24. Youngest four-circled mage

"What is happening?" Veronica pulled the curtain down, asking the guards.

"My lady, we are under attack." The guard reported before charging toward the people who were attacking them.

"What are you doing?" She grabbed Dereck's hand, which was holding the carriage door knob.

"I am going there to help them."

"No need." Veronica had no intention of letting him off the carriage. "There are other nobles with us. We have too many soldiers. We don't need you to fight those barbaric people."

"I need to fight because there are too many soldiers." Dereck smiled, explaining, "With this many soldiers, there is no way we will lose. So, this is the best time to showcase my talent. Didn't you want to let the world know my abilities?"

"Ah!" Veronica had no problem understanding that what Dereck had said made sense. 

"If many people see me and spread the rumor, it would be more believable. What do you think, mother?"

Veronica felt that it certainly made sense. Still, she didn't fail to remind him, "You are a mage. Your position is in the rear. Don't be too excited and charge to the frontline."

"I know, mother." Dereck left the carriage.

The sound of weapons clashing was most prominent, with occasional cries for pain, anguish, and rage. With his sense and control of the wind element, he had no problem finding the direction where the bandits were overwhelming the soldiers.

"[Water bind]." Dereck did not need to shout the name of the spell. However, doing so helps others realize the presence of Dereck and the source of the spell.

The soldiers who were directly engaging the bandits in the front noticed slime-like transparent creatures wiggling on the ground before shooting out and wrapping the bandits' arms.

The inexperienced ones hesitated a little, while the veteran soldiers didn't let such a good opportunity be wasted. They cut down the restrained bandits like paper dolls.

"[Aqua Heal]"

Before the soldiers could pinpoint the first spell's location, they were also wrapped in a thin film. The minor cuts healed, and the larger ones stopped bleeding as a refreshing sensation swept over their bodies.

"Don't flatter; the fight isn't over." Dereck's warcry attracted the attention of both enemies and allies. 

Looking in that direction, they noticed Dereck, a young noble with multiple [Water Lances] forming behind his back. With the signal of his finger, it shot out, but the spells missed the bandits and vanished into trees.

When they thought it was just another young noble trying to show off, dreams came from the trees behind the bandits.

"I have taken care of the archers. Don't let any of this bastard live." With his words, another volley of spells hit the bandits. "Kill them all."

Dereck's order resonated with the soldiers' war cries. With his control and support spells, it didn't take long before they overwhelmed the bandits.

"It is not over," Dereck said, attracting all the eyes, which were just about to sigh in relief. "They were still fighting with the bandit chief on the other side. We need to take the head of the chief. Otherwise, common people will suffer under his tyranny."

The soldiers looked at him as if they hadn't heard him right. They would have believed him more if he had said he wanted revenge as the bandit tried to attack him.

'Why would any noble care about a commoner?' They wanted to know. Before they could, Dereck had already started walking towards the other soldiers.

Bandits and soldiers were roughly balanced on this side. However, the archers, who were hiding in trees, were creating a lot of problems for them.

The biggest problem was the bandit chief. 

Dereck and Veronica weren't the only ones returning to the capital. There were a few other nobles who were also traveling with them. No, there were two 4-star mana knights in the group. However, even three of them, with the 5-star mana knights Veronica had brought, were struggling with the bandit chief. 

"A five-star." Dereck has no problem understanding the level of the bandit chief. However, the flaming axe he was carrying was the root of all problems.

"Attack the bandits on the left side. No archers are hiding in that direction." The soldiers who had followed Dereck hesitated momentarily before following his order.

[Water lance]

To the concealed archers in the forest, each batch of projectiles contained around four lances. Dereck had to send four volleys before the arrows stopped coming.

"Don't hesitate." Dereck cried. "The archers are dead. These lowly bandits are no match for us, the guardians of the capital. Don't even a single one live." Although the war cries mostly came from the right side, others joined in, too. 

Dereck's past mission was related to lust. Even his real-life profession was highly dependent on charm. Naturally, the stat he had invested heavily in was the [Charisma], which was only second to his [Luck].

The lack of other stats was mitigated by carefully choosing two passive and active skills. So, with the stats, he had no problem rallying soldiers. 

