Neigh Clop Clop Neigh Clop Clop

  A single neigh, a couple clops following soon after. Such a series of noises echoed in the air at regur intervals. Along the neighs and clops, a merry chatter rang from time to time. Happy smiles were afloat the pce.

  "Then, when Cole was born, Dennis cried like a baby again. He was even g harder than Cole did." ［Leah］

  "Huh? I'm sure I remember differently, yeah?" ［Dennis］

  "Fufufu! No, I'm sure you cried. We even ask the midwife if you want." ［Leah］

  The couple was yet on another silly argument, which, for some reason, always talks about one of their embarrassing moments . They were arguing in a lively manner, but iy, it was actually the both of them who were g back then.

  Well, what's important was that there was a merry and cheerful atmosphere looming over everyone. Even the children who hadn't fully grasped the story were ughing in a warm and fortable manner. Happiness was in the air.

  "No, no, I'm pretty sure I'mー Ahh!!" ［Dennis］

  Neeiigghhhhh Clop Clop Clop

  Dennis couldn't even finish his words. He suddenly whipped the reins, stopping the horse from drawing the carriage. A sense of worry ainted over his face as the carriage pletely stopped moving.

  "Dennis, is something wrong?" ［Leah］

  "Leah, make sure the kids are safe. We have pany." ［Dennis］

  Such a statement was said with ess in his voice, but his expressions begged to differ. Sweat was trig down his forehead and a dry smile f on his lips. His heart raced untrolbly as it was swallowed by fear and ay.

  Before them, about a dozen figures came out of the bushes, surrounding them front, back, and from the side. All of them were equipped with ons, sharp and ready to kill. There was no meror hesitation in their eyes. Bandits have appeared!

  "Kuhahahaha! Today seems to be your unlucky day!" ［Leader］

  A boisterous ugh reverberated in the air as a burly, scar-adorned man made his entrance. He wielded a rge axe, resting it atop his shoulders as he approached the carriage. A disgusting smile was on his face as he spouted suonsense, his ugly minions following after him.

  Yet even with such a sudderawo figures remained unfazed by the bandits before them. They were, of course, Grey and Yuna who already knew about them from the very beginning. They simply stayed quiet so as to not arouse any suspis.

  'Bandits, huh... It's been a while...' ［Grey］

  There was no sense of worry in Grey's mind. He was simply pting when was the st time they fought against bandits. There wasn't muterest in his eyes, only irritation that they appeared before them.

  "You seem to not know who I am, so let me introduce myself! I am the Great Bardur! Many called me the Crimson! Tremble in fear!" ［Bardur］

  "Hahaha! That's it, boss! Scare them!"

  "That's our boss for ya! Kahahaha!"

  They were like a ck of hyenas, ughing even though there wasn't anything funny about the situation. Not to mention hey their leader's lines were. He was so full of himself when he was only an E-ranker. One who isn't even worth any attention in Grey and Yuna's eyes.

  Well, if you pare them to normal people, they are already plenty scary. As proof, Dennis and the others are already trembling at their appearance. After all, no matter how weak, bandits are still dangerous.

  "Well, it seems like we have a great catch here..." ［Bardur］

  The bandit leader ented as he looked at Leah and Yuna, a disgusting look on his face as he licked his lips in a simirly revolting manner. A very typical ent and a of scumbags they have met throughout their time as adventurers.

  "Kuhahaha! If you hand over the women and the carriage right now, we'll spare your lives! This is how merciful I am!" ［Bardur］

  Yet another cliché line from a smallfry scumbag. Unfortunately for them, those words only served as one way ticket for them towards hell. Though Grey looked like he was smiling, a boiling anger was already brewing in his heart.

  "Never! Over our dead bodies!" ［Dennis］

  "Tsk! Tsk! This is why I hate people. They're so noisy when they are about to die... Shut up, you piece of sh*t!" ［Bardur］

  "Kakakaka! Nie, boss!"

  "Looks like it will be a bloodbath again! Hahaha!"

  There was only arrogand disgust in the bandits faces as they tio ugh like crazy bastards who had just escaped their cages. Even with the anger he felt, Grey couldn't help but ge from the lihey were spouting.

