Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: The Black Axe Gang
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‘They’re blatantly targeting us.’
When they left the restaurant, a group of people had followed them out after a slight delay.
Their mana was somewhat murky, and they had scattered in all directions as if they had no interest in Loan and the merchant company. But they had only hidden themselves from sight.
A total of eight people, including five more who joined them shortly after, were now hiding and watching Loan's party.
It was a useless gesture to Loan, who could perceive mana over a wide area, but of course, they didn't know that.
They probably wouldn't do anything here, since it's a border town with heavy security. But once the group began to travel in earnest, they would likely launch a surprise attack at a suitable location.
Loan saw this as an opportunity to win over Bella and her group.
He smiled and said.
"I heard it takes more than two days to get to Ferrara Castle. The road won't be boring now that I've met such nice people."
Seeing Loan speak so innocently, Bella couldn't bring herself to say he'd tricked or scammed them.
They had already shaken hands, promising to travel together after she'd revealed her company's name.
For now, she had her doubts about the boy's identity, but she couldn't ignore the slim possibility. She wanted to believe it was a stroke of luck.
More importantly, she had already spent a considerable amount on the boy's meal. As the head of the company, she'd incurred a loss and couldn't just let it go.
Trusting her intuition, Bella silenced her wavering colleagues with a look.
"The honor is all ours. Shall we get going, then?"
With a traveling companion whose true intentions and identity were hard to discern, or perhaps feeling saddled with a spoiled young master from a noble house, the members of the Bella Merchant Company set off for the Ferrara territory once more.
Not long after leaving the town, a low mountain path soon began.
‘They’re following well.’
Loan watched the eight mana signatures trailing behind them at a distance, while also observing his new traveling companions.
For the sake of safety, one must know their allies as well as their enemies.
‘It seems they’ve all learned swordsmanship…’
All six members of the company were wearing swords.
The density of their magic power might have been far lower than those Loan had recently associated with, but their sharp demeanor as they scanned their surroundings was on par with the Union.
Even the cool breeze that swept over the mountain path, cooling their sweat, seemed to be an object of their caution.
Bella, leading the way, narrowed her eyes and shot sharp glances to the front and rear.
Bella knew all too well that this was the most dangerous time.
Merchant groups that had just left a restaurant were prime targets for robbers.
And now, a young master from a noble family had joined them. The boy’s identity was likely common knowledge after his declaration in the restaurant.
That was why Bella's shoulders were so tense.
Watching her, Loan thought.
‘It’s not time to worry yet.’
He wanted to tell her she didn't need to be so on edge. Being on such high alert must be exhausting.
But he couldn't just tell them about the men following at a distance.
It would only deepen their suspicion.
"By the way…"
Loan struck up a conversation with Bella.
He decided that creating a more peaceful atmosphere was necessary to provoke the pursuers into action.
"Swordsmanship must be a basic requirement for delivering goods between noble families. It’s a dangerous world, after all."
Does this handsome, innocent young master know all this and still travel alone?
Bella turned her head slightly and let out a small sigh.
"If I can't protect my own body, how can I protect someone else's goods? But the world is overflowing with the strong, so we can only hope to be lucky."
Loan liked Bella's straightforward answer.
The Union was the same.
To protect the powerless common folk, you had to be able to protect yourself first. It was only natural to be wary of growing complacent over small talents.
He was once again reminded of Commander Adrian's consideration.
A smile spread across his face on its own.
"That's a good mindset."
Bella stared at Loan for a moment, dazed.
As they rode side-by-side, looking at his face, she thought that maybe this wasn't something to complain about after all.
For a moment, the arduous journey felt like a stroll down a flower path.
She asked.
"If anything, you're the amazing one, Young Master. Seeing you travel such a long way alone, without any guards."
Loan didn't give off a strong impression. If anything, he made you want to protect him.
Moreover, he didn't even have a decent weapon in sight, so she was curious what this boy, who seemed to know nothing of the world, was relying on to be so carefree.
Loan scratched the back of his head, looking a bit awkward. He didn't take her words as a complete compliment either.
"I'm still lacking in many ways, so I'm just trying my best. This might sound strange, but this trip to Ferrara was actually... my older brother's advice, that I should train through experience."
"Your brother who sent his younger sibling out alone like this, and you, Young Master, for actually leaving—you're all amazing. Just what I'd expect from a renowned family of swordsmen."
Loan replied with a smile, then brought up the topic of the merchant company's work again.
"The family sending a gift for a big event or celebration like this must be quite concerned about it."
"Yes. That's why the company sometimes recommends or procures fine goods for them."
"There's more to a merchant company than just buying and selling things."
"Ultimately, managing customer relationships is the first step of sales."
Loan nodded as if in admiration.
Staring at his face, Bella belatedly realized she had been answering him without even thinking.
At some point, she had started chattering away, her vigilance toward her surroundings and her suspicion of Loan both gone.
This was a familiar occurrence for Loan, but for Bella, it was a first.
Was that why?
She couldn't understand Loan's next words either.
"The stories about the company are fascinating. Could you tell me more in a bit? Since some uninvited guests have arrived, I think I should repay you for the meal first."
"What?"
Loan answered with a smile, then casually handed his horse's reins to Bella.
