Walking along the dark cave paths, Micaela stared at the back of the man who is a puzzle to her. She just couldn’t figure him out. When she first met Artreus, she thought him as a spy of some sort, a villain, for who walks around the forest, surrounded by corpses of beasts who were beaten to death, while naked if not some sort of psychopath. The sight of him brutally butchering the bandits that he could get his hands only solidified her view of him. That smile of a madman pasted on his face as he is covered with viscera lingers in her mind, causing her to shiver.

When she left to face the returning bandit patrol, she was already adamant on reporting that Artreus was a dangerous person. But when she returned, what she witnessed made her question her view on him once more.

The man who was the embodiment of wrath was no more. In his place was a person who lay down his weapon, possibly sentencing himself to death, in defense of others. She could’ve left and reported back to the old man, leaving him to his fate. But seeing him standing up to the giant to protect a woman he doesn’t even know stirred something within her.

A memory of the past that she holds dear.

Witnessing that, she just couldn’t just leave him there. So she intervened, and although she was not the one to deliver the killing blow to the already weakened bandit chief, she was glad that they were able to finish the fight rather quickly.

Him healing the wounded hostage as soon as he recovered enough mana before treating his own wounds surely didn’t help make her mind up on his alignment. ‘I only have enough mana to cast one more spell. I will save it in case we need it later.’ The arrogant pervert said as he finished casting Purify, cleansing his body of filth, revealing clean, if not tattered cloak, which was immediately stained by blood coming from his numerous wounds and asked for bandages to treat them himself.

Which side of him is the real Artreus? The bloodthirsty killer who doesn’t bat an eye as he rips a person apart with his bare hands, or the kind and caring man who doesn’t think twice of trading his life for the sake of others?

Her head hurts as she thinks of how she would report this to the old man.

“Are you alright? You look flustered.” A voice of a woman shook her from her thoughts. What greet her were green eyes, full of concern.

This blond haired woman is Estella Contesse Landrey. The daughter of one of the heads of the Golden Wheel Merchant Guild, Andre Montimer Landrey. How she found herself travelling without the Golden Wheel caravan guards is another mystery that Micaela’s head is too tired to figure out.

“I am fine. How about you? How are you feel--- Urk!” Micaela felt stupid, she was about to ask a woman who was just been violated how she was feeling.

Fear and misery from what Micaela could imagine as a painful memory flashed on her face for a split second before being quickly replaced by a mask of composure. “No need to feel sorry. I may have suffered under that brute of a bandit, but I am fine now.”

Such strong will even after all she have been through. Even Micaela couldn’t be sure if she could be as tough as this woman if she experienced what she just experienced.

Estella then turned towards Artreus, “Thanks once more, for vanquishing not only vanquishing that brute, but also healing my wounds.” she expressed her heartfelt gratitude. “Mister, ummm… May I know the name of my savior?” She asked.

“My name is Artreus.” He answered while focusing on the trail ahead, his aura is tense, as if ready for anything that may jump at them.

“And I’m Micaela of the White Wolves adventurers party.” Since she wasn’t asking, might as well tell her herself.

“Oh. I heard of the White Wolves. Your leader was The Ogre, Durga if I remember it correctly.” She answered.

It seems that the old man is famous enough that even the daughter of a leader in the Golden Wheel Merchant Guild have heard of him, and while her name wasn’t known yet. It will just be a matter of time. Just like the old man says, first step is get stronger, then everything else will follow.

“Hmmm…” The woman seem to ponders on something before speaking once more. “Do you have a last name Sir Artreus?”

“I don’t have one. Not anymore.”

“I know that Adventurers avoid using their last name to protect their privacy. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t use it to pry on your background. It is just so that I could ask my father to give you a reward for rescuing me. For that, he will need your full name.” Estella insisted. Her emerald eyes determined.

“Don’t worry about the reward. I didn’t rescue you to receive something in return. I rescued you because it is the right thing to do.”

“Hey now, let’s not be hasty.” Micaela tried to butt in. She doesn’t care if the man doesn’t want the gratitude of the Golden Wheel Guild, but their party could surely use the reward they might get for the much needed equipment and supplies. Quests hasn’t been very lucrative this past month and they are in much need of gold.

“Regardless, you are my savior. If anything, I want to reward you with something.” She insisted.

Before the stupid man decline again, Micaela quickly interjected. She cannot let this golden opportunity pass by. “Don’t listen to him. If he doesn’t want anything, then just give it to me. The White Wolves would be grateful.”

He just shrugged and replied. “Whatever. Just give my reward to them.” Which only further infuriated her.

There is nothing more that she would like to do at that moment than to hit him at the back of his head. Why is he so adamant on refusing rewards?

