Chapter 168: Captives

"I wonder who is the sponsor the young commander spoke of?" Bross muttered after Eman left the hut.

"Who cares, it isn't important now. Don't bother yourself with it," replied Demyul before he stood up. "Regardless, you heard him, we must go and accomplish the plan," he added.

"You're right."

After saying it, Bross and the others also stood up, carrying with them their favorite weapons. They proceeded to their next plan. After the soldiers that were sent to scout the area reported the current situation, they took their position. Led by Captain Morgan, the archers positioned themselves on a higher plane, which they could see all the enemies.

Although they could fire other long range attacks such as fireballs or wind blades, it was too flashy and not desirable in their current situation. It was the reason Eman chose the archer squads for the task.

The vanguards also took their positions, but since they could not come close to where most of the target was, they remained a little farther. They must avoid getting noticed by the beasts, who had acute perception.

The Sunville Village was in trapezoid shape in which the acute part was where the entrance and went wider as they advanced. It also meant that the more they advance, the larger the area gets, and more houses and residents they would encounter.

A cold wind from the hill nearby had silently passed through the village. The night went deeper and the humid air started to brush their skin. The moon above was hiding in a thick white cloud, making the surrounding a little darker and turning the arrows much harder to perceive. Because of it, the fearsome hunter is now being hunted. None of them was aware of it. Most of the bandits were either sleeping inside their dwellings or loitering in a staggering walk, unbothered from their surroundings. Some chose to sleep outside, while the others were still busy drinking with their buddies.

The first to become the victim were those two watchers in the wooden watchtower. The second was the beast that was lying beneath it.

Two bandits could be seen staggering near the bamboo fence as they were passing side by side. A moment later, two arrows flew and embedded on their heads. The two fell with their eyes opened and without knowing what had just happened. 

Then after that, the same thing happened to the other bandits who were resting in a rundown cottage. The rain of arrows was so quiet, no gushing sound in the slightest.

The partying bandits around the bonfire and the beasts that were guarding around in every corner of the place were shot dead. Couldn't even cry and just died or fell asleep after the arrows hit them in every part of their bodies.

Some luckily avoided getting hit on their critical parts. Thus, they avoided getting killed on the spot, but soon found themselves attacked by strong sleepiness. Some had high resistance against sleep but. Even with that, it was still useless because they couldn't move by the effect of a paralyzing spell. They couldn't even move their mouths or create a loud noise.

An arrow flew and landed on the beast's head. Out of reflex, the beast stood up but soon fell like a broken doll.

"Commander," two people in black leather armor called out in a hurry as they approached the young man that was standing underneath a tree.

"Everything's clear!" Without waiting for the young man to reply, they reported.

"Send a signal to those in the south and north," ordered the young man in a not low and high volume.

"Okay!" They replied at the same time before they rushed back to accomplish the task.

"A flash of light from the west!" Said one of the soldiers who was stationed in the south.

"Let's go!"

Urged the woman who was acting as the commander of five squads from the scouting department. The same thing happened to those stationed in the north.

After the archers subjugated all the loitering bandits and the guarding Noclur beasts, from the shadows, the vanguards together with the scouts rushed forward to finish all of the remaining enemies.

Several silhouettes leaped out from the shadows.

Inside the hut, some were caught having a good time with women. But before they could reach out to their weapons or summon their magical energies to protect themselves, a cold metallic object already caressed their skin.

Shing Shing!

GUwah!

Dark liquid sprayed out from the wound, dyeing the place in scarlet color.

Eman was just an onlooker. He decided not to take any actions yet as he felt a foreboding feeling.

Even though he needed those Exp points from killing the bandits, he could not get careless. Also, there were so many enemies that the mission seemed like an impossible mission. It was just lucky for them that the enemies still did not notice their presence. However, he knew that it wouldn't take long before the bandits noticed that something was amiss.

He wanted this mission to succeed. It was the reason he was so careful with his decision. 

It didn't take long before the messenger came to report on him.

"Commander, as expected, we couldn't find any higher-ranking bandits among them," said the messenger right away.

"Commander, could it be they knew about our plan?" Soldier Kanna interjected in a worried tone.

He did not answer right away and ponder for a little. If the bandits truly noticed them, they wouldn't wait until they lost many of their men. They were criminals who used their number in advantage. "No, I don't think they notice us," he said after thinking. 

He had no idea why there were no high-ranking bandits among those they killed. But they couldn't allow it to halt their assault.

"Anything else?" He asked the messenger.

"Yes, Commander, we also found some captives. Most of them are women," reported the messenger.

Soldier Kanna sneaked a peek at the Commander's expression. Although the surrounding was dark, it was still figurable. However, she could not find a change in his expression. Soldier Kanna was surprised. Most people would frown upon hearing this sad news, especially those of his age. No need to guess what those women experienced in the hand of the bandits, it was easy to tell.

Even Soldier Kanna herself was trembling in anger after hearing it.

Eman did not care about those captives, his only goal was to reclaim the village. But it might cause unfavorable feelings from the soldiers. So, he could not make a wrong decision.

"Okay, have some of the soldiers take them at a safe place. The others must proceed as planned."

"Yes, sir!" The soldier ran back to relay the message.

Beside him, he heard a sigh coming from Soldier Kanna, but he disregarded it. "Let's go as well and prepare yourself for combat," he said in a calm voice.

"Yes, commander!" The three responded at the same time.