Chapter 464 "Thank you, but I need Merlin"
The City of Trade.
"In this funeral, the aim was to draw out the Red Horse Knight, who, I hear, possesses some wit."
"A creature of wit, yet so easily ensnared? Surely, he's not that clever."
"It's not a matter of intelligence, but of a dog. It's said the Gutman's dog has the keenest nose; having scented once, it remembers the smell for days uncounted."
"Indeed. Who would've thought that a deity would meet his match in a mere dog? It's laughable just to mention it."
"You needn't say it; it's already a jest."
"Let's keep our voices low. We wouldn't want those devout fanatics to overhear. The very thought would bring them to tears. Heh."
...
The Trade House, with its vast courtyard and a main building of three stories, stood tall. To its sides and rear, walls rose to more than ten meters, at the base of which were rooms, used by the staff and to host guests. The courtyard was paved with bricks and even boasted a pond of ornamental fish.
At present, a tent stood in the yard. David and others waited outside while Henry, accompanied by two frogs, crouched before a Dalmatian.
"Da Vinci says you need not fear. What is your name? Beyoncé is a lovely one. He points to Henry, assuring Beyoncé that he simply wishes to be friends. Why would you sniff my rear?"
"If it bothers you, sniff back. After all, it's not as if you're at a loss."
Within the tent, the helpless Red Horse Knight gazed upon a man in a white coat. The knight's face bore an expression of defiant indifference, suggesting, "Do what you will; I shan't cooperate. I am my own." However, seeing the man bring forth a large syringe, the knight's stoic demeanor faltered. "What is this? Torture? Do you think I'll cower?"
The needle punctured the thigh.
The pain!
Ming throws Raoul and Frank out to draw blood, and to administer the injection.
"Hmph."
The Red Horse Knight endured, thinking it was just a blood draw. "I have plenty; take what you will."
Ming unleashed Lopene, Selina, Kubo, Euryale, and other puppetry creatures.
"!!"
The Knight's previously indifferent face twisted. "You're not showing any mercy, are you?"
"Patience," Ming said. "Only a few more to go. I'm not rushing."
Ming continued his ritual – drawing blood, injecting, retrieving the puppets, and summoning new ones. "After all, blood doesn't cost a dime. Every creature gets a dose of this divine blood. Only the evolved survive; it's the law of our household."
The Knight watched as wave after wave of puppets was summoned. His heart grew colder with every passing moment. "Your idea of 'a few' is gravely mistaken."
Moments later, the Knight's naturally pale-green face turned pale and ashen. Clearly, he was unaccustomed to this artificial anemia. When Ming finally stood up, the Knight breathed a sigh of relief. "It's over."
However, that was short-lived. Ming opened the tent's flap and shouted, "Alan, bring your centipedes, crabs, scorpions, eagles, and birds!"
"!!"
Now, with a dazed look added to his listless face, the Red Horse Knight reminisced about his fanatical days before the apocalypse. Always plotting, always dreaming of changing the world like the gunman of the Sarajevo incident. He longed to make his mark in the annals of human history.
After all, he had devoured many historical texts, political books, war case studies, West Point Military Academy materials, and even Sun Tzu's Art of War. His favorite strategy was to win with fewer against many. Eventually, he was given a chance, following the guidance of the Almighty Creator, and became the War's Red Horse Knight.
It dawned on him that all his learning was for this moment. As everything came silently to pass, his enthusiasm and excitement bubbled up, ready to enact his theoretical knowledge and incite war. Yet, unexpectedly, he was captured!
The Red Horse Knight was in deep introspection, questioning his failures. The strategies and tactics he learned never got to see the light of day before he was beaten into submission. As he was deep in thought, Ming approached him again, handing over a piece of paper while mentioning he was ill.
"You're sick, and you need to buy medicine. It will cost you 10,000 gold coins..."
"You have no money, you can only use your possessions to pay off your debt..."
The voice echoed in his head, listing the things he lost, from exclusive transportation scrolls to even his undergarments. The Red Horse Knight was left with nothing, amplifying his feelings of astonishment and self-doubt. How did he, a spokesperson for the Creator of War, end up like this? Was he unworthy?
"Don't doze off yet~ We're not done," Ming cheerfully remarked.
Under Ming's command, Kubo helped the Knight put on his undergarments. Ming then stepped out, returning with Da Vinci and shutting the tent behind him.
[Your pet Foodie watched Ming carry Da Vinci into the tent, feeling oddly happy about it. Turning to Henry, Foodie cheerfully suggested, "I'm free today. Let's go have fun!" As Henry and a spotted dog named Beyonce greeted each other, glanced at Foodie, and said it's busy now.]
[Foodie collects the spotted dog, Beyonce. Henry stared in disbelief. "Do you know how hard it is for dogs to trust one another? Dog farts really don't smell pleasant."]
Inside the tent, Ming placed Da Vinci on the floor and pointed at the dazed Red Horse Knight, instructing, "Go on, take off his underpants."
[Your Da Vinci looked at you, puzzled. "What are you pointing at that half-naked guy for? Did he bully you or something?"]
Ming smirked slightly, realizing that Da Vinci indeed couldn't understand him. Thankfully, he was well-prepared.
[Your Da Vinci eyed the pretty doll with a pink dress and shoes you took out. "Ming, how old are you? Still, having a teenage girl's heart? You're not into men, are you?"]
[After watching you undress the doll and point at the almost naked Red Horse Knight, Da Vinci remained silent. Taking the doll from you, it seemed to advise, "Old Qin, from today onwards, you should act like a real man and stop playing with such toys."]
Ming softly shook his head. "Thank you for your concern, but I think I'll need Merlin's assistance."
[Your Da Vinci frowned upon seeing your reaction. "You're so handsome, you shouldn't fall into such habits. You're meant to charm countless girls! If it comes down to it, even if you like men, that's fine. I can catch some for you. Come on, smile a bit, and don't frown."]
Rubbing his face, Ming decided that it was better to call Merlin over since Da Vinci clearly couldn't understand what he was trying to do.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l