Cherry managed to calm down Fiola by taking her gently to a more private corner of the Smiling Solari. While this happened, Alric and Elfie moved through the crowd, speaking softly and gesturing for people to disperse. Fiola sobbed and clung to Cherry's sleeve, but gradually stopped her hysteria as he spoke to her in a calm and reassuring voice.
'He's so gentle when comforting women,' Alric thought. From the way Elfie and Eos were watching him, he figured they shared the same sentiment.
After regaining her composure, Fiola wiped her tears and looked at the others. She explained in a trembling voice, "My husband and Millie just wanted to test the Caravan we fixed, but Wolves attacked again! This happened close to the gates. I tried going to the knights, but they did nothing to help! Now, my husband and Millie have been taken away by bandits!"
Alric gritted his teeth, clenching his fists. What the hell were the knights doing?! They're supposed to protect the citizens and not let them suffer like this. He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked down at Elfie, her look telling him to calm down.
Alric looked at Cherry; when their eyes met, each silently confirmed the suspicion that Mistress Hound Handler was behind this, driven by her own vendetta or ambition. "Why are they so obsessed with the caravan?" Alric asked, genuinely seeking understanding of their opponent's motivation.
Cherry shook his head, admitting even he was unsure of the bandits' motivations. Although the Hound Bandits were notorious for raiding carts and caravans for food and sometimes Aether-related items, taking an entire caravan suggested their goal was more desperate or strategic than usual.
"Taking hostages is also not their style, unless.. They're not gonna use them as hostages."
"What are you getting at?" Elfie pressed.
"They have dogs to feed," Cherry said in a low tone.
Alric shivered at the thought, but quickly grounded himself. There was no time to be shaken. These people need help! The nuns and knights of his home would be disappointed in him if he ran from this.
"Well, at least we know where to go," Alric said in a calm tone.
"Everyone, get ready. Let's meet up here in an hour."
The three nodded and went on their way. In an hour, they were back—Elfie now in her regal wear with a bow, Cherry with his long overcoat, Eos unchanged, and Alric donning his plated armor and sunbringer.
They rushed to the bandit cave with Cherry's lead and soon hid behind the same rock as before to scout the area.
In front of the cave were four guards, two on each side—improved security since last time.
"What's the plan?" Alric asked.
Cherry and Elfie looked at him wide-eyed. "You're the one who told us to go right now. Don't you have a plan?" Cherry asked.
"It's urgent! Of course, we had to go! You know planning isn't my forte!"
Cherry stared at Alric in disbelief, blinking slowly. Elfie crossed her arms, rolling her eyes in exasperation. Eos, expressionless, watched the cave entrance intently. Alric stood with his arms folded, showing no sign of apology.
"We have to go now!" Alric blurted, more driven by urgency than a solid plan. He attempted to get up from the rock to rush in, compelled by his instinct to act quickly for Fiola's family, but was pulled back by both Cherry and Eos.
"How very typical of a human," Elfie snided
"Well, excuse me then, Miss Elf. Do you have any other ideas?"
Elfie peeked her head out of the rock to see the four guards standing on guard. They all seemed alert; it has to be because of the Caravan they just stole. She scanned the cave's exterior and found no abnormalities. She shrugged her shoulders and drew her bow from her back.
"Let's just kill all of them from here."
Cherry cringed at the wording and lowered Elfie's bow, "How about we don't?"
"Why? Are you empathizing with bandits now? They're criminals who only take."
"They're still human, Elfie. I'd rather we don't kill needlessly."
"Human? Them? Arguable."
Cherry stared at Elfie, tensions rising.
Just as they were about to argue, they heard a noise from the cave entrance. Eos Shadow-Walked to a nearby guard, materializing behind him and incapacitating him with a quick chop to the neck. Then, Eos spun and kicked the stunned man, sending him into another bandit and knocking them both over. The last one standing fumbled with his weapon, but Eos threw a knife, hitting him in the temple and killing him instantly. Cherry lets out a defeated sigh as he leaves the rock.
"That works too," Alric said as he nodded and moved away from the hiding place.
Eos let Cherry take the lead, and they went through the cave in silence. The cave was barely lit by torches. It was damp, smelling of wet dog and bandits. Their footsteps echoed throughout the cave, and that seemed to give them away, as a voice called out from deep within.
"Intruders!"
"It's as the Mistress said! Intruders!"
In a tight hallway, they readied their weapons. Sure enough, a wave of bandits came out from the cave, this time 20 of them. Elfie started the fight, sending a barrage of arrows imbued with magical wind magic. Her aim was lethal, aiming for the head and vitals. The wind was weaker because they were in a cave, though, and some bandits managed to defend themselves and dodge the arrows. Some weren't so lucky, and 2 bandits died with arrows sticking out of their skulls. The sound of their bodies hitting the ground echoes throughout the cave.
"Damn it, Elfie! We don't need to kill them!"
"Yeah? Talk to them to withdraw their weapons, then- Look out!" Elfie pushed Cherry out of the way of a bandit attack, scraping her hand with a slash. "Ugh-!"
Cherry clicked his tongue and reacted quickly. He pulled out his crossbow and shot the bandit in the knees. He pulled out a green salve bomb and threw it in Elfie's direction. Elfie coughed, but could feel her wounds healing.
Eos, on the other hand, moved fluidly, intercepting each bandit as they approached. His precise strikes to pressure points or joints efficiently neutralized threats without causing lethal injury—reflecting his disciplined resolve to protect his companions while minimizing bloodshed. Meanwhile, Alric wielded the Sunbringer, cutting down the bandits with deep but controlled blows; despite his anger at the injustice, he consciously held back, determined not to kill unless absolutely necessary, striving to honor his ideals.
"That's the legendary hero!"
One bandit screamed as their numbers thinned and they realized they were fighting the horde; their morale dropped. But just then, a dog's howl can be heard, followed by a wave of dogs running in their direction.
"Tch, damn it, more are coming!" Alric exclaimed.
Eos readied his daggers. Cherry checked Elfie's wounds; she nodded her thanks as he prepared his Aether converter. Alric raised the Sunbringer, bringing it before his face.
"Doesn't matter how many of you there are! We're going to free Raynar and Millie and take back the Caravan."
The other three felt chills as they felt Alric's resolve. They readied themselves and tightened their formation. They're gonna finish this job right!