As they reached the bend, Sain felt pain all over his body, like a man covered in blood. He sat on the ground, gasping for breath.
Beside him, Ge Gong cautiously scanned their surroundings and said, his breath ragged, "My Lord, I hear that Xiao Xun, who leads the Saint Roman army, is known as a peerless strategist and is extremely powerful. In my opinion, we should hurry our journey to avoid being caught by him."
Sain frowned. He was a dignified overlord, who had roamed the barbarian lands. How had he fallen so low?
Being driven to such a state by the Saint Roman army today truly angered him, but he also knew that Ge Gong's words were reasonable. He stood up and shouted, "Warriors! We will rest well when we return to the stronghold! Let's go!"
Upon hearing Sain's shout, the warriors all stood up with a whoosh and rushed towards the valley entrance.
As they reached the valley mouth, they suddenly heard the sound of mechanical mechanisms from the front. A troop emerged from the valley entrance, and a soldier shouted loudly, "Sain! Surrender quickly! If you dare to resist, you will be killed without mercy!"
The warriors were all fierce generals under Sain's command. Seeing that the Saint Roman army numbered only a few hundred, they exchanged glances, and with a sudden movement, they all attacked the Saint Roman army.
But before the warriors could charge close, there were several *pu pu* sounds, and hundreds of powerful arrows shot out. The arrows were swift and fast, forming a dense net that crashed into the barbarian ranks. The warriors were hit like hedgehogs, and some were even sent flying high by the powerful impact of the arrows before crashing heavily to the ground.
The barbarian experts sought cover, all astonished by the power of the enemy's crossbows, and dared not move rashly for a time.
Sain, having been surrounded and pursued by the Saint Roman army all day, constantly falling into their schemes, was already brimming with anger. Seeing the situation, he roared with rage, leaping up like a falcon, circling and diving into the Saint Roman army.
The Saint Roman army never expected Sain to be so fierce. Arrows were shot at Sain one after another.
The dense and swift arrow net forced Sain to be startled, but he was, after all, a top expert of the barbarian lands. Even such powerful arrows could not harm him.
Sain looked as he plunged into the Saint Roman army formation. Through the gaps in the Saint Roman crossbowmen's hands, countless spears were thrust at him.
Sain waved his large, fan-like hand, pushing aside all the spears. The Saint Roman soldiers staggered as if struck by hammers, and Sain's powerful body then crashed into their ranks.
It was at this moment that Sain was startled by a heavy, powerful force striking him from behind, causing him to jolt.
But he was, after all, a top master. In such a critical moment, he shifted his body slightly, narrowly dodging the heavy blow and parrying the opponent's weapon with his hand.
Sain felt a burning sensation flow into his meridians, an indescribable discomfort. He endured the pain and used the force to turn back.
However, Sain's attack lost its accuracy this time and did not cause much damage to the Saint Roman army. It only forced the Saint Roman army back a step with its powerful energy.
His body spun in mid-air, unstable, and he felt the opponent's energy follow him like a shadow.
Sain secretly lamented his situation. He was naturally not suited for arduous travel due to his tall and mighty physique, and he had also sustained many injuries in the depths of the ancient forest, leaving him somewhat lacking in strength. It was only his confidence in his own prowess and his underestimation of the Saint Roman army's strength, beyond Aaron, that led him to this disadvantage.
At this moment, how could he possibly dodge the opponent's strike? As his body landed, the tip of a long spear was pressed against his neck.
"My Lord!"
The barbarian soldiers were all shocked. They had expected Sain to break through the Saint Roman army and were ready to follow him to carve out a path of blood. They never imagined that Sain, with his abilities, would be subdued.
Sain, known as the second most powerful expert among the barbarians and holding a highly esteemed position, possessed a physical toughness unmatched in a century among the barbarians. The shock among the barbarian soldiers was immense as they stared in horror at the woman holding the long spear against Sain.
The woman was eight feet tall, clad in silver armor, with a face like a bright star. She held a long spear, her posture imposing against Sain's imposing presence. The woman then said triumphantly, "How about it, Barbarian King, do you submit?"
