The next few days were tense. Tatsuo's forces moved with heightened vigilance, their senses alert for any sign of ambush. Rota's scouts, moving like shadows through the dense forests, reported intermittent signs of the bandits, but no major attacks. Tatsuo knew they were being watched, their movements tracked.
"They're playing a waiting game," Tatsuo murmured to Rota as they studied a map spread across a makeshift table. "They want to hit us when we're vulnerable, when we least expect it."
"They're persistent, sir," Rota replied, his eyes tracing the lines of the map. "But they're also predictable. They're relying on the terrain, on the element of surprise."
"Then we'll take that away from them," Tatsuo said, a glint in his eyes. "We'll find their camp, and we'll hit them first."
He ordered a shift in their strategy. The main column would continue to escort the Earl, but a smaller, highly mobile platoon with seventeen men, led by Reeldos, would scout ahead, searching for the bandit encampment. They moved swiftly and silently, their movements masked by the dense foliage.
It was Reeldos's Agile Squad that found them. A hidden valley, nestled deep within the forest, served as the bandits' base. Tents were scattered haphazardly, and a large bonfire crackled in the center, casting flickering shadows across the rough faces of the bandits.
"They're well-organized," Reeldos reported back to Tatsuo. "More than I expected. They have a good number of fighters, and they have defenses set up."
Tatsuo nodded. "Good. We'll strike tonight, under the cover of darkness. Ragnar, take the Clash Squad and flank them from the east. Reeldos, your Agile Squad will attack from the west. Nard, your Range Squad will provide covering fire from the high ground. Rota, you and the Guard Squad will secure the Earl and prepare for a potential counterattack. Sokzal, move the Support Squad to the rear to assist the Range Squad."
As night fell, Tatsuo's forces moved into position. The bandits, lulled into a false sense of security by the lack of recent attacks, were caught completely off guard.
Ragnar's Clash Squad, moving like a thunderbolt, smashed into the eastern flank, their axes and hammers shattering the bandits' defenses. Reeldos's Agile Squad, moving with deadly precision, sliced through the western flank, their blades flashing in the moonlight. Nard's Range Squad, perched on the high ground, rained arrows down upon the bandits, their shots finding their marks with deadly accuracy.
The bandits, caught in a chaotic melee, fought fiercely, but they were no match for Tatsuo's disciplined forces. The battle was swift and brutal. Tatsuo, moving through the chaos, cut down bandits with ruthless efficiency.
As the fighting subsided, Tatsuo ordered his forces to search the camp. He found a hidden tent, larger and more opulent than the others. Inside, he found a ledger, detailing the bandits' operations. And a letter.
The letter was addressed to the bandit leader, but it bore the seal of a noble house—House Ashen, of Blackthorn Duchy, Skylance Kingdom.
"Ashen," Tatsuo murmured, his eyes narrowed. "An attack from Skylance."
He found the bandit leader hiding in a tent, and he was obviously a man of some experience, and had a few skills in the Sky Gate Realm. Tatsuo slew him quickly.
"We will continue to Panzi City," Tatsuo announced to his captains. "But we will not forget House Ashen."
"Rota," Tatsuo called. "Document everything that happened here, the bandits' defeat and the involvement of Blackthorn Duchy. Also, take care of the copy of the letter and ledger, so we can submit it to Major General Torvin when we arrive in Panzi City.and also salvage everything that we could sell, after that burn this place"
"Yes, Sir." Rota responds.
As they continued their journey, Tatsuo's mind was filled with thoughts of the future. He knew that this was just the beginning. The hidden enemies, the battles yet to come—he was ready for it all. He was ready to claim his destiny.