After completing the first cycle of the cultivation technique his body was feeling refreshed as impurities were expelled from his body, he decided to take a bath as he was smelling a lot. He asked Arius to help him.
For a normal person it would take about a day or more to reach the capital. But with the spread that Arius displayed, they would reach there in about 6 hour or less. Provided we didn't encounter any trouble in the way . SSS rank wasn't just for show.
It was around 9 in the morning when the moved out. While they were travelling Daren focused on getting familiar with the breathing technique and apply it to his normal breathing routine. That way he can cultivate while doing normal regular things.
A person can be seen running with a youth on his back. They were ofcourse Daren and Arius.
They were past the wastelands traveling through the woods that lay between the wasteland and the next city. It is well known in the kingdom of Astina that the wasteland and these woods are home to many bandits and other criminals.
As they were traveling forward, they heard screams filled with fright. Arius slowed down a little. Daren asked him to travel towards the voice but not to reveal himself. As they neared the voice, they heard battle noises with the screams.
When they neared the situation they saw a merchant caravan being looted by a group of bandits. The guards of the caravan were outmatched both in number and strength.
"Whose there". Asked one of the bandits warily. The hulking body of Arius couldn't be hidden properly in such scarce vegetation.
I motioned Arius to show himself. "We are just passing by, don't worry about us." said Daren calmly. The bandit leader frowned as he saw the carefree attitude of both the people. Before he could say something his subordinate shout out complacently. "Did we allow you to go? Since you are here, just stay".
Arius glanced at the person who spoke and snorted. And then he walked away. The bandit who spoke was clearly proved by this.
The merchant seeing this saw little hope and begged. "Sir, please save us. I'll be grateful and even compensate you with anything you need as long as it's within my reach."
Daren asked Arius to stop. "eh...Let me think... Ah yes. You need to provide for our lodging and food for the night and breakfast for the morning. Also you need to pay 100 gold coins. And I'll keep the loot form these bandits." Daren said while ignoring the bandits.
One must know 100 gold is enough to keep a family of three to live comfortably for a month. Daren can see that all the guards were either dead or gravely injured. And anyone that can afford such trained guards can pay 100 gold. The merchant hesitated for a moment and then reluctantly agreed.
"If you can get rid of them without damage to the goods it's a deal". Said the merchant.
"Shut up, do you treat our existence as a joke." said the bandit leader as he glared at the lot.
Though he was wary of them. Such behaviour hurt his pride and morale of his underlings. He was furious. And ordered "Men kill them all and take everything, kill those two as well." The men yelled and rushed like angry wolves towards them.
Daren motioned Arius to get rid of them all. Arius placed him under a tree shade and disappeared with a swish sound. He sheathed his two swords and moved swiftly like a reaper reaping life with each strike.
The eyes of bandit leader as well as merchant widened. The aura that can be felt from his body made them both shiver. "tri..triple S rank". Bandit leader was shivering and sweating. He knew he had knocked a dead end. He wanted to run but he know he couldn't outrun him.
Suddenly his eyes fell on Daren who was sitting near the tree. He eyes lit up. If he can take him hostage he could then use him to run away safely. By the time he was done planning Arius has almost finished all the bandits. With a few scattered ones left, he rushed towards the running bandits to reap their life. Seeing Arius moving away from Daren, the bandit leader rushed in full spread towards the kid.
-- PoV (Arius) --
'These lowlife thugs dare to have intentions to kill Lord Daren. They shall all die' When Arius got nod from Daren to kill them, he was pleased.
He was like a savage beast who was let loose. His each strike reaped one life. He wanted to kill the boss first, but his underlings were going for the merchant and his members. So he has to kill them first. Now he was a distance away from the boss so he decided to kill those pest who were scared and were running away. When he killed the last being, he turned around to rush for the boss.
What he saw made his eyes filled with anger, fear and regret. He shouted. "My Lord."
-- PoV (Daren) --
Daren was watching the scene intently. He was playing attention to movements of Arius as well as the reaction of merchants and bandits. He was shocked with the speed and strength of Arius. It was his first time seeing him fight. But also he was pleased with his actions. He knew what his priorities were. He may be a barbarian general but he was quite smart.
While he was thinking he forgot to notice the others. When he came back to sense he saw that the bandit leader has disappeared. When he saw him again, he was a meter away from him with his sword raised over his head.
'He is onto me' Daren was thinking of ways to counter this situation and thus calmly assessed the situation. 'He will not kill me, he has lost the will to fight. He is sacred. He probably wants to run while taking my cover.'
Daren sighed.
A sword was placed on his neck and then the bandit leader shouted. "Stop or I will kill him".
Daren looked at Arius and raised his hand forward signalling him to stop. Arius who was rushing over here at full speed immediately stopped and sheathed his swords. He looked at Daren who had a calm smile on his face.
The bandit leaders face regained color as he saw Arius stop. But next instance he lost all hope and will.
With a smile on his face Daren twisted the hand he used to signal Arius to stop and said in a low voice "switch".
Instantly he disappeared from his location and in his location you can see a hulking angry man holding the bandit leader by his neck.
"Don't kill him Arius. Just knock him unconscious and tie him up." Said Daren.
Yes that's right. Daren used the power of shadow leech for the first time and switched with Arius.