Chapter 57: Starhold's forces

"Stop!" A weak voice came from Killian, who was limping toward where the three stood. Everyone's eyes turned to him, especially Cassian and Jin.

"Explain the situation quickly!" Daristan spoke, still focused on the two in front of him, never lowering his sword.

The unique white armor continued to build around him at a rapid pace, making him look seconds away from appearing like a legendary hero.

"They are allies! The people we escaped the Puppets Society with!" Killian spoke quickly before sitting down by a nearby tree. Although he was in good condition, moving still caused him some pain and discomfort. Daristan slowly lowered his sword, and the white armor began to disappear into the air. He seemed somewhat confused.

He had lost his memories after Killian sealed them for certain reasons several months ago, but he recalled everything the moment the seal was broken. He remembered becoming a pirate, how one of the Puppet Society's agents brainwashed him in an unknown way, and how he trapped himself and Killian in the Puppets Society.

He also remembered his intentions to make Cassian a slave and everything that happened to him after falling into the Puppets Society.

One day in the Puppets Society, Killian appeared out of nowhere and knocked him out using the seal, and his memories stopped there. So, he had no information about Jin or Cassian, especially since Killian had met them when Daristan was either unconscious or absent.

But now, with Killian's confirmation, Daristan decided to stop causing trouble and focus on more important matters instead. Although he was a battle maniac, he still retained some noble rationality and couldn't be considered stupid.

"You'll have to explain everything later." Daristan looked at Cassian and Jin while speaking, especially the latter.

After everything was settled, Jin and Cassian both sighed in relief. The former had more important things to do, while the latter was exhausted and badly injured.

Cassian sat on the dirty ground and covered his eyes with his hand. "Anyway… did you finish with Elara? It's fortunate that you arrived in time to catch us…" he spoke slowly, as if on the verge of sleep.

"I didn't teleport here on my own, didn't you summon me?" Jin was confused when he responded to Cassian.

"What do you mean? I didn't! Was it an automatic reaction from 'that'?" Cassian tried to speak vaguely about the {Personal Assassin} skill since they were surrounded by people.

'Maybe the skill automatically teleports the user to the target when their life is in danger?' Jin and Cassian thought along the same lines.

'Daristan might have survived that fall, but it doesn't necessarily apply to me…' Cassian shuddered at the thought of what could have happened if not for Jin's intervention.

That fall wasn't usually life-threatening, perhaps breaking a few bones and losing blood, but he would always be able to recover with his tricks. But the same couldn't be said in his current state.

His body had reached its limits; he had already consumed a healing potion, and his body was starting to recover, but it wasn't enough. When injuries reach a certain extent, only level four potions and above can make a difference.

In the current situation, Cassian didn't have any of that at all.

"For now… what should we do?" Daristan placed his hands behind his neck while looking around.

"Don't move." Jin suddenly felt a surge of tension, causing Killian and Cassian to become confused.

Killian was in a miserable state and couldn't use his skill to predict what was about to happen, and Cassian didn't possess heightened senses in the first place.

"What?!" Cassian asked with obvious anxiety, unprepared for more trouble.

About ten warriors surrounded them, each at rank A+, while two rank S- warriors advanced among them.

Unlike the dwarves from earlier, these people were seasoned in close combat, each possessing unique skills and traits. So Daristan couldn't dispatch them as he pleased; he would certainly lose even if he faced just one of them.

In the early stages of wars in this world, medium-quality or somewhat weak forces were often used for various reasons, including scouting the land and gauging the enemy's response.

There might be some exceptions like Eldrick, but the rest of the dwarves who came here were all relatively ordinary fighters.

But for the StarHold forces, tasked with cleaning the western lands once a year, the same couldn't be said. Their mission was to eliminate all solitary monsters below rank SS- in the west and ensure that monster waves didn't head toward the main city or nearby villages.

To face this squad, the dwarves would need to send some of their best fighters, not just inexperienced scouts. Below rank S-, a person's strength is determined mostly by two things: their martial art and skills (whether Legacy skills or others).

Thanks to the 'prodigy Character' concept Cassian created in this world without any calculations, ranks below S- became secondary factors in battles.

Of course, all this is only in the elite battlegrounds among living beings; not everyone knows about this concept due to its rarity. 

Dark blue clothes made from special fabric that provides protection and warmth appropriately. Pants, a shirt, a coat reaching the knees—that's the attire of the elite StarHold forces.

Looking at the three-star badges on the shoulders of the soldiers surrounding them, it was clear that this squad consisted of the best StarHold forces.

Jin, of course, could disrupt their balance and cause significant damage as a "prodigy character," but only in his full health.

He used about half of his mana to drive the carriage, consumed a quarter fighting the five war machines, and was left with 10% after using the {Puppet Master} skill.

Now, he would certainly be killed if he fought this squad; the only solution was to escape. But if Cassian died, his fate wouldn't be different due to his skill's effects.

'The situation is dire…' Jin thought with concern.

All he hoped for now was that Loana didn't have a hand in these forces, or they would surely be doomed after seeing Cassian here.

One of the rank S- soldiers slowly advanced toward the group, his long black hair and gray eyes bearing the StarHold traits. Unlike the others, this soldier wore a black cloak over his back, fluttering in the wind, adding a touch of grandeur to his appearance.

"Identify yourself!" The person spoke loudly, showing no trace of concern on his face. He seemed to be fully aware of the situation.

"Dwarven army forces have been found in the surrounding areas. While we have successfully neutralized this threat, it is imperative that you explain your presence here as humans!"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

No one spoke, and the atmosphere gradually worsened. In the end, Jin sighed and decided to step forward, representing the group.

"We are just traveling companions. Our mission is to escort an important person from the east to the west. We reached the coast by ship and then came here using a carriage!"

The person's expression never changed, ensuring he didn't reveal his opinion about Jin's story even when he spoke.

"An important person?" That was all he said.

Under normal circumstances, he would have let this group pass simply, but he couldn't ignore the possibility that Jin and the others were collaborating with the dwarves. This whole situation might be a play orchestrated by the dwarves to plant spies among humans.

This squad knew nothing about the war mentioned by Amon and Daphne, but seeing the dwarves and their actions here, the guess wasn't difficult at all.

"Yes! Lucas StarHold! Our mission is to escort Cassian StarHold! Your cousin!" Jin smiled as he pointed to Cassian.

After seeing Lucas among the squad, he knew nothing could go wrong. After all, Lucas's father was one of the few supporters of Cassian within the family council, as was Lucas himself.