They continued to move in silence with only the mellow light of the torches lighting their way. The path was filled with forked tunnels and twisting paths, making it hard for intruders to find their lair without an expert tracker to guide them. For 15 minutes they continued to follow the direction of their captured prisoner, until they arrived on a large hall in the cave. There were tables with bowls, spoons, and forks scattered about. Some of the chairs were tipped over and the atmosphere is filled with the rancid smell of human refuse.

“Gods, how were they able to stomach eating in a filthy place like this.” She says as she fights back the urge to hurl.

Her eyes landed on Artreus and for a moment, his eyes were filled with determination with a little mix of impatience.

“We’re not here to sight see. Lead us to where you are holding the hostages before I forget your deal with the red head.” He said.

“Yessir, right away sir.” The injured bandit scurried away.

They traveled for another 5 minutes until they arrived to the holding cells. It was a sad sight. Women aging from 13- 20 are huddled together in a large cage like cattle up for slaughter. Some were terrified while some have eyes devoid of any hope and just wanting things to be over.

A small sob could be heard from behind them, Micaela turned around and saw Estella on her knees, hugging herself while crying. Clearly the trauma that she tried so hard to forget resurfaced as she saw where she’s been held before. The experience might be short, but the nightmare of those few hours would probably haunt her for a long time.

“Open the door.” The commanding voice of Artreus broke through the cacophony of cries.

The injured bandit shivered and answered. “Apologies great one. But I dun have the keys for them cages. Mel is in charge of the--- Guaahh!!!” The bandit cried as Artreus punched his face so hard that he was sent crashing towards the barrels at the side of the cave.

With voice filled with rage, Artreus stepped on the side of the face of the bandit, pinning him to the ground and threatened. “Fucking useless trash! Then find it! If you don’t I am going to flay you---”

Pulling him back before he could finish, Micaela warned him. “Stop that idiot. You are scaring the women.” He turned around, with his expression twisted in the same expression he had when he was slaughtering the bandits before. She was taken aback by fear at first, quickly grabbing the hilt of her dagger. But when his eyes glossed over the captives, his expression softens.

“I’m sorry. I lost myself for a second there.” He apologized.

God damn this man. For a moment she thought she was going to get murdered with only a gaze, and now he looks like a meek child who had been scolded.

Taking her hands off the hilt of her daggers, she opened her bag and took out a lock pick. “Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to them. Geez. Also don’t worry about the door. I know how to pick locks. Take care of Estella over there.” She then started picking the lock while keeping an eye on the man. He is unstable. Who knows what he will do while her back is turned. But so far she could see him apologizing to the captives, reassuring that they are here to save them and that all will be well. Then he walked towards Estella and placed a hand on her shoulder, he started muttering a prayer which made her feel somewhat better. A sharp click followed by a creaking sound was heard as she slowly opens the cell doors. “You’re free.” She triumphantly exclaimed. She was expecting a deluge of thanks, but was instead met with silence.

Looking at the captives, they are still huddled together, their eyes still filled with fear. She was about to complain but Artreus entered the cell and stood before the huddled women.

“I know that you are afraid. You experienced great fear and pain from the evil men who took away your everything, maybe even your friends and love ones.” He started, his voice was soft and filled with sadness. “I know the pain that you feel. For I too experienced losing everything. Life can be cruel and sometimes we blame the Gods for letting such evil cause pain to people who just want to live peacefully. So for the moment, grieve for what was lost, but don’t give up on life. The dead may have left us, but we, the living must live on for their sake. Live life to the fullest so that once the day comes that we meet them again, we could share with them stories of fulfillment and joy.” Then with an aura filled with courage and determination, he continued. “Don’t lose hope, for we may have been beaten, but we are not broken, and you will rise once again.”

Artreus then started to utter a prayer with Estella joining them. As he prayed, light started to emanate from him, enveloping him and the others with holy light. She doesn’t know why, but she could feel sorrow and pain in her heart but it also filled her with courage and the stubborn will to survive. Looking at the determined look in the eyes of the women, it seems like they are feeling the same. The lifeless look in their eyes were replaced with look of determination and will to live. After parting some more words of encouragement, he started to walk towards her.

“How did you do that?” She asked. Seeing the question in his eyes, she continued. “They looked like that they were about to give up on life. But you. You give them hope once more.” Fighting is easy, it starts with fighting then ends with either you or your enemy dead in the ground, but to give people who lost their all the will to continue living, it isn’t something that she could ever be able to do.

“I was on their shoes once, so I can relate with what they felt. I just told what the man who saved me told me when I was saved.” He answered, his face looks like he is reminiscing such a good memory before he came back to reality. “Never mind that. The women needs clothes and something to eat.” He then turned towards the bandit who was curled up in the corner. “You there. Lead us to where you are storing your food and clothes. Be quick and I might spare you.”

The bandit bowed repeatedly like he was a chicken pecking for grain. “Yessir. This way.” He said before leading them towards where they store their loot.

