♪ he didn't bring sword nor quiver ♪

♪ but fear not his flaming rod will make anyone shiver ♪

[Can't you stop that, Billy?] Me

[Hmm? But it's a catchy song, don't you think? I heard it's a good thing if your story are sung by a bard.] Billy

[But it'll become annoying pretty fast if you keep repeating it. We still have a long way until Romora.] Me

[Nahh... I think I'll always like this song. What is this flaming rod of yours anyway, Mr Dean? Your magic tool I mean.] Billy

[Hmm?] Me

[When I skinning the Lycan back home, I find a bunch of tiny iron balls inside its destroyed head. I'm a bit curious about how your magic tools work.] Billy

[It's steel, not iron. I launched it very fast using my weapon.] Me

[What! Steel? That's not a cheap metal Mr Dean! Not to mention it's a perfect sphere so it must be expensive to produce!

Ahh... What a waste thing to do that weapon of yours. I thought it's just a polished iron. I should have been collecting it and giving it back to you back then.] Billy

[Don't worry. I produce it using magic so I can waste it as much as you can.] Me

[Are you a legendary magician who just returned from a long slumber? I never heard anyone who can produce perfectly spherical steel out of thin air.] Billy

[Me? I am just a normal human. But maybe my master is. I don't know. She never talked about her past.] Me

[Your master?] Billy

[I only talk about this to Andreas, but I've learned magic my whole life inside the forest under my master teaching. It's just about a week ago I'm allowed to come out of the forest. And Andreas is the first human I met after my Master.] Me

Yep, it's not a waste to spent hours perfecting the story. I prepared all the narratives needed to explain my miracle ability.

Ask away, Billy!

*clank*

*Mind skill improved: Lying Lv2*

Hmm? The skill notification sounds different?

*clank*

*clank*

No, it's not the notification sound.

[Billy!] Me

[I heard that Mr Dean! Seems like a fight happening ahead.] Billy

[Let's check it! But don't act until I tell you so, Billy.] Me

[Yes, Mr Dean!]

...

A bunch of people fighting ahead of us.

Bandit? And who's the opponent?

I can see they use metallic armor under their uniform robe. I don't think they're mercenaries if I say so myself.

Kingdom guards? A knight?

It makes sense when you see the carriage. It's a whole lot better than I see in Dasi. Rather than just a wooden frame and tarp type of cart, it's fully enclosed with a wooden wall and roof. It also has a golden ornament here there. Maybe a noble?

*whoosh*

Woah! Is that real magic?

One of the robed men shooting a flaming ball at one of the bandits.

But I can see why Claus didn't put much praise for an attacking magician.

That flaming ball didn't act anything at all like what I expected. It didn't stick to the bandit like it's fueled by gasoline. It is just like a big lighter flame passing your head in a split second. No burning, no blast, nothing.

I didn't say it's not dangerous though. That bandit actually collapses after receiving that attack. A flame like that might look like it'll just burn your hair at a glance. However, take a breath at the exact moment and you'll easily burn your lung.

*whisper*

[What do you think we should do, Mr Dean?] Billy

There is about 20 bandit and just 7 guards. The guards didn't show any signs of losing right now but prolonged the battle any longer and that bandit will surely achieve their goals.

[I can't shoot it from here. We need to circle it first and attack from their side.] Me

I have more confidence now that I have an SMG. A perfect gun to use for a lot of targets in close quarters.

Still, both the bandit and the guard are quarreling parallel from us so I can't get a clear shot.

Let's go to their side first so no one suffers from a stray bullet.

...

*clank*

*huff, huff*

[They are stupidly resilient.] Guard

[Protect the carriage! Let no one get through our formation! Bring the wounded back!]

*Brtttttt! Brttttt!*

*thud

Argghh!

*thunk*

[What the...] Guard

[I'm Dean, mercenary! here to assist you!] Me

[Thank you! We'll surely pay your service.] Guard

*huff, huff*

[Mind that later. Tell your man not to be in front of our line of sight!] Me

[Everyone, regroup!] Guard

[Billy!] Me

[Yes, Mr. Dean!] Billy

Brtttttt, brttttttt!!

