Chapter 57: How This Man Hunts Bandits
Chapter 57: How This Man Hunts Bandits
If that guy Lucius really was a dragon, then surely he wasn’t talking about his own playful adventures just now.
Shaking his head lightly, Kassel made the innkeeper swear an oath.
“If there turns out to be another base like my companion said, I’ll be holding you accountable later.”
“Oh heavens, never! I’ve been running this place for over twenty years. How could I lie? Not like I can just pick up the inn and run off, is it?”
Just then, Raphael, who was yawning loudly as he descended from the second floor, chimed in.
“Hmm? Didn’t you say that pot’s been boiling for over a hundred years? What about the other eighty? Were you selling food somewhere else back then?”
“…”
“Give Mr. Raphael a bowl, sir.”
“Aye, of course! You need a full belly to hunt bandits, so I’ll load it up with the good stuff from the bottom.”
“No thanks! Why is it always me?!”
And just like that, they found themselves suddenly tasked with a bandit subjugation mission.
Though the inn’s ‘hundred-year tradition’ had been mysteriously shortened to just twenty, the innkeeper certainly had good intel.
Lucius, looking at the map and its topography as described by the innkeeper, spoke up.
“I’ll send out a spirit to scout the area first.”
“I can manage an Undine, you know.”
Lucius gave a confident smirk.
“Leave it to me.”
“Pii… pipipipii…”
After being unusually quiet for a while, Momo let out a gutsy melody. Though he was a highborn noble who didn’t care much for others’ music, Raphael still had perfect pitch and couldn’t ignore it.
“Hm? That bird… wasn’t that an actual melody, not just random chirping?”
“Really? I just thought it was happy and making noise,” Fay replied, tilting her head.
Lucius’s sharp eyes trailed down Momo’s back. If that creature ever accidentally exposed his emotions, the great Drakan Moitettra Vanus might be laid to eternal rest. Terrified, Momo flapped his wings and bolted straight onto Fay’s lap.
Meanwhile, Raphael furrowed his brow in thought.
“It sounded familiar… but I can’t quite place it.”
“Forget that! I’m sending the spirit now. It’ll scout quickly, so just wait a bit.”
‘Dangerous guy.’
Instead of some minor elemental, he summoned a full-fledged Sylphid. The mana around them surged like crashing waves, and the top-class spirit shot off toward its target like a streak of light.
Kassel groaned, having sensed the wave of mana.
“What did you just do?”
“Hmph.”
Fay wasn’t particularly close with wind spirits, but she couldn’t help noticing how Sylphid’s soft white form fluttered away, graceful and beautiful. Does Lucius always get to see things like that?
A little envious, Fay summoned an Undine to stay close by her side.
“…”
She knew it was childish, but having a spirit nearby gave her some comfort.
Moments later.
“It’s back.”
“Huh? Already?”
Fay’s eyes widened as she held a steaming cup of grain-infused tea.
“Yeah.”
She set the cup down and asked, “Judging from how quiet the response was, there must be fewer than ten of them, right?”
“How’d you know?”
“If there were eleven, you would’ve already lost your temper at the innkeeper.”
Lucius was clearly caught off guard, having been completely seen through.
“When did I ever get mad every time?”
“Well… you’ve been better lately.”
That’s because of you, obviously.
Not daring to confess his hopeless crush, Lucius shared the info Sylphid had returned with.
Just as the innkeeper had said, the bandits were nine in number and loitering right around the marked area. Two were archers, but judging by their faces, they didn’t look like sharpshooters.
Fay chuckled at that.
“Wait, you can tell how good someone is with a bow by their face?”
“They’ve got faces that just scream ‘bad at combat.’ Their shoulders and hands don’t look like they’ve ever pulled a bowstring. Anyway, I’ve got their locations. I’ll go handle them myself real quick.”
“No! I’m coming too.”
Snatch. Alarmed, Fay grabbed the hem of Lucius’s coat just as he stood up. Her ears, hidden beneath silver hair, flushed bright red.
The only one who noticed was Kassel, who’d been watching Lucius like a hawk for the past hour.
“Let go! Let go!”
Lucius’s dragon heart thudded so hard it felt like it might explode.
This was seriously getting out of hand.
But Fay, oblivious as ever, didn’t let go. Instead, she scolded him.
“You’re not going off on your own!”
Kassel rose smoothly to his feet.
“Then Lucius and I will go. Fay, you stay here with As and Raphael…”
“Since when did you get to decide Lucius’s schedule?!”
Lucius, trying to hide how flustered he was by Fay’s hand, shouted in protest.
Kassel’s mind was a mess of competing thoughts. He didn’t want to leave Fay or Prince Astein exposed to danger, but he also didn’t like the idea of leaving Fay alone with Raphael while he wasn’t around.
