Chapter 16: The Den of Thieves

<Person Information> 

Name: Shemar 

Identity: Professional Bandit 

Position: Guard Squad Leader 

Relationship: No prior acquaintance 

Status: Mild irritation from work, considerable embarrassment at having his cover blown 

Overall Ability: D

The name wasn’t fake, at least; the status window popped up immediately.

Just as I’d suspected, this bastard wasn’t a real guard squad leader.

He did seem to work at the castle, so the position was listed correctly.

But that couldn’t hide the fact that his true identity was “Professional Bandit.”

“What kind of talk is that? Even if you’re some high-and-mighty noble, I can’t let an insult like that slide.”

What the hell is this lunatic saying?

Just because he works at the lord’s castle, does he think he’s some upright citizen now?

His identity literally says Professional Bandit.

Not a runaway serf who turned to crime out of desperation; this was a man whose calling was to kill and rob.

So why was he acting all refined and proper?

“This territory has truly gone mad.”

“Who the hell are you to insult our land? At least give us your name!”

“Me? I’m the guy who came here for exactly this.”

This time I didn’t bother taking out the family seal.

I had something far better: the investigation warrant issued to Baron Lelbrant.

A document stamped with the seal of the capital courthouse; an invincible piece of paper unfolded right before his eyes.

Yet the man just stared blankly, blinking like an idiot.

Even though it was a warrant issued by the High Judge himself.

Ah, right.

I forgot this world has a literacy rate above 95%… no, below 5%.

Of course waving around an authoritative document would get no reaction.

When I investigated Erseth Mine, I at least went through the motions for appearances.

But against this guy? It was completely useless.

Sigh. 

“Go fetch someone who can read. A butler, maybe. Or better yet, have the lord himself come out.”

“You’ll pay for daring to summon His Lordship so casually.”

The bandit glared, then vanished into the castle with a leap.

Soon enough, he returned; this time with Baron Lelbrant in tow.

Surprisingly, the baron recognized me immediately.

“M-My apologies, Your Highness! I failed to recognize such an esteemed person…”

Naturally, the bandit threw himself to the ground, groveling as though his hands were feet.

Baron Lelbrant also bowed deeply with perfect courtesy.

“The fault of a subordinate is also the fault of the lord. He deeply regrets his actions, so please show him mercy.”

When he put it like that, I couldn’t exactly explode in anger.

I decided to let it slide for now.

I could crush this guy anytime I wanted; legally, of course.

A professional bandit, huh. Just arrest him and throw him in the capital labor camp. There’s always room.

There were probably far more like him.

I’d already seen dozens of bandit camps scattered across Lelbrant territory alone.

I couldn’t understand why the baron allowed this situation to fester.

“Let us not stand here; please come inside. The wind turns cold this season.”

At Baron Lelbrant’s invitation, I nodded readily.

But then a strange feeling struck me.

Wait… why isn’t this man’s status window appearing?

***

Because it was late, I was shown to my quarters right after dinner.

I flopped onto the plush bed, but it didn’t feel comfortable at all.

My mind was too busy.

Why?

Everyone I had exchanged names with until now had their status window appear.

Yet Baron Lelbrant was the exception.

When I briefly saw him in court, I hadn’t bothered checking.

He had flinched at the mention of slush funds, but he was still technically the victim in that case.

Everyone keeps a little emergency money, right?

Nobles just do it on a grander scale.

So I had let it go.

But something definitely feels off about him…

In the end, the key to this whole incident lay with the lord himself.

There was no evidence yet, but I felt a strong certainty.

Call it intuition on high alert.

The problem was I had no good way to dig deeper.

I couldn’t exactly storm in and beat the answers out of him.

Even if I did, would he give me honest answers?

The baron was merely suspicious; officially, he was the victim.

Ah! Then I’ll just start with the defendant.

The woman who had stormed the castle demanding repayment was currently in the capital detention center.

But wasn’t this place crawling with people just like her accomplices?

Practically the entire territory was a bandit den.

I immediately prepared to head out.

“Your Highness? Where are you going at this hour?”

Tobias asked right away.

He looked startled that I was heading out in the dead of night.

Security here was abysmal, after all.

“Just a little investigation.”

“Even for Your Highness, this is far too dangerous. One hand cannot block ten.”

Normally, Butler Tobias Wilkin would be right.

Even the swiftest knight can’t withstand being surrounded.

But I was the monster once called the berserker of the north.

One against a hundred was a warm-up.

“It’s fine.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to move when it’s light?”

“Thieves operate at night, don’t they?”

“That’s true, but…”

“Ah, you don’t have to come. Tell the mercenaries to rest well too.”

“How could I possibly do that? I will accompany you no matter what.”

“I’m really serious this time.”

Tobias Wilkin was passionate about his duties.

Protecting me was currently his highest priority.

Of course he’d react like that.

The problem was his combat ability was practically zero.