*ping!*

*Instinct skills improved: weapon skill - SMG Lv2*

*Instinct skills added: Weapon CQB - SMG Lv1*

As expected, my shooting is still all over the place. But it doesn't matter when you can throw a thousand of led in minutes.

Their forces are dwindling faster than they can grasp the situation.

[Chargee!] Guard

Of course, a trained guard would understand the situation faster than lowly bandits.

It's dangerous to continue shooting when they are going back in their sword brawl. At least at this point, I can't see we'll lose this fight.

[Runn!!] Bandit

[Like we'll let you!] Guards

I thought the battle would end after their opponents retreat but these guards are mercilessly butchering the last remaining bandits.

Guess they also vent up their anger after that first minutes of getting toyed at.

[Thank you for aiding us wanderer. We'll prepare your compensation as promised after speaking to our lady. Excuse us for a moment.] Guard

*creak*

*step*

[Wa... My lady. You don't have to come out yourself. The sight outside is very...] Guard

[Don't worry Gordo. I need to meet my lifesaver personally. It's the least I can do.] Woman

*bow*

[As you wish, My Lady.] Gordo

A very beautiful woman comes out from the wagon. Her clothing is heavenly different than what I've seen so far.

Her wavy hair is too smooth for someone who lived in a world with limited access to a bath.

[Greetings wanderer. I'm Laniella la'Nova, daughter of Titanyle and Igur la'Nova, a princess of Otista kingdom. Thank you for saving our life.] Laniella

Huh? A Princess! I can already guess that she is noble, but a Princess? And from a different kingdom at that.

What in hell are you even doing here with this few of a guard?

[Ehm! As you can see wanderer, she's a prin...] Gordo

[It's fine, Gordo. I'm not a Princess of this kingdom. They have no obligation to bow for me.] Laniella

[I'm sorry, wanderer. He is our guard captain, Gordo. He may be a little stiff but he's a fine soldier.] Laniella

Right... bowing. I never have to do that before so I forget the possibility of this etiquette.

[Umm... Yeah... I'm sorry for not bowing, I hope it's not insulting you. I'm Dean and this is Billy. We're mercenaries from the Kenari Kingdom. A pleasure to meet you.] Me

[Don't worry, Dean the mercenary. After what you've done to us, bowing is the least I would care about. Now, Dean, I want to proceed on the payment that you deserved, but do you mind if I ask if you happen to be on your way to Romora?] Laniella

[That's the case, Princess Laniella. Are you also going to Romora?] Me

[We're actually. It just so happens that we'll pass Romora on our way to Kenari capital city, Doiron. If you don't mind Dean, I would like to hire you to escort us until Romora.] Laniella

[I don't mind, Princess. But why do you have a few guards accompanying you in the first place that for you to hire a mercenary like us?] Me

[We have our reasons that we can't disclose. But I think it's still in our best interest anyway to hire a local who knows the land better than us, don't you think?] Dean

[If you say so, Princess. Then I also don't see anything to lose by accepting your request when we're going the same direction anyway, I'll oblige.] Me

[I like a straightforward man like you. I'll make sure to prepare a hefty some after your job is done.] Laniella

Just what is the purpose of this neighboring Princess here?

From what I heard from krill, there isn't any active war happening between kingdoms right now. Even with the monster kingdom Tritania, there is only a small clash here and there.

But it doesn't answer the lack of protection a Princess has in her travel.

Oh well, it's a welcome coincidence that I got a high-paying job right now.

Who would have guessed I have an important job already after that stupid trip to Tree's nest?

...

*whisper*

[Princess, are you sure it's wise to hire these man?] Gordo

[I take a peek of what happening earlier. It's obvious that he can easily wipe us out If he wants to.] Laniella

[That's the point, Princess! What if he stabs our...] Gordo

[We're in a place that is already convenient for bandits to set up their ambush. Do you think he needs to wait for us to show our back?] Laniella

[I told you that this mission is too reckless, Princess.] Gordo

[Just bare with me Gordo. You know that this reckless decision is the only option if we want to save our kingdom or I might say, the world.] Laniella