Chương 90: Ten Bandits, Zero Corpses, One Problem

The young summoners launched their counterattack before the bandits could clear the powder from their eyes. Mellia opened three narrow gaps inside her defensive formation, each positioned toward a different target. Hernan moved immediately. His first summoned sword flew through the center gap and struck one bandit's forearm with the flat side. The impact made the man drop his axe before the weapon construct reversed direction. The pommel struck him across the jaw.

He collapsed without receiving a lethal wound, although several teeth flew through the powder cloud before his body reached the ground. Hernan sent two spears through the remaining gaps. He rotated them before impact, causing their shafts instead of their points to strike the enemies. One bandit received the first blow across his knee. The joint bent in the wrong direction with a sharp crack, and he fell screaming. The second spear hit another man beneath the ribs.

The reinforced shaft lifted him from his feet and slammed him against the tunnel wall hard enough to leave him breathless. Kart directed his guardian constructs forward while the enemies remained blinded. Two metallic bodies struck the nearest shields together, trapping the bandits between them. The men tried to retreat, but the third guardian attacked from below. Its head rammed into their legs and broke the formation before they recovered their sight. One bandit dropped his shield and reached for a dagger.

Kart stepped between him and the construct, swinging his heavy control rod across both hands. Muscle Reinforcement increased the force behind the attack. The rod struck the man's wrist, breaking several bones and sending the dagger spinning across the floor. Kart followed with another blow to the stomach. The bandit folded around the weapon before collapsing beside the others. Sieghart maintained the remote support spells on Kart and Hernan while keeping the powerful Breeze focused against the enemy formation.

The returning wind continued pushing powder and sand into the bandits' faces. They could breathe through their scarves, but opening their eyes remained almost impossible. Their archers attempted to retreat around the tunnel bend. Lucia's scouts flew above the powder cloud and showed their positions with light. She marked all three for Hernan. His weapon constructs curved around Mellia's barriers and traveled along the walls. The first sword struck a bow from one attacker's hands.

A spear hit the second archer in the thigh without penetrating completely. The injury forced him to one knee, where Kart's damaged guardian reached him moments later. The third raised his crossbow toward Lucia's scout and fired. The bolt destroyed the construct, but the distraction gave Mellia enough time to launch one of her defensive plates. The plate crossed the passage like a broad metal disk and struck the archer across the chest. He flew backward, hit the wall, and slid unconscious to the ground.

Only three bandits remained standing near the front. They had wiped enough powder from their eyes to understand that the battle had turned against them. One threw down his sword and raised both hands.

"I surrender!" His companions did not share the decision. The chain wielder wrapped his hook around Kart's closest guardian and pulled himself forward, using the heavy construct to cross the distance faster. He released the chain before reaching it and drew a short blade from behind his back. His target was Mellia rather than Kart. Mellia moved one defensive plate between them. The bandit changed direction at the last moment and attempted to slide beneath it. Sieghart sent a Mana Shield.

The invisible barrier rose directly in front of the man. He struck it face-first while moving at full speed, producing a dull sound that made even Hernan wince. His nose broke against the construct. Blood covered the lower half of his face before he staggered backward. Mellia's defensive plate slammed into his legs and swept them from beneath him. The bandit fell, and a second plate pressed him against the ground before he could rise. The final armed attacker used the distraction to charge Lucia.

He carried no shield and accepted several shallow cuts from Hernan's weapons while forcing his way through. Lucia's scouts excelled at observation and disruption. None possessed enough power to stop a grown man at close range. Sieghart prepared Wind Blade, but Lucia reacted first. She recalled her two remaining scouts and made them collide in front of her. Their metal bodies unfolded and joined together, creating a larger winged construct. The new construct struck the bandit's chest.

Its wings wrapped around his torso before lifting him several centimeters from the ground. Lucia twisted one hand. The construct released him. He fell directly between Kart's guardians. One trapped his sword arm, while another placed a metal foot against his chest. The battle ended. Ten bandits lay scattered across the tunnel. Some possessed broken bones, several had deep cuts, and nearly all had lost a considerable amount of blood. None were dead.

Sieghart dismissed Breeze and allowed the powder to settle beyond the enemy position. The chemical smell remained unpleasant, but breathing no longer burned his throat. Sieghart observed the young summoners. Their breathing had become heavier, and Lucia had lost two of her scout constructs. Mellia's defensive plates carried cracks, while one of Kart's guardians could no longer move its left front limb. Hernan's available weapons had decreased from six to three. They had won quickly, but not carelessly.

More importantly, they had defeated ten human opponents without killing anyone. Sieghart could tell that none possessed experience taking lives. Their attacks had avoided heads, throats, hearts, and other obviously fatal targets whenever possible. Even when the bandits created openings, the four chose disabling injuries instead of killing blows. That restraint increased the danger, but Sieghart could not blame them.

The idea that he might need to convince children to kill people had never crossed his mind before the fight. He was physically the youngest person inside the tunnel, yet his memories made the situation feel deeply wrong. He had no desire to become the adult voice telling teenagers that murder was necessary. If lethal force became unavoidable, Sieghart could handle it himself. This time, the summoners proved that it was not necessary. The surrendering bandit remained kneeling with his hands raised.

He stared at the wounded bodies surrounding him and wisely avoided making any sudden movements. Mellia repaired one defensive plate before approaching him. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Lie down."

"I surrendered."

"And you'll remain alive if you follow instructions." The bandit slowly lowered himself to the ground. Kart's nearest guardian placed one metal foot beside his head as additional encouragement. Mellia summoned a bundle of glowing ropes. The constructs separated into several lengths before wrapping around the prisoners' wrists and ankles. She tied every bandit individually, then connected them through another line passing along the center. The magical ropes tightened whenever someone resisted.

