บท 69: Bandits

As he checked the bandits strengths Daedalus only became more disappointed as he looked. It was only when he checked the leader that he was somewhat pleased. Daedalus had been expecting a difficult fight however other than the leader all of the bandits were lower in strength by several stages, the leader being only one below Daedalus in body and mana cultivation.

The bandits seeing that Daedalus hadn't even really reacted to them other than turning and looking at them quickly became annoyed and attacked. However after a few moments well over half of them had been beaten into the ground. The bandit leader quickly yelled "Stop running you fools, you are not his match!"

The bandits hearing this stopped however they were fuming as their brothers had just been beaten up and they were called fools. One particularly cocky bandit said "Why don't you deal with him then!?"

The leader said nothing and only stared coldly at the bandit before walking towards Daedalus and saying "You may be strong but I am far stronger than any of them. Hand over all your valuables and I will let you live, other wise your life is forfeit!"

Daedalus simply responded with a calm "I believe you misunderstood my mercy for weakness. I have not killed you all yet as I am giving you the chance to go to prison rather than die!"

The leaders face immediately darkened. Not a moment later and the man had pulled out a sword and swung it at Daedalus' neck. Daedalus used his left hand to stop the blade with ease. It was done with such ease that the leader of the bandit group's eyes went wide and he immediately began kowtowing and begging for forgiveness.

Daedalus not wanting to waste the lives of humans said "Come with me, you will all be locked in a prison. However you will not be dead!"

At first the bandits tried to resist however when one tried to escape and Daedalus did not hesitate to kill him they immediately became willing to follow him.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

After a few short days, because it was not only him, Daedalus and the bandits had arrived at the town. Along the way a few bandits had tried things like running in the night or trying to kill Daedalus in his sleep, however they only met the I'll fate of death.

A few of the town guards had stopped them at first as the bandits were recognised. They were however quickly escorted to the guard station when it was told that they were being turned in. The guard captain was shocked when they walked in but after both Daedalus and the guards told him of the circumstances he immediately ordered that the bandits be taken to the prison.

Daedalus stayed talking with the guard captain afterward though. Daedalus said "I would like to speak with you about their sentences and crimes."

The guard captain obviously curious who Daedalus was to ask such a thing said rather rudely "And what right do you have to decide their sentences and crimes!"

Daedalus just shook his head and said "As Daedalus crown prince of the empire! And I know very well they have not killed any innocents. I sensed that they had some small amounts of bad karma however nothing related to killing an innocent. Also they did really try to be peaceful about how they tried to rob me saying stuff like 'Just hand over your valuables we don't want your life!' So just keep them in prison a few years and help them get some honest jobs."

The guard captain who was slightly pale, after not being able to speak as Daedalus kept talking, finally said "I am sorry your highness I didn't know you were the crown prince, I didn't mean to offend you!"

Daedalus just waved it off saying "You were just doing your job, no worries. Either way I need to go please remember my words."