"I feel refreshed" said a sensual maiden in armored two-piece while she wiped the dripping-sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand.
Just before nightfall, Alana successfully took down all the roaming bandits on her own, and her oppositions were now lying senseless under her feet like piled-up trashes. Unsanitary and needed to be taken out, preferably incinerated to leave nothing behind.
Nevertheless, despite the emerald ranker's remorseless assault, none of their life was ended. This result brought upon not because of uncanny compassion toward the lowlifes, but purely for financial gain since living bandits had more worth.
It was common knowledge the country had numerous mines housing valuable minerals. But, the sites were too dangerous due to the topography and unknown beasts living underground, hundreds had died caused by this combination. Due to this, few would want to take a job there willingly no matter the payment. Thus, to progress further, the country decided captured criminals would be forced to work there until their sentences were over.
Rumors said they were better off dead than to be sent to that hellish place and work continuously under intense fear like slaves. Rather than painless death, this was a more fitting punishment to the likes of them who lightly trampled upon other people's rights and life.
"How is everyone's condition?"
On the other hand, Mikaela had full confidence her friend could handle the bandits by herself and approached the carriage to see the people's condition.
A courtly middle-aged man who seemed to be the group's leader met and conveyed his gratitude to her. The man introduced himself as a merchant who was traveling around cities to trade accompanied by his wife and two adolescent sons. In each journey, he always hired bodyguards for protection and everything went well. But, this time, they were simply outnumbered by the bandits.
From what they experienced today, the family and him decided to stay for some time in the town ahead until they were mentally ready to resume their business.
Against all the odds, the ten bodyguards defended his family to fulfill the job they entrusted with and survived. That being said, they were an inch away from dying, and some badly injured acting as shield to protect their client. Among them, someone might not be able to hold weapons ever again, and soon lost his livelihood.
"…They stood their grounds where others might already abandoned us…I'll do my best to help them get by"
"Yes…yes, that's a good decision"
Looking at their visible wounds, Mikaela was reminded this unfortunate situation could happen to anyone in similar professions; bodyguards, mercenaries, and adventurers were in the same boat sailing a harsh sea. Death was just around the corner, even she almost met her end not too long ago.
---As she had that depressing thought, out of the blue, the image of Alfraed Logick whom he met in the dragon subjugation appeared in her mind. She wondered what the kind young man would do in her shoes, and the answer came naturally like she had known him for years. Thus, Mikaela shared her Medium Grade potions to all the wounded.
'I'm sure he would do the same'
Sharing supplies to unrelated parties while in the middle of a quest was risky, reckless even. That being said, Basic and Medium Grade potions were widely available, it almost certain she could restock the potions in the town. So, no problem in that regard.
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All the thirty bandits had their hands tied and dragged to the town to be processed by the guards to work in the mine.
""Aaarrgghhhh!!!""
Along the way, several had the nerve to try to escape, believing they would not get caught. Sadly for them, they were immediately attacked by lightning spheres trice their numbers summoned by Mikaela. She did that act while eerily smiling, but her eyes were anything but.
The silver ranker had no intention to take lives unnecessarily, so the bandits still lived, barely. But, accident could easily happen when one's emotion was far from its pristine state.
Witnessing how Mikaela had the ability to perform such magic almost instantly, other bandits decided to obediently follow her instructions and save their energy to face their unavoidable punishment. If by some miracle they came out alive, never again would they be in the banditry business.
Half an hour after the bandits were taken away by the guards, the guard captain informed Mikaela and Alana each bandit had a bounty of 2,000 rune, making their total reward 60,000. Furthermore, the two were entitled to have all their belongings, which included 30,000 rune money.
Beside the money, the rest of the belongings were crude and unneeded. So, the female adventurers sold all of it to a general store for whatever amount they could have, and took the 20,000 rune offered by the store manager without much complaint of the price. As such, total additional reward they had today was 110,000 rune, or 55,000 rune per person.
Simultaneously, they also did not forget to restock their potions here. Looking at the shelves, Mikaela could not find any Perfect Grade potion among products being sold, a proof that particular product was rare. Yet, she already made transaction to buy four of them in discounted prices from Alfraed. Another reason for her to meet him as soon as possible.
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"Alana, do you know a good hotel?"
"No idea, never been here before"
Mikaela and Alana were unfamiliar with the town of Brinelight, and asked recommendation for a finer hotel to the merchant who was also looking for supplies in the same general store and seemed to know his way around here.
"I can show you to good hotels, what's your budget?"
"Money is not an issue" said Mikaela confidently. Alana wanted to retort that statement. But, decided to shelve that intention since they had just received additional reward from capturing bandits. Once in a while, staying in a luxury hotel should be fine.
"I see, well follow me, I know the right place" after hearing her answer, the merchant brought them to an impressive hotel, Malachite Horizon, with unique eastern-styled architecture which cost 10,000 rune per person for a night stay.
Even though she did say money was not an issue, spending that much money for one-night sleep felt over the top for Mikaela. Noticing their reluctance, the merchant explained the hotel's unmatched facilities to them.
A wide variety of welcoming meal and breakfast with exquisite taste prepared by the best chef in town. These were already included in the price they paid, and guests were free to take any food that suited their taste.
Outdoor hot spring where guests could bathe in them anytime they desire. The natural hot water helped blood circulation, improving body's digestive and detoxifying capabilities, as well as promoting healthy skin.
A twenty four-hour team of skilled male and female masseuses capable of performing any requested massage to reduce muscle tension, reduction of stress, relaxation, and improved skin tone.
Full-furnished, spacious rooms that had comfortable and fluffy beds to guarantee quality of sleep.
And, cooperation with a renowned blacksmith to provide equipment maintenance service. Though, this service was not included in the hotel's price and guests must negotiate with the blacksmith directly. One thing for sure, their services were top notch and swift. No guest had ever complained about this matter.
The two ladies readily discarded their hesitation after hearing all that favorable information that could definitely recharge their lost stamina, and decided to stay there. However, they did wonder how come the merchant knew so much about the hotel to a terrifying degree, it almost as if he was promoting it.
"Well, I own fifty-percent of the hotel's shares. Don't worry, I'll the manager to give both of you very special prices. Not, just for tonight, but for whenever you come here"
With that answer alone the bandit attack made sense. That was definitely not random occurrence; they knew who he was and precisely targeted him for money. The women hoped the merchant and his family would be more careful in the future, and revised how they did things.