As dusk approached, the convoy suddenly halted on a path in a dense forest. The coachman's shout broke the silence. "Bandits blocking the way!"
Andrew and Princess Isabella hurriedly stepped out of the carriage, joining their teammates who had emerged from the other two carriages. Before them stood a group of about fifty bandits armed with swords, axes, bows, and machetes. Gideon stepped forward, his demeanor calm and authoritative.
"Why are you blocking our way?" Gideon asked politely.
The bandits chuckled, eyeing Gideon and his companions with mockery. "Hand over all your valuables," one of them sneered. "And those pretty girls can stay with us for the night. Then we'll let you pass unharmed."
Andrew suppressed a derisive chuckle. How could these rank-zero nobodies threaten a rank-four saint sorcerer and a princess? His thoughts were confirmed as Princess Isabella, Helen, and Eleanor stepped forward, their faces set with determination.
