The Psychopathic Beast Emperor-Chapter 95: Joining the Adventurers

Morning arrived quietly.

Sunlight filtered through the inn’s windows, carrying the smell of bread and something fried in oil. They gathered around a round table near the corner, bowls and plates laid out, with steam rising lazily as the town outside began to wake.

At first, everything felt normal.

Then Sel noticed it

Bahamut and Exildra spoke differently now; short glances that lingered a moment too long. Their conversations flowed without effort. Exildra leaned closer when she spoke, her tone was softer, and more open. Bahamut listened more than usual, the faintest smile refusing to leave his face.

’So we were right... They are a thing now,’ Sel thought.

In no time, everyone else noticed, but no one said a thing.

Ren sat on the table, chewing thoughtfully on piece of bread, his eyes flicking between the two before nodding to himself like he’d already solved the mystery.

After breakfast, they packed up quickly... Well the girls did. The boys had nothing to pack... Apollonia handled their payment and arrangements with the innkeeper, while the others waited outside. The plan was simple... Leave Asonvale and move toward the region bordering Farronhold.

That was when opportunity found them.

Near the southern road, they encountered an adventurer group preparing to depart. They wore worn armor, walked with steady movements, and the look of people who’d survived more than they talked about. Their leader, Van, mentioned that will pass near Farronhold’s outskirts.

Apollonia exchanged a few words with Van, agreeing on terms. They then joined the group as the town gates opened wider, morning light spilling across the road ahead. As they set off, Asonvale slowly shrank behind them, replaced by open land and the uneasy sense that whatever awaited near Farronhold would not be gentle.

...

The carriage rocked gently as it rolled forward, wooden wheels humming against the road. It was lively as the six adventurers conversed with the group, mostly Apollonia and Rakia. Sel was meditating at the side, his presence serene and calm. Bahamut and Exildra were also in their own world... The moments of love as they say. Ren was fast asleep... pretending to be asleep.

Van was a tall man with a bald head, a black mustache, and tanned skin. A scar run by the left side of his head, telling how experienced he was.

"I believe we should introduce ourselves. You don’t know when we would meet again," Van spoke in his deep and experienced voice, causing his team to nod in approval.

"I will start. My name is Van Garick, the leader of the Black Jaws," Van spoke with a smile.

"The name is Tom Hilland. I’m the Vice Leader of the best adventurer group in Asonvale!" a young man with short black hair, blue eyes, and a ring in his left ear added immediately, practically bouncing in his seat.

Bahamut and Exildra paused mid-conversation and stared at him. Tom just grinned wider, clearly unfazed.

A woman with short auburn hair and sharp eyes leaned forward next. "Lina. Scout and archer. I make sure we don’t walk into traps... usually."

A broad-shouldered man with a heavy axe resting beside him nodded once. "Brom. Frontline. I hit things so they stop moving."

Last was a quiet woman with pale hair and a staff resting against her knee. "Mira. Support and healing."

Van gestured politely toward Bahamut’s group. "Your turn."

Apollonia introduced herself first, calm and composed. Rakia followed, offering a gentle smile. Sel opened his eyes just long enough to give his name, then returned to his meditation.

All eyes eventually drifted to Bahamut.

"And you?" Tom asked, leaning forward. "Blindfolded guy looks important."

Bahamut spoke evenly. "Bahamut."

"And the lady?" Lina asked, already smiling.

"Exildra," she replied.

Tom’s eyes flicked between them. He smirked. "So... you two together?"

Exildra stiffened slightly.

Bahamut didn’t hesitate. "Yes."

The answer was immediate and spoken with such conviction that Tom recoiled.

Exildra’s face turned red in an instant.

"O-oh—!"

Tom burst out laughing. "Straight to the point! I respect that."

Van chuckled, stroking his mustache. "Young love, huh? Explains the looks."

Exildra tried, and failed, to hide her face, while Bahamut remained completely unbothered, a faint smile betraying him.

Ren, still "asleep," opened one eye just enough to grin.

The carriage rolled on, laughter mixing with the creak of wood and the rhythm of the road, the mood light even as the shadow of Farronhold drew ever closer.

...

The road gradually narrowed, packed dirt giving way to roots and fallen leaves. Trees rose on both sides, their canopies knitting together overhead and dimming the light. The carriage slowed as the driver guided it carefully between trunks and uneven ground.

Van’s easy posture shifted.

"We’re entering a bad stretch," he said, voice lower now. "Bandit groups are active in this forest. Organized ones. So, be vigilant. I can tell you are a strong bunch, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared."

Tom cracked his knuckles, excitement flashing briefly before he caught himself. "So... eyes open?"

"Always," Lina replied, already scanning the trees.

The forest felt quiet in the wrong way. There were no birds, no insects... Just the steady creak of the carriage and the soft thud of hooves on earth.

Then...

High above, hidden among thick branches, a man lowered a crude spyglass.

"Got them," the bandit muttered.

He was thin, wrapped in dull leathers, face smeared with ash and dirt. His eyes traced the group carefully, counting heads. He frowned at that last one, then grinned.

"Good haul."

He slipped down the tree with practiced ease and vanished into the undergrowth.

Deeper in the forest, a small camp waited; rough tents, sharpened stakes, weapons leaning against logs. The spy approached a scarred man sharpening a blade, his movements slow and deliberate.

"Convoy coming through," the spy said. "Six adventurers. Mixed group. Carriage too."

The man looked up, eyes narrowing. "Any heavy hitters?"

"One winged woman, one blindfolded man, and two elves. Don’t know about the rest."

That earned a low chuckle.

"Set the ambush," the leader said. "Traps first. Archers high. We hit fast, take what we can, and disappear."

The bandits moved at once. Ropes were strung. Pits were covered. Crossbows were loaded. Figures melted into the forest, taking positions like shadows waiting for permission to move.

Back on the road, the carriage rolled forward, unaware that the forest had already chosen to bare its teeth.

Bahamut suddenly smiled while Sel’s eyes opened, flashing emerald for a second. He looked towards Bahamut and nodded.

’Finally! Some action...’