Chapter 238: Banditree
A day had passed since Michael was asked to hunt some bandits, and now he was traipsing through the forest with Valdr at his back. One could say there wasn't a lot of preparation put into this, but Michael would argue back that there wasn't really any needed. Bandits were generally the same everywhere, no matter the world you are in, so he felt pretty confident in dealing with them alone.
However, Valdr seems to have gotten it into his head that he owed Michael more than he did, and decided to accompany him despite the fact they were probably going to be heavily outnumbered. Valdr had asked if there were going to be any more people coming, but Michael shook his head. Anymore than them would make finding the bandits more difficult, not to mention splitting the reward in many ways.
Valdr was kind of required anyway to be honest, without him Michael would be wandering around the forest randomly looking for his quarry. His companion had lived here most of his life, so he knew it like the back of his hand.
The bandits they were hunting liked to patron the roads apparently, hiding in between the trees while laying ambushes for any unguarded passengers. As such, the duo crept along the side of the road, searching for any travellers so they could use them as bait... Honourable? Nope, but effective? Certainly.
"So, what's the deal with that talking sword of yours... Is it possessed by a spirit perhaps?" Valdr asks, making small talk as the duo walk.
Michael shrugs, "No idea, all I know is that Derflinger can talk and it knows it. Got an ego to suit it to boot."
"You wanna start this again, Partner!? Because I'll ruin you like I did that rat-faced blacksmith's store!"
"Huh? I thought you couldn't talk unless he allowed you to? Never said a word while we were bear hunting..." Valdr remarks.
Derflinger clacks his mouth-thing in annoyance, "Just because I'm not allowed to doesn't mea-"
"Shut up, sword." Michael commands while tapping Derflinger's pommel, "We've got guests." he states, gesturing at the road where a horse-drawn cart protected by two guards appears.
"Not that I disagree with your plan, but, should we really be using these people as bait? I'm not sure the Jarl had this in mind when he sent you out..." Valdr questions unsurely.
Michael shakes his head, "It didn't say that I couldn't, plus, it's better that we get the jump on them. Plus, this way we'll have proof and witnesses of their crimes."
Valdr just nods, following Michael as they trail the travellers. Soon enough, the bandits reveal themselves by felling a tree in front of the cart, causing the horse to rear back and stop. The young man riding the carriage climbs into the back while the two armoured guards draw their weapons and prepare to fight... Only for one to be knocked over immediately as an arrow slams into his head and bounces off of his helmet. The armour protects him but, it didn't do much for the impact, causing his vision to slow as his senses are rocked.
The other guard raises his shield, blocking some arrows and readying his sword as more bandits sprint out of the treeline with their weapons raised. They only wore basic hides and leather, so the guard should be able to cut them down with ease... Only for a net made of rope to be thrown over him from behind, binding his arms, shield, and sword together as he pulled off of his feet.
"Yeah, that's not looking good." Michael says before turning to Valdr, "Only reveal yourself if you need to, protect those guys and try not to draw attention to yourself. I'll go deal with the bandits personally." he says, turning invisible as slips away.
From what Michael could see, the bandits were fairly well organized, meaning they must have a leader of sorts. He sneaks past the cart as the bandits gathered to start looting, but Michael plan of assassinating their leader has to be cut short as they drag the young cart driver out, preparing to cut his throat to be rid of him.
*Chop!*
The arm gripping the young man's throat falls to the ground with a spurt of blood as Michael severs it, turning his blade and continuing the momentum by decapitating the bandit. The others are shocked still momentarily, but quickly gather their senses and charge Michael... Only for him to blast them with Ether Shock, killing two out of the five and downing the rest with crippling electrification, making them easy prey for executions.
Michael sweeps through the bandits as if he were a war god, at least in their eyes, and soon enough the remaining ones throw down their weapons and surrender, unable to do anything against Michael as his Blink, Blink Strike, and ridiculously high agility made him but a blur in their eyes.
"Argh! We got it! We got it! We surrender for the love of Gods!" a man with a long well maintained beard shot as he throws his weapons to the floor, his compatriots doing the same.
"Huh, usually they put up more of a fight, huh Partner?" Derflinger remarks at the rather sorry showing. It was true, these bandits were pathetic, they might be organized, but if they weren't willing to fight to the death, what challenge could they even present?
Even without their abrupt surrender, he felt like a lion playing with mice. They weren't even close to his level, making him wonder why the Vampire, its Thralls, and the Draugr Deathlord were so much stronger... This didn't feel balanced...
"Michael! How did you do that!? You were like the wind itself!?" Valdr exclaims as he jogs onto the road, clearly astonished by his friend's abilities. It wasn't just him either, the young cart driver crawls with hero-worship clear on his face. "Thank you! Sir! I cannot thank you enough for this! I thought I was about to lose everything to those fiends!"
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