As Bella took them in a daze, Loan stepped on the horse's back and leaped up gracefully.
In the blink of an eye, Loan landed behind the wagon, standing his ground on the quiet path.
Watching his back, Bella quickly raised her fist.
The moment the procession halted at her signal.
*Swoosh—*
A rain of arrows poured from the sky.
There weren't many, but each one was an effective attack aimed at the company members.
Loan sent Sheville flying, batting away every single arrow that rained down on the group.
The glint of light falling between the spinning Sheville dazed Bella's wide eyes.
"What is this..."
She hadn't sensed a thing until she saw the arrows with her own eyes.
The scout perched atop the wagon hadn't given any warning.
It wasn't even clear where the arrows had come from.
And then there was the miraculous feat Loan had just displayed. As her mind was still reeling, before she could even shout "Ambush!"
A group of men emerged from the bushes.
"What's with the fancy trick? You using magic or something?"
A large man asked with a sleazy smile, and the men who had gathered by his side burst into laughter.
From behind him, a single, groan-like phrase escaped Bella's lips.
"The Black Axe Gang..."
Loan thought it was a very straightforward group name.
As if to prove it, each of them carried a large, black axe on their shoulder.
"My boys told me. You're a precious young master from Veyrèsa, right?"
The man who had spoken first continued. He was clearly the leader.
"Well, seeing as you've come all this way, and you're still a growing lad, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to show some mercy. How about this? Leave the woman and the goods behind, and the rest of you can be on your way. I, Vieri of the Black Axe Gang, swear on my name I won't kill you."
As soon as the man finished speaking, the company members drew their swords in unison.
A sharp voice came from Bella.
"Everyone, calm down for a moment..."
Bella's voice trailed off.
She knew very well that they couldn't handle these men on their own.
There were rumors that the gang would soon be absorbed into 'Nostra,' a criminal organization in the Ferrara region, so the thought of future repercussions made her even more cautious.
It was better to believe his promise not to kill and save the lives of her people.
That was the duty of a leader. She had steeled herself for this long ago when she started this line of work.
But Loan had no such intentions.
He had already promised to protect them. The 'something' inside the wagon was an item that interested Loan as much as it did the bandits.
Most of all, he didn't like the demand to leave Bella behind.
If this was a gang of robbers famous enough to make Bella give up so easily, they must have harmed a great many people. As a member of the Union, he couldn't stand by and watch.
The course of action was annihilation.
"I'm afraid I can't do that."
Even in the middle of a standoff, he turned back and replied with a smile.
"Ah..."
Just as a sound close to a gasp escaped Bella's lips.
A wind suddenly began to swirl around Loan.
The whirlwind swept up the surrounding dirt and leaves. That in itself was a strange sight.
*Fwoosh—*
Streaks of flame intertwined with the wind, setting the leaves ablaze and amplifying the brutal image.
Meanwhile, Sheville floated around the whirlwind, emitting an eerie glow.
The horses were the first to react to the ominous and unfamiliar phenomenon happening in broad daylight, snorting roughly.
Bella's group hurriedly calmed their horses, which were rearing up on their hind legs in terror.
A demoralized voice came from among the Black Axe Gang.
"He's... really a mage?"
He had intentionally created a flashy effect to appear stronger.
He could have dealt with the Black Axe Gang in an instant by sending Sheville flying, without even needing to summon Aul, but that wouldn't have had much of an impact.
His priority was to earn the company's trust by proving he was qualified to be their escort.
"What are you all staring at? Over a little gust of wind?"
Vieri was the only one who remained unfazed.
As if to prove his words, he took the initiative, lunging forward and slamming his axe down. It was a very brave act, but...
*Swish—*
Vieri's body, his throat slit by Sheville in an instant, collapsed into the whirlwind, and his large frame was immediately engulfed in flames.
No one quite understood what had just happened.
Loan's level, acknowledged as a Runner of the Union, was worlds apart from that of ordinary merchants and bandits.
"Kill them all!"
Half of the bandits, having lost their leader, lost their senses and charged, only to be killed.
The rest who fled were cut down by the pursuing Sheville.
*Wooooong—*
After gathering dirt to cover the corpses, the whirlwind subsided.
Now, on the silent mountain path under the blazing sun, only the occasional chirp of an unknown mountain bird could be heard.
Throughout it all, Loan had simply stood still. Bella, who had been staring blankly at his back, spoke.
"Young Master... who are you really?"
Loan slowly turned and smiled.
"I did say I would see you to your destination safely."
"No, I mean..."
In truth, her suspicion of Loan had been based on her own assumptions.
He had promised to be their escort, and he had kept that promise.
When she pointed out he had no sword, he said that being from a swordsmanship family didn't mean one could only learn swordsmanship, and he proved it by displaying his magic.
She continued.
"I feel like we've received an escort far too extravagant for the goods we're delivering."
Loan waved his hand and replied. He had no intention of lording this small feat over them.
He simply took pride in fulfilling his duty as a member of the Union.
"You flatter me. I was helped, so I must repay the favor."
"No, really. The Stone of Goetia may be rare, but it's not expensive. To be honest, it wouldn't have been a huge loss if I had just given it to them and run away."
An unexpected word from her statement.
Loan's gaze fell upon the wagon.