Kochugunshikan Boukensha ni Naru

Translator: SFBaka

Its now morning. Please wake up.

Alright, Im gonna do my best today as well!

Twenty days have passed since we left from Talas village. We havent encountered much trouble during the trip so far. We were, however, assaulted quite a number of times by monsters.

We were attacked by Gray Hounds twice. We also got assaulted by those green-skinned, midget humanoid creatures. It seems like they were called Goblins. Six of them appeared before us and attacked us while crying out *gukyaa, gukyaa as usual. They seemed to be much less of a threat than Gray Hounds. I used them as target practice for my homing Flame Arrow spell and finished them off all at once.

We also passed by two other villages along the way. Because Beck was acquainted with them, we were warmly welcomed. They seem to be of the same scale as Talas village.

We passed by many byroads and encountered many other travelers along the way. They were mostly merchants and adventurers.

According to Cleria and Beck, an adventurer is a profession that undertakes jobs like pest extermination, gathering raw materials and serving as mercenary troops. I dont really think those things have much to do with having an adventure, but theyre called adventurers for some reason anyway.

Adventurers have a ranking system, and high ranking individuals were apparently highly respected people. It might be a good idea to become an adventurer if I ever had problems putting food on the table in the future.

Beck and the others have also woken up.

Good morning. Master, Alan-san.

Beck and Thor have come to address Cleria as Master. Looks like Cleria doesnt dislike how the two of them are addressing her either.

Good morning.

Beck and Thors sword skills have been steadily improving day by day. However, even if theyve been getting in at least two hours of sword practice every day, they still arent able to take on two goblins at the same time. Obviously, fighting a Gray Hound would be a tall order for the two.

I and Cleria have been teaching them how to properly fight a Big Boar if they managed to encounter one recently.

However, since the two of them didnt have their own swords, I hope well be able to purchase some once we arrive in the city. It seems weve managed to get along quite well with Beck and Thor these past few days of traveling together. But just how much does a sword cost, I wonder. Let me try asking Cleria later.

We went on the road once more after having breakfast. According to Beck, we should be able to reach Gotania this evening, so Im really looking forward to it.

Five hours after our departure, just a bit more before lunch, I managed to detect a reaction from my scans. This signature was definitely that of a human. A fellow traveler, perhaps? The signature was stationary.

When we got until 200 meters from the target and would finally get it in visual range, that person suddenly made a move and headed away from our carriage.

I wonder whats up? I changed the detection target from small animals to humans and tried to scan once more. The detection range would expand if I set the target to larger objects.

Finally, I managed to get twelve human signatures 1500 meters out. The person from before was apparently heading towards that group of twelve.

Umu, how suspicious. Looks like the person from earlier was coming back to the group in order to report about us. Looks like these guys were bandits that Zack warned me about.

Ria, I detected at least thirteen people 1500 meters away from us. Theyre probably bandits.

Eh!? You can actually detect them from that far out?

Oh yeah. I havent told her much about my scanning magic, have I?

Yeah, I can tell. What are we going to do about them?

Well, we certainly cant turn back the way we came. Alan and I should be able to take on those thirteen people.

Well, shes right. Handling them wouldnt be a problem if we used magic, and wed definitely win once I used my rifle.

Well, its not like Ive fully confirmed them to be bandits. But is it okay for us to kill bandits just like that?

It does feel kind of bad for some reason.

Why not? Theyre all villains anyway.

Un, seems like it was a mistake to ask Cleria after all.

Beck! Stop the carriage!

We told Beck about the suspected bandits ahead. Beck and Thor fell into quite a panic afterward.

Hey, is it okay for us to kill the bandits? It wont cause us any trouble later?

No, no, Alan-san! There are thirteen of them, right!? I dont know how exactly you managed to get their number, but you cant possibly take on thirteen bandits all at once!

Nah, well probably be okay yknow. More like, if those guys dont have mages at least on par or greater than Ria and I, well certainly win.

Huh!? Well, Ive also seen mage adventurers before, but I havent met anyone stronger than Alan-san or Master. But theres thirteen of them yknow? Can you really win?

Yup, we can. So theres no problem if we kill all those bandits, right?

Un, thats true. And as long as there are witnesses, we wont be charged with any crime after killing bandits. But I also heard that well get rewards if we manage to turn the bandits in alive.

I see. So itll earn us some money, huh?

We truly need more money. Looks like we cant kill them after all. I wonder how much well get per person.

Beck started to panic again when I started to consider capturing the bandits.

Hey, are you guys really going to fight them?

Itll be fine. Trust in your Master. Well get the people back at the village some souvenirs with the reward money.

Lets do this Beck! Master and Alan-san will surely be fine.

Looks like we managed to persuade Thor by mentioning souvenirs huh.

Un I understand. Lets do this!

Itll be alright. I promised Zack after all. Ill protect you guys at all costs.

Weve decided to go ahead with the bandit capturing plan.

We headed out on the carriage once more. First, well have to make sure those guys really were bandits. If we attack them by mistake, well be branded as bandits instead.

200 meters to go.

I announced our distance from the targets. I and Cleria were sitting on top of the luggage at the back of the carriage.

What we needed to watch out for were projectile weapons like arrows and throwing knives, as well as magic. I can shoot down arrows and throwing knives with my rifle. Magic, however, could prove to be a bit more troublesome.

I zoomed in on the targets. They were trying to conceal themselves, but I managed to spot two people up on the trees. The others were still in hiding and were not in visual range.

100 meters left. Theres two people up in the tree.

50 meters. Dont launch an attack before I do so first.

10 meters.

Cleria raised her arm out front and got ready.

Suddenly, a group of men moved out to block the road. Theres seven out front. Four at the back. The two on top of the tree were getting ready to attack as well.

Who are you, people!?

I stood up from the luggage and addressed them. I knew what they actually were, but its just standard procedure.

Whoah! Just get a load of that babe over there! She looks high-quality!

I got somewhat annoyed when these guys didnt properly respond to my question and talked among themselves instead.

Yer right. That lassll fetch a pretty penny, I reckon.

It seems no use talking to these guys. Im tempted to just turn them into money already. Keep calm, me.

I just asked you lot who you are!

Ive just about lost it.

Cant ya tell just by lookin, fool! Were bandits! nameless grunt A answered cockily.

In that instant, thirteen fire arrows appeared around me and flew towards the bandits all at once. I also aimed my rifle at the guys hanging out on the tree, who were preparing to fire arrows at us. One of them panicked and hastily fired an arrow at us.

An instant after the sound of the gunshot from my rifle rang out, the arrow the guy released was disintegrated. I aimed my rifle at the other guy, but he was already falling from the tree branch after taking a hit from a flame arrow. The guy who fired the arrow earlier followed suit.

I turned my rifle towards the other bandits, but they were already writhing in agony from being hit by my flame arrows on their right shoulders. With this, its over.

Ria, disarm them!

I jumped down from the carriage and instructed Cleria with a yell.

Cleria was momentarily stunned but jumped down the carriage as well after a few moments when she heard my voice.