Chapter 5 Bandits!!

The carriage moved along an old, barely maintained road—at this point, it could hardly be called a road, more like a worn-out trail. Aldric gazed out through the window, watching the countryside pass by. As they neared a village, he took in the sight of its people. While poverty existed even in Valoria, the conditions here were far worse. The villagers wore tattered, ragged clothing, their faces gaunt with hardship.

Having lived in the 21st century in his past life, Aldric found it difficult to accept such suffering. The sheer contrast between his former world and this one made him uneasy. His mind drifted deep into thought until a voice pulled him back to reality.

"Is something wrong, my lord?"

The question came from a knight riding beside the carriage. He was Cooper, one of the two elite knights serving House Windsor.

Aldric glanced at him before shifting his gaze back outside.

"Nothing," Aldric replied.

In this world, beings known as knights and mages wielded supernatural strength. Knights, in particular, could harness a mysterious energy known as Aura, granting them abilities far beyond ordinary humans. With enough mastery, a knight could shatter boulders with their bare hands or cleave through metal armor with a single strike.

Knights were ranked based on their proficiency in Aura: Apprentice Knight, Knight, Elite Knight, Advanced Knight, and finally, Aura Master.

An Aura Master was a terrifying existence, capable of altering the course of entire wars. Even an Advanced Knight alone could dominate the battlefield, while those of lower rank were akin to grim reapers, cutting down enemies with ease.

Despite Windsor County's economic struggles, its military strength remained formidable. As the northern frontier standing against pirates and external threats, it had formed a dedicated knight order known as the Steelheart Order. The order consisted of around fifty knights, most of them Apprentice or standard Knights. At the top stood Elite Knights, serving as the order's commander and vice commander. Cooper, riding beside Aldric, was the latter.

However, maintaining such a force came at a steep cost. A large portion of the family's resources was consumed to support the Steelheart Order, making it a double-edged sword—necessary for survival but draining the county's limited wealth.

The latest campaign against the pirates had resulted in the loss of a dozen knights, as the enemy had multiple Aura users on par with Elite Knights. Even so, the Steelheart Order remained a solid powerhouse, the backbone of Windsor's military.

This was also why Aldric's safety was taken so seriously. His escort consisted of fifteen knights, personally led by Cooper. It was a statement—the Windsor heir would not travel unguarded.

Occasionally, they caught sight of pirate scouts watching them from a distance, lurking behind trees and rocky outcrops. But none dared to make a move. The family crest on the carriage, combined with the knights' overwhelming presence, was enough to deter them.

The Alverton Viscounty lay nearly two days' travel away, making the journey a long one.

However, just as they passed through a narrow stretch of the road, trouble appeared.

A group of armed men blocked their path, led by a burly man with a scar across his face. He sneered as he stepped forward, gripping a large axe.

"Halt! You must be from a noble family," he said, his tone arrogant. "Give me all your silver as a passing fee, or forget about leaving with your limbs intact."

Cooper's eyes flashed with fury. He urged his horse forward and drew his sword, its sharp edge gleaming in the morning light.

"How dare you block the path of Lord Windsor himself!" Cooper bellowed. "Surrender and kneel this instant, or expect no mercy!"

The bandit leader scoffed. "Hah! You don't know who you're dealing with. My brother controls this stretch of the road—anyone who passes must pay their fair price. Now, hand over your goods or die!" said the bandit .

Tension filled the air. The knights tightened their grips on their weapons.

Aldric remained silent, his gaze fixed on the bandits.

The bandit leader's smug grin widened as his men spread out, forming a loose semicircle around the carriage and knights. There were about twenty of them, armed with crude weapons rusty swords, axes, and worn-out bows. They were confident, far too confident.

Aldric slowly stepped out of the carriage. His boots touched the dirt road as he adjusted his coat, his sharp gaze locking onto the scarred bandit.

"You must be new to this business," Aldric said, his tone almost amused. "If you knew anything about how the world works you wouldnt have provoked a noble's carriage ."

The bandit leader barked out a laugh. "Hah! Big words from a pampered noble. You think your name alone can scare me? This road belongs to us now. The strong take what they want."

Aldric narrowed his eyes. "Then you should have brought someone strong."

The bandit sneered, raising his blade. "I did."

At that moment, the bandits charged.

"Steelheart Knights! Form up!" Cooper roared.

The knights immediately moved, forming a defensive wall around Aldric. Steel clashed as the first wave of bandits met the disciplined knights head-on.

Cooper cut through two bandits in a single strike, but unlike common thugs, these men did not immediately break formation. They fought fiercely, their movements sharper than ordinary brigands.

Aldric frowned. These weren't simple highway robbers.

Suddenly, the bandit leader rushed forward, swinging his massive greatsword with unexpected force. The impact forced Cooper back a step—not by skill, but by sheer brute strength.

"Aura user!" Cooper shouted in warning.

Aldric's eyes narrowed. That explained the leader's confidence. Even among knights, aura users were rare. This man was at better than a regular knight maybe could even be comparable to an elite knight.

The bandit leader grinned savagely. "Surprised? You noble bastards aren't the only ones who can wield Aura!"

He lunged again, his blade glowing faintly as he swung at Cooper. Cooper blocked in time, but the force sent him skidding backward. The impact cracked the dirt beneath his feet.

Cooper adjusted his stance, gripping his sword tightly. "My lord, get back!"

But before he could strike, the bandit leader suddenly faltered, his movements slowing. His face twisted in pain. He stumbled back, coughing violently blood dripping from his lips.

"W-What…?" He looked down. A sword had pierced his gut from behind.

One of Aldric's knights pulled his blade free, having exploited an opening while the leader was too focused on Cooper.

"You bastard…!" the bandit leader gasped, dropping to one knee. Blood pooled beneath him, his aura flickering unsteadily.

Aldric stepped forward. "You should've learned the difference between discipline and brute force."

The bandit leader glared up at him, his expression filled with hatred—but also an unsettling grin.

"Heh… You think this is over?" he coughed. "My brother… He'll avenge me."

Aldric's expression remained unreadable. "Your brother?"

The dying man chuckled weakly and died before he could give an answer

With that, his body collapsed, lifeless.

A heavy silence followed. The remaining bandits, seeing their leader dead, broke and ran. The knights did not pursue.

Cooper let out a breath, scanning the bodies strewn across the road. "These bandits are growing bolder, my lord. With pirate raids increasing and the influence of lesser nobles waning, lawlessness is spreading."

Aldric stared down at the fallen bandit leader. The man had died with a twisted grin, certain that his brother would take revenge.

"I will definitely get rid of this", Aldric thought, his gaze turning cold.

But outwardly, his expression remained calm. "Then we'll just have to deal with it."

He turned away, stepping back toward the carriage. The journey toward Alverton continued.