The encounter was going just as one might expect.

  The bandits had clearly never done this before, and the noble continuously yelled at his people to get the carriage out while watching the intruders.

  The noble himself did nothing but yell. It was quite annoying.

  However, there was a way he could profit from this, if only those bandits would attack the group.

  Michael hadn't been spotted yet. He stood just off the road about 30 feet back.

  It was time for something to happen.

  "Brothers! What is taking so long? The boss won't be happy if you take too long with this noble."

  Michael had taken a shot in the dark.

  For all he knew, this could be a dream of being rich from poor city folk rather than an organized crime group.

  But the bandit's scared look confirmed they were new recruits. Their boss must be pretty scary.

  He would make sure not to be caught.

  "But, I, um... oh, greater spirits above... Alright. Come on, boys. Kill them all, let none escape!"

  The bandits made a whole 180 in attitude. It seems that this would be easier than he thought.

  The guards charged towards the guards and the sole noble.

  Finally, the guards grabbed their swords and defended themselves.

  Their lives were more important than a carriage carrying silver. It wasn't even theirs in the first place.

  Swords clashed and blood was spilled.

  Most of the bandits looked like they were holding a sword for the first time.

  The guards were doing better, but Michael was confident in beating them in pure swordsmanship.

  Not by much, but he had a whole 15 years of extra experience.

  He watched them fight, acting tough while he stood alone.

  That's how it would be for the rest of his life.

  Five of the bandits had fallen, and three of the guards had fallen on their side.

  Michael was confident enough to step in and help now.

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  The noble was useless in a fight, and a four against five would be easy if he helped out. This was taking too long.

  "Good job, brothers. I shall help you finish the rest."

  He channeled the water from his hands into small balls of water.

  They shot out and bound three of the four guards. He had missed the final one.

  "He's a mage!"

  "Wow, it took him seconds."

  "I'm glad he's on our side."

  The bandits watched as the three guards were restrained.

  "Well? Go and finish them off."

  The bandits were hesitant at first, but they quickly resolved themselves. The last guard had run away as soon as he saw there was no hope in the fight.

  A couple of quick swings of the sword and the guards bled out.

  Sweat covered the bandits' bodies. They were tired.

  Michael walked up to the noble. He was too quiet, he had almost forgotten about him.

  "H... H-Hey! Spare me, I'll give you all the silver coins inside the wagon."

  Ah, there was the squealing. He swung one of the guard's swords at his head.

  The head hit the ground with an audible thump.

  The battle was finished.

  "We've won. Will the boss be proud of us, senior?"

  The bandits put away their swords, the survivors had little wounds on their skin.

  They hid in the back until they saw a chance. Some might call it cowardice, but they lived.

  "Hmm, I don't know. I'm sure you'll get to find out in the afterlife."

  "Wait, what?"

  They had been sweating this whole time

  They were covered in water. This was too easy.

  The water sharpened into spikes. Each striking at the vulnerable parts under their skin.

  Bodies fell to the ground, leaking blood into the stone road.

  God, that was exhausting. There must be something, some sort of training, to gather more strength.

  But first, the carriage.

  It wasn't decorated or lavish at all. Must have been a local noble, no one of great renown.

  Inside was a small chest. A couple of silver coins and an ornate dagger.

  The dagger could sell for something at least, the coins filled up his coin pouch.

  His worries about not being able to afford a room disappeared.

  The horse, still attached to the carriage, was also a great boon. It was terribly frightened, though.

  Before he left, he needed to check for anything else of value from the noble.

  He wouldn't want to miss out on any valuables now, would he?

  The noble wasn't wearing any jewelry or any nice clothing. He actually looked pretty poor.

  Inside his pocket was a golden watch. That was probably worth taking, hopefully, it wasn't cursed.

  Cursed objects and blessed objects were affected by the power of a spirit.

  The reason the magic of blessed and cursed objects was so powerful was that the spirit lost a part of that magic permanently.

  No living being would willingly give up their power without a good reason.

  Michael pocketed the watch and put the dagger in a small bag that one of the knights had. Perfect for carrying things.

  It was time to get moving. This little encounter took up too much time. He had to find lodging in a nearby town.

  "Woah there, it's alright there, horsey."

  The horse had been tied to the carriage this whole time. It was shivering and panicked.

  His voice softened.

  "Calm down now. I know, all of the bad men are gone now."

  He started patting the horse's head, slowly and calmly.

  "Do you have a name? Hmm?"

  The horses' breathing slowed down. Much better than hyperventilating.

  "Here, let's give you a new one. How about...... Echo? Do you like that?"

  The horse was lying down now. Its eyes were still rapidly looking around, but its body had slowed.

  "No? How about Sparks?"

  The horse looked at him and licked his face. It seems that this one worked.

  Michael unleashed the horse from the carriage slowly, so not to spook it.

  "Alright, nice and slow now."

  He jumped up and sat on the horse.

  "Good horse,"

  The horse took a few steps down the road, and the bolted off.

  It ran at full speed. Michael could barely hold on.

  "Bad horse! Bad horse! Bad Horse!"

  They shot down the road at top speed.