Chapter 292: Struggle (1/2)
”What are you talking about, you hag?! Just look around, my men have surrounded y-” The words stuck in him as soon as he turned to the side to glance at the obscure, shadowy corner to the left of the elder.
His dagger-wielding lackey that should have been stationed there were nowhere to be found. Confusion and surprise morphed his expressive face still hidden under the cover of his hood, he nervously darted to the right side where the other one should be waiting for his command to ambush.
However, just as before, there was no one stationed on the spot, the corner where he planted his second dagger holder was nowhere to be found.
”What the-” He cursed, as the surprise he had before began to transform into shock. Soon nervousness and fright began to surface, adding further to the complexity of emotions that began to trouble him.
Already afraid to look back, he raised his right hand in the air and swiped forward, giving the attack signal to the archers that should be on the trees behind them.
”FIRE! KILL THE OLD HAG EVERYONE!”
He exclaimed, shouting the command. Upon his order, he and his four sword fighter compatriots that remained with him kicked at the small wooden fence around the already demolished gate and began their relentless charge against the old lady.
Unfortunately, the expected rain of arrows from behind him never came, confirming his earlier suspicion. All of his stationed men have mysteriously vanished without as much as a yelp. He couldn't even sense anything, despite his honed senses.
The leader gritted his teeth, and clenched his fist tighter, giving it his al,l to at the very least take revenge on this old woman for tricking them.
He was the first to arrive with two of his nearest brethren. The two swords were thrust forward aiming at the elder's abdomen, while the leader twisted his torso slightly to the right, giving a wider arch to his fist as he launched a ferocious right hook at the lady's chin.
Despite being under such an assault, the friendly, welcoming smile never faded from Granny's face. She remained motionless not even bothering to put up any defense. A slight smirk surfaced on the leader's face seeing the lack of resistance, already thinking about how to discipline this hag for her actions without going against the Master's order, when suddenly he felt a change in the air.
The air suddenly turned thicker, colder. His fist that was only inches away from the wrinkled chin of the elder, suddenly slowed to a halt, unable to move any further. At the same time, both swords seemed to hit the same invisible wall, plunged, and stuck into something invisible.
As if already expecting the result, the elder looked at the leader of the assaulting group with the same gentle, kind smile on her face. She looked over at the awkward pose his body was frozen. A light chuckle escaped her aged lips as she spoke again, this time with a hint of mischievous tone.
”What happened, Sir? Why are you like that?”
Unable to push further, nor pulling his fist back, the leader struggled to break free from the mysterious hold.
”L-let us go, you old hag!” He cursed, trying to turn his head behind him to glance at the remaining two swordsmen he had. He had a bad feeling, they were behind him, charging just as he and the other two did, but somehow, they never arrived. What happened? Did they got frozen just like him?
”Y-you two! What are you doing, we are stuck here, get us out!” Unable to shift his head he could only hope they were still close by, he yelled out to them. He was hoping that they were simply frozen due to the shock and fright of the turn of events and nothing worse had happened.
However, no matter how hard he yelled, how hard he cursed, no response came. He couldn't even sense anything behind, which further increased his worries.
”W-what did you do to my team?!” Unable to set himself free or ask for help, he could only helplessly yell at the seemingly harmless old lady.
”Me? What could I have done Mister Leader? I am just an old woman, fragile and weak. What could I have done? Surely you jest. Anyway… Why are you still standing like that?” The old woman spoke with an innocent, surprised look.
”Don't play with me, you old witch! You better have not killed them! Do you have any idea who my master is? He will have your head!!! YOU HEAR ME! YOU ARE DEAD!” The turmoil of emotions that was raging inside him, the anger, the trepidation, the fear, the regret mixed together to an explosive mixture, erupting as a helpless curse-filled yelling.
He was mad, not just at the old woman that somehow tricked them, but also at himself for ignoring the warning of his seasoned senses that were warning, no, screaming at him to get back. He was blinded by greed, he was certain that this assignment would be a no-brainer. They just had to whack and kidnap an elder and some kid living alone in the woods near town. He didn't even bother investigating the targets.
”Now, now, that's not how you should be addressing your elders, right? Where's the respect, what is this tone, young man?!” Leaning closer to his face, the old lady clicking her tongue dismissively.