Distractions

Their travel would take roughly 3 more days before reaching Glowvia. There's really nothing to do while waiting, so all they patched the silence with conversations, getting to know each other. At night, they would camp, setting out a firecamp. Sera was really good at hunting. She'd leave and next thing you know, she returns with something. A boar, a bunny, a turkey. Sensory magic really does come in handy. Despite the time passed together, Jeffrey always looked suspicious of her. 
He usually has an accurate gut feeling. Perhaps he's right. But I also have no idea what someone would want out of him. Maybe he'll warm up to her overtime as well.

The nice thing about having a wagon is that they now may travel with more equipment than they originally had. Tents, blankets, pillows, beds. Even if it rains, they can take cover within the wagon.
It is the best purchase he had made. (If we exclude me overpaying for it..)

The next day, now much further from the main cities, the forests become denser. The green scenery returns. So far, yet so close. It almost feels like he's back home. It's a pretty windy day, the wind blowing in their direction.

Borghild: "How far in the outskirts is that town of yours?"
Saito: "Near the border between Vestris and Glarion."
Borghild: "And they'll be fine? I heard rumors about Vestris acting differently starting two years ago."

Around the time the streams began. For the sake of killing people like him.
He would've thought that once he reached the checkpoint, Vestris would return to normal, but it hasn't. The kingdom has been getting worse, more rowdy even. They're now arguing with Glarion over where the border ends and starts. It's anxiety inducing to leave Chloe home knowing they could decide to raid one day.

Saito: "Yeah. They began killing anyone that weren't from Vestris, regardless of identification. 
Sera: "What's wrong with them??"
Borghild: "No idea. But whoever's in charge became a tyrant.
Sera: "Maybe that's what we should do instead. Fix that country?"

Borghild laughes loudly.
"BAHAHAHA. YOU WANT TO WAR AN ENTIRE COUNTRY? KILL THE KING?"
Sera: "I mean. If they're evil and killing everyone else.."
Borghild: "I'd be down for that."
Saito: "Hold on right there, we're not declaring war."
Borghild: "Not yet you mean?"
Sera: "Not yet."
Saito: "No, not now, not later. I'm part of the military. I went rogue I'd get bounties on my head."
Jeffrey: "I hear someone having common sense back there."

These people I swear. He does want to save people. If they raid his village, he might as well go for their ruler. But until then, he doesn't especially want to be exiled and hunted. His peaceful future would be gone for good. (All I want to do is settle down with Chloe. I'm not asking for much.)
Although, between a Demon King that has been dormant since centuries and a Kingdom threatening war, the priorities look obvious. Maybe he could ask Chloe if she'd like to temporarily move out to a bigger city with Via and Trevor. (I'd feel a lot better if they were out of harm's way.)

The wagon comes to an halt.
Saito: "Did something happen?"
Jeffrey: "There's a wagon left alone on the path ahead."

Is it an ambush? He takes a hold of his sword, coming out. Sera and Borghild follows his lead, looking around. The place feels quiet. There's not a single noise to be heard. No bird, nothing.
Sera: "There's 13 of them. It's an ambush."
"You saw us? Impressive. You look like you have it good with what you're wearing. Give us your items."

This is almost laughable. It's like playing these rpgs and returning to a low level zone after clearing the game. These npcs will come at you no matter what you do. They don't recognise him. And they clearly don't know about the patch Saito wears on his arm, showcasing his rank.
(Too bad for them. They kinda deserve it.)
Saito: "Oh no! Please kind sir, don't rub us! I have a family to feed!"

The man makes a face, confused and annoyed.
"The hell are you on about. Shut it and drop your things."
Sera: "Can we beat them?"
Saito: "Sure. But don't kill. I'm sure everyone deserves a second chance. Maybe. Have you guys ever killed someone?"
"So you're adventurers. ALRIGHT BOYS, DON'T HOLD BACK!"

Yep. These guys are straight up npcs.
The fight isn't even worth describing. It finishes as soon as it began. 
If these guys were clowns, this would be an entire circus.
All of them knocked down the floor, Saito now thinks about it. What is he doing with all these people?
Jeffrey: "We should probably bring them back to the castle so they can answer for their crimes."
Saito: "Another detour.. I'm getting hit by a spoon once I get home."
Jeffrey: "A spoon?"

Jeffrey lifts his hand, confused. (What is he on about?)
This delay will push him back for.. A day? Maybe two? It could be worse.
Using the stored rope to bind them all, the bandits are loaded into the wagon, their weapons removed. The mare seems to struggle a little with this much weight. Saito, Sera and Borghild decide to just walk aside from the wagon, walking back toward the military castle.

The first few hours of silence were the best. But the moment the bandits woke up, their travel became obnoxious. Screaming slurs, cursing at them. They began to plead to be released. Once they realised they wouldn't be freed, they switched up quickly, threatening them. (How are you going to threaten us while tied like that?) They began screaming and complaining.
"I'm thirsty!"
"I need to go pee!"
"My rope is too tight, it hurts! Please help me!"

Can you guys just.. Stop talking? Please stop talking. I'm gonna be the one to start begging soon.
Borghild: "Will these guys ever stop?"
Jeffrey. "Probably not. Criminals have it harsh in person, that's why the crimes are so low in the main cities. Nobody wants to be caught. And the ones that do will do anything they can to get out."
Borghild: "I think I've heard about it before."
Jeffrey: "They're disciplined, just like the soldiers are in the military. They either bend or break. Regardless of how they handle it, people come out different."
Borghild: "Yikes. Couldn't be me."
Sera: "I heard a good couple jail stories. They're really bad."

(Weird. I've never heard much about the prisons. I would feel bad for these thugs if they weren't annoying him so much.)

Rather than camping at night and resting, wanting to get rid of them as fast as possible despite the lack of sleep, they kept going all night until the next day. The sun far up, they finally reached the castle, delivering their prisoners. 

And then that was it. They're burnt out from this. 
They all agreed to spend the day sleeping in. They'll depart back toward Glowvia tomorrow.
(I'm really sorry Chloe.)

He walks to the wagon, making himself a makeshift bed using his small blanket and pillow. He lays down and falls asleep almost instantly.