The black-clad figures promptly used Aura and ran up the walls of the alley, reaching the rooftops.
Without hesitation, I followed them. I jumped from wall to wall, each jump increasing my altitude.
I reached the rooftop the black-clad figures landed on and shouted.
"Hey, fuckfaces! Think fast!"
From a secret pocket of my butler tailcoat suit, I took out a dagger and threw it at one of the black-clad figures.
Ever since my first dagger was ruined by rust because of my lack of tact and forgetting to do maintenance, I learned my lesson after Weiss' punishment. Aside from that, my time spent thinking while bound by the cocoon allowed me to evaluate myself.
I realized that I lacked a way to attack at a distance, which is a fatal disadvantage. Right after my punishment ended, I asked Weiss to customize my butler suit and give it many different hidden pockets and compartments where I can hide daggers that I can quickly use at my disposal.
The throwing daggers are similar to my main dagger. All of them were cheaply made so that I can save money, but they are more than enough to damage human flesh. But with my main dagger, I splurged a little bit for a higher-quality one. It's not a masterpiece, but it does its job just fine.
The one I targeted with my throw was the one carrying Rosaline, but the other kidnapper blocked the trajectory of my dagger and deflected it.
Pushing my hand out with my palm targeting the kidnappers, I created a blast of strong wind, knocking away the kidnapper that blocked my dagger into the kidnapper carrying Rosaline.
The both of them tripped and fell to the ground before they could jump to the next rooftop.
I used the opportunity presented and stabbed the kidnapper that deflected my throw from earlier. For convenience sake, let's call him Kidnapper #2 and the one holding Rosaline Kidnapper #1.
Kidnapper #2 pulled out a short sword and parried my stab, sending it off course.
With my other hand, I pulled out another dagger, momentarily imbued it with Aura, then sliced off the right arm of Kidnapper #2.
Kidnapper #2 didn't scream in pain when I sliced off his arm. Creepy.
Kidnapper #1 already recovered and stood up. He rummaged for something in his pocket and then threw it at me.
If one wasn't using Aura, one wouldn't be able to see it. Kidnapper #1 threw 3 paper-thin needles. No doubt the same kind of needle that was used to incapacitate Rosaline.
I side-stepped, dodging the 3 flying needles. Then rushed towards Kidnapper #1.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Kidnapper #2 get up and throw needles at me as well.
I created another gust of wind to push back the needles towards Kidnapper #2. Kidnapper #2 tried to avoid his own needles, but the sudden gust of wind probably caught him off guard. He was hit by one needle and he was immediately knocked out cold.
Kidnapped #1 put down Rosaline's body and unsheathed a short sword.
He's got a short sword, and I'm dual-wielding daggers. Let's see who wins.
The dagger on my left hand switched to a reverse grip and I dashed towards Kidnapper #1, creating more wind to push me forward and increase my speed.
I swung the dagger from my right, and Kidnapper #1 blocked it. Then I connected my initial attack by slashing at Kidnapper #1's chest with the dagger on my left.
Kidnapper #1 barely avoided it by backing up. Only his clothes were slashed open.
I rushed in again, bringing out an onslaught of slashes, stabs, and kicks. But Kidnapper #1 either blocked or deflected most of them. I got some hits in, wounding him, but he got me good too. This went on for over 5 minutes.
"Give up kid, you can't beat me."
I didn't respond to his taunt. But he's right, I can tell that he's much more experienced in combat than I am. I have my advantage with my blessing, but he has his experience. We were locked in a stalemate.
I took a quick glance behind me. Kidnapper #2 was still unconscious from being pricked by his sleeper needles. Then looked at Rosaline on the ground. Her fingers were twitching ever so slightly.
A grin slowly formed on my lips as an idea popped into my mind. Slowly but surely, I retreated until I reached Kidnapper #2.
"You're right, I can't beat you. But can your friend say the same?" I threatened him by crouching down and pointing a dagger towards the neck of Kidnapper #2.
"No-!"
"Ah ah! Don't come closer!"
Kidnapper #1 stopped in his tracks. His face grimaced in frustration. Seems like he has a sense of camaraderie with #2.
"What makes you think I won't do the same to her?" Kidnapper #1 pointed his sword at Rosaline.
"Puahahah!!!!" I couldn't help but laugh at his shallow attempt at making a comeback threat.
"Wh-, what's so funny?"
