"Hey, who are those devils?" Cursed Swordsman pointed to a group of men in ck.


    "I don''t know..." The Commander frowned, "Hell, it looks like they''re bandits from a town nearby. One very pesky Baron runs that town. He''s caused a lot of trouble for our vige, but he''s been especially active since the Moon Lotus appeared."


    "I see. Your Elder is cunning, he wouldn''t sell the Moon Lotus, but apparently, the Baron didn''t like it. What shall we do?"


    "I think we should wait a little longer. The Azure Mantises don''t really care about us. We''re only fighting for the Moon Lotus. If those wretched robbers want to steal the Moon Lotus from us, let them try to do so. The Azure Mantises won''t let them do that." The Commander said confidently.


    "Understood, but I''ll move forward a bit in case the King shows up." Cursed Swordsman muttered as he disappeared.


    The Commander''s n was simple, he wanted the robbers to fight the Azure Mantises. The Commander was sure of an imminent loss for the robbers, but they would weaken the Azure Mantises considerably. It was a great opportunity to reduce their losses.


    Cursed Swordsman came close to the pond. He watched the three directions carefully. He watched the Azure Mantises, robbers, and Kael hiding in the woods. The Cursed Swordsman paid the most attention to the boy. He was worried that nothing would happen to him.


    ''Damn. Why is it always so hard with kids? I told him not to go...'' Cursed Swordsman inwardly muttered.


    The Guard Commander was not idle. He and the guards moved smoothly forward. They approached Cursed Swordsman and lined up around him. This formation was great for defense, especially with a powerful core such as the Cursed Swordsman.


    Regardless of the situation, the robbers didn''t stop.


    "Let''s go! Our task is to get the Moon Lotus. Then we get out of here quickly. Is that clear to everyone?" Robber Leader shouted.


    "Yes!"


    The robbers turned into shadows. They quickly approached the pond and used a special technique to run to the flower on the water.


    They were less than twenty meters from the Moon Lotus. The Guard Commander was ready to signal to attack, but suddenly there were ripples in the water.


    Ssh!


    A huge Azure Mantis burst out of the water. The monster grabbed one of the robbers with its jaw and squeezed it hard.


    Ssh.


    Sharp teeth tore through the mugger''s flesh. The Azure Mantis ate him like a worm. It was a pitiful sight.


    "Scatter!" Robber Leader eximed as he ran up to the second robber on the pond.


    He managed to save his mate at thest moment before the Azure Mantis''s des were to pierce the robber.


    The robbers retreated to the side, they, like the guards, stood at the edge of the pond. One Azure Mantis was in the center, and the others were slowly emerging from the woods.


    "Is that the King?" Guard Commander asked.


    "No." Cursed Swordsman shook his head, "There must be a more majestic auraing from the King. Moreover, the rest of the Azure Mantises are still looking at the Lotus, not at it. The King has yet to show himself."


    None of the three sides were in any hurry to act. The guards, the Robbers, and the Azure Mantises watched each other intently. They waited for someone to make a mistake.


    "Roooooooaaaaarrrrrr!"


    Suddenly the Azure Mantis in the pond roared furiously. The others answered his call and headed toward the Moon Lotus. Their main goal was to get the flower; fighting was unnecessary.


    "Shit! We can''t let them take the Lotus, or the Baron will kill us. Everybody attack! Quick!" Robber Leader eximed.


    "Let''s go! We must protect our vige. Without the Moon Lotus, we will live in poverty and starvation!" The Guard Commander gave the same order.


    The Guardians, Robbers, and Azure Mantis faced off in a life-or-death battle. The Cursed Swordsman also sprang into action.


    He drew his sword from behind his back as he dashed forward. He swung his sword, an icy de appeared in the air. It sliced the Azure Mantis in two. The blue blood poured down on theke like rain.


    The guards and Robbers were not as strong, but together they were able to deal with the monsters. A group of three or four surrounded one Mantis. They protected each other and inflicted small but numerous wounds. This exhausted the monster, then they struck a final blow at the same time.


    <o>,m Gradually the Azure Mantises retreated into the woods.</o>


    "We did it!" The guards eximed.


    They were d of the victory, but the Commander and Cursed Swordsman had a different opinions.


    ''Something is not right here.'' They simultaneously thought.


    "Hey, hillbillies!" Robber Leader shouted, "Give the Moon Lotus to us and leave. In that case, you''ll even be thanked by the Baron."


    "That''s not going to happen!" Guard Commander frowned.


    "Don''t be silly. Thesends belong to the Baron! You and your Elder are justmon upstarts. Sooner orter, you will submit anyway." Robber Leader grinned wickedly.


    "You seem to be deaf. I told you you wouldn''t get that flower!" The Guar Commander eximed as he threw a spear at Robber Leader.


    The Robber Leader easily dodged and ran to the Moon Lotus. He had to get the flower, that was his only goal.


    Whoooooooosh.


    He almost reached the Moon Lotus, but suddenly someone appeared in front of it. The figure swung his sword and carefully cut off the Lotus, the flower remaining unharmed. The figure hung the Lotus on her belt.


    "You want it?" Cursed Swordsman smirked, "Then try to take it from me!"


    A powerful, menacing aura emanated from him. The robbers shuddered in fear, Cursed Swordsman looked even scarier than the Azure Mantis.


    "What a bastard... Where could the old man find such a creepy guy...?" Robber Leader muttered.


    He was an experienced fighter, so he knew that against the Cursed Swordsman, he didn''t stand a chance.


    Robber Leader had to take the Moon Lotus from Cursed Swordsman somehow. Otherwise, the Baron would kill him.


    ''Haha, that might work.'' Robber Leader smiled wickedly as he disappeared.


    He found himself next to Kael and put his dagger to the boy''s neck.


    "What do you say now? How about an exchange?" Robber Leader thrust the tip of his de into the boy''s skin, "This guy''s for the Moon Lotus. Not a bad bargain, is it?"