1 hour has passed since the messenger of the kingdom of Nivalis arrived. Finished packing up camp Andor’s sight prepared to head out to the town of Cina.

‘’Captain Skald from this location it will take us approximately 3 hours to reach the town of Cina.’’

‘’Very well, let’s depart.’’

Going off their original plan of smoking out the bandit group, Andor’s sight must now travel to the town of Cina to lend their support to the second army of Nivalis.

Leading the Mercenary guild of 200 men was a man by the name of Skald. Carrying a battle-axe on his back, he gave off a strong hostile aura.

Looking at their captain, the men of Andor’s sight were filled with hostility themselves.

‘’Captain, look over there a dust cloud is forming.’’

Being a archer Fubuki’s eyes were exceptionally trained. Hearing this Skald quickly turned to his squad captains.

‘’Hiro take 20 men and go towards that location.’’

‘’Yes sir!’’

Dispatching themselves from the main force Hiro along with Kazehaya, Rentaro and 18 other men went towards the rising dust cloud. Praying to the god of war Andor, Fubuki wished his friends safety in case of battle.

‘’Been a while since the two of us fought together hasn’t it Kaze.’’

‘’Right, but I pray that we are wrong about what we’re going to face.’’

Andor’s sight has now split up into two separate forces. The main group about 180 men strong which was led by captain Skald headed towards the town of Cina, which was still about 15 minutes away. While Hiro and his men were to investigate unknown occurrence.

After about 5 minutes passed, Hiro’s group entered a small forest.

‘’Keep your eyes open men, the dust suddenly settled after it went into this forest.’’

Slowing down their march the men erased the distance between them so as to protect each other.

Hearing screams coming from deeper within the forest the separate group started to advance forwards.

‘’Stay on your toes men, we don’t know whether we’re in hostile territory.’’

Getting closer to the screams Hiro decided to take his men of their horses and proceed on foot. Staying hidden in between the bushes Hiro and his group got closer towards the source of the noise.

‘’Bwahaha this couldn’t have been any easier, now what should they do with them?’’

Setting their sight on the scene in front of them Hiro and his men were barely able to keep their voices down. A group of 10 bandits which had probably separated itself from their army, and on the ground 20 people, 15 of which were women and children. Getting filled with rage Rentaro quietly let out a few words.

‘’Are those who I think they are.’’

‘’Probably.’’

Kazehaya keeping his cool while answering Rentaro’s remark, tried to calm down his friend.

‘’Kaze how can you be so calm right now.’’

‘’If we make the wrong move right now they could kill those people.’’

‘’Listen up men were are splitting up in groups of five and surround our enemies, make sure you are not spotted.’’

Confirming their captains plan the group split up in teams of five, Kaze’s group consisted of Rentaro and 3 other men. Marking who would go to which target Kaze’s group split up once more in a two men and a three men team.

The two men team consisted of the only archer in their group and a regular soldier.

Kaze, Rentaro and the other soldier formed the 3 men group, being the fastest soldier Kaze would be the one to strike down the bandit, while being supported by the other two.

The archer which was in their team pulled back his bow string, nocked an arrow into his bow and locked onto his target. Letting go of his arrow the bandit fell on the ground, before being able to react the other bandits were all cut down.

‘’Everyone confirm their dead, and search for more bandits.’’

After making sure there are no more bandits nearby Hiro and his men freed the captured men and women.

‘’Are you alright?’’

Asking about their state, the women started to break down in tears while the men were barely able to keep their calm.

Leaning forwards Kaze started to console a young girl. Suddenly the young girl pushed her face into Kaze’s chest. Looking down the young girl with long blond hair had started crying into Kaze’s chest.

Seeing the young girl sobbing in relief, Kaze started gently petting her head. 

‘’Cry to your hearts content, you are safe now.’’

The young girls eyes met with Kaze’s and she heaved a sigh of relief.

‘’Oi Kaze stop being a player for a few minutes and help us with the hostages.’’

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Getting a sour expression on his face Rentaro’s voice was filled with a part seriousness and a part enviousness.

After consoling the young girl, she and Kaze started helping the others in need.

After about 10 minutes Hiro gathered his men and escorted the people back to their town. But something started bothering Hiro and Kaze.

‘’Captain there is only one town in this area right.’’

Hearing his friend speak his thoughts Rentaro knew why he had said this.

‘’You’re correct Kazehaya, the only town in this area is Cina. Which could only mean one thing, something terrible went down in Cina. But for now let’s get a rough sketch of what is going on.’’ 

Speaking with some of the villagers Hiro and his men learned what they were doing in all the way in this forest, and about the situation of Cina.

Apparently last night when the second army of Nivalis had arrived a messenger suddenly appeared from within the mountains. The leader of one of the bandit groups challenged the second army of Nivalis to a battle. Hearing out the messenger the commander of the second army agreed to their request. The reason the commander agreed was because he was afraid of what would happen to the nearby town if he declined. Having a greater army of 600 against the bandits 500 men, the commander held a slight upper hand. Not knowing what happened in the battle the villager talked about them fleeing the town, after which he ended his story.

‘’So the army got defeated huh.’’

‘’Captain we should hurry and get to Cina.’’

‘’Yes. Men prepare for departure, we’re taking these people with us so be sure to protect them with your lives.’’

The villagers stared at the mercenaries with wide eyes, not being able to believe what they were hearing.

‘’Sir you don’t need to do such things, you have a more important task at hand. We couldn’t ask for your help any longer.’’

Setting their eyes on the villagers each member of Andor’s sight started laughing.

