The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 331

Chapter 331: Bandits

As a person who grew up foraging and hunting in the forest, Oriana’s senses were no less than a knight’s. She could sense the movement of people with hostile intentions approaching their group.

"Come out, and stop hiding like cowards!" Rafal shouted in provocation.

No one emerged from the trees, but a man’s rough voice responded from the shadows, "Leave all your belongings here and you can go on your merry way."

"You wish," Rafal sneered as he brandished his sword. "You fools dare target the Crown Prince of Griven? If you wish to keep your lives, I suggest you turn back and let us cross unharmed. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee how many of you can make it alive."

There was a stretch of tense silence, broken by a flying dagger shot in Rafal’s direction.

Swish!

In the darkness, only a few sharp-eyed knights caught the glimmer of the blade, but it was too late for them to react to the sneak attack.

However, that dagger was grabbed by a hand even before it could reach Rafal.

Arlan flung that dagger back towards its source, smirking at the groan that followed, telling those around him that the weapon hit its target. "My knight has given you a chance to survive but it seems like you people do not cherish your lives."

A whistle erupted from the shadows, and soon, masked bandits wielding various weapons stepped out of the cover of trees, their rough appearances illuminated by the carriage lamps causing the palace officials and the ordinary servants in their delegation to go pale.

Not even a minute had passed, but at least a hundred armed men could be counted. Perhaps there were about twenty or more long-ranged attackers hidden in the darkness.

"They outnumber us. Make sure those in the carriages are protected," Arlan spoke to his knights as he himself drew his sword out its scabbard.

The members of the delegation amounted to roughly fifty people, where about twenty of them were scholars and civilians that had little to no combat prowess. The royal knights under the Crown Prince might be elites, but it was obvious these bandits were no ordinary figures either. Otherwise, they would not have the guts to target a royal carriage escorted by knights.

"Show them the might of Griven!"

"Brothers, charge!"

The knights of the Order of Thistle were fearless. Working for Arlan, they never knew what fear meant. Dealing with such a disadvantageous situation was nothing new for them. They had been trained to fend off multiple attacks, and they also trusted their liege and comrades to protect their backs.

At this moment, their only concern was ensuring no harm would come to the ordinary people they were escorting. A third of the troop firmly stationed themselves around the carriages where Oriana and the officials were hiding.

Swords were drawn and blades clashed. Arrows whistled in the darkness, interrupting the screams of their targets.

Oriana watched in bated breath as everyone outside engaged in a deadly battle. The prince was at the forefront, slashing through those bandits with ease. At first, she was relieved to see Arlan and the knights effortlessly dealing with the bandits, but she began to grow nervous when she observed more and more masked men were coming out from the jungle.

How many bandits were aiming for them? A hundred? Two hundred? She had no idea, but she didn’t want to stay inside the carriage when she had the ability to contribute in the defense.

In her opinion, even if one knight could deal with at least three bandits at the same time, knights were merely humans. They would experience fatigue or make mistakes if enemies continue to pour down on them.

Worse, since it was obvious that Arlan was the most important person in the delegation, he was being lynched by the stronger bandits.

Along the way, Oriana attacked relentlessly, even pulling out arrows from dead bodies so she could use them again the moment she emptied her quiver. _{freēwēbηovel.c૦m}