And so, the day of the trek finally came. Early in the morning, King Maro traveled with General Lum and thirty top-tier mercenaries. They followed a trail that was being used by travelers, and perhaps, the bandits as well. The mercenaries carried large boxes of extra weapons and things they would need to set up the tents.
The group rested every two hours. Because the Ancil Mountains is a group of mountains stretched from the front of Leoniva City to the back of King Maro's palace near the beach, they had a hard time guessing the location of the bandits.
Before the sun had set, they decided to set up their camp. They build makeshift tents from linen cloths by attaching them to the tree branches. One group of mercenaries started securing a dry area where they could build a small bonfire to grill the hunted boars.
"How long do we plan to stay here, Your Highness?" General Lum asked. "Perhaps the Queen of Ballad would be worried about you."
"I have no choice. I can't put her in danger," the King responded. He was looking at a map drawn on a large piece of cloth. He pointed out to his palace, "Using the Ancil Mountains as a base is a good tactic. It is in the middle of two palaces. I wonder why they haven't attacked my palace even though they can pass through here."
"Perhaps it's because your palace is more heavily guarded than the Old Palace… By the way, my King, about tomorrow's route-"
"We're being attacked!!!" one of the mercenaries shouted.
All of them took out their swords. Those who specialized in using bows and arrows climbed up the trees.
Two of the makeshift tents were burned.
"Find out their location! Protect the King!" General Lum ordered his men.
Finally, the bandits appeared. Their heads were covered in black cloth and only their eyes could be seen, and they wore black silk. The group was composed of seven who held swords, five who had double daggers, and three behind them who were archers.
"Greetings, My King," one of the bandits said, "Welcome to our territory."
"The Ancil Mountains belong to the whole nation. This land is not yours," King Maro responded. He glared at him, "Stealing the royal artifacts means you're all prepared to die."
The man laughed, "Of course, Your Highness. But if you exterminate us all, it will be impossible for you to know who hired us."
The King narrowed his eyes on him, "If you truly recognize the Leon Clan as the nation's ruler, you will not steal the artifacts."
But the bandit leader chuckled, "My King, we all recognize the Leon Clan, and it is the main reason why we're doing this."
"What do you mean?" the King questioned.
"Your Highness, we-"
"CHAAAARRGGEEE!" General Lum yelled, and the mercenaries charged at them, following his lead.
Metallic clashing sounds echoed in the forest. The bandits were on par with the King's top-tier mercenaries, so the battle took longer than expected.
The King had already killed three of the bandit swordsmen, and he looked around to find the bandit leader. He wanted to ask him what he meant by his words.
"Capture the bandit leader alive!" The King yelled.
But he didn't notice that there was a bandit hiding in the trees.
"I apologize," the bandit said, "But your downfall will be for the benefit of the whole nation, Your Highness." He held his double daggers, then threw them powerfully to him!
"Your Highness!" they saw the daggers approaching him, but the mercenaries were too far to save him.
Suddenly, a woman holding a metal shield, quickly shielded the King's back, making the daggers bounce from the surface of the shield.
Everyone who saw what happened was shocked.
What is the Queen of Ballad doing in the mountains?
"Phew, I made it," Ely told the King, "Are you alright-"
"ELY! WHY ARE YOU HERE?" The King yelled at her and gave a worried expression.
"Sorry," Ely lowered her head. "My instinct tells me to follow you. I don't know why." She revealed to him that she actually hid inside one of the tools and supply boxes!
"Who do you make me worry every time?" The King hugged her tightly, "Ely… Don't be so stubborn…"
"Maro…" she embraced him, too, "I'm not Elizabeth Berry if I'm not stubborn." And when they pulled away, she gave him a sweet smile.
The battle turned positively to the King's side, the mercenaries successfully killed the bandits, except for the bandit leader, and an archer. They were then forced to kneel in front of the bonfire.
"Ely, stay at my tent for a while. I just need to interrogate the bandits," the King said after making sure that Ely was guarded by two of the mercenaries. He proceeded to the bonfire.
The King heated a small metal object by attaching a long bar to it and then placed it over the fire.
King Maro said in a domineering tone, "If you don't answer my question, the other bandit will have his skin burned."
The bandits were so afraid of the King's ruthlessness.
The King then continued the interrogation, "Where is the artifact?"
The bandit leader answered, "I don't know!"
"Not talking, huh.."
"Your Highness, please! I really don't know!!"
The archer, upon seeing the King approach him, cowered in fear. He knew he would face punishment if his leader did not speak.
He said, "My King! Please spare us! I'll speak!"
The bandit leader widened his eyes in shock, "You! Don't betray the one who feeds us!"
King Maro was amused by the other bandit's reaction.
"Speak up," the King said in a cold tone.
"It's true that it wasn't with us anymore!" the archer yelled.
"Tell me everything."
"Don't!" the bandit leader said worriedly. "Don't tell him!"
The King smirked, "Are you waiting to be scorched?"
The archer finally spoke, "We have a client who has been supplying us with weapons and food… He's an influential person, and he already has most of the Clan Leaders on his side..."
King Maro was bothered by this information. An influential person, and had the most of the Clan Leaders' support? Who could it be?
"And who is this client?" questioned the King.
"He's-"
Out of nowhere, an arrow hit the bandit's head, killing him instantly.