The Soldier Mage 25 Chapter 25

He put the past behind him and decided not to think too much of it.

There had been plenty of meat yesterday, more than they could possibly carry but Halam had also cooked some thin strips and salted them for today's meals. He explained that there would be no stopping until they reached the location of the bandit lair and that once there, the mission would last until it was all over.

Fig took out a disheveled map from his bag and examined it. As the party's archer he was also their scout. He signalled for a halt and bent down near a tree, examining it.

"Judging by the moss growing on here, this way is north and we should be heading North West."

They adjusted accordingly and set out at a brisk pace. Wilfred's body still being a child did not permit him to exactly keep pace with them but they slowed down to match his. Although he could use his [Wind Aura] to get faster, he thought it'd be prudent to save up as much mana as possible, in case another creature attacked them like yesterday.

The walk this time, compared to yesterday, was much more quiet and less cheerful. Knowing they would end up in a fight that day really changed the mood of all four. There were no jokes or idle chatter and banter, only a sharp determination to get things done.

It took a longer to progress through the forest than Wilfred thought, there were many hills and drops so they had to move carefully. He did see a bit more wildlife today, some creatures that would almost pa.s.s for earthlike. Mostly herbivores and small mammals that would soon scurry out of sight from the 4 adventurers, well 3 adventurers and one mage.

Wilfred did not despise this way of life, being outdoors and completing requests. It reminded him a bit of mercenaries back on earth and truth be told, if things hadn't worked out well for him in the army he may have gone that path in life as well.

He found himself getting attached to this ragged group of adventurers. Even though their differences and disagreement, they cared for one another and worked towards the same goal.

He was lucky he had made some friends like that too, at the academy, but their paths would eventually end up splitting after their time together was over.

Lucius would be more of the scholar type, helping his family out and researching things in the comfort of his estate. There were some things that he was unsure of about the royal family but Lucy would likely have some kind of important position a.s.signed to her and she would continue to train to make herself as strong as possible in combat. And as for Wilfred, his plans still remained to join the Mage Corps and try to rise in their ranks, hopefully earning a high enough position to help change things for the better in the Kingdom. With Baron Lanart helping him he felt he had good odds of succeeding.

There were many things from Earth that he could implement or invent that would help the Kingdom become more prominent. As it was the smaller and weaker of the three human kingdoms, there isn't much it can presently do.

Taking his mind off his thoughts, he focused on the present and the walk. Not long afterwards, Fig signalled to stop and crouched low, hiding behind a tree. The other three advanced on his position, also staying low and trying to be quiet.

Approximately 200 feet in front of them lay the opening to a cave. Not much seemed different about that cave until Wilfred spotted what Fig likely had, an extinguished campfire outside of the entrance off to the west side.

Scanning the area, Wilfred was unable to spot anyone however. Whispering very low, Halam gave directives.

"They must only keep guards outside at night, so we'll enter and block off any exits. The request is two fold, we must kill their leader and as many bandits as possible in order to make them scatter so they stop preying on merchants. Alcot will lead in front and we'll kill off the stragglers, Wilfred, you stay in the back and a.s.sist up if we need help."

Alcot, Fid and Wilfred all nodded that they understood the orders. Fig was the first one off, silently sneaking off to the entrance of the cave while looking for traps while the rest followed a few paces behind in a line.

Fig stopped and held his hand up, motionning for them to stop. Carefully, he took out his knife and cut a rope that was hidden beneath some leaves, holding the other end with his hand and slowly giving it some slack. Wilfred followed the rope with his eyes until he saw a small metal object being lowered, some kind of bell. If anyone had tripped over it, the bandits would have been instantly aware of their presence.

All four of them reached the mouth of the cave and looked inside into the restricted pitch dark corridor. Wilfred reached in his bag to bring out his lantern but Fig's hand stopped him. Fig instead drew a small pink bottle from his pouch and took the cork out, drinking it all in one go. His eyes changed instantly, the irises becoming narrow and elongated like a cat's eyes. He went ahead into the darkness alone while the rest remained waiting.

He returned very soon after with a lit torch in one hand and a blood stained dagger in the other.

"The first sentry is dead, it's safe for now but I expect they'll be more grouped up beyond there."

