章節 6: Privateers
I haven't asked much about this new land I appear to be in. During breakfast, strange thoughts started popping up in my head. Did I happen to go to a different dimension? Was I actually reincarnated when I died? But I still had the past memories of my previous life. I remember my home, my training, my gruesome violent death. I'm in a new body now, one with all my limbs attached but unfeeling. I can still feel emotion but the loss of almost all of my senses are disheartening. I guess just being able to still have my own thoughts and feelings is a blessing.
But what I'm feeling right now? Anticipation. The same feeling I get before something bad was going to happen. When someone is going to die.
Privateers they're called. Just a fancy word they like to use instead of thieves and bandits. The Glav Empire up north sends these guys down here. They're groups of trained soldiers sent to every corner of the Nation Alliance with nothing but some tattered clothes and some equipment. Their only mission is to cause disruption of the daily lives of the Alliance's civilian population to spread turmoil and dissent. And due to the political situation, the Empire denies any hand in it. The irony is that they steal nothing, unless there's food, which they smuggle back into the Empire. Everything else is razed to the ground. Food has become a commodity there, possibly because of the lack of agricultural land and one of the reasons why the Empire has been so aggressive with their neighbors. A barrel of grain is much more valuable than gold in the Empire and the southlands have plenty of land to grow it on.
The Empire's problems aside, I still have to deal with the problem that's walking right in front of us. The bandit's were closing in on us.
"Boss, I've already scoped out the wagon beforehand. It's quite big but it's all shit. No food either."
One of the bandits started addressing their larger leader holding a large axe. He nodded at him and started walking towards us.
"Well well, what do we have here? We came looking for food but we got ourselves a nice fat paycheck instead. Two mages and a craftsman golem."
The large man sneered at Hina and Tessa. I'm guessing he's quite confident he and his crew can take us all on. Has he got a plan or something up his sleeve to deal with our casters?
All of us started tensing up. We could see archer's lining us up like a firing squad. There's nothing but the carriage behind us to act as our only cover. Our group wouldn't be fast enough to get behind it in time and Kleid can't block all those shots with his shield.
"Heh, our employer pays well for any southlander mages we happen to... retire. Of course, we'll need to cut off your ears as proof. And a golem like that will pay even more. Hah, I'm quite lucky I woke up this early for a run. Guess it pays to switch our work times around every couple of days."
Being treated like a commodity is demeaning. And the threats to my friends? No, I'm not going to take this lying down.
The archer's started to pull back their arrows. It was then that Hina and Tessa started chanting.
"Eh uh uhhh."
He pulled out a small orb from his pocket and tossed it in front of us. It exploded and covered the area in chaff-like dust. I started having the feeling of something feeling off. Like my body had it's air supply cut off. Both our mages started gasping in mid chant as if they were suffocating.
"Huff huff, the Mana in the air. Why... why can't I draw it into my body!?"
Tessa looked mortified at the realization.
"These bits floating in the air... they're Mana Draught particles!?"
Hina was absolutely livid.
"Good guess lady. Even I'm not sure. They're a rare and expensive tool from my employer in case I run into any trouble with mages. Too bad it's my last one but I'll be carrying a golem and both your ears with me back home so I don't need it anymore. Call it my farewell gift."
Kleid was already in front of us, hoping to do what he can to block the missile fire along with Jude. With us surrounded like this, Jude can't do anything sneaky. All he could do was guard the women with what he has. I could hear a child's sobbing coming from the wagon. The merchant and her child were already hiding inside, thinking this was going to be their last moments.
"Well it was nice talking with you all. If you wanna blame someone, you can blame the gods for your luck."
The archer's drew back their arrows.
[Notice: Analysis complete. Against this Unit's frame, hostile group's weapons are inadequate to cause any damage.]
Just what I needed to hear Oracle. Thank god they were this chatty for a group of attackers. I wasn't sure how durable my body was against weapons. While Kleid's Magitech forged blade could cause issues, run of the mill weapons like what these bandits have wouldn't be able to do anything to me. I was unsure when to step in but now I've got a baseline for the weapons this world uses.
I start to step forward. The bandits notice my movements.
"Hoh? What's this? The golem trying to protect his friends? You gonna use your body as a shield then?"
The rest of them started laughing at the idea. They really do think I'm just a craftsman golem huh?
"Boss, what do we do? It's merchandise right?"
"Don't worry, he can take an hit or two. It might just make the journey back home easier if it's deactivated. My employer knows people who can repair it easily anyway."
Good, they don't think I'm a threat. Maybe it's because the only combat capable golems are just monsters? Seems like the only harmless golems are just workers.
[Initiating Combat processes. Directing all system resources to hostile engagement.]
Time to work.
I close the distance between me and the leader's assistant who was right next to him.
"Wait, wha-"
I slam my fist against his jaw. I could hear the crack of bones as his neck twists and distorts with a pop. He stumbles backwards before he crumples to the floor. The large man backs away in shock.
"W-What are you idiots doing!? F-Fire at that thing!"
The archer's send their arrows flying towards my body only to comically bounce off. Did they think that would really work? My whole body is made of metal. Seeing their attempt fail, two more bandits rush towards me and tried their luck with their swords. They swung down hard, only for their weapons to deflect off as well.
Taking advantage of this I held out each of my palms close to their bodies.
"[Ignite!]"
They both lit up like a bonfire. The bandits struggled to put out the magical flame engulfing their bodies to no avail. [Ignite] may only be a tier 1 spell with no range but combined with my pseudo [Chantless] casting, I could use it offensively with ease. Even with the chaff in the air sucking the local mana dry, I still could cast due to my core acting as a battery. I don't actually need to draw in mana to use spells.
Keeping up my momentum, I point my left arm at the archer farthest away from me. I wanted to test my [Golem Arts] next.
"[Rocket Punch!]"
My hand shot out with a bang at full force towards the unsuspecting man. It smashed into his head in like a large rock, sending him to the ground. As it retracted, I grabbed the next man with my detached hand on the way back. Holding him in the air, he started screeching in panicked gibberish. I let my other fist smash into his face, caving it in. I let him go and his body landed on the ground wordlessly.
Only the Boss and three archers left. Seeing as hitting me availed to nothing they shot their volley towards the group instead. Kleid skillfully knocks their arrows away with his shield. Taking advantage of it, Jude rushes towards the three assailants. His dagger a whirl as he slashes away at their vital points.
At the corner of my eye I see a glint as a giant axe swings down. I barely make my block in time, guarding with both my forearms crossed. He's stronger than I thought. While not taking off my hands it cuts deep into my frame. His whole figure was putting pressure on my body.
"Youuuuu! What the hell are you!? I'm gonna scrap you until there's nothing left you piece of junk!"
He was in an absolute rage. I was still trying to hold up against his axe. He's much tougher than his damn cronies.
[Notice: Light damage sustained. Hostile target was able to damage frame by channeling mana through his weapon. Caution is advised.]
Huh, he's able to increase his weapon's sharpness by channeling mana through it? Wait, if he's able to channel now, then that means...
I hear a chant being spoken from behind me. Using whatever strength I could muster I parry his axe away and jump aside. It was then I saw a large purple magic circle form underneath the leader.
"[Lightning Strike!]"
A giant bolt of lightning appeared out of the clear sky as it struck the man in full force. He stands for a moment, parts of his body charred and smoking, before he finally falls to the ground.
Finally over, I take a moment to survey the area. Oracle says it's all clear. No more attackers in sight. Sighing at all this, I take a look over to Tessa and the others to see if they're alright. But all they're doing is staring at me like I was an alien.
Did I do something wrong?
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