Joras and Era nodded, they still didn't understand what Ran was getting at, but they had already decided to trust him with everything.

Ran's plan was simple. If they couldn't defend themselves on their own land, there was only one thing to do...

Go after the enemy directly.

...

Not so far from here, an army was silently marching on, night was falling which would make their task easier, they had taken longer than expected to gather but it didn't matter.

Many mercenaries had answered the call of the marquis in the hope of hitting the jackpot, but some were present only to participate in the massacre that was to come.

An electric atmosphere reigned over the troop, impatience was eating away at them. The procession finally set off with Gliver at its head, he was the only one on horseback and smoothed his fine moustache while cursing this small village that dared to rebel while he had so much to worry about, dogs should be content to lay down and die for their betters, if they decided to bare their fangs they would be put down and he will make sure that other villages get the message as well.

After 2 hours of walking, the troop had to pass by a steep path where 4 men could not stand side by side, on their right a cliff prevented them from going up and on their left was a crevasse whose bottom could not be seen.

The darkness of the night was deepening, silence trumped the smiles, they were all marching in line, while trying not to look at the bottom of the abyss.

Suddenly, a flame appeared before them, piercing the night. slow and steady footsteps could be heard and they were getting closer. The marquis raised his hand and ordered his men to halt. Some swallowed their saliva and watched, others were already preparing to draw their swords.

A strange helmet appeared in the flickering light of his torch. The man stopped a few yards from the marquis' horse and spoke in a calm manner:

"Good evening gentlemen, oh, are you perhaps the esteemed Marquis of Gliver ?”

The marquis squinted at him. Wary of his armor, was he a travelling knight ?

"Indeed..."

"Its my honour to meet you, your grace, if you don't mind me asking, there is only a small village in that direction, what business would you have there to take such a troop?"

"That's none of your business..."

At this point, the Marquis couldn't afford to leave a witness alive. And this guy was more than suspicious anyway.

"Too bad for you traveler, if you want to blame someone, blame your luck for running into us tonight."

He made a sign and one of the mercenaries unconvincingly shot an arrow at Ran, the latter caught it without any problem, which surprised all those watching, an electric shock seemed to run through them, making them alert, the one in front of them was not a simple peasant, he was dangerous.

A long silence followed and then the marquis took a vindictive grimace.

"Who are you, poor fool, to come alone against 200 men?"

He was now sure that his presence was not a mere coincidence.

"I'm only a man, but I've sworn to protect the village you're going to…”

Ran pulled out his rifle.

“If you want to blame anyone... blame your luck for running into me tonight."

Some laughed at Ran's threat, but the more experienced ones couldn't help but shudder.

"So you're that dog who keeps getting into my business, aren't you? First my contract with the empire and then the rescue of that annoying princess, you really like playing the rogue hero, don't you?"

Ran didn't answer.

The marquis laughed, "Thank you, you saved me the trouble of looking for you... He turned back to his men. Shoot him! Fifty gold pieces for the one who brings me his head!"

The mercenaries did not hesitate, a barrage of arrows and spells fell on Ran, fire, poison, water and wind blades, an ordinary man would have been chopped up in seconds. The violence of the attack had raised a cloud of dust, nothing could be seen, when it finally dispersed... Ran was on his knees, riddled with arrows. He was not moving.

Everyone unconsciously felt relieved, shouting insults and provocations at this man who was now paying for his bluff and arrogance.

When all had calmed down, the marquis gave the order to continue their march, but one of the men shouted something pointing to the sky. Lights appeared above them, dozens of them, approaching at great speed.

Like falling stars these lights were about to strike them, yet they were not arrows and the glow came only from small flames, yet the marquis sensed that something was wrong.

He turned sharply to look at what should have been Ran's corpse, but Ran was standing unharmed, silently watching the scene that was about to unfold before him. No one seemed to notice him except the Marquis, whose face turned white as he finally realized...

It was a trap.