Next day

“Ah, there you are!” Hande saw the Trio walked towards him at Aroum City South Gate.

They wore simple gear, almost casual. Cain with his dark blue jacket, Higa with his leather vest, and Lexa with her green thigh-length robe.The Trio also had bags on their shoulders. Higa brought a spear, about 2.3 meters with a white eagle ornaments on it. It’s called Eagle’s Talon. Given by Cain and Lexa as his birthday present two years ago.

“Are we late?” asked Cain.

“No, not at all,” said Hande. “These are my carriages. And those two are my men. Sadly, they can’t do things except manual labour. And since my bodyguards are on days off, well, you know the rest.”

Hande had 2 carriages. There were 4 barrels on each carriage, those barrels were goods Hande wanted to deliver. The Trio and Hande rode the first carriage, the second carriage was handled by Hande’s men

The carriages were pulled by two horses each.

“Ready? Let’s go," Hande coached the horse's reins.

The Trio often went outside Aroum City with Igo, sightseeing and training. So they did not feel strange about going outside the city.

“Huh? What's that on your wrist?” Cain asked about the bracelet on Lexa’s wrist.

“Oh? This is what we bought yesterday at accessory shop," Lexa replied.

“It’s a pair bracelet," Higa showed his.

“Woo! Nice one! So, where’s mine?” said Cain while sticking out his hand.

“Huh? These are bracelets for couple! only two! said Lexa.

“Aah.. they already forget me… love is not as beautiful as I thought…” Cain sat in the corner, mumbling.

The carriages slowed down and stopped.

“Hunters! I’m sorry! I forgot to tell you, there are actually two deliveries, one to Dorun Village and another to Makkir Village,” said Hande. “Could one of you accompany the second carriage to Makkir Village?” he scratched his head.

“Why don't we go to Makkir Village first, then Dorun?” asked Lexa.

“Well, my both clients are expecting the goods to be delivered this noon. If we go to Makkir first then we would arrive in Dorun when the night falls," said Hande.

“I’ll go," Cain raised his hand, volunteered.

“Thank you, Mr. Cain! I’ll make sure to add a bonus for you," said Hande while apologetically smiling.

“You sure, Cain?” asked Higa.

“Yeah, no problem. Besides, I will get a bonus for this and I don't wanna disturb you couple!” Cain smirked.

Lexa and Higa sighed.

Cain took his bag and moved to the second carriage.

“It’ll only take an hour to Makkir Village from here, my men will take you to Dorun village after the goods are delivered," said Hande.

“Alright," said Cain as he sat in the carriage.

“Be careful, Cain!” Lexa waved her hand.

“See you at Dorun, Cain! said Higa.

“Okay!”

The first carriage continued to straight road, while Cain's carriage turned right.

There were 3 people in the carriage, including Cain

“What is this goods that Hande sells?” asked Cain to one of Hande’s men.

“It’s Mannio Herb, sir.”

Mannio Herb was used for traditional medicine, good for elderly. It's not common but also wasn't rare plant. It needed a special treatment to grow them.

“Hoo… I see. But why put them in a barrel? Not just put them in a sack?”

“We’re not really sure, probably the client’s request," said the man.

Moments later, Cain arrived at Makkir Village.

“Alright, Hunter. We will unload the barrels and deliver them to the client, after that, we will take you to Dorun.”

“Want me to help?” asked Cain.

“No need, you can relax at that bar. After we’re done, we will come to you," Hande’s men pointed a bar across the road.

“Okay, good.”

Cain entered the bar, it's called Sword and Fork bar.

The bar was half full. Cain sat and ordered a glass of cold red tea.

“Hey, have you heard? there's a bandit group that smuggling kidnapped children near Dorun Village?”

A group of people at the table behind Cain was talking about recent rumour.

“Yeah, I heard, they sold children to slavery for neighbor Kingdoms.

“And I heard they disguised themselves as merchants or something. said they sell some kind of herb as their front.”

Hearing that, a cold sweat dropped from Cain's forehead.

“My friend from the capital said the King sent a squad of Kingsmight to settle this.”

“As expected of King Iligo, always looking out for his people even it's far from Aroum!”

“Speaking of Kingsmight, did you guys come to their test…”

Cain finished his drink in one gulp. Paid it, then quickly went out of the bar.

He saw no carriage he rode earlier in the vicinity.

“Shit! Where is the carriage!? It's bad news! Lexa and Higa could be seen as smugglers by Kingsmight!” Cain tried his best to stay calm while assessing the situation. He also inspected the road, but there were too many carriage tracks so he couldn't identify the right one.