Along the way, Estella ran after them and accompanied them on their way to where the bandits store their loot. When they arrived, they were greeted with the sight of dozens of barrels and crates filled with various stuff. Tying the bandit on one of the posts, the three of them scattered, checking each crates for something that they could use.

Lifting the lid of a crate, she found out that it was filled with grain. “Hey, I found grain.” She said at the two.

“Good job.” Artreus replied as he checked the other crates. Seeing him grimace, she reckons it’s not what he was looking for.

They continued to open crates and barrels. Finding different loot in each one. One was full of dried fish. The other was filled with iron sand. A weapons crate was also opened, examining a short sword, it was a lot better than what the bandits arm themselves with, but still the quality is pretty low.

“I found some clothes here.” Estella says.

Both her and Artreus walk towards Estella. Looking inside the crate, they found a bundle of clothes, some even have blood on them.

“Are these?” She trailed of as the question formed in her mind.

“Yes. They are.” Estella answered. Pulling out a yellow dress from the crate, she gazed the dress sporting tears all over. “My father gave me this when I turned 18. An important treasure that reminds me of better times.” She says as tears trail down her cheeks.

“Don’t worry. You are safe now. The nightmare is over. Everything will get better.” Micaela whispered in her ear as she held her in her arms.

Artreus watched over there, his expression full of kindness but then replaced by anger as he his gaze landed at the bandit.

After a few more minutes of sobbing, she finally settled down. “I am fine now. Sorry for my outburst. The others must be waiting for aid and I wasted your time comforting me.”

“No worries.” Artreus replied.

Scrummaging through the bundle of clothes, Micaela threw an undamaged long sleeve shirt and a pair of grey pants. “Here. Wear this. So that the others would stop feeling uncomfortable looking at you just wearing a cloak to cover your dangling parts.” Artreus caught the clothes and looked at her. “Don’t worry. We will look the other way as you change.”

“Ummm… Thanks?” He said.

Both Micaela and Estella turned around while Artreus changed. Then after a minute or two, they heard his voice from behind.

“Done.” Turning around, she was surprised how he turned out. She saw him naked before, but she didn’t look closely at him. Those clothes really accentuate his muscular body. From his thick chest, thin waist and strong long legs to his muscular arms. Even if you add his plain looking face, he could still pass as a good looking man. “How do I look?” He asked.

Face red after realizing that she was staring at him, she tried to tease him. “Finally, you don’t look like a pervert. You now look like a normal person in a society.”

“It suits you Mr. Artreus. You look like dashing prince.” Estella commented. Her eyes filled with admiration. Micaela couldn’t blame her. He saved her after all.

“Thanks. It’s nice to finally wear some clothes.” He smiled brightly at them. “Oh. I am sure you’re getting hungry, I’ll go and whip us up something to eat. Go ahead and carry some clothes to the others. I’ll watch over this trash over there. The women will surely appreciate not seeing someone who hurt them.”

“Do you know how to cook?” She asked him. He doesn’t look like a person who can cook.

“People say I my food is delicious, so don’t worry.” He answered confidently.

“Hmmm… Ok.” She answered. “Don’t kill the bandit.” They still need to ask him questions, like why are they here, and who do they work for. Such a large bandit group near a town will surely have some connections to buy and sell from them without alerting the authorities.

“Yeah. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him real good.” He answered.

Carrying a bunch of clothes in her arms, she shoot him a look before her and Estella walked back towards the holding cell.

As they walk back, Estella spoke to her. “Miss Micaela, could I ask for a favor?”

“What is it?” She was curious what the woman wants to ask.

“Before we go back to check on Mr. Artreus, there is somewhere I want to go first.” She says.

“Is it urgent? If we don’t go back quickly, I fear he will kill the bandit before we could get all the information out of him.” They would need to get as much information about their group. Who knows whose toes they have stepped on by squashing this bandit group? If this incident earn them an influential enemy, they should at least know who to guard against.

“Don’t worry. It will be quick. I have something I want to give Mr. Artreus.” She answered.

Looking at the determined woman, Micaela just sighed and relented. “Fine. Let’s be quick then. Give these clothes to the others, make the detour and get what you need. Then rush back to the kitchen. Who knows what he is doing right now.”

“Thank you Ms. Micaela. I am truly grateful. Once this is over, I will make sure you and yours are properly rewarded.” She smiled beamingly at her. As if the tears from before was just an illusion.

“Don’t mention it. Just doing the right thing.” Micaela answered, but in her mind, she screamed that finally she will get the respect she dreamt of. Saving the daughter of a famous Merchant Guild. The story would surely travel far and wide.

Micaela the Bandit Slayer.

The Dagger?

She hasn’t thought about what her moniker would be, but she should think about it soon. It would suck if she gets a lame nickname in the future.