We set out from the campsite the moment dawn broke, our carriage clattering on the road. No demons popped out, and soon enough the sun illuminated the wilderness from above.
“Furutsu, will we really be okay?” Grida asked.
Of course. Leave it to me, Grida. It’s only natural that she’s worried. We hadn’t told Fresa or Datil that this carriage was going to be ambushed by bandits. However, I thought it’d be best if I handled this situation on my own. Reason being...
“I’m getting hungry. How about we grab a bite to eat?” one of our bodyguards said.
“Good call. Hey, old man! Let’s eat!” said the other.
Jeez, they’re making a fuss again. Honestly, ignorance might be bliss in this instance. They’ll never know that they were the worst adventurers possible, specifically selected to get killed.
“Oh, I’m sorry, y’all,” the coachman said. “I’d love to take a break ’round here, but they say that a whole lotta monsters turn up in these parts. It’s real dangerous, so could ya please wait a bit longer until we get through this place?”
Liar. There’s no need to feed someone who’s about to die, right?
“Shut up! We’re not adventurers if we’re scared of demons!”
“Come all they like! We’ll kill ’em all!”
You guys talk big for dudes who got wrecked by three goblins.
“Sirs, y’see, this area is a nest for man-eating worms. We’ll be worm food ’fore we get anything in our bellies,” the coachman responded.
We heard a quiet shriek. Upon closer examination, those two bodyguards’ faces are getting paler by the second. They’re even trembling.
“Th-That’s dangerous! Fine, we should move on a little farther, then,” one said.
“We’re okay, b-but we’re worried about you guys,” said the other.
“Thank you kindly,” the coachman said with a smile on his face.
Guess it must be easy for him to manipulate these no-good adventurers. I haven’t told Fresa or Datil about the bandits because I don’t want that old man to find out that we know about his plan. Fresa and Datil are great actors, but I don’t want to take the risk. You know what they say: “Deceive your friends before deceiving your enemy.”
“I see! You’re amazing!” Grida said.
Ha ha ha! You praise me too much!
“Ah, Furutsu! There’s a lot of people! Some are hiding behind the rocks on either side of the road, and there are some on that hill! Eleven people in total!”
They’re here. I’m ready whenever they are!
“Also, there’s something over— Ack!” With a loud boom, the carriage went up in flames, cutting Grida off.
The luggage area and the hood aren’t on fire yet. It’s not about their accuracy—their magic is just too weak. Even on our weakest settings, our magic would burn the entire carriage, horses and all, to a crisp.
“Whoaaa!”
“Huh?! What’s going on?”
Seems like all the passengers are panicking. I’m sure Fresa and Datil are also... Huh?
“They’re here. Datil, can you fight?” Fresa said. She put on the rarely worn Perkunas’s Mantle with her hood up, and gauged her surroundings.
“Of course! So you noticed it too, Fresa-san?” Datil said. He already had his hand on his blade’s hilt, ready to fight.
Huh? What? What’s going on?!
“Of couuurse we noticed! Apple-san, you’ve been on edge since this morning!” Fresa said.
You knew?! So I was the one not noticing things?!
“Hang in there, Furutsu!” Grida said.
Ugh, thank you, Grida. These two are amazing. How did they even notice an apple on edge?
“No time for questions right now. Take a look,” Datil said.
In a blink of an eye, the coachman, now the “Bandit Chief,” was standing in the middle of the luggage area. He was always slouched over so I never noticed, but when he stands upright, he looks way more handsome and dignified. Surprisingly so.
“Now then, everyone. I hope you all had a nice long journey,” he said in a more formal and quiet manner. The passengers all looked at him in confusion. “The two bodyguards, whose roles were to protect you, have died. I had them aboard to ensure your safe journey, but they have already fulfilled those roles.”
Datil and Fresa are looking just as worried as everyone else. Man, their acting is next level!
“Ah, where are my manners? My name is Gruszka, and I have been fortunate enough to represent a group in this area known as the Gruszka Group. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience, but from here on, I must forbid you all to do anything at all, unless specifically requested. Please make sure that you don’t stand up from your seat or talk needlessly.”
He’s probably introducing himself quietly and slowly to buy some time for his subordinates to get into position.
“I’ll say this in advance, but kindly refrain from making any sort of struggle or attempt at escape. I assure you that you will be killed. I do need you all to stay with me until the final stop that I’ve prepared.”
Final stop? So he’s not gonna steal all our stuff and kill us right here?
“W-Wait just a second!” the robed man yelled as he got up from his seat. “What are you saying all of a sudden? Just why are you doing this?!”
Hey, sit down! In situations like this, the first one to break the rules will be made into an example for the others!
“Oh, penalty for you,” Gruszka said. He suddenly took out a whip and nonchalantly swung at the robed man. There was a large crack as the man was flung toward the supports of the carriage hood. He yelped in pain.
See? Told you so. You’re an example for others now. Wait, something’s off about him. A stream of blood trickled from the robed man’s mouth, and he was wheezing pretty heavily. Isn’t this bad?
“Oh my. You’re rather weak, aren’t you? You certainly are a hassle,” Gruszka said as he shook his head and sighed. “Thieves arrive and break the water’s seal. The damp unseen shall become nectar, and fill the empty sky. Water magic.”
A blue light emanated from Gruszka, and the robed man’s wounds started to heal. “I don’t like wasting things, so I won’t kill you. But this is your last chance, all right? If you move or talk again, I’ll kill you without an ounce of hesitation. Please keep that in mind,” he said with a smile.
He can use water magic, but he still went out of his way to find another water magic user yesterday? He really had his bases covered.