“I should go to Dorun before this turns ugly! Damn! I didn't bring much Fuls! No way I can rent a horse! I have to run to Dorun Village! If I run straight through the forest then I can get there faster!”

…

Meanwhile in the forest not far from Dorun Village.

A squad of Kingsmight under Ivela Caral was preparing to deal with the smuggler.

“We got intel that these smugglers have a base operation in a cave near Dorun. I will take 14 men to the cave. Olsam, you take charge leading the assault to Dorun Village, take the rest with you," said Ivela. She planned to intervene these smugglers.

“Alright!” Olsam, middle aged man, nodded.

“Remember to secure the kidnapped children first, then deal with the smuggler," Ivela continued.

Kingsmight members under Olsam nodded.

“Alright! Move out!”

With Ivela’s command, the Kingsmight split into two groups and moved.

Dorun Village.

Hande’s carriage was already there and empty.

“Hunters, please come to my storage, I’ll set up the payment for you.”

Higa and Lexa followed Hande into a storage. Inside, about 20 people there sorting barrels.

“Please sit here, I’ll complete the paper for my client first, then I'll pay you," Hande smiled then went up to the second floor.

“Hey, how about we buy those herbs, you know for Marion or Aunt Germi," said Higa while watching the workers moving the barrels.

Apparently, they also asked Hande what's inside the barrels.

“Hmm? Sure, why not, let’s ask Hande when he comes," said Lexa.

Olsam with his group arrived at Dorun Village, they entered the village quietly so they won’t draw any attention that might alert the smugglers.

They entered a house from its backdoor.

“Good, you guys arrived," a woman greeted them, she’s the intel, but not a Kingsmight, she’s from Arozora soldier rank.

“Where are they?” asked Olsam.

“There’s a storage in the corner. They have about 20 people there. They rarely go out from the storage at noon, I can assure you all of them in this village are in there.”

“Good. You and you, follow her to evacuate the civilians, you four, get ready at the storage backdoor, storm from behind when you hear an explosion. Got it?” said Olsam.

All of them nodded.

“Move out!”

Hande was descending from the second floor when the front door exploded.

“What!?” Hande quickly went back to the second floor. Did not really bother to see what caused the explosion.

Everyone in the storage was shocked by the explosion.

Four Kingsmight members entered the storage from the exploded door.

“Shit! It’s Kingsmight! Run!” The smugglers ran away to the backdoor. But before they reached the door, it exploded too.

“Guahh!!!”

Other four Kingsmight members already stood there.

“Wha-what just happening!? Why Kingsmight is here?” Higa panicked.

“I don't know!” said Lexa, she tried to stay calm.

No one was moving in this situation.

Olsam walked towards the barrels, then he opened one of them. He could only see the herbs. He took out the herbs quickly. Then, an unconscious boy buried within the herbs could be seen.

“Clever… using Mannio herbs to conceal human aura… so we can’t sense it," said Olsam.

“Oh shit, this is smuggler’s storage!? We just took a job from them!?” Higa grasped the situation quickly.

Olsam looked around. “Finish them off, I’ll handle the second floor," he said.

Then, every Kingsmight members started moving, they killed the smugglers one by one easily.

“Shit! What do we do!?” Higa panicked.

“We’ll talk to them! We’re just Hunters they hired, we have nothing to do with this!” Lexa was composed as always, but Higa could see worries in her eyes.

Two Kingsmight members approached them.

“Hey! Wait! We’re just Hunters! We didn't know they are smugglers when we accept the quest!” said Higa, he stood in front of Lexa.

The two Kingsmight looked at each other then laughed.

“Cornered rats always have ways to free themselves, huh?”

“And they have a cutie too!” They laughed.

“Sorry! We don't believe you!”

Suddenly, they attacked Higa and Lexa. Higa parried their attack with Eagle’s Talon.

“Damn! We have no choice but to fight!” said Higa.

“Looks like it!” Lexa casted water magic.

She carefully controlled it so it won't hit the barrels, deflecting the Kingsmight’s attacks.

Other Kingsmight members had finished their job. Dead bodies everywhere.

They joined the fight. Higa was fighting 4 Kingsmight members while Lexa was fighting 3.

Olsam descended from the second floor.

“You guys still haven't wrap it up? Oh well, I’m going ahead to the cave to meet the Vice Captain. Don't forget about the children," with that, Olsam left the storage.

“Can’t believed these smugglers have someone this strong! I can't land a hit on him!” said one of the Kingsmight members.

