Chapter 19
Ambushed
"Run? Why should we run?" I asked, still calmly composed despite the rain of arrows striking our carriage.
"Why do you look so calm, Okun-sama?! Screw it!" Tatsumi cursed, kicking open the door near the bush (the carriage had two doors) before dashing into the thicket.
Leyasu looked ready to follow but stopped midway, glancing back at me and Sayo in hesitation, gritting his teeth.
"You can follow him if you want, but that's one of the dumbest things to do. Even the charioteer played dead instead of running when he had the chance after being hit by an arrow," I said, and Leyasu sank back into his seat, unsettled by my confidence. Sayo, on the other hand, looked assured, her conviction in me clear.
"H-How did you know?" Leyasu stammered.
"It's simple. Bandits use different tactics. The most common is starting with a barrage of arrows, hoping to eliminate their targets before moving in to finish the job and loot everything. In such a situation, the smartest move is to stay put. Even if you're strong, most of them flee once they see your skill," I explained.
Seeing Tatsumi bolt, I finally understood why he was separated from his friends in the series. My suspicion about his heartless nature was confirmed. He didn't hesitate to abandon his allies to save his own ass. His growth later only came after watching his friends die, then he blamed himself and vowed to change. In truth, Tatsumi is a scumbag, and now that I would save Sayo and Leyasu, I wonder how he'll turn out.
Stubborn pawn…
Abruptly, the arrows ceased raining, replaced by the sound of rushing footsteps closing in.
"Prepare your weapons," I commanded, and the duo nodded. Sayo drew a long dagger, her bow useless at close range, while Leyasu hefted his battle axe. I tightened my grip on my saber.
"Search the carriage and kill anyone alive! Stupid aristocrats deserve death!"
A voice barked from somewhere ahead.
I signaled Sayo and Leyasu silently, and they affirmed with nods. One bandit flung open the second carriage door only to be met with Sayo's dagger piercing his neck.
"URGH!!" he screamed, clutching his throat as blood spurted before collapsing lifeless. Even I was taken aback by her ruthlessness, though it was thanks to the special orientation I drilled into her.
"KUSO!!! THEY'RE STILL ALIVE! KILL THEM ALL!!" a bandit howled, and the mob charged as we leapt from the carriage.
Outside, I counted at least twenty of them rushing us with different types of weapons, with others still hidden in the bushes.
"Cover each other's backs! They still have archers!" I warned. Sayo dashed forward, with Leyasu right behind her, both fighting back-to-back against the attackers. Watching them hold their own, I shifted focus to the seven bandits charging straight at me.
They must have thought of me as the weakest, and perhaps an aristocrat, judging by the clothes I wore. I smirked and charged forward as well.
Sanguine Dance… first form.
As I rushed past the first bandit, the last thing he witnessed was his own headless body, his head rolling in the air before landing with a wet plop. The others instantly grew cautious and charged together, but as they closed in, I smirked again.
"Freeze…" I uttered, and their bodies stiffened on the spot. In a flash, I dashed forward, beheading six more of them, their blood spraying upward like geysers as their corpses toppled over. The first form of Sanguine Dance required drawing one's weapon at lightning speed, a flawless opener to the technique.
When the bodies hit the ground, I glanced at Sayo and Leyasu. They were overwhelmed, only managing to kill two while being heavily pressed.
Bending slightly, I picked up a stone and hurled it with explosive strength, the rock smashing into a bandit's forehead and killing him instantly. Since training with my Teigu from infancy, I had mastered its abilities, gaining enhanced physical stats and years of refined skill.
With another down, the remaining bandits grew wary and turned their full attention on me, the greater threat. I dashed forward once more, incapacitating them in an instant with the second form of Sanguine Dance, the simplest stepwork, yet more lethal than the first form. Blood sprayed through the air, drenching Sayo and Leyasu, who stared at me in awe.
I sheathed my sword as the mangled bodies collapsed. The last bandits, likely archers, fled back into the bushes. Still, unease crawled up my spine.
"Okun–sama, is anything wr—"
"DUCK!!!" I roared, shoving Sayo and Leyasu aside.
BOOOM!!!
The trees behind us exploded into fragments, shredded by the strike. Had we reacted a second later, we'd have been minced meat. I spat blood, forcing myself up, and saw a burly figure advancing.
"KUSO…" I cursed, stunned by the sight before me. The man strode forward with confidence, an eyepatch over his left eye, a cigarette dangling from his lips, and a gleaming silver gauntlet with a crimson gem embedded at its center. Instantly, I recognized it as a Teigu.
Damn it. Of all times, I had to face a Teigu user just before reaching the capital. Still, this was a chance to test my limits. In the series, no gauntlet-type Teigu was ever revealed… it made no sense encountering one here.
"Okun–sama, that man is—"
"Back away. Stay far from here if you don't want to die," I ordered, and Sayo and Leyasu gasped, retreating at once.
"Oh? Smart enough to keep them out of the way. But you're all going to die regardless. Tell me, what can you do against me? You're just a mere human. And above all…" He spat to the side, glaringly, "I fucking hate aristocrats."
"I'm no aristocrat. We're villagers. We can talk this out," I replied, though I already knew his answer.
"Whatever. You look rich. I'll kill you, strip you clean, and make up for my losses after you butchered ninety percent of my men," the bandit leader growled, raising his gauntleted hand.
"I see… as expected. However…"
"Freeze…" I invoked, pouring my Teigu's power to the limit, ripples and aurora-like lights flickering through the air at my command.
---
A/N: You can read @dvanced chapters and see exclusive character illustrations on my P@treon. Think of it as supporting me. I would truly appreciate your support. Link below. Remove the spaces after copying.]
pat re on.com/LongWiener
You can also join my Discord to vibe with me and other readers, as well as check out some character illustrations.
https://discord.gg/3mSR5RMfxd