Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 398: The Little Disturbance Called Bandits

Chapter 398: The Little Disturbance Called Bandits

Xena and Alicia drew their stones, and both of them came out victorious. Their eyes lit up with excitement, and they exchanged a quick glance before exclaiming in unison, "Yes!"

"Looks like it’s our turn to have some fun," Xena said, her grin widening as she stretched her arms above her head, loosening up.

Alicia cracked her knuckles, her eyes glinting with determination. "Let’s make it quick, then. We’ve got a journey to enjoy." She gave Xena a playful wink, and the two of them stepped out of the carriage, ready for action.

The atmosphere outside was tense as the guards gathered in front of the carriage, their hands on their weapons. There were about ten guards traveling with them—experienced men who had proven their loyalty and skill. The bandits, however, seemed to have the advantage in numbers. There were at least fifty of them, all armed with mismatched weapons and standing in a rough semicircle, blocking the road.

The bandit leader, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, sneered at the sight of the two women stepping out of the carriage. He barked out a laugh, turning to his comrades. "Look at this! They send two pretty little things to face us? What kind of joke is this?"

His laughter was echoed by the rest of the bandits, their voices filled with mocking amusement. The guards shifted uneasily, glancing at each other, but Xena and Alicia seemed unfazed. In fact, Xena’s grin only grew wider, and she gave Alicia a nod.

Lyan leaned out of the carriage window, his voice calm but firm as he addressed Xena and Alicia. "Don’t forget to let the guards experience the battle head-on as well. And make good use of the winter wolves."

Alicia gave a curt nod, her eyes already scanning the bandits. "Understood. We’ll make sure they get their share of the action."

Xena climbed onto the roof of the carriage, her bow in hand, her eyes sharp as she scanned the treetops and the surrounding forest. She knew that bandits often had hidden backups, archers waiting in the shadows to take advantage of any distraction. Her eyes narrowed as she caught sight of a movement in the underbrush, and she quickly nocked an arrow, her fingers steady.

"I’ve got eyes on a few hiding in the woods," she called down to Alicia. "I’ll take care of them."

Alicia unsheathed her sword, the blade glinting in the morning light. She stepped forward, her stance relaxed but ready, her gaze locked onto the bandit leader. The winter wolves, sensing the tension, let out low growls, their eyes fixed on the bandits.

The bandit leader smirked, clearly unimpressed. He raised his weapon, pointing it at Alicia. "Alright, boys! Let’s show these ladies what happens when you mess with us!"

The bandits let out a cheer, surging forward. The guards braced themselves, but Alicia raised a hand, signaling them to hold their ground. "Wait for my command," she said, her voice calm and authoritative.

The bandits were closing in, their weapons raised, when Xena’s first arrow flew. It struck one of the bandits’ swords, knocking it clean out of his hand. The man stumbled back, his eyes wide with shock. Before he could react, another arrow flew, hitting the weapon of another bandit, disarming him as well.

"What the—?" the bandit leader’s eyes widened as he looked up, spotting Xena perched on top of the carriage, her bow drawn, her eyes cold and focused.

"You really shouldn’t underestimate us," Xena called down, her voice dripping with amusement. She let another arrow fly, this one striking the ground inches from the bandit leader’s feet. He jumped back, his face paling.

Alicia took that moment to move. She stepped forward, her sword flashing as she engaged the nearest bandit. Her movements were swift and precise, her blade cutting through the air with a grace that spoke of years of training. The bandit barely had time to react before he was disarmed, his weapon clattering to the ground.

"Guards, move in!" Alicia called, her voice carrying over the noise of the scuffle. The guards responded instantly, drawing their weapons and advancing on the bandits. Alicia moved with them, her sword a blur as she deflected attacks and struck with pinpoint accuracy. She was in complete control, her focus unbreakable.

Xena, meanwhile, provided perfect support from her vantage point. Her arrows flew with unerring accuracy, each one finding its mark—disarming, disabling, and keeping the bandits off balance. She used her wind magic to guide her arrows, ensuring that they struck true even when the bandits tried to dodge or use the trees for cover.

