My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 1013 - 1015: Mugu’s Oath

Damon observed a fury on Mugu’s face that was entirely new to him. The young man stepped forward, positioning himself between Abellona and the armored knights.

"You cannot have Abellona. She is not yours to take."

His voice was chilling, his eyes devoid of fear, only absolute resolve. If they intended to take her, they would have to advance over his lifeless body.

Unfortunately for Mugu, arranging that was a simple matter.

What could a defenseless village boy accomplish? What impact could his rage and indignation possibly have? Absolutely nothing.

There was no way he could prevent them from succeeding.

The knights drew their swords and dismounted. They might have crushed him with their horses, but he stood too close to the prince's intended acquisition. They were disinclined to have her meet the same fate as the previous three.

"Do not obstruct us, boy. It should be her honor to serve his highness," one of the knights declared with a sinister smirk. For them, this was nothing out of the ordinary; it was merely routine.

Damon folded his arms, watching the scene unfold from Damon’s perspective outside of Mugu’s physical form.

’I have encountered knights lacking honor before, but never one so shamelessly brazen. Typically, they fabricate justifications before attempting to seize another's wife.’

Ashcroft’s voice echoed in his mind, sharp and detached.

’The notion of honorable knights has always been pure fantasy. Such tales were fabricated to encourage restraint, not because knights were ever tethered by such principles.’

That assessment held considerable weight. Some of the most reprehensible individuals Damon knew were knights, yet so were some of the most noble.

Damon disregarded the ongoing commentary. His gaze remained locked onto Mugu's struggle.

Mugu charged forward.

Damon perceived his opponent's sluggishness. Naturally, he was slow; this was an unawakened human, devoid of any cultivation class. The knights, in contrast, were at least Third Class.

Steel blade flashed.

Crimson blood erupted.

Mugu was struck and sent hurtling through the air, landing hard on the dirt. His skin tore as he skidded across the ground. With a pained groan, he forced himself to his feet and staggered back, positioning himself in front of Abellona, whose tears flowed freely.

"Ah, come on, men. He is unarmed. At least let this be a fair fight," one knight jeered, tossing a sword onto the ground near Mugu. "There. Now you possess a weapon."

Without hesitation, Mugu snatched it up and charged again.

A sword sliced deep into his side. Scarlet liquid seeped into the parched earth.

The surrounding villagers observed in utter silence. No one dared to intervene; none wished to jeopardize their lives for Mugu. Powerlessness had already taken firm root within their hearts.

’Injustice is only acknowledged as such when it directly impacts oneself,’ Damon mused inwardly. ’Individuals condemn wickedness but seldom take action. That is the very reason evil prevails. The good stand aside, becoming complicit.’

Mugu was battered, thrown, and violently kicked across the dirt repeatedly.

Yet, in spite of it all, he persisted in standing.

"He is precisely like me," Damon stated softly. It brought to mind his own early days at the academy. No matter the number of opponents who ganged up on him, he never relinquished his fight.

Ashcroft offered a derisive scoff. ’The weak remain weak. Sentiment holds no value in the face of strength. This is an undeniable truth across all realms.’

Damon’s astral form drifted closer to Mugu.

And then, with an instantaneous tug, he was drawn back into the physical body.

The instant he regained control, he executed an upward sword swing, striking one knight directly in the eye. Before they could even react, he rolled and severed the Achilles tendon of another. Being Third Class, they were significantly faster than him, so Damon's strategy was to inflict crippling injuries before they fully comprehended the situation.

A hand suddenly seized his blade.

Two fingers gripped the steel as if it were utterly insignificant.

He attempted to pull away, but it proved impossible. His strength was utterly dwart compared to the knight’s, akin to an ant's against a titan.

A powerful kick sent him crashing violently to the ground. The remaining knights pinned him beneath their heavy boots. One raised his sword, poised to deliver a fatal blow.

Clouds of dust billowed into the air.

Abellona threw herself across Mugu's body. Her warmth was a tangible reminder to Mugu that he was still alive, and as long as he lived, he could still protect her.

"No, please. You cannot kill Mugu. I implore you. Spare his life."

The knight cast a glance towards the waiting carriage. No response was forthcoming. He moved to roughly shove her aside.

In her desperation, Abellona snatched a dagger from the knight's belt. Tears streamed down her face, but she did not raise it with intent to fight.

Instead, she pressed the sharp tip against her own throat.

"If you kill him, I shall die with him. But if you spare him, I will do absolutely anything you command. Please. Spare him."

Mugu writhed beneath the knights' boots, shaking his head ferociously.

"No. No. I will not allow this to occur."

"I accept."

The voice emanated from the grand carriage.

A man emerged. He possessed long, dark hair and eyes as cold as ice. An aloofness radiated from his gaze, making him appear almost inhuman.

"You shall become my wife."

Mugu's fury ignited once more. He attempted to rise, but Abellona firmly pushed him back down. Blood stained the dirt beneath him.

She raised her hand, trembling slightly.

"You must heal him as well."

The man gave a subtle nod. The mage accompanying him tossed a vial towards her. She caught it deftly and poured the contents into Mugu's mouth. A soothing warmth spread through his body. The bleeding ceased, and the specter of death receded.

Empowered with renewed vigor, Mugu grasped her wrist and attempted to pull her away, fully aware of the futility of his action.