Higa calmly countered every hit. It looked like he was being pushed by 4 Kingsmight members. But it was the opposite, they were being pushed back by Higa.

Lexa also skillfully pushed back the 3 Kingsmight member with her water magic and throwing knives. Without even scratching one of the barrels around them.

“Damn this girl!”

One of the Kingsmight casted an earth creation magic, Stone Fist. A huge fist flew towards Lexa.

Lexa could easily dodge it, but there were barrels behind her.

“Tsk!”

Lexa quickly casted water creation magic, Water Drill. A water magic with twisting giant drill shape.

It pierced the Stone Fist easily.

The 3 Kingsmight members evaded the drill that broke through the Stone Fist. The Water Drill hit the storage wall and exploded. Fortunately, the barrels were safe.

Half of the storage was gone. A brief rain from the explosion made the floor wet and puddles were everywhere.

“I think we should get serious! This girl is dangerous!” said one of the Kingsmight members. His armor got drenched with water from Lexa’s magic.

“Hmm?” one of the Kingsmight members looked around. “I see… I don't know if you smugglers have some sort of code not to kill or have confidence that you can beat us here, so you can still sell the children. But whatever it is, I’m going to exploit it!” he said.

With a hand movement, that Kingsmight casted an earth creation magic. A big boulder was floating above the barrels.

“Now, will you still fight back?” he slowly lowered the boulder to the barrels.

When the boulder touched and pressed against the barrels, a sound of crack came from the barrels. It was slowly crushing the barrels.

“What!? What are you doing!?” Lexa angrily shouted.

“Didn't I tell you? Exploiting your weakness!”

“Aren't Kingsmight supposed to help the weak!? Uphold righteousness and justice!?” said Lexa while glaring.

“Not all, girl! Maybe, Olsam, but us seven, always enjoy the opposite! We love to watch the despair of our enemies!”

“Heck, even Vice Captain Ivela told us to secure the children first. See, even Olsam sometimes just freely do things," a woman Kingsmight member added.

“So you just do whatever you like behind your superiors!? As long as the results are what they want!?” said Lexa as she clenched her fists tighter and tighter.

“Well of course we will report something good," the woman Kingsmight smirked.

“You trash!” You just taint what Kingsmight stands for!” said Lexa angrily.

“Say what you want.”

The woman Kingsmight punched Lexa hard in the face.

Lexa fell to the ground.

“Ugh!”

“Hoy! hoy! Don't hurt her face. Maybe I am gonna enjoy her later, heheheh," a bald Kingsmight licked his own lips.

“Tsk, whatever!” said the woman Kingsmight.

She put her sword to Lexa’s neck. Lexa gritted her teeth.

“Yoo! You there! You might want to stop fightback," she called out Higa that was still fighting the Kingsmight members.

“What!?”

The moment Higa distracted by the view from the other side. He was hit hard by a Kingsmight that saw a chance.

His body was flown and crashed into the wall. Before he was about to stand up, a sword pierced his right shoulder.

“Arrgh!!!” Higa screamed painfully.

“Higa! Nooo!!!” shouted Lexa.

Another sword pierced through Higa’s left thigh to the floor.

Higa screamed again.

“Now, you can't stand and won't go anywhere," a tall Kingsmight smiled.

Higa stared at him in the eye.

“What? You want more?” said the Kingsmight.

He stabbed Higa with a knife on his stomach.

“Guhh!!” Higa coughed up blood.

And stabbed other two knives on his left shoulder and right thigh.

“Please! Stop! We’re innocent!” Lexa sobbed.

Lexa couldn't hold her emotions seeing his future husband was beaten and she couldn't do anything about it.

“Oh, shut up!” The woman Kingsmight hit Lexa’s side neck. Lexa fell unconscious.

“Dang! this man is tough! He is still alive with these wounds!” The tall Kingsmight was amazed.

“Come on guys, let's go to where the Vice Captain is. And bring these children. We can't be here too long, don't wanna other Kingsmight see what we did here," said the Kingsmight that casted the boulder. He moved the boulder to the side.

“I’ll go directly to our base in the capital. Can't let the Vice Captain knows I bring someone to play. Tell her I have a date! Heheheh!” The bald Kingsmight looked at Lexa with a thirsty expression. He then took the unconscious Lexa on her shoulder and left.

“L-le-...lex, cough! cough!” Higa was struggling to look at Lexa that being taken away.

“What about him?”

“Just leave him, no way he would survive with those wounds. Let's go!”

All of the Kingsmight members left Dorun Village.