The winter wolves joined the fray, their massive forms barreling into the bandits with a force that sent them sprawling. The bandits’ confidence began to falter as they realized they were facing not just two skilled fighters, but a coordinated team that included guards, wolves, and an archer who seemed to have eyes everywhere.

Alicia’s sword flashed as she parried an incoming strike, her movements fluid and effortless. She twisted her wrist, disarming her opponent with a flick of her blade before delivering a swift kick that sent him sprawling. She didn’t pause, her eyes already on the next target. Her psychokinesis magic came into play as she directed a fallen weapon to trip another bandit, sending him face-first into the dirt.

"You’re out of your league," she said, her voice calm as she faced the bandit leader. He was backing away now, his earlier bravado gone, replaced by fear. He raised his hands, his weapon long forgotten on the ground.

"W-wait! Mercy!" he stammered, his eyes wide as he looked at Alicia, then up at Xena, who had another arrow nocked and ready.

The remaining bandits, seeing their leader surrender, began to drop their weapons, their faces pale. They had clearly underestimated their opponents, and now they were paying the price. Xena and Alicia exchanged glances, a silent understanding passing between them.

"Should we let them go?" Xena called down, her voice filled with mock consideration.

Alicia tilted her head, her eyes narrowing as she studied the bandits. "I suppose we could... but not without a little reminder." She turned to the guards, nodding towards the bandits. "Strip them of their weapons and any valuables. Let them leave with nothing."

The guards moved quickly, disarming the bandits completely and relieving them of their possessions. The bandits, now weaponless and humiliated, were allowed to flee, stumbling away into the forest with their heads hanging low.

Xena climbed down from the carriage, her bow slung over her shoulder, a satisfied grin on her face. "Well, that was fun," she said, stretching her arms above her head. "They really thought they had a chance."

Alicia sheathed her sword, her expression calm but her eyes glinting with amusement. "They clearly didn’t know who they were dealing with." She turned to the guards, nodding in approval. "Good work, everyone. You handled yourselves well."

The guards straightened, their faces filled with pride. "Thank you, Lady Alicia," one of them said, his voice filled with respect.

Back inside the carriage, the atmosphere was light once again. Lyan looked at Xena and Alicia as they settled back into their seats, a smile playing on his lips. "Well done, both of you. That was efficient."

Xena grinned, leaning back and crossing her arms behind her head. "Piece of cake. They didn’t even put up a fight."

Alicia nodded, her expression softening as she looked at Lyan. "It was nothing we couldn’t handle. Besides, it was good practice for the guards. They need real experience, and this was the perfect opportunity."

The others couldn’t help but tease the two, their voices filled with playful amusement.

"Didn’t even break a sweat, did you?" Belle said, her eyes glinting with mischief.

"I mean, if I knew it was going to be that easy, I would’ve volunteered," Wilhelmina added, her tone mock-serious.

Xena laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "Hey, you had your chance. Besides, I think Alicia and I made a pretty good team out there."

Emilia nodded, her eyes filled with admiration. "You two were amazing. Those bandits didn’t stand a chance."

Lyan leaned back, his gaze shifting between Xena and Alicia, his eyes filled with warmth. "I’m proud of you both. You handled it perfectly. And you made sure the guards got their share of the action, which was important."

Alicia smiled, a hint of a blush on her cheeks. "Thank you, Lyan. We just did what needed to be done."

Xena nudged Alicia with her elbow, her grin widening. "And we made it look good while doing it, right?"

Alicia rolled her eyes, but there was a smile on her lips. "Sure, Xena. Whatever you say."

The rest of the journey continued with the same lighthearted atmosphere, the earlier excitement only adding to the bond they all shared. The carriage moved smoothly along the road, the winter wolves pulling it with an impressive speed and grace. Inside, the laughter and banter continued, each of them enjoying the rare opportunity to be together, to share these moments as a family.

Lyan watched them, his heart swelling with affection. He knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges, but for now, he allowed himself to bask in the warmth of their company. These were the people he cared about most, the ones who had stood by his side through thick and thin. And as long as they were with him, he knew he could face whatever lay ahead.

The journey to the capital was just beginning, but with them by his side, Lyan felt ready for anything.