Chapter 322 - Northern Region ( 2 )

Needless to say, the one who confronted them was Stella!

She had used her Spectral Cloth Vambrace's Full-Body Armor giving her an angel-like appearance.

"What?! Retreat!"

"They have a high-ranking Arcanist! She must be Third-Class or even Second-Class!"

"Tsk! We were sold the wrong information!"

The bandits were not expecting that their targets would have such abilities. They thought that they are only hunting some newly Advanced Arcanists…

Anyway, it's not only the bandits who were surprised by Stella's appearance but even Yasmin and Aria were also dumbfounded. 

They only know that Stella would attack the bandits with her Arcana but didn't think that she would look like this.

She doesn't just look impressive but she also emits a powerful aura around her.

With Stella's Vacuum Shield and Force Reflect, there were basically no physical attacks that could threaten her while she's in this state!

She easily decapitated the nearest bandits around her while the two Arcanists were still unable to react. 

She didn't waste any time at all as she killed six of the bandits in a few breaths!

"Tsk! Gabbi, tie her down for now! We will destroy that carriage!"

"Yes, Sir! Leave it to me!"

Gabbi answered as he charge at Stella. He's not an Arcanist but he possesses a total of five Magic Items with him. His sword, armor, cloak, bracers, and necklace were expensive magic items. He has killed more than ten young Arcanists already with his current equipment. 

Normally, those newly advanced Arcanists would like to act arrogantly with their Arcana and forget that they can't just rely on them. They would normally fail to practice combat techniques and just study their Arcane Magic.

This would allow some experienced people to kill these Arcanists before they could fully grow.

"Haa!"

Gabbi found an opportunity to strike after Stella cut off one of his colleagues' arms. No matter what, she would still be delayed by her momentum from her sword swings…

He imbued some of his Spiritual Energy to his sword and activated a simple Blinding Light magic and a Gale Force as he struck Stella's abdomen…

He was sure that he would hit the angel-like lady with his attack but he was surprised by how his opponent defended against his attack…

He thought that she would use the Vacuum Shield but instead, some fabrics of her white clothes acted like tentacles and cushioned his strike perfectly!

Gabbi can even tell that Stella did not even feel his strike at all!

'What's with these clothes! Is it her Arcana's Abilities!' He was confused but he didn't think too much of it.

After all, his opponent is an Arcanist. Making sense of their Arcane Magic wouldn't be good for him. 

Gabbi immediately pulled out his swords with a bit of difficulty. He had a feeling that the clothes might even pull his weapon out of his hands.

Clang! Clang!

He was then attacked by the gorgeous lady and defended himself. He felt his hands go numb by parrying two of her strikes! Her strength is incredible!

Luckily, some of his colleagues acted quickly and tried to attack the woman in all different directions…

However, they didn't last long as the woman's companions attacked them from afar. 

Bang! Bang! Bang!

His master, who was supposed to be attacking the carriage is now groveling on the feet of the Elven Warrior while the others were killed by the gunner hiding inside the carriage…

He was even targeted by the gunner which made him vulnerable to the white lady's attacks…

'Ugh! It's a mistake to target them, master…' These were Gabbi's last thoughts before Stella ended his life.

She had never felt anything wrong killing these types of people. Ever since her village was ruthlessly attacked by the Three-Eyed Imp Cults and killed many people that she knows, she just felt right eliminating these worthless people who would harm others without reason.

She especially hated them. Of course, she would show a bit of compassion depending on the behavior of the people she targeted.

"Hmph!" 

Stella then looked at the remaining bandits including the Arcanists… However, she realized that Aria and Lyrei were almost done dealing with them as well.

About fifteen more minutes had passed before the four ladies cleared up the battlefield. 

They were unable to interrogate someone to learn the reason for attacking them. However, they could easily relate it to the mission that Yasmin received. 

These guys were definitely aware that there will be many travelers who will be using this road to go to the Islefield Fortress to complete their missions from the Association. 

In short, they are camping here to wait for travelers like them to take their wealth or even their lives if truly necessary.

"Whoa~ We have four more Common-Rank Arcana… I didn't know that hunting bandits can be so lucrative. Should I become a Hunter as well?" Lyrei muttered after seeing the four expensive items in front of her. 

Although there are tons of Arcanists in the Dukedom, the bandits there wouldn't have such precious items with them.

There are also twelve magic items they have collected that they can either sell or use. 

"Well… I don't think that these guys are real bandits. Look at their clothes and weapons. They're just acting like they are to hide their identities. However, whoever they are… it doesn't really matter."

Aria said after analyzing the dead bodies. 

The three others silently agreed as they used their Null Flower Essence to ensure that these bodies wouldn't cause a plague if not eaten by the Evil Beast or Wild Beasts on time. 

After leaving the place, they continued their journey and arrived on the outskirts of Neon Village after traveling for a long time.

The place is quite bright with fields of crops and a narrow river not too far from the village. 

This is the closest village to the Fortress! It means that they will now only have to travel for about an hour and they'll reach the place!

They could continue with their path but their horses were already exhausted. So they have no choice but to stay in the village for a while to give them some rest.

'Diether… I wonder if he's aware of Master Reiji's actions…'

Stella pondered. 

"Hmm?"

She is now the one controlling the carriage and saw a young man washing near a river. 

He has many bruises on his head and arms which made her smile after she recalled her Hanging Woods Training before.