[Skill duration: ended]
As soon as the guards were alerted, they formed a tight circle around Aoyama.
"Who are you and what is your purpose here?"
"Well, I sensed something wrong in the forest, so I came to check it out. Sorry if I startled anyone."
The soldier who looked like a general froze, interrupted by a voice from the carriage.
"What's going on here, General?" asked the Mayor.
"Report, sir. This person claims to have sensed trouble in the forest, but I suspect he might be lying. Shall we interrogate him?"
"No need," said the Mayor, calm but commanding. "Even I am no match for him."
The General gulped. (The Mayor does not lie to his own people… but this guy? I'm not so sure…)
"Release him, guards. What's your name?"
Aoyama raised an eyebrow. "Wait… Is that how you talk to someone you just met?"
"Presumptuous! Kill him! How dare he speak to the Mayor that way!" shouted the soldiers.
"Enough! Stay on guard," the Mayor commanded, his murderous aura freezing the soldiers in place.
"My name is Kalian Baylan, mayor of Balikoyan, the heart of Tavareth. You may call me Mayor Kalian if you like. We are on our way to the Kingdom of Beastmen for diplomacy. Now, can you explain your rather dramatic entrance into our forest?"
"I… heard news from a friend about trouble near the forest. I came to investigate, but my skill malfunctioned. I barely managed to stop it at the last moment, or else I might have run a thousand miles uncontrollably…"
Suddenly, Aoyama's legs screamed in protest.
"Ahhhhhh!!" he groaned, clutching them.
"What happened?" the Mayor asked, confused.
"It's nothing… just feedback from my new skill. Will last one hour," Aoyama said through gritted teeth.
"Guard! Bring him to the carriage. Ice, quickly!"
Aoyama was lifted and seated inside. The Mayor returned to the carriage, and they resumed their journey.
Twenty minutes later, Aoyama sat with ice on his legs. "Thanks for the lift. I can manage the cramps, but wait, someone told me there's a horde of enemies east of here, bigger than your numbers, sir Mayor."
A scout came running.
"Sir! Bandits up ahead! Exceeding our numbers!"
"What!?" everyone shouted, alert.
The General barked orders, buffing his soldiers with a chivalrous battle aura.
"Uwaah!" the soldiers raised their swords, inspired.
"Be cautious! They could be anywhere!" the General shouted.
Rustling came from the woods.
"Try this," Aoyama whispered, handing the General a vial.
The vial contained chrysanthemum liquid with a sleep-inducing effect. Aoyama whispered: "Do not inhale."
The General tossed it toward the rustling, and a yellow mist spread silently.
"Disperse the mist!" shouted the General, unsheathing his sword.
"Thirteen Invincible Sword Slash of the Crescent Moon! Disperse!"
Bang! Swoosh!
"Check the bushes, guards. We don't want casualties."
The soldiers found an unconscious bandit spy. "Tie him up, interrogate later. Stay in formation. Protect the Mayor!"
"For the Mayor!"
Aoyama tapped the General's back. "No killing here, please. Bandits can be captured alive, and I'll handle the leader. Interrogate them later."
"If it's you, Aoyama, we gladly accept," said the General. "Feeling better?"
"The pain's gone," Aoyama replied, flexing dramatically.
"Good. Then go capture them."
Ding
[System Alert] Skill: [Leap] activated
Swooosh
The soldiers watched in awe as Aoyama soared into the air, exuding a chivalrous aura.
"Uwaah!" shouted the General.
"It's a Grandmaster!" one soldier exclaimed.
"No, an Immortal!" another cried.
"I wish I could jump that high!" said a snot-faced soldier.
Meanwhile, Aoyama groaned quietly: "Could they be any louder?"
Ahead, he spotted the bandits' hideout, large, decorated with skulls and bone carvings.
"What are they doing?"
Squinting, he realized they were dancing an idol song.
"…Wait, what?"
"No, never mind. That's terrifying. It's a sacrificial ritual!" Aoyama groaned, quickly finding a hidden spot in the air.
He raised his binoculars.
"What's that… oh no, a butt?!"
Peering closer: "That's… a person?! Not a bone sculpture?!"
He ducked just as a bandit called, "Edward! Bring the snacks!"
"…I almost got captured because of snacks?" Aoyama muttered, facepalming.
Then his eyes fell on the leader, wearing a crown of bones. "Ugh… ugly. Truly evil. Let's see what the system says…"
Ding
[System Alert] No information found. Appears to be a "Mighty Sovereign Lord of the Universe." Level: Qi Gathering [Mid]. No mana heart or circuit.
"System, delete this from memory. Gross violation of Universal Law!"
Ding
"Alright… time to see what's happening without relying on the system."
Suddenly:
"Oh sh*t! Intruders!!"