"We've found the bandit's hideout," a soldier reported.
"Umu... Prepare your weapons! We'll engage as soon as we're able to," Jonah shouted in command to the other soldiers waiting. To Fin and I as well, he said: "Then, if you don't mind, Finral-sama, miss Eria."
We're supposed to part ways once we encounter the bandits' hideout, but after a bit of consideration, we decided that we should come and help subjugate the bandits as well. If Fin and I can reduce the number of casualties in Jonah's soldiers, we might as well help.
The bandits' hideout was inside the forest on the side of the road.
They must be confident of their location to not have their guards up. There are a few men on the look out, but they are slacking off... and they don't really appear to be guarding for any soldiers raiding them. They seem to be only looking out for monsters, evident from the cheap monster repellents hanging on their waists and the few monster hunting tools they have.
"Just as what you've expect from bandits... ignorant fools," Jonah murmurs. With a simple gesture of his hands, he set up the soldiers to surround the area.
Like assassins of the night, the archers shoot their arrows on their targets, and right away, a few of the bandits fell. Noticing their comrades suddenly falling on the ground, the other bandits took their weapons and shouted for reinforcement. Just as more bandits arrived, the soldiers were already dispatched, and are dealing with them one after another. Looking at the scene unfolding in front of me, I knew right away that this raid will be an overkill. Two soldiers hunted a single bandit. Those who were a bit powerful were immediately overcome with sheer numbers.
"A-Adventurers!?"
"No idiot! Those are obviously city knights! Let's get out of here fast!"
"How are there so many of them!? Call the boss!"
With the way things are going, Fin and I won't be needed. Even Jonah is not moving, knowing he doesn't need to. Unless an unexpected fighter comes out, he won't be needed as well.
"This is a welcome outcome... but it's quite a disappointing one," Jonah murmurs with a sigh.
"Captain! We captured their boss!" another soldier reported.
The bandits did not last for more than an hour resisting the attack, and they were quickly defeated. A few of them were killed, but most were only injured and captured. Their boss didn't look particularly different from the rest of them - he too looks just like an ordinary goon you will find anywhere.
"With this, we succeeded on our mission. I thank you for coming with us, but it seems we only wasted your time," Jonah apologizes to Fin and me. Then he complained, "Dealing with these bandits turned out to be incredibly underwhelming."
"It's fine, like I said in the beginning, we're going in the same direction anyway."
"Umu..." Jonah nodded with a chuckle and said, "Then, I guess we'll soon have our farewells... We'll get back on the road, then we can part ways."
"Of course."
"But before that... The town you'll be heading to. If I recall, Root, is it? Miss Eria, I'm a relative of the person who governs that place. If I may... might I ask you deliver this to him?"
Jonah handed me two sealed letters. The first one looked old and worn out, but the second was new.
"Tsk! How dare you ask Eria-sama such a menial task!" Fin complained.
"Don't worry, it will benefit you and miss Eria. While the first letter is personal, the other one is a request for a good reservation in the city for the two of you."
"So, you're a noble too, Jonah?" I asked curiously.
"No, I'm a bastard child... although I have noble blood in me, I'm treated as a commoner. However, my brother, who governs the city, is."
"I see... Then no problem, we'll deliver it safely," I smiled and accepted his request.
"Then, let's get this over with," Jonah said as he stares at his men, who are already tying up the defeated bandits.