Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Duke Lancia is getting bored today. His plan to quarantine the patients from Cadia's Kingdom didn't find any obstacle.

The Emperor, Arthur William Alexander IV, gladly agreed on it. Because this idea didn't need so much energy or money to buy weapons, hire spies, or paying the knight's salary.

The thing they have to prepare is to build the hospitals on the border of Atrazal and Cadia, Blackthorn Town, which have beautiful scenery and hires several medical teams.

With a bit help from Armano, Mr Hambbel successfully found the antidote for the pandemic.

If everything works according to the plan, The Cadia's citizen will refuse to go back to their homeland.

The people who got quarantined in the Atrazal Empire will get emperor's protection. Which means, they will get a stable job, better income and better environment than Cardia.

And this is actually the main objection of the Emperor. Not to expand his teritory or control their mines. But, to save the unfortunate people.

To measure the probability of  success, Arthur already hired spies to find out how much are the Cadia's citizen satisfactory rate to their king.

The result is just what Arthur expected, they hate their king for his unfairness treatments between poor and riches.

The only problem is how to make Cadias's king agree to quarantine them to Atrazal's Empire.

That's why Armano was sent as Atrazal's representative. His task is simple. Just come and 'persuade' the king. After that, Arthur will prepare a lot of wagons to bring the patients.

Armano closed his eyes. Not because his sleepiness, but he just need a time to think. It's been two days, and they still reached the half way.

He brings several knights for protection purpose. Not for him. Its for Hambbel who riding in separate carriage.

"I'd love to read in my carriage without any disturbance, His Highness." He said back then and Armano chooses to agree with it since he knows that they are not compactible to each other.

The Duke's mind wandering off. He thought about his daughter whereabout and her condition too.

"She must be arriving on the South Island." He murmured it with a serious expression. "Did she already write a letter for me? Well, I guess, I've to make this matter finished in time."

Suddenly, his carriage stopped. Someone knocked the door before open it.

Killian, the leader of B team, bowed, "His Highness, we have to take a detour. I've got a report about an assault from bandits."

Armano's brows raised. Detouts is bad because it can make their journey take a longer time than it should be. However, bandit is the best word he ever heard today.

He was bored and need an entertainment. And they must be too confident to make such ruckus on Atrazal's Empire, where he is the person in charge of the Empire security.

"How many?" The Duke asked.

"Fifteen. But, the number of archers are unknown."

"Then divide your team members into two groups. The first group stay to protect Hambbel and for the remaining people can follow me."

"Yes, His Highness."

"Kil, we will do the plan X."

Killian's black eyes stared blankly and then he bowed, "I understand."

***

Malowe, the leader of Squirrel Bandit, blow a whistle when he saw a fancy carriage enter the road.

"They must be rich," he said to his underlings, who watched it too.

"Is it royal's family?" Asked someone from his team. Malowe didn't remember the name. This is just a group he accidentally made.

After losing his job, Malowe got drunk in some shabby bar. Turned out, there are so many people who are in the same boat with him.

And just like that, Squirrel Bandit was born on the table full of beers and ale.

Malowe was choosen as the leader because his previous job was a bodyguard from a noble family. He is strong and talented. That why he has no idea why did his employer fired him.

"Probably new money." Malowe said. "It's impossible for royal families to bring only three knights for protection. They should be bringing a dozen or more."

"What should we do?"

"Give a sign for the archer to shoot the horse."

His interlocutor waved his thumb and made a circle with it. They only have one archer. But, Malowe doesn't worry. Their archer never missed his target.

"What? They dodge it?" Shout someone in the group.

"They must be… lucky." Malowe murmured. Even his face stays calm, he feels something weird. Is it just a bad premonition? Ah, maybe I'm just nervous to fight with nobles, he thought to himself.

"Oh! They fend the arrows with their sword." Malowe's eyes squint. It wasn't they. It is just him. Probably the leader.

And then to make them surprised, that knight throw a small knife to the archer direction. It's impossible to hit someone who hiding at the high tree. But, their archer was fallen to the ground and screaming in pain.

"Let's go, lads. We have to attack him together. No matter how strong he is, it's impossible for him to fight back since he was outnumbered."

The crowd behind him nodded and prepare their weapon.

Malowe raised his right hand and run. The other was tailing him.

But that knight took off from his horse and walked approached the bandits with a sword in each hand. He stretched his hand.

Malowe almost thought that he saw a grim reaper.

The knight's movement was so smooth. In just one slash, two of Malowe's underlings, fell and groaned.

Looks like he has no intention to kill. Only to make them paralyzed, unable to move.

The knight seems like dancing elegantly in the crowd. Malowe has no courage left to fight when he realize that Squirrel Bandit has fallen. One against fourteen. It was impossible fight for him to win.

Malowe raised his hand and left the weapon on the ground. "We surrender! Please spare our life!"

The knight stopped, "You must be the leader."

Malowe gulped when saw that all of his companions passed out.

"Please forgive me! I will do anything! Please!"

The knight opens his helmet and Malowe almost fainted, "Du, Duke Lancia!"

"It's an honor for me. To make an amateur bandit leader like you, recognized me."

Malowe bowed and shivering in fear. This is that Duke Lancia. The high commander who lead the wars into countless winning.

Rumor has it that he can kill ten people while closing his eyes. Seems it's not a baseless rumor.

"Turn yourself over to the security guard. Take all of your friends too."

"Ye-yes, His Highness!"

Armano put the swords back to its place. "If I ever heard of this again, please bear in your mind that Lancia family weren't merciful."

"I, I, under-understand, His Highness!"

Even after Armano and his knights disappear from the road, Malowe still bowed in wary.