Chapter 45 Bandits
The journey to Avalith began early, with Arthur reclining comfortably in the spacious, enchanted chauffeur of the Ludwig family. The vehicle was nothing short of opulent—a masterpiece of magical engineering, with expanded space inside, ideal temperature control, anti-noise barriers, and cushioning enchantments for the smoothest ride imaginable. It was a luxurious cocoon, bearing the emblem of the Ludwig family—an iron shield crossed with two swords—and a perfect way to relax.
As the journey started, he felt a spark of excitement. It was his first time venturing outside the Ludwig manor since his transmigration, and everything around him seemed new and exhilarating. As they set out on the long journey to Arcane Academy, Arthur was captivated by the breathtaking beauty of the world outside.
The landscape was adorned with lush greenery, and vibrant trees standing tall, their branches swaying gently in the breeze. Majestic mountains pierced the sky, and crystal-clear rivers meandered through the terrain, reflecting the morning light. Initially, he was awestruck by the magnificence of nature here, which was beyond anything he'd seen in his previous world.
Some plants, with vibrant leaves and blossoms, emitted a soft, ethereal glow as they passed, casting a mysterious radiance upon the surroundings. It was truly magical, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder.
But what truly left him astounded were the towering, ancient trees that seemed to brush the heavens themselves, their canopies sprawling in every direction, creating a verdant skyline that dwarfed any man-made construction. "What a truly breathtaking view," he murmured, marveling at the grandeur around him. It was a testament to the majesty of nature.
As time passed, however, the excitement began to fade. The journey was long, especially since the Ludwig Duchy was located near the northern borders. Though the chauffeur moved at high speed, the vast distances were taxing, and the scenery, though beautiful, began to feel monotonous. Arthur sighed dramatically, breaking the calm with a wistful, "I'm bored."
Lily, who sat beside him, caught his tone and grinned, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief. "Oh, Master," she purred, inching closer. "We can't let that happen, can we?"
Lira and Lyra, who were seated nearby, exchanged sly smiles and leaned in a little closer, sensing that perhaps this journey could be… more entertaining.
Arthur raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "And what exactly do you have in mind, Lily?"
"Oh, I'm sure we can think of something," she replied, tracing her fingers delicately along his arm, her touch warm against the cool air inside the car.
Arthur smiled, casting a discreet illusion spell around the backseat. A veil of privacy formed, ensuring the driver couldn't see or hear what transpired behind him. He reclined slightly, letting his maids work their magic—figuratively and literally.
With a wicked grin, Lily climbed into his lap, her hands sliding up to loosen his collar. Her touch was soft, yet filled with intent, her fingers skillfully working through the buttons. She leaned in close, her breath warm against his neck, lips just grazing his skin, sending a pleasant shiver down his spine.
"Lily," he murmured, enjoying the closeness, his hands sliding under her skirt, "you're full of surprises, aren't you?"
"Just here to serve, Master," she replied, her voice low, pressing a kiss against his collarbone.
The playful exchange carried on with whispers and stolen touches, the privacy illusion enhancing the allure of their interactions. Lira and Lyra joined in on the teasing, filling the car with a blend of flirtatious laughter and intimate tension. But before their distraction could go any further, they were suddenly interrupted by a jolt as the chauffeur came to an abrupt stop. Lily, who was perched on Arthur's lap, was thrown forward slightly, her head colliding with his chin.
"Ouch, it hurts," she said, rubbing her forehead as she leaned back, looking both surprised and annoyed. "What's going on?"
Just then, the sounds of clashing swords and explosive spells echoed from outside the carriage. Shouts and metallic clangs filled the air, carrying the unmistakable tone of combat.
The privacy illusion dissipated as a knight knocked on the car window. "Young master, please stay inside," he said without any sense of urgency. "A group of bandits ambushed us, but don't worry, we'll take care of it immediately."
Lily glanced outside with a bemused expression. "What kind of bandits would dare to assault a carriage bearing the emblem of the Ludwig duchy? Are they completely mad?"
Arthur couldn't help but share in her bewilderment. Despite the Ludwig household's modest company size, its knights—especially the feared Iron Wall Knight Order—were renowned throughout the empire. It seemed inconceivable that mere bandits would dare to challenge them in such a manner.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
The sounds of clashing swords and the screams of dying men filled the air around them. Even within the carriage, the noise of explosions rumbled through, though the advanced protection magic layered on the carriage kept them perfectly safe. Arthur could feel the magic activating around them, reinforcing their safety. Yet, how could he simply stay inside, missing all the excitement? A transmigrator not encountering cliché bandits—was transmigration even worth it, Arthur mused with a grin.
Ignoring the knight's request, he stepped out of the carriage, letting his maids follow close behind. Lira and Lyra immediately went on high alert, positioning themselves protectively around him.
The scene outside was pure chaos—or rather, it would have been, if not for the ruthless efficiency of the Ludwig knights. Arthur observed that the so-called "battle" was actually more of a one-sided massacre. The knights cut through the bandits like they were little more than training dummies, their polished armor and coordinated moves showing the impeccable skill that made them some of the most feared soldiers in the empire.
Arthur watched with keen interest, a spark of excitement in his eyes. Despite having been born into this world with memories of his past life, he hadn't had many opportunities to see true battle up close. This was his first taste of the raw, primal energy of combat in a fantasy realm.
Lily stepped beside him, her expression a mix of amusement and concern. "Master, aren't you just a bit too eager to watch this slaughter?"
Arthur chuckled, his gaze fixed on the knights' graceful, deadly movements. "It's not every day you get a front-row seat to watch the Iron Wall Knight Order in action. Besides," he said, a smirk forming on his lips, "I'm just keeping an eye on our escorts. Who knows if they'll need me to jump in?"
Lily raised an eyebrow, laughing softly. "I'm sure you'd save the day, my lord."
Even though Lily said it jokingly, but it soon came true.