Chapter 143: First encounter of bandits? (1/2)

Book 9: Fate’s options

Chapter 143: First encounter of bandits?

Translator: Tseirp

After we departed, we traveled down the highway towards Meratoni without any issues but when evening came, an abnormal event happened to Estia.

This time, Lionel and I led in front while Kefin steered the carriage as the coachman.

Inside the carriage, Cathy conversed normally with Estia while keeping an eye on her.

Then when evening came, just when I thought that it was about time we searched for a village to stay in, Estia suddenly jumped out of the carriage.

Before I had a chance to move, Fornoir apparently made the choice to approach her and started running in Estia’s direction.

It was a behavior unlike a horse even though she’s a horse but I trust her as my partner so I picked up on her intention and we began chasing after Estia.

“Don’t run, Estia! What happened exactly?”

When I shouted to tell her that, I noticed that Estia’s body blurred for an instant.

” … This place closely resembles the terrain where Estia lived in the past.”

If she called herself Estia, then the existence I’m speaking to right now would be none other than the Darkness Spirit.

“Why did you switch with Estia even though the sun still has not set?”

“Estia was beginning to feel distraught after looking outside and the cat beastwoman tried to talk to her but the conversation rapidly fell apart and she jumped out.”

It felt like I was being pressed by various troublesome matters.

Am I incapable of seeing through the Darkness Spirit?

” … Our journey to Meratoni is a final decision. There’s no turning back you know? Furthermore, if she’s had any trauma, won’t you, as the Darkness Spirit, notice?”

“It’s not as if I know all of Estia’s memories. Sorry, but could you please give me a moment?”

” … Okay. But we’ll be continuing on. Since there should be a village slightly ahead if we continue on.”

” … Thank you.”

Since Cathy and Lionel arrived as we were having our conversation, I spoke honestly about this time’s incident … apart from the matter regarding spirits though.

“Apparently, Estia thought that she saw a place similar to this when she was sold to the Empire. It seems like she got frightened after recalling that shocking event.”

” … There’s no helping it then nya. For childhood memories, the more shocking it was, the more entrenched it will be nya.”

“Perhaps she was kidnapped from Meratoni or one of the surrounding villages … or perhaps there’s a chance that she was sold?”

“Yup. Let’s first hurry to the village to rest.”

“Okay. It shouldn’t be a problem if monsters appear at night with the 3 of you around but she might be able to calm down mentally if she gets some rest.”

I recommended Estia to lie down inside the carriage and Cathy and Kefin got along well while sitting at the coachman seat as we began to continue forward.

Just before the sun completely set, we finally arrived at the village but something felt strange.

“I am S-rank Healer Luciel affiliated with the Healer’s Guild Church Headquarters. Is the village elder in?”

When I introduced myself to the men at the village entrance who were being wary of us, I thought that I saw a flash of impatience across their faces but before I knew it, Cathy and Kefin who were at the coachman seat disappeared.

Then, when I turned back to look at the men, they had been rendered unconscious before I knew it.

” … Why did you do that?”

I was confused as to why the 2 of them attacked the villagers but the one who admonished me wasn’t Lionel but Fornoir.

She suddenly stood on only her hind legs as if performing a wheelie and I fell off because I couldn’t react in time.

“Ouch! Why did you suddenly do that … “Burururu” I’m sorry.”

When I stood up, Fornoir’s face was right in front of mine and it showed anger.

That’s how it felt to me so I gradually calmed down.

“Lionel, this?”

“Apparently, unusually, we’ve encountered bandits of some sort.”

“Aren’t bandits urban legends?”

“The public order in Saint Schull Allied Nations is tremendously good so you might not have a chance to see them but they do exist. In the Empire, there are even bandit bands to the scale that requires the army to be dispatched.”

Lionel lectured me while he dismounted and requested for rope before beginning to tie the bandits up.

I thought that it would gradually cause a commotion but I didn’t feel any presence of villagers coming out and it also didn’t feel like Cathy and Kefin were caught.

“Please wake Estia and have the horses and the carriage enter the Hermit’s stable.”

” … Okay. Fornoir. I’ll call for you tomorrow so could you go inside?”

But Fornoir shook her head side to side.

I felt like I could see the determination that dwelled within her eyes.

“Ha~. If that’s the case, then could Estia ride on you?”

Her head drooped when I asked.

She seemed to have agreed to the compromise.

“Luciel-sama! There might be enemies outside as well.”

I understood Lionel’s concern but I went to wake Estia inside the carriage.

“Estia, bandits or the likes might appear so stay together with Fornoir.”

“Yes.”

I entrusted Estia to the Darkness Spirit and deposited the tied up bandits inside the carriage that Estia descended from.