Snippet #2688106

Bandits weren't something that are very strange on this mountain pass, but encountering them right in the morning wasn't something that would normally happen. But whether it is due to their bad luck or if this was planned beforehand when they were still in the town, there's nothing that would change the fact that they are cornered right now, outmatched by a number that is probably three time more than them. Aruki needed to make sure that each and every one of them returned in one piece, but things couldn't be that easy.

However, there's a couple of things that they have and the thugs don't: General Isolde - the strongest warrior of the kingdom and the most elite of soldiers from the Imperial Army. As Isolde led her soldiers to fight against the inexperienced bandits, Aruki stayed and tried to protect both Kou and the supply they brought along. A couple of the thugs managed to sneak out behind them, but he still capable of taking them out. None of them could possibly touch Kou when he's guarding him like that.

The battles went on for a bit longer, until the thugs finally realized that even though they have the number, they can't stand a chance against Isolde and her soldiers, so they quickly gathered their weapons and retreated. Luckily, none of the soldiers or the pharmacists were seriously harmed. They stayed at where they are for a moment later for the pharmacists to help tending the wounds of the soldiers.

When Aruki has made sure that Kou wasn't hurt anywhere, they finally get on with their journey. It was quite uneventful this time since they hadn't encountered any other obstacle on their way. Thanks to having asked the direction carefully and buying a detailed map, they weren't afraid of getting lost. And finally, they've made it to their destination when dusk had just began to fall.

Greeting them all when they made it to the town was a big sign pointing the direction towards Hythe. "We're here." Aruki said to everyone as they approached the village's entrance. As soon as they arrived, there was a guard standing and greeting them. Bowing to Aruki, he then spoke up, "You must be Prince Aruki. We've been waiting for you and your convoy. I hope you can help us, the situation is becoming dire."

Aruki stepped off his horse and approached the man, "Please remain calm. We will get to work right to way. Can you show me the way to where the patients are? My pharmacists can take a look at them and we can figure out what had happened when we got there." And the whole convoy was led to where those who had fallen victim with the plague are.