Way of the Knights

Chapter 856: Display Of Might

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Raven truly never meant to intimidate them upon his arrival. He really didn't mean to. 

Alas, it's precisely what happened. 

It's probably because of his choice to appear like a ghost or because of how he carried himself, maybe even both honestly. He didn't mean to scare them in any way but it's what happened anyway. 

It was obvious at the first glance that Raven was different breed.

For one, he looked neat and noble. His clothes were sparkling clean, not a dust nor dirt could be seen in his face, he looks ethereal and he smells fresh. The way he stood was authoritative and his gaze was piercing as if they could see through their deepest secrets and just by his stance alone, they could feel power rolling off from his body.

None of these people met anyone like him before. 

Even Lenna's family looked like beggars right next to him. 

Raven gave Lenna a subtle nod. Then he asked: "These people claimed that they've seen him?" 

"Y-yeah." She nodded, feeling quite awkward. She might never get used to how authoritative Raven sounded. 

Raven glanced briefly at the 16 people in front of him. It was quite comical to see how they seem to shiver whenever Raven looked at them. It was obvious that they were scared. 

"You." Raven pointed at someone from the group. 

The man flinched. He looked at his left and his right, then behind. He then pointed at himself with an incredulous expression. 

"Yes, you." Raven nodded faintly. "Step forward." 

The man hesitantly took a step forward, not daring to meet Raven's eyes. 

"Tell me what you know." 

"I-…" the man tried to speak but he was too nervous. He tried to look at Raven and opened his mouth but no words came out. 

Raven didn't say anything. He just stared at the man with an impassive gaze, waiting for him to speak. 

"I-I met him on an abandoned plane before." The man finally got the courage to speak. "W-we weren't acquainted per se. I-I just…saw him and minded my own business." 

"Coordinates?" Raven asked. 

The man gulped and told him the spatial coordinates. Right after telling him the coordinates, he immediately followed by saying: 

"I-I'm not sure if that place is still around though. I-we fled that place because it for ransacked by Space Pirates." 

Raven stared at the man with an indifferent gaze. He nodded after a bit and said: "Stand there." 

He pointed at his left. The man was unsure of what to do first but Raven's piercing gaze bore down on him, urging him to hurry so he could only follow. 

Raven then pointed at another person. Just like what he did to previous one, he asked what they know. This one told a different story from the previous one. Raven asked for the spatial coordinates before telling them to stand on the left side. 

Just like this, Raven interrogated the ground one by one. He followed the same format for most part and allocated them to a certain spot next to him. 

Their stories varied. Some claimed that they saw Geezer on a abandoned world/star/plane. Some said he was a wandering merchant, while some claimed that he joined the ranks of Space Pirates, there are even some who said the same story as the previous ones before them. 

Raven listened to them all. His expression didn't shift even once during all that so nobody could really tell what he's thinking. He just stares and ask questions, then he will tell them to either stand on his left or his right. 

Some people could already tell where this is going but they didn't say a word. They just waited instead. 

The last person who claimed they knew something was surprising. 

It was a teenager. 

From Raven's guess, she appears to be around 15 or 16. She looked visibly frightened but she didn't run. She just kind of shivered where she stood. 

"You. Step forward." 

The girl flinched and stepped forward. She was looking around her. She saw her parents looking at her with worried faces within the crowd of onlookers. 

Raven looked unbothered, he straight up demanded: "Tell me what you know." 

"N-not much, M'Lord." She said, "I-…this one didn't properly saw the Sire. Only a brief glance of his silhouette."

She took a deep breath and recounted her story. "T-the good Sire appeared when we were raided by the Nightmares. Sire t-told me to go to my parents a-and run away, far far away. H-he said that it's over for our home and wished us luck." 

"S-sire held them Nightmares back for as long as he could before…before he couldn't anymore. W-we were leaving our home and then I-…this one saw him one last time…he got caught by the Nightmares. They chained him up…whipped him before taking him to their ship. T-that's all this one could remember." 

"T-this one would happily give M'Lord the spatial coordinates of our home but…it's gone now. I doubt even a rubble was left there. Would M'Lord require it?" 

Raven stared at the child for a moment. After a moment, he sighed and shook his head:

"No need. Stay where you are."

"Y-yes, M'Lord." The girl squeaked and stood still. 

Raven then took a step forward and faced the other people he interviewed earlier. He looked at them one by one before saying:

"I'll give those who lied one last chance to live. Admit to your sins and I won't kill you. You have five minutes and it starts now." 

Everyone's eyes widened in disbelief. By the looks of it, the man wasn't kidding. He was serious. 

Time ticked down yet nobody dared to move. That said, everyone felt in edge. Some started sweating coldly while others fidgeted where they stood. Countless of thoughts ran through their head as to what to do but none seems to be the correct answer. Even those who didn't participate and just watched the commotion, felt nervous. 

"Thirty seconds left." Raven announced, causing everyone to flinch. 

With what little amount of time left, the nerves truly gotten to them. Those group started fidgeting even more, looking more and more unsure of what to do yet they knew they don't have much time left. 

"Time's up." 

Everyone froze. Raven's gaze suddenly turned really cold. He was about to say something when someone interrupted him. 

"Don't kill anyone." 

Raven's gaze automatically landed on the one who just spoke. It was a man from audience. He walked with a weapon in hand towards Raven with unkind intentions but honestly? Raven wasn't having it. 

"Kneel." 

*Boom!*

That wasn't a request. It was a heavenly order. 

The man who stepped with his body brimming with too much bravado and confidence, looked dumbstruck right now. His knees buckled at one word from Raven's mouth. He looked so lost. 

"I did not give you any permission to speak." Raven uttered coldly. "Nor have I given you any permission that you may look at me. Knock your head on the ground." 

Against his desire, the man's forehead touched ground hard. 

Everyone hissed at the display, even Lenna and his family grimaced at the sight. This was a blatant display of might and power. Everyone was frightened. 

"Remember that position." Raven stated. "In your next life. That is how you shall greet those who are stronger than you." 

Everyone shivered at his words. 

"Now. Begone." 

With his order, everyone watched as the man's body disintegrated into fine dust. Scattered by the gentle gust of air. Not a trace remained of him around, not even a speck of aura left. He died in all manner of ways, never to revived in any way shape or form. All but with one word from Raven. 

This…this is power. 

It wasn't until this very moment that everyone realized who they're dealing with. That man was someone who also had a reputation here but he died with just one word from Raven. Calling that a one-sided battle wouldn't even be fair. It was not a battle to begin with, that man never stood a chance. 

Raven's gaze then landed to the group of people he interviewed earlier. The moment their gazes met, they immediately scrambled to their feet. 

"M'Lord! Forgive me please! I lied! Please spare me! I'll do anything!" 

"Spare us! Please, forgive! M'Lord!"

"Our magnanimous Lord! Please do pardon our mistakes! It shall never happen again! We will serve you for the rest of our lives!" 

Out of 16 people who claimed that they knew something, there's only one who said their truth and it was the girl standing behind Raven right now. 

Everyone else lied. 

Lenna and the rest of the audience were disappointed but not surprised. They could understand why they did it but…it's a shame. They picked the wrong target. 

Nobody could save them from this. Raven gave them a chance but they wasted it. Truly, they asked for this.  action

"A man can escape a random act of god but could never escape a disaster they courted." Raven's voice was flat. "I've given you a chance. In your next life, be a little bit more wise." 

"Begone."