"Prepare to escape as I let down the wall!" Baldwin shouted, his voice echoing through the village. The villagers quickly scrambled to gather their belongings, grabbing their children and preparing to make a run for it.

As they hastily packed their bags, Andrith turned to Baldwin, his expression curious. "Before we fight, I have something to ask. How did you manage to create those walls of flames that big and for that long?"

Baldwin's eyes narrowed slightly as he replied, "I didn't do it myself. I have an item that's been helping me. I don't know how much longer it'll hold on, but it'll be enough."

Andrith's eyes lit up with interest. "Hmm, I guess I'll have to try adventuring sometime when I have the chance..."

Baldwin chuckled, his voice laced with dry humor. "I'll hook you up for parties if ever we'll leave this place alive, so don't die on me."

Andrith's expression turned serious once more. "I don't plan to."

As the villagers finished preparing, they looked back at the village elder, who was standing tall, his eyes fixed on the bandits. The villagers knew that they would have to fight to survive, but with Andrith and Baldwin leading the charge, they felt a sense of hope and determination.

"Alright, everyone, prepare to escape!" Baldwin shouted, but before he could finish, a villager interrupted him.

"Baldwin!!" the villager cried, grabbing his attention.

Baldwin's face contorted in frustration. "AGHH, NOW WHAT?!"

"There's something at the wall!" The villager pointed to the wall of flames, and Baldwin's eyes widened in surprise. "What wall...?"

As the bandits caught wind of the commotion, they paused, unsure of how to proceed. That was when a figure emerged from the wall of flames, leaving a trail of smoke and fire behind him. The man was a bald, rugged individual in his 40s, with a dragon tattoo on his head and arms. His chest and abdomen were exposed through his coat, adorned with scars from countless battles. His burnt face was a testament to his many battles.

The bandit leader himself stepped out of the flames, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I may have arrived a little late, but I won't miss out on something as fun as this," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

The bandits snickered and jeered at Baldwin and the villagers. "Leader!!" one of them shouted. "He's here!" another added. "You're screwed now!" they chorused, their mocking laughter echoing through the air.

Baldwin's eyes narrowed as he focused on the leader. "Wait...," he said, his voice trailing off.

As he squinted harder, recognition dawned on his face. "Brooke?!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with shock.

Brooke smiled, seemingly amused by Baldwin's reaction. "I'm surprised you recognize me," he said.

Andrith stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Brooke. "You knew him, Baldwin?" He asked.

Baldwin's expression turned grim. "He died," he said. "He was with us in the mass subjugation of a dragon before."

Brooke's expression turned cold. "After a village girl took me in and healed me, I killed and looted her and took all of her and her village's belongings! Once those bandits saw it, they asked me to join them, and I declined only if they bowed down to me. They didn't take the idea seriously, so of course I turned their insides out and mercilessly killed their leader! And that's how I got these hounds and built up a reputation."

He paused, his eyes gleaming with pride. "But you! Hoo, you're not bad yourself. We're both Gold-ranks after all."

With a hint of persuasion in his voice, he continued, "With your skill, I might let this matter pass if you join us and make up for our lost numbers. What do you think? Women and riches beyond your wildest dreams?"

Just as a bandit on the other side was about to decline Brooke's offer, Brooke sliced him in one fell swoop for interrupting.

"You're not worthy of speaking," he said coldly.

Brooke turned back to Baldwin, his expression unchanged. "Now I've opened up a spot for you - for second in command. I'll be in need of a capable vice-captain."

Baldwin shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't serve someone who'd just kill their subordinates without any hesitation."

Brooke chuckled. "Too bad, well. Really, what a pity.

...if you don't want to, don't," Brooke said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I'll still spare you and my offer still stands. That is... if you walk away and pretend as if nothing happened."

Baldwin's expression turned firm. "I'm grateful, but I'm already too attached to this place for me to even think of leaving it."

Brooke's smile grew wider. "Suit yourself, but don't blame us for what happens next."

