The queen finally believed Ivanka's words and allocated five hundred knights to him.
These knights were even more elite than the previous ones, and they were her backing. She held Ivanka's chin and said, "My most loyal guard, I trust you will successfully bring me Snow White Prince's head. Go, victory will ultimately belong to you and me."
"As you command, Your Majesty."
Ivanka, full of pride, led five hundred knights into the dark forest with imposing momentum, exuding an air of conquering everything.
With so many knights, he did not hide in the rear but always rode a strong horse at the forefront.
Surrounding the seven dwarfs' house, he shouted, "Snow White Prince, come out and accept your death!"
Ono was packing his luggage in the room. Upon hearing this, he glanced out the window and saw a dense group of knights in front, fiercely surrounding the dwarfs' cottage.
He quickly gathered Qiao Ci and the six dwarfs.
"The knights outside must have been sent by my wicked stepmother. Last time there were only twenty, but this time there are so many. It seems she won't rest until I'm dead."
"This has nothing to do with you. Stay inside and don't come out. They are targeting me. As soon as they find me, they will leave. Hide well and don't show yourselves."
The six dwarfs trembled as they looked at the fierce knights outside the house, shivering with each other.
"Ah, so many people."
"They're riding tall horses and holding big swords."
"Such big swords, they've scared me to death."
"Don't worry, Snow White Prince, we will hide well."
"Yes, you can go on your way with peace of mind. If conditions permit, we will collect your body for you."
With such a display, they felt that even their sister would be cut down by a thousand cuts, and there was no point in pointless sacrifice!
Snow White Prince nodded heavily, then looked at Qiao Ci, "I'm sorry, I can't help you find a handsome gentleman anymore. Thank you for taking care of me during this time. Goodbye for now."
Qiao Ci's gaze was faint. She was not at all intimidated by the imposing presence outside, nor did she pay attention to what Ono said.
Just as Ono was about to turn, she grabbed him and tossed him towards the six dwarfs, "Stay put honestly, brothers, help me keep an eye on Ono. I will deal with the enemies outside."
The six dwarfs hastily caught Ono, each grabbing an arm, a leg, or a waist.
After realizing what their sister had said, they all shook their heads:
"Sister, no! There are too many bad guys outside, you can't handle them."
"Yes, why don't we escape? I'll dig a tunnel now! We'll hide underground!"
"You're silly, Old Six. It's too late to dig a tunnel."
"Then what should we do? I don't want my lovely sister to go to her death."
Ono struggled to stand up, his brows furrowed. "No, you can't go out. You will die."
For some reason, the thought of her being killed made his heart ache as if it were being squeezed.
Qiao Ci raised an eyebrow, "Don't you trust me?"
Qiao Ci said to the dwarfs, "Brothers, protect Ono, just stay put and don't move. Wait for me to return. Don't move!"
There were too many people outside, and she was not sure if she could ensure that none of them would get hurt without using large-scale divine power.
Seeing Qiao Ci's confidence, the six brothers' anxious emotions instantly disappeared. If their sister said it was fine, then it must be fine!
While tightly restraining Ono, they cheered Qiao Ci on, "Sister, you can do it, brothers believe in you!"
Ono struggled with all his might but couldn't break free, and said anxiously, "Why are you all fooling around? They are looking for me. As long as I go out, you will all be safe."
"Stay put and wait for me to come back obediently."
Qiao Ci said nothing more and pushed the door open, stepping outside.
Meanwhile, a faint halo appeared around the six dwarfs and Ono, enveloping them.
Seeing a frog girl with bulging eyes and a wide grin emerge, Ivanka frowned and questioned, "Where is Snow White Prince? Hand him over quickly, or we will flatten your dwarf house today!"
"What do you want him for?" Qiao Ci retorted.
Ivanka did not expect this frog girl's voice to be so pleasant. He suddenly remembered that she was a beautiful princess from a neighboring country who had been cursed and turned into this.
His expression immediately became somewhat subtle. He smiled and said, "Are you A Ci. Jobs? I know your story. You are the princess of Briston Kingdom, cursed into a frog dwarf. As long as you hand over Snow White Prince, I will help you get revenge and restore your princess status, how about it?"
Qiao Ci glanced at him lightly, "You are just a bodyguard exploiting others' power. What ability do you have to help me?"
Being questioned and mocked like this, Ivanka became unhappy. There were plenty of beautiful women, and this little frog would not survive today!
"You're really asking for a beating! Come, kill her! Stab her to death with a thousand swords!!!"
Then, twenty knights surrounded Qiao Ci.
Qiao Ci performed a beautiful backflip, kicking the warhorse closest to her, causing the rider and horse to fall. She snatched the knight's sword and killed him with one strike.
Her movements were strange, and her swordsmanship was sharp. Soon, all twenty knights fell!
Ivanka looked at Qiao Ci in shock, his heart filled with uncertainty. How could she be so powerful?
He guessed that the twenty knights who had scouted before were killed by her.
Thinking this, he was determined to kill Snow White Prince today. He ordered most of the knights to attack Qiao Ci, while the others were to enter the cottage from all directions, find the prince, and kill him on the spot!!
Qiao Ci moved with ease amidst the heavy knights, but there were too many of them. Some knights still managed to break through the door and enter the house.
The six dwarfs trembled with fear as they saw the knights in cold, hard armor, holding sharp swords, approaching them menacingly.
They hugged each other for warmth, not forgetting to hold Snow White Prince tightly.
Their sister had told them to stay put.
With so many knights, struggling was useless. They might as well obey their sister. At least they would die together.
Ono seized their momentary distraction and raised his sword in a defensive posture.
Several knights seemed to laugh at his overestimation of his abilities. They exchanged glances and simultaneously thrust their swords towards Snow White Prince and the six dwarfs.
The six dwarfs closed their eyes in fear, and Ono also prepared himself to die before Qiao Ci's six brothers.
Just as the knights' swords neared them, they seemed to hit a barrier and could not advance any further.
What's more, they thrust with all their might, as if being repelled by that force, they were flung back heavily and fell to the ground.
Ono looked at the people lying on the ground, confused. The six dwarfs opened their eyes upon hearing the commotion.
"Ah, what... why did they fall down by themselves?"