Sieghart watched until the final prisoner became secured.

"Can you maintain those forever?" Mellia glanced toward him.

"No."

"How long?"

"If they don't struggle too much, I can maintain them until we reach Bellhaven." Several conscious bandits exchanged looks. Sieghart noticed and almost laughed. Asking people to cooperate while transporting them toward prison seemed optimistic.

"If they struggle, they drain more mana?"

"Yes."

"They probably will."

"We aren't leaving them here."

"I didn't suggest that." Hernan looked toward the prisoners.

"We could break their other legs." Mellia gave him a flat look.

"That was a joke."

"It wasn't a good one." Kart examined his damaged guardian.

"The constructs can carry some of them, but not while we continue exploring. Two are already damaged." Lucia looked back along the tunnel.

"One of us could take the prisoners to town."

"That would split the group," Mellia said.

"We still don't know how many people are inside the mine." They considered their options. Taking the bandits back immediately would end the investigation before they learned anything about the hideout or the controlled bats. Leaving the prisoners unattended created the risk that they would escape, warn allies, or be killed by monsters. Dragging ten wounded adults through the mine would slow the group and consume Mellia's mana whenever they resisted. No option looked particularly good.

Sieghart examined the loose soil and sand covering the tunnel floor. The mine contained more than enough material for a simple platform. He could solve the transportation problem without revealing anything especially dangerous. Sieghart raised one hand. Sand and loose earth gathered beneath the prisoners. The material compressed into a wide platform with raised edges, lifting every bandit several centimeters from the ground. Several shouted when the floor moved beneath them.

The magical ropes tightened immediately, preventing anyone from rolling away. Sieghart stabilized the platform before making it float beside him. It remained heavy, but his increased Magic and control allowed Sand Control to distribute the weight evenly. The prisoners could no longer use their feet to delay the group. Struggling only caused them to collide with one another and tighten Mellia's restraints. Hernan stared at the floating platform.

"You could do that the entire time?"

"I only decided to do it now." Lucia walked around the platform.

"How long can you maintain it?"

"As long as necessary." That answer earned another suspicious look. Sieghart corrected himself before someone asked the wrong question.

"The distance to Bellhaven isn't a problem." Mellia examined the platform and tested its stability by pressing one hand against the edge.

"This will work."

"I want a share of the capture rewards." Hernan frowned.

"You're charging us?"

"Capturing bandits wasn't part of the mission. Neither was transporting them."

"You're already being paid."

"To heal and support your group, not operate a prisoner wagon." Lucia looked amused, while Kart seemed to find the argument completely reasonable. Mellia considered it for only a moment.

"Fine. The capture reward will be divided according to contribution." Sieghart nodded.

"Acceptable." One conscious bandit looked up from the platform.

"You're negotiating payment beside us?" Sieghart looked at him.

"You should be glad you're valuable alive." The man decided to stop speaking. Mellia checked the map again. The footprints continued beyond the bend, and the passage appeared to end less than a hundred meters ahead.

"We confirm what lies at the end of this path, then return to camp. No extended search." Everyone agreed. Kart placed one guardian ahead and another behind the floating prisoner platform. Lucia sent her remaining scouts forward while Hernan prepared his three surviving weapons. Sieghart moved the platform beside him as the group advanced. The additional weight increased the strain on Sand Control but remained manageable. The prisoners attempted to whisper among themselves.

Mellia's ropes tightened whenever they moved too much, discouraging any organized effort. The upper passage continued for another fifty meters before widening suddenly. Lucia's scouts entered the chamber first and found no immediate threats. Mellia ordered everyone to stop while the constructs inspected every corner. When no attack followed, the group moved inside. They had found the bandits' hideout. The chamber was smaller than the bat cavern but large enough to support a permanent camp.

Bedrolls covered one side, while cooking tools and barrels occupied another. Wooden crates had been stacked along the rear wall. Several carried merchant seals belonging to companies operating around Bellhaven. Others displayed marks from settlements much farther away, proving that the bandits had used the mine for more than recent attacks. Weapons rested inside open racks. Some were well maintained, while others remained stained with dried blood or carried insignias removed from their previous owners.

Several chests stood near the center of the chamber. Hernan opened the first after checking for traps. Silver and copper coins filled most of the interior, mixed with jewelry, rings, and several small enchanted tools. Lucia opened another chest and found folded clothes, sealed medicines, and documents belonging to travelers. Kart examined a row of larger crates.

"Food, tools, and mana stones." Mellia moved toward a crude worktable near the back. Metal plates identical to those removed from the bats covered its surface. Bloodstained tools rested beside them.

"These people weren't controlling the monsters," she said. One bandit on the platform cursed quietly. Sieghart looked around the hideout. The group had left no guard because they believed the giant bats, narrow passages, and hidden scouts would prevent anyone from reaching them. The assumption had worked against travelers and ordinary townspeople. It had failed against five young mages with specialized constructs. Sieghart walked toward the chests and estimated the value of everything inside.

Coins, stolen goods, enchanted equipment, mana stones, monster materials, and ten living bandits would produce a considerable reward. The mission had already become more profitable than expected. Mellia examined the room before looking toward the prisoners.

"We collect the documents and anything that identifies their buyers. The rest stays until we find more information." Sieghart nodded while keeping the sand platform stable. Finding the hideout had solved one mystery and created several others. At least the bandits had been considerate enough to gather their reward in one place.