Within the bandit hideout, Banning from Ira Village was confessing everything he knew to Wolf, the leader of the Crimson Cloud Bandits.
Banning informed Wolf that he had known Fuchs for a year, previously unaware that Fuchs was a bandit and only knowing that he was having an affair with a woman named Mary in the village. Whenever Fuchs visited Mary for their clandestine rendezvous, he would give Banning a small tip to keep watch.
Eventually, Fuchs disappeared for a long period before suddenly reappearing recently, as Banning was beginning to forget him and Mary had found a new lover. Upon his return, Fuchs continued visiting Mary, each time bringing a large package but leaving empty-handed, making Banning curious about the contents. When Banning asked Mary privately, she revealed that Fuchs was a bandit who had stored many valuable items with her, planning to retire soon and live a comfortable life with her in Gudetown using the money.
Last night, Fuchs arrived as usual, but this time he was anxious and hurried. He immediately requested Banning’s help in transferring all the items hidden in Mary’s house to a secret cave in Ira Forest. Then, Banning was to pretend not to know Fuchs, accompany him to the bandit hideout, and feign submission to the bandits. Later, during the planned attack on Ira Village, they were to quietly abduct Mary together.
“Ha! You’re quite daring to take on such a task,” Wolf remarked, his eyes darting about as Fuchs’ situation exceeded his expectations.
“Your Majesty, I didn’t want to agree at first! But that scoundrel Fuchs lied to me, saying that you were easygoing and guaranteed my safety! That’s why I came! But it turned out completely different from what he said. If I had known I would lose my life, I would never have…”
Banning’s complaints grew more impassioned, but Wolf had stopped paying close attention, as he had already learned what he wanted to know.
Initially, Wolf planned to kill Banning after extracting the information, but his plans changed as Banning still had a final use. Wolf had long been aware of Fuchs’ penchant for women and secretly moving money—Fuchs’ stinginess was well-known among the bandits, and Wolf had always wondered what he saved for. Now, Wolf understood.
Banning’s confession answered all of Wolf’s suspicions about Fuchs. Wolf would never allow Fuchs to retire, as he knew too many secrets of the Crimson Cloud Bandits. However, Fuchs’ death would have to wait until after the raid on Ira Village; killing him now would harm morale. Additionally, Wolf would, of course, “graciously accept” the money Fuchs had hidden away.
Nevertheless, Wolf had not entirely believed Banning, so he would not head to Ira Village without precautions.
Wolf vigilantly discerned that this might also be a trap set up by Fuchs and Banning, but regrettably, Fuchs was far away in Luca Village. Wolf could not apprehend him for questioning, which would affect their plan to plunder Ira Village.
(If Fuchs sets a trap in Ira Village… it would pose a significant threat to the Crimson Cloud Bandits… If he colluded with the guards of Gudetown…)
Wolf pondered the matter carefully, weighing substantial benefits against considerable risks. With his wealth of experience, he quickly made a decision to first “drop a stone into the dry well to gauge its depth.”
“Enough, no need to continue. In light of your candidness, I will spare your life. However, releasing you is impossible… So, you will retrieve Fuchs’ treasure for me, and then I will allow you to serve in the bandit group.”
Wolf interrupted Banning’s incessant complaints and then shouted toward the cell’s exterior.
“Someone, fetch Igor for me!”
·
If Wolf had absolute trust in anyone, it would be the Crimson Cloud Bandits’ third-in-command – Charge Captain Igor.
Since the establishment of the Crimson Cloud Bandits, Igor had saved Wolf’s life thrice. In order to rescue Wolf, Igor lost an ear and bore a deep scar on his back. It was no exaggeration to say he had walked to the brink of death for Wolf.
“Boss, you called for me?”
A burly, bald man approached, his build even more robust than Wolf’s.
“Yes, there’s an urgent matter I need you to handle.”
Wolf had Banning’s bindings loosened and instructed Igor to accompany him to Ira Forest immediately. They were to retrieve the treasure from the underground cave and return to the hideout before noon.
“Boss, should I… have a couple of our men go with him? I… I am currently… planning tonight’s strategy for our brethren…”
“No, you must go yourself. Hurry up.”
Wolf brusquely interrupted Igor’s proposal and, seizing a moment when Banning wasn’t paying attention, whispered in Igor’s ear.
“After this kid leads you to the location, kill him and dispose of the body on the spot. Understood?”
Igor silently nodded; this wasn’t the first time Wolf had ordered him to do such a thing.
Once Igor and Banning departed, Wolf felt somewhat relieved. The unexpected turn of events brought about by the Ira Village youth before the raid somewhat unnerved him. Now, everything was clear: the “guide to the treasure’s location” marked the youth’s final usefulness. Regardless of whether he lied to survive or spoke the truth, his fate was sealed.
The only pity was that Wolf might lose the capable Igor. Igor’s prowess was second only to Wolf’s. If a trap did exist in Ira Village and even Igor couldn’t safely return, Wolf would abandon the village and immediately flee with the bandits. If Igor returned unscathed, all would be well, and they would proceed with tonight’s raid on Ira Village as planned.
(Igor… if it weren’t for your growing influence in the bandit group, I wouldn’t have sent you on such a risky mission… If you die, blame your own honesty…)
·
Within the rugged mountain terrain, Igor and Banning proceeded at a brisk pace.
The dazzling sunlight reflected off the large machete on Igor’s back, blindingly brilliant.
Throughout their journey, Banning never stopped talking, while Igor, a man of few words, merely hummed in agreement. He had no interest in someone he would soon kill.
Over an hour later, the two arrived deep within Ira Forest.
Igor’s stamina was impressive, hardly breaking a sweat, while Banning struggled to catch his breath.
“The treasure… is inside this cave… right?” Igor glanced at the pitch-black underground cavern ahead.
“Yes… yes, it is.” Banning, preoccupied with wiping away his sweat, failed to notice the change in Igor’s demeanor.
“You’ve done well.”
Igor unsheathed his large machete, swinging it towards Banning’s unprotected back.𝚘𝓋𝓵xt.𝒸𝓞𝑚