Chapter 131: No Magic, No Escape
The steady rumble of the carriage wheels had long since lulled the two sisters into slumber. Dila sat with her head resting lightly against Fran’s shoulder, while Fran leaned in return, their silver and navy hair tangled together in the soft sway of the ride. The air outside was quiet, only the sound of hooves striking the dirt road breaking the silence of the barren countryside.
Suddenly, the carriage lurched to a violent stop. The horses neighed in alarm, stomping nervously against the ground. The carriage rider’s urgent voice broke the silence, filled with dread. "Bandit attack!"
Dila’s eyes fluttered open at once, her body tensing as instinct jolted her awake. Fran stirred too, blinking rapidly, her cat ears twitching at the sudden shout. The two quickly straightened, their backs pressing against the cushioned seat as they glanced toward the small window.
Through the crack sound of there running, the sight was grim. A group of rough men emerged from the dust, their boots crunching against the barren road. They fanned out quickly, surrounding the carriage in a circle of hostility. There were twenty of them—faces masked with dirt and greed, eyes glinting like predators. Some clutched bows, already nocking arrows, while others brandished rusted swords and jagged daggers.
Fran’s breath caught in her throat, her small hand gripping tightly onto Dila’s sleeve. "Sister... they surrounded us..." Her voice trembled, though she tried to force courage into her tone.
Dila placed her own trembling hand atop Fran’s, her blue eyes sharp despite her pale complexion. "Stay calm... don’t let them see fear." Her voice was steady, but inside her chest her heart pounded so hard it hurt.
The barren road stretched endlessly in both directions, no sign of guards, no sign of help. The realization struck them both like ice—Albedo had sent them without an escort. Just the two of them, defenseless in the middle of nowhere.
Fran swallowed hard, her tail stiffening as her playful demeanor vanished. "Twenty... and armed. Sister, what should we do?"
Dila clenched her fists tightly against her lap, her body still a bit weak from the injuries she had endured 6 days ago. She had no staff with her, no magic left to draw on. Her strength alone would not be enough. But her gaze did not falter as she whispered, almost to herself, "We have no choice... we must endure."
The bandits began closing in, their laughter echoing in the empty wasteland. The sound was sharp, mocking, like wolves closing in on cornered prey. Dust swirled around the carriage wheels as the wind picked up, carrying with it the thick stench of danger.
Fran’s grip on her dagger tightened, her eyes darkening with a resolve that betrayed her age. She leaned forward slightly, whispering to her sister with a shaky grin. "Then let me protect you this time, Sister. I’ll fight."
Dila turned toward her, her pale face softening as her lips curved into a faint, pained smile. She gently brushed a strand of Fran’s hair back behind her ear. "We’ll protect each other."
Outside, the sound of steel rang as the bandits drew their weapons fully. The first arrow was notched, aimed directly at the carriage. The tension hung heavy in the air, suffocating in its weight.
The sisters sat side by side, leaning against one another, their fear hidden beneath their fragile bravery. For in that barren, forsaken road, with no guards and no magic to shield them, it was only them against twenty.
And the bandits were hungry.
The carriage rattled to a hard stop, the horses stamping restlessly against the dirt road. The rider snapped his head toward the men closing in, his voice loud and cracking with both fear and defiance.
"Stop! Don’t walk any closer to the carriage!" he barked.
The bandit leader stepped forward, his grin twisting cruelly. "What are you talking about, old man?" With a scrape of steel, he drew his sword and pressed its cold edge against the rider’s neck.
The rider’s knuckles turned white as he clutched the reins with one hand, his other trembling in the air. His face contorted, teeth grit, and he shouted through the strain, "Yeee!" trying to force bravery into his breaking voice.
Inside the carriage, Fran’s eyes narrowed, her cat ears twitching as she tightened her grip on the dagger she kept hidden at her side. "Sister.... I’ll fight them outside." Her voice was sharp, her tone colder than usual, betraying the killing intent rising in her.
But Dila’s hand shot out, clutching Fran’s wrist. "No, Fran! It’s too dangerous.... you could get hurt. We should protect each other inside the carriage." Her blue eyes trembled as she pleaded, fear making her chest tighten.
The bandit leader tilted his head, his grin widening as his eyes flicked to the carriage. "That’s a fine carriage.... looks too fancy for the likes of you. Are you perhaps hiding something inside, hmm?" His words dripped with greed.
The other bandits erupted into coarse laughter, their voices echoing under the bright sun. "Hahahahaha!"
