Gideon woke up and let a long yawn.

  Oh, it's already morning.

  "Yes, young master, I've already prepared your food and clothing."

  M... Mel?! Haven't I told you already many times not to sneak up on me?

  "But young master, I did not sneak up on you this time. I was already here before you woke up," Mel replied.

  Geez...

  "She sure likes to tease you, hahaha," Wise said and laughed.

  Gideon ate the food that was prepared for him and dressed up. Afterwards, he went to the main gate and waited for the carriage to arrive.

  Well, it's nice to go out from time to time.

  "You haven't left this place since the moment you were born. Talk about commitment, hahaha," Wise said sarcastically.

  Shut up, you goddamn shadow ball! Why are you always ruining the mood? Tch! Oh, the carriages have arrived. Why are there so many escorts?

  The door opened, and his father called him out to enter the carriage. Gideon was shocked to see that his two older brothers were there, and they started their journey to the capital.

  Gideon breathed heavily and spoke, "This is what fresh air feels like, huh? This place has changed so much."

  Owen asked curiously, "How'd you know this place has changed so much, Gideon? Have you been sneaking out from the mansion?"

  Uh... no, Father. I didn't, hehehe.

  "Okay, so Marcus, how's your training progressed by now?" Owen asked.

  Marcus replied, "Father, I have already mastered how to use every sword. Also, I'm already training in tactics."

  "I see. What about you, Leo?"

  "Well, it's nothing, Father. It's just the typical council everyday issues. But I'm surprised about the news that Uncle reported—that some other houses want us to be stripped out of our titles. I'm sorry, Father. I've failed my job. I was the one at the capital. I should've known about it first," Leo replied.

  "Don't worry about it, son."

  Father, can I ask?

  "Yes, Gideon?"

  Why are there so many escorts?

  "I see that you've noticed. We'll be taking a quicker passage."

  "Don't tell me, Father... that we're going to take the shortcut through Valley of Death?" Leo asked, a bit of worry on his face.

  "There is nothing to be afraid of. Gerard is one of our escorts. He alone can finish every bandit that nests around here. I'm sure he could take the head of the Bandit King alone."

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  "They wouldn't want us to be their enemies, I guess," Leo replied.

  Their journey was going smoothly on their way to the capital, but suddenly Gerard shouted to alert others, "Ambush! Everyone, prepare for battle!"

  "This is what I've been worried about. We'll be delayed. Not only that, we'll suffer casualties if this continues. If I may, Father, can I join the battle?" Leo asked.

  "Sure thing. Just be careful," Owen replied.

  "Your father sure has a soft spot for his children. I thought he'd be somewhat stricter, considering that he's the only person in history that killed two Demon Lords. I thought he'd have the same personality like his always angry brother," Wise said.

  You mean Uncle Aurelius? I also thought about that too, considering that he's letting me slack off all day.

  "Why is Gideon so calm? I can feel his brother Marcus has a bit of wariness from what's been happening, but this one is odd. He's like Reynard. I think he has the same potential as him. Well, they're twins after all," Owen thought to himself.

  Everyone outside of the carriage was fighting. It was total chaos. In the midst of the battle, there was a huge bandit heading towards the carriage where Gideon and his family were. The bandit stood in front of the door and pulled out his sword. Before the bandit could even swing his sword, within a blink of an eye, his head fell to the ground. Owen had already cut his head and rushed to aid the others and finish the remaining bandits. Owen shouted in anger, "How dare you try to hurt my precious babies!"

  What just happened? Did you see that, Wise?

  "Yeah, your father is fast. I was shocked that he was already outside. I didn't even notice," Wise replied.

  Me neither.

  Gerard shouted, "The coast is clear! We've eliminated all the threats! We did not suffer any casualties."

  The knights cheered and were glad that they only got some minor injuries.

  "Are you guys ready?!" Owen asked the crowd.

  They replied, "Yes, milord."

  "Because I will be the one leading now. Instead of a slow and chill ride, it'll be lightning fast," Owen replied.

  "But Father, wouldn't that exhaust the horses?" Leo asked.

  "We need to move fast. I have to prioritize your safety. I have a hunch that this will not be the only ambush. Now get inside. You'll be in charge of protecting your brothers. And you, Gerard, watch the rear."

  "Understood, Father," Leo replied.

  "Understood, milord," Gerard replied.

  They continued their journey on the way to the capital. It was going fine until they saw the path was barricaded. They heard the sound of a horn signaling the attack. Before the bandits could attack, they were halted.

  "Everyone stop, sheath your swords!" said the Bandit King.

  The Bandit King walked to the aisle and spoke, "If it isn't the Demon Lord Slayer himself. What's your business around here?"

  "Are you here to fight, or not?" Owen replied.

  "No, no, no. I'm not here to fight. Just pay some gold and we'd let you through unharmed," the Bandit King said with a smug face.

  "Unharmed? Did I just hear you right? You said if I pay, you'd let us through unharmed?" Owen, displeased.

  Owen got off his horse and unsheathed his sword. Suddenly, he swung his sword so fast that the bandit even managed to still talk even though his head was already severed. Time felt like it froze. All the bandits' feet were glued to the ground as they watched their king's head fall to the ground. There was a moment of silence. Owen broke the silence and spoke, "How bold of you to ask for money in my own land! Filthy scums, weaklings crawling into this valley, plundering every merchant like rats that go around here. But when they meet the real enemy, all they can do is stand their ground and tremble. How dare you... how dare you bandits challenge your own lord in the very land that I allow you to call home!"

  The bandits kneeled to the ground and swore their loyalty to the lord. Some could not accept it, but they had no choice either death or submission. The bandits cleared the path; therefore, Owen and his group could now continue on their way to the capital.

  I thought we'd be goners.

  "Yeah, I thought those bandits would go insane without their leader, you know," Wise replied.

  "Well, that was a bit scary," Marcus said.

  I thought you weren't scared of anything, brother.

  "I don't remember saying anything like that," Marcus replied.

  Leo suddenly said, "Shut up, both of you. I'm trying to sleep!"

  Gideon and Marcus, pissed, replied in unison, "Huh!"

  And they all argued till they arrived at the capital.