Ace swallowed hard, gripping the carriage's side as he watched Michael with a mixture of awe and unease.
Lia remained silent but felt just as much as Ace.
The driver, normally chatty, kept his mouth shut, his knuckles white on the reins.
Michael turned to them. "Stay here. Two of my guards will remain with you."
The way he said it made it clear it wasn't a request.
Ace hesitated before nodding. "Yeah… that's probably for the best."
Lia, still watching the armored undead, spoke up. "Be careful."
Michael simply smiled. "I will."
With that, he gestured, and two of the undead stepped back, positioning themselves near the carriage.
Michael then turned to the bandits.
The remaining bandits, barely standing, flinched at Michael's attention.
"Lead the way," he ordered.
One of them, his face slick with sweat, hesitated before stumbling forward. "T-this way…"