Was It Really a Coincidence?

The three of us had decided to forgo waiting a week for the next caravan and set out on foot along the main road. By the time the caravan departed, we could already be at the next town. Besides, Yuri and Luca were under contract as my guards, unable to take other jobs, and I had no desire to spend a week drawing attention with Cleanliness demonstrations.

It felt safer to travel together and rely on Yuri and Luca's skills.

The main road was supposed to be relatively safe. Bandits were rare, and monsters even rarer. At least, that's what I thought—until it happened.

"Luca, stay with Matthew! I'll handle the front!" Yuri shouted, brandishing his spear.

"Got it! Matthew, stay close to me!" Luca called, summoning me to her side.

"O-Okay!" I stammered, hurrying to her as fast as I could.

We were surrounded. A group of bandits blocked the road ahead, while another group emerged from the bushes behind us, cutting off our escape. Their leader, a middle-aged wolfkin wielding a broadsword, barked orders, his predatory gaze sweeping over us.

Luca moved quickly, activating her gift. Without a single word or incantation, a massive pyramidal barrier shimmered into existence around us, its edges glowing faintly.

"This is my gift, Guardian Barrier," she explained. "It blocks all attacks from the outside but lets us attack freely from within."

"That's incredible!" I exclaimed.

"Right? Now, watch this!" Luca grinned, raising her staff. "Flame Pillar!"

With a burst of magic, towering columns of fire erupted among the bandits behind us, scattering them in panic.

Up front, Yuri was a whirlwind of motion, his spear slicing through the bandits with brutal efficiency. He showed no hesitation, cutting down anyone who dared approach him.

Meanwhile, I scanned the battlefield for opportunities to contribute. Most of the threats were already occupied—Yuri handling the front and Luca bombarding the rear with her spells. Then, I noticed the wolfkin leader trying to flee, abandoning his subordinates.

"Not so fast," I muttered.

"Chain Bind!"

From the ground beneath the leader's feet, iron-like chains burst forth, wrapping tightly around his legs. The wolfkin stumbled, nearly falling, as he struggled against the restraints. My spell held firm until Yuri closed the distance, his spear aimed directly at the leader's throat.

With the last of the bandits subdued or fleeing, Yuri lowered his spear and turned back toward us.

"All clear. Thanks for the assist, Matthew," he said, nodding appreciatively.

"It was nothing. That much I can handle," I replied modestly.

"Wish I'd had time to watch," Luca said with a playful pout. "I was too busy frying the guys in the back."

"Only because your Guardian Barrier kept me safe," I said earnestly. "Thank you, Luca."

"Pretty useful, huh?" she said with a grin. "This gift lets me protect my allies while focusing on offense."

"Yeah," Yuri agreed. "Not having to assign someone to guard you is a big advantage."

Luca's Guardian Barrier had absorbed arrows, spells, and everything else the bandits threw at us. The lack of an incantation made it even more effective, as there was no delay in deploying it. Its size was adjustable, allowing her to shield a small group with ease. It was an incredibly practical gift.

"What about you, Yuri?" I asked. "What's your gift?"

"Mine's nothing special," he said with a shrug. "It's called Mighty Strength. Lets me wield a two-handed spear with one hand."

"That's amazing!" I exclaimed.

His spear was long and heavy, clearly designed to be wielded with both hands. If he could control it effortlessly with one, it opened up a world of combat possibilities.

"You've both got great gifts," I said, genuinely impressed.

"See? Matthew gets it," Luca said, nudging Yuri playfully.

"Yeah, yeah. Just don't go telling everyone about our gifts," Yuri warned. "It's not something you share lightly."

He had a point. Gifts were often a person's trump card, and revealing them unnecessarily could be dangerous. The two of them had trusted me enough to share, which meant a lot.

"Still," Yuri said, frowning as he glanced at the downed bandits, "this was bad luck. Getting ambushed in the middle of the main road? That's rare."

"True," Luca agreed. "This road connects major towns. Bandits don't usually operate here, especially in such large numbers."

"You checked for this kind of thing before we left, right?" I asked.

"Of course. Nothing about bandits came up," Yuri said, his brow furrowed. "Guess we just got unlucky."

"Maybe," Luca said, though her tone suggested doubt. "It's strange, though. They seemed pretty coordinated, don't you think?"

I nodded, unable to shake the feeling that something was off. Bandits in this area, working together so effectively? It didn't add up.

"Was it really just a coincidence?" I muttered under my breath, my unease growing as we resumed our journey.