Fantasy System

Chapter 35: The carriage

Ed rushed to the carriage, without using any skills, however. He had to act as if he was a weakling for their plan to work. After Ed got close enough he shouted at the group.

"Lady, I'm here to assist. You bandits should leave at this instant!" He tried to sound like a scrub that was acting tough. If by any chance they found out Raikou was his partner they might insist on fighting him. Ed wouldn't be able to guarantee the safety of the girl in that case.

"Get away you brat before you get hurt, this is none of your business. But before, leave all your valuables here!" The bandit who spoke was so greedy that he eyes Ed's equipment. However, it was logical since Ed seemed weak.

No one found it weird that a lone man is traveling in a place where it was common for monsters to appear. No one other than the girl who spoke "I will be grateful for your assistance Mister" Ed thought that the girl was either desperate or she could feel he was planning something but decided to help her anyway.

Now that Ed had come the bandits had to be split into two groups. One went toward Ed and was the smaller group, the second had most of the bandits and they targeted the young lady.

Ed was parrying most of their attacks while keeping notice of the girl, she was doing okay not getting injured but it was only a matter of time. Ed used this chance and entered the attack range of one of the bandits, the latter cut him on his arm. It was only a shallow wound but it would serve its purpose.

"Argh!" Ed screamed and acted as if he was in extreme pain. He put pressure on the wound to make blood flow more. Soon enough the group of people heard a growl that terrified them, it seemed distant yet close. A few seconds later, Raikou appeared in front of the bandits and roared. This caused most of the people to become stiff from terror. Others wondered why such a powerful monster came just now.

"It must be attracted to my blood!" Ed played the fool's part quite well. Raikou was also quite a good actor as he was acting in a way that made it seem like he wanted to eat everyone present. That or he really wanted to eat them. 'It can't be, he enjoys human food more than humans, I think'

Raikou started acting berserk and targeted mainly the bandits; they couldn't risk their lives in such a way so they escaped while Raikou started chasing them. After a while, Ed got close and started talking with the girl.

"Are you okay? We should leave while the monster and the bandits are distracted." The girl was genuinely worried about Ed since he risked his life to help her.

"You're right we should. Let's use your carriage is that okay?"

"I don't mind but the driver ran away earlier with the mercenaries" The girl looked shaken when she had remembered what happened earlier.

"It's okay I can drive it" Ed finally found the chance to use the driver skill. He couldn't use it with Raikou since he was not a mount.

"What about your arm?" The girl looked at his wound and doubted if he could drive in such a condition.

"It's okay, it's not a serious injury" Ed moved to the driver's seat and noticed that the horses looked scared. Apparently, Raikou's aura also affected them. He waited for a while, doing his best to calm them down while bandaging his arm, and moved the carriage.

"By the way miss, what's your name? Mine is Ed" Ed tried to make small talk while driving.

"I'm called Emilia. Nice to make your acquaintance mister Ed" Emilia answered in a professional way.

"What are you doing here Miss Emilia? And why did your companions run away?" Ed wanted to know what had happened so he didn't mind being a little rude and just asked her.

" Let's just say I'm not well liked by some people. I'm here to join the new academy" Emilia answered him while not revealing anything of importance. Ed had also guessed she was nobility from the carriage and her clothes, even her sword's quality.

After driving for a while Ed asked her if they can stop using the excuse of changing the bandages on his arm. Emilia agreed and stayed inside the carriage while he got down.

Ed also left the carriage acting as if he needed to use the bathroom. He got far enough and Raikou came right beside him.

He had followed the carriage after chasing away the bandits. Suika also came with him. Although no one noticed it earlier, Suika was on top of Raikou's head for the whole time.

Raikou entered Ed's shadow and Suika climbed up his head. Ed got back to the carriage and started driving again. Emilia quickly noticed Suika and asked about her.

"She's my companion. She got scared earlier so she was hiding" Ed quickly used an excuse that he thought about. "Suu" Suika didn't seem too glad about being called a coward.

It was getting close to sundown so Ed suggested looking for a place to set camp. Emilia agreed and they found an empty looking space between trees and decided to stay there. He gave the horses some water and let them eat the grass. He also set up his tent and got Raikou to stay there while he cooked dinner. He was trying to make the same thing as yesterday but with a different sauce this time.

Emilia stayed in her carriage but the smell of what Ed was cooking intrigued her. After struggling for a while, she left the carriage and approached Ed.

"Excuse me for asking this but do you mind sharing. I do not have any food on me now since the mercenaries were supposed to hunt on the trip. I will make sure to pay you back"

"Of course you're welcomed to join. No need to pay either I'm making extra anyway" Ed was planning on sharing his meal with her anyway so there is no reason to refuse. He also got done cooking Raikou's share so he didn't have to worry about anything.

Ed and Emilia ate and chatted for a bit before heading out to bed. They would be reaching the city tomorrow.

Author's Thoughts

Shigun

Hello everyone! Hope you enjoy the chapter, i might post a second one after i wake up^^

In case you notice any mistakes please point them out.