[Lamia's pov]
We had no idea that the whole place was an ambush until it was too late. Me and my squad received a mission to deal with poachers on the edge of the forest though the information is somewhat vague, we can't let them keep harming the wildlife. I should've been more careful, the moment we set foot into the designated clearing one of my archer immediately got hit by a sleep dart. They weren't poachers at all, they were slavers and not they're all experts too. Before we can even react to that, an earth mage that has been hiding sprung out of the ground and trap two more of us. It was only me and 3 others now and we were heavily outnumbered against their total of 20 soldiers 4 swordsman 3 archers and a mage. We did our best to fight them being able to kill 13 soldiers and 2 swordsman and an archer before they put those damn chains on us. On our way to god knows where, most of my squadmates began tearing up and i tried my best to comfort each one of them. After all, i'm their captain, i must not falter during these hard times. Maybe we could try to escape after bidding in the middle of the night or slip out when a distraction occurs.
The rags were really uncomfortable and being forced to stand on stage isn't much better, i heard all of the previous biddings and abandoned the option of being taken in by someone kind at these outrageous offers they give for novelty items. Though there was an unusual voice during the process that i picked up. It was deep and i swear i heard it echoed. A man has apparently bought a decorative sword 340 gold, yet i felt like he's the one making profit for whatever reason. When it was our turn i had to resist the urge to gag at the sight of all those disgusting nobles gathered in one place. But one stood out like a sore thumb. At the back of the room, a knight in old armor sat there seemingly unmoving but with my years as an elite knight, i could feel unholy killing intent leaking from him. It was almost as if he's a monster. They bid and they bid until the price hits 800 and a calm voice spoke out that silences the whole room, it was the prince himself giving an offer of 1500 gold. This was it, our lives are over, there's no way to ever escape the prince, with all of our powers sealed away, facing the prince's guard is just plain suicide and knowing him we probaly wouldn't even last a week with his excessive abuse. All of my squadmates wanted to cry from the cruelty of fate and i myself couldn't resist the feeling of desperation eating me inside out.
Then a miracle happened, like a verdict from our goddess for us to be saved.(humans worship a mage god, beastmen worship a warrior god and elves worship an archer goddess). The mysterious knight who has sat back until now slammed his fists down on the table offering 2000 gold. Outraged by the knight's action, the prince raised the offer to 2700 gold. There's no way he could keep up right? Against all odds, the knight raised it even higher at the ridiculous amount of 3500 gold. The prince wanted to raise the offer but i saw how hesitant he was, is this finally the time for someone to beat this prick? Before the prince could utter a single word, the knight mocked him and raised it to an ungodly amount of 6000 gold. That was enough for a lavish elven mansion made by the best filled with your own servants and even then you would still have a ton of gold left to spend! But as the knight's men came to collect us, the truth hit us like a charging minotaur. What sane person would offer 6000 gold for 7 slaves? This knight could probaly be even worse than the prince! Escape was just as impossible, though he only had 4 guards, all of them seemed to have more strength than the prince's guards. All we could do now is wait for our end and pray we get to see our home again.
[back to Yosif]
After the whole ordeal, i handed one of my knights 14 gold to buy proper clothes for the elven girls and found a luxurious inn for our stay. Turns out, the owner of the inn used to be a commoner from Gobi, who like Malcolm, has built his business from scraps. He has a sister working as a tailor left in Gobi and some days ago, he received an urgent letter from her stating that the town was about to be sieged and she wanted to let him know that she would always be by his side even after death. This of course scared him to great extent but just the day after, another letter arrived. It read that when the city was almost breached, a knight with his men has suddenly appeared and singlehandedly defeat the bandit king himself. She also described what the knight looked like and that he is also elected to be the next mayor. The innkeeper recognizes me when i walk in and offer me and the knights free rooms as an appreciation for protecting his home. He did ask me about the slaves but i just shrugs and replies with 'what slaves, all i see is wounded people that needs caring'. At that he realizes his mistakes and apologize before leading us to our room. The elves still looked dazed, maybe they haven't recovered from the shock. I had the remaining 3 knights watch over them while i make my way down to the kitchen to serve them a meal myself.
[back to Lamia]
On the way to the knight's home, the knight himself handed one of his men gold for something and sent him off. Is he bribing people to turn a blind eye? What surprised me was that we did not arrive at a mansion at all but instead, a luxurious inn. There were so many reasons to why he picked this place instead of his home and i've heard how most things are not as they seem. Is this a secret torture chamber owned by the knight, a place for forbidden rituals? all those question unsettles me but i can't wrap my head around it all. They're only further confirmed when the owner recognizes the knight and showed him great respect and even personally guide them to their rooms. So now we sit here under the gazes of the 3 silent guards in the inn's room while the knight disappeared to somewhere else. All of my squadmates were anxious and the healer cried a bit. My heart dropped when the guards noticed that and one of them approached her. This only made her cry more as she scoots closer to the others. Yet to everybody's surprise, the guards just lightly pats her on the head and gave her some tissues from a table nearby. Yet he didn't even say single word and went back to his spot. Who are these mysterious people? Just then, the 4th guard returns and walks into the room carrying a large bag that he sets on the the floor near us. Shortly afterwards, the knight himself walks in carrying a large pot with bowls.
[Yosif's pov]
Me: sorry for the wait, this is the best i could make on such a short notice. Oh and your new clothes are in that bag over there, can't have you all wearing rags now.