Sain snorted, his face full of defiance, "卑鄙小人！ You wouldn't have captured me if you hadn't attacked from behind!"
The other party laughed heartily, "Battlefield combat is not a duel. The winner takes all. Just admit defeat! Take him away!"
A group of Saint Roman soldiers rushed forward, tying Sain up securely.
The female general retracted her spear and looked coldly at the barbarian warriors hiding behind cover, saying, "Will you not surrender?"
Men Delu and others exchanged hateful glances, slowly stood up, and the Saint Roman soldiers rushed forward, disarmed them, and tied them up.
Seeing his elite troops captured by the Saint Roman army because of him, Sain was extremely indignant. He stared fiercely at the woman and said, "Girl! What is your name?"
The person glanced at Sain and proudly said, "I am the Duke of Divine Might of the Saint Roman Empire, Dukai'er..."
"You are Dukai'er?"
Upon hearing it was Dukai'er, Sain exclaimed before he could finish speaking, his eyes widening as he scrutinized the man before him.
Dukai'er was a renowned figure. Although Sain lived in the barbarian lands, he was not ignorant of the heroes of the world and had heard of Dukai'er's name. To be defeated by him was not a disgrace to his name, and he even felt a hint of secret pleasure.
But he truly did not expect Dukai'er to be a woman, and so young!
The woman's face was filled with dark lines. "What are you rushing for? Dukai'er is my elder brother, and I am his sister, Pelisa!"
It turned out that Pelisa was escorting provisions to the front lines, and Xiao Xun was in need of a general, so he ordered her to set up an ambush here.
However, if Sain had not just fought a fierce battle, fled, traversed mountains and thorny bushes, expended a great deal of physical strength, and suffered many injuries, it would have been difficult to capture him.
After Pelisa finished speaking, she did not wish to deal with him further and mounted her horse without looking back.
Sain then nodded and said,
"I knew it. If it were Dukai'er, he would never have used such despicable tactics!"
Pelisa turned and glared at Sain. Sain met her gaze with disdain and said, "Good! I remember you! If we meet again, I will surely let you witness my skills!"
The Saint Roman soldiers behind him, seeing Sain dare to insult their superior, shoved Sain, intending to show their authority. However, their push did not budge him.
Sain turned and glared at the Saint Roman soldier, his eyes filled with killing intent. Under the pressure of his powerful aura, the Saint Roman soldier involuntarily took a step back.
The Saint Roman soldier clearly did not expect the burly man to be so fierce. Even though he was bound, he was still so defiant. As he moved, he suddenly realized that being frightened back by this man was a great humiliation.
Naturally, he did not want to lose face in front of his companions. He shouted, "Let's go!"
Sain glared at him, then resentfully followed the Saint Roman troops towards the Saint Roman camp.
Xiao Xun had already set up his military tent. Regarding Sain's allied forces, Xiao Xun not only did not punish them but treated them with great kindness, persuading them not to be deceived by Sain any longer. He distributed food to them and let them go.
Although the barbarians had not shed their barbaric nature, they knew how to repay kindness. These barbarian soldiers were greatly grateful and repeatedly bowed to Xiao Xun in thanks before leaving the Saint Roman army's main tent.
A short while later, Sain and his group were brought to the tent by Pelisa.
Having been bound, Sain had no choice but to submit to coercion and knelt on the ground, extremely indignant.
Xiao Xun sat in the commander's seat, looked down at Sain, and said sternly, "Sain, my Emperor has treated you well. Yet, during the winter, while we were in a standoff, you raised an army in rebellion. What are your intentions?"
Sain replied proudly, "Hmph! Your empress's family, relying on their strength, seized Saint Roman, invaded my land, and declared themselves emperor. I am reclaiming my land. What is wrong with that?"
The generals and officers saw Sain's fierce demeanor and shouted in unison, "Audacious!"
"How dare you!"
Sain, however, remained fearless, staring intently at Xiao Xun.