Bandit Hunting
The hunters, as well as Mirella looked confused after hearing Theo's announcement.
"U-um Lord!" the ragtag looking archer gulped before speaking, "I am not judging your decision or anything but there are more than 50 bandits on the eastern roadside."
"Yeah Theodore. I know that you guys are strong. Victor probably could handle 10 men at once but rest of you will be in danger. None of you can use mana."
Mirella crossed her arms while directly talking to Theo's face. " Moreover, the bandits are all the guild leaders lackeys. Or else I would have sent my people to get rid of them Earlier."
"I know!." Theo replied with a firm resolution. " Three of us had talked about it last night. We are aware about the risk. That is why we did not reach out to you." Theo glanced at Edmund and Victor while replying Mirella.
"Look Theodore. I don't know if you are a spoiled noble brat or something.This is not your funny hunting trip." Mirellas eyes were burning in anger.
"These men are from slums. They are someones brother, someones husband, they are their families only hope. Don't you dare play with their lives."
"Victor you know, I can't allow them to go.
I have trusted you with their lives. I don't think you are a man who acts rashly."
"Mirella,I think my lord would never make a bad decision. I can bet my life on it." Victor spoke to Mirella while resting his arms in his knight sword indicating his loyalty.
"Alright. Lady Mirella, I know why you are angry." Theo slightly bowed his head then lift back up, "listen Men. If you want to follow me, then join me to be a part of glory, otherwise I won't force you. It is your choice to live in fear or fight it from today."
The inn fell silent.
"Let go Victor!" Theodore and Victor moved out from the inn with hurried steps.
The 5 hunters were hesitant to follow them as none of them want to face the wrath of Jorvas. It was not the fear of getting killed in action.
They were afraid to poke the beehive that endanger their families. After all the bandits had backings of one of the commanders of Varkos.
"Will the captain be okay?" Brian, one of the 5 hunters whispered.
"I hope so..." Jack replied while looking at the doorway.
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Theodore and Victor started walking along the road that passed from the heart of raven Cross connecting Eastern countries to the Western black hollow.
Their destination was the eastern part of the road where the forest met with the road. It was only 2km by foot where a bandit camp was located, who would often loot independent hunters and specially merchants.
Last night, Theo got the information from Edmund that this was a special system run by Jorvas, the adventure guild leader of raven cross.
His bandits would often loot materials that unaffiliated merchants bought or charge a huge sum of money for ransom. That way the merchants would be forced to trade officially only with the guilds protection.
The eastern trader told Edmund the problem when he tried to make an exclusive contract to sell their materials. Usually the guild would pay less for the materials, so Edmund wanted to sell exclusively to outsiders secretly.
The trader told him, he could not buy materials at bulk because most of it would get stolen by the bandits. Otherwise he could give 60% more than what the guild was buying materials for.
Theo wanted to fix this problem first. Because he needed a good supply for money and weapons for his future plans.
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"Victor do you also think that my decision is suicidal?" Theo asked Victor as the bandit hideout was at sight.
"No my lord. I could easily handle 30 people with my full power." Victor replied with a firm voice. " I think you can also handle 20 people with your mastery."
" Okay. Remember to conserve your strength. We don't know if there is any stronger enemy." Theo whispered to Victor while hand gesturing to climb over the wooden fence.
The hideout was poorly made with wooden fence circling around it. There was not even a single guard anywhere. They probably never brothered to keep any as it was their home ground.
They noticed that inside ,There was a big wooden cabin, a storeroom and a small hut . There was even a stable with 5 or 6 horses beside the storeroom. Theo could see a wagon was placed near the stable.
Victor hand gestured Theo to enter inside the cabin together.
Thud.!
Victor kicked the door and entered inside with a blink. Theo followed him almost immediately and saw about 10 bandits were chilling while drinking beer.
I-Intruder!!!
One bandit shouted while seeing Victors heavy knight sword slicing off one of his friends head.
