Red hands over a scroll with the seal of Earl RhickJaymz on it and a dangling blue tassel bearing the mark of the Traveling Merchant Association, the official quest listing. Placing his hand on it is enough to trigger the quest, a simple and open-ended one, giving a bonus experience for every group of bandits eliminated based on their combined level.
A few high-level ones or many low-level ones were the same in the quest rewards, encouraging mission takers to eliminate as many as possible and not just cherry-pick the high-value ones.
Most of the caravan merchants don't have a system, so even relatively low-level bandits can be a problem. The first few levels they're nothing a skilled fighter can't deal with, but by level 30, they're so far beyond those without an interface that the battle would be hopeless.
"So, are you fine ladies coming with me for the quest? Or are you busy?"
"Let's go. Being cooped up in the house is boring, and a nice journey might be just the thing. Maybe with a smaller group, so we make better targets?"
Mythryll has a point. Bringing along a half dozen or more First Advancement fighters would make most low-level bandits run and hide. But with just the three of them, it wouldn't be nearly as noticeable, especially if someone was in the wagon. Maybe it's time to change up his traveling style?
"How about four? Four isn't too many, right?" Elmira asks, flying in the front window.
"Sure, that should be fine. Everyone needs a Pocket Pixie."
The question is, what to do with the Companions. In combat, they're often essential, so Cain doesn't want to leave them somewhere else. Maybe just a Merger to cut down the total visible numbers? The combination of voices in his head might be interesting. That's the solution for sure. He will merge with the Companions instead of keeping Oath Breakers merged. Who knows, he might even get something cool out of it.
Cain calls the single copy of his Companions currently accompanying him to Merge with him, reducing their group size. The effect is somewhat disorienting, as they all decided to take the opportunity to have a conversation in his head.
[Skill Gained] Wrath Aura
[Skill Gained] Troubadour's Transformation
[Skill Gained] Ice Fog Breath
[Skill Gained] Water Affinity
[Skill Gained] Grace of the Seraphim
That last one Cain needs to turn down in a hurry. Misha has her hands in his pants before he's finished quieting the conversation in his head enough to focus, and Mythryll is looking at him like he's a new form of candy.
"Sorry about that. When I merged with them, I gained the Seraphim Aura, and it defaults to full blast."
Mythryll shakes her head as she comes to her senses, while Misha gives him one last jiggle before removing her hand and blushing.
"This might be the smallest group we've had since I met you. It's strange seeing you without all your supporters around now." Elmira says with a musical giggle, fading from sight then reappearing when she lands in Mythryll's tree-like hair.
"Oh, this form is good. It's got branches and a Pocket and is extra warm like a Demon." The Pixie declares. Where does it even have a pocket, though? Inside the sleeveless coat, maybe?
"I'm not sure I'll stay transformed all the time. It stands out. Being an Elf feels more natural and better dressed."
"That's fine; Elves smell good too. So when are we going? Should we make our own caravan? Maybe join one?"
"How about we make our own? That way we're not risking innocent bystanders when we hunt for bandits?" Mythryll suggests.
"If you'd like, I can get you a carriage like the Lesser Nobles use. With that and some mounts, you should be all set." They had almost forgotten that Arial and Red were still in the room until she spoke.
"That would do, but what would we use for mounts? Camels?"
"How about Nightmares? They're a form of Demonic Horse that I can Summon now, and they're immune to the desert heat. Would they be fine or too out of the ordinary?"
Red ponders Mythryll's question for a moment before nodding his agreement. "They'll do. If you can call enough of them. The carriage needs four, and you'll need at least that many guards to be believable."
That's too many for her to manage. But if she calls one, Cain can call them instead. "The boss can call the ones for the journey. They're Lesser Golems of the Demon Variety; he can call enough."
Mythryll calls the four that she can manage, and Cain records them, then calls for a dozen of them while Mythryll releases hers. They're Greater Golems when he does it and level 150, but they still look the same, large black horses with flaming hooves. A bit over the top, but from what he knows of Nobles, that's expected.
"Those are perfect. Just flamboyant enough to make the bandits think what's in the carriage is valuable but weak in combat skills, so they're not overly threatening. Follow me to the carriage house, and I'll find you a good one for sale. Plenty of people sells them here before traveling to other lands when they've leveled out of this side of the continent."
They make a quick stop to grab some black leather armor, swords, and clothing for the puppets who will be doing Guard duty, and Cain reassigns eight of his Mining Puppets to guard uniforms. That makes a nicely matched entourage color-coordinated with the mounts. Now all they need is a carriage.
Since they'll be sitting inside it quite a bit, Cain doesn't want to get a black one and bake in the heat. Fortunately, there's a silver one with black accents and a white roof that should be tolerable in the desert sun. The plan is to have Cain pose as the carriage driver and lead guard while the girls sit inside and wait for the bandits to ambush them, then engage and wipe them out.
This carriage has a unique enchantment on it, one that blocks the scan function of the Interface, known as a camouflage enchantment. That way, the girls can keep the windows open and not give away their relatively high level. Bandits will only see a pair of good-looking women with a low-level female entourage and one strong guard—hopefully, the perfect disguise.
Only one more thing is needed, a disguise for Cain. If someone from the former Montauk Guardians recognizes them it will be a real nuisance. He doesn't want his primary targets running away from him. But while merged with Nemu, he has [Troubadour's Transformation] available, which lets him turn into a variety of cat type Beastkin or Felian forms, even a house cat if he wants. That should keep them from recognizing him until it's too late.
Cain transforms into a strapping Lion-type Beastkin and changes into the Dark Elven Suit, looking every bit the part of a Beastkin Noble while watching as his Nightmares are hooked to the carriage and the freshly equipped Puppets choose their rides.
"That should be enough to confuse anyone we come across, at least for a moment." He declares, opening the carriage door with a grand gesture to usher the ladies inside, making them both giggle at the show.
"Interesting, it doesn't hide your Guild Tag, but it creates a fake name for you while transformed. Sambar of the Darklight Host Guild." Red looks over the Transformation with a keen eye, always interested in new abilities.
"If any of the Guardians are out there, it should draw them like moths to a flame. They don't get the chance to ambush our Guild members often, especially alone."
That's a point nobody would disagree with, the remains of the Montauk Guardians are getting scarce, and they're becoming even more angry and desperate with every loss they suffer. They're even having a hard time getting mercenaries now, their resources mostly depleted, turning them into petty bandits when they used to live like kings.
"We're off. I'll come back and visit once we're done. It won't be long, and I'll be looking to explore the west side of the continent. Plus our ship is here. Take good care of her for us if you've got the time." Cain gives his farewell to the Dragons, and the Demonic Horses start carrying the convoy out of the city with a brisk stride.
The fancy carriage and guards have everyone giving them a nice wide berth, reassuring them that the disguise is working and everyone thinks they're just some snooty nobles who didn't want to pay the hefty fee to take the travel portal to wherever they were going.
115 Gold would be the portal cost for this size of group, which is a lot of money for a one-way journey, at least to most people. A thrifty noble would save the coin and use the extra time and these fast horses to get where they're going instead.
