27 Chapter 27: Old Merchant

Gael rode his horse with Fortis as they went to the shopping district, there are lines of stalls and shops bustling with people, you can find anything you need here. Gael decided to stock up on supplies before going out on his mission, he used up most of his food rations and medicines, during their training inside the Willow Forest, after buying food and medicines they headed to the weapon shop, and he used up his throwing daggers, steel wires, and other weapons and materials used for making traps. Once they bought everything they will need they rode off towards the direction of the village mentioned in his mission.

Gael's mission is to head to a small unnamed village where a group of bandits kidnapped women and killed the men who did not join their bandit group, this kind of behavior of the bandits is normal, but what's not normal is doing it near the Capital, the Crown Prince and Marcus thinks that it is weird for those cowardly bandits to target a village a few days away from the capital.

' did those bandits lose their minds or they are just stupid? ' Gael thought to himself when he first read the description of his mission.

The Crown Prince sent Gael to investigate the weird behavior of the bandit group and to eliminate it in the process, the estimated number of the bandit group is fifty, with one bandit leader, two vice leaders, and the rest are just normal members, the normal members are said to be weak while the two vice leader is at the level of vice-captain of a military squad which is impressive for a bandit, while the leader is said to have the strength of a squad captain and there is a rumor saying that the bandit leader is always accompanied by a Bear Monster. The rumor about the bandit leader having a Bear Monster with him caught the attention of the Crown Prince and Marcus they think that the bandits are being supported by the Noble Faction in the shadows to wreak havoc near the Kingdom Capital to divert the Crown Prince and his supporters' attention away from them.

"how should I deal with those bandits? Should I poison them? Nah too simple, how about I burn their base? Too flashy" Gael is thinking of ways to deal with the bandits on his way towards the village they attacked.

" what do you think we should do to punish them Fortis?" Gael asked Fortis who is sitting behind him.

" kiiiiik kiiiik " Fortis replied.

" yeah you're right we should deal with them with our swords "

" kiiiik kiiiik "

" so you feel like you are about to evolve? Then it's perfect we can use those bandits to help you evolve, hahahahahahahaha " Gael's laugh echoed throughout the woods, Gael is the only person travelling right now that is why his voice and laugh are relatively loud.

They continued on their journey, it is a peaceful ride, they decided to take a break since it is already getting dark and it is time for dinner and rest, Gael set up their camp and he said Fortis to hunt for their dinner after a half an hour Fortis came back dragging the body of a wild boar.

They had their dinner which is Fortis' favorite roasted meat, then they proceeded to their nightly routine the soul-feeding and meditation for Gael, and during his meditation, he felt that reaching the current limitation of the growth of his strength, he won't get stronger until Fortis underwent his first evolution and he advances to Adept Tamer. He stopped meditating and decided to take sleep since they have a long day tomorrow.

The sun rose and so is Gael and Fortis, they immediately set out on their horse, and this time the road is not lonely there is a caravan of a merchant on its way to one of the cities under the Nubis kingdom to sell his wares.

He got closer to the caravan and when the guards saw him they all draw their sword and pointed it at Gael.

" whoah, I mean no harm I am just a travelling warrior that happens to be going in the same direction as you guys, " Gael said as he raised his arms.

" what's going on? " a small old man asked riding his horse and getting closer to Gael and the guards.

"A suspicious person is approaching us, he is armed as well, " one of the guards said.

" just as I said I mean no harm " Gael said still his arms in the air.

The old man whom he guesses is the owner of the wares and leader of this caravan looked at him up and down carefully inspecting him, the old man's eyes landed on Fortis when he saw Fortis' expression changed it turned into a shock and returned to his neutral smiling face.

" lower your weapons, it is fine " the old merchant commanded his guards to lower their weapons which the guards followed.

" Now explain yourself, young friend, " the old merchant said smiling.

" I am just a normal warrior going in the same direction, I approached you guys to ask about something " Gael explained.

