The first man barely took two steps before Sirene moved.

She didn’t jump out of the carriage in a rush. She stepped down cleanly, her boots hitting the ground with a dull sound, her hand already on the hilt of her blade. There was no panic in her face, no hesitation. Just focus.

The bandit in front swung first, probably thinking he could end it quickly.

He didn’t even get close.

Sirene shifted to the side, her movement sharp and simple, and her blade came out in one smooth motion. A flash of steel cut across his arm before he even realized what happened. He staggered back, his grip loosening as the weapon dropped from his hand.

"What—"

He didn’t finish the sentence.

She stepped forward and drove her shoulder into him, knocking him off balance, then pushed him aside like he was nothing.

"Stay back," she said without looking behind her.

Liam didn’t need to be told twice.

"I’m staying very far back."

Two more bandits rushed in from the left. One aimed high, the other low. It was messy, uncoordinated.

Sirene adjusted her stance slightly and met them head-on.

The first strike came down. She raised her blade just enough to deflect it, the sound of metal clashing sharp in the air. Before the second man could reach her, she turned her wrist and drove the pommel of her sword straight into the first attacker’s face. He dropped instantly.

The second man hesitated for a split second.

That was enough.

She stepped into him, closing the distance before he could react properly. Her blade stopped just short of his throat, and her knee drove into his stomach. He folded immediately, gasping as he fell to the ground.

"Next."

Her voice was calm.

Too calm.

Behind her, Dory watched closely, his eyes tracking every movement.

’...Clean... no wasted motion...’

Maya leaned slightly forward. "She’s not even trying."

"Don’t say that out loud," Liam whispered. "They might hear you and try harder."

"They’re already trying," Lola said.

On the right side, three bandits moved at once. They spread out slightly, trying to surround her.

This time, Sirene didn’t wait.

She moved first.

A quick step forward, then a sharp turn. Her blade cut across the closest one’s shoulder, forcing him back. Before the other two could close in, she shifted again, putting one of them between her and the last.

They got in each other’s way.

"...Idiots," Horg muttered from the side.

One of them tried to grab her from behind.

He missed.

Sirene ducked low, twisted her body, and swept his legs out from under him. He hit the ground hard. The moment he landed, her blade was already at his throat.

"Don’t move."

He froze.

The last one hesitated.

That hesitation cost him.

She stepped forward, her blade striking his wrist. His weapon dropped, and she kicked it away without even looking.

In less than a minute, half of them were already down.

The man who had first stepped onto the road—the one who seemed to be leading them—finally moved again. His expression wasn’t as relaxed now.

"...You’re not normal," he said.

Sirene didn’t reply.

He rushed in, faster than the others.

This one had some skill.

His strike was cleaner, more controlled. Sirene met it directly, their blades clashing with a sharp sound. For a moment, they held position, both pushing slightly.

Then she shifted.

A small movement, almost unnoticeable, but it changed the angle just enough. His blade slid off hers, and she stepped inside his guard before he could recover.

Her elbow drove into his chest.

He stumbled back.

She didn’t chase immediately. She watched him, her stance steady.

"...Is that all?" she asked.

The man gritted his teeth and charged again.

This time, he aimed lower, trying to catch her off balance.

It didn’t work.

She stepped back just enough to avoid the strike, then brought her blade down in a clean arc. It stopped just short of his neck.

He froze.

"...Drop it," she said.

For a second, it looked like he might refuse.

Then his grip loosened.

The weapon fell.

Silence settled over the road.

The remaining bandits—those still standing—looked around, unsure of what to do. Their numbers had dropped too fast. Their advantage was gone.

"Run," one of them muttered.

That was all it took.

They turned and fled into the trees without looking back.

Sirene didn’t chase them.

She lowered her blade slowly, then wiped it clean on a piece of cloth at her side before sheathing it.

"Is everyone fine?" she asked, finally turning back.

Liam stared at her.

"...You did that alone."

"Yes."

"...That was not fair."

Maya crossed her arms, clearly impressed. "You could’ve told us you were this good."

"You didn’t ask," Sirene replied.

Lola picked up one of the dropped weapons, inspecting it. "They weren’t weak."

"No," Horg said. "She’s just stronger."

Dory stepped down from the carriage, his eyes still on Sirene.

’...So this is her level...’

He adjusted his glasses.

"...Efficient," he said.

Sirene glanced at him. "It was necessary."

Elian finally relaxed his grip on the reins. "We should move before they come back with more."

"Agreed," Horg said.

The group quickly got back into position. The fallen bandits were left where they were, disarmed and groaning.

As the carriage started moving again, Liam leaned back, still processing everything.

"...I’m definitely staying behind you from now on."

Maya smirked. "Good choice."

Dory looked ahead, his expression calm again.

’...Valerius...’

The road stretched forward. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

And now, it felt a lot more dangerous. Was Valerius going to be more dangerous? Dory had an idea of calling the deal off but decided against it. Why do that? This was a big chance to make the money he was dreaming of and establish himself as an important person in the world of business even though it’ll be connected to the underworld business considering the type of deal he had taken up.

To stop a war was one thing but to scam the two countries involved was going to be legendary amongst the underworld.

Dory smiled. "What a feeling."