Land: The Chronicles

Chapter 12: The First Contract

Our group began to enter the forest path, this path is quite wide and clean, indicating that many people use this path.

We moved in tandem, the captain of the escorting force was at the very front along with two of his men, followed by the staff train, Ego and one other guard was assigned to guard the carriage

Behind the staff train, there were 13 cargo cars carrying merchandise with guards and porters.

I myself had the task of escorting the cargo train that was right behind the staff train. Several porters and bodyguards were seen chatting with each other, but they still did not relax the vigilance.

"You look young, how old are you?" A porter who looked like a father asked me, opening the conversation. "I'm 19". Answer's short.

Mr. porter looked a little surprised. "Geez, you're still my son's age, but you're already working as a mercenary". He shook his head.

"Different from my son, he had just turned 20, but like he had no purpose in life, not to mention he was forced not to continue his education in the academy due to the economic condition of the family".

I didn't ask, but yasudah.

"Sometimes I feel guilty as a father. If only I could get a better job, my kids would have a better life".

His face looks sad, being a father is not easy. This man looks like he's the same age as me, but he looks older.

Maybe I should think more about my future.

"Hey, Mr. Aliv. There's no point in you regretting it like that, you've worked so hard". One of the porters who listened to our chat - more precisely the babbling of the porter's father replied.

"If you're confused about your son's future, why not let him work as a porter with you? Who knows maybe he has the potential to be a bodyguard". Another porter responded

The porter called Aliv sighed. "I don't want my son to do such a risky job".

"Eh? Is there a job that has no risk, sir?" A bodyguard said that while giggling.

"It could be that when he became a porter, there was a flock of attacking bandits ... Just imagine I don't dare". Said Mr. Aliv with a restless tone.

"I'm actually still alive". The chirps of a bodyguard who looked young, the whole group laughed at hearing that.

"Nobody knows for sure when death comes, don't be so afraid Aliv sir". Say a porter who looks older than the others. "If you are too worried it could actually happen". Further

"Even someone who is on the verge of death can come back to life, I've seen him in person several times". The ego is involved in the conversation.

"really? It seems like an interesting story". One of the porters looked enthusiastic.

"Just ask the person if you're curious". The ego pointed towards me with a sympathetic pretentious face. God fucking.

"What about the story?" A curious looking bodyguard asked me. I let out a pissed breath.

"I don't really remember myself, anyway Ego came when I was dying. The rest just ask him, because he took care of me until I was healed. Somehow". I answered while grinning towards the ego, now he bends his lips down while looking at me annoyed.

"But such an experience should not be recalled, right?" The old porter commented, making everyone who originally wanted to ask a question become unkempt.

The atmosphere was silent again, only the creaking of the wheels of the car and the foot of the bull accompanied by the sounds of the forest.

"Then what did your parents think when you decided to become a mercenary?". Ask Mr. Aliv.

I paused for a moment, thinking. "Of course, they are no longer in this world". My answer made everyone stunned, especially Mr. Alif who asked that question.

"No problem, it's been a long time". Not too long ago, but yeah just say it. "They don't mind my wishes before they happen". My next.

Somehow everyone looked at me with pity, it made me uncomfortable. Our conversation became a bit awkward because of that.

The atmosphere once again became quiet, I was fiddling my horse mane to relieve boredom. Suddenly the captain of the bodyguards leading the convoy exclaimed, "STOP!"

There has been no sign of us approaching the end of the forest, that means there is only one possibility. The bodyguards rushed to draw their swords and immediately put up a standby position, while the porters were also ready to fight by pulling out their daggers.

"HAHAHAHA! No need to strain so respectable merchant". A loud hoarse voice rang out from behind the trees and bushes in front of us.

From behind the trees came a horde of heavily armed bandits, they were led by a Buraka with their distinctive large posture, wearing light armour decorated with wolf fur.

"We have no ill intentions at all, no need to be so wary". His loud and hoarse voice sounded threatening, not matching the content of his speech. Who believes in bandits?

Alean got off the staff train and approached the bandits, followed by the captain of the bodyguards and several other bodyguards. "The jungle feels good today, don't you think?" Alean greeted the bandits.

"What do you mean you came to us with full armament? We were just a small group of merchants about to pass by". Alean

The bandit chief laughed a little. "Well, this is not what you think, merchant sir. Wild animals have recently attacked our camp, messing up our food stash and causing us trouble". The bandit chief crossed his arms and sighed heavily, complaining about their condition.

"Even to travel around the forest alone we have to carry weapons, so I'm sorry if this makes you uncomfortable". Speak with a savage grin. "Therefore, when we saw you carrying a lot of cargo, we thought of asking a little help from you". The grin that adorned the bandit head's face seemed to say 'If you don't want to, I slaughtered'.

"How about the merchant sir? Would you like to give a little help to those of us who are in trouble?" The bandit chief's words were accompanied by the laughter of his men.

Alean calmly reached into the pocket of his robe and threw a bundle of golden plates that were instantly captured by the bandit chief. "I hope a hundred gold plates are enough to replenish your logistic supplies". Alean.

The bandit chief laughed and gestured for his men to make way, Alean nodded to the captain of the bodyguards and returned to the staff carriage. The captain of the bodyguards exclaimed to the entourage to return to continue the journey.

We went back on without sheathing our weapons, which we were passing by these bandits, so stupid to let our guard down just because they let us pass.

"Kids! We're back at base!" The bandit chief's cry was greeted by cheers from his men, "We're having a drinking party tonight!" He cried once again, making his men more excited.

When the bandits disappeared behind the trees, then we could lower our vigilance.

"Woe ... I forgot to breathe". A bodyguard said in a relieved tone, he immediately took a deep breath.

The other members also agreed, they all felt the same tension. But I didn't.

"Bandit Buraka was not the leader". Ego murmured, but some people including me listened to his mutterings.

"Eh? What do you mean bang? Though he said himself that he was the head of his bandit". Ask a confused porter.

"Sir Ego also noticed it?" It was the captain's voice, I couldn't see it because it was blocked by the staff train, but it was loud enough that some people could hear it. "He does look intimidating, but compared to someone standing in the back row of the bandits earlier, he's still nothing". Further.

Ego nodded "That's right, did he use the bongsor bandit earlier as the puppet leader?"

"It seems so, it is likely that their true leader was a high-class criminal who had deliberately concealed his identity". The captain argued.

The guards and porters stared at each other while whispering. If the head of the bandit lie alone looks very strong, what about the person who is considered the real leader by the Ego and the captain of the bodyguard?

Well, but at least we passed through this forest safely, the edge of the forest was already visible in plain sight. Looks like this time me and Ego only got 10 gold plates