The rider, desperate, pulled a small pocket knife from his vest and lunged forward clumsily at the leader. His movements were shaky, his swing wild.
But the bandit leader moved like a predator. His hand shot out, seizing the rider’s neck. With brutal force, he slammed him into the dirt, the knife scattering uselessly away.
"Arghhh!" The old man choked, his hands clawing at the grip crushing his throat.
The leader sneered and punched him across the face, then drove his boot into the rider’s ribs, sending him coughing and gasping in the dust.
"No!" Dila’s hand flew to her mouth, her body trembling as shock spread through her chest. Her breathing quickened, panic shining in her eyes.
Beside her, Fran’s playful demeanor was gone. Her blue eyes sharpened into slits, glowing like a cat ready to strike. Her dagger was still clutched tight, her knuckles pale, her tail stiff with tension.
She looked like she could leap and tear them apart at any second.
The bandit leader’s eyes narrowed, his grin fading into suspicion as he tilted his head. His ears caught the faint sound of movement from inside the carriage. "What was that voice?" he muttered, his tone low and dangerous.
The old rider lay motionless in the dirt, his face swollen from the blows, blood seeping from his lip. His chest rose and fell weakly, but he was unconscious.... nothing more than a discarded rag doll at the feet of the bandits.
The leader waved his sword lazily, his expression darkening. "Check the carriage. Now."
Two of the bandits stepped forward at once, boots crunching against the dry earth as they split—one circling left, the other to the right. Their shadows stretched long against the sunlit ground, growing larger as they neared the carriage doors.
Inside, Dila’s entire body trembled. Her hands clutched the hem of her academy clothes, her breath uneven as her chest rose and fell. I... I have no magical power.... she thought, her blue eyes shaking with fear. And Fran.... Fran can’t fight all of them. We’re surrounded.... we’re trapped....
Fran, sitting pressed against her sister, tightened her grip on her dagger until her knuckles turned white again. Her small hand trembled, betraying her age despite the sharpness in her eyes. Can I win...? she thought, her ears twitching with each step of the bandits outside. Can I protect sister? Or.... will I fail?
Her tail flicked sharply, nerves coursing through her body.
The sound of boots thudded closer.
One bandit’s hand reached for the carriage handle from the left, while another mirrored him on the right. The wood creaked faintly under their weight.
Inside, Dila and Fran sat frozen, their world closing in....
Then.....
The carriage doors slammed open on both sides, the hinges creaking as sunlight poured into the cramped interior. Dust from the barren road drifted in with the hot wind, carrying the laughter of the bandits.
One of them leaned in from the left, his greedy eyes scanning over Dila. His lips curled into a disgusting grin. "Ohhh jackpot.... look at this.... a soft-skinned plum little elf," he sneered, his hand hovering as if tempted to touch. "We can sell her for a fortune. A noble elf like this.... ha! She’ll fetch a price higher than golds!"
From the right side, another bandit leaned close to Fran, his breath sour and heavy. His yellowed teeth showed as he grinned. "And here’s a beauty with cat ears.... ohhh, how rare! A fine little toy.... she’ll sell higher!"
The leader threw his head back and barked a laugh, his voice echoing over the band of thieves. "Wonderful.... wonderful! Two rare treasures at once! The market will pay us higher than kings! Hahaha!" His sword pointed toward the carriage like a judge sealing a fate.
Dila’s heart thundered in her chest, her breath catching. Her wide blue eyes glistened with terror, her body frozen as the words sell.... price.... treasure echoed in her ears. Her stomach knotted, her throat tightened, and her hands shook violently against her lap. She wanted to scream, but no sound came out.
Fran’s reaction was different. Her small frame trembled, but her dagger flashed in her hand, swinging forward as the bandit reached for her. Her blue eyes narrowed, ears twitching with fury. "Stay away from us!" she snarled, her tail bristling.
The bandit chuckled, stepping back slightly as her blade narrowly missed his wrist. "Feisty little thing, aren’t you?" he mocked, his tone cruel. "That’ll make you sell for even more.... buyers love the ones that fight back."
Dila gasped at Fran’s defiance, torn between fear and the desperate urge to protect her Fran. Her whole body screamed at her to move, to do something.... but the truth hammered inside her chest like a curse: I can’t win no magic means.... I can’t save her no matter what I’m too weak....
The air grew heavy, the bandits’ shadows closing in tighter around the carriage, their laughter growing crueler with every second.