Meanwhile, at the bandits' camp, their leader Johnny met with his loyal servant Luiz in a dark and discreet corner. With a determined look, Johnny whispered to Luiz, "We're going to stage a heist!"
Johnny's suggestion was met with a serious expression from Luiz, who nodded, aware that their leader's plan would require precision and caution. They exchanged glances, sharing a silent understanding that they were about to embark on a risky venture that could either bring them wealth or ruin.
Luiz pointed at the tattoo on the neck of the child in front of him, reminding of the potentially devastating consequences of an encounter with the local lord during the criminal act. He explained to Johnny that the only way to break free from the slavery tattoo, which was a mark of magical dominion imposed by the lord, was through the lord's death. This was the only way to sever the magical bond that kept the servants enslaved.
Whenever a lord died, all the servants under his rule were freed from the slavery tattoo. However, this freedom came with a significant social condition: the servants were then obligated to make a new tattoo pact with the deceased lord's heir.
This practice ensured that the cycle of servitude continued, even after the lord's death. The servants were once again subjected to the slavery tattoo, binding them to the new master. It was a system that perpetuated the lords' control over their servants, making freedom fleeting and conditional.
Johnny absorbed the information about the slavery tattoo and the importance of the lord's death for liberation but quickly redirected his focus to their heist plan. He knew he needed to concentrate on one goal at a time to succeed. With burning determination, he silently made a promise to himself, swearing deep within his soul that one day he would break free from that brutal slavery.
Luiz shared the story of his own liberation, explaining that his lord had recently passed away. The lord's death had created an opportunity that he seized, allowing him to escape from his former master and, subsequently, gain the much-desired freedom from the mana tattoo.
However, Johnny was determined to avoid villages controlled by Lorde Kaloch. He understood the imminent dangers and knew there were safer and more vulnerable targets available. The wagons, loaded with valuable goods and often less guarded, were ideal targets for their heists.
Johnny was well aware that to strengthen his military power and expand his influence as the bandits' leader, an urgent need was money.
The information that reached him spoke of iron objects in this world, notoriously valuable, costing approximately a hundred times more than the bronze objects that were typically their robbery targets. This opportunity represented an extraordinary acquisition for their stock and had the potential to elevate their power to an entirely new level.
Determined to seize this opportunity, Johnny dove headfirst into careful planning of the heist, aware of the risks involved but also the promise of success that could be the boost he needed to reach another level of power.
Johnny raised his blood-stained arm, a result of the rigorous training they had undergone, and with a determined expression, he uttered the words, "It's enough; let's depart."
Finally, Luiz began the last healing session, making Johnny feel the strength in his arm flow vigorously through his veins. "Excellent work, Luiz. Now, it's time for us to prepare. We have a long journey ahead." Johnny was fully aware that the hidden camp in the dense forest would serve as the starting point of their adventure. It was time to put into practice everything they had trained for and head towards their goal, determined to achieve the success they so desired.
...
Some hours passed, and the night was immersed in darkness, only illuminated by the fragile lights of the stars in the sky. A thin mist hung in the air, adding a touch of mystery to the isolated and dark road stretching ahead.
In the distance, a majestic carriage, pulled by four sturdy horses, quietly advanced along this dirt path, its course disappearing into the darkness. The horses maintained a steady pace, while burning torches on side mounts cast a dim light on the path.
The carriage itself was decorated with intricate details, reminiscent of the splendor of ancient times. Inside, someone was seated, attentively observing the path ahead. Their eyes fixed on the road, while their hands rested inside the carriage.
Behind the carriage, five mounted mercenaries followed at a calculated distance. They wore dark cloaks and carried sharp weapons in their holsters, ready for any eventuality. Their eyes scrutinized the road's shadows, alert to any sign of danger or the unexpected.
The silence of the night was broken only by the sound of horse hooves and the gentle whistling of the night wind. As the medieval carriage and its guards continued on their journey.
At the roadside, hidden in dense shadows, a group of hooded and armed men waited in silence, their piercing looks filled with malice and determination. Furtive whispers were exchanged among them as they watched the carriage approaching.
When the carriage finally reached the planned ambush point, the hooded men emerged from the shadows like night specters.
From the abyss of the shadows, a man and a child, their faces concealed beneath dark hoods, emerged. With voices evoking medieval times, they uttered a menacing cry that shattered the silence of the night: "This is a robbery!"