skirt.
After receiving the repeating crossbow and the eagle-shaped black pine wood-clad steel shield, the Duruchi shields varied greatly in shape and form, each bearing a different emblem, representing a legion, city, or family. But one thing they all had in common was their aggressive nature, often featuring a spike at the base that could be used to stab or impale an enemy's feet.
Next, the Soul Eater, the lance wielded by the Cold One Dread Knights, was handed down. The tip of the lance varied in shape, but where the tip joined the lance, a long silk ribbon or pennant was always attached. Runes were embroidered on the ribbon, proclaiming the knight's devotion to Malekith, the great deeds they had done in his service, and the noble history of their family and ancestors.
Having said so much, it actually only took less than five minutes to get it done.
Darkus sneered at the beast trainer and said, "Go north and find a village. What's it called?"
Flanais added: "Avignon, my lord."
"Yes, Avignon, find it!" Dacius said, then glanced at the two knights and said viciously, "I've changed my mind again. I'll take them with me later."
It's called a trial, but in fact it's just a pirate gang. How can they replenish fresh water after landing? Doesn't the powerful Dacus have any face?
Alyssa rode on her dark Pegasus, looking at the fully equipped Daquus with a sharp gaze. The Pegasus was a graduation gift for the warlock from Annasara, the matriarch of the Hellscald family.
The Druchi soldiers lined up beside Daquus in full gear, looking at him with envy and longing.
"Praise Kane, tonight is going to be a good day! Let's go!"
"Druchi! Spear and shield!"
The woods were strangely silent. The pale green light of Morsleeb bathed the landscape. The owls' cries in the treetops had faded, badgers and foxes had stopped foraging in the dense undergrowth, and even the chirping of katydids and crickets had strangely ceased. A scent of fear hung in the air, a quality the woodland dwellers sensed and wisely decided not to venture out that night. The acrid scent of smoke lingered above the trees. If one listened closely, one could hear distant cries of fear and despair carried on the wind.
Suddenly, a little boy rushed out from the bushes, and the eerie silence was broken.
The boy ran, faster than ever before. His heart pounded as if it would burst at any moment, but he didn't care. As if a pair of hands woven with fear had clamped around his neck, the boy ran through the bushes, completely ignoring the vines that pulled at him and the branches that threatened to dig into his arms. Although he didn't realize it, tears continued to flow from his eyes, and a warm feeling spread from his groin and down his pants legs.
Without warning, the boy stumbled, a sharp pain shooting through his ankle. He fell to the ground, scraping the skin off his palms. He let out a frustrated scream and struggled to his feet, despite the injury. However, as he tried to put weight on his injured ankle, his scream turned to agony. He cursed hysterically, wondering how he would ever get out of this predicament if his ankle was sprained or broken. As he limped forward, he glanced back. Seeing no sign of the enemy, he breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps he had escaped? Perhaps he still had a chance to escape? His ankle seared with pain as he stumbled forward.
Who are these mysterious attackers and why are they here?
