It should only take two days to travel from the Dukedom's Rachdale Fortress to the Kingdom's Selsmire…

At most, the mercenary group is expecting to fight against some Evil Beast in low-grade or mid-grade… None of them would think that they'll encounter one at the peak at all or perhaps get ambushed by the Kingdom's soldiers.

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However, as the group continues their way to the kingdom… Lyrei noticed that they are being followed. It happened after they entered a thick forest.

If one would observe the spot they were in, it is perfect for ambushers to launch their assault here.

"Captain, we are being tailed… It was only brief but I sensed their killing intent…"

Lyrei whispered but everyone in the group heard her as if she was also whispering to them. This is one of the unique traits of the elves that can be really useful in a team battle.

"Mhmm… Who are they? Is it from Evil Beasts?"

"I'm not sure… But they are numerous. Perhaps, bandits?" The elf suggested after failing to properly locate the source of the killing intent she felt moments ago.

It means that after leaking their bloodlust, they managed to quickly hide it showing some control, or perhaps it wasn't really pointed to their group.

Their captain looked at the other members of the group in case they have also sensed something wrong…

He looked at Stella who also nodded in agreement.

It is quite impossible for the bandits to camp here unless they have pretended to go to war… Then, they perhaps waited for any people that would pass this place and loot their things.

"Alright. Everyone, don't let your guard down… Draw your weapons…"

As soon as the captain said this, he draws his sword and poured his Spiritual Energy into it.

The others had also drawn their swords as they followed their captain.

The horses were startled by the sudden drawing of multiple weapons…

Twang! Twang!

It appears that the enemies have realized that they are gearing up for battle and their Captain was also about to cast an Arcane Magic…

The sound of bowstrings being released resounded through the forests as the group quickly raised their small shields or cast an Arcane Magic to protect not only themselves but also their horses.

"We're under attack… Get into formation!"

Stella heard their leader and saw the members of the group form a circle…

The attack came from multiple directions so it must be safe to assume that this is an organized group of people…

Ha!

Captain Holt waved his blade in the air and threw off all the incoming arrows coming in his direction…

The others also used their Arcane Magic to defend while some of them just trusted their armors to protect them from the arrows…

While this is happening, Stella used her Magic Item to sense their enemies… This is the Excellent Protection Ring she previously looted from Orga's ashes…

"Arcane Wall!"

"Life Detection!"

The wall of energy stopped the arrows from reaching her area and the last skill was used to find the hiding opponents…

She immediately received feedback from her magic and learned the number of the enemies.

"Captain, there are 30 of them…"

"Oh… Twice our number? Is that why they are confident?" Holt grinned at this…

The enemy's first volley of arrows already said a lot about their identities. They did not cast Arcane Magic to surprised them and instead used Enhanced Steel Arros and some Poison Coated ones…

"Ilphas, deal with the archers at the back… Bring your group with you… Stella, go with them and protect them…"

Captain Holt gave his command as he pulled out his bow and arrow…

"Alright!"

Stella answered and looked at Lyrei… The latter nodded at her and secretly pointed towards a certain direction.

"I'll deal with them even without her help! Haa!"

Ilphas shouted as he rushed towards the enemy. He is a third-class Arcanist but he is also a swordsman like Stella… He would even give himself a title called Spellsword…

He said that he read in an ancient book that a swordsman that was adept with magic would be called as such before…

Unfortunately, he is the only one who read that book before it was destroyed so it is quite hard to believe him…

Nevertheless, he's a reliable Arcanist within their group, and perhaps only Lyrei, and Stella could defeat him within the Broken Fang.

Even the Captain knows that he would be no match for the man if they fought in close range.

"Haa!"

Ilphas stabbed his sword in front and triggered his skill, Wind Vortex…

It disrupted the flow of wind in the surroundings as he headed straight to the forest where the arrows are fired…

He was followed by the other three swordsmen in the group while Stella remained behind them to ensure their safety…

Apparently, Stella has already shown some of his power to them so they are trusting her like this…

At the moment, only three of her precious skills weren't shown to them. They are the Full-Body Armor, Energy Bank, and her Force Reflect.

Because she didn't reveal her Energy Bank to them that could store 400 Units of Spiritual Energy, they are just thinking that she perhaps has an unlimited supply of Energy for some weird reason…

She was even asked by Ilphas if she has the blood of an Orc flowing through her veins that is why she's strong… Of course, this is the reason why she would barely speak with this man at all…

Twang! Twang!

The enemies attacked her direction…

She didn't even bother glancing at the arrows as they missed her like she was a ghost…

Finally, she had a clear view of the enemies…

They are not covering their face or even wearing a cloak to hide their identity…

"They don't have blond hair… Are they from the Kingdom? Mhmm…"

Stella muttered to herself as they drew their swords and attacked the four men in front…

Ilphas would always spar with their top-class captain and is now completely used to people who use bows and arrows.

His sword would carry the wind on its blade as it slices through the thick trees and bodies of the unfortunate bandits.

Clang! Clang!

She also heard the clashes of swords from their Captain's group. It appears that they have been attacked already…

She could also sense that Lyrei is not using her unique Arcane Magic to assist everyone… It means that the threat isn't that high…

They should be able to finish them by using their common Arcane Magic and sword skills…

"Alright… I should work now as well."

Stella muttered and moved towards a spot where there was no sign of people at all… This is the direction that Lyrei silently pointed to her.

Apparently, she wasn't truly meant to protect Ilphas… It was only to deceive the enemy and let her eliminate the people who were thinking they are safe from watching from afar.

Her task is mostly like this after joining the group, she would have to make sure that no one will escape their hunt.

Their Broken Fang is quite famous and their emblem and uniforms would be known throughout the Grand Duchy… Their group is also treated as the newly rising Mercenary Company and known as the only one with an elf as a member. It means that these bandits should recognize them. After all, information is a vital key when robbing people in a large group.

However, if they were still assaulted like this, this means that they were either ignorant to the dukedom's latest news or perhaps they are truly their enemies.

After all, it is quite difficult to rise to fame without getting several enemies in this industry.

Stella moved like a ghost as her Life Detection finally had clear feedback…

"Found it…"

Her Excellent Protection Ring is truly useful… She found three people standing on top of a rock and unaware of her presence…

The three of them have blond hair and wearing luxurious clothes... They were still quite far but it doesn't matter.

"Mhmm?"

She noticed that they have an emblem of the Arcanist Association instead of the Empire's Emblem just like what she received when she registered herself as an Arcanists.

'Should I ask for their purpose or something? Well… That's the captain's task… It should be fine to just kill them here.' Stella pondered for a moment but it didn't last long as she decided on what to do with these three people…

She pulled out her sword and rushed towards them… Her Magic Item's Ghost Walk skill disappeared after getting closer… She still has to cross the 20-meter distance and it wasn't too far nor too short for her…

"Who are you?!"

"Stop right there!"

While the two were surprised about her appearance… The one in the middle held his bracelet and cast his Arcane Magic… He felt the lady's killing intent just now so there is no point communicating with such a person.

"Take this!"

He created a sword made of energy as it flew in her direction… Stella had seen this many times and knows that it could follow her movement… There is no point in escaping when targeted by this magic…

"Don't panic… Eliminate her! She's alone…" The man leading them shouted and was ready to fight the lady once she got closer. He even pulled out his dagger…

However, Stella just cast a single Arcane Magic to eliminate him…

Force Reflect!

It is her magic that is completely unfair against people who rely on their projectiles…