“How far are we?” I asked the bandit.

“Not far. Once we get past this thick part of the forest, we should be able to see the base.”

“Good.”

The heavy magic casting took a bit of toll on me. I was still mostly fine though. I could still afford to walk for hours. However, I should avoid casting more intensive spells for today if I wanted to get back to town without feeling like shit.

The bandit glanced back at me. He seemed to hesitate for a moment. “... So, you’re a princess, huh?”

I frowned at him, but he disregarded my displeased expression and continued running his mouth.

“That’s your actual title, isn’t it? We don’t have literal princesses here. So you’re definitely from another nation. You being a princess explains your…” He pointed his hands at me, implicitly indicating that it explained my beautiful appearance. Flattering, but I never liked captives being unnecessarily chatty.

“I don’t recall allowing you to babble.”

“A shame though, you’re quite an asshole.”

The fuck?

“Want to lose a limb?”

He flinched away before awkwardly smiling. “Sorry, sorry, I was only kidding.”

This motherfucker. I was definitely not an asshole. Was I an asshole? Definitely not!

I try to be kind as much as possible. Did that make me an asshole?

I was always kind to my allies, and to strangers.

If you’re my enemy, that’s when I get a bit rough — I think that’s justified, right? But I was never an outright asshole. Fucking pisses me off when someone describes me that way.

No, no, calm down. Why was I so agitated all of a sudden? Shit. I was losing my cool. Sorry, I haven't been in a pretty good mental state lately. Adding to my weak and deteriorating body to my other problems shortened my patience. Despite what I had been doing, I was still having difficulties with processing everything that had happened.

And that’s precisely why I’m here doing this.

This, hunting a target, was something I needed.

At least I think so.

Eventually, we arrived at the edge of the thick part of the forest. And some time later, the bandit paused. He let out a tired sigh and lifted his hand to point towards the distance.

“There, at the base of the hill. Don’t tell me you intend to approach.”

In front of us was a large area with lesser vegetation and fewer trees. Must be because they cut them all off and used some of the trees as lumber. At any rate, I could see some of the buildings from here.

“It’s hard to tell the layout of their base from here,” I said.

“Moving closer would be risky,” Velar suggested. “If we add us all together, four of us attacking the base would be difficult without information.”

“I never said we’d attack today. I said we only find and check out the place. Reconnaissance.”

“... Of course.”

“Besides, I don’t intend to outright assault the enemy.”

“What do you mean?”

“I have another plan in mind. Anyway, the priority is to gather info and scout the enemy’s base.” This would be a bit easier if there was satellite imagery. Would have been pretty easy to see the base’s layout. But alas, stuck in a medieval-magic era. But perhaps that was already enough. Honestly, I think it would be a nightmare if it was a modern age with magic. Each era has its advantages.

I looked around and spotted quite a tall tree. It should be enough to see the base from here. I had no intention of moving closer. Enemies could be patrolling around the area. And considering the current time, it would be best to be careful.

Damn, I should have borrowed that spyglass.

Anyway, I should be able to see fine from here. I grabbed the bandit from the back of his shirt.

“H-Huh? Hey, what are you doing?” He was frantic.

“Chill.”

With Physical Enhancement, and wind beneath my feet, I jumped into the air while carrying the bandit with one hand. We landed on the highest and toughest looking tree branch. The tree shook for a moment as I stepped foot and put down the bandit. He frantically pressed himself on the tree trunk, caught off guard by the place he suddenly found himself in.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Shit…” He glanced down.

Looking ahead, the bandit base was clearer here. Their base actually looked well made, with several wooden buildings and fences. Looked like a comfy place to live in, and quite safe. I placed a hand on the bandit’s shoulder, gripping it tight.

“Tell me about your base. The number of people, position of guards. And most of all, where I can find your leader.”

***

We took our time getting the information I needed. And once we were done, we walked back to the main road, bringing along the bandit, of course. Couldn’t just leave him behind. He might spoil the surprise.

The way back wasn’t smooth sailing, mind you. We faced a couple of critters slash monsters. They were almost like big lizards that skittered in our way and annoyed us. They were quite violent. But in the end, we killed those little shits.

Now, we were back on the main road, and we returned to where we were before. The bodies of the bandits were still here. It would seem the monsters had yet to feed on them or something. Maybe if they start smelling they would come.

“Hey, now that you got what you need,” said the bandit. “I’m free to go, right? I swear I won’t tell a soul.”

I turned towards him with a blank expression. “Are you?” I cast my ice magic, and it instantly engulfed his body to restrain him.

“H-Hey, what are you doing?!”

“What are your sins, bandit?”

“Sins? What are you talking about?!”

“Can you count the number of innocent people you’ve killed?”

“What?!”

“Can you give the amount of costs that you stole? Can you make peace with the people you wronged? You abused, and the people you sold.”

“I d-did none of that!”

I looked at him with indifferent eyes.

“You are among the most utter scums in this world. Tell me, is someone like you worthy of being set free in the wild?”