All four headed deeper inside with Fig lighting the way with the torch. At the bottom of the corridor the tunnel turned right and from there a small table with a chair was visible. Sprawled beside the table was a fresh corpse still bleeding from a stab wound in the neck.

Beyond this point, torches held in sconces illuminated the dimly lit cave on each side of the tunnel. Extinguis.h.i.+ng the torch in his hand, Fig let Alcot lead from now on, the big warrior more than capable of holding his own against multiple weaker opponents. Fig also only wore some light armor, a mix between leather and some other light material Wilfred could not immediately identify, perhaps Mithril?

Suddenly, a voice echoed from further inside and footsteps could be heard coming their way.

"Hey Jasper, we've got some leftovers here for you."

Fig notched an arrow to his bow and aimed while Alcot moved to the side to leave him some room, waiting for the figure to come into his view. The footsteps became closer and closer, the figure still not in sight.

"What's the matter Jasper, don't tell me you're still angry about that...wait, what the f.u.c.k?!"

Jasper's blood had flowed uninterrupted and down the small incline that led deeper into the cave where the figure was coming from. As the figure stopped to look at the blood on the ground, it came partially into view of Fig who unleashed his arrow at him. It flew fast and precise, striking him in the abdomen, the best he could do from his position.

With a loud thud, the figure fell down but was not dead yet. With panic, he screamed.

"INTRUDERS! Sound the alarm!"

Alcot hurried along and swung his war hammer at the bandit's head who vainly tried to block the hit with his arms.

"They know were here now, let's not waste any time!"

Was the only thing Alcot uttered before letting out a primal scream and rus.h.i.+ng deeper along the tunnel.

Wilfred kept the rear, a strange feeling of deja vu creeping into his mind, while Fig stood in front of him and Halam was right behind Alcot and ready with his spear. It reminded him of that last mission he was on back on Earth, kept the rear there too and he remembered how that turned out, sending s.h.i.+vers down his spine.

The party encountered few bandits on the way, only half a dozen who tried to put up a resistance before being pushed to the side by Alcot and then either sniped by an arrow or impaled upon Halam's spear. Most of these bandits were rather low level and not cultivators, the equivalent of an adult who was physically capable but not trained for combat. Most of their attacks were won due to numbers and attacking poorly guarded merchants.

As they made progress through the cave, the tunnel soon gave way to a large open chamber where many bandits were waiting. A particularly tough looking bandit stood on a table, surrounded by almost two dozen bandits and laughed maniacally.

"Well well, what a brave bunch you are! Sadly you're messing with the wrong people, get them!"

Hoping to use their numbers as an advantage, the bandits encircled the adventurers, forming a crescent in front of them. Fortunately, they had not advanced too far that their retreat was cut off, Wilfred stayed in the tunnel just beyond the large open chamber.

Alcot merely laughed and used his [Tough Skin] ability, charging into the pack of bandits. The bandits were caught unprepared as his heavily armored body collided with their line and 4 of the bandits fell down. Swinging his war hammer wildly, Alcot targeted the bandits on the right and started pus.h.i.+ng them back. Halam followed soon after Alcot made some room and began using the range of his spear to strike at the nearest bandits to him, viciously targeting their weak spots and drawing blood from swift stabs and strikes of his spear.

Meanwhile, Fig used his bow and provided support to both of his friends, sending arrows flying whenever a bandit would manage to get into a position that would allow them to strike in a blind spot.

Wilfred used his [a.n.a.lyze] on the lead bandit that ordered the attack, trying to see it there was anything special about him.

Vincent Tronzo [Lv. 16]

t.i.tles: Lieutenant of Sondano Bandits

Health: 125/125

Str: 18

Con: 23

Agi: 18

Dex: 16

Int: 12

Wil: 9

Wis: 10

Lck: 7

Skills & Spells: [Dagger Mastery Lv.1], [Trap Making]

Hmmmm no, seems rather normal he supposed. Nothing that they couldn't take care of.

Wilfred wanted to help but in a melee like, his spells would be too risky to use. Plus, they didn't seem like they needed the help. As he looked over the battle, he noticed more bandits to the rear now coming into view, there were about 10 of them and they each held bows. Not sure if his companions could defend against that, Wilfred shouted a warning to them.