‘’Sorry but we can’t do that.’’

‘’But why?’’

‘’Those are the rules of Andor’s sight, always help people in distress no matter if there is anything in it for you.’’

Bowing their heads towards the mercenaries the villagers started thanking them once again. Finally departing towards Cina, Hiro and his teams recon mission turned into an escort mission.

Meanwhile over at Skald’s side the other group of Andor’s sight had arrived at Cina.

Setting their sight on the town in front them they could grasp the just of the situation.

Skald immediately decided to take action.

‘’Renzo take 100 men and go tend to the wounded, Victor take the remaining men and start setting up tents to put everyone in once treatment is done. Fubuki you come with me we’ll get information on what happened here.’’

‘’Yes, sir!’’

Suddenly a group of men started approaching Skald, they were wearing dark blue and red colored armor, they were the colors of the kingdom of Nivalis.

‘’Are you the men of Andor’s sight?’’

‘’That is correct I am their leader Skald.’’

‘’My name is Noburo I am the temporary commander of the second army.’’

His face slowly turning sour, Skald started questioning the commander.

‘’Why is the town in such a dire state?’’

Pondering about what to say the commander got his thoughts in order and then started talking. 

‘’It happened late last night, after our former commander had finished his strategy meeting a messenger suddenly arrived. He brought with him a letter of challenge, fearing about what would happen to Cina if we didn’t agree we took up arms. We headed out to the plains about 15 minutes from here, and began our fight. At first it seemed that having a strength in numbers wasn’t even needed.’’

‘’Wasn’t needed?’’

Thoughts occurred within Skald, normally one would prefer having a greater army. The only reason one would think it not to be necessary was with a strategy that depended on mobility or stealthiness. Remembering about why the bandits had split up in the first place Skald started grinding his teeth.

‘’Indeed, when we first clashed the difference in experience was made clear. It was as if those men had never been in combat, but suddenly after we slew about 100 of their men they started retreating towards Cina.’’

‘’What!’’

Not being able to believe what he had heard Fubuki could no longer contain his voice. Realizing what he had done, Fubuki quickly apologized for his inappropriate comment.

‘’No need to apologize Fubuki, if you hadn’t said it I would have.’’

‘’Continuing with my story, our commander made us chase after the bandits, but we could not catch up to them. Thus they reached Cina before us and started setting fire to the town, hearing all the commotion the people of Cina started fleeing the town. Suddenly we had lost sight of the bandits, not realizing what they had done.’’

‘’And what would that be?’’

Noburo’s face got even more serious as he answered Skald’s question.

‘’It came as a sudden shock for all of us, when we suddenly found the streets covered in armor.’’

Widening their eyes Skald and Fubuki figured out what the bandits had done. Seeing the look on their faces Noburo quietly nodded as to confirm their thoughts.

‘’It is as you are thinking, they had hidden themselves amongst the villagers. But by the time we noticed it was already too late. It wasn’t just them hiding themselves within the crowd of villagers, each bandit had the strength of an elite soldier. Meaning that the first attack was just to give us a false thought about their soldiers. Plus there was one truly terrifying creature.’’

‘’And what would that be?’’

‘’An ogre, we don’t know how be they seem to have tamed an ogre and are using it as a weapon of war.’’

Skald started wiping the cold sweat from his face as he heard the word ogre. Only having heard about ogres and never seeing one, Fubuki could only wonder what kind of creature this might be to be able to make his captain feel fear.

‘’And now this is the state we’re in from 600 men down to just about 100 men who are in fighting condition, while the bandits hold about 350 men each as strong as an elite soldier.’’

Taking some time to process what they had heard Skald and Fubuki had already started thinking of counter measures against the bandits forces.

‘’So together with Andor’s sight our army will be 300 men strong. Commander who will lead our attack against the bandits?’’

‘’Leader of Andor’s sight we ask of you to lead our charge, none of our soldiers hold the experience to lead an army. So we beg of you to take over the role of commander.’’

After giving it some thought Skald gave his answer.

‘’Very well, I shall take over as leading commander in the bandit subjugation.’’

Bowing their head the soldier of Nivalis expressed their gratitude.

‘’Thank you sir Skald, please use us as you see fit.''

Hearing the soldiers determination Skald started to get a smile on his face.

‘’Very well but be prepared to be worked to the bone.’’

‘’Yes sir!’’

‘’By the way have you notified the other armies about your situation, or requested reinforcement?’’

‘’We have send a messenger to inform the other armies and requesting reinforcements, but we have yet to hear back from them.’’

‘’Then we have to make do with the people we have here. The bandits will probably attack at the end of the day, so rest while you still can, and leave the villagers and wounded soldiers to us.’’

Looking at Skald with adoration in their eyes, the soldiers of Nivalis decided to give it their all.

30 minutes later Hiro and his men arrived in the town of Cina together with the rescued villagers.

‘’Captain we have finished our mission.’’

‘’Well done Hiro, and I see you brought some new friends with you.'' 

‘’Yes, captain. Everyone please take these people to the medical bay and get them treated, while I explain to the captain about what happened.’’

‘’Very well, everyone please follow us.’’

Looking at his son lead others, Skald felt relieved knowing that his son turned out to be a fine young man.

‘’Now that I think about it Kaze turned 16 earlier this year, which means he can legally marry.’’

‘’Don’t you think it’s a little early for that captain? After all we are in the middle of war.’’

‘’You’re right, guess it’s still too early.’’

After explaining the happenings of earlier Hiro and Skald retreated to the captains tent, and called all the remaining strategist. For this time they would face the bandits in full combat.