From Blade To Spell

"You bitch, stop the horse! If we catch you, your life will be worse than death!"

The girl riding the horse had a dusty, worn appearance. Her clothes were tattered, her face streaked with sweat and dirt. Behind her, two bandits thundered across the trail on horseback, their eyes gleaming with cruel intent.

Maria's heart pounded in her chest. The sound of hooves closing in felt like a death sentence. She had thought running away from home would be an adventure, freedom, excitement, escape. But now, with her life on the line, all those fantasies had shattered.

Despair gripped her.

If they caught her, she knew exactly what awaited pain, humiliation, and a fate far worse than death.

Just when Maria felt she was at the end of her rope, her horse suddenly veered in a new direction, galloping with purpose. She was stunned for a moment, but then remembered, Elly, her horse, was slightly spiritual. The mare had an uncanny ability to recognize the scent of strong individuals, especially those who radiated power.

Maria clung tightly to the reins, her heart pounding.

"Elly... are you leading me to someone?" she whispered, hope flickering in her chest.

Meanwhile, the two bandits chasing her were far less composed than they appeared. Though dressed in simple clothes, both were armed with worn swords and a desperate edge in their eyes.

One of them, Molt, cursed under his breath.

"Tely, if this keeps up, we'll end up in the depths of the Dark Forest!"

Tely gritted his teeth, urging his horse faster.

"I know! Hurry and catch her. If we fail, the boss will skin us alive!"

Aaron watched the green dot on the map rush toward him, it was now less than a hundred meters away.

He had already climbed a tree in advance, anticipating trouble. The two red dots trailing behind the green one were clear indicators of danger. From the memories he had inherited, he knew that in this world, the lives of ordinary people were as fragile as blades of grass, easily trampled, easily cut. Unless one held noble blood, survival was never guaranteed.

Aaron gripped the branch tightly, his eyes scanning the forest floor below.

"I will strike first. If red dots represent danger, then killing them might be the same as saving my own life."

Aaron muttered under his breath, eyes fixed on the map. His fingers tightened around the bowstring, ready to act.

But frustration simmered in his chest. The rapidly approaching green dot was throwing off his rhythm. If not for its sudden appearance, he would've already begun hunting rabbits or small animals for dinner. The dried fruits hadn't satisfied his hunger, and now his plans were being disrupted.

"Why now of all times?" he thought, gritting his teeth.

Soon, Aaron spotted the green dot and saw that it was a white horse galloping toward him. Atop it was a girl with a dusty appearance. Her clothes were torn in several places, but one thing was clear, her posture, her bearing, even the horse she rode suggested she was someone from a noble family.

Behind her, two more horses thundered forward, ridden by men whose rough looks and crude gear screamed bandits. Aaron narrowed his eyes, confirming their identity. He quietly raised his bow, aiming from his perch in the tree as the group stopped just a few meters below.

Maria turned to face the bandits, her voice sharp and defiant.

"You bandits have been chasing me for an entire day. Do you even know what I've been through?"

Tely glared at her, his tone bitter and venomous.

"You bitch! If not for you, I'd still be enjoying myself in the brothel. A whole day wasted chasing you!"

Molt, more composed, spoke in a calm but urgent voice.

"Tely, stop whining and capture her. We need to get out of the Dark Forest before nightfall."

Tely snapped back to focus.

"Indeed."

He turned to Maria with a grim smile, eyes gleaming with malice.

"Run. Why don't you run again? Let's see how far you get this time."

Maria, despite her exhaustion, lifted her chin and spoke with a hint of confidence.

"Hey, bandits. I'm telling you, a secret guard is protecting me. Are you sure you still want to catch me?"

Tely and Molt exchanged amused glances. Both burst into laughter, their voices echoing through the trees.

Tely sneered.

"Boss, she still knows how to joke in a situation like this. I have to say, the Duke raised his daughter well."

Aaron, hidden in the tree above, was stunned.

"No way... Am I really this lucky? A Duke's daughter?"

From the memories he had inherited, he knew exactly what a Duke represented. They weren't just nobles, they were powerhouses. A single Duke had the influence to reshape the entire kingdom. If one rebelled, chaos would erupt across the land.

On the other hand, Maria was panicking inside. Her heart raced as she realized the "strong protector" she had claimed was nearby hadn't revealed himself yet. The bandits were closing in, and her bluff was crumbling.

Gritting her teeth, she raised her voice and shouted into the forest, desperation laced with defiance.

"I know you're out there! Please help me! As long as you escort me back to Raven Shore, I, Maria Frostmoon, daughter of Duke Augustine Frostmoon, will reward you handsomely!"

Her voice echoed through the trees, bold and clear.

Aaron, still perched in the tree, felt his breath catch.

"Maria Frostmoon... Duke Augustine's daughter?"

On the other hand, both bandits visibly panicked the moment Maria revealed her identity.

Tely's face twisted with dread.

"Molt, what kind of bloody mess are we in?" he hissed.

Molt, no longer calm, clenched his jaw.

"It was all Boss Spider's order to capture her. I didn't know she was the Duke's daughter!"

Their voices weren't quiet enough, Maria heard every word.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Boss Spider?" she thought.

So someone had orchestrated this. It wasn't just a random attack, it was a planned abduction.