Bab 19: Bandit in a Tie
Dawn was just beginning to break, painting the sky in delicate shades of pink and orange. High above, a broomstick could be seen speeding through the air, carrying two figures — Asta and David. They had been heading south for hours, though the true purpose of their journey was known only to David.
Finally, tired of the silence, Asta couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer and asked:
— Hey, where are we even going?
David, tearing his gaze from the horizon, turned slightly toward his companion. Keeping his serious expression, he replied:
— First, we're heading to the city of Nairn to stock up on supplies. We'll need them where we're going. After that, it's northwest, toward the Great Magic Zone.
— Whoa! The Great Magic Zone! — Asta exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement. But moments later, he frowned and asked:
— Uh... What's that? And where is it, exactly?
David sighed, preparing to explain.
— In short, it's an area with incredibly dense and powerful mana. It's like a dungeon — a neutral territory between the Kingdom of Peak and three other kingdoms. But it's full of dangers, so crossing it is no easy task.
Asta listened intently, then let out a sound that could only be described as bewildered.
— Wait, what? The Kingdom of Peak? What kind of place is that?
Unwilling to dive into a geography lesson, David grumbled:
— Long story short, the Great Magic Zone is a dangerous place where anomalies occur constantly, and powerful mana beasts roam freely.
— Sounds awesome! — Asta's enthusiasm returned instantly.
A few minutes later, David suddenly announced:
— Listen, I need a break. My mana's running low.
Without waiting for a response, he began to descend smoothly.
After landing, David settled on the grass to recover, while Asta, letting Secre fly nearby, began training with his sword. Everything was calm until a strange man emerged from the forest. Tall and muscular, dressed in elegant clothing, he looked like a noble. Approaching, the stranger introduced himself:
— Greetings! My name is Montrose. Apologies in advance, but I'm afraid I'll have to be a bit rude.
Asta, distracted from his training, looked at him with mild confusion.
— Huh? I'm Asta. No need to apologize, it's fine!
— Well then, let's begin. — Montrose smiled, and his right hand suddenly turned to stone.
In a flash, he unleashed a flurry of powerful blows, finishing with a crushing strike to Asta's stomach that sent him flying.
David, noticing the commotion, sprang to his feet. Recognizing the attacker, he shouted:
— You're... the Bandit in a Tie!
Montrose turned to him with a smirk.
— Oh~ I didn't think anyone would recognize me. But since you have... Why don't you leave all your valuables here, and I'll let you go like a gentleman?
Before he could finish, Asta suddenly returned. His fist connected with Montrose's jaw with incredible force, sending the bandit into a deep knockout.
Standing over his fallen opponent, Asta sighed in disappointment.
— Is that it? He's such a weakling!
David, watching the scene, recalled that this bandit had robbed even Magic Knights. Looking at Asta, he thought to himself:
No, kid. He's not weak. You're just a damn little monster.
After the fight, David pulled a rope from his spatial pouch, tied up the unconscious bandit, and secured him on the broom. As they took to the skies again, Asta suddenly asked:
— Hey, why do you even have rope?
David, smiling slyly, replied:
— I'll tell you when you're older.
And so their journey continued.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone