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Chapter 32
Blood on the Eastern Road
Inside a dimly lit room somewhere far from the royal road, a faint blue light illuminated the darkness.
A small crystal floated between two men.
The crystal pulsed softly with magical energy.
A communication stone.
One of the men leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping slowly against the wooden armrest.
His voice was calm, but the hatred hidden within it was obvious.
"Hmm… is everything ready?"
For a moment the crystal flickered.
Then a rough voice answered from the other side.
"Yes, customer. Everything is prepared exactly as requested."
The man smiled slightly.
"I hope you understand the importance of this task."
"Oh, we understand perfectly," the rough voice replied with a chuckle. "You want someone removed from the world."
The man's eyes narrowed.
"I want that wretched prince… Alex… to be dead before he reaches the Eastern Province."
The other side remained silent for a moment before responding.
"That is quite a request."
"Is it too difficult for your men?" the man asked coldly.
The voice laughed.
"Difficult? No."
"But you know our rules."
"This type of job comes with a price."
The man waved his hand dismissively.
"You will be paid."
"Gold."
"Land."
"Anything you asked for."
"But you must not fail this mission."
The voice on the other side became slightly serious.
"Relax, customer."
"My men have been waiting for a hunt."
"A young prince traveling with only a small escort…"
"…that sounds like easy prey."
The man smiled darkly.
"Good."
"Then I'll wait for the good news."
The crystal dimmed.
The magical connection vanished.
The room fell silent again.
Far away in the mountains, however…
The hunt had already begun.
---
Inside a large cave hidden deep within the mountains, dozens of men moved around in preparation.
Torches flickered along the rocky walls, illuminating rough wooden tables covered with weapons.
Axes.
Rusty swords.
Daggers.
And bows.
The smell of alcohol and sweat filled the air as the bandits prepared themselves.
Near the cave entrance stood a massive man with thick arms and a long beard.
His body looked like it had been carved from stone.
Scars crossed his chest and arms, each one telling a story of violence.
The bandits called him simply—
Chief.
One of the men ran toward him, slightly out of breath.
"Chief!"
The large man slowly turned his head.
"What?"
"Everyone is ready outside."
The chief grabbed a mug of alcohol and took a long drink before answering.
"Well… it's about time."
He wiped his mouth and grinned.
"It's been too quiet lately."
Several bandits nearby laughed.
One of them shouted, "The men are getting bored!"
Another added loudly, "And hungry!"
The chief slammed the mug down on the table.
"I know."
His grin widened slightly.
"And my lower half is also begging for some entertainment."
The cave exploded with crude laughter.
One bandit leaned forward eagerly.
"So where are we hunting this time?"
The chief grabbed his axe and rested it on his shoulder.
"A small farming village near Baron William's road."
The bandits nodded approvingly.
"Easy prey."
"Farmers don't fight back."
"Plenty of food and women."
The chief stepped toward the cave entrance.
"Today we ride."
"But remember something…"
His eyes became colder.
"…anyone who runs away gets cut down first."
The bandits roared with laughter as they followed him outside.
None of them realized that fate had already begun moving against them.
---
Meanwhile, on a forest road far from the mountains, a royal convoy moved slowly through the trees.
The wheels of the carriage creaked softly as they rolled over uneven ground.
Knights rode beside the convoy, maintaining a steady formation.
Inside the main carriage sat Prince Alex.
He leaned slightly against the wooden wall while watching the passing forest through the window.
The journey had been long and tiring.
Five days of constant travel had left his muscles sore and stiff.
Across from the carriage rode Max, the commander of the escort unit.
His sharp eyes scanned the forest carefully.
Traveling through eastern territory always carried risks.
Bandits.
Wild beasts.
Or worse.
Inside the carriage, Alex stretched his arms and muttered quietly to himself.
"Another day of traveling…"
Before he could finish speaking—
A faint sound echoed from the distance.
"…Help!"
Alex frowned slightly.
"…Help!"
The voice grew louder.
"HELP!"
The carriage driver pulled the reins.
"Your Highness!"
"There's someone running toward us!"
Alex pushed open the carriage door immediately.
"Stop the convoy."
The line of carriages slowed to a halt.
Max rode forward quickly.
"What happened?"
Alex pointed toward the forest path ahead.
"Someone is coming."
A moment later, a boy burst out of the trees.
His clothes were torn.
His face covered in dirt and sweat.
He ran desperately toward the convoy before collapsing to his knees.
"Help!"
"Please help us!"
Max jumped off his horse and grabbed the boy before he fell.
"Calm down."
"What happened?"
The boy gasped for breath.
"The village…"
"Bandits…"
"They're attacking our village!"
The knights immediately became alert.
Max's expression hardened.
"How many bandits?"
"I don't know!" the boy cried desperately. "They came from the mountains! They're burning houses and killing people!"
Alex stepped forward slowly.
"Where is this village?"
The boy pointed back toward the forest.
"Not far… maybe fifteen minutes from here!"
Max frowned slightly.
He looked at Alex.
"Your Highness… this could be a trap."
Alex crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"Yes."
"It could be."
The boy looked at them with desperate eyes.
"But if no one comes…"
"They'll kill everyone!"
For a moment, the forest became silent.
Alex looked toward the dark trees.
Then he sighed.
"Well…"
"If it's a trap, we'll deal with it."
He turned toward Max.
"We're going."
Max grinned slightly.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
He turned toward the knights.
"Mount up!"
"Prepare for combat!"
Within seconds the soldiers were ready.
Steel swords were drawn.
Horses stomped the ground impatiently.
The boy stared at them in disbelief.
"You're really coming?"
Alex smiled faintly.
"Of course."
"Now lead the way."
---
The smell of smoke reached them before they saw the village.
As the convoy emerged from the trees, flames illuminated the night sky.
Screams echoed through the burning streets.
Bandits laughed as they chased villagers.
One bandit kicked open a door.
"Where's the gold?!"
Another dragged a villager into the street.
The bandit chief stood calmly in the center of the chaos, watching the destruction.
Then suddenly—
Hoofbeats thundered toward the village.
The chief turned slowly.
"…Hmm?"
A bandit ran toward him.
"Chief!"
"Riders are coming!"
"How many?"
"About twenty!"
The chief grinned slowly.
"Well…"
"That should make things interesting."
---
Max raised his sword high.
"Charge!"
The royal knights stormed into the village.
Steel clashed instantly.
One bandit barely reacted before Max's sword cut him down.
Another knight smashed his shield into an attacker, sending him crashing to the ground.
Alex jumped down from his horse, sword already in his hand.
A bandit rushed toward him.
"Well well…"
"A little prince came to play hero."
The man swung his sword wildly.
Alex stepped aside calmly.
The movements from the Iron Heart Blade Technique flashed through his mind.
Step.
Turn.
Strike.
CLANG.
The bandit's weapon flew from his hands.
A second later, Alex's sword cut him down.
Alex exhaled slowly.
"…Not bad."
But then a deep voice echoed behind him.
"Well now…"
Alex slowly turned around.
The bandit chief stood there with his giant axe resting on his shoulder.
His grin revealed yellow teeth.
"So you must be the prince someone paid us to kill."
The bandits slowly surrounded the area.
Max shouted while fighting nearby.
"Your Highness!"
"Stay back!"
The chief chuckled.
"Oh don't worry, commander."
"I'm not interested in your soldiers."
His eyes locked onto Alex.
"I want the prince."
He lifted his axe slowly.
"Let's see how long royal blood lasts on a battlefield."
Alex tightened his grip on his sword.
Then the giant bandit lunged forward.
And the battlefield erupted into chaos.
---