"But there are our soldiers on the other side, as well as some women from the royal palace."
"Fools! Do you want to just watch the criminal escape?! Get the crossbows ready!"
Moments later, the sound of crossbow strings piercing the air echoed across the battlefield.
Herman felt a chill on his left shoulder as warm liquid slowly seeped out and dripped to his feet. The knight's power drained away bit by bit, his consciousness fading, voices from the depths of his memories echoing in his mind, the oath he swore at his knighthood resounding in his ears. The sound of that oath grew louder and louder, gradually drowning out all the sounds of war.
I will be kind to the weak.
Hermann roared and swung his longsword, piercing the thigh of his enemy. The man collapsed to the ground in agony, his helmet rolling to the side. The knight raised his sword again, ready to strike, but the twisted face of a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy beneath the helmet made him lower his weapon.
I will be brave against the strong.
Seeing a tall warrior wielding a flail charging towards the 'Shield Wall', Herman stepped forward, slammed his shield into the man's shoulder, and then precisely slit the enemy's throat with his wielding longsword.
I will fight all who do wrong.
A crossbow bolt, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, pierced Herman's right leg. The knight, seeing the despicable crossbowman not far away, snatched the spear from the enemy in front of him, hurled it with a backhand, and it pierced the attacker's chest.
I will fight for those who cannot fight.
"Sir! The front line has been breached! It's time to retreat!"
Herman glanced back at the white figure in his line of sight, smiled, and turned back to swing his weapon again.
I will help those who call me for help.
Hermann's comrades fell one by one, until only he and one other man remained. The two fought their way back towards the entrance of the tunnel. A giant axe swung down from below, striking the other man in the shin. Seeing his comrade fall, he threw his shield at the enemy, grabbed the other knight's arm, and pulled him backward with all his might.
I swear I will not harm any woman.
Dragging his comrade backward, Hermann crashed into someone behind him. Three girls dressed as maids huddled together, crying and looking at the blood-soaked knight commander. The latter lowered his longsword, but was accidentally struck in the back by a flying axe, and a mouthful of blood welled up in his throat.
I swear to help my brother knight.
The entrance to the tunnel was just a stone's throw away. The knights who were responsible for attacking the front line turned around to block the enemy's attack, and Herman dragged his wounded comrade out of the tunnel first.
I vow to be true to my friends.
Hermann and the others worked together to close the tunnel door. He sat in front of the closed door, gripping the hinges with both hands, using his body to block the enemy's attempts to break it open, shouting for the others to leave quickly. Blood gradually pooled beneath him.
I will be faithful in love.
As Queen Mary reached out to him, weeping, Hermann, his eyes bloodshot, shook his head with a smile. He could no longer make a sound, but with his last strength, he moved his lips.
Farewell... my love...
At the west gate of the palace, Baron Cumberland, who had led his private army to meet them, silently looked at the knights covered in wounds before him, and then glanced at Queen Mary, whose white dress was mostly soaked in blood.
"Your Excellency! Knight Commander Hermann is still inside! Please save him!" the rescued knight, who had been pulled from his injured leg, cried out to the old man.
Cumberland looked into the depths of the palace, listening to the shouts growing closer. His sword-wielding arm trembled slightly, his throat was dry, and he almost gritted his teeth as he uttered a single word: "Mount up."
"But!"
The old man's eyes widened in anger: "You bastard! I said! Get on the horse!"
One of his subordinates asked, "Sir, where do we go next?"
The baron took one last look at the palace, closed his eyes in anguish, gripped the reins tightly, and uttered two harsh words.
"west."
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