Chương 249: Highway Robbery
The sky was high and the clouds were light, the cicadas cried in sorrow, the autumn wind was bleak, and the forest was drenched in color. The season had reached late autumn, and the weather gradually became cooler. Everything was withering, and white dew condensed into frost. Amidst the atmosphere of desolation, there was a strong sense of coldness.
Yet the cold of late autumn did not dampen people's enthusiasm.
When Her Highness the Princess left, the small town emptied, with crowds gathering along the roadsides to bid her farewell. Joy was evident on their faces.
Unlike the forced smiles during her arrival, the residents were now genuinely cheerful and came of their own accord.
The Princess had removed the former town chief, Eric, freeing them from heavy taxation and oppressive tyranny, giving them a sense of rebirth from their previously miserable lives. Moreover, every household received a substantial compensation and a piece of land, which delighted them immensely.
Seeing such a scene, Kaguya only smiled lightly and said nothing, as she still had many things to attend to.
Unlike her arrival, the convoy leaving was significantly larger, with more than a dozen additional carriages laden with heavy goods, evidenced by the deep ruts they left in the ground.
Indeed, the carriages were filled with gold coins and jewelry, all seized from the former town chief Eric's estate. After distributing a portion to the town's residents, the rest was claimed by Kaguya.
What, you think it should be handed over to the state?
Kaguya was not foolish enough to relinquish such a windfall once it had fallen into her lap, so she gladly accepted it.
Though Kaguya had ample funds now, who ever complains about having too much money?
Moreover, the time to spend the money hadn't arrived yet, but when it does—for example, in wartime or post-war reconstruction—it would flow like water, and Kaguya feared her current funds might still fall short.
Due to the burden of transporting the gold-laden carriages and the fact that some roads were in disrepair and uneven, making travel difficult, the entire convoy moved slowly.
Kaguya considered returning ahead of the convoy but thought better of it. This sum of money was no trifling amount, and various factions must have caught wind of it and might be lying in ambush. Furthermore, her troops were depleted from the previous battle, and their weapons and equipment had suffered significant damage, so Kaguya was concerned about their ability to defend the convoy adequately.
Oh well, let's treat this as a sightseeing trip, Kaguya thought, comforting herself as she gazed at the desolate landscape outside the window.
Only this season truly lacked any beautiful scenery. The flowers and grass had withered, most of the leaves had fallen, and everywhere were bare branches, casting ghostly shadows like flickering phantoms.
However, this allowed Kaguya to enjoy a rare moment of peace, though it did not last long.
Suddenly, the convoy halted as if something had happened up ahead.
"What's going on?" Kaguya asked, pulling back the curtain with her fair hand to look outside.
"It's nothing, Your Highness. There are a few bandits attempting a robbery ahead," the guard captain Ieyasu reported, kneeling halfway and speaking in a deep voice.
"Robbery?" Kaguya's clear eyes brightened with curiosity.
Someone dared to rob the Princess's convoy. Kaguya was intrigued by such audacity and wondered what kind of bandits would dare to commit such a brazen act.
However, this place was indeed suitable for an ambush.
It was a deep gorge flanked by towering peaks, with only a narrow, winding path in between. If there were ambushers on both sides, charging down the slope would indeed present a challenging situation of being attacked from both the front and rear.
"I'll go take a look," Kaguya's soul burned with curiosity as she had never encountered a robbery before.
"Your Highness, these roadside bandits are beneath your attention. We can handle them," Ieyasu said sternly.
"It's fine, I'm just going to take a look," Kaguya waved her hand dismissively. "I've made up my mind, so don't stop me."
Seeing that Her Highness was determined, Ieyasu did not press further, knowing that with her strength, there was no need for concern.
"Your Highness, I want to come too," said Far, poking her golden head out of the carriage with a playful grin.
"Let the adults handle this, and be good," Kaguya said, tapping her forehead.
"Oh," Far replied, somewhat disappointed as she withdrew, originally eager to join the excitement.
When Kaguya reached the front, she saw a group confronting the imperial guards ahead of the convoy. They wore gray robes, tightly wrapped to conceal their faces, and wielded a motley assortment of weapons that seemed quite old, showing signs of rust and decay.
Kaguya paused briefly upon seeing them, then looked up at the peaks flanking them, a subtle smile forming on her lips.
So it's this group.
The bandits flinched upon seeing Kaguya, instinctively retreating a few steps and gripping their weapons tightly, their eyes fixed on her. To them, she wasn't just a charming princess but a fierce, dangerous threat.
"Ahem," Kaguya approached gracefully and elegantly, looking up with a faint smile. "When did Night Raid start resorting to banditry?"
The leader trembled, seemingly surprised that their identity had been revealed, and the rebels disguised as bandits tensed up immediately. They hadn't expected Kaguya to see through them so quickly, leaving them momentarily stunned.
Unbeknownst to them, all disguises were futile before Kaguya's ocular jutsu, utterly ineffective.
Tensions escalated as both sides faced off, the air thick with anxiety, and a fierce battle seemed imminent.
"Retreat."
Just as Kaguya thought the fight was about to break out, the group turned and fled without hesitation, like rabbits darting away.
The sudden turn of events left Kaguya momentarily dumbfounded.
Wasn't this supposed to be a robbery? Why are they running now? Can't they show a bit of professionalism?
Kaguya couldn't help but feel baffled.
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