<strong><b>Chapter 14</b></strong><strong><b></b></strong><strong><b>Enchanted Greatsword, Crimson Dragon Breathing</b></strong>


    Richard’s armor was different from that of most others.


    In this era, the armor of continental knights was mostly made of leather, with some even sewn with scales. While this provided decent protection against shing weapons, it was useless against piercing weapons like spears, arrows, and rapiers.


    During the dark ages influenced by the Church, societal development was extremely slow, and it would take another three to five hundred years for te armor to appear.


    Even when te armor did emerge, Richard believed that it was not as effective as the enhanced version of the Song Dynasty infantry armor he had obtained from the system.


    Interestingly, it seemed as if Richard’s armor had been adapted to fit the style and patterns of this era, making it blend in more seamlessly without appearing too conspicuous.


    Before arriving at his fiefdom, Richard hadmissioned the craftsmen of the Duke’s territory to create several sets of armor suited for different scenarios, ording to his specifications.


    Among them, the infantry armor was the best suited for groundbat.


    As soon as Richard donned the armor, his entire demeanor transformed.


    The infantry armor, made up of 1,825 scales, was heavier than the historical version due to its superior materials, weighing an impressive 50 kilograms.


    Yet, for Richard, who had undergone physical enhancements, it felt as light as a feather.


    After quickly donning the armor, he took a bottle of insect oil from a subordinate, mounted his horse with his knightly sword, and sped off to where the vigers were under attack.


    Everything on thisnd belonged to him, including the vigers, who were also his resources.


    Although he looked down on them, he knew they could contribute to the city’s development.


    If they were to die, they should die for a purpose, not be eaten by monsters in vain.


    Now that his vigers were being attacked, it was equivalent to his wealth being damaged, and Richard couldn’t let that happen.


    Cindere watched Richard’s departing figure with growing concern. She had heard that a terrifying man-eating crab spider had appeared nearby.


    She worried about Richard’s safety and was also afraid that the support she had only just found might disappear forever.


    As Richard’s figure receded, Cindere’s sense of loss grew more intense.


    Just moments before, they had been so intimately connected, and now her beloved was heading off to face such danger.


    This sudden shift filled her with difort.


    If something really happened to Richard, wouldn’t she have to return to her old life?


    And if the people of Long Eagle Territory wouldn’t let her leave, what kind of fate awaited her then?


    Cindere didn’t dare think about it; she didn’t want such a thing to happen!


    “What should I do? What should I do?”


    She paced in ce, anxiety growing within her.


    Her possessive nature began to awaken and sprout unknowingly.


    Suddenly, a thought urred to her.


    “If… if I could kill all those monsters, would the Master stay by my side forever?”


    “And if the Master goes on a journey, what if I cleared all the monsters in his path? Would he be safe then?”


    “But if the dangeres from humans…”


    Cindere hesitated. She had never harmed a human before, nor had she thought about it. The thought startled her.


    But in the next moment, her resolve hardened.


    “No! No one can stand between me and my Master! No one!”


    She started to giggle quietly.


    “Then, I’ll just kill them all!”


    Cindere’s dark brown eyes trembled slightly, like a bottomless abyss, with a sinister aura surging, wanting to break free.


    Unnoticed, her transformation into a witch had progressed another step.


    …


    [Host, the dangers of this world far exceed your expectations. The experiences it brings cannot be conveyed in mere words.].


    [This encounter is just the beginning of your magical journey. Enjoy and savor it to the fullest!].


    [Warning! Warning!].


    [Three hundred meters ahead, there is a crisis. You are encountering the monster “Giant Crab Spider.” Proceed with caution!].


    [Two hundred meters ahead…].


    Richard pulled his horse to a stop, dismounted with a light leap,nding gracefully as the momentum sent dust flying in all directions, clearing a small area around him.


    Some stray weeds that hadn’t been cleared swayed outward.


    Seeing the arrival of their lord, the fleeing vigers cheered in relief.


    “The lord hase! Thank goodness, we’re saved!”


    “The lord is so mighty, like a god. He will surely drive away this wretched spider monster!”


    “No! The lord won’t let it escape. It’s done for!”


    Richard’s knights were also stunned by his power.


    Every time they thought they understood the lord’s abilities, he would demonstrate his strength again, leaving them in awe.


    He seemed to be a terrifying figure constantly growing in power, or perhaps a hidden master gradually revealing his true abilities.


    No one could truly grasp the extent of his strength.


    Two hundred meters away, the crab spider, which had been digesting its food, suddenly adopted a defensive stance.


    Clearly, Richard’s presence had instinctively made it sense a great threat.


    The spider’s body lowered slightly as if gathering its strength, ready to unleash a lethal attack as soon as its prey approached.


    Richard’s gaze was steady, never underestimating his opponent, yet remaining calm andposed.


    He advanced with steady steps, his knightly sword swinging with each stride, cutting through the air with a low roar.


    The silver-white sword had been coated with a green insect oil designed specifically to counteract the crab spider.


    Simultaneously, as he activated the Crimson Dragon Breathing Technique, Richard’s aura surged to its peak, creating a heatwave that slightly distorted his figure.


    The sword seemed to be enchanted with mes, cloaked in a red glow, and the green oil ignited, causing the red mes to take on an eerie green hue.


    The hunt had begun!


    The crab spider, startled by Richard’s rising aura, tensed up even more, sinking further in preparation.


    Dark red petals around its mouth began to emit thin trails of ck smoke.


    Suddenly, a piercing scream erupted from the center of the petals.


    The crab spiderunched its attack first, sending a venomous jet of liquid at Richard with lightning speed.


    All the onlookers fell silent, holding their breath in fear.