“Of course! I did you a favor!” He glared at me.

“A favor? You call that a favor?” I chuckled at the absurdity. “No, that’s no favor, bandit. Nor would that be enough reason to set you free.”

“I’m not that bad of a guy, you know!”

I almost choked upon hearing that bullshit from his mouth. Can anyone be more shameless?

“Judging from the moment we met, I doubt that.” My ice slowly rose.

“S-Still, it’s kind to give people a chance and mercy!”

“A chance is given to those willing to change. I don’t believe you’ll change. And you deserve none of my mercy. Good men deserve compassion.” Well, not like I easily give mercy to just anyone. In the end, it all boils down to what benefit they’d give me. If they were of use to me, I might be inclined to grant them mercy and show my compassion. But not this one. “And you, bandit, are not a good man.” He did me wrong. And there was no room for mercy.

“Y-You gotta be kidding me! After all I did for you!”

“Think of this as a penance for all your sins. For all your victims. And for trying to do terrible things to me.” I turned towards Velar. “Kill him, my knight.”

Velar paused and stared at the bandit. The latter turned towards him with wide eyes, then back to me, his eyes full of intense panic. His breath was shaking.

“You really gonna kill a defenseless man?!” the bandit screamed.

“This is an execution. Velar, are you willing to kill him for me?”

Velar slowly placed a hand on his sword, there was a hint of hesitation. “Are you sure about this? Is this necessary?”

“Does he not deserve to die?”

“Yes, he does. But, like this…?” To kill an absolutely defenseless man that helped us somewhat.

“We walk a dark and thorny path, Velar. A path that we share. Do what is required.”

Velar nodded, and he unsheathed his sword. But, judging from his eyes, he still lacked the conviction that I wanted him to have in carrying out such an order from me.

“W-Wait! Please! Have mercy!” the bandit begged with a strained voice.

I turned towards Velar. “I remember what you said to me. You had killed those that begged for mercy, but you had to remove them so everyone can be safe. Don’t only think about the negatives. Think what good will result from your choice today.”

“The result…”

“What can the good result be?”

Velar closed his eyes for a moment. “One less wicked man, and saving his future victims.” And he opened his eyes carrying a new substance within them.

Hearing him say that, and seeing the new conviction and resoluteness in his eyes, it made me feel proud. I resisted a sneer to form on my face. I needed Velar to have less hesitation in my orders, no matter how cruel or how hard, or how dark it may be. He must do whatever is required of him. Even killing a defenseless man, our prisoner.

He had always seen such actions as a dark deed. I would not like my knight to have that kind of internal conflict. Therefore, I wanted him to shift his perception, one step at a time. And with that, reduce his hesitations and internal conflicts with himself. So, in a way, I was also helping him…

Velar was unlike Rogan. Rogan was a fine knight, he would carry out my hard orders without an answer to his questions. Bedies, Rogan would just be more nosy rather than questioning my intentions. I imagine he might even be willing to wipe out an entire village promptly, even if it pained him so. What I’m trying to say is that Velar was not a knight, but originally a mere soldier. He had a different kind of character and upbringing. I was wary of that. Situation and relationship with him might change.

Velar might be a person that would instinctively follow orders or seek a master, but he still had a different kind of character compared to knights. And I intended to mold him to my liking. My words on the ship could not really change him completely. It needed to be carried out in action.

As what I had wanted from the knights back home, I want my protectors to protect me with their entire being, with all their hearts. And I was wary that in my future choices, Velar’s perception of me might change compared to before. And thus, lose some eagerness to protect me. I would like to prevent that.

Velar raised his sword.

“N-No wait! Please don’t do this—”

Gripping his sword tightly, Velar swung down his sword, severing the bandit’s head from his body in one quick and clean swing. I dispelled my ice magic and the bandit’s corpse plopped down to the ground. Hm, Velar, once he had found a good reason, he didn’t hesitate at all. His action in slaying the defenseless bandit was absolutely decisive. Maybe changing him to my liking might be a bit easier than I imagined. His deep-rooted nature as a good soldier might be helping me instead.

Interesting.

He might be more willing to change than I thought. Was he perhaps someone that could easily change for the master that he serves?

He sheathed back his greatsword. I directed a proud smile towards him.

“Good job, Velar.”

“I remembered your words back on the ship.”

“Hm?”

“We can’t be compassionate all the time. Sometimes, being heartless is necessary.”

Oh yeah, I said that.

“I promised to be your sword, and walk your path with you. And therefore, I must share your burdens and the values you carry on this journey.”

I admit, I didn’t expect this.

“I must do what is necessary to follow you.”

Hearing that, a genuine smile curled on my lips. I was truly glad. For once, in this journey, I felt I had someone to truly rely on. It would seem I didn’t need to mold him to my liking. He already did it himself. No, it would seem I underestimated him. His loyalty, willingness and all.

I placed my hands on my chest, a pure and genuine smile radiating on my face.

“Thank you, Velar. I am glad to have you as my knight.”

He was perfect as a servant, as an ally.