He’d just be baggage.

I had no choice but to take drastic measures.

TSS TSS TSS TSS! THUD!

I activated Beast’s Heart and struck the back of his neck.

Tobias rolled his eyes back and collapsed.

Such a convenient ability.

Just using the skill turned me into a superhuman.

After knocking Tobias out with a single chop, I left the castle.

Strangely, the gate guards didn’t try to stop me at all.

They opened the gate immediately, as if trained to do so.

If a guest leaves the castle at night, shouldn’t you at least ask where he’s going?

This really was a bizarre place.

I reached the territory’s bustling district without any interference.

Though it was only a barony, Lelbrant’s domain wasn’t small.

The population was considerable, and the yield was decent too; if managed properly.

So why the hell is it run like this?

If I were the lord, I would never let bandits roam free.

Only when the people live in peace can they produce wealth.

Yet there wasn’t the slightest sign of effort here.

And how did I know that?

Because every single person walking around the bustling district is a bandit.

The same faces I’d seen at the camps kept appearing whenever I turned my head.

How could anyone call this normal?

The common folk treated even a single drink at a shabby pub as a luxury.

Hm?

As I walked through the district, a strange thought struck me.

When a well-dressed person passes by, wouldn’t you at least try to talk to them?

Normally, probably not.

But this place was practically a bandit den.

Yet not once did I catch a single greedy glance.

Bandits letting such easy prey just walk by?

No way.

Sure enough, a few guys who smelled money suddenly jumped out from a dark alley.

“Heh heh heh! Isn’t that the fancy young master who entered the territory today?”

“Hand over everything you’ve got while we’re asking nicely. Otherwise you’ll really regret it.”

Every one of them had bizarre tattoos.

Licking daggers with their tongues; definitely not sane behavior.

Actually, they were doing it perfectly.

Their visuals alone were intimidating enough to make anyone wet themselves.

Plus, they had overwhelming numbers.

About ten visible, but the other presences… roughly a hundred?

A hundred men for one lone target?

Absurd, but it made sense.

There were no normal people here; only bandits everywhere.

So who was left to rob?

Perfect. I was just looking to loosen up a bit anyway.

Beast’s Heart activated.

TSS TSS TSS TSS TSS!

Crimson energy surged around me as I drew the iron gavel.

The original Abel Carius had preferred a massive greatsword.

But ever since possessing this body, the first thing I grabbed was the gavel, and it felt far more natural.

Perfect for beating people just enough to subdue them.

“Looks like words won’t work on this one. You all know the rule; first come, first served!”

“UWAAAAA!”

At someone’s shout, the bandits charged all at once.

Even the ones hiding came pouring out; a full-scale assault.

A true wave attack.

Yet I calmly swung the gavel.

First, the closest one got it.

BAAAAAM!

A refreshing CRACK exploded from the hammer head buried in his forehead.

The guy wielding the dagger spun a full circle before collapsing flat.

Whether his comrade fell or not, the next one lunged with a short spear.

A surprise thrust from baggy sleeves.

It didn’t work on me at all.

I deflected the spearhead with a light tilt of my head, then swung the gavel upward hard.

THUUUUM!

“KWAAAARGH!”

The one who took it in the gut flew far away and crashed into a dilapidated building.

I didn’t even spare him a glance and moved on to the next motion.

Dozens of daggers were thrown at once.

This might actually be a little tough.

They lived by robbery, so their throwing skills were excellent.

Every blade aimed precisely for vital points.

But in the end, they were just chunks of metal thrown by ordinary humans.

CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG-CLANG!

With a single wide swing of the gavel, the entire barrage was knocked away.

The crimson energy burst out in a wide arc and swept the area clean.

Whoa! It actually worked?

Honestly, even I was a bit shocked.

I had only imagined it in my head, yet it happened instantly.

The bandits seemed just as stunned; silence stretched on for quite a while.

I arrogantly scanned the surroundings and declared.

“Everyone get on your knees and bow your heads.”

Yet no one moved.

Well, they might not have grasped the sudden reversal yet.

Then what should I do?

I need to clearly remind them who’s on top.

I cracked my neck left and right and stepped forward.

With every step, the bandits involuntarily retreated.

They were overwhelmed by transcendent presence.

A cold smile naturally formed on my lips.

Soon the justice rod; no, the etiquette injector; was enveloped in crimson energy.

If I smashed a few more, they’d quickly realize.

That if they didn’t bow their heads, something was going to break.

And right at that moment;

“Stop!”

Someone suddenly appeared.

Not flying in from somewhere; just materializing as if rising from the ground itself.

Now this is surprising.

At a glance, this one was clearly a master.

He had managed to fool my senses even for an instant.

So I decided to reward him.

“Consider it an honor. This is my first time going 100%.”

And then a crimson storm swept through the bustling district of Lelbrant Barony.

KUOOOOOOOOOOOOO!