Suspicious Company Employee (6)
Their outfits were way too uniform for a bunch of bandits. Real bandits look no different from beggars once they drop their weapons. But whether they were bandits or not, eight figures in black cloaks charging straight at us didn't sit right. We had the carriage, so we couldn't outrun them—we'd be caught soon enough. Looked like I'd have to go greet them first.
"Celestine. Come up front and protect the carriage. I'll go check out what these guys are up to."
"Mr. Leonar. Be careful. They don't look like ordinary bandits."
Patrick, whipping the horses from the driver's seat, called out.
"Maybe they're from a rival company, sent to sabotage our branch opening in the duchy."
Business like that was common in the chaotic dark fantasy world of the Grangtest Empire.
"Got it. Celestine, guard the carriage."
"Can you handle them alone?"
"Eight guys? No problem."
I sent the carriage and Celestine ahead, then wheeled my horse around and galloped back. The riders were still coming in the same formation as before. As I closed the distance, one of them suddenly drew a crossbow and took aim at me.
Oh, they're attacking. Made it easy for me when they showed their hand like that. I tilted my head to dodge the incoming quarrel, then flicked my hand from inside my coat. The dagger flew from my grip, and the two lead riders tumbled backward.
The sudden fall of their comrades forced the others to yank their reins hard to avoid them. I plunged into the chaos, drawing Nightrend. I slashed the side of the first guy I met, then cleaved the head of the horse behind him from jaw to crown. A galloping horse crashing down was basically a death sentence. The rider who hit the dirt with it had his neck snapped clean—instantly dead.
"Ignore that guy! Chase the carriage!"
The leader-looking one bellowed, and the riders surged past me toward the carriage. Like hell they would! Not when it was my reward on the line! I hurled the lasso from my tactical belt, yanking the neck of the last guy in line with all my strength. He hit the ground and got trampled by the horses behind, bones crunching horrifically.
Two down with the dagger, two with Nightrend, one with the lasso. With only three left out of eight, they spurred their horses harder, cursing wildly.
"Run faster! Just kill that bastard!"
As they pulled away, I patted myself down for more throwables. I had maybe three daggers left, but hitting backs at full gallop, faster than me? Tough shot. Guess I'd have to catch up while Celestine defended the carriage.
"Celestine! Barrier up! Protect the carriage!"
I yelled, and she glanced back from alongside the carriage. But instead of unleashing holy power, she just kept pace. What the hell was that idiot doing?! Had she chickened out?
"Celestine!"
Suddenly, the horses in front of me tripped and somersaulted, flinging their riders high into the air.
"Clerk! Jump!"
Celestine shouted, golden holy power blazing in her hands. Up ahead, a long holy barrier about knee-high stretched across the road. I hauled the reins, and my horse reared, leaping clean over it.
So that's why no barrier—she'd shaped it low to trip the horses? Celestine... not bad, actually...?
The airborne riders slammed into the ground one by one with thunderous crashes. I swung Nightrend at the one landing right beside me, bisecting him at the waist—his torso and legs rolled separately. Another hit the dirt in front and got pulverized under hooves. Patrick screeched the carriage to a halt, drew his greatsword, and leaped down to slit the throat of the last one.
I watched his swordwork closely. Smooth cuts, no hesitation in killing. I left the coup de grâce to him and headed to Celestine.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine. You?"
"Good. Damn impressive, though. Didn't know you had tricks like that."
"Any priest with a halo should handle basics like that."
Perfect answer.
"Well done. Really good job."
"Thank you..."
Celestine smiled shyly at the praise, bowing her head. Then she peeked up at me, grinned wide, and ducked even lower. Cute.
Meanwhile, Patrick finished off the rest and rummaged through their pockets. Not after loot—seemed like he was checking identities.
"Thorough bunch. No markings at all."
"If they're from a rival like you said, they wouldn't leave anything traceable."
Patrick wiped blood from his hands with a handkerchief and smiled.
"Anyway, Mr. Leonar, that was incredible. Took out five in the blink of an eye."
"Luck. They were focused on you."
"Makes sense. They've been chasing me from the Empire to kill me."
"But these guys—really from your rivals?"
"That's my guess. Only ones who'd want me dead. And even if not pursuers, they attacked first. Hostile for sure."
"Right. Let's move. Hanging around might draw border guards—headache we don't need."
We left the bodies. This was Empire borderlands. Corpses were a dime a dozen.
With the pursuers wiped out, Patrick drove more relaxed now, taking a deep breath.
"Ahh, I swear I can smell grapes already."
"Dunno. Can't really tell."
Celestine sniffed, tilting her head.
"It's a figure of speech, Miss Celestine. Look around—we're already in the heart of the duchy's vineyards, aren't we?"
The border was still a ways off, but he wasn't entirely wrong. The Empire's grim gloom was fading, replaced by late summer's fresh greens.
Keep going like this, and by sunset, we'd hit rolling hills and endless vineyards—the duchy's pride.
"Speaking of, isn't it lunchtime?"
Patrick said, and Celestine looked at me.
"Clerk? What do we do?"
"Stopping here feels off. We'll eat bread on the move. Real meal when we hit Schlessi—not too late."
"Fair enough."
Patrick nodded briskly and handed us each a loaf from his bag. Celestine beamed, tearing into hers ravenously.
"Good?"
"So good."
After devouring hers, she licked her fingers and pulled her horse alongside mine.
"Clerk."
"Yeah?"
"This client... is he really a company guy?"
She whispered low so Patrick couldn't hear. Oh? She'd noticed something off? Let's hear what this airhead saintess figured out.
"Why do you say that?"
"The breakfast, and this bread's amazing. Think he's a baker, not a clerk?"
Aigoo, Celestine... Yeah, that tracks.
"If he's a baker, ask him to set up shop near our guild?"
"Haha, whatever. Want more bread?"
"Sure!"
"Patrick, sorry—got any more? Guild member's hooked."
He pulled fresh loaves from his bag. Made me wonder just how much bread was in there.
Celestine stuffed her mouth full again. Reminded me of her downing three glasses of wine last time.
"Celestine. Got a personal question."
"Mmfph? (What?)"
She mumbled around her bite.
"Don't ascetics count gluttony as a vice to curb?"
She swallowed. "Not with the church anymore."
"Right. Forgot."
"Starved plenty there. Now I eat what I want."
"Fair. Sorry, dumb question."
But starved? Her... development said otherwise. My eyes drifted to her chest. Any bigger and she'd need new clothes. She caught my glance and suddenly rummaged in her saddlebag, pulling out that cloth pouch to check inside.
No, seriously—what was in there?
"What's in that?"
"No!"
She yelped out of nowhere.
"Everything okay?"
Patrick called from the seat. I shook my head with a smile.
"Yeah, nothing."
She shoved the pouch deep back in the meantime. That reaction? Yeah, definitely that.