As Lila extended an invitation to Haruki and Roderick for a much-needed break at the guild house, she expressed her exhaustion. “Hey, Roderick, Haruki, let’s grab something to eat at the guild? I’m beat,” she suggested. “Oh, me too. What do you say, Haruki?” Roderick asked.

“Yes, I’ll join you guys,” Haruki agreed. “Well then, I guess we’ll head out for now, Your Majesties, Seraphina,” he added, causing Seraphina to blush lightly. “Y-Yeah,” she responded shyly.

On their way to the guild house, Lila expressed her fatigue, “That training was tougher than I expected! The Queen’s power was astounding.” Haruki nodded in agreement, “Indeed, but we managed to surpass her. That’s a significant achievement facing someone of such strength.”

“I’m glad we had you,” Roderick stated, prompting Lila to lightly elbow him as she realized his misstep. He quickly corrected himself, stammering slightly, “W-We’re glad that we had you, Haruki.”

“We really do appreciate you, Haruki. Thank you for being here and leading us,” Lila expressed, her gratitude evident. Haruki felt a bit embarrassed but deeply appreciated their words. “U-Um, you’re welcome, and I also thank both of you for cooperating with me,” he replied, sharing a moment of laughter with the two.

Outside the Guildhouse, they encountered an elderly man who had just arrived with a large horse pulling a cart. The cart, covered by a substantial brown cloth, piqued their curiosity. “Excuse me, could I trouble you for a moment?” the old man asked the trio. Puzzled but courteous, they approached him. “What is it, sir?” inquired Lila.

The old man adjusted his stance, straightening up a bit before speaking, “I’m sorry for the sudden request. I’m Elias, Elias Stonehart,” he introduced himself, a hint of weariness evident in his voice.

“I’m one of Eldoria’s Historical Preservationists,” Elias explained. “I’m currently on a mission to deliver some invaluable scrolls and magic crystals to Willow Creek in the northeast of Eldoria. The journey should have taken only an hour, but my route is now blocked by a horde of bandits, leaving me no way to proceed.” He wore a worried expression as he shared this information.

Haruki asked about the bandits’ motives for blocking the route. Elias explained, “Historical evidences, such as these scrolls,” gesturing towards the wrapped artifacts in his cart, “have seen an exponential rise in demand, particularly the older ones. Valuable resources, like magic crystals and other similarly precious items, have become prime targets for these bandits. Despite our attempts at discreet travel, even under the veil of midnight, we’ve encountered repeated attacks, hindering our trading endeavors.”

Elias sighed, recounting the challenges they faced. “We ceased our travels for a while, and His Majesty entrusted me with a critical task: to transport these scrolls to Willow Creek. There, historians are poised to decipher and unravel the contents of these ancient records.”

“And these Magic Crystals serve various purposes,” Elias explained. “May I ask for your escort?”

Without hesitation, the three agreed to accompany him on his quest. However, before setting out, they stopped at the guildhouse to grab some quick snacks, alleviating the fatigue from their recent training with The Queen.

As they continued their journey towards Willow Creek, Elias rode in his carriage while Haruki, Lila, and Roderick walked alongside, watchful of their surroundings. Entering a dense forest, they remained alert for any signs of danger. As they progressed, various creatures inhabited the area, but the group remained unbothered.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

As they ventured deeper into the woods, the trees began to thin out, signaling the exit was nearby. Suddenly, they encountered an unknown person blocking their path. Elias hesitated and identified the individual as someone suspicious.

The situation became tense as the person remained silent, causing Elias to grow wary. Just as confusion began to set in, more unfamiliar figures emerged from the surrounding area, their intentions unclear. The group realized they were surrounded, their expressions showing their concern about the unfolding situation.

In the tense standoff, the bandit demanded Haruki surrender the goods, but Haruki stood firm in refusal. Sensing an opportunity, the bandit signaled to his accomplice, who seized Lila as a hostage. Astonishingly composed, Lila remained unfazed, projecting an air of serene confidence. Roderick, however, couldn’t contain his distress, crying out in anguish at the sight of Lila in danger.

“It’s alright, Roderick,” Lila reassured him, her voice remarkably calm despite the circumstances. “But—” Roderick attempted to intervene, only to be thwarted by another bandit’s interference. “I said it’s alright!” Lila’s voice cut through, determined and composed.

The bandit holding Lila sneered, mocking her courage. “Hehe, you’ve got guts, elf girl.” Lila paused briefly before replying, “More guts than you!” In a swift, unexpected move, Lila launched a surprise attack against the bandit that held her. However, Roderick found himself momentarily delayed by the overwhelming emotions stirred by seeing Lila in peril.

The bandits encircled Haruki, Roderick, and Lila, their intentions clear as they readied themselves for a confrontation. Haruki took a guarded stance, his blade infused with pulsating energy, ready to defend his comrades. Roderick positioned himself protectively, his sturdy shield raised, sword gleaming in the sunlight. Meanwhile, Lila, with her bow drawn, shimmered with an ethereal aura, prepared to unleash her arcane prowess.

As the bandits closed in, a tense silence descended. Suddenly, a bandit lunged towards Haruki, brandishing a rusted blade, aiming to exploit any opening. Haruki swiftly parried the attack, countering with a surge of magical energy that sent the bandit stumbling backward.

Simultaneously, a pair of bandits targeted Roderick, their coordinated strikes aiming to overwhelm the frontline defender. Roderick stood firm, deflecting the incoming blows with his shield while retaliating with precise sword strikes, creating an impassable barrier around his allies.

Meanwhile, Lila’s keen eyes scanned the battlefield. With a graceful movement, she fired enchanted arrows, each shot finding its mark with deadly accuracy. Her magical prowess weaved through the air, creating dazzling bursts of energy that disoriented and hindered the advancing bandits.

The bandits, caught off guard by the trio’s synchronized assault, struggled to maintain their formation. Haruki’s blade danced with arcane might, Roderick’s defense remained impenetrable, and Lila’s mystical arrows rained down like guided lightning bolts.

As the battle raged on, the bandits realized they underestimated the resilience and prowess of their adversaries. With unwavering determination and seamless teamwork, Haruki, Roderick, and Lila emerged victorious, their unity and combined skills overpowering the bandits’ attempts to overpower them.

The bandits scrambled to defend themselves, retreating hastily from the trio’s relentless pursuit. “I really thought they were stronger,” sighed Haruki, catching his breath amidst the adrenaline-fueled chase. “Me too,” Lila concurred, her gaze shifting to Roderick, her tone carrying a mix of frustration and concern. “And you! I kept saying ‘It’s okay, It’s okay,’ but you didn’t grasp it! Remember our training with Daisy-san? She taught us counter techniques. Just like that one guy did to me!” Her voice held a hint of exasperation.

“S-Sorry, I just got carried away seeing you in danger,” Roderick stammered, a tinge of embarrassment coloring his cheeks. “Huh!?” Lila exclaimed, her frustration mingling with a subtle blush.

The trio slowed their pace as the bandits distanced themselves, allowing a brief moment to exchange glances, their emotions still charged from the intense encounter.