Still, as a knight, he had to think strategically.
‘If something goes wrong, and Raphael behaves himself, then everything should be fine. But still… between Sir Raphael and Mage Lucius, who’s the lesser evil for Fay to be with?’
At this rate, he was starting to feel like the only respectable man in a world full of wolves.
Fay glared at Lucius.
“Why are you trying to leave me behind?”
“…Just stay here.”
“No way. I’m going. Raphael, please stay with Ast.”
“There might be bloodshed.”
“I’m not afraid. Coming here was my decision. I won’t back out now.”
She stood firmly, defiant. Lucius scratched his head, realizing he wouldn’t be able to stop her.
“Sigh… Well, they’ve got bounties, so if we’re going for capture rather than killing, I guess it’s doable. But do you really have to come?”
“Yes.”
“Then we’ll have Momo stomp them flat and haul them to the lord’s estate.”
It was the safest way he could think of to minimize her risk.
“…Didn’t you just say we’re going for capture?”
“Ugh, then just stick close to me. I’ll wrap you up with my spirit so you won’t get hurt even if arrows fly or traps spring.”
Fay looked at him with trusting eyes.
“Then you’ll protect Kassel too, right?”
“Why the hell would I protect him?”
Lucius grumbled, but didn’t try to argue with her any further.
— — —
The journey gave them a new experience, as wind spirits gently lifted them into the air. It was different from riding Momo.
“This is amazing.”
She touched the whistle hanging around her neck. Even now, it still felt like a dream that Lucius had shown her the unicorn.
“…Almost there. There’s a patch of especially thick trees and grass in the forest. Looks like they planted it for camouflage. One of the archers was outside scouting, and the other was near the building. But it’s about that time. They’ve probably all gone back inside.”
Fay was brought back to reality by his grim tone.
“So… their defenses aren’t that tight?”
Lucius lowered his voice.
“Even if they fire from a window or doorway, it’s still risky. We’ll take care of them. Just stay behind me. Got it?”
“I thought you wanted me next to you.”
“Plans changed.”
“Tch…”
“Do as Lucius says.”
“I said stop calling me that!”
Though Fay pouted, she didn’t insist on leading the charge. Both men clearly cared about her.
She didn’t fully understand why… but she liked it. Besides, now wasn’t the time to mess around. A mistake could be dangerous. She was slowly growing into a wise mage.
As they moved closer, the forest thickened, just like Lucius said. They’d already cast sound-dampening spells, but every falling droplet or rustling leaf made Fay tense up.
Ting—
‘…What was that?’
Something stung the back of her head. Fay turned slightly.
“What is it? There’s nothing behind us.”
“N-no, it’s nothing…”
She touched the back of her head. Nothing came away from her neatly tied hair, but the pain had been sharp, like her head had cracked open and was bleeding.
[“Miss! Miss Marietta—! Ugh, run! You can’t let them catch you—!”]
‘No way…?’
The sound of someone crying out in desperation echoed in her memory, and her chest constricted painfully. Just like before.
Cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
Am I remembering this because we’re in a similar situation?
‘I’ve never been to the place it happened… but maybe this area resembles it. Or maybe the bandits here are the same ones who hurt my nanny and maids…’
“There.”
Lucius whispered and pointed to a spot.
Two men, camouflaged with earth-toned shirts and pants, were lurking there. One sat against a tree; the other, an archer, stood nearby with a quiver but no bow in hand.
“Their guard’s sloppy. If there’s too much noise, the others might escape. I’ll take care of them first.”
Kassel had no objections. Lucius formed a small orb in his hand, which soon dissolved. Fay watched with wide eyes as the two bandits froze in place, unable to even cry out.
“…!”
“…!”
Their bodies stiffened, and then white ropes manifested around them, binding them tight. Even their tongues were probably tied to prevent them from calling for help.
‘Lucius is incredible.’
A 7th-circle Hold spell. Normally used to bind limbs, Lucius had refined it so precisely that even words couldn’t escape. And he hadn’t even needed a chant.
Could I ever do something like that?
Fay clenched her fists, mentally reviewing her battle spells.
“Sleep.”
Their eyes lost focus, and they slumped to the ground.
Kassel walked over, broke their bows quietly with a crack, and said, “They’ll be out for a while. I’ve blocked all exits with spirits. Let’s move quickly.”
“Agreed.”
Lucius coated his hands in dark mana, and Kassel drew his sword. Fay summoned her Undine and trailed behind, mana charged and ready. They approached the log hideout hidden among the tall trees.
Lucius didn’t hesitate to yell.
“Hey! Come out!”
“Lucius—!”
Fay flinched. Was that really necessary?
……
T/N: This old dragon has a heart of a teenager hahahaha