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

As Brooke finished speaking, the air seemed to grow heavier, and the villagers' eyes grew wide with fear. They knew that Baldwin was not one to back down from a fight, and that Brooke was not one to be trifled with.

The bandits, sensing their leader's unease, shifted uncomfortably, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords.

Brooke's menacing laughter echoed through the air as he charged towards Baldwin, his eyes blazing with a fierce determination. "So... I'll just kill you and the wall falls, right? Hahahaha!"

As he bent his knee slightly, his head dipped down, and his arms positioned themselves as if preparing for a sprint. The bandits behind him drew their swords, ready to charge into battle as soon as the wall falls down.

"Baldwin!" Andrith shouted, his voice echoing above the din of chaos. "Take cover!" Baldwin yell as he was about to prepare a counterattack

But it was too late. Brooke had already launched himself towards Baldwin like a rhino, his momentum building with every step.

Baldwin's eyes flashed with determination. "Now!! Everyone GOO!!"

The villagers scrambled to take cover, dodging and weaving to avoid the incoming attack. Andrith yelled out orders, his voice clear and commanding.

As Brooke charged forward, Baldwin raised his hand, holding aloft an item that resembled a crystal ball. He began to chant in a low, rhythmic tone: "Ignis entus!" - "Fire extinguished, my wind directs, I pour forth darkness!" - as he gathered all the flames on the wall until there was nothing left. The crystal ball glowed brighter, charging up with energy.

With a flick of his wrist, Baldwin hurled the crystal ball towards Brooke, chanting another spell: "Hurling wind!"

The wind spell boosted the crystal ball's speed and direction, aiming it directly at Brooke as if guided by an invisible hand. The crystal ball landed with a sonic boom, creating an explosion that was even greater than the ones before. The brightness of the blast illuminated the surrounding landscape for miles around.

Baldwin's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "That wind spell not only boosts its speed but also directs the rest of the explosion behind Brooke, to burn the bandits behind them."

Andrith watched in awe as the blast shook the ground beneath his feet. "And an explosion that great? You're really a sly bastard," he said, his voice impressed.

"Well, it's not over yet," Baldwin said, his eyes scanning the battlefield.

Andrith's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

Baldwin turned to the Elder. "Elder, Andrith, lead these men and break their defenses behind us at each side! They're trying to surround us, so I'll buy you some time cleaning up the bandits."

The Elder nodded, and Andrith shouted orders to the villagers. As they prepared to advance, Andrith asked nervously, "Is it me or are they usually that many? I didn't see clearly from how dark it was before..."

Baldwin's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on the enemy lines. "From that bright explosion, I can finally see their numbers. Approximately... hundreds... about 400 men."

Andrith's voice trembled. "T-that... many?"

Baldwin's confident smile returned. "From that explosion before, I can estimate that I desimated at least a quarter of their numbers."

Andrith whistled. "Wow, shouldn't you be at least platinum-rank?"

Baldwin chuckled. "Hehe, I told you it's the item."

Just then, a menacing laugh echoed through the air, interrupting their conversation. The sound came from the direction of the explosion.

"Go now!" Baldwin shouted, his voice firm.

Andrith nodded and turned to leave. "Good luck."

As they departed, Baldwin watched Andrith and the villagers disappear into the smoke-filled chaos. His eyes then returned to where Brooke was supposed to be. A thick black smoke obscured the view, but a shadow of Brooke's figure could be seen until the smoke cleared, revealing some of his burnt arms.

Brooke's voice carried through the smoke, his tone dripping with malice. "You'll regret this."

Baldwin drew his sword, its blade glinting in the dim light. With a confident smile, he said, "Make me."

Brooke's laughter echoed through the air once more, and he strode towards Baldwin with a fierce determination. The two enemies clashed in a flurry of steel and sparks, their battle raging like a stormy sea.

The air was filled with the clash of swords, the scent of smoke and sweat hanging heavy over the battlefield. As they fought, the sounds of Andrith's battle cry echoed through the smoke-filled chaos, mingling with the rhythmic thud of steel meeting steel.