Elara and Cedric had set out at dawn, their carriage bumping along the rugged roads leading to Grimshade Hollow. The sun rose high in the sky, casting long shadows as they traveled deeper into the wilderness. The journey was uneventful for the first few days, filled with quiet conversations and the rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels.
Cedric would often look at Elara, his eyes filled with a mixture of worry and admiration. She had shown immense determination, and despite the challenges, she remained focused on their goal. Elara, in turn, felt a sense of purpose she hadn't felt in a long time, fueled by the hope of restoring her core.
On the final day of their journey, the landscape grew more desolate and foreboding. The trees became sparse, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal hands. The air grew colder, and a sense of unease settled over them.
Cedric sat beside the driver, scanning the surroundings with a wary eye. "We're almost there," he said, glancing back at Elara inside the carriage. "Just a few more hours."
Elara nodded, clutching her small satchel of supplies. "I can feel it, Cedric. We're so close."
Suddenly, the driver pulled the reins, bringing the carriage to a halt. "What's wrong?" Cedric asked, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword.
Before the driver could answer, a group of rough-looking bandits emerged from the trees surrounding the carriage. Their leader, a tall man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward with a sneer.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the bandit leader said, his voice dripping with malice. "Another group of fools heading to Grimshade Hollow. You should have turned back while you had the chance."
Cedric drew his sword, his eyes narrowing. "Leave us be. We have no quarrel with you."
The bandit leader laughed, a harsh sound that echoed through the trees. "Oh, I think you do. Hand over your valuables, and we might just let you live."
"What is happening?" Just at that moment, Elara asked from the carriage.
"Elara, don't come out," Cedric spoke with a low tone. He did not want to endanger Elara's life, as he knew that these bandits were not an easy opponent.
"What?"
"Don't make a sound, and don't come out," Cedric repeated, his voice tense.
Elara felt a surge of worry and frustration. She could sense the danger outside, and the thought of staying back and doing nothing gnawed at her. She clenched her fists, determination flaring within her.
"No, Cedric," Elara said, her voice steady. "I refuse to stay back like a leech parasite. I'm going to help you fight."
"Elara, no—" Cedric began, but it was too late.
Elara pushed the carriage door open and stepped out, her eyes blazing with resolve. The bandit leader's eyes widened in surprise and then narrowed with satisfaction as he licked his lips.
"Well, well, it seems they didn't have only disposables," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "Looks like we have something valuable after all."
Cedric's heart sank as he saw the lecherous look on the bandit leader's face. He tightened his grip on his sword. "Elara, get back inside. Now."
"No, Cedric," Elara replied firmly. "I'm fighting with you. We're in this together."
"No…." Cedric wanted to refuse. It was because while he knew that Elara could use magic to attack them, she was defenseless, and her casting time was just too long. She would not be helpful at the battle, or rather, she could possibly even make things harder for him.
After all, now, he was also forced to protect her while fighting. But, seeing the look on her face, he couldn't say anything against her.
The bandit leader laughed again. "How touching. Let's see how long your resolve lasts."
He signaled his men, and the bandits charged. Cedric moved to intercept them, his sword flashing in the dim light.
「Knighthood of Gold. Golden Sword.」
He was ready, with mana radiating from his core. Though his mana could only strengthen his body and coat his sword as he was only a second stage awakened. That was why he was an aspiring Knight, as one could only become a knight once they reached the third stage of their cultivation.
CLANK!
Cedric's sword met with a bandit's blade, the impact ringing out through the forest. His body moved with speed and precision, each strike and parry powered by his mana. He dispatched one bandit after another, and his superior training and strength were evident.
But just as he was about to strike another opponent, his sword met with an axe. In front of him stood the leader of the bandits, smirking.
"Just as I expected," the bandit leader sneered. "This girl is not someone of normal standing. Such a beauty of noble blood will fetch quite a price."
Seeing that, Cedric's eyes turned bloodshot with anger. "You will not touch her!" he roared, launching a furious attack on the leader of the bandits.
At first, Cedric overwhelmed the leader with his superior sword abilities, honed by years of training in the dukedom. He pressed his advantage, driving the bandit leader back with a flurry of strikes. But just as he pushed forward, he sensed something amiss.
"Hehehe…..You have finally noticed." The leader spoke as he smirked, revealing his golden teeth. It was disgusting, and he could not help but feel the disgust rise, but he did not stay on that sight for a long time.
He glanced over his shoulder, and his heart sank. One of the bandits he had knocked down earlier had already captured Elara. The bandit held a knife to her throat, a cruel grin on his face.