"Guys! There's around ten of them with bows to the front!"

At that moment, the bandit in charge raised his arm and brought it down, the bandit archers all fired in unison at the command.

Arrows flew and stroke both friend and foe without prejudice. Alcot took a few of them head on but it did not appear to have much of an effect on him. Halam was able to dodge out of the way easily enough, only Fig was unable to defend against it and was struck in his right shoulder by an arrow. None made their way towards Wilfred but he cast a [Barrier] just to be on the safe side.

The fight was dwindling down and only 4 bandits remained, 2 having been struck with the volley of arrows and falling to the ground. Before the archers could reload, Halam and Alcot finished off the remaining bandits before facing the archers and the leader while Fig was tending to his own wound. Removing an arrowhead from skin is a task best performed by a medical professional and so Fig simply cut the extending wood part of the arrow and attempted to cover the wound. The arrow's design is that it easily penetrates and if you try to pull it out it rips an even bigger hole into your body.

The bandit giving the orders stepped down from the table and unsheathed two daggers from his belt. By now, the archers had time to notch another arrow and were aiming at the two adventurers in front of them, waiting for orders. A mere twenty feet separated the two groups and tensions were high.

"Fire!"

The lead bandit screamed and waited for the arrows to be in flight before rus.h.i.+ng into Alcot, using the volley as protection for his to cover the distance.

Being too close to be able to dodge, Halam s.h.i.+elded himself behind Alcot who withstood the onslaught without too much damage. A simple recurve bow did not possess the power to pierce heavy armor but he still felt the kinetic force of the blow and would have bruises in a few hours. Vincent, the bandit lieutenant, made his way towards Alcot and ducked low, barely escaping the swing of his war hammer. Near Alcot's leg he swung his two daggers into his Alcot's calf with full force, causing him to fall down painfully. Halam immediately stepped in, forcing him on the defensive with the long range of his spear but Vincent was nimble and managed to roll out of the way.

Seeing an opportunity to help Wilfred focused on the archers.

"[Wind Blade]!"

The leftmost archer fell backwards from the impact but Wilfred could not ascertain if the hit was fatal. Fig having finished tending to his injury, strained to pull back the bow but was able to snipe two more of the archers. In that time, Wilfred used two more wind blades and dispatched another two archers.

As he fought with Vincent, Halam shouted orders to Alcot.

"He's too fast for you, deal with the archers!"

Having been hamstrung, Alcot was slow but headed towards the archers with determination.

Halam dueled with the bandit leader, using his range to his advantage and not letting him get close. Seeing his allies fall however, spurred Vincent to act more recklessly if he wanted to survive. He could not win a 4 against 1 fight but if he killed this adventurer then perhaps with the other having a leg wound and their archer having taken an arrow in the shoulder that they would stance a chance.

With no regard for his safety, Vincent plunged headfirst into Halam, using is dagger to parry the spear to the side and make himself an opening. However Halam was also an agile fighter and used his left leg to kick him back, bringing the spear back around and smas.h.i.+ng it from overhead.

The blow staggered the bandit and Halam thrust with all his strength at Vincent's chest, penetrating him all the way through the back. The bandit fell to his knees, his hands going on the spear, trying to pull it out but with no power to do so. Halam stepped forward and braced his foot against his body, pulling the spear back with both hands.

The remaining archers, seeing the demise of all their friends ran as fast as they could towards the end of the cave.

The adventurers gathered around the table that Vincent was standing on and tended to their injuries. Alcot sat on the chair, removing his boots and looking at his leg.

"Argh, that one's going to leave a mark but nothing a good potion can't cure."

Halam prepared bandages to temporarily stop the bleeding. Fig sighed and relaxed, speaking to the group.

"Well, it wasn't that bad I suppose. I guess the rumors were wrong!"

However Wilfred interrupted him.

'What do you mean? That wasn't the leader. I used [a.n.a.lyze] and it said he was a Lieutenant."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Wilfred incredulously.

"What!? You can't be serious, you mean there's still…"

Evil laughter resonated loudly from the tunnel the archers had escaped to.

"Oh yes, I AM still here and you'll pay for encroaching on my domain and killing my subordinates!"