Chapter 31

There was no time to bask in the sense of accomplishment.

I left the binding of the bandits to Kokushin and went to look for the driver. I saw him lying near the horse tied to a tree.

"Are you alright?"

As I rushed over, I heard a groan. At least he was alive. The back of his head was soaked in blood, so he must have been hit with something.

I took out a mid-level healing potion, uncapped it, and poured it directly onto the wound. Healing potions work whether you drink them or apply them directly to the wound. I wasn't sure if this would cure a depressed skull fracture or if it would affect his brain.

"Ugh, wh-what..."

He seemed to be regaining consciousness.

"Don't move yet. You hit your head."

"Raito!"

"Kokushin. Can you take him to the carriage? Try not to jostle him too much."

"Got it."

Kokushin gently carried the driver in a princess carry, showing no sign of the weight. I was a bit jealous, but I kept it to myself.

"Are you okay?"

When we returned to the carriage, the ladies had made room for us. I had the driver lie down and gave him another mid-level healing potion.

"Take it slowly."

He looked confused for a moment before starting to drink it bit by bit. Maybe he was worried about the cost, or he knew how bitter it was.

A mid-level healing potion costs about one gold coin. It's a significant jump from a beginner's potion, but it's also much more effective. I've heard it can reattach a nearly severed arm or heal a through-and-through wound, but I've never seen it in action.

By the way, there are no resurrection potions.

"What do we do with them?"

At Kokushin's words, I pondered, "Hmm."

Honestly, I wanted to leave them. We still had a journey ahead, and the driver wasn't in perfect condition. The rain might stop, but the road would be muddy. Dragging criminals along would be too much trouble. But it would be better to bring them in and explain the situation.

If they were bandits from the start, I could have just left them to die...

I decided to wait until morning. Kokushin and I would take turns keeping watch. The driver and the ladies were apologetic, but I assured them it was no trouble since we were used to it.

Morning came. The rain had stopped, and the sun was starting to shine.

A short distance from the carriage, the three bandits, now bound and gagged, were tied to trees. They looked like drowned rats, and the leader's face was pale. ...Come to think of it, I hadn't treated them. I wonder if they were beaten up. I won't specify what.

We had a makeshift breakfast.

"The problem is how to transport them."

Naturally, making them walk would be the quickest, but it would slow us down. We would also need to find a way to replace the guards.

"What about the driver?"

"He should be fine as long as he just sits on the driver's seat."

He didn't seem to have any lasting physical damage, but his face was pale, probably from the shock.

"Alright. I'll take care of the horses. We need to check the other horses too."

I had already given them water and feed. They had been handled roughly, and one of the horses had a sore on its hindquarters. I gave it a beginner's healing potion. The horse made a whining sound but drank it.

"Kokushin and I will guard them. Loading them onto the carriage..."

"There's no choice. Just tie them up. We'll keep an eye on them."

"I can guard them alone. Raito, you ride in the carriage and keep watch at the back."

Hmm. I guess there's no other way. That's probably the best option. Just to be safe, I'll put them to sleep. I'm glad I made some sleeping powder when I had the chance.

I mixed a small amount of the powder with water and stuffed it up their noses. "Mmm. Don't struggle, both sides. Mmm. I'll take off the gag. I don't want them to suffocate. Mmm."

A few minutes later, they were snoring.

"...Raito, sometimes you're really ruthless."

Excuse me. Why are you so shocked? I could dislocate all their joints if you want?

Just to be safe, I rolled up the three of them and loaded them into the carriage. Kokushin rode one of their horses and led the way, while the other horse followed behind, tied to the carriage.

The carriage moved forward with a clattering sound. The horse following behind seemed to be moving more lightly, probably because it had no rider. We should arrive by midday, so I was relieved. It was comfortable except for the annoying background noise.

We arrived at the town of Kazun.

It was a small town with a lot of greenery. A newly built tower stood out.

I explained the situation to the gatekeeper, who said he would call the relevant people and asked us to wait. The ladies also stayed to help with the explanation.

While waiting, I praised the horses that had run obediently. "You ran a bit fast, but you did well. You might need new horseshoes. Are these their personal horses? They look a bit dirty for rental horses."

First to arrive was the guild to which the driver belonged. It was a guild similar to the adventurer's guild, found in many places. They also provided rental carriages.

"Door! You were attacked!? Are you okay?"

The driver's name was Door. The plump man who arrived was circling around Door.

"Yeah, I'm fine. This person gave me a mid-level healing potion. I just have a bit of baldness left."

Healing potions don't regrow hair...

"Here," I said, standing next to Kokushin, but the plump man was completely focused on Kokushin. It's fine. Kokushin doesn't need to correct him.

"No, I'm sorry. Our people were taken care of. I'll definitely pay the fee."

"Ah, but I used it without permission, so just the gesture..."

"That won't do. You almost lost Door and the horses."

"I understand. I'll be staying for a few days."

"Are you in a hurry?"

I'm not in a hurry, but we're still in the same territory as Nitz. If we're leaving, we want to do it quickly.

While we were talking, people from the adventurer's guild and a high-ranking guard arrived. They glanced at Kokushin. Are they acquaintances? I hope this doesn't turn into a hassle.