The Moonlight Swordsman

While Aizel and Leah were scouting the village, Lucas, Harry, and Alisha were preparing their camp near the hill. There was still time for the evening, but they wanted to be ready for the night ahead. If they aren't focused and prepared, it could be their last night.

"Do you think they can take on three mages?" Harry asked while setting up the tent with Lucas.

"We've seen Aizel's strength, and he didn't even use magic to kill the wolves at that time. I'm not sure about Miss Leah, but she's also a Grade I mage who slayed the Grade II monster." Alisha answered.

"We should think about ourselves because we have to look after the rest of the bandits. We must ensure that the villagers are not killed. This time, the stakes are too high to make any mistakes." Lucas said while Alisha and Harry nodded in agreement.

"Do you think Aizel will become a member of the Rosewell family?" Harry asked Alisha.

"I'm not sure, but I hope he doesn't, or he'll regret it for the rest of his life." Alisha sighed and spoke while thinking about something in her mind.

*****

Meanwhile, Leah and Aizel reached the village's outskirts while still hiding in the nearby trees.

"Wooden fence, not too shabby; there are only two guards near the gate. The rest must be spread out in the village." Aizel reported while observing the village.

"So how are we going to check on the numbers of bandits and villagers?" Aizel asked Leah while she just whistled, and suddenly a little hawk appeared out of nowhere and abruptly descended straight upon Leah's shoulder. With a black beak and dark brown eyes, the hawk was brown in color.

"Birdie will report everything to us; all we need to do is rest here," Leah said as she stroked Birdie.

"What a unique name. Was that bird flying in the air up until now with us here?" Aizel pondered while waiting for "Birdie" to begin collecting information.

Leah whispered something near Birdie, and after that, the hawk took flight and flew straight toward the village.

Aizel looked at the flying hawk and thought, "We might even be able to tame or pet the monsters or animals here. When the time comes, I should try to tame a fucking dragon. Standing on the dragon's head while he destroys everything with his breath attack will be fucking awesome."

"How did you get that bird?" Aizel asked Leah.

"It was a gift from my mother." Leah teased him by curling her lips and asking, "You want to? I have an extra snake at home; do you want that?"

"No, I hate snakes." Aizel turned down her offer.

"Is there a place we can buy one?"

"Yes, but you have to visit big cities or tame it on your own, which is the most difficult," Leah answered Aizel while Birdie returned after doing his duty.

Keeeaarrr... The hawk screeched twice, while Leah understood what he wanted to say.

"Some of the villagers were kept in cages, while others were kept in their homes. There are 11 normal bandits. Two if we count the gate, which brings us to thirteen without any sign of mages. Perhaps they are hiding in the villager's house." Leah reported this information to Aizel.

"Wait a minute, how did you understand everything with just bird screeches?" Aizelw was surprised at how Leah was able to understand the bird.

"I have blood contact with the animal, so we can communicate and share our thoughts through our minds. Have you forgotten what you learned in the Central Kingdom? I'm sure they have even better methods than this." Leah spoke while Aizel expressed a weak smile.

"Well, my master never taught me about this, so I didn't know about it," he said.

"And how about your parents?"

"I am an Orphan"

"I see. I'm sorry. But don't worry. If you want to know anything, you can ask me, and I will assist you to the best of my ability." Leah stated as she raised her fist to perform a fist bump with Aizel.

Aizel looked at her for a second and then gave her a fist bump with a sincere smile on his face.

"At least I am making friends here," he thought.

"So we should go back now and inform them as well. We should decide how to proceed at night." Leah said while Aizel nodded, and they both, along with Birdie flying in the air, went towards the campsite.

They arrived at the campsite late in the evening. They smelled something when they saw Alisha grilling some fish on the woodfire using skewers.

"Come on in and have some food." Harry greeted them while devouring fish like a beast.

"Did you have any information?" As they sat near the woodfire, Lucas inquired.

"There are thirteen normal bandits with no sign of mages. Some villagers are imprisoned, while others are trapped in their homes." Aizel reported while Alisha and Harry looked toward Lucas. Now they have to take care of 13 bandits.

Leah noticed the tension and spoke. "Don't worry, we'll take care of the bandits who are guarding gates while any hidden mages are present, no matter how many there are present. I and Aizel will fight them, while you must sneak around and clear the rest of the area while saving the villagers."

"I understand that saving everyone will be difficult, so do your best to save as much as you can. Nobody will hold you responsible for their death." Leah spoke while the trio nodded.

When Aizel heard that, his stomach churned. Even now, he isn't at ease knowing that some of them will be killed. How can people in this world treat life so casually?

"I should concentrate on the mission for the time being; I'm not sure how many mages are present, but I'll make sure to give them a beating of their lives."