They all freeze up and their eyes widen beyond in disbelief. Still i just casually fill each bowl with the ukha soup that i made out of cod, they all seemed quite hungry so i couldn't keep them waiting for long, that was the quickest nutritious thing i could make and besides, it helps with curing colds. Each of them hold their bowls, shaking almost as if in fear or is it happiness, i can't tell at this point. Suddenly, Lamia speaks up.
Lamia: Why?
Me: Why what?
Lamia: Why would you go so far and spend so much money on us? What do you want from us all!
Me: Nothing, i want nothing from any of you.
Lamia: THEN WHY DID YOU SPEND A FORTUNE LIKE IT WAS NOTHING! WHY WOULD YOU TREAT US SO KINDLY!
Me: *sigh* because it's the right thing. I don't see what more is there to it. I did it because it needs to be done.
Lamia: but how could you do it? how could you just spend money like it was nothing? Who are you to provoke the prince without a care in the world?
Me: because they all don't matter to me, money is nice and all but i rather spend it on meaningful things. As for the prince... What is he going to do? kill a dead man walking?
At this, i order the knights to show their faces to the elves as i also lift my own visor up. Lamia falls flat on her butt when she sees my face up close and the others look deathly pale at the sight of the guard's faces.
Me: don't worry i've already ordered some of my men to contact the elven kingdom, they should be here to bring you back shortly. If you have questions about who i am, just ask the princess, she will explain the situation to you.
Just as i was about to sit down, the innkeeper barges in frantically saying that the prince is looking for me. Finally, a good reason to punch that prick in the face.
Me: You girls go ahead and enjoy the meal while i take care of this asshole. Knights, you two guard them in case of foul play and you two come with me.
I step outside to the scene of the prince throwing tantrums at the staff of the inn looking more like and angry toddler than an actual prince.
Prince: WHERE IS THAT DOG! I DEMAND HIS HEAD FOR HUMILIATING ME!
Barkeep: Sir we don't have such rights and as far as we know, mayor Yosif didn't commit any crimes.
Prince: WHO ARE YOU TO DENY ME! I'LL H-
Me: OI JACKASS WHY ARE YOU WHINING YOUR BUTT OFF YOU SPOILED BRAT!
The entire lobby turns to me walking down the stairs with 2 of my knights while the prince is slowly but surely turning into a tomato. He barks at his guards to arrest me but a waitress stops him saying that he can't start fights inside the establishment. The fucker smacks her aside and even kicks her, i have enough of this bullshit and order the knights to get rid of the guards. The 12 guards going for my knights get absolutely fucked when they try to touch them. The first guy foolishly tried to grab them and ended with a broken wrist while getting hurled towards the remaining guards. The others drew their swords which were promptly disarmed because these idiots fight like amateurs. My knights seemingly disappointed at such enemies, secretly corner the guards into a circle. Then one knight boost the other into the air who elbow drop on top of said circle with such an impact that the even the bystanders could feel. I heard the douchebag prince drawing his sword behind my knights.
Me: ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENSE! IF YOU WANT TO DIE SO BAD THEN I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL TO THE DEATH IN THE CITY ARENA!
Prince: YOU LOWLIFE THINKS YOU HAVE A CHANCE! I ACCEPT!
[At the city arena]
People were minding their own business around the city when suddenly messengers flock the street yelling about a duel to the death with the prince happening in the city arena. Obviously, they haven't heard of such things before and all of the commoners pray that the arrogant bastard will finally pay for his sins. Things were quite crowded in the arena that resembles the colosseum as the audience watch the prideful dick walk onto stage with his blinding golden armor. While they are quite confused at the challenger's antique armor and the 'broken' sword in their hands. The announcer announces the start of the fight as 2 fighters both charge at each other. They didn't expect for the challenger to immediately toss his shield at the prince and draws a dagger out. The prince easily breaks the flying shield with his sword but was confused that the challenger wasn't in front of him anymore. The crowd cheers as the challenger teleports behind the prince and stabs him right in the back with the dagger so hard that the blade snaps off. Blinded by agony and fury, the prince blindly swings at the challenger only for it to deflected by the broken sword. The challenger retaliates and 2 blades clash against each other when suddenly, a blue blade extends from the tip of the broken sword impaling the prince's shoulder causing him to drop his sword. The challenger yet again surprises the crowd by sheathing his sword and fly at the prince with a dropkick. The prince smirks as he intercepts the dropkick stopping the challenger mid-air yet his blood runs cold the challenger laughs loudly and yells. "YOU FELL FOR IT FOOL! THUNDER CROSS SPLIT ATTACK!" The challenger's hand lights up in a brilliant golden aura as it hit the prince's face at full force. The attack was so powerful that it decapitates the prince as his head fly into the wall of the arena. The crowd was dead silent at such brutality before bursting into deafening cheers for the death of the prince. But it all comes to a halt when several robed men walk into the arena.
Robed men: IN THE NAME OF LADY MARGARET YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!
Total inventory:
Brigand's greatshield
Enchanted runic sword
Diadem of supreme arcane might
Helm of clairvoyance
Old knight captain's armor
11 slime essence
130 bone powder
10 scrap metal
Crystal of decay
Greater ironskin potion
Captain Lambert's journal entry #1
76 copper 53 silver 39414 gold
Current familiars:
- Sergei the Skeleton Paladin