Hearing this, Lane understood.
He didn't expect that he was involved in this matter. Thinking carefully, if he hadn't killed Blake, perhaps these elves would have been dealt with casually?
In that case, his favor to the Nightblade Tribe would be even deeper.
Lane glanced at Selena but didn't expect that Selena also looked at him, her expression extremely complex. Clearly, she had also figured this out.
He turned his head and refocused his gaze on Bennett. "Disrespecting the people of Lionheart Family, if this gets out, Iron Guard Clan will have a hard time."
"Lionheart Family? He Blake is just a hollow shell." Bennett sneered, with not a hint of respect in his tone. "If not for borrowing the name of Lionheart Family, I would have slaughtered that pretty boy long ago."
"But thanks to you, as long as these elves are delivered to the North, Frostwinter City will lend a helping hand to Iron Guard Clan. At that time, not only Lionheart Family, but even the Empire will have to bow at my feet."
Lane heard this and was instantly startled.
Frostwinter City?
No wonder these elves were taking such a remote route. It was for illegal exit. Lane didn't expect that Iron Guard Clan would be so bold as to collude with people from Frostwinter City.
Frostwinter City is the capital of The Winter Kingdom. The Winter Kingdom borders the Empire, with constant friction between the two, making them irreconcilable enemies.
If news of Bennett's collusion with Frostwinter City got out, not just Iron Guard Clan, but even the entire Ironforge, or even large families like Lionheart Family, would find it hard to escape death. Bennett's decision was indeed quite reckless.
"Truly unexpected. If this reaches the ears above, even ten Iron Guard Clans wouldn't be enough for the Empire to deal with."
Bennett smiled cruelly. "Rest assured, no one will know about this. After all, dead men keep good secrets."
Seeing Bennett's grimacing expression, Lane shrugged. "Actually, dead men can't protect secrets either. If a necromancer summons back their soul, anything could be exposed."
Bennett didn't expect Lane to make such a tasteless joke at this critical moment, leaving him momentarily speechless.
But soon, he reloaded his bow and drew an arrow. "You clever little brat, I'll see if you can still talk tough after you die!"
"Rapid Fire Arrows!"
Three iron-feathered arrows came piercing through the air. Guided by magic, they flew towards Lane's direction with an extremely bizarre trajectory.
"Magic Archer?"
Lane muttered.
His active region wasn't here, and thus, he didn't know much about Bennett. Through investigation, he only knew Bennett was a Stage 4 Archer, but he didn't expect him to be a Magic Archer.
Magic Archer and Archer, although their names sound similar with only one character difference, the actual difference between them is heaven and earth.
Magic Archer is a profession advanced from Archer.
All practitioners at Stage 4 can complete their first advancement. Based on the skills cultivated, fighting style, and personal aptitude, the same profession can undergo a tremendous change.
Take warriors as an example. Warriors who cultivate the path of Vital Force and Blood can choose a monster at Stage 4 for Vital Force and Blood adaptation, gaining part of the monster's talent, abilities, or even bloodline power. This is the way warriors advance.
For example, Lane's Knight, Follower of the Holy Light, can use The Holy Light Faith to advance his profession into Paladin. Or he could make a vow in his heart and become an Oathbound Knight.
Magic Archer is the product of such advancement. Even at Stage 4, compared to an Archer who hasn't completed their profession advancement, Magic Archer can use magic to guide arrows, achieving nearly perfect accuracy.
Its strength is naturally much greater than that of an Archer.
"This is a bit troublesome."
Lane muttered, raising the knight's longsword in his hand and cutting off the incoming arrows. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Selena say from the side: "Lane, run quickly. You're not his match. I'll hold him off here!"
Selena's voice made Lane pause.
If he left, not only would Nightblade Clan be in trouble, but Selena herself would also be in grave danger. Yet she chose resolutely to let him go?
She really is a kind elf.
Lane knew that Selena wouldn't misunderstand this point. She didn't want to involve him in the elves' catastrophe. In Selena's view, Bennett was someone they couldn't defeat because he was a Magic Archer.
If Lane were Stage 4, he might still have a fighting chance. But the gap between Stage 3 and a Stage 4 who has completed profession advancement is too great.
So great that if the warrior leader had also completed his warrior profession advancement, Selena wouldn't have any intention of resisting. Her ultimate fate would be to self-destruct with the Slave-hunting group.
And now, that's exactly what she was thinking.
"You are the queen who fled from Nightblade Clan?" Bennett sneered. "Rest assured, neither of you can escape. He will die here, and you will become part of the market."
Hearing this, Selena bit her lip, a determined look flashing in her eyes.
If she used that... although her siblings would die, it would avoid the humiliation. Once Lane left...
The moment this thought appeared, Lane's broad back was right in front of her.
"I don't know what decision you've made, but trust me, I will save your companions."
"I'm still waiting for you to go back and bear my child."
As soon as he said this, Selena's face instantly flushed red. In front of so many people, Lane could say such embarrassing words.
But hearing Lane say this, a sense of inexplicable reassurance rose in Selena's heart.
"Truly touching."
Bennett grinned viciously. "Then I'll kill this man right in front of you, showing you the consequences of resisting me."
"Flame Shot!"
As soon as he said this, fire attribute magic gathered on the bow. Bennett didn't take an arrow, but after his hand touched the bow, a feathered arrow composed of Flame Mana appeared out of nowhere on the bow.
As the arrow was shot, the magic guided the Flame Sword towards Lane. This arrow, made of flames, had no specific form. Even if Lane shattered it, it would turn into a Flame Sword, piercing through his body.
This arrow was almost unavoidable.
With Lane's current skills, there was no way to block it. Or rather, if any Stage 3 Knight came, they wouldn't be able to stop this deadly strike.
But there was no trace of panic on Lane's face.
He looked at the Bennett in front of him and shrugged. "If you hadn't appeared, by now, I would already be home, accompanying my wife in childbirth."
"Oh? So what, is this your last words?" Bennett was momentarily confused. "When I return, I'll definitely take care of your estate. Your wife and children will be under my protection."
Looking at the confused Bennett, Lane's mouth curled into a smile. He rushed forward, actually facing the Flame Sword head-on, without dodging.
"My point is, I now have a new child, a son."
"?"
Bennett was utterly puzzled. Was this person so terrified that he went insane? But with a Knight's physical strength, daring to withstand this Flame Sword could only lead to one outcome.
"Bang!"
A loud explosion echoed, flames bursting around. Seeing this, Selena instinctively closed her eyes, as if she had already seen Lane's death.
But the next moment, she suddenly opened her eyes again, hoping for a miracle to happen.
The dust settled, and Lane's body appeared in the same spot. The bright silver armor on his body was burned through by the flames, revealing a strong and muscular physique. On that fit body, there wasn't a single scratch.
Lane was unscathed.
Seeing this scene, Bennett's eyes instantly showed an expression of extreme fear.
"How is this possible?"
Lane ignored the shocked Bennett.
He calmly watched the dialogue box slowly appearing before his eyes.
[Your wife "Kailia" has given birth to a new child.]