" I see, I see, let us talk inside my carriage " the old man got off his horse and entered a carriage with gold and silver designs.

'these merchants really like to flaunt their wealth, they are just attracting the bandit's attention towards them ' Gael thought when he saw the old merchant's carriage.

Gael and Fortis followed the old merchant and when he took a seat he felt the carriage move meaning they are continuing on their way, his horse is being taken care of by one of the old merchant's servants.

" serve us some tea, " the old man said to one of his female servants inside the carriage with them.

" Now let me introduce myself I am Phillip Mendel a humble merchant from the Capital, may I know Sir Tamer's name" the old merchant introduced himself.

" oh, I am Gael and this is Fortis my Familiar " Gael introduced himself and Fortis, he was shocked at first when the old merchant referred to him as 'sir tamer' meaning the old merchant knows about Tamers, but after a few seconds, he regained his composure and introduced himself.

" nice to meet you Sir Gael and Fortis, " Phillip said smiling.

" no need for formalities just call me Gael, I prefer to be called that way, " Gael said as he was not comfortable being treated with this kind of respect.

" I can't do that sir, you are one of the people who protect the whole kingdom from the threat of the invaders, I can conduct my business because of your sacrifices " Phillip is stubborn to refer to Gael as 'sir'.

' goddamn it I feel weird being called sir, maybe because I am a commoner ' Gael thought to himself when he heard Phillip's words.

" o-o-o-okay do what you want, now I would like to ask you some questions," Gael said.

" It will be my honor to be of help to you sir Gael, " Phillip said solemnly.

' I can't take it anymore, I have to finish this quickly so I can get as far away as possible from this old man' Gael shuddered from Phillip's words.

" what do you know about the Bandits that recently attacked a village not that far away from the Capital?" Gael asked Phillip if he knows something about the Bandits since merchants have a lot of connections, Gael thought that it will be a good idea to ask the old merchant.

" aahh, I heard about what they did, it is sad how those kinds of people exist " Phillip sighed.

Gael stared at the old merchant as he sighed and shook his head.

" From what I heard they call themselves the Mad Hammer Bandits, they appeared here three months ago and started to cause to some small village but the army and the royal family did not pay attention to them since the villages they attacked are a part of some nobles territory and that kind of attacks from the bandits happen throughout the Kingdom, " Phillip said.

" did you say they appeared three months ago? " Gael asked

" yes, a lot of people are startled when a Bandit group appeared near the Capital unnoticed " Phillip added.

Gael's expression changed when he heard that the Mad Hammer Bandits appeared at the same time he and the members of the Golden Daggers left for their training.

' This Bandit group is not your normal bandit group '

Gael and Phillip continued their discussion until the sun starts to set, the further information that Phillip provided Gael is already written inside the mission scroll he was given so he decided that it was just a waste of time to ask for more information from the old merchant since most of his information is from rumors and gossips anyway.

" well I think that is enough, thank you for your cooperation Phillip we will head on our way " Gael was about to wake up the sleeping Fortis but the Old merchant Phillip stopped him.

" what do you mean Sir Gael? You can stay with us until we reach your destination, I will ask the chef to cook a delicious supper for us to enjoy " Phillip dragged Gael out of the carriage towards the camp outside where they will have their dinner, Fortis woke up when he heard the word 'delicious supper' so he followed Gael and Phillip outside.

" bu-bu-bu-but I have to go, " Gael said as he was being dragged by Phillip.

' why have I been meeting weird old man these days, first a talking old Cyclops and now this Old merchant with a great obsession towards Tamers '

" no need to be so shy Sir Gael, I don't mind your presence here, hahaha, plus it makes me happy to be of help to you Sir Tamer, " Phillip said with a big smile on his face.

' God help me escape the clutches of this Tamer obsessed Old Merchant ' Gael prayed in his mind.

Gael was struggling and wiggling trying to escape from old merchant Phillip.

" help meeeeeeeeee " said as he was being dragged.