"Elara!" Cedric shouted, his voice filled with desperation.
The bandit leader took advantage of Cedric's momentary distraction, swinging his axe with brutal force.
CLANK!
Cedric barely managed to block the strike, the impact sending a jarring shock through his arms.
"Looks like you're in a bit of a bind, knight," the bandit leader taunted, his smirk widening. "Drop your sword, or the girl gets it."
Cedric's mind raced, his eyes darting between the leader and Elara. He couldn't let her be harmed, but surrendering meant both of their lives would be forfeit.
Elara, her eyes wide with fear but filled with determination, locked gazes with Cedric. "Don't give up," she mouthed silently, her resolve unwavering.
Cedric tightened his grip on his sword, his mind made up. "Let her go, and I'll consider it," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within him.
The bandit leader laughed, a harsh sound. "Nice try, but I'm not that stupid. Drop the sword, now!"
At that moment, Elara's hand twitched, and Cedric saw the faintest glow of magic. She was preparing a spell despite the danger. He needed to buy her time.
Cedric raised his sword, his eyes locked on the bandit leader. "Fine," he said, his voice calm and controlled. "You win."
He lowered his sword slowly, making it seem like he was surrendering. The bandit leader's smirk widened, his grip on his axe loosening slightly.
Just as Cedric's sword touched the ground, Elara's spell activated. A burst of light and heat erupted from her hand, catching the bandit holding her off guard. He screamed, his grip on her loosening.
Cedric moved with lightning speed, his sword flashing up from the ground to strike the bandit leader. The leader, caught off guard by the sudden change, tried to block but was too slow. Cedric's blade sliced through his defenses, striking him down.
At least that was how it was supposed to be, as the Bandit leader's body would shine bright green.
"Heh….I knew it."
CLANK!
The sword hit the guy, but it did not pierce. To that, Cedric's eyes widened. Why did his attack not hit the bandit? What was happening?
Those questions passed through his mind, but he did not have the answer to any of them.
The bandit leader raised his axe, a triumphant smirk on his face. He brought it down with terrifying force. Cedric saw it coming, but still recovering from his strike, he didn't have the time to defend himself. The axe was just inches from his face as he closed his eyes, accepting his fate.
But the expected pain never came. Instead, he heard a creaking sound as if something was crystallizing. Cedric opened his eyes and saw the bandit leader frozen mid-strike, his axe suspended in the air.
Not only the bandit leader but the entire area around them was frozen. The trees, the ground, and all the bandits were encased in a shimmering layer of ice, save for Cedric and Elara.
Elara stood a few feet away, her hand outstretched. Her face was a mixture of intense concentration and determination.
"Elara…" Cedric whispered, awe and confusion mixing in his voice.
Elara's eyes slowly returned to normal, and she swayed slightly, the immense effort clearly taking a toll on her. Cedric rushed to her side, catching her before she could fall.
"What… how did you…?" Cedric stammered, looking around at the frozen landscape.
"It was not her."
At that moment, another voice echoed.
It was a woman with a robe covering her face. Even up to this time, he had never sensed her presence, as if she was not there. And that made Cedric even more scared.
Since that meant the person before him was a lot stronger than her.
"Huh? Who are you?" Cedric asked, trying to protect Elara.
'At least I am going to die protecting her.'
That was what he was thinking.
The woman slowly receded her hood, revealing an incredibly beautiful face with cold green eyes. She smiled as she descended gracefully from the sky, her gaze fixed on Elara.
"Interesting," the woman mused, her voice as smooth as silk. "To think such a child can exist. Even with her core completely broken down, she can still use mana, as if she has another core in her body. How talented."
She moved closer, her eyes never leaving Elara. Cedric tensed, ready to defend her despite knowing he was outmatched.
The woman looked deeply into Elara's eyes, a strange fascination gleaming in her own. "Become my disciple, little girl," she said, her tone both commanding and enticing. "Become my disciple, and I will give you everything you need."
"Will you heal my core?" Elara asked, looking at the woman. The fact that this woman possessed enough strength to cover the entire area with a frost while outlining them alone showed how proficient she was with such magic.
'It is at least 5-star magic.'
This was the reason why she was inclined to believe the woman was strong.
"Hahaha…..Is that what you wish?"
"No. I wish revenge." Elara replied, and at that, the woman's face turned cold.
"Revenge, it is a heavy word." She said as she looked into her eyes. "Are you ready to do anything for it?"
"I am."
"I see. Then, if that is what you wish, I am going to respect it." The woman smiled as she raised her hand.
"If that is the case, I accept."
And Elara accepted her proposal instantly.
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