Silas watched as the last bodies fell into the pit. He then walked over to the giant pit, Roland and the other four knights dug up.
"Are you sure you want to destroy the body?" Roland asked from the side.
Silas nodded heavily. "Their mind was tempted by something. Someone with this kind of power must have the ability to manipulate their bodies as well. I have gathered the faint energy of the crest and memorized it. There is no use for the body. Better burn them or else other innocent will face their swords."
"I see. Then, I will ask Luna to burn the bodies. This task is not fit for you, Silas." Roland said, turning around.
But Silas stopped him. "No need for that." He smiled. A smile without passion in his eyes. It was a facade.
"She is still learning. I don't want my apprentice to experience this kind of thing yet."
Roland stared at him and nodded. "You are strange, Silas. Your actions don't match with your words."
"Such is the life of a human." Silas waved his hand and gathered mana around him. He then constructed a spell crest inside his mind and fueled it with mana.
Then a wave of flame descended to the pit, consuming flesh like a hungry beast.
He threw the flame spell another time to be sure. After all the bodies turned into ashes, he ordered Roland to bury it.
And they left the area.
Inside the carriage, Silas's mind was still wandering about the bandits.
'What power can do that? They are lucid but not aware of the surroundings. They are not sane either.'
Mind control. Fear manipulation. Illusion. Sense manipulation. Chaotic Heart.
Every bit of knowledge about the game passed through his mind and left quietly.
People around him didn't make a scene and left him alone to think. Silas spread his hand and an incomplete spell crest formed. It was a crest implanted into the energy inside the leader.
He checked the rest of the bandits and found the same as well. Because they were all dead, the crest was slowly disappearing and he managed to copy from the leader. But it was not complete.
'I can list off everything related to Gift and Law power. Only two people had the Gift to manipulate the mind. And as for Law power, they are rare and they won't use it randomly. So it is certain that this is a work of spell.'
Silas lost in thought. He tapped on the window and called out Old Gin.
"Give me a map. I wanna check something." Silas said.
Old Gin gave him a rolled paper. Silas grabbed the map and checked their location. He noticed that they were getting closer to Palm Mountain and their neighbors.
Between Viremont State and Central land, there was one piece of land. It was managed by a family who was backed by a group of central nobles.
So they were powerful.
Silas nodded, realizing the mastermind behind the bandits' accident.
Floen Family.
'Damnit. I was hoping that this journey will be peaceful. Well, it is still peaceful if I can avoid meeting with them but our next goal is their family town.'
Silas sighed, straightened up his back. He looked up from the map and saw eyes peeking over him.
"Don't mention this accident. It is messier than I thought." Silas said, reminding his people to not ask him.
Roland was unconvinced. "It is a work of mage right? Don't lie, I can sense mana in their energy."
Silas was exhausted. "Yeah."
"I have a feeling that we are going to meet him soon." Ice-pick said cheerfully.
"Don't speak nonsense." Silas pushed her to the side and sighed. "Anyway, we will be going to the Floen Town next week. Be careful over there, the Floen Family didn't have a good relationship with mine."
"Then why are we going there?" Ice-pick asked.
"So that we can fill our supplies." Silas said, turning to Luna. "Luna, I have already taught you about two ways to improve your barrier spell. Not time to waste, choose one."
"Y….Yes." Luna said.
"Hey, don't be harsh on her." Ice-pick came and pushed back Silas, hugging a small Luna tightly.
He could see Luna was getting uncomfortable being hugged by huge breasts. Silas ignored the two women and started reading.
***
Three days have passed since the bandits' accident.
During the three days, Silas repeatedly reminded his people to not speak about the bandits.
They all swore to him that they wouldn't speak but Silas had a bad feeling about it. His back was tingling.
Silas had achieved control over his third circle in his mana core. His power yet again grew stronger. Well, he was catching up to his peak.
As for his energy inside his heart, he had gained one circle as well. Just as he was getting stronger, his people were also following him.
They were even surpassing him. Luna had performed well on her barrier spell and used the barrier around the carriage.
No more sneak attacks like last time.
Silas looked at the fire pit and took a slip at his drink. The drink had gone warm.
So he passed the drink to Ice-pick and said, "Cast a spell for me."
Ice-pick glanced at him and spread her Chill into the glass. Silas nodded with approval. The living refrigerator was doing its job well. He should reward her.
But her love is far away. He didn't even know where the main character was. But when the academy starts, he will introduce her to him and their love story will bloom. She will finally get a good happy ending.
He just hoped that she was okay with her spouse having multiple wives.
'Oh well, not my problem, I am sure love will overcome it all.'
Roland came and asked for a drink.
Silas looked at the knight strangely. "You never drink alcohol. What is the occasion?"
Roland chuckled. "My mind has been wandering a lot lately. Just want to clear."
"Sure. Sure. Here." Silas poured him a glass of high quality wine. "Drink up."
Roland glanced at him and let out a deep sigh. He grabbed a chair and sat down, placing his sword on the side. He drank the wine.
"It is too sweet. Are you sure it is alcohol? I can't feel a thing."
Silas shook his head, swirling the glass, letting the fragrance build up inside. "Don't rush. Enjoy the taste and come chat with me longer."
Soon, the conversation deepened. Roland was not good at small talk but with a skillful man like Silas, he talked a lot. Venting out his worries.
Ice-pick came and whispered to Silas. "He is quite drunk."
Silas nodded and decided to tease her. He missed her banter.
He motioned his finger, telling her to come closer near him. As a naive succubus, she followed his instructions.
"Wanna sleep with me? It is hot tonight." He whispered into her ears, seductively.
She pushed him away immediately and backed off.
He laughed, seeing her flushed face. Her entire body was red and hearing his laughter increased her embarrassment even more.
"No way."
"Come on. I can use your ability Chill." Silas said.
"No. No. I only slept with my lover."
"You can't even find one yet."
"That is because you said you are going to introduce me." Ice-pick yelled.
Silas placed a finger on his lip and smiled evilly. "What if I lie?"
His words stopped Ice-pick.
"If you lie, I am not going to forgive you."
Silas smiled at that and nodded. "Good girl."
"What do you mean girl? I am twenty-two, older than you." Ice-pick said proudly.
"Yeah. Yeah." Silas waved his hand, not listening to her. If he thinks about it, he was about two years older than her.
"Sir. Sir." Max ran toward him and called out his name.
Silas frowned and continued playing with the wine glass. "Speak."
'Something wrong? I set up a trap around the camp site. And Luna is checking the area as well. With her mana concealment skill, there is no reason for the monster to find her. Even if they found her, she could signal.'
Max straightened up his posture and said in a hurry. "We found a kid."