"I'll keep that in mind. Have you had trouble around here?"

"Not directly, but the village two miles north got hit three days ago. It was a small group, maybe five or six men. They took food, coin and anything valuable and roughed up anyone who resisted." The innkeeper shook his head. "Times are getting harder."

Lucas ate his stew thoughtfully.

The Legion's attack had done more than just target the king. It had destabilized the entire region. With resources diverted to the capital's defense and recovery, outlying areas were vulnerable.

[This sounds like the perfect situation a villain can exploit.]

*Not now,* Lucas thought. *I have enough on my plate. Maybe later.*

[I'm just saying that those willing to act decisively during such times often rise quickly.]

Lucas ignored the System and finished his meal. After paying the innkeeper and checking on Copper, he set out again.

The afternoon passed uneventfully. The landscape gradually changed as he traveled east, the gentle hills giving way to flatter terrain with patches of forest. According to his map, Marie's family estate was still about three hours away at his current pace.

He was considering pushing through to arrive before nightfall when Copper's ears suddenly pricked forward, and the horse slowed without prompting.

Lucas immediately became alert. "What is it, girl?"

The horse nickered nervously, tossing her head toward the tree line about fifty yards ahead where the road curved through a dense stretch of forest.

[System detects multiple human presences ahead. Probable ambush.]

*Of course,* Lucas thought. *The innkeeper warned me.*

He had several options. He could turn back and find an alternate route, but that would add hours to his journey.

He could try to intimidate his way through, though that was risky against unknown numbers. Or he could prepare for a fight.

Lucas's hand moved to his sword as he continued forward slowly, every sense alert.

"I know you're there!" he called out. "Show yourselves!"

For a moment, nothing happened. Then six men emerged from the trees, spreading out to block the road.

They were a rough-looking bunch with mismatched armor e weapons that had seen better days. They had the lean, desperate look of men who'd chosen banditry over starvation.

Their leader, a scarred man with a notched axe, stepped forward. "Smart kid. Most people don't notice us until it's too late."

"I'm observant," Lucas said calmly. "And I'm not interested in trouble. Let me pass, and we can both go our separate ways."

The leader laughed. "See, that's where we have a problem. We need supplies. Food, coin, anything valuable. And you..." He gestured at Lucas's horse, his clothes, his sword. "You look like you've got all three."

Lucas assessed the situation quickly. Six men, all armed. Two with bows hanging at their backs, they'd be the priority targets.

The leader with the axe looked competent, but the others seemed inexperienced, probably farmers or laborers driven to banditry by hard times.

"I have a better offer," Lucas said. "I give you five silver coins. You let me pass. Everyone walks away alive."

"Five silver?" The leader spat. "That horse alone is worth twenty. Your sword, maybe thirty. And whatever you've got in those bags..." He shook his head. "No deal, kid. Get off the horse. Now."

[System recommends killing them all.]

Lucas sighed. "I tried being reasonable."

He dismounted slowly, making sure his movements weren't threatening. Once his feet were on the ground, he activated [Intimidating Presence].

The skill washed over the bandits like a wave of cold air. All of a sudden, every gesture, every glance, every subtle shift in his posture screamed *danger*.

The two inexperienced-looking bandits at the back stepped away involuntarily. Even the leader's confident smirk faltered slightly.

"Last chance," Lucas said quietly. "Walk away."

The leader's pride wouldn't let him back down in front of his men. "Get him! All of you!"

The bandits charged.

Lucas drew his sword in one smooth motion and immediately dove to the side, prioritizing the archers. If they got their bows ready, this would become much more dangerous.

He closed the distance to the first archer in three quick strides.

The man was fumbling with his bow, trying to nock an arrow, when Lucas's pommel crashed into his temple. He dropped like a stone.

The second archer was smarter because he'd already given up on his bow and drawn a short sword. Lucas parried his desperate swing and kicked him hard in the knee. The joint bent wrong with a sickening crack, and the man went down screaming.

[Two targets neutralized. Four remaining.]

The other bandits were on him now. Lucas activated [Basic Swordsmanship], letting his body flow through the practiced forms.

Block. Parry. Riposte. Sidestep.

One bandit swung a club at his head. Lucas ducked under it and drove his shoulder into the man's midsection, sending him sprawling.

Another came from the side with a rusted sword. Lucas caught the blade on his guard and twisted, disarming the man before punching him in the throat.

That left two: the leader and one other bandit who was smart enough to hang back.

The leader roared and swung his axe in a wide arc meant to split Lucas in half.

Lucas stepped into the swing instead of away from it, getting inside the axe's effective range. His sword flashed up, and the leader's weapon hand suddenly had three fingers instead of five.

The leader screamed, dropping his axe. Lucas kicked it away and pressed his sword to the man's throat.

"I told you to walk away," Lucas said coldly.

The last bandit took one look at his bleeding, groaning companions and ran. Lucas let him go.

He looked down at the leader, who was clutching his mangled hand. "You and your men need medical attention. There's an inn about two hours back. Go there. Tell them what happened. If I ever see you on this road again, I won't be so merciful."

"You... you took my fingers..." the leader said.

"Be glad I didn't take your life." Lucas sheathed his sword and walked back to Copper, who had wisely moved away from the fighting. "Next time you try to rob someone, make sure you can actually win the fight."

He mounted up and rode past the groaning bandits without looking back.

[Combat concluded. Villain Points awarded: +15]

[New skill progression: [Intimidating Presence] - Rank: F | Level: Novice (76/100) → Novice (89/100)]

[New skill progression: [Basic Swordsmanship] - Rank: E+ | Level: Novice (98/100) → Intermediate (2/100)]

[Congratulations! [Basic Swordsmanship] has advanced to Intermediate level!]

Lucas felt the knowledge flow into his head. He understood smoother transitions between forms, better footwork, more efficient movements.

"System, why did I get Villain Points for that? I was defending myself." Lucas asked.

[Host maimed multiple individuals and threatened lethal violence. From the bandits' perspective, Host is absolutely a villain. Perspective determines morality in most cases.]

"That's... surprisingly philosophical of you."

[System contains multitudes.]

Lucas continued riding, putting distance between himself and the ambush site.

The sun was beginning to set when Lucas finally spotted the boundary markers indicating he'd entered the lands controlled by Marie's family.

Simple stone posts marked with this branch of the Zellivan family crest. It was a white flower crossed with a silver needle, representing their textile business.

Another thirty minutes of riding brought him to the estate itself.

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