Chapter 26: Journey (2) (Edited)

With this new mindset in mind, I looked at all the bodies on the ground of the bandits I had killed myself. With firm eyes, I observed their expressions before dying: fear and desperation, some even had expressions of regret. I took a deep breath and accepted it. I killed them. There's no more, no lies, no doubts. I carry their deaths on my shoulders and move on. Escaping reality is not an option.

The bandits began to drop like flies once a total intruder disrupted their concentration; they lost focus at that moment, and the guards took control of the situation.

I continued to watch the leader of the bandits, a maximum silver rank, the strongest on this battlefield. That means he's mine, and I'll kill him.

Running through the chaotic field, I reached his position: a bearded man with a scar on his cheek. He stood about two meters tall and had a super muscular build. I couldn't help but shudder; truthfully, he disgusted me a bit.

Sensing my presence, he turned his head towards me and quickly launched an attack in my direction.

Boom!

Applying force to my left leg, I moved quickly. A small crater formed where he had stood.

"He has considerable strength," I thought to myself.

Adjusting my center of gravity, I gripped my sword with both hands and, with my footwork, made a very fast move, positioning myself by his side. I launched a diagonal attack with the intention of cutting off his arm.

Boom!

Blocking my attack, he stepped back. Seizing this opportunity, I attacked again, but this time from above. The bandit, seeing my intentions, defended with a wavering posture.

But he did something that surprised me a bit: he was surrounded by an aura, but not very advanced; in fact, it's a bit rough.

I suppose having a coach with aura has its advantages. I haven't used aura because it's too flashy and also because I have no idea who's in the carriage. It's better to be cautious; controlling aura is very rare among the population. Only nobles or even some commoners may attempt to awaken their aura. Of course, it's not as easy as it seems; you need someone to guide you.

I become serious because, although his aura control is poor, his strength is destructive. A well-executed attack could easily cut off a body part. Putting a little aura into my sword in a way that can't be seen, I decide to end this quickly.

Repeating my footwork, my speed increases. The bandit makes a horizontal attack, and running, I focus my strength in my feet and jump to dodge. In the air, I adjust my wrist and firmly grasp the hilt. Being upside down, I look him directly in the eyes, the bandit lifting his head with surprise and fear in his eyes.

Oblique strike!

As I cut his head in half, it splits into two almost equal parts. Landing gracefully, behind me, the lifeless body of the bandit first falls to his knees and then completely to the ground, embracing the darkness forever.

Looking around, I see some bandits on their knees with their hands up and swords or axes on the ground. They surrendered, still looking at me with eyes full of despair, bowing their heads.

The guards, for their part, surrounded them. A man in his fifties with a haggard and completely tired face approaches me bowing his head.

"Thank you very much, young warrior, for your help. If it weren't for your intervention, we wouldn't have been able to win."

"It wasn't a big problem, as I was passing by. I couldn't look away and pretend I hadn't seen anything. There's no need to bow your head."

It's better to be humble and confident than stupid and arrogant. Arrogance eats you from the inside and doesn't allow you to see your mistakes.

"You're very humble, but that's good. You're a good warrior. Let me thank you again for saving our young master."

Some guards approached the carriage and knocked twice loudly and once softly. Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I suppose it was a password in case someone tried to enter.

The door opens, and from the carriage steps out a 14-year-old girl, wearing a beautiful blue dress matching her intense blue hair and eyes of the same color.

Looking at her again, I feel like I know her, but at the same time I don't know her. He is very similar to a character in the main cast, but he can't be one. Although it seems, the age does not match.

Reflecting, he widens his eyes in shock.

Wait, it can't be! It can't be her! It is impossible. No, calm down first. Trying to calm my mind and feelings, I think deeply.

In history, the House of Snow had two daughters. A member of the main cast, an ice magic prodigy, and her younger sister. Although she was not as prodigious as her older sister, she had a good head, she was very intelligent and analytical. She always maintained a calm and collected personality around her. The relationship between the sisters was very deep and loving; Her older sister defended her tooth and nail against boys or girls who made fun of her for not being good with magic.

But one day everything changed. Her younger sister disappeared from the house. Nobody knew where she was. They looked everywhere for her and could never find her. It wasn't until her body was found in a small town. She had blue hair and blue eyes. The family quickly went to the scene and found her, but not alive. Her petite body was brutally beaten and also raped repeatedly. A wound was found in her heart, a hole. It is said that she put an end to her suffering herself. 

And right now, that same person is in front of me; Her older sister fell into a deep depression, blaming herself for not taking care of her younger sister. She even hated men to death.

"Thank you very much for saving me. I am Elsa Frostine of the House of Snow; I will not forget the debt."

Coming out of my thoughts, I hear a still immature and calm voice. Looking directly into her eyes, I'm not quite sure how to respond...