As the soldiers started relentlessly attacking the bandits, the gaze of the bandit chief fell on the man who had rejuvenated the soldiers.

"You," He aimed his axe with blazing flame and was about to say something, but… *Boom*

[Water bomb]

The pair of water balls hit his face and axe before the concentrated water ball released a high quantity of water. 

The battleground paused as the gust of heavy water extinguished the blazing magic axe. The water bomb, which had hit the face of the chief, loosened his tied long hair as the wet hair was sticking to his face and body.

*Sizzle*

The sound came from the axe as it burst into flame and *Boom*

[Water Bomb]

Again, both of the bombs hit the mark. Dereck almost laughed out loud as his vein-popping eyes were glaring at him.

*Sizzle*

[Water Bomb]

*Sizzle*

[Water Bomb]

"YOU." The bandit jumped in the air and slammed his axe on Dereck. It burst into flame, making the water of the [Aqua Shield] boil up. "I will skin you alive."

"Before that, you have to be alive. [Jet Vand]" 

A high-pressure water jet was shot out of the water shield. The tree's top section, which stood directly behind the bandit chief, snapped and fell off before anybody else could comprehend what was happening. 

The blazing flame of the magic axe vanished in a blink as the heavy body of the bandit chief collapsed under its weight.

A suffocating silence enveloped the field for a moment before the cheer erupted. They didn't get the chance to indulge in their victory, as Dereck ordered, "Don't let even a single one live. Kill them all. Let them pay the price of the innocent blood with their blood."

"Yeahhh!" As they slashed through the bandits, seeking an opportunity to escape, everyone cried out in unison.

Most of the bandits were killed, and they rounded up the rest of them. The soldiers turned towards Dereck, asking, "What should we do about them?"

"What are you talking about? Just kill them all." As the fight ended, one of the younger nobles decided to come out of their carriage. However, he wasn't the only one.

Other nobles also started to come out. But the soldiers were still waiting for Dereck's response.

"It's not early anymore," Dereck said as the sun started falling towards the horizon. "Is there any place to camp?"

Dereck wasn't sure whose guard captain it was but said, "There is a spot about a kilometer ahead. I think there is a hamlet there."

Dereck thought momentarily before ordering, "Tie their hands and warp rope on their waist. Take them with us."

"Why?" Another younger noble asked while kicking a bandit on his knees. "Isn't it better to just kill them?"

"Their leader was a 5-star mana warrior. With their number, they must be well-known around the area. They must have put a bounty on their heads. We can hand it over and claim the bounty. Oh! Cut the head of the leader and also take his axe with us."

"What? Are you so poor that you must hunt bandits to feel your pocket?"

Well, I am not interested. Each soldier will receive a portion of the bounty. They were the ones who put in the most effort. Furthermore, the axe's sale proceeds will be shared among the surviving families of the fallen soldiers."

There was a silence before the cheer erupted. 

"Young Master Longhorn."

"Master Longhorn."

The other young masters wanted to say something, but hundreds of soldiers' cheers drowned their voices.

Dereck issued the command, "Take every soldier and servant who had died," once they had calmed down. "Please verify our loss. Compile the remains of the bandits in one spot and set them ablaze. We will leave within an hour."

Unlike other young masters, Dereck's words were followed to the last word. As the soldiers hurried themselves, he nodded.

'My work is done.' Dereck knew that only showing his strength wasn't enough. He had rewarded their efforts, and the soldiers were now on good terms with him; as a result, they would be more forthcoming or perhaps even boast about his abilities.

"You have worked hard."

"Huh!" Dereck didn't realize Novela was standing beside him. 

Dereck took the washcloth and smiled at her, asking, "Ask me anything."

"I don't." She shook her head, saying, "You can tell me if you want. Don't if you don't." 

Dereck really couldn't help but wonder what type of charm he had used on her when they were little, and she turned into such a supportive woman.

They stood there in silence, smelling the deep stench of blood, watching the soldiers gather the bandits in one place.

Dereck could feel Novela reach out and grasp his hand in the stillness between them. Still, she swiftly withdrew her hand the moment their fingers made contact.

The fact that Dereck would be the one to hold Novela's hand was the last thing she had anticipated. She turned to face him and noticed that he remained expressionless, staring at the soldiers. Nevertheless, a grin spread across her face.