"What's funny is that you're a moron despite having more battle experience than me. Do you really think that I don't know what your mission is?"
Kidnapper #1's hands trembled.
"I know you won't her kill because you're tasked with keeping her alive. Do you know how many kidnapping attempts have happened ever since I met her?"
Kidnapper #1 stayed silent.
"Every time, they wore the same black clothes you're wearing right now. The Black Mamba mercenaries right?"
"Tch. So you knew huh?"
"Of course I did. The same mercenary group has repeatedly been sent to kidnap the same girl over and over again. Whoever's paying your boss, they sure are rich."
"Can't believe a kid's cornering me like this!"
I smiled. If only he knew how far he was from the truth.
"Now then, put the sword down, and any other needles you have left. If you do that, I'll let your poor friend live." My dagger inched closer to the neck of Kidnapper #2.
Kidnapper #1 visibly hesitated, then complied in the end.
He dropped his short sword, then took out a small box that contained the needles laced with a sleeping agent.
"Kick both of those away from you."
I heard him growl. He's not even trying to hide his anger.
But in the end, he still cared about his friend. Kidnapper #1 kicked away the short sword and the box.
"Now... let him go."
I slowly stood up and moved my dagger away.
Kidnapper #1's tense body relaxed in relief. He glanced at his friend with eyes full of worry.
"Now, you keep the end of your deal and move away from him."
I grabbed my chin with my fingers, then lowered my head in contemplation.
"Huh, I don't seem to remember making a deal with you."
"What do yo-"
I threw a dagger that stabbed the neck of Kidnapper #2. Blood spilled out with the moonlight making it gleam.
"NO!!! YOU BASTARD!!" Kidnapper #1 shouted in anger.
His Aura flared, influenced by his bursting emotions, then ran towards me with killing intent.
"HAAAAH!!!" I raised both of my arms and created the strongest blast of wind my current limits allowed me to.
*WHOOOSH*
"Ugghh!" Kidnapper #1's feet were swept up and was pushed back and flew away, carried by my wind.
Then, at the top of my lungs, I shouted, "NOW!"
Rosaline instantly stood up and channeled Aura throughout her body. She pumped her fist, then smashed it at the flying Kidnapper #1's back.
*BOOM*
Her destructive punch didn't stop there. She pushed even further and slammed the poor guy to the ground.
*BOOOOM*
The rooftop we were on top of cracked as a cloud of dust flew upwards, blocking the view of everything.
Soon, the dust settled down. Rosaline was gasping heavily and was sweating buckets. I think I understand what's going through her mind right now.
From the guy left in the alleyway to Kidnapper #1, tonight was the first time she ever directly harmed someone. She already felt extremely guilty when she indirectly injured my spine, but what would she feel when she had to attack someone directly with her own fist.
Her words about wanting to fight the bandits a few days ago were just her attempt at trying to look tough. It feels like she wants to grow out of her innocent shell. And I for one, feel proud for some reason. But this experience today surely shocked her. As the saying goes, the first step is always the hardest.
I approached her and asked if she was okay.
Rosaline didn't reply. She remained silent for a while until she suddenly hugged me.
*Sniff*
She was crying. Rosaline was probably scared shitless. This was the closest anyone has ever gotten to kidnapping her... I was careless.
I returned her embraced and patted her head.
"It's gonna be okay. Everything's alright..." I whispered, trying to calm her down.
Rosaline pulled back her hug and wiped away her tears.
"You shouldn't feel guilty about hurting them. They were bad people." I tried to reassure her.
"Yeah... I know... *sniff*..."
I consoled Rosaline until she finally calmed down.
Then, I heard something I didn't expect.
"Uuuh..uuuurghh....."
Kidnapper #1 was still alive! How the heck did he survive that punch?
I walked over to his unconscious body. Somehow, I had a nagging feeling that the three kidnappers and the two thugs we encountered aren't going to be the last ones we'll clash with over the course of this trip. Maybe the knights back in the inn can extract some info from this guy.
Rosaline and I returned to the inn with Kidnapper #1 in tow. But before that, I went back to kill the 3rd kidnapper left behind in the alleyway. I had to do it discreetly without Rosaline's knowledge.
Also, I healed my wounds with a potion I brought with me. Weiss has allowed me to have a few potions to use at my disposal. He gave them to me at no charge, saying that they'd be useful for me when protecting Rosaline. Just that they aren't the high-tier kind. They're mid-tier at most.