(Not yet… I'm still too far.)
Despite his urgency, branches obstructed his path, slowing him down. The chakram was a powerful weapon, but it had one major drawback, it didn't have the range of a bow. While a bow's effective range could exceed 120 meters, the chakram's was at best around ten meters. Though compact and capable of rapid fire, the chakram didn't have great range.
By the time Silva reached the road, the thief had already ridden several dozen meters away.
"Damn it!"
He scanned the area, but there was only one horse. Even if there had been more, it wouldn't have mattered Silva couldn't ride.
"Sir Schneizel!"
Laura, who seemed to have been hit while trying to protect Sarah, had a cut on her mouth, blood trickling from the wound.
"It's alright. I will go get your sister back!"
Laura shook her head at Silva's words.
"No, I have a favor to ask!"
"A favor?"
"Yes, Sir Schneizel, could you please make a small cut on your left ring finger?"
Silva was baffled by Laura's request. It didn't seem to fit the situation.
"What are you talking about?"
However, her expression was deadly serious.
"Please, we don't have much time."
Silva, overwhelmed by her intensity, did as she asked and made a small cut on his left ring finger with his sword.
"Is this good?"
"Yes!"
Borrowing Silva's sword, Laura made a similar cut on her own left ring finger and knelt before him.
"Oh great god of contracts, Harva, hear my vow."
"I offer my body, my heart, and my soul to my master...."
Despite Silva's confusion, she continued.
"All according to my master's will!"
"Sir. Schneizel, please extend your left hand."
Guided by Laura's words, Silva extended his left hand.
"By the mixing of our blood, we forge a covenant."
With Laura's declaration, their fingers intertwined, their blood mingling. At that moment, a sharp light burst from Laura's neck.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Suddenly, her collar shattered without a sound, and the shackles on her hands and feet fell away.
"Alright, we have to do this. Quickly!"
Laura gathered her strength, her muscles bulging beneath her soft, womanly figure like steel.
"Master, please allow me to use my power," Laura declared.
Completely bewildered, Silva was overwhelmed by her intensity and nodded.
Seeing this, Laura began chanting a spell.
"Oh spirit of the wind, Sylph, respond to my call. Grant us speed like the wind! Wind Acceleration, Wind Protection!"
With Laura's shout, a green light enveloped the two of them.
"Come on, Master. Let's get Sarah back!"
"Get her back, you say? There's no way we can catch up to the horse now…"
Hearing Sara's words, Silva gazed into the distance. The horse, ridden by the bandit, was already about 150 meters ahead.
"It's still possible," Laura replied calmly.
Laura began chanting again.
"Spirit of the wind, Sylph! Respond to my call and slice through them! Wind Slash!"
As she finished the spell and swung her right hand horizontally, a blade of wind formed and flew toward the bandit.
Whoosh
The sound of wind cutting through the air reached the bandit's ears.
"What the… Damn it! How can she use magic? Was that guy a magician too?!"
Thinking of Silva, the bandit desperately urged his horse to go faster. But no matter how much he cursed and whipped the animal, the reality did not change. A second and third slash followed, and the wind blades appeared with every swing of Laura's arm, each one launching toward him.
"Damn it… Damn!"
One of the wind blades finally severed the horse's hind leg. The animal collapsed with a thud, its momentum abruptly halted.
"Come on, let's go," Laura said, pulling Silva by the hand.
"What is this?" Silva said as he was pulled along, quickly noticing something strange. His body felt lighter, as if he had sprouted wings that propelled him forward. Within seconds, they reached the spot hundred of meters where the bandit had fallen.
Silva looked back at the distance they had just covered and was astonished.
(Is this… the same power the old man used? The wind she used earlier… it was unmistakably the same power. But what is this…?)
"It's wind magic. Don't you know of it?" Laura asked, noticing the confusion on Silva's face.
Suspicion spread across Laura's expression.
(Who is this person…? Despite his considerable martial skills, he seems to lack knowledge of magic… No, that's impossible. But still…)
In this world, strength and magic were closely intertwined. Even if one couldn't use magic, knowing about it was common.
Silva was at a loss for words.
(I can't admit I don't know. But if I say too much, I might give myself away. What should I do!?)
A tense silence filled the air.
"Sister," Sarah's voice cut through the tension, altering the atmosphere.
"Are you hurt, Sarah?" Laura asked, concern evident in her voice.
"No, I'm fine! I took a proper defensive roll, so I'm okay."
(A defensive roll… Possible, but to be thrown off a galloping horse and remain uninjured… These sisters are quite skilled, just as I suspected.) Silva thought.
"I see. By the way, Sarah, what about the bandit?"
"He's pinned under the horse and seems unable to move. What should we do, Sister?"
"We should let our master decide," Laura replied.
Both sisters turned their gaze to Silva.
"Me?"
(Well, there's no need to hesitate.)
For Silva, there was no advantage in letting a bandit who knows his face live.
"If it's up to me, I'll make the decision."
Seeing both sisters nod, Silva drew his sword and approached the horse.
"Grr… Gah! Damn it! My leg! Get off me, you stupid horse!"
The horse neighed and struggled, and the sound of the bandit cursing and kicking the horse could be heard.
"You… you bastard…"
Seeing Silva approach, the bandit's face twisted with fear.
"Hey! Don't come any closer! Stay away from me!"
But Silva's steps did not falter. Seeing the sword in his hand, the bandit's face contorted in terror.
"N-no! Please, spare me! Money? If you want money, I'll give it to you! Or is it women? I can offer you that too!"
Silva continued walking in silence.
"You… You think you can just walk all over me?! We're the Crimson Moon Group, and we have 30 members!"