The first day after leaving the city was uneventful I chatted with members of Jade champions I got along well with everyone they all are D-rank adventurers on the verge of becoming C-rank they are going to participate in the promotion exam, I got to know about schedule of next exam from them, it is still 3 months away and even venue isn't decided but date had been fixed.
I was using search magic regularly since I left the first town, on the second day around afternoon I sensed 15 people that were in the forest around us and five people who were blocking our path almost one kilometre ahead of us. I decided I should tell others about it so we won't be ambushed.
In this caravan of 4 carriages we split up so we can guard the Caravan more effectively I was on back carriage with mina, Taylor was in middle while gurran and Brittany were in front as Gurran was a scout of the party.
"Miss Mina, there are people about 2 km ahead of us, it is likely an ambush, so I will inform Mr. Taylor please be on look out."
I said with the look of urgency, she also nodded without asking anything more I also approached 3 carriages where Taylor was guarding it with a rather bored look on his face .
"Mr. Taylor, we might have ambush about 2 kilometres away from here."
I said in a serious tone, a bored look on his face vanished,and a serious expression took over.
"How many?"
He asked in grim tone.
"There are five blocking our path, 7 on the right side of the forest, they are hiding and 8 on the left."
I replied with a hurried tone, we have to stop the carriages and plan this out as quickly as possible.
"That's bad! It would have been managable if Bandits no. was about half , but defeating these many while protecting the merchants is going to be rough, any way I will inform the merchant and ask about his opinion."
He said in grim tone as he left the carriage I also stopped the carriages behind me , due to uneven hight and road we were still unseen by enemies so we could retreat safely if we did it fast enough, after a while Taylor, Brittany and Gurran returned with merchant that was leading this caravan.
"Are you sure? I didn't sense anyone in the forest though I knew about people in front."
He asked with an unsure tone, so he had already sensed those five people that was impressive.
"Yes, they are hiding in the forest so they are hard to see."
I replied trying to calm myself I knew I have to likely kill more people today if I had to save these innocent merchants, I hoped he chose to retreat nightmares about the bandits that have finally stopped, I really didn't want to kill anyone else.
"I already used {farsight} and I couldn't see anyone other then 5 people that were in front."
Gurran said a bit bitterly not believing me.
"I used the spell {mana search} though I couldn't see anyone directly, I could still sense them."
I explained it a bit impatiently, I knew we had to retreat before we were detected so his persistence to accept my information was a big hurdle.
"Oh! {Mana search} , I haven't heard of that spell."
He said with excitement on his face, he seemed convinced after hearing about it.
"Now that is out of the way, we have to discuss our actions going forward."
Taylor said taking everyone's attention, everyone nodded at his statement.
"With the number of enemies it would be wise to take an alternative path to the city of hiris."
I said in the grim tone.
"That won't do, our perishable products won't be in condition to sell if we take an alternative path."
Merchant leader said in serious tone, I could understand his stance but the number of enemies is too much.
"So what do you suggest?"
I asked bit miffed at him as he was thinking about money and goods when people could die, though I understood him this world was dangerous so situation like this though rare aren't unheard of.
"Can't you sneak attack them?"
He said bit hesitently, I was taken aback by his proposal, with the distance between them sneak attacking them will alert others and threaten everyone's safety.
"That isn't feasible they will know immediately if we sneak attack."
Gurran said with thoughtfull look on his face.
"Can't we wait until they leave then, alternative path could increase our journey time by almost three days."
Merchant argued.
"It will be a hard battle fighting them while protecting you guys is out of the question."
Taylor said with grim expression.
"Then how about we stay here and you guys deal with them."
Merchant said with lot of hope in his tone.
"Hmm, thats possible, but it would be dangerous for you guys to be alone."
Taylor said looking at the situation it would be difficult for me to convince all Adventurers and merchants to retreat, so I decided I should stay with them to protect them while members of Jade champions deal with the bandits, this position will likely allow me to be safe and it would be unlikely that I have to kill someone.
"Then I will protect the merchants, I don't know lot about your party, so I will only get in your way if fight broke out."
I explained with sounding more confident than I was on inside, though I was confident in protecting people if there was only one carriage but it wasn't set in stone that fight will break out.
"That's sensible, then it is decided, get your weapon ready we will go ahead and interact with them, if they try to hide after seeing only Adventurers then it will prove that they are bandits so we will attack them."
Taylor said and they went ahead I also began to use {mana search} ones more to keep an eye on every enemy and Ally.