ARCHDEUS

THE PLAGUE(1)

A merchant caravan was seen crossing a narrow and steep road.

They were currently passing through the mountains on an uneven road.

In one of the horse-drawn carriages there was a familiar face.

They are Richard Filius Moonshrine, Camellia Anaira Hoverd, Rionard Connor Artheven, Joseph Cyrus Hildalion, Darius Ladderick Marquell, and Iona Margaret Swandom. Those six people were the Falcon team members of the Royal Majestic Guard.

The Falcon group is currently carrying out an investigative mission against the Marquess of Canadia. To carry out their mission, they disguised themselves as mercenaries who are currently in charge of guarding a horse carriage containing potion items.  Right now they were all sitting on a carriage that contained a potion chest that would be sent to a trade alliance. It is located in the capital city of Canadia, Hadalon. But the Canadia region is currently in a phase of chaos. Their failure in the feudal wars against Yorksall and Otilia had left them trapped in no small amount of war reparations. As a result, many Canadia expenditures were cut, one of which was the security budget. As a result, the crime rate, especially the robberies around the Canadia region, increased rapidly. The merchants were the most disadvantaged. That's why they are currently on a road that borders directly with a fairly steep ravine. Apart from the uphill path, the road full of rocks also adds obstacles in the journey so as to cause vibrations that cause the buttocks of everyone to feel pain. Nevertheless, this road is considered to be a rat road that can avoid them from robbers.

If the journey was smooth, they would be together with this group of merchants to meet the marquess.

These merchants were also not mere merchants. There had been a lobby and an understanding between them and the Duke of Norchaster. It must be remembered, that the mission given to the Falcon team was a mission recommended by Norchaster so as to refine the mission, Norchaster used their relationship with the merchants.

They will soon reach Hadalon at noon if they are on time.

But unfortunately it seems like they are not very lucky today.

As the caravan walked, a group of people from the forest blocked their path.

Gale, a thin man who was the head merchant in this caravan was currently meeting with a group of bandits. He was unable to escape because his caravan contained a lot of goods sold, especially potions that were easily destroyed. In addition, the bandits also quickly closed all their access roads.

"STOP!"

One of the bandits shouted to Gale and his entire caravan.

The bandits with their horses blocked Gale's merchant carriage. One by one the bandits descended from the horse and the other 5 five remained on the horse, a total of 16 bandits.

"Quick down!"

One of the bandits told Gale to get off the coachman's place. Not only that, he was also about to push Gale to the ground to make a 'ugh' sound, that is, a groan of pain from someone who fell.

After pushing Gale, the bandit then told his friends to go in and check the horse carriage.

"Strisk the train and take everything."

"Wait for Mister, please don't do that."

Gale pleaded with a face full of hope. He had forgotten his pride as a wealthy successful merchant. Slowly, he walked using both of his knees towards the bandits who had pushed him. He slowly grabbed one of the bandit's legs and kissed the bandit's shoes, saying:

"Please have mercy on me."

The bandit looked with a look of annoyance and disgust. He kicked Gale so the merchant bounced.

"Basin' trash, get rid of you, motherfucker!"

The pain from Gale was very strong. He held the part of his body that was kicked at the stomach. Less than a second later, Gale vomited.

"Mr ...."

It felt hot as if his entire stomach was coming out. He looked towards the bandits with a look of pain and anger. While the bandits did not care about Gale and were just busy searching the car. One of the bandits seems to want to kill Gale. He drew the sword that was on his back. Then he directed an attack towards Gale.

"ENOUGH!"

The voice came from one of the bandits riding a horse. He had a fair-faced, pale skin, a torn scar adorning the right side of his neck to a few millimetres below his earlobes. The bandit is the leader of this group. He was named Brave, in his 40s with a sturdy and hard body perfectly suited to be a knight or fighter in the arena. The most notable thing about his appearance was that he wore an extremely expensive magic weapon named the yellowish-colored Iron Gauntlet V in his left hand.

This item is the highest version of its kind, with capabilities that can increase attack power while providing increased durability. This item also has a unique skill that is Bull Stamina, a passive skill that can provide protection against fatigue and pain in a certain time.

"Hey, Trash!"

Brave called out to Gale who was currently looking at him with a frightened look. Then he hinted to the bandits who wanted to attack Gale to go through the wave of the hand and the bandit nodded.

"Look! I want to ask you a question, your life depends on the response you give and I suggest you don't lie."

"Ba-good!"

Gale replied in a tremble, he was currently sitting with his legs bent.

"What will happen after we release you?"

So this is a test, to make me their dairy cow huh? thought Gale.

"I'll give you the money. No, but all my possessions to you and gentlemen all as my deepest gratitude."

"So yes. Hmm .. a pity, that wasn't the answer I expected."

"Eh?"

Shocked by the response of the bandit named Brave, Gale spontaneously began to try to escape. But the intimidation aura of that person was so powerful that his legs were unable to move and unable to stand. Finally he decided to push his body back as hard as possible and make his legs as a propulsion tool but less than a meter, he was stopped due to being trapped into the bushes.

Brave got off his horse and clenched his hand, wearing Iron Gauntlet, in the gesture of punching the merchant. One fist alone could crush heavy armor made of good quality metal.

He had long since targeted Gale's caravan precisely when they started to enter the marquess territory. Brave and his subordinates followed the caravan silently even as the merchant caravan turned towards the rat path, they still followed it.

He got closer and after less than two footsteps, he stopped and began to raise his fist. While Gale made panic movements like fish stranded on land and finally he was urinated. Brave did not care and began to tighten his horses and would take off his fists.

"Are you guys playing? Can we join?"

A person's voice suddenly sounded, making all stop doing their activities and look to the source of the sound.