Chapter 116: Piper’s Bane

A locust landed on his arm. He crushed it. Another on his neck. He crushed it. Another. Another. Another.

This was getting endless.

He spotted Ashe.

The lieutenant was fighting near the well. His sword was a blur. His face was streaked with blood. His own. Theirs.

"Ashe!"

The lieutenant turned.

"Get the survivors to the Estate! Now!"

Ashe nodded. He shouted orders. The knights gathered the survivors. The elderly woman. The young girl and her mother. Others. Dozens. They ran toward the manor.

Emeric turned back to the fight.

The system pulsed again.

---

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

[LOCUST SWARM — ONGOING]

[SOLUTION AVAILABLE]

[SYSTEM NOTE: OPEN SYSTEM SHOP?]

---

Emeric stared at the notification.

Now? You’re telling me this now?

He could almost feel the frustration of the system at him.

Wait. Was that the notification he had gotten earlier ?

His mind went to Isolde. He hoped she was safe.

He gritted his teeth.

Yes. Open the shop.

---

[SYSTEM SHOP — ACCESS]

[ITEM IDENTIFIED: PIPER’S BANE]

[DESCRIPTION: A rare shrub native to the southern highlands. Emits a pungent resinous vapor that is toxic to locusts and other swarming insects. Harmless to humans and livestock. Burns easily — can be ignited for wider dispersal.]

[COST: 500 DP PER UNIT]

[SYSTEM NOTE: ONE UNIT WILL COVER APPROXIMATELY ONE ACRE. THE VILLAGE IS ROUGHLY THAT SIZE OR MORE.]

Emeric stared at the notification.

Piper’s Bane.

He had never heard of it. But he didn’t have time to question. The locusts were still swarming, eating everything in their path.

"I need four units. At least."

"Buy four."

[PURCHASE CONFIRMED.]

[UNITS PURCHASED: 4]

[ITEMS DELIVERED.]

A crate appeared in front of him. He had not imagined what it would look like but this was a lot. It was as tall as his waist, wide as a cart. It materialized in the middle of the street with a heavy thump.

Emeric grabbed the lid and pulled it open.

Inside — bundles of dried shrub. Grey-green. Pungent. The smell hit him like a physical blow with a sharp resinous odor, almost choking him.

The system said it was not harmful to humans but it never said it would be pleasant. Emeric squeezed his nose as he grabbed a bundle and held it up.

A knight ran past. Emeric caught his arm.

"You! What’s your name?"

"Tomas, my lord!"

"Tomas. Take these." He shoved bundles into the knight’s arms. "Scatter them around the village. Every street. Every corner. And tell your colleagues to do the same. The fumes will drive the locusts away."

Tomas stared at the bundle.

"What is it?"

"Piper’s Bane. Don’t breathe it in too deep. Just scatter it. Go!"

Tomas ran.

Emeric grabbed more bundles. Handed them to the next knight. The next. The next.

"Piper’s Bane! Scatter it! Everywhere!"

Twenty minutes passed.

The fumes were gradually spreading through the air as grey-green smoke rose from the bundles, drifting through the streets.

The locusts were slowing down, gradually avoiding the areas that were covered by the green smoke.

Okay. It was working perfectly. .

Then they began to retreat but not all at once. It was a gradual process.

Emeric stood in the square. Breathing hard, covered in bites and his own blood. He had been fighting for hours and his mama was practically drained. Regen was not working as fast as usual. He was breathing heavily.

He watched the last of them go and got the first time in a few hours, he could see the sky clearly .

Gaius approached. His armor was dented with green slime on several parts of it and his face was streaked with blood. The green slime was the locust blood.

"The herd?"

"Still trapped. The locusts didn’t reach them. They would have been spooked."

"Good."

Emeric’s rage was brimming. This had not happened ordinarily. Something sent them into his territory.

Emeric mounted his horse.

"Gaius. With me."

The commander nodded. Mounted his own horse. They rode toward the estate.

The road was uphill. Steep. The estate sat on a rise overlooking the village. A compound of stone and timber. It had stood for generations. It would stand for generations more.

As they rode, Gaius spoke.

"I sent a few of my men ahead. To secure the estate. Make sure the baroness was safe."

Emeric looked at him.

"Thank you."

Gaius shrugged. "It’s my job."

"Still. Thank you."

They continued riding in silence until Gaius spoke again.

"You fought well. In the village. You didn’t run."

"I had no choice."

"There’s always a choice. You chose to fight."

Emeric didn’t answer. They rode on.

The estate gates were open.

Two knights stood guard. They straightened when they saw Emeric. Saluted.

"My lord."

"Report."

"The baroness is inside. She’s safe. A few locusts made it up the hill. We dealt with most of them. But there are still some stragglers."

Emeric dismounted. Drew his sword.

"Where?"

"The east wall. Two of my men are holding them off."

"I’m coming."

The east wall.

Two knights were fighting. Their swords flashed. The locusts swarmed around them. Not many. A dozen. Maybe more. But enough.

Emeric joined them.

His sword cut through the air. Locusts fell. He didn’t have any of the shrubs left. He had used them all in the village. But he didn’t need them. He had his sword and plenty of rage brewing inside of him.

Gaius joined him. His blade was a blur. The locusts fell around him like leaves.

Within minutes, it was over.

Emeric sheathed his sword. Turned to Gaius.

"Thank you. Again."

Gaius nodded. "Go see your wife. We’ll handle the rest."

Emeric didn’t need to be told twice.

The estate was quiet.

The servants had barricaded themselves in the kitchen. The maids. The cook. The stable boy. They emerged when they heard his voice.

"My lord—"

"Where is she?"

"Your chambers, my lord. She’s safe. She’s—"

He was already moving.

He found her in their bedroom.

She was in her chair by the window. Her hands were clenched in her lap. Her face was pale. But she wasn’t crying. She wasn’t shaking.

She was angry.

"Em—"