Blood splattered everywhere as they panicked while trying to look for weapons . Victor was swiftly using his blade to cut down 3 more.
Other bandits saw Theo guarding the door. They rushed to him in hopes of overpowering him with brute force .
"Dieeee!"
Theo gave the first one a vertical slash while quickly twisted his body in order to stab the other one in the heart .
He kicked the body he stabbed just now to remove his Falcata and targeted the legs of a bandit who was standing behind the stabbed one. His Sword cut one of his legs like butter, even with the leather armor on.
The bandit fell on the ground and started screaming in pain while Theo saw the last one in the room got stabbed by Victor.
It took only a minute for both of them to kill 10 bandits.
Of course there was an element of surprise but still , it was a great feat.
"Stay firm my lord. We would fight inside the cabin." Victor said to Theo who was watching the person who got his leg cut foaming up with the effect of poison." The whole community got alerted. they will come prepared this time".
Theo was surprised seeing how potent his poison sword was! The bandit died almost immediately. Faster than death by blood loss .
" Stay behind me Victor, conserve your strength. We might get overwhelmed with numbers later ."
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"Someone infiltrated the camp".
"Gather your weapons . they are inside the cabin!"
the bandits gathered outside from the commotion earlier.
"Who is foolish enough to face us!!"
" Ready to die..." The bandits rushed inside the cabin passing through the narrow door.
Theo started thrusting and slashing mercilessly who ever was coming from the door. He did not even had to break a sweat with the bandits whose attack had no proper foundation.
15 minutes passed by..
There were at least 20 dead bodies piled up in the doorway with white foam in their mouth.
"Victor,come !"
Theo went outside when the bandits weren't coming seeing bodies piled up inside.
Victor quickly followed Theodore. For the last 15 minutes inside the cabin ,he didn't see a single bandit who got passed Theo alive .
The bandits outside were standing while keeping a distance with Theo. They were terrified seeing a normal person using sword like this. Almost half of them were lying dead on the cabinet.
They were not attacking rashly this time. Instead they were half circling Theo and Victor while monitoring their moves.
"Who sent you?"
A man came some steps ahead from the group. He was the leader of the bandits.
The tall man had a good mascular physique. He was not wearing any heavy armour except for a chainmail over his tunic. His heavy curved blade was giving off a bluish glow indicating that he was an awakened person.
"Jorvas sent me." Theo answered with a poker face.
"Commander sent you? The muscular man was confused when he roared at Theo. all his men were confused too with Theo's response. A wave of murmuring started among the bandits. "Tell me the truth!! Who sent you?"
Theo did not answer while gripping his sword tightly as he saw a neatly dressed man with a glowing sword in hand came out beside the tall bandit.
"Hahahaha, you must have a death wish." The man started laughing. His Sword, decorated with gems in the handle, was glowing vividly. "I acknowledge that you both are strong. You cut half of my men in 20 minutes."
"How about it?" The man pointed his sword towards theo and spoke with grin in his face," You guys join my rank and I will overlook this tiny incident of yours."
"We only follow Jorvas" Theo again replied with a poker face.
"You bastard! You think this is funny! You are Infront of commander himself! The tall mascular bandit leader shouted with anger while preparing to confront Theo.
"Stop!" Jorvas lifted his hand gesturing the bandit leader to stop."You dare to lie in my face, you fucker. I will kill you myself." Jorvas rushed to Theo while his sword was covered with sword aura.
"My lord watch out. He is a veteran awakened !" Victor shouted from behind when a strong blow was coming from sideways towards theo.
Theo simply parried the incoming sword with a little twist of his wrist and slashed Jorvas's head clean from the shoulder with his quick counter.
Clank'...Shooosh'.....
"Huh! Whaaaaat!!!!!!!"
The bandits face turned from surprise to shock in a blink.
"He has Killed commander with 1 strike!!"
"Impossible!! Commander was an awakened"..
" M-Monster !!! run-run for your lives". ....
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