  "Alright, boys! Let's finish these f*ckers off! Make sure to not kill the women! We'll still be having a lot of fun tonightー" ［Bardur］

  Splurt Drip Drip

  It was all too sudden. The bandit leader couldn't eve as a little pebble suddenly darted towards him, grazing his cheeks, letting some blood gush out. Silence soon swallowed the surroundings as everyoried to prehend what just happened.

  "Mister Dennis, Missus Leah, please look after the children. This will be over very quickly, I promise." ［Grey］

  Of course, the one who fired the pebble was her than Grey who was now ticked off. Though he could remain calm in many situations, if it was one whivolved Yuna, it was a different matter. The bandits had stepped on a ndmine.

  "You b*tch! Kill him!" ［Bardur］

  "You're dead, you f*cker!"

  "Haaa! Dieeee!"

  Not even thinking of any pns, the bandits recklessly rushed trey, holding their ons tightly, ready to strike at any given moment. They were like a wild rush of violent thugs, relentlessly destroying anything on their path.

  Unfortunately for them, no matter how many of them there are, it was all useless. The one in front of them was an immovable mountain who is now boiling in anger even hotter than the magma running through the ground's veins.

  ??Heavy Strike!??

  ??Pierce!??

  ??Fireball!??

  All types of ons and magic headed trey's dire but he didn't falter even for a single moment. He fidently marched towards the enemies, moving his body with minimal motions and skillfully evading their attacks, defleg the spells with absolute ease.

  ??Silence?? ［Grey］

  Of course, Grey didn't just let them do as they please. As soon as he opened his mouth, silence swallowed the highway whole, not a single word to be heard, not even the rustling of the leaves and grasses.

  "Kugh!"

  "Urk!"

  Oer anrey's punded towards the eheir vision fading to darkness as they fell limply towards the ground. Yet with such painful strikes, there was barely any screaming nrowling to be heard, only silent whispers.

  "Get him! Don't let him get away!" ［Bardur］

  The bandit leader anded with all his might, but not a single one of his minions heard his voice. They simply looked at Grey with fusion, striking whehey felt threatened, not a sembnce of cooperation to be seen.

  Spears, swords, arrows, and spells. All sorts of things flew trey, yet not even a single one had mao graze him. He simply walked towards the bandits, an iron fist in his arsenal, striking down the bandits without mercy, sending them to dreamnd in a split sed.

  Though it would have beeo elimihem then and there, there were still Cole and Luside the carriage. As much as possible, he didn't want to spill any blood and soil their childhood. He may be angry, but he hasn't lost his rationality. The children's wellbeing still es first.

  "Hahaha! You're wide open!"

  "Little Missy, don't resist too much! We don't want to hurt your pretty face, after all."

  "Hahaha! We'll have lots of fun toniー Kugh!!"

  Well, it wasn't only Grey who was having his fight. On the rear end of the carriage, Yuna was also having her own, swiftly nding a ki one of the bandit's face, sending him flying dozens of meters in a single burst.

  And it wasn't just that bandit, the one beside him also ged along, suffering the same fate before turning unscious as soon as he hit the ground. It was only then that the bandits realized that they messed with the wrong people.

  "Oops. Looks like I put a little too much strength." ［Yuna］

  Unfortunately for the bandits, it was already far too te. As their faces turned pale, they quickly stopped, their ons dropping towards the ground before they turned around, running with their tails tucked between their legs.

  "Not so fast. ??Frost Bind??." ［Yuna］

  They couldn't even run a couple steps. As Yuna's cold voice rang in the air, frost quickly swallowed the ground, running rampantly like a rampagi, dev the bandits' legs and preventing them from esg. Only doom awaited them.

  'D-Dammit! What's happening?!' ［Bardur］

  The bandit leader could only curse in silence as he watched his minio defeated oer another. Fear crept inside his heart as he watched the young man approach him, his hands starting to tremble.

  Five meters... Three meters... Two meters...

  With each of Grey's steps, the distaween him and the bandit leader was only shortehough he had defeated numerous of the minions, his expressions stayed the same, not a hint of io be seen. There was only ess.

  "Kugh...! Don't uimate us, you f*cker!" ［Bardur］

  Driven by rage, the bandit leader charged trey with burning vigor, irked veins popping here and there in his head. And when he was in range, he then positioned his axe on his side and...

  ??Sweep Burst!?? ［Bardur］

  A sm strike, covered in mana, rushed trey's head, aiming to finish him off. Yet even with such a threat heading towards him, Grey remained calm and disied. Only a couple words appeared in his mind.

  'How slow...' ［Grey］

  There was no worry in his eyes. Grey simply heaved quite a lengthy sigh full of disappoi, shaking his head ever so slightly. He then looked at the passed out bandits surrounding them, heaving anh soon after.

  The bandits and the man before him were not worthy of his time. They were just a couple pieces of disgusting trash whily deserves to be ed up. Even his anger is starting to subside with how pathetic they were. Not that he'll five them or anything of the sort.

  "H... How?! This is impossible!" ［Bardur］

  The bandit leader screamed in disbelief. Well, who wouldn't? After all, rather than dodging, Grey just raised his hand, stopping the hammer with only a single finger. Such a dispy only showed the pap betweewo.

  "For someone who barks santly, you sure have nothing worthy to show... Is this all you do...? How pathetic..." ［Grey］

  Grey's words were like daggers that pierced the bandit leader's heart without mercy. At the same time, it was also like firewood whily kihe bzing anger he felt. The bandit leader's face was turning red with rage.

  "Die! Die! Die! Die!" ［Bardur］

  Lost in rage and uo accept the humiliation, the bandit leader mindlessly swung his rge axe trey. But no matter how hard he tried nor how much power he exerted, not a single one of his strikes ected towards the young man.

  "Haah... Let's stop this farce, shall we?" ［Grey］

  Said Grey as he deftly caught the man's axe with just a couple fingers, and with a little bit of strength, shattering it to pieces. It wasn't only the axe which had been crushed, so was the bandit leader's hope as his eyes opened wide in shock.

  It was over. No matter where the bandit leader looked at it, there was no escape. Only doom awaited him and his minions. He could only grovel on the ground as he faced Grey, sweating bullets like never before.

  "P-Please spare us... I-I promise we won't do anything like this again..." ［Bardur］

  "Are you sure?" ［Grey］

  "Y-Yeah! We-We'll be turning over a new leaf!" ［Bardur］

  Trembling, the man gave Grey his words. His face was whote as a sheet of paper and his voice was barely getting out. He couldn't even look Grey in the eyes. It was as if death was standing before him.

  "Hmm... Alright." ［Grey］

  "Th-Thank you! I'll never fet thisー" ［Bardur］

  "When pigs fly, that is." ［Grey］

  Unfortunately for him, Grey could easily see through his lies. Grey knew with his "eyes" that it was just an excuse so that they could escape. The moment they are let go, they will resort to crime once again. There was no hope left for them.

  'Hmm... Actually... Aren't there flying pigs in Merusia?' ［Grey］

  The bandit leader was already despairi Grey was thinking of such a thing. He pondered sincerely about what kinds of pigs could fly. It was a world of magic, after all. Everything was impossible.

  "ht. Before I fot..." ［Grey］

  "Wh... What isー Urrrkkk!!" ［Bardur］

  "That's for my girlfriend." ［Grey］

  There was not a single warning. Grey, fast as lightning, delivered a heavy punch towards the bandit leader's face, almost carving in his already ugly face. It was fortuhat Grey's anger had subsided, otherwise, it wouldn't have beey.

  Grey～! I'm done on my side! ［Yuna］

  What a ce. I'm fioo. ［Grey］

  And just as he finished dealing with all the trash, Yuna also finished ing up the rear. With everything done and finished, Grey and Yuna dragged the bandits towards the trees and tied them up there with extremely tough vines using pnt magic.

  Of course, as assurance, Grey also casted curse magic, "Sleep", on them. It ity that they couldn't dispose of them with the current circumstances, but fortunately, there were many ways to deal with them. There was o waste any more time.

  All that was o do was tiheir jourhankfully, everyone was ihe carriage, uo see what just happehey didn't want to scar and ruin the children's childhood, after all.

  "Mister Dennis, everyone, we're finished." ［Grey］

  "R-Really? That was awfully quick. What of the bandits?" ［Dennis］

  "Ah, they're over there." ［Grey］

  Calmly said Grey as he poiowards the now unscious bunch of scumbags who were tied up irees. Not only Dennis, but everyone else was mystified by the sight. It was their first time seeing such a fight.

  "How about you two, are you unhurt?" ［Leah］

  "Un! We're both fine! Not a single scratch!" ［Yuna］

  The worried faces were quickly erased with Yuna's eic reply. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief as they weled the two back to the carriage, the children especially excited, smiles blooming on their faces.

  "Still... It's amazing... They looked s yet you defeated them so easily. Really amazing..." ［Dennis］

  "Hahaha. Well, they only looked strong, but they're actually just small fries. They quickly went down with just a single punch." ［Grey］

  Grey didn't even flinch a little as he said such a statement. Though it wasn't strictly a lie, it was only possible with su overwhelming gap between their strengths. If it was a normal person, it would have been very dangerous.

  "I see, I see... So we were deceived... If only I had known earlier, I would have joined you too! It would have been a piece of cake!" ［Dennis］

  "Fufufu! You were even trembling just earlier, and now you look so fident. I'm sure you'll be taken out in an instant." ［Leah］

  "My dear, that's where you're wrong. I mean, not t, but I was the best warrior in our vilge. It would only take a single chop and they're finished!" ［Dennis］

  It was as if nothing scary had just happened. Now, Dennis is showing off his "moves" to everyoh great vigor, everyone ughing at his style. They weren't just sloppy, they were terrible. heless, it was worth a chuckle.

  "Big Bro! Big Sis! Tell us how it went!" ［Cole］

  "Yeah, yeah, tell us! I also want to know!" ［Luca］

  "Fufufu! It seems like we have no choice then." ［Yuna］

  The children were full of excitement, Dennis demonstrating his "expertise", and ughs dang in the air, such was the light atmosphere about the carriage as the wheels started turning once again. As if everything was just a dream.

  The sun climbed and the sun fell, with the shadows moving and the clouds drifting, time passed by ever so quickly. Soon, after five days of travel, a beautiful town finally showed up on the horizon. It was Moterno.

  The line quickly moved, and with just a little bit of wait, it was quickly their turn. After a quispe, they were then allowed entry to the town, the carriage entering the gates as the horse's footsteps tinued clopping, hitting the stone road.

  "Then, I guess this is where we'll part..." ［Grey］

  "Hahaha. It was only a short journey, but I'm sure we'll never fet this. We had a lot of fun. Thank you." ［Dennis］

  "Same here. It was an amazing journey." ［Grey］

  There was only siy in Grey's words. Though it was true that they spent more than what they earnt, with the meals and all that, it was also true that they gained a lot of precious experiences weighing more than gold. He and Yuna were satisfied.

  "Big Bro... Big Sis... Are you going already?" ［Cole］

  "Aren't you going to py more with us?" ［Luca］

  "Cole, Luca, don't be like that. You'll only make it difficult for Miss Elena and Mister Shin if you act like that." ［Leah］

  And of course, just like their previous experiences with children, Cole and Luca quickly got attached to them. But well, it's not like Grey and Yuna don't feel the same. Now, they have more people which they call their friends.

  "Fufufu! Don't be too sad. If fate allows it, I'm sure we'll meet again." ［Yuna］

  "Really...?" ［Luca］

  "Un! I'm sure, so look forward to it, okay?" ［Yuna］

  But just like everything else, with every hello, there is always a goodbye. Though it was only for a short while, it has already bee a memorable experience for them. Ohey won't ever fet no matter how much time passes.

  Well, not that they won't be meeting again. Moterno and Galderia are just a couple seds away with a quick using "Gate". Though there was still the issue with their hiddeies, that's a problem for aime. They could always meet if they ever feel like it.

  "Bye, Big Bro～! Bye, Big Sis～! See you ime～!" ［Cole］

  "Bye～! I'm sure we'll meet again! I promise～!" ［Luca］

  Waving their hands with smiles on their faces, Cole and Luca's figures soon vanished into the busy streets. With everyone now gone, Grey and Yuna were left aloh themselves, finding themselves in a familiar sery.

  Though it has been several months sihey entered Moterno, it felt like it was just yesterday. The pce where Grey realized his feelings, where met Eliza, where they ate pizza, and where their hearts became o ce full of memories.

  "Ah, right... We still have to report the bandits, don't we?" ［Grey］

  "Ehh～? But I want to eat Kiria dy already!" ［Yuna］

  "Me too. But that wait, now, it? Duties first, fun sed." ［Grey］

  "Boo～! That's no fun～!" ［Yuna］

  Their voices drifting in the air and their hands interlog with one anrey and Yuna headed towards the barracks. They have already made a lot of memories, and now, it was time to make some more. Their journey has barely just started.

  CHAPTER 206 END