Chapter 94

"What the hell is going on!"

Reda ran through the town, searching for the source of the scream that echoed through it. Yurii was also chasing after him.

"Reda, look at that."

"――What, no way, this can't be true!?"

In Reda's field of vision, he saw the bandits climbing over the walls from outside the town of Amrus and entering.

"It's not just there. Over there too."

Yurii pointed to the North Gate, one of the entrances. There, nearly fifty bandits could be seen storming in, armed with weapons. At their feet lay the bodies of the gatekeepers, bleeding and fallen.

"――Damn."

Reda was about to run to treat them, but someone stopped him.

"Wait."

It was Yurii. She grabbed Reda's arm with both hands, preventing him from going.

"Let go!"

"No way. I understand how you feel, but they can't be treated. If you try to treat them, the bandits will interfere and capture you. We should run for now."

"……I know. I know!"

Thanks to Yurii, Reda regained some composure and decided to run. But he didn't forget the minimum he needed to do.

"Bandits! Bandits are attacking the town! Lock yourselves in the nearest building! Hurry! Hurry up!"

He ran, shouting desperately to warn the residents who still didn't know what was happening. In response to his voice, people started to move. The stall owners abandoned their goods and fled to nearby houses for help. Mothers, holding their children's hands, ran into the weapon shop.

"Alright, let's go."

"Where to?"

"To the inn. It's my temporary home. I need to meet up with my daughters."

"……Okay. I'll go with you."

"Thanks. I can't leave you alone."

Without hesitation, Reda took Yurii's hand and ran towards the inn. However, they couldn't easily reach it. The bandits had already invaded the town, and their figures could be seen everywhere. Reda could fight if he were alone, but since Yurii couldn't fight, they had to move without being seen.

"Mr. Reda! Thank goodness! You're safe!"

While hiding in the shadows of an alley, Reda turned at the sound of a familiar voice. There stood Mirette, the guild staff member who led the adventurers.

"Mirette! You're safe!"

"Yes, fortunately, they're not stupid enough to attack the adventurer's guild."

"What about the lord's mansion?"

"Everyone in the mansion is safe. We've deployed adventurers and the town watch. Besides, if they harm the nobles, they'll be pursued to the ends of the earth. Only a fool would do that."

Reda felt a bit of relief. He had been worried about the lord's family. Now one of his concerns was reduced.

"Where do you think they came from? There seem to be quite a few of them."

"About fifty from the north, fifty from the south, and fifty more over the walls. We estimate around one hundred and fifty in total."

"……That many?"

"Still, that number isn't enough to take the town. However, their timing is a bit too convenient, appearing when the adventurers are out."

It was the worst possible time for the town to be attacked.

"Probably the bandits who attacked the carriage yesterday joined forces with other nearby bandits. That's the only explanation for this number."

"Good work. But why now, all of a sudden?"

"Probably because we've been cracking down on bandits recently... We might have pushed them too far."

"Can the town of Amrus defeat them?"

"Of course. The town watch and the adventurers are already fighting. If the search party returns from outside, they can attack from behind. We won't lose."

Her words brought him some comfort. Amrus had become an important place for Reda. He couldn't let it be ruined by bandits.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Actually, I was looking for you, Reda, to ask for your help."

"Since it's an emergency, just tell me what you need."

"Thank you. There are already many injured. Can you treat them?"

"Of course. But first, let me go get my family. I'm so worried."

"Yes, I understand. I was worried about Mina and the others too. But be careful on the way. There are still many bandits around."

"Thank you."

Reda thanked Mirette for her concern and expressed his gratitude.