“We don’t know how long they’ll take to get someone to check us, so we need to get moving.” I instructed. “Another group of ten is heading down the road we’re overlooking. They’ll be here in a minute. This time, try to kill them without damaging their outfits.”
“It’s not wise to engage parties of bandits larger than your own.” Ruby said helpless and sighed. “Why do I bother? I feel like you’re going to do this either way.”
“I’m sorry, Ruby, but if it makes you feel any better, by the time we engage with them, they won’t be any larger than our own party.”
We waited until they came into view. They were the typical ruffians, except for one guy who was in a robe. My guess was that he was either a Dark Priest or a magician. The magician would probably prove to be a lot more dangerous to us. Ruby’s brow furrowed. In her previous assessment on five hundred, she was only including Bandits. Dark priests, Black Mages, Shadow Mages, Assassins, Bandit Kings… they all had their own points assigned to conquering them. She had been hoping that we wouldn’t be countering more than large groups of bandits.
It was also clear they were moving with some kind of formation. The last group I had fought had been rather unorganized. These guys moved more like soldiers. I still wasn’t worried. Compared to the Knights sent from Alerith, they didn’t have that kind of atmosphere. I was certain we were more than enough to deal with them while not raising any alarms.
“Ah… before we go, loot your target quickly so their stuff doesn’t just disappear.”
Usually, it’d be miasma that would eat up objects and convert them into more miasma to fuel the dungeon curse. However, I noticed that when these guys disappeared, their armor and clothing had gone with them. Whatever process found and resurrected them within moments of death seemed to even bring their items with them. It was no wonder the bandits were so bold. Usually, even if they didn’t fear death, they feared losing the money they worked so hard to gain. Armor wasn’t cheap for common folk and losing everything to a soldier or Knight had to sting for any bandit.
“Carmine, you’re up!”
Carmine just jumped out and right into the middle of the path. She slammed her shield down, making no attempt to act hidden. I had expected that from her. She was the diversion. Shao, Salicia, and Raissa had already left. They’d attack from behind. I was a little worried for Raissa, but she was a professional. When we were battling harder units, I’d keep her back, but letting her gain levels now would only be in her best interest.
“Miki, get ready to daze them.”
The bandits who were walking down the path came to a stop. They weren’t too foolish. They were uneasily looking in the forests. It clearly looked like a trap.
“A Paladin? Here? All alone?” The cloaked man said in a raspy voice. “What does the church want with little old us?”
“Give me your gold! Or death!”
“Y-you’re robbing us?”
“Wait! Where is my coin pouch!”
“Ahh… two of our men just collapsed! They’re dead!”
“Salicia! Why do you have ten coin purses?”
“Eh? Master said to loot first!”
“He said loot quickly!”
“I did! I looted them before they are even dead! Now you can kill them!”
“I can’t tell who are the bandits and who are the good guys?” Ruby said tearfully.
I wasn’t sure either.