Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chapter 35: Trials on the Road

The caravan had been on the road for twenty days now, with just three more left to reach Falmuth. The journey had been surprisingly smooth, thanks in no small part to Aeolus. His intimidating presence was enough to keep most monsters at bay, allowing the caravan to travel faster than expected.

But as noon approached on the twenty-third day, everything changed.

Without warning, a series of distant shouts echoed across the road, followed by the crackling sound of branches breaking. Bandits—no, a whole group of them—emerged from the trees and hills surrounding the caravan. They attacked from multiple directions, attempting to overwhelm the guards and seize the merchant's goods.

James' eyes narrowed, his body tensing as the battle began to unfold. He quickly surveyed the chaos, instinctively reaching for his magic.

"Bandit ambush!" Adventurer 1, the front scout, shouted, his voice filled with urgency. "Get ready!"

Adventurer 2, positioned farther down the road, echoed the warning. "Ambush from the right! They're coming in fast!"

At the front of the caravan, the guards braced themselves. Adventurers 3 and 4—one wielding a massive two-handed sword and the other a crossbow—led the defense, forming a solid line between the bandits and the first seven carriages. The guards wielded shields and spears, keeping the attackers at bay.

"We hold the line!" Adventurer 3 barked, rallying the group. "Focus on protecting the merchant's carriage and the goods!"

Behind them, the rear guard had already sprung into action. Adventurer 5 led the charge, his axe swinging with deadly precision as he cleared the path to the rear of the caravan. Meanwhile, Adventurers 6 and 7, perched on either side of the caravan, picked off bandits with well-aimed crossbow bolts and magic.

James scanned the surroundings, keeping his senses alert. 'They're trying to surround us,' he thought. 'We can't let that happen.'

The bandits were numerous, their tactics designed to overwhelm. They split into smaller groups, attacking from both sides and the rear, trying to cut off the caravan's escape. Adventurers on the flanks did their best to intercept, but it was clear they were struggling to keep up with the sheer number of attackers.

James didn't hesitate. With a mental command, he began forming his magic circles, visualizing the grid in his mind. He quickly deployed Barrier Circles around the merchant's carriage, reinforcing the protective defenses. At the same time, he laid out Diversion Circles, causing flashes of light and sound to disorient the bandits, dissuading some from pressing their assault.

Aeolus, ever the protector, moved like a shadow, darting between the flanks and rear with terrifying speed. His fangs bared, he took down attackers with brutal efficiency, tearing through the bandits like a whirlwind of fury. His presence alone was enough to demoralize many of the enemies, and those who dared get too close quickly found themselves pinned under his strength.

"Keep pushing them back!" Roderic shouted from the front, his sword cutting through the air with precision. "Don't let them breach the merchant's wagon!"

As the fighting raged on, the bandits began to retreat, realizing that they couldn't break the caravan's defense. Their numbers were thinning under the combined efforts of the adventurers and Aeolus. Soon, the last of them were either captured or fleeing into the woods, the caravan victorious.

"Good work, everyone," Adventurer 3 said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "We've held the line."

James relaxed slightly, though his mind was already shifting to the next threat. He knew better than to let his guard down.

As night fell, the caravan set up camp, the tension of the day slowly easing. The adventurers sat around the campfire, exchanging stories of past battles and laughing in relief.

However, their respite was short-lived. On the second-to-last night of the journey, a new danger emerged.

A Wyvern—a massive, winged monster—swooped down from the sky, its shadow casting an eerie chill over the camp. The beast screeched as it landed in front of the caravan, its claws digging into the earth with terrifying force.

"Everyone, brace yourselves!" Roderic ordered, his voice a roar over the commotion. "It's a wyvern! Protect the caravan!"

Aeolus immediately charged forward, his powerful legs carrying him toward the wyvern. His size and speed made him a perfect counter to the massive creature. He dodged the wyvern's claws, circling it like a wolf stalking its prey.

The adventurers, though stunned, didn't waste any time. Adventurer 1 and 2, from their higher vantage points, fired arrows and bolts, targeting the wyvern's wings. Adventurer 5 and 6 took up the rear, attacking with their heavy weapons and magic, trying to wear the beast down.

James moved quickly, laying down Containment Circles to trap the wyvern, slowing its movements and giving Aeolus the chance to strike. The magic worked, the wyvern's wings were momentarily bound by the shimmering containment, allowing the adventurers to get closer.

With one final roar, Aeolus launched himself at the wyvern, sinking his fangs into the beast's neck. Together with the adventurers' coordinated attacks, they brought the wyvern to the ground. The battle ended with the monster slain, its body slumping into the dust. The caravan had survived yet another threat.

By the time the caravan reached Falmuth, it was the last day of travel. The city loomed in the distance, its towering walls a welcome sight after the many days on the road.

Roderic slapped James on the back as they approached the city gates. "Thanks to your wolf companion, we've reached Falmuth faster than expected," he said with a grin. "Couldn't have done it without him."

As the caravan entered the bustling trade center, the adventurers made their way to the local merchant guild branch to turn in their quest. Each received 150 Dwargon silvers as payment for their work.

"Hey, kid!" said an older adventurer, one of the ten who had been with the caravan. "Thanks to your pal, we arrived early. Why don't you join us for a drink? It's on me."

James grinned, relieved to be done with the long journey. "Sure," he said, accepting the offer.

That night, the adventurers gathered at a nearby tavern, toasting their successful mission. Laughter filled the air as stories of their travels were exchanged, and for James, it was a moment of camaraderie and relaxation—a welcome